Prevalence and Factors Associated With Palliative Care Utilization Among Hospitalized Patients With Gallbladder Cancer- A National Inpatient Sample Analysis.

Objectives: Various factors have been associated with palliative utilization in different cancers. However, literature is still lacking on the prevalence and factors associated with palliative care use in gallbladder cancer (GBC). This study aims to determine the prevalence of palliative care utilization and examine the factors associated with palliative care utilization among patients with GBC.

Chronic kidney disease and outcomes in hospitalized sickle cell disease patients: A National Inpatient Sample analysis.

Objectives: To examine the association between chronic kidney disease (CKD) and outcomes in sickle cell disease (SCD) patients.

Methods: Patients ≥18 years with SCD in the National Inpatient Sample database between 2016 and 2018 were identified using ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes. A 1:1 propensity-score matched analysis was performed to compare in-hospital outcomes of patients with and without CKD.

Primary cutaneous mucormycosis of the lower extremity in a male patient with diabetes.

Introduction: Mucormycosis is a rare but serious angioinvasive fungal infection that can affect the cutaneous system. Primary cutaneous mucormycosis is caused by direct inoculation and is most prevalent in immunocompromised hosts, particularly those with diabetes. A high index of suspicion is necessary for this condition in patients with rapid and deep extension of necrosis despite aggressive surgical intervention.

Necrotizing fasciitis due to Streptococcus constellatus in a patient with uncontrolled diabetes and bilateral diabetic foot ulceration.

Introduction: Streptococcus constellatus is commensal flora of the oropharyngeal, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary tracts with a proclivity for abscess formation. Bacteremia due to S constellatus is rare; however, rising incidences have been reported, particularly in patients with diabetes. Prompt surgical debridement and antibiotic therapy with a cephalosporin are the mainstays of treatment.

Dimethyl Fumarate Delays Multiple Sclerosis in Radiologically Isolated Syndrome.

Objective: The radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS) represents the earliest detectable pre-clinical phase of multiple sclerosis (MS). This study evaluated the impact of therapeutic intervention in preventing first symptom manifestation at this stage in the disease spectrum.

Methods: We conducted a multi-center, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study involving people with RIS.

Impact of a novel synthetic nanofibre matrix to treat hard-to-heal wounds.

Objective: Complex hard-to-heal wounds are difficult to manage, generating significant expense to the US healthcare system, costing nearly $25 billion annually. Recently, a resorbable synthetic nanofibre matrix was trialled on a variety of complex hard-to-heal wounds at Astria Sunnyside Hospital to assess clinical efficacy.

Method: In this case series, five patients with multiple comorbidities presented in both the inpatient and outpatient setting with various hard-to-heal refractory wounds, including a venous leg ulcer (n=1), a diabetic foot ulcer (n=1), a Charcot foot deformity (n=1) and pressure ulcers (n=2).

Urine culture guided antibiotic interventions: A pharmacist driven antimicrobial stewardship effort in the ED.

Background: Antibiotics are overprescribed for abnormal urine tests including asymptomatic bacteriuria (AB), contributing to rising antimicrobial resistance rates. Pharmacists reviewed urine cultures daily from emergency department (ED) encounters to assess antibiotic appropriateness. We studied antibiotic prescribing practices and assessed compliance to national guidelines, correlations with urine analysis (UA) components, and opportunities for antimicrobial stewardship in the ED.