A Clinical Pharmacist-Led Transitions of Care Program for Veterans with Two Planned Care Transitions (Hospital to Skilled Care and Skilled Care to Home) amid the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Transitional care teams have been shown to improve patient safety. We describe a novel transitional care team with a clinical pharmacist as team leader initiated amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The program focused on Veterans with 2 planned transitions of care: hospital to skilled nursing facility (SNF) and from SNF to home.

Powered air-purifying respirators used during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic significantly reduce speech perception.

Background: Due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, interventions in the upper airways are considered high-risk procedures for otolaryngologists and their colleagues. The purpose of this study was to evaluate limitations in hearing and communication when using a powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) system to protect against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission and to assess the benefit of a headset.

Methods: Acoustic properties of the PAPR system were measured using a head and torso simulator.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Patients With Hearing Implants - Follow-up on Prevalence and Complications.

Objective: To examine the number of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations performed in patients with hearing implants and to quantify side effects or complications related to this procedure.

Study Design: Questionnaire.

Setting: Tertiary referral center, academic hospital.

Typical symptoms of common otorhinolaryngological diseases may mask a SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Purpose: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) replicates predominantly in the upper respiratory tract and is primarily transmitted by droplets and aerosols. Taking the medical history for typical COVID-19 symptoms and PCR-based SARS-CoV-2 testing have become established as screening procedures. The aim of this work was to describe the clinical appearance of SARS-CoV-2-PCR positive patients and to determine the SARS-CoV-2 contact risk for health care workers (HCW).

The role of structured reporting and structured operation planning in functional endoscopic sinus surgery.

Computed tomography (CT) scans represent the gold standard in the planning of functional endoscopic sinus surgeries (FESS). Yet, radiologists and otolaryngologists have different perspectives on these scans. In general, residents often struggle with aspects involved in both reporting and operation planning.

In vitro comparison of surgical techniques in times of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: electrocautery generates more droplets and aerosol than laser surgery or drilling.

Introduction: Based on current knowledge, the SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted via droplet, aerosols and smear infection. Due to a confirmed high virus load in the upper respiratory tract of COVID-19 patients, there is a potential risk of infection for health care professionals when performing surgical procedures in this area. The aim of this study was the semi-quantitative comparison of ENT-typical interventions in the head and neck area with regard to particle and aerosol generation.

[Implementation of an operational concept in an ENT clinic in the context of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic].

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic poses major challenges for the entire medical care system. Especially in university institutions as maximum care providers, a higher exposure to potentially infectious patients or actual COVID-19 patients is to be expected. In a short period of time, an operational concept had to be developed regarding the current hygiene recommendations of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), the leading medical societies and the internal hospital hygiene plan.

A new adhesive bone conduction hearing system as a treatment option for transient hearing loss after middle ear surgery.

Objective: The objective of this prospective, single-subject, repeated measures study was to evaluate the audiological benefit and patient satisfaction with an adhesive, pressure-free bone conduction hearing system (ADHEAR; MED-EL, Innsbruck, Austria) in patients who underwent middle ear surgery with transient hearing loss due to auditory canal tamponade.

Methods: Eleven adult subjects suffering from transient conductive hearing loss were enrolled in the study and followed up to 3 weeks after middle ear surgery. Bone and air conduction thresholds were measured pre and postoperatively to evaluate eligibility for enrollment.

Evaluation of a bone groove geometry for fixation of a cochlear implant electrode.

Purpose: Electrode migration is a rare, but relevant complication in cochlear implant (CI) surgery. An effective countermeasure is to create a bone groove in the facial recess to secure the electrode lead. We use this method routinely since 2013, but still experienced sporadic electrode migration events most likely due to an improper surgical execution.

Metformin reduces glucose intolerance caused by rapamycin treatment in genetically heterogeneous female mice.

The use of rapamycin to extend lifespan and delay age-related disease in mice is well-established despite its potential to impair glucose metabolism which is driven partially due to increased hepatic gluconeogenesis. We tested whether a combination therapeutic approach using rapamycin and metformin could diminish some of the known metabolic defects caused by rapamycin treatment in mice. In genetically heterogeneous HET3 mice, we found that chronic administration of encapsulated rapamycin by diet caused a measurable defect in glucose metabolism in both male and female mice as early as 1 month after treatment.

Improvement of speech perception in quiet and in noise without decreasing localization abilities with the bone conduction device Bonebridge.

The aim of this study was to examine the functional hearing results regarding speech perception and auditory sound localization in a high-resolution directional hearing setup following implantation with a new bone conduction device (MED-EL Bonebridge, Innsbruck, Austria). In addition, we assessed the patient acceptance of the Bonebridge system using a questionnaire. The study design is retrospective study.