A novel approach to community CPR and AED outreach focused on underserved learner communities.

Creating a sustainable community cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) program that reaches underserved communities poses a challenge for the emergency medical services (EMS) community. Attendance, funding, and resources have all been linked to struggles surrounding community CPR/AED programs. Through our experience in conducting CPR/AED trainings in underserved regions of eastern North Carolina, we propose a method of effectively utilizing existing organizations and institutions of learning to expand and maintain a sustainable community CPR/AED program.

Auxora vs. placebo for the treatment of patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia: a randomized-controlled clinical trial.

Background: Calcium release-activated calcium (CRAC) channel inhibitors block proinflammatory cytokine release, preserve endothelial integrity and may effectively treat patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia.

Methods: CARDEA was a phase 2, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluating the addition of Auxora, a CRAC channel inhibitor, to corticosteroids and standard of care in adults with severe COVID-19 pneumonia. Eligible patients were adults with ≥ 1 symptom consistent with COVID-19 infection, a diagnosis of COVID-19 confirmed by laboratory testing using polymerase chain reaction or other assay, and pneumonia documented by chest imaging.

The effects of dry needling on the thumb: A case report.

Introduction: Dry needling has been identified as a potential intervention for a variety of diagnoses. Limited evidence exists to support the use of dry needling following surgical intervention of a distal radius fracture. This case report demonstrates the impact of dry needling in the thumb following a distal radius fracture.

Admission Lymphopenia Predicts Infectious Complications and Mortality in Traumatic Brain Injury Victims.

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of mortality and disability associated with increased risk of secondary infections. Identifying a readily available biomarker may help direct TBI patient care. Herein, we evaluated whether admission lymphopenia could predict outcomes of TBI patients.

A descriptive analysis of emergency medicine resident productivity over the course of training.

Background: The primary objective of emergency medicine (EM) residency training is to develop knowledgeable, procedurally competent, and highly efficient physicians. We aimed to determine current overall productivity statistics and if there is an average rate of productivity change for individual residents as they progress through their training.

Methods: This was a retrospective review of EM resident productivity performed at two American Council of Graduate Medical Education-accredited, community-academic residency programs from July 2012 to June 2018.

Cross-Sectional Study of Influences on Maternal Decisions Regarding Feeding Premature and Ill Neonates.

This cross-sectional study investigated the influences on feeding decisions made by mothers of infants admitted to neonatal intensive care units. The primary aims were to describe discrete influences on maternal behavior and to test Fishbein and Azjen's Theory of Planned Behavior in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) setting. The study included a convenience sample of 445 mothers in North Texas and Wisconsin.

Family-centered cesarean delivery: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Women who undergo cesarean delivery report that they are less satisfied with their child birthing experience and have a later skin-to-skin contact. Because cesarean deliveries account for nearly one-fifth of all births globally, improving the child birthing experience is imperative. One delivery technique that may improve the child birthing experience, termed the family-centered cesarean, allows the mother to view the birth of her baby and to have the baby immediately placed on her chest following delivery.

Pemigatinib-induced nail changes - A case report.

Introduction: Pemigatinib is an FGFR inhibitor that is one of few second-line treatment options for cholangiocarcinoma. Nail toxicities were common in the phase 2 study evaluating the safety and efficacy of pemigatinib.

Case Report: We describe a 54-year-old female with a history of stage IV cholangiocarcinoma presenting for a follow-up visit after completing Cycle 4 of pemigatinib.

Impact of a Systematic Pharmacist-Initiated Antibiotic Time-Out Intervention for Hospitalized Adults.

Introduction: Antibiotic time-outs (ATO) are a recommended antimicrobial stewardship action, but data assessing their impact are lacking. This study investigated the impact of a systematic, pharmacist initiated ATO intervention.

Methods: This pre-post study included inpatients on hospitalist and intensivist services receiving empiric antibiotics for ≥48 hours.

Real-world characteristics and readmissions among patients undergoing ablation for ventricular tachycardia: a retrospective database analysis of commercially insured patients in the USA.

Background: Radiofrequency catheter ablation is an effective treatment to alleviate symptoms and reduce recurrent implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD/CRT-D) shocks in patients with ventricular tachycardia (VT).

Objective: To assess the characteristics and outcomes (complications, inpatient readmissions) of commercially insured patients in the USA undergoing ablation for ischaemic or non-ischaemic VT.

Methods: Patients aged 18-64 years with a primary diagnosis of VT who underwent ablation between 2006 and 2015 were identified using the IBM MarketScan Commercial Database.

Atezolizumab-induced hemolytic anemia - A case report.

Introduction: Atezolizumab is currently the only immunotherapy used in conjunction with nab-paclitaxel for locally advanced or triple negative breast cancer. Limited data is available regarding hemolytic anemia as a side effect of atezolizumab.

Case Report: We describe a 59-year-old female with a history of triple negative breast cancer with bone metastases presenting for follow up on Cycle 1, Day 15 of atezolizumab and nab-paclitaxel (100 mg/m).

Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Tongue with Metastasis to Myocardium: Report of a Case and Literature Review.

This is a case of a 43-year-old man who in 2014 was diagnosed with oral squamous cell carcinoma involving the tongue. He underwent extensive surgery that involved right tongue cancer resection and reconstruction with a free flap graft from his right forearm. He then was started on chemotherapy and radiation.

Outcomes of an interdisciplinary work rehabilitation program.

Background: Work rehabilitation programs were developed to help workers with an injury return to work (RTW). While studies have examined intervention characteristics, prognostic factors, and disability level, there is little or no research examining interdisciplinary interventions, lifting capacity/strength and the level of a patient's RTW status (e.g.

Examining the Relationship Between Vancomycin Area Under the Concentration Time Curve and Serum Trough Levels in Adults With Presumed or Documented Staphylococcal Infections.

Background: Investigations of the relationship between vancomycin trough concentrations and area under the concentration time curve (AUC) are growing, but still limited. The authors sought to determine vancomycin exposure among hospitalized adults with presumed or confirmed invasive staphylococcal infections using 2-level pharmacokinetic monitoring to inform changes to an institutional vancomycin dosing protocol.

Methods: This was a retrospective observational study performed in 2 acute care hospitals.

An Outpatient Heart Failure Clinic Reduces 30-Day Readmission and Mortality Rates for Discharged Patients: Process and Preliminary Outcomes.

Background: The first outpatient heart failure clinic (HFC) in Western New York was developed within a large private cardiology practice with the objective of reducing 30-day all-cause rehospitalization and inpatient mortality.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze the process and patient outcomes of this independent outpatient HFC. The specific aims were to (a) describe the outpatient care strategies employed and (b) determine whether the HFC reduced 30-day all-cause rehospitalizations and inpatient mortality by comparing HFC data with census data.

Quantifying the effect of air gap, depth, and range shifter thickness on TPS dosimetric accuracy in superficial PBS proton therapy.

This study quantifies the dosimetric accuracy of a commercial treatment planning system as functions of treatment depth, air gap, and range shifter thickness for superficial pencil beam scanning proton therapy treatments. The RayStation 6 pencil beam and Monte Carlo dose engines were each used to calculate the dose distributions for a single treatment plan with varying range shifter air gaps. Central axis dose values extracted from each of the calculated plans were compared to dose values measured with a calibrated PTW Markus chamber at various depths in RW3 solid water.

Confronting the Challenge of Beta-Lactam Allergies: A Quasi-Experimental Study Assessing Impact of Pharmacy-Led Interventions.

Objective: To improve allergy history documentation and increase the use of beta-lactams when appropriate in patients with a reported beta-lactam allergy.

Methods: This pre-post study was conducted at a 167-bed tertiary care community hospital and evaluated multidisciplinary interventions on allergy documentation and antibiotic selection. Interventions included education, creation of local practice guidelines, and modified practices for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.

Road Map for Research Training in the Residency Learning Experience.

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists residency accreditation standards require all postgraduate residency training programs to teach and evaluate a resident's ability to advance practice through project development and presentation, underscoring the importance of conducting research in today's professional climate. Although many residents express strong interest in research participation and contributing to the medical literature, many obstacles to publication have been identified. We aim to illustrate a deliberate approach to teaching this material and structuring the longitudinal experience in a way that maximizes resources to overcome these barriers.