The Perceptions of Cancer Patients Regarding the Causes and Preventability of Unplanned Hospital Admissions.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the attitudes of oncology patients regarding the causes and preventability of unplanned hospitalizations.

Methods: Convenience sample using a 36-question survey instrument adapted from prior studies of hospital readmissions.

Results: A total of 95 evaluable patients answered >75% of survey items.

Implementation of a COPD Screening Questionnaire in an Outpatient HIV Clinic.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is associated with increased risk for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); yet substantial under-recognition of COPD exists. We administered a patient-completed, physician-reviewed COPD screening tool in an outpatient HIV clinic to determine whether screening is feasible or possible. Patients attending nonacute, routine HIV care visits were provided a brief COPD screening tool, which included three questions focused on age, respiratory symptoms, and smoking history.

Screening for Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Scar Features by 12-Lead ECG, in Patients with Preserved Ejection Fraction.

Background: Increased QRS score and wide spatial QRS-T angle are independent predictors of cardiovascular mortality in the general population. Our main objective was to assess whether a QRS score ≥ 5 and/or QRS-T angle ≥ 105° enable screening of patients for myocardial scar features.

Methods: Seventy-seven patients of age ≤ 70 years with QRS score ≥ 5 and/or spatial QRS-T angle ≥ 105° as well as left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) >35% were enrolled in the study.

Patient Attitudes Regarding the Cost of Illness in Cancer Care.

Background And Purpose: The cost of illness in cancer care and the subsequent distress has attracted scrutiny. Guidelines recommend enhanced discussion of costs, assuming this will reduce both stress and costs. Little is known about patient attitudes about cost considerations influencing treatment decisions.

Screening entire health system ECG databases to identify patients at increased risk of death.

Background: Current methods to identify patients at higher risk for sudden cardiac death, primarily left ventricular ejection fraction ≤35%, miss ≈80% of patients who die suddenly. We tested the hypothesis that patients with elevated QRS-scores (index of myocardial scar) and wide QRS-T angles (index abnormal depolarization-repolarization relationship) have high 1-year all-cause mortality and could be further risk stratified with clinical characteristics.

Methods And Results: We screened all 12-lead ECGs over 6 months at 2 large hospital systems and analyzed clinical characteristics and 1-year mortality.

A quantitative method for optimized placement of continuous air monitors.

Alarming continuous air monitors (CAMs) are a critical component for worker protection in facilities that handle large amounts of hazardous materials. In nuclear facilities, continuous air monitors alarm when levels of airborne radioactive materials exceed alarm thresholds, thus prompting workers to exit the room to reduce inhalation exposures. To maintain a high level of worker protection, continuous air monitors are required to detect radioactive aerosol clouds quickly and with good sensitivity.