What Should We Learn From Early Hemodialysis Allocation About How We Should Be Using ECMO?

Early hemodialysis allocation deliberations should inform our current considerations of what constitutes reasonable uses of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Deliberative democracy can be used as a strategy to gather a plurality of views, consider criteria, and guide policy making

Indwelling Pleural Catheters in Hepatic Hydrothorax: A Single-Center Series of Outcomes and Complications

Background Treatment of hepatic hydrothorax (HH) generally involves sodium restriction, diuretics, and serial thoracentesis. In more advanced cases, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt and liver transplantation may be required. Previously, indwelling tube drainage has been avoided due to concerns regarding high complication rates and overall poor outcomes. Recently, indwelling pleural catheters (IPCs) have been proposed as a novel treatment option for HH. Methods This study was a retrospective review of patients who had undergone IPC placement for HH over a 10-year period at a large liver transplant referral center. We tracked outcomes, including complication rates and liver transplantation, as well as biomarkers of nutritional status. Results Sixty-two patients underwent IPC placement between 2007 and 2017, with 33 IPCs (53%) placed as a bridge to liver transplantation. Complications were recorded in 22 patients (36%); empyema was the most common, diagnosed in 10 patients (16.1%). Ten patients evaluated for liver transplantation underwent successful transplantation following IPC placement. There were statistically significant decreases in both BMI and serum albumin levels following IPC placement. Conclusions IPCs represent a potential treatment for refractory HH and should be used with caution in patients eligible for liver transplantation. Ideally, IPC use for these patients would be evaluated by a multidisciplinary team. IPC use may lead to small decreases in BMI and serum albumin levels in patients over time

Impact of social complexity on outcomes in cystic fibrosis after transfer to adult care

Objective This study evaluates the roles of medical and social complexity in health care use outcomes in cystic fibrosis (CF) after transfer from pediatric to adult care. Methods Retrospective cohort design included patients with CF who were transitioned into adult care at Indiana University from 2005 to 2015. Predictor variables included demographic and comorbidity data, age at transition, treatment complexity score (TCS), and an objective scoring measure of their social complexity (Bob's Level of Social Support, BLSS). Outcome variables included outpatient visit rates and hospitalization rates. Pearson's correlations and linear regression were used to analyze the data. Results The median age of the patients (N = 133) at the time of transition was 20 (IQR 19‐23) years. The mean FEV1 % predicted at transition was 69 ± 24%. TCS correlated with outpatient visit rates (r = 0.3, P = 0.003), as well as hospitalization rates (r = 0.4, P < 0.001); while the BLSS only correlated with hospitalization rates (r = 0.7, P < 0.001). After adjusting for covariates, the strongest predictors of post‐transfer hospitalizations are BLSS (P < 0.0001) and pre‐transfer hospitalization rate (P < 0.0001). Conclusion Greater treatment complexity is associated with greater healthcare utilization overall, while greater social complexity is associated with increased hospitalizations (but not outpatient visits). Screening young adults for social complexity may identify high‐risk subpopulations and allow for patient centered interventions to support them and prevent avoidable health care use

Severe idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome

SummaryHypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) is a systemic illness that usually presents with nonspecific symptoms. However, HES can be fatal, particularly when eosinophils infiltrate vital organs. We report a patient with HES who presented with a perforated viscus and sepsis-like syndrome and rapidly improved with drotrecogin-alfa and steroid therapy

Aligning use of intensive care with patient values in the USA: past, present, and future.

For more than three decades, both medical professionals and the public have worried that many patients receive non-beneficial care in US intensive care units during their final months of life. Some of these patients wish to avoid severe cognitive and physical impairments, and protracted deaths in the hospital setting. Recognising when intensive care will not restore a person’s health, and helping patients and families embrace goals related to symptom relief, interpersonal connection, or spiritual fulfilment are central challenges of critical care practice in the USA. We review trials from the past decade of interventions designed to address these challenges, and present reasons why evaluating, comparing, and implementing these interventions have been difficult. Careful scrutiny of the design and interpretation of past trials can show why improving goal concordant care has been so elusive, and suggest new directions for the next generation of research

Twelve Tips for Just in Time Teaching of Communication Skills for Difficult Conversations in the Clinical Setting

The ability to communicate well with patients and other members of the healthcare team is a vital skill for physicians to have, but one that is often not emphasized in medical education. Learners of all levels can obtain and develop good communication skills regardless of their natural ability in this area, and the clinical setting represents an underutilized resource to accomplish this task. With this in mind, we have reviewed the growing body of literature on the subject and organized our findings into twelve tips to help educators capitalize on these missed opportunities. While our emphasis is helping learners with difficult discussions, these tips can be easily adapted to any other clinical encounter requiring clear communication. Teaching effective communication skills in the clinical setting requires some extra time, but the steps outlined should not take more than a few minutes to complete. Taking the time to develop these skills in our learners will make a significant difference not only their lives but also their patients and their families

51 year-old male with dyspnea and hypoxia

AbstractWith continued advancements in medical practice, physicians are caring for more adult patients with congenital heart diseases and their sequelae. We report a 51 year-old with obstructive sleep apnea presenting with dyspnea, hypoxia and pulmonary hypertension, found to have a congenital atrial septal defect. The patient had symptomatic improvement following percutaneous closure of his ostium secundum atrial septal defect

Op/Ed: Marion County health agency's SCOTUS case could end protections for most vulnerable

The Health & Hospital Corp. (HHC) v. Talevski case arises out of allegations that Gorgi Talevski, a disabled person with dementia who resided at a long-term care facility owned by HHC, was kept in physical restraints in violation of a federal law ― the Federal Nursing Home Reform Act (FNHRA). HHC has responded not only that its use of restraints did not violate the FNHRA, but Talevski’s wife Ivanka (who is bringing the lawsuit on behalf of the estate of her now deceased husband) should not be able to sue at all. HHC goes so far as to argue the Supreme Court should overturn two existing rulings, which would mean that Talevski and other disabled patients would not be able to sue at all under the act. This request, if granted, would result in extraordinary damage to the rights, health and welfare of Hoosiers — and of all vulnerable Americans

CEASE: A guide for clinicians on how to stop resuscitation efforts

Resuscitation programs such as Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, and the Neonatal Resuscitation Program offer inadequate guidance to physicians who must ultimately decide when to stop resuscitation efforts. These decisions involve clinical and ethical judgments and are complicated by communication challenges, group dynamics, and family considerations. This article presents a framework, summarized in a mnemonic (CEASE: Clinical Features, Effectiveness, Ask, Stop, Explain), for how to stop resuscitation efforts and communicate that decision to clinicians and ultimately the patient’s family. Rather than a decision rule, this mnemonic represents a framework based on best evidence for when physicians are considering stopping resuscitation efforts and provides guidance on how to communicate that decision