A quality-improvement approach to urgent-care antibiotic stewardship for respiratory tract infections during the COVID-19 pandemic: Lessons learned.

Objective: We investigated a decrease in antibiotic prescribing for respiratory illnesses in 2 academic urgent-care clinics during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic using semistructured clinician interviews.

Methods: We conducted a quality-improvement project from November 2020 to May 2021. We investigated provider antibiotic decision making using a mixed-methods explanatory design including interviews.

Predictors of postdischarge complications: role of in-hospital length of stay.

Background: Surgical length of stay (LOS) has been correlated with quality of care, with shorter stays implying better care. The relationship between LOS and postdischarge complications (PDCs) has not been evaluated effectively.

Methods: The 2005 to 2007 National Surgical Quality Improvement Program data were queried for patients undergoing elective colectomies.

Profiling the ethnic characteristics of domestic injuries in children younger than age 5 years.

The home remains a very common location for deadly injuries among children younger than 5 years. The aim of this study is to describe the demographic and injury characteristics of domestic injuries in children younger than 5 years. The National Trauma Data Bank's National Sample Program data set was queried for children younger than 5 years with the injury site classified as home.

Effective weight loss management with endoscopic gastric plication using StomaphyX device: is it achievable?

Background: Despite the effectiveness of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) in promoting excess weight loss, 40% of the patients regain weight. Endoscopic gastric plication (EGP) using the StomaphyX device can serve as a less-invasive procedure for promoting the loss of regained weight. Our objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of the StomaphyX device in sustaining ongoing weight loss in patients who have regained weight after RYGB at the Division of Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery, Howard University Hospital.

Differential trends in racial preferences for cosmetic surgery procedures.

There appears to be an increasing acceptance of cosmetic surgery procedures among minority populations in America. Our objective was to determine trends in elective cosmetic procedure utilization as they apply to racial/ethnic differences. A retrospective analysis was performed using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample.

Does BMI affect perioperative complications following total knee and hip arthroplasty?

Background: Orthopedic surgeons are reluctant to perform total knee (TKA) or hip (THA) arthroplasty on patients with high body mass index (BMI). Recent studies are conflicting regarding the risk of obesity on perioperative complications. Our study investigates the effect of BMI on perioperative complications in patients undergoing TKA and THA using a national risk-adjusted database.

Laparoscopic appendectomy in children with complicated appendicitis: ethnic disparity amid changing trend.

Background: Laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) has gained acceptance in the treatment of uncomplicated appendicitis in the pediatric population. The role of LA versus open appendectomy (OA) in complicated (perforated) appendicitis has remained controversial.

Methods: A 10-y review of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (HCUP-NIS) and 3 y of non-overlapping data from the Kids' Inpatient Database (KID) (2000, 2003, and 2006) was performed on pediatric patients (age <18 y) with complicated appendicitis.

Epidemiologic trend in elderly domestic injury.

Background: The elderly constitute about 12% of the American population, with a projected increase of up to 25% in 2050. Elderly domestic injuries have been recognized as a major cause of morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study is to determine the 4-y national trend in elderly domestic injury, and we hypothesize that the home remains a significant source of injury.

Pediatric negative appendectomy rate: trend, predictors, and differentials.

Background: Appendectomy is one of the most commonly performed emergency operations in children. The diagnosis of appendicitis can be quite challenging, particularly in children. We set out to determine the accuracy of diagnosis of appendicitis by analyzing the trends in the negative appendectomy rate (NAR) using a national database.