Interval estimation for operating characteristic of continuous biomarkers with controlled sensitivity or specificity.

The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve provides a comprehensive performance assessment of a continuous biomarker over the full threshold spectrum. Nevertheless, a medical test often dictates to operate at a certain high level of sensitivity or specificity. A diagnostic accuracy metric directly targeting the clinical utility is specificity at the controlled sensitivity level, or vice versa.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Laboratory Test Utilization at a Pediatric Medical Center.

Background: The epidemiology and clinical manifestation of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the pediatric population is different from the adult population. The purpose of this study is to identify effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on laboratory test utilization in a pediatric hospital.

Methods: We performed retrospective analysis on test utilization data from Ann & Robert H.

A Quality Improvement Initiative to Increase Central Line Maintenance Bundle Compliance through Nursing-led Rounds.

Introduction: Improvements in maintenance bundle compliance around central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) lack standardization. The objective was to implement a formalized nursing-led rounding process, Rounds for Influence, with a goal of 12 rounds/wk on each inpatient unit and Ambulatory Infusion Center, achieving > 90% maintenance bundle compliance.

Methods: Nurses served as peer "influencers" to perform rounds.

Challenge of balancing duration of stay and readmissions in children's operation.

Background: Surgeons balance competing interests of minimizing duration of stay with readmissions. Complications that occur early after discharge often result in readmissions. This study examines the relationship between duration of stay, timing of complications, and readmission risk.

Perioperative Visual Loss in Spine Fusion Surgery: Ischemic Optic Neuropathy in the United States from 1998 to 2012 in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample.

Background: Perioperative ischemic optic neuropathy (ION) causes visual loss in spinal fusion. Previous case-control studies are limited by study size and lack of a random sample. The purpose of this study was to study trends in ION incidence in spinal fusion and risk factors in a large nationwide administrative hospital database.

Corneal abrasion in hysterectomy and prostatectomy: role of laparoscopic and robotic assistance.

Background: Radical prostatectomy (RP) is most commonly performed laparoscopically with a robot (robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy, R/PROST). Hysterectomy, which may be open hysterectomy (O/HYST) or laparoscopic hysterectomy (L/HYST), has been increasingly frequently done via robot (R/HYST). Small case series suggest increased corneal abrasions (CAs) with less invasive techniques.