Patient Satisfaction and Recommendations for Delivering a Group-Based Intensive Outpatient Program via Telemental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Cross-sectional Cohort Study.

Background: Although group-based intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) are a level of care commonly utilized by adults with serious mental illness, few studies have examined the acceptability of group-based IOPs that required rapid transition to a telemental health (TMH) format during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate patient satisfaction and future recommendations for a group-based IOP that was transitioned to a TMH format during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: A 17-item patient satisfaction questionnaire was completed by patients at discharge and covered 3 areas: IOP TMH satisfaction, future recommendations, and video technology challenges.

Feasibility and Initial Outcomes of a Group-Based Teletherapy Psychiatric Day Program for Adults With Serious Mental Illness: Open, Nonrandomized Trial in the Context of COVID-19.

Background: In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, many behavioral health services have transitioned to teletherapy to continue delivering care for patients with mental illness. Studies that evaluate the outcome of this rapid teletherapy adoption and implementation are pertinent.

Objective: This single-arm, nonrandomized pilot study aimed to assess the feasibility and initial patient-level outcomes of a psychiatric transitional day program that switched from an in-person group to a video teletherapy group during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Enhancing the patient and family experience during pediatric sleep studies.

Study Objectives: Pediatric polysomnography can result in suboptimal patient and provider (physician and advanced practice provider) experiences. We embarked on a project aimed at increasing the proportion of maximal satisfaction survey scores by a minimum of 10% in 1 year without adding personnel or major expenses.

Methods: We used a Six Sigma framework, define, measure, analyze, improve, and control (DMAIC), to conduct our analysis.

Improving 3-Hour Sepsis Bundled Care Outcomes: Implementation of a Nurse-Driven Sepsis Protocol in the Emergency Department.

Problem: Sepsis, a life-threatening condition, can rapidly progress to death. The Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting program has implemented bundled care metrics for sepsis care, but timely completion of these interventions is challenging. Best-practice interventions could improve patient outcomes and reimbursement.

Examining the Frequency of Stimulant Misuse among Patients with Primary Disorders of Hypersomnolence: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Study Objectives: Narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia are commonly treated by sleep specialists and encountered by other medical providers. Although pharmacotherapy with modafinil and traditional stimulants is considered the mainstay of treatment, physicians are often uncomfortable with their prescription because of concerns regarding misuse. The goal of this study was to assess the frequency of stimulant misuse in this population.

Improving sleep: outcomes from a worksite healthy sleep program.

Objective: Unhealthy and inadequate sleep is a common and significant problem impacting absenteeism, presenteeism, health, and productivity. This study aimed at analyzing the effect of a worksite-based healthy sleep program.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of 53 adult members of a worksite wellness center who participated in an 8-week healthy sleep program and completed pre- and postintervention health behavior questionnaires.

Cataplexy Emotional Trigger Questionnaire (CETQ)--a brief patient screen to identify cataplexy in patients with narcolepsy.

Study Objectives: This pilot study explored the sensitivity and specificity of a brief survey to determine the presence of cataplexy. We hypothesized that the brief questionnaire could provide a quick, sensitive, and specific screening tool to identify those patients with cataplexy, which would result in more timely referrals for further diagnostic testing.

Design: The pilot study utilized a brief questionnaire that was developed by including 5 questions that were found to be strong positive predictors of cataplexy from a previous 51-item cataplexy questionnaire.

Characterizing the emotions that trigger cataplexy.

Cataplexy is an intriguing example of how emotions can trigger muscle weakness by activating neural pathways. When associated with excessive daytime sleepiness, cataplexy is considered pathognomonic of narcolepsy. A questionnaire was administered to 55 patients with narcolepsy-cataplexy and 47 comparison subjects with obstructive sleep apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome.

Obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is characterized by repetitive episodes of airflow reduction (hypopnea) or cessation (apnea) due to upper airway collapse during sleep. Increasing recognition and a greater understanding of the scope of this condition have substantially affected the practices of many clinicians. This review provides practical information for physicians assessing patients with OSAHS.