Plan-do-study-act (PDSA) interventions to improve real-world endoscopy unit productivity.

The Plan-Do-Study Act (PDSA) ramp is a framework that uses initial small changes to build consensus and momentum for subsequent, iterative process improvement. Our aim was to study its impact on endoscopy unit efficiency and throughput. Following a granular time-and-motion analysis to evaluate baseline performance (phase 1) we instituted successive interventions and measured their impact on core efficiency metrics including procedure volume and turnover time (phases 2-3).

Urinary tract infections following radical cystectomy and urinary diversion: a review of 1133 patients.

Objective: To investigate the incidence and microbiology of urinary tract infection (UTI) within 90 days following radical cystectomy (RC) and urinary diversion.

Methods: We reviewed 1133 patients who underwent RC for bladder cancer at our institution between 2003 and 2013; 815 patients (72%) underwent orthotopic diversion, 274 (24%) ileal conduit, and 44 (4%) continent cutaneous diversion. 90-day postoperative UTI incidence, culture results, antibiotic sensitivity/resistance and treatment were recorded through retrospective review.

90-Day complication rate in patients undergoing radical cystectomy with enhanced recovery protocol: a prospective cohort study.

Purpose: To report 90-day complication rates following radical cystectomy (RC) with enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol.

Methods: All consecutive patients who underwent open RC with ERAS protocol from 2012 to 2014 were included. The protocol includes no bowel preparation or NGT, early feeding, predominantly non-narcotic pain management and μ-opioid antagonists.

Modification of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells with CD19-specific chimeric antigen receptors as a novel approach for cancer immunotherapy.

Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) against CD19 have been shown to direct T-cells to specifically target B-lineage malignant cells in animal models and clinical trials, with efficient tumor cell lysis. However, in some cases, there has been insufficient persistence of effector cells, limiting clinical efficacy. We propose gene transfer to hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPC) as a novel approach to deliver the CD19-specific CAR, with potential for ensuring persistent production of effector cells of multiple lineages targeting B-lineage malignant cells.