Strategic Planning for Starting or Expanding a Home Hemodialysis Program

The American Advancing Kidney Health Initiative has renewed interest in home hemodialysis (HHD). Many perceived barriers exist for adoption of HHD despite well-reported clinical benefits. A well-designed program ensures patient success further engaging more patients. The initial planning regarding the surrounding patient population, stakeholders, economics, and physical location is essential. The services offered including modality education and different kinds of HHD modalities depend on local expertise and economics. The program should fulfill conditions for coverage requirements for personnel, physical infrastructure, and quality metrics to begin operations. The patient recruitment is facilitated by a patient-centric modality education program developed by the multidisciplinary team. If the patient is interested, a training schedule should be discussed with the patient and caregiver. A system to ensure remote patient monitoring, respite care, and 24 hours on-call availability should be established. These practical considerations ensure initial success and future growth of the program.

Functional role of iNOS-Rac2 interaction in neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) induced cytotoxicity in sepsis

BACKGROUND

Recent reports from this lab have demonstrated a higher incidence of NETs, nitrosative, as well as oxidative stress, and have a direct correlation with the severity of sepsis and organ damage. However, the mechanistic perspective of NETs induced organ damage has not been understood at the cellular and molecular level. Interaction of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) with Rac2 in regulating reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) generation and its implications in microbial killing has been reported. This study was, therefore, undertaken in neutrophils of sepsis patients to investigate the functional importance of iNOS-Rac2 interaction in ROS/ RNS, peroxynitrite generation, NETs generation, and NETs mediated cell death.

METHODS

The study was conducted on 100 patients with sepsis and 50 healthy volunteers. Interaction between iNOS and Rac2 was performed using co-immunoprecipitation and co-immunolabeling assay. Free radicals involving ROS and RNS were evaluated using cytochrome c reduction assay. NETs formation was evaluated by fluorescence microscopy. The cytotoxic effect of NETs was assessed on lung carcinoma cell line (A549) using colorimetric Alamar blue assay.

RESULTS

Enhanced interaction between iNOS and Rac2 was found in sepsis neutrophils in comparison with control. This was accompanied by an increased level of superoxide (O2.-), nitric oxide (NO), and peroxynitrite (ONOO-) which were decreased in the presence of NAC, DPI, and 1400 W, signifying the role of iNOS-Rac2 interaction. Enhanced NETs release from activated sepsis neutrophils were abrogated in the presence of DPI. NETs from sepsis neutrophils exert a cytotoxic effect on lung epithelial cells (A549) in a concentration-dependent manner.

CONCLUSION

Our findings exhibit the functional role of iNOS-Rac2 interaction in ROS/RNS, peroxynitrite generation, NETs generation, and NETs mediated cell death.

Impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 on Infectious Diseases Fellows in the United States: Perspectives From the First National Infectious Diseases Fellows Call

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected many providers, but its impact on Infectious Diseases (ID) fellows in the United States is largely undescribed. In this study, we discuss key issues that emerged from the first national ID Fellows Call with respect to the ID fellow's role during the COVID-19 pandemic, teaching/learning, and research.

Heat Shock Protein 27 Injection Leads to Caspase Activation in the Visual Pathway and Retinal T-Cell Response

Heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) is one of the small molecular chaperones and is involved in many cell mechanisms. Besides the known protective and helpful functions of intracellular HSP27, very little is known about the mode of action of extracellular HSP27. In a previous study, we showed that intravitreal injection of HSP27 led to neuronal damage in the retina and optic nerve after 21 days. However, it was not clear which degenerative signaling pathways were induced by the injection. For this reason, the pathological mechanisms of intravitreal HSP27 injection after 14 days were investigated. Histological and RT-qPCR analyses revealed an increase in endogenous HSP27 in the retina and an activation of components of the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis pathway. In addition, an increase in nucleus factor-kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NFκB), as well as of microglia/macrophages and T-cells could be observed. In the optic nerve, however, only an increased apoptosis rate was detectable. Therefore, the activation of caspases and the induction of an incipient immune response seem to be the main triggers for retinal degeneration in this intravitreal HSP27 model.

Feasibility of Prophylactic Bilateral Salphingectomy during Vaginal Hysterectomy- A Prospective Longitudinal Cohort Study

Introduction: Fallopian tubes are not commonly removed during vaginal hysterectomy because of inadequate surgical training or fear of increased morbidity. Aim: The primary objective of this study was to estimate the proportion of planned bilateral salpingectomies successfully completed vaginally. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective, interventional longitudinal cohort study conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at ESI, PGIMSR, Basaidarapur, New Delhi. From December 2018 to November 2019, all women undergoing vaginal hysterectomy for benign conditions were offered prophylactic salpingectomy. Operative time, blood loss and reason for non completion for salpingectomy were recorded. Patients were followed-up for six weeks. Statistical analysis was done using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 17.0. Continuous variables were described with mean and the categorical variables were described with frequencies and percentages. Results: Thirty-five patients were enrolled in the study. The most common indications for vaginal hysterectomy for benign conditions included uterovaginal prolapse in 21 (60%) patients and adenomyosis and fibroids in 10 (30%) and 4 (10%) patients respectively. Of the 35 patients, vaginal salpingectomy was successful in 31 (88.5%) patients. Factors which led to non completion of salpingectomy were pelvic adhesions and atrophic ovaries in 2 (5.7%) patients each. Mean operating time for bilateral vaginal salpingectomy was 14.05±2.75 minutes. Mean Estimated Blood Loss (EBL) for bilateral salpingectomy was 19.86±6.88 mL. Conclusion: Bilateral prophylactic salpingectomy with vaginal hysterectomy for benign conditions is feasible in most of the patients. Routine salpingectomy should be offered to women undergoing vaginal hysterectomy for benign conditions to prevent risk of ovarian carcinoma in future.

124. Six-year Longitudinal Analysis of an Inpatient Infectious Diseases Telemedicine Service at a Community Hospital

Background

Telemedicine (TM) has emerged as a viable solution to extend infectious disease (ID) expertise to communities without access to this specialty.¹ TM allows clinicians in rural settings to connect with specialists at distant sites and provide the best care for their patients, often eliminating the need for hospital transfers. Here, we describe the experience from one of the longest standing inpatient Tele-ID consult services using live audio-video (AV) visits with the assistance of a telepresenter.

Methods

Longitudinal data were collected from a 126-bed rural hospital in Pennsylvania that had no access to ID consultation before 2014. Live AV consults during business hours began in 2014 and telephonic physician to physician consults were made available 24/7. All ID consult data were extracted from the hospital electronic health record between 2014 to 2019. Key outcomes assessed included the number of consult encounters, total hospital length of stay (LOS), discharges to home, transfer to tertiary care centers, and readmission rates at 30 days.

Results

Most consulted patients were Caucasians, and females with an average age of 64.7 years (Table 1). The number of unique consult encounters increased annually from 111 in 2014 to 469 in 2019 (Table 1). The Charlson Comorbidity Score and Elixhauser Comorbidity Index also increased each year beginning in 2016 (Table 1). By contrast, LOS decreased each year as did the 30-day readmission rate (Table 2). Most patients were not transferred (average 89.4% over 6 years) to tertiary care centers and more than half were discharged to home each year (Table 2).

Conclusion

This longitudinal 6-year observation study of an inpatient TM ID service at a rural hospital showed remarkable annual growth in consult encounters (total growth >400%). Despite increasing patient acuity, overall hospital LOS decreased over time (10.2 to 8.2 days). Patient transfers to tertiary care centers remained low (average 10.5% over 6 years) as did 30-day readmissions (average 16.3% over 6 years). The majority of patients were discharged to home (average 61.3% over 6 years). These findings show that a rural inpatient TM ID consult service can expand over time and is an effective alternative for hospitals without access to ID expertise.

Disclosures

John Mellors, MD, Abound Bio (Shareholder)Accelevir Diagnostics (Consultant)Co-Crystal Pharmaceuticals (Shareholder)Gilead (Consultant, Grant/Research Support)Merck (Consultant) Rima Abdel-Massih, MD, Infectious Disease Connect (Shareholder, Other Financial or Material Support, Chief Medical Officer)

612. In-Person vs Tele-Infectious Disease Care: Is One Better?

Background

Telemedicine (TM) has allowed physicians to expand beyond traditional in-person practice to provide care at remote locations. Initial performance of TM programs in ID has been reported, including favorable outcomes, but limited data exists on how inpatient Tele-ID compares to in-person.^1,2 To address this gap, we analyzed data from hospitals that transitioned from in-person ID care to Tele-ID.

References

Methods

Travel time between the 3 rural Pennsylvania hospitals (total 432 inpatient beds) by car is 1 hour 40 minutes. All in-person consults were provided by an independent ID physician who traveled daily between sites. Starting July 2018, all consults were provided by Tele-ID consisting of one full-time equivalent physician. This included live audio-video visits and e-consults. Data were extracted from electronic health record; between 1/1/2018-6/30/2018 for in-person and 7/1/2018-12/30/2018 for Tele-ID. Key outcomes assessed were number of initial encounters, length of stay (LOS) after ID consult, proportions of patients discharged home, transferred to tertiary centers, and ID related readmission at 30 days.

Results

Study population consisted of 642 encounters with majority being Caucasian, female and average age 67 years (Table 1). Tele-ID had higher comorbidity scores vs in-person ID (Table 1). Total encounters were significantly greater for Tele-ID than in-person ID (Table 2; p=0.018). LOS after ID consult, transfers to tertiary centers, readmissions at 30 days, and discharges home were similar between the two groups (Table 2). Most common diagnosis was “bacteremia;” notably Tele-ID made a broader range of diagnosis (Figure 1). Limitations include a small sample size and possibility of a temporal bias, although the patient characteristics were similar except for higher co-morbidity for the Tele-ID service.

Conclusion

This comparative study shows that patient outcomes are similar between in-person and Tele-ID, despite higher volume and complexity encountered by Tele-ID. The greater number of consults and broader range of diagnosis made by Tele-ID suggests greater productivity, possibly related to travel time elimination. Tele-ID appears to be a good alternative solution for rural locations that lack in-person access to ID care.

Disclosures

J. Ryan Bariola, MD, Infectious Disease Connect (Employee)Mayne Pharma (Advisor or Review Panel member)Merck (Research Grant or Support) John Mellors, MD, Abound Bio (Shareholder)Accelevir Diagnostics (Consultant)Co-Crystal Pharmaceuticals (Shareholder)Gilead (Consultant, Grant/Research Support)Merck (Consultant) Rima Abdel-Massih, MD, Infectious Disease Connect (Shareholder, Other Financial or Material Support, Chief Medical Officer)

627. Tele-OPAT Outcomes at Two Community Hospitals

Background

Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) is well-established for the care of patients requiring IV antibiotics after hospital discharge but little is known about the effectiveness of OPAT delivered through telemedicine.1-3 We therefore investigated outcomes from telemedicine OPAT services (Tele-OPAT) at two community hospitals.

Methods

Data was collected from two community hospitals in the UPMC system for which both inpatient and outpatient telemedicine ID services (Tele-ID), including Tele-OPAT services, are provided. Tele-ID services at Site 1 (171 beds) began in January 2014 and at Site 2 (133 beds) in January 2018. All patients had inpatient Tele-ID consults via live audio-video (AV) visits or EHR review. After discharge, patients were managed by a Tele-OPAT team consisting of an ID pharmacist, RN and ID physician. Live AV Tele-OPAT outpatient follow-up visits were conducted with the assistance of a tele-presenter at 2 clinic sites.

Results

A total of 489 unique patients with 536 encounters were evaluated. Site 1 accounted for 284 patients, Site 2 had 252. Demographics are listed in Table 1. 47% of the patients were male with an average age of 65. 51% of the patients were diabetic. Half of the patients were discharged to home. Bacteremia (24.4%) and osteomyelitis (23.3%) were the most frequent diagnoses. Vancomycin was the most commonly used antibiotic (25.6%). Tele-ID Clinic follow up rates varied by year and site between 19 to 26.6% (Figure 1). The choice of follow-up was determined by the primary inpatient physician. 30 Day Readmission Rates were lower for patients that were seen by the Tele-OPAT service (combined rate of 7.4%) vs. no follow up (62%) vs. PCP follow up (22%) vs. follow up with another MD (12.8%) (Figure 2a). Most patients seen by Tele-OPAT were readmitted for reasons not related to their initial infection or their antibiotic course (Figure 2b).

Table 1. Patient Demographics

Conclusion

Patients discharged on IV antibiotics who were managed via a Tele-OPAT service in an outpatient clinic had lower readmission rates than those who were seen by non-ID physicians or who had no outpatient follow-up. Tele-OPAT is an important option for patients residing in rural areas who are discharged on parenteral antibiotics.

Disclosures

Rima Abdel-Massih, MD, Infectious Disease Connect (Shareholder, Other Financial or Material Support, Chief Medical Officer) John Mellors, MD, Abound Bio (Shareholder)Accelevir Diagnostics (Consultant)Co-Crystal Pharmaceuticals (Shareholder)Gilead (Consultant, Grant/Research Support)Merck (Consultant)

Maintaining Blood Glucose Levels in Range (70-150 mg/dL) is Difficult in COVID-19 Compared to Non-COVID-19 ICU Patients-A Retrospective Analysis

Beta cell dysfunction is suggested in patients with COVID-19 infections. Poor glycemic control in ICU is associated with poor patient outcomes. This is a single center, retrospective analysis of 562 patients in an intensive care unit from 1 March to 30 April 2020. We review the time in range (70–150 mg/dL) spent by critically ill COVID-19 patients and non-COVID-19 patients, along with the daily insulin use. Ninety-three in the COVID-19 cohort and 469 in the non-COVID-19 cohort were compared for percentage of blood glucose TIR (70–150 mg/dL) and average daily insulin use. The COVID-19 cohort spent significantly less TIR (70–150 mg/dL) compared to the non-COVID-19 cohort (44.4% vs. 68.5%). Daily average insulin use in the COVID-19 cohort was higher (8.37 units versus 6.17 units). ICU COVID-19 patients spent less time in range (70–150 mg/dL) and required higher daily insulin dose. A higher requirement for ventilator and days on ventilator was associated with a lower TIR. Mortality was lower for COVID-19 patients who achieved a higher TIR.

Resonant filters with concurrently tuned central wavelengths and sidebands

Tunable infrared filters are important for various optical and optoelectronic systems. Ideally, such filters should span wide spectral ranges while retaining constant performance. Here, as a fundamental approach, we theoretically treat tunable resonant filters and realize favorable spectral profiles. Implementing a chirped zero-contrast grating on wedged sublayers, we optimize the resonant tunable filter for operation in the ∼5-14µm band. To clarify the root causes of the physical processes enabling the observed performance, attendant resonance modal processes and background reflection behavior are analyzed in detail by equivalent models as well as by rigorous electromagnetic models. The key innovative contribution of this research is that it enables efficient filters with simultaneously tuned operational wavelengths and sidebands.

Partial Nephrectomy For a Presumed Single Renal Mass Revealing Multiple Tumor Histologies: A Series of 4 Patients

Introduction/Objective

Renal mass biopsy is known to have a low but unavoidable diagnostic error rate. However, the occurrence of multiple adjacent masses mimicking one mass clinically has been minimally studied.

Methods

We report a series of four patients who were radiologically presumed to have a single renal mass and treated with partial nephrectomy, yet who were found to have multiple demarcated renal cell carcinoma histologies at pathologic evaluation.

Results

All were men aged 63–70 years. Grossly, tumors were red brown with scant, bright yellow foci in one of them. Dominant tumors followed by smaller tumors were: patient 1 - clear cell renal cell carcinoma (5.0 cm), clear cell papillary renal cell carcinoma (0.5 cm), and papillary adenoma (0.6 cm); patient 2 - clear cell renal cell carcinoma (1.5 cm) and clear cell papillary renal cell carcinoma (0.5 cm); patient 3 - papillary renal cell carcinoma (5.0 cm) and eosinophilic variant of chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (1.0 cm); patient 4 - chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (4.0 cm) and clear cell papillary renal cell carcinoma (0.6 cm). Immunohistochemical studies for cytokeratin 7, carbonic anhydrase IX, high molecular weight cytokeratin, CD10, and alpha-methyl acyl-CoA racemase (AMACR) confirmed the separate components in all.

Conclusion

This series adds to the spectrum of causes that may contribute to discordant results of renal mass biopsy and resection specimens. Secondary smaller tumors appear to be predominantly nonaggressive histologies, enriched for clear cell papillary renal cell carcinoma. Pathologists and urologists should be aware of this occurrence when considering the role of renal mass biopsy and interpreting the results.

Sexually Transmitted Infections Part 2: Discharge Syndromes and Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) disproportionately affect young people, with more than half of the infections occurring in youth aged 15 to 25 years. (1)(2) This review, the second in a 2-part series on STIs, focuses on infections that may cause abnormal vaginal or penile discharge, including trichomonas, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Most infected persons, however, are asymptomatic. Nucleic acid amplification tests are the most sensitive and specific for the detection of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis, and they can be performed on provider- or patient-collected swabs. Providers should have a low threshold for diagnosing and treating PID because untreated PID can have serious long-term complications for young women. Indications for hospitalization for PID include the presence of a tubo-ovarian abscess, severe illness with systemic symptoms, pregnancy, human immunodeficiency virus infection, and failure to respond to outpatient oral treatment (within 48-72 hours) or inability to tolerate the oral treatment.

Clinical, microbiological, and radiographic evaluation of sealed carious dentin after minimal intervention in primary molars

BACKGROUND

In continuation with the ultraconservative minimal intervention approach for carious lesions treatment, lesion sterilization and tissue repair (LSTR) is a novel concept of using antibacterial drugs to disinfect dentinal, pulpal, and periapical lesions.

AIMS

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical, radiographic, and microbiologic success rate of indirect pulp treatment (IPT) using a new technique minimal excavation and LSTR with triple antibiotic paste (TAP), for primary molars.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

This was randomized controlled trial design.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty-two healthy cooperative children aged 5-10 years having deep carious lesion in primary molars were randomly assigned to receive either traditional IPT with calcium hydroxide or minimal excavation and LSTR with TAP. Follow-up was done at 6 weeks, 3, 6, and 15-18 months intervals, and treatment success or failure was determined by a combination of clinical, microbiological, and radiographic findings.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED

Qualitative data were analyzed using Pearson's Chi-square test. Mann-Whitney U nonparametric test was used for statistically significant differences between the bacterial counts (median values and percent reduction) between the two groups and the Wilcoxon sign rank test for the intragroup evaluation of bacterial counts.

RESULTS

LSTR with TAP was found to be as effective as traditional indirect pulp treatment (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Minimal excavation and LSTR with TAP can be an effective treatment methodology for the management of deep carious lesions in primary molars.