Telemedicine in urologic oncology care: Will telemedicine exacerbate disparities?

Introduction: Disparities in prostate, bladder, and kidney cancer outcomes are associated with access to care. Telemedicine can improve access but may be underutilized by certain patient populations. Our objective was to determine if the patient populations who suffer worse oncologic outcomes are the same as those who are less likely to use telemedicine.

Using a Multi-pronged Behavioral Intervention to Standardize Antibiotic Prophylaxis at the Time of Foley Catheter Removal After Radical Prostatectomy.

Objective: To identify antibiotic prescribing patterns at the time of foley catheter removal after radical prostatectomy and implement a multi-pronged behavioral intervention to standardize antibiotic use.

Methods: This was a single-institution study examining the prescribing of antibiotics at the time of foley catheter removal after radical prostatectomy. Pre-intervention data were collected retrospectively to establish baselines for antibiotic prescribing, patient characteristics, and urinary tract infection rates.

A Multipronged Intervention to Reduce Readmissions and Readmission Intensity After Radical Cystectomy.

Objective: To develop a multipronged, evidence-based protocol to reduce readmission risk and readmission intensity, as represented by the duration of the index readmission, after radical cystectomy.

Materials And Methods: A per-protocol study was performed. The protocol included preoperative nutritional supplementation, early stent removal, and a follow-up phone call within 4-5days of discharge.

Utilizing a Questionnaire to Implement a Risk-based Antibiotic Prophylaxis Protocol for Transrectal Prostate Biopsy.

Objective: To develop and evaluate a risk-based antibiotic prophylaxis protocol for patients undergoing transrectal prostate biopsy.

Methods: We created a risk-based protocol for antibiotic prophylaxis before transrectal prostate biopsy. Patients were screened for infection risk-factors with a self-administered questionnaire.

Large Variations in the Prices of Urologic Procedures at Academic Medical Centers 1 Year After Implementation of the Price Transparency Final Rule.

Importance: Patients with urologic diseases often experience financial toxicity, defined as high levels of financial burden and concern, after receiving care. The Price Transparency Final Rule, which requires hospitals to disclose both the commercial and cash prices for at least 300 services, was implemented to facilitate price shopping, decrease price dispersion, and lower health care costs.

Objective: To evaluate compliance with the Price Transparency Final Rule and to quantify variations in the price of urologic procedures among academic hospitals and by insurance class.