International consensus statement on allergy and rhinology: Allergic rhinitis - 2023.

Background: In the 5 years that have passed since the publication of the 2018 International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Allergic Rhinitis (ICAR-Allergic Rhinitis 2018), the literature has expanded substantially. The ICAR-Allergic Rhinitis 2023 update presents 144 individual topics on allergic rhinitis (AR), expanded by over 40 topics from the 2018 document. Originally presented topics from 2018 have also been reviewed and updated.

COVID-19 Disparities and Vaccine Hesitancy in Black Americans: What Ethical Lessons Can Be Learned?

Objective: This state of the art review focuses on bioethical questions and considerations from research findings and methodological issues, including design and recruitment of participants, in studies related to COVID-19 vaccine hesitation in Black individuals. Ethical concerns identified were applied to otolaryngology with recommendations for improving health inequities within subspecialties.

Data Sources: An internet search through PubMed, CINAHL, and socINDEX was conducted to identify articles on COVID-19 vaccine hesitation among the Black population between 2020 and 2021.

The power of interdependence: Linking health systems, communities, and health professions educational programs to better meet the needs of patients and populations.

Promoting optimal health outcomes for diverse patients and populations requires the acknowledgement and strengthening of interdependent relationships between health professions education programs, health systems, and the communities they serve. Educational programs must recognize their role as integral components of a larger system. Educators must strive to break down silos and synergize efforts to foster a health care workforce positioned for collaborative, equitable, community-oriented practice.

Whatever Happened to Evidence-Based Practice During COVID-19?

Contemporary medical practice is grounded in rigorous scientific evidence in concert with best clinical practices and informed shared decision making with patients. During these times of uncertainty, disruption, and even anxiety, it becomes critical that we engage with our patients and communities in thoughtful dialogue and realistic expectations regarding treatments surrounding COVID-19. The hope for a "miracle" cure and urgency to return back to normal times can stimulate irrational thought and behavior and even desperate measures by individuals or groups.

COVID-19 and the Widening Gap in Health Inequity.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has brought to light significant health inequities that have existed in our society for decades. Blacks, Hispanics, Native Americans, and immigrants are the populations most likely to experience disparities related to burden of disease, health care, and health outcomes. Increasingly, national and state statistics on COVID-19 report disproportionately higher mortality rates in blacks.

Clinical Practice Guideline: Hoarseness (Dysphonia) (Update).

Objective This guideline provides evidence-based recommendations on treating patients who present with dysphonia, which is characterized by altered vocal quality, pitch, loudness, or vocal effort that impairs communication and/or quality of life. Dysphonia affects nearly one-third of the population at some point in its life. This guideline applies to all age groups evaluated in a setting where dysphonia would be identified or managed.

Clinical Practice Guideline: Hoarseness (Dysphonia) (Update) Executive Summary.

Objective This guideline provides evidence-based recommendations on treating patients presenting with dysphonia, which is characterized by altered vocal quality, pitch, loudness, or vocal effort that impairs communication and/or quality of life. Dysphonia affects nearly one-third of the population at some point in its life. This guideline applies to all age groups evaluated in a setting where dysphonia would be identified or managed.

Plain Language Summary: Hoarseness (Dysphonia).

This plain language summary for patients serves as an overview in explaining hoarseness (dysphonia). The summary applies to patients in all age groups and is based on the 2018 "Clinical Practice Guideline: Hoarseness (Dysphonia) (Update)." The evidence-based guideline includes research to support more effective identification and management of patients with hoarseness (dysphonia).

International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Allergic Rhinitis.

Background: Critical examination of the quality and validity of available allergic rhinitis (AR) literature is necessary to improve understanding and to appropriately translate this knowledge to clinical care of the AR patient. To evaluate the existing AR literature, international multidisciplinary experts with an interest in AR have produced the International Consensus statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Allergic Rhinitis (ICAR:AR).

Methods: Using previously described methodology, specific topics were developed relating to AR.

Obstacles to preventive care for individuals with disability: Implications for nurse practitioners.

Background And Purpose: Individuals with disabilities have been identified as a population with a significantly lower usage of preventive services. Nurse practitioners (NPs) provide a key access point in the healthcare delivery system for preventive services for vulnerable populations such as those with disabilities. It is essential to understand existing barriers that prohibit access to effective preventive care for this vulnerable population.

Plain Language Summary: Earwax (Cerumen Impaction).

This plain language summary serves as an overview in explaining earwax (cerumen). The summary applies to patients older than 6 months with a clinical diagnosis of earwax impaction and is based on the 2017 update of the Clinical Practice Guideline: Earwax (Cerumen Impaction). The evidence-based guideline includes research that supports diagnosis and treatment of earwax impaction.

Clinical Practice Guideline (Update): Earwax (Cerumen Impaction) Executive Summary.

The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) has published a supplement to this issue of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery featuring the updated Clinical Practice Guideline: Earwax (Cerumen Impaction). To assist in implementing the guideline recommendations, this article summarizes the rationale, purpose, and key action statements. The 11 recommendations emphasize proper ear hygiene, diagnosis of cerumen impaction, factors that modify management, evaluating the need for intervention, and proper treatment.

Clinical Practice Guideline (Update): Earwax (Cerumen Impaction).

Objective This update of the 2008 American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation cerumen impaction clinical practice guideline provides evidence-based recommendations on managing cerumen impaction. Cerumen impaction is defined as an accumulation of cerumen that causes symptoms, prevents assessment of the ear, or both. Changes from the prior guideline include a consumer added to the development group; new evidence (3 guidelines, 5 systematic reviews, and 6 randomized controlled trials); enhanced information on patient education and counseling; a new algorithm to clarify action statement relationships; expanded action statement profiles to explicitly state quality improvement opportunities, confidence in the evidence, intentional vagueness, and differences of opinion; an enhanced external review process to include public comment and journal peer review; and 3 new key action statements on managing cerumen impaction that focus on primary prevention, contraindicated intervention, and referral and coordination of care.

Otolaryngology Nurses' Awareness of Clinical Practice Guidelines.

Clinical practice guidelines (CPG) are developed to inform clinical decision-making and standardize care based on scientific evidence, benefits and harms of treatment, and patient preferences to achieve optimal health outcomes. This survey study explored the level of awareness of otorhinolaryngology (ORL) nurses in using CPGs in clinical practice. The study sought to answer the following: (1) How aware are ORL nurses of CPGs developed by the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF)? (2) Which CPGs are most widely identified by ORL nurses? and (3) Do ORL nurses perceive that AAO-HNSF guidelines can benefit their practice? An online survey was developed, piloted, and launched to all eligible registered nurse SOHN members in October 2015.

Samter's Triad to Aspirin-Exacerbated Respiratory Disease: Historical Perspective and Current Clinical Practice.

Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD), formerly known as Samter's Triad, is a syndrome of airway inflammation characterized by rhinosinusitis with polyposis, asthma, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) intolerance. Approximately 7% of patients with asthma will also have AERD making prompt identification, diagnosis, and management of this syndrome important to controlling the disease progression. This paper will provide a brief biographical background on Max Samter, MD, followed by an epidemiologic overview, clinical presentation and diagnosis, and management strategies, which highlight patient counseling and educational needs.

Can the use of urgent care clinics improve access to care without undermining continuity in primary care?

Purpose: There is a niche for urgent care clinics as an alternate source of health care in the United States. This systematic review examines whether the use of urgent care clinics can improve access to care or if these facilities undermine continuity of primary care.

Data Sources: Databases used were Cumulative Index for Nursing and Allied Health (CINAHL) and Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE).

Asthma Self-Management Goals, Beliefs and Behaviors of Urban African American Adolescents Prior to Transitioning to Adult Health Care.

Unlabelled: Adolescence is a unique time of development incorporating a transition from child centered to adult centered health care. This transition period can be particularly challenging for individuals with a chronic disease such as asthma. Inadequate transition planning during adolescence may place an already vulnerable population such as African American adolescents with known health disparities in asthma prevalence, morbidity and mortality at risk for a continuation of poor health outcomes across the lifespan.

Clinical practice guideline: allergic rhinitis executive summary.

The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) has published a supplement to this issue featuring the new Clinical Practice Guideline: Allergic Rhinitis. To assist in implementing the guideline recommendations, this article summarizes the rationale, purpose, and key action statements. The 14 recommendations developed address the evaluation of patients with allergic rhinitis, including performing and interpretation of diagnostic testing and assessment and documentation of chronic conditions and comorbidities.

Clinical practice guideline: Allergic rhinitis.

Objective: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is one of the most common diseases affecting adults. It is the most common chronic disease in children in the United States today and the fifth most common chronic disease in the United States overall. AR is estimated to affect nearly 1 in every 6 Americans and generates $2 to $5 billion in direct health expenditures annually.

Environmental controls and avoidance measures.

Background: Environmental control measures refer to using 1 or more interventions aimed at avoiding, reducing, or eliminating allergens and irritants in the environment to improve symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Although avoiding known allergens is highly effective, completely eliminating an allergen from one's environment is often impractical or even impossible.

Methods: The purpose of this work is to review evidence on the efficacy of various environmental control measures aimed at preventing the development of new sensitizations, reducing the progression of allergic rhinitis, and improving its symptoms and quality of life.

Transformational leadership practices of nurse leaders in professional nursing associations.

Objective: This study describes the transformational leadership (TL) practices of nurse leaders in professional nursing associations (PNAs).

Background: Professional nursing associations are vehicles to provide educational opportunities for nurses as well as leadership opportunities for members. Little has been published about the leadership practices of PNA members.