Infections and antimicrobial prescribing in patients hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during the first pandemic wave.

Objective: To evaluate the rate of coinfections and secondary infections seen in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and antimicrobial prescribing patterns.

Methods: This single-center, retrospective study included all patients aged ≥18 years admitted with COVID-19 for at least 24 hours to a 280-bed, academic, tertiary-care hospital between March 1, 2020, and August 31, 2020. Coinfections, secondary infections, and antimicrobials prescribed for these patients were collected.

Impact of abdominal imaging on the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis in patients with painless lipase elevation.

Unlabelled: Abdominal pain is considered a cardinal feature of acute pancreatitis (AP), and abdominal imaging is only required to diagnose AP when the pain is atypical, or serum enzyme elevation does not match the clinical picture. While painless lipase elevation is being increasingly associated with worse outcomes in various diseases, the diagnostic approach to such elevation is so-far unclear. We thus aimed to learn the impact of pain on the diagnosis of AP.

Pathophysiology and Biomarker Potential of Fatty Acid Ethyl Ester Elevation During Alcoholic Pancreatitis.

Background & Aims: The role of fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs) during human alcoholic pancreatitis is unknown. We compared FAEEs levels with their nonesterified fatty acids (NEFAs) precursors during alcohol intoxication and clinical alcoholic pancreatitis. The pathophysiology underlying FAEEs increase and their role as diagnostic biomarkers for alcoholic pancreatitis was investigated.

Placement of Dermal Regeneration Template on Fibrotic Dura.

We report the case of a male presenting with a large, fungating Marjolin ulcer over a prior craniectomy defect that had undergone several attempts at reconstruction. On presentation, he had a large area of exposed, fibrotic dura that ultimately required excision of the outer layer prior to placement of Integra (Integra LifeSciences, Plainsboro, NJ) and subsequent split-thickness skin grafting. Although there have been four other reports of dermal regeneration templates being used on exposed dura, this is the first case report of one being used on exposed dura that required dural preparation prior to placement.

Impact of Statewide Telestroke Network on Acute Stroke Treatment in Hawai'i.

Hawai'i faces unique challenges in providing access to subspecialty care, particularly on the islands outside of O'ahu. Telemedicine allows remote treatment of patients with acute ischemic stroke by a neurologist with stroke expertise. The Hawai'i Telestroke Program was implemented in 2012 to connect hospitals with limited neurology coverage to a tertiary stroke center on O'ahu with 24/7 stroke neurology coverage.

External Knot for Running Intradermal Stitch.

We describe a unique method for closure of running subcuticular/intradermal suture that minimizes potential abscess formation and maximizes cosmetic outcomes.