Sleep apnea in total joint arthroplasty patients and the role for cardiac biomarkers for risk stratification: an exploration of feasibility.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is highly prevalent in patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty (TJA) and is a major risk factor for postoperative cardiovascular complications and death. Recognizing this, the American Society of Anesthesiologists urges clinicians to implement special considerations in the perioperative care of OSA patients. However, as the volume of patients presenting for TJA increases, resources to implement these recommendations are limited.

Detection and Measurement of Unhealthy, Environment-Derived Aerosol Materials in an Emergency Department.

Objective: To measure unhealthy aerosol materials in an Emergency Department (ED) and identify their sources for mitigation efforts.

Background: Based on pilot findings of elevated ED particulate matter (PM) levels, investigators hypothesized that unhealthy aerosol materials derive from exogenous (vehicular) sources at ambulance receiving entrances.

Methods: The Aerosol Environmental Toxicity in Healthcare-related Exposure and Risk program was conducted as an observational study.

The BUDDY (Bedside Ultrasound to Detect Dehydration in Youth) study.

Background: Prior research suggests that the ratio of the ultrasound-measured diameter of the inferior vena cava to the aorta correlates with the level of dehydration in children. This study was designed to externally validate this and to access the accuracy of the ultrasound measured inspiratory IVC collapse and physician gestalt to predict significant dehydration in children in the emergency department.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled a non-consecutive cohort of children ≤18 years old.

External validation and comparison of three pediatric clinical dehydration scales.

Objective: To prospectively validate three popular clinical dehydration scales and overall physician gestalt in children with vomiting or diarrhea relative to the criterion standard of percent weight change with rehydration.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled a non-consecutive cohort of children ≤ 18 years of age with an acute episode of diarrhea or vomiting. Patient weight, clinical scale variables and physician clinical impression, or gestalt, were recorded before and after fluid resuscitation in the emergency department and upon hospital discharge.