Double Appendix: Implications for the Emergency Department.

Background: A double appendix, also known as vermiform appendix duplex, is a rare anomaly in humans, with a reported incidence of 1 in 25,000. The rarity of vermiform appendix duplication makes it a noteworthy medical occurrence. Approximately 100 reported cases have been documented since the first observed case in 1892.

Development of Persistent Respiratory Morbidity in Previously Healthy Children After Acute Respiratory Failure.

Objectives: Acute respiratory failure is a common reason for admission to PICUs. Short- and long-term effects on pulmonary health in previously healthy children after acute respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation are unknown. The aim was to determine if clinical course or characteristics of mechanical ventilation predict persistent respiratory morbidity at follow-up.

Exploring the scope of post-intensive care syndrome therapy and care: engagement of non-critical care providers and survivors in a second stakeholders meeting.

Background: Increasing numbers of survivors of critical illness are at risk for physical, cognitive, and/or mental health impairments that may persist for months or years after hospital discharge. The post-intensive care syndrome framework encompassing these multidimensional morbidities was developed at the 2010 Society of Critical Care Medicine conference on improving long-term outcomes after critical illness for survivors and their families.

Objectives: To report on engagement with non-critical care providers and survivors during the 2012 Society of Critical Care Medicine post-intensive care syndrome stakeholder conference.

Development of an observational tool on computer use during rounds.

We present an observational tool to capture computer usage patterns during rounds to inform designs of information and communication technology to support clinical discourse during rounds. The tool captures choreography and logistics of information exchanges supported by clinical information systems during rounds. We developed the tool as part of an ongoing video-recording study of communication to under-stand how, when, and why computers are used during multidisciplinary clinical rounds.

Disclosure of medical error: is it worth the risk?

Introduction: The climate within the United States is rapidly changing with respect to patient and family knowledge of medical error and their expectations of the events that should occur after an error.

Objective: This article examines the history and changing tide of medical error disclosure, reviews the limited but growing body of literature surrounding patient and physician attitudes toward disclosing and discussing medical error, makes suggestions on what and how to disclose to patients and families that an error has occurred, and finally, discusses the effect of error disclosure.

Conclusion: It seems that if disclosure of medical error is made with compassion, in a timely manner, and with good communication skills both during and after the disclosure process, patients and their families are at least no more likely to seek legal action and some lawsuits may actually be avoided.

The value of autopsy in pediatric cardiology and cardiovascular surgery.

Autopsy has been considered extremely helpful in determining the accuracy of the premorbid diagnosis. With recent advances in diagnostic imaging, the value of the autopsy has been called into question. The aim of this study was to assess the value of the pediatric autopsy in the current era of advanced diagnostic technology and sophisticated surgical intervention for congenital heart disease (CHD) and also to determine the autopsy's potential impact on clinical management.

Influenza B infection associated with encephalitis: treatment with oseltamivir.

Encephalitis associated with acute influenza infection is unusual in nonepidemic years. A case of a 10-year-old child with influenza B encephalitis and profound weakness who was treated with oseltamivir is presented. This case illustrates several of the unusual findings associated with influenza infections and the result of treatment of influenza B encephalitis with oseltamivir.