Investigating medical students' perceptions of point-of-care ultrasound integration into preclinical education.

Introduction: Recent international consensus statements advocate for the integration of Point-of-Care Ultrasound (PoCUS) into the global undergraduate medical curriculum. Some medical schools outside Saudi Arabia have already incorporated PoCUS into their undergraduate curricula to enhance anatomy, physiology and pathology instruction. However, there are no data on the potential role of PoCUS in the preclinical training of medical students in Saudi Arabia.

Using the Failure Mode and Effect Analysis Tool to Improve the Automatic Stop Order Process.

Introduction: Automatic stop orders (ASOs) in computerized prescription order entry (CPOE) systems predefine the length of treatment. This can improve resource use for select therapies (e.g.

A Single-Center Study of the Utility of Bronchoalveolar Lavage in Critically Ill Patients With Haematological Malignancy or Stem Cell Transplants.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the yield of bronchoscopy-guided bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and decisions on management of antimicrobials in critically ill patients with hematological malignancy and/or hematological stem cell transplant (HSCT). The safety and tolerance of bronchoscopy were also reported.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted by reviewing health charts of all adult patients with a hematological malignancy and/or an HSCT who were admitted to the intensive care unit and underwent bronchoscopy and BAL over four years from April 2016 to April 2020 at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh.

Role of Multidisciplinary Team Meetings in the Diagnosis and Management of Diffuse Parenchymal Lung Diseases in a Tertiary Care Hospital.

 Decisions on the management of interstitial lung diseases (ILD) and prognostication require an accurate diagnosis. It has been proposed that multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings for ILD (ILD-MDT) improve these decisions in challenging cases of ILD. However, most studies in this field have been based on the decisions of individual clinicians and there are few reports on the outcomes of the ILD-MDT approach.

MicroRNA Profiles in Critically Ill Patients.

The use of biomarkers to expedite diagnosis, prognostication, and treatment could significantly improve patient outcomes. The early diagnosis and treatment of critical illnesses can greatly reduce mortality and morbidity. Therefore, there is great interest in the discovery of biomarkers for critical illnesses.

A survival analysis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in the context of antifibrotic therapy in Saudi Arabia.

Background: The prognosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) can be predicted by the gender, age, and physiology (GAP) index. However, antifibrotic therapy (i.e.

The efficacy of medicinal plant preparations in the alleviation of radiodermatitis in patients with breast cancer: A systematic review of clinical trials.

Radiodermatitis in breast cancer patients varies from mild irritation to life-threatening lesions. Several studies suggest a role for topical corticosteroid ointments in the treatment of radiodermatitis. Yet, to avoid the adverse effects of corticosteroids, many authors recommend the use of topical herbal products instead.

Measurement of the awareness of venous thromboembolism in the Saudi population.

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) causes significant morbidity and mortality. International studies have suggested poor public awareness of VTE, with a few data from Saudi Arabia. The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge and awareness of VTE in the Saudi population.

Nintedanib and pirfenidone for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh: Real-life data.

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic progressive age-related lung disease causing relentless fibrosis of the lung parenchyma. Currently, pirfenidone and nintedanib are the two antifibrotic drugs, approved for the treatment of IPF. Both are shown to slow progression by preserving lung functions from rapid decline compared to a placebo.

Characteristics of Hospitalized Adults With Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection Due to Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase Producing Escherichia coli in a Tertiary Center in Saudi Arabia.

Background: The increase in extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producing microbes in recent years represents a major challenge.

Aim: To study the risk factors for urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by ESBL-producing in patients requiring hospitalization for treatment.

Materials And Method: Electronic health records were used to identify 616 inpatients over the age of 18 who had UTI symptoms and/or signs and an ESBL-producing strain cultured on urine culture between January 1 and December 31, 2018.

Clinical profile, course and outcomes of adults with inflammatory bowel disease over a decade: a single center experience.

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an important cause of morbidity in Saudi Arabia.

Objectives: Determine the incidence, clinical profile, course and outcomes of IBD in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Design: Medical record review SETTING: Tertiary care center PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data were extracted from the medical records of all patients with IBD admitted to King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2019.

A Machine Learning Model for Predicting the Risk of Readmission in Community-Acquired Pneumonia.

Background Pneumonia is a common respiratory infection that affects all ages, with a higher rate anticipated as age increases. It is a disease that impacts patient health and the economy of the healthcare institution. Therefore, machine learning methods have been used to guide clinical judgment in disease conditions and can recognize patterns based on patient data.

Benefit of natriuresis and cardiac resynchronisation therapy in acute decompensated heart failure with cardiorenal syndrome and hypernatraemia.

A man in his eighties with acute heart failure and cardiorenal syndrome developed severe hypernatraemia with diuresis. In this situation, palliation is often considered when renal replacement therapy is inappropriate. The literature to guide treatment of dysnatraemia in this setting is limited.

Headache may be the only symptom of subclavian steal syndrome after thoracic endovascular aortic repair.

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is currently the treatment of choice for thoracic aortic disease. In select cases, the TEVAR stent must occlude the left subclavian artery. This is usually well tolerated, but the subclavian steal syndrome (SCSS) may occur.

Adequacy of physician clinical rounds and nursing care elements for non-COVID-19 infected patients admitted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic created many challenges for healthcare systems. Frontline workers and especially healthcare professionals were the most severely affected through increased working hours, burnout and major psychological distress.

Objectives: To evaluate the changes in standard care elements which occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically the physician clinical rounds and nursing care provided to non-COVID-19 infected patients.

Training pediatric residents in point-of-care ultrasound: An assessment of the needs and barriers to acquire the skill.

Introduction: The use of point-of-care ultrasound (POCU) is increasing globally. However, owing to the epidemiology of diseases and local management strategies, POCU may not be universally applicable. Before developing a POCU training program, because of limited resources for medical education, it was pivotal to conduct a needs assessment and identify the training barriers.

Acquired long QT syndrome due to antiemetics, COVID-19 and induced exacerbation of congenital chloride losing diarrhoea.

Congenital chloride losing diarrhoea (CCLD) is a rare disease caused by mutations in an intestinal chloride/bicarbonate ion exchange channel. Few reports describe CCLD in adults and none has described the impact of a parasitic infection on CCLD. Severe diarrhoea may result in hypokalaemia with QT interval prolongation.

Training medical students in physical examination and point-of-care ultrasound: An assessment of the needs and barriers to acquiring skills in point-of-care ultrasound.

Background: With growth of the use of point of care ultrasound (PoCUS) around the world, some medical schools have incorporated this skill into their undergraduate curricula. However, because of epidemiology of disease and regional differences in approaches to patient care, global application of PoCUS might not be possible. Before creating a PoCUS teaching course, it is critical to perform a needs analysis and recognize the training obstacles.

The diagnostic yield and safety of sputum induction in suspected pulmonary tuberculosis: The experience of a single tertiary care center in Saudi Arabia.

Background: Sputum smear microscopy examination and culture for tuberculosis (TB) remain a fundamental tool of diagnosis but may be negative up to 50% case of active pulmonary TB. Bronchoscopy to obtain sputum is invasive and not readily available. Alternative methods of obtaining sputum specimens are crucial in suspected pulmonary TB cases who are unable to expectorate.

The effects of the COVID-19 lockdown on severe asthma in patients taking biologic therapy and air pollution in Riyadh.

Background: The curfews and lockdowns imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic may decreased the volume of traffic and reduced air pollution. In addition, social distancing measures may contribute to reducing infection and asthma exacerbation.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess asthma control and asthma medication use among severe asthmatics on biologics before and after the COVID-19 pandemic.