Publications by authors named "Polina Trachuk"

Objectives: Few surveys have focused on physician moral distress, burnout, and professional fulfilment. We assessed physician wellness and coping during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design: Cross-sectional survey using four validated instruments.

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Background: Patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) have poor outcomes and frequently develop comorbid conditions, including cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation. The implications of CMV reactivation in this setting are unknown. We aimed to investigate if treatment of CMV viremia improved in-hospital mortality in ICU patients with COVID-19.

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Background: Infection is a leading cause of admission to intensive care units (ICUs), with critically ill patients often receiving empiric broad-spectrum antibiotics. Nevertheless, a dedicated infectious diseases (ID) consultation and stewardship team is not routinely established. An ID-critical care medicine (ID-CCM) pilot program was designed at a 400-bed tertiary care hospital in which an ID attending was assigned to participate in daily rounds with the ICU team, as well as provide ID consultation on select patients.

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Lung transplantation is a lifesaving intervention for patients with advanced lung disease. Due to a combination of immunosuppression, continuous exposure of the lungs to the environment, and complications at the anastomotic sites, lung transplant recipients are at high risk for infectious complications. The aim of this review is to summarize recent developments in the field of infectious diseases as it pertains to lung transplant recipients.

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Background: Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) carry serious risks for patients and financial consequences for hospitals. Avoiding unnecessary temporary central venous catheters (CVC) can reduce CLABSI. Critical Care Medicine (CCM) is often consulted to insert CVC when alternatives are unavailable.

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Electronic cigarettes, pens, cartridges and other devices were developed as nicotine delivery systems not requiring combustion of tobacco leaves. This technology was subsequently employed to deliver the cannabis component tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) via products often manufactured without adequate quality oversight and sold illegally. Recently, five patients presenting within a 2-month period with acute respiratory failure due to acute lipoid pneumonia after inhaling THC-containing concentrates or oils have been described.

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is an uncommon cause of brain abscesses. Immunocompromised hosts, pregnant women and patients at extremes of age are especially susceptible. We discuss the successful management of a woman with autoimmune hepatitis on prednisone and azathioprine therapy with a brain abscess.

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Cryptococcal infections are acquired by inhalation of encapsulated yeast cells or basidiospores. While has a propensity to invade the lungs and central nervous system, other sites can be affected. Laryngeal cryptococcosis is rare with less than 30 previously reported cases, which commonly occurred in apparently immunocompetent hosts on inhaled corticosteroids.

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Gastrointestinal mucormycosis is a rare life-threatening infection to which neutropenic patients are especially vulnerable. is a mucormycete that has not been described as a human pathogen. We discuss the successful eradication of gastrointestinal in a neutropenic patient with simultaneous pulmonary infection.

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