Development and validation of the safe transfusion assessment tool.

Background: Given the prevalence and risks of blood transfusion, it is essential that trainees and practicing clinicians have a thorough understanding of relevant transfusion medicine competencies. The aim of this research was to develop and gather validity evidence for an instrument to assess knowledge of core transfusion-related competencies.

Methods: We developed the safe transfusion assessment tool (STAT) using a multistep process.

Defining core competencies in transfusion medicine for resident physicians: A multi-specialty Delphi consensus study.

Background: Although resident physicians across disciplines are responsible for ordering blood products and managing sequelae of blood product transfusion, no designated set of competencies in transfusion medicine has been established for postgraduate trainees. The primary goal of this study was to determine core transfusion-related competencies that such residents should possess.

Study Design And Methods: A modified Delphi method was used to achieve consensus among a panel of clinical faculty and program leadership in six medical specialties to establish core transfusion-related competencies for resident physicians.

Clinical Features and Outcomes of Pediatric Monophasic and Recurrent Idiopathic Optic Neuritis.

Limited data exist on isolated optic neuritis in children. We report the clinical features and treatment of pediatric subjects with monophasic and recurrent idiopathic optic neuritis. This retrospective cohort study of patients with isolated optic neuritis identified 10 monophasic and 7 recurrent optic neuritis cases.

Subclinical Saccadic Eye Movement Dysfunction in Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis.

Background: Efferent visual dysfunction in children could lead to impaired quality of life at home and school. Eye-tracking can detect subtle efferent dysfunction missed on bedside examination but has not been validated in the pediatric multiple sclerosis population.

Objective: We sought to determine the feasibility of eye-tracking in children and associations with multiple sclerosis.

Early infectious exposures are not associated with increased risk of pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis.

Objective: We sought to determine if early infectious exposures such as daycare, early use of antibiotics, vaccinations and other germ exposures including pacifier use and playing on grass are associated with multiple sclerosis (MS) risk in children.

Methods: This was a case-control study of children with MS or clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) and healthy controls enrolled at sixteen clinics participating in the US Network of Pediatric MS Centers. Parents completed a comprehensive environmental questionnaire that captured early infectious exposures, habits, and illnesses in the first five years of life.

Biosensing in multiple sclerosis.

The goal of using wearable biosensors in multiple sclerosis (MS) is to provide outcome metrics with higher sensitivity to deficits and better inter-test and inter-rater reliability than standard neurological exam bedside maneuvers. A wearable biosensor not only has the potential to enhance physical exams, but also offers the promise of remote evaluations of the patient either at home or with local non-specialist providers. Areas covered: We performed a structured literature review on the use of wearable biosensors in studies of multiple sclerosis.

Long-term evolution of multiple sclerosis disability in the treatment era.

Objective: To characterize the accrual of long-term disability in a cohort of actively treated multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and to assess whether clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data used in clinical trials have long-term prognostic value.

Methods: This is a prospective study of 517 actively managed MS patients enrolled at a single center.

Results: More than 91% of patients were retained, with data ascertained up to 10 years after the baseline visit.