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Gutman CK, Fernandez R, McFarlane A, Krajewski JMT, Casey Lion K, Aronson PL, Bylund CL, Holmes S, Fisher CL. "Let us take care of the medicine": A qualitative analysis of physician communication when caring for febrile infants. Acad Pediatr 2024:S1876-2859(24)00070-6. [PMID: 38458491 DOI: 10.1016/j.acap.2024.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Guidelines for the management of febrile infants emphasize patient-centered communication. Although patient-centeredness is central to high-quality healthcare, biases may impact physicians' patient-centeredness. We aimed to 1) identify physicians' assumptions that inform their communication with parents of febrile infants and 2) examine physicians' perceptions of bias. METHODS We recruited physicians from three academic pediatric emergency departments (EDs) for semi-structured interviews. We applied a constant comparative method approach to conduct a thematic analysis of interview transcripts. Two coders followed several analytical steps: 1) discovery of concepts and code assignment, 2) identification of themes by grouping concepts, 3) axial coding to identify thematic properties, and 4) identifying exemplar excerpts for rich description. Thematic saturation was based on repetition, recurrence, and forcefulness. RESULTS Fourteen physicians participated. Participants described making assumptions regarding three areas: 1) the parent's affect, 2) the parent's social capacity, and 3) the physician's own role in the parent-physician interaction. Thematic properties highlighted the importance of the physician's assumptions in guiding communication and decision-making. Participants acknowledged an awareness of bias, and specifically noted that language bias influenced the assumptions that informed their communication. CONCLUSIONS ED physicians described subjective assumptions about parents that informed their approach to communication when caring for febrile infants. Given the emphasis on patient-centered communication in febrile infant guidelines, future efforts are necessary to understand how assumptions are influenced by biases, the effect of such behaviors on health inequities, and how to combat this. WHAT'S NEW Physician communication drives health outcomes. In this qualitative investigation, physicians described making assumptions about parents, based on subjective assessments, which informed their communication and decision-making. This represents a step towards understanding how biases inform communication and result in health inequity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colleen K Gutman
- Departments of Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL.
| | - Rosemarie Fernandez
- Department of Emergency Medicine and Center for Experiential Learning and Simulation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL
| | - Antionette McFarlane
- Department of Emergency Medicine and Center for Experiential Learning and Simulation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL
| | | | - K Casey Lion
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA; Center for Child Health, Behavior, and Development, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA
| | - Paul L Aronson
- Departments of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine, Section of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Carma L Bylund
- Department of Health Outcomes & Biomedical Informatics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Fl
| | - Sherita Holmes
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
| | - Carla L Fisher
- Departments of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine, Section of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
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Gutman CK, Aronson PL, Singh NV, Pickett ML, Bouvay K, Green RS, Roach B, Kotler H, Chow JL, Hartford EA, Hincapie M, St. Pierre-Hetz R, Kelly J, Sartori L, Hoffmann JA, Corboy JB, Bergmann KR, Akinsola B, Ford V, Tedford NJ, Tran TT, Gifford S, Thompson AD, Krack A, Piroutek MJ, Lucrezia S, Chung S, Chowdhury N, Jackson K, Cheng T, Pulcini CD, Kannikeswaran N, Truschel LL, Lin K, Chu J, Molyneaux ND, Duong M, Dingeldein L, Rose JA, Theiler C, Bhalodkar S, Powers E, Waseem M, Lababidi A, Yan X, Lou XY, Fernandez R, Lion KC. Race, Ethnicity, Language, and the Treatment of Low-Risk Febrile Infants. JAMA Pediatr 2024; 178:55-64. [PMID: 37955907 PMCID: PMC10644247 DOI: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2023.4890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
Importance Febrile infants at low risk of invasive bacterial infections are unlikely to benefit from lumbar puncture, antibiotics, or hospitalization, yet these are commonly performed. It is not known if there are differences in management by race, ethnicity, or language. Objective To investigate associations between race, ethnicity, and language and additional interventions (lumbar puncture, empirical antibiotics, and hospitalization) in well-appearing febrile infants at low risk of invasive bacterial infection. Design, Setting, and Participants This was a multicenter retrospective cross-sectional analysis of infants receiving emergency department care between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2019. Data were analyzed from December 2022 to July 2023. Pediatric emergency departments were determined through the Pediatric Emergency Medicine Collaborative Research Committee. Well-appearing febrile infants aged 29 to 60 days at low risk of invasive bacterial infection based on blood and urine testing were included. Data were available for 9847 infants, and 4042 were included following exclusions for ill appearance, medical history, and diagnosis of a focal infectious source. Exposures Infant race and ethnicity (non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic, non-Hispanic White, and other race or ethnicity) and language used for medical care (English and language other than English). Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was receipt of at least 1 of lumbar puncture, empirical antibiotics, or hospitalization. We performed bivariate and multivariable logistic regression with sum contrasts for comparisons. Individual components were assessed as secondary outcomes. Results Across 34 sites, 4042 infants (median [IQR] age, 45 [38-53] days; 1561 [44.4% of the 3516 without missing sex] female; 612 [15.1%] non-Hispanic Black, 1054 [26.1%] Hispanic, 1741 [43.1%] non-Hispanic White, and 352 [9.1%] other race or ethnicity; 3555 [88.0%] English and 463 [12.0%] language other than English) met inclusion criteria. The primary outcome occurred in 969 infants (24%). Race and ethnicity were not associated with the primary composite outcome. Compared to the grand mean, infants of families that use a language other than English had higher odds of the primary outcome (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]; 1.16; 95% CI, 1.01-1.33). In secondary analyses, Hispanic infants, compared to the grand mean, had lower odds of hospital admission (aOR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.63-0.93). Compared to the grand mean, infants of families that use a language other than English had higher odds of hospital admission (aOR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.08-1.46). Conclusions and Relevance Among low-risk febrile infants, language used for medical care was associated with the use of at least 1 nonindicated intervention, but race and ethnicity were not. Secondary analyses highlight the complex intersectionality of race, ethnicity, language, and health inequity. As inequitable care may be influenced by communication barriers, new guidelines that emphasize patient-centered communication may create disparities if not implemented with specific attention to equity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colleen K. Gutman
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville
| | - Paul L. Aronson
- Department of Pediatrics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Nidhi V. Singh
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | | | - Kamali Bouvay
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Rebecca S. Green
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School and Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Britta Roach
- Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Hannah Kotler
- Division of Emergency Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences and Children’s National Health System, Washington, DC
| | - Jessica L. Chow
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Emily A. Hartford
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine and Seattle Children’s Hospital, Seattle
| | - Mark Hincapie
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, Miami, Florida
| | - Ryan St. Pierre-Hetz
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Jessica Kelly
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Laura Sartori
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Jennifer A. Hoffmann
- Department of Pediatrics, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Jacqueline B. Corboy
- Department of Pediatrics, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Kelly R. Bergmann
- Department of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Children’s Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Bolanle Akinsola
- Department of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Vanessa Ford
- Department of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Natalie J. Tedford
- Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City
| | - Theresa T. Tran
- Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City
| | - Sasha Gifford
- Ronald O. Perelman Department of Emergency Medicine/New York University Langone Health, New York, New York
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
| | - Amy D. Thompson
- Department of Pediatrics, Nemours Children’s Hospital of Delaware, Wilmington
| | - Andrew Krack
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Section of Emergency Medicine, University of Colorado and Children’s Hospital Colorado, Aurora
| | - Mary Jane Piroutek
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California Irvine and Children’s Hospital of Orange County, Orange
| | - Samantha Lucrezia
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - SunHee Chung
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland
- Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland
| | - Nabila Chowdhury
- Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Kathleen Jackson
- Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston
| | - Tabitha Cheng
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Harbor University of California Los Angeles Medical Center and the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Christian D. Pulcini
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, Burlington
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, Burlington
| | - Nirupama Kannikeswaran
- Department of Pediatrics, Central Michigan University College of Medicine and Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Detroit
| | - Larissa L. Truschel
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Karen Lin
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Jamie Chu
- Department of Emergency Medicine, McGovern Medical School, UTHealth Houston, Houston, Texas
- Texas Children’s Pediatrics, Houston
| | - Neh D. Molyneaux
- Department of Emergency Medicine, McGovern Medical School, UTHealth Houston, Houston, Texas
| | - Myto Duong
- Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale
| | - Leslie Dingeldein
- Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Jerri A. Rose
- Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Carly Theiler
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City
| | - Sonali Bhalodkar
- Department of Pediatrics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Emily Powers
- Department of Pediatrics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Muhammad Waseem
- Department of Pediatrics, Lincoln Medical Center, Bronx, New York
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Lincoln Medical Center, Bronx, New York
| | - Ahmed Lababidi
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville
| | - Xinyu Yan
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Florida College of Medicine and College of Public Health and Health Professions, Gainesville
| | - Xiang-Yang Lou
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Florida College of Medicine and College of Public Health and Health Professions, Gainesville
| | - Rosemarie Fernandez
- Department of Emergency Medicine and the Center for Experiential Learning and Simulation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville
| | - K. Casey Lion
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky
- Center for Child Health, Behavior, and Development, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, Washington
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Babbs CF, Lang MV. Rapid and Efficient Computation of Cell Paths During Ultrasonic Focusing. ULTRASONIC IMAGING 2023; 45:227-239. [PMID: 37644766 DOI: 10.1177/01617346231195598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
This biophysical analysis explores the first-principles physics of movement of white blood cell sized particles, suspended in an aqueous fluid and experiencing progressive or standing waves of acoustic pressure. In many current applications the cells are gradually nudged or herded toward the nodes of the standing wave, providing a degree of acoustic focusing and concentration of the cells in layers perpendicular to the direction of sound propagation. Here the underlying biomechanics of this phenomenon are analyzed specifically for the viscous regime of water and for small diameter microscopic spheroids such as living cells. The resulting mathematical model leads to a single algebraic expression for the creep or drift velocity as a function of sound frequency, amplitude, wavelength, fluid viscosity, boundary dimensions, and boundary reflectivity. This expression can be integrated numerically by a simple and fast computer algorithm to demonstrate net movement of particles as a function of time, providing a guide to optimization in a variety of emerging applications of ultrasonic cell focusing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles F Babbs
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Mary V Lang
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
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Prasad MK, Kumar A, Nalini N, Kumar P, Mishra B, Lata D, Ashok C, Kumar D, Marandi S, Kumar D, Singh S, Mahajan M. Diagnostic Accuracy of Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Adenosine Deaminase (ADA) for Tuberculous Meningitis (TBM) in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Cureus 2023; 15:e39896. [PMID: 37404432 PMCID: PMC10316459 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.39896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Tuberculous meningitis is the most serious complication of tuberculosis. Early diagnosis is crucial to start relevant treatment to prevent death and disability. Electronic databases PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library were used to find relevant articles from January 1980 to June 2022. The random-effect model in terms of pooled sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) with 95% confidence interval was adopted to derive the diagnostic efficacy of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) adenosine deaminase (ADA) for the diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis (TBM) in adult patients. A total of 22 studies (20 prospective and two retrospective data) have been included in this meta-analysis, having 1927 participants. We perceived acceptable pooled sensitivity, specificity, summary receiver operating characteristics (SROCs), and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) of 0.85 (95% CI: 0.77-0.90), 0.90 (95% CI: 0.85-0.93), 0.94 (95% CI: 0.91-0.96) and 48 (95% CI: 26-86), respectively, for CSF-ADA for differentiating TBM from non-TBM in adult patients. To ascertain the certainty of evidence for CSF-ADA as a diagnostic marker for TBM, Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) analysis was used. CSF-ADA is an auspicious diagnostic test with a high degree of specificity and acceptable sensitivity for the diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis, however, with very low certainty of evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Amit Kumar
- Laboratory Medicine, Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi, IND
| | - Neelam Nalini
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi, IND
| | - Pramod Kumar
- Biochemistry, Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi, IND
| | - Brajesh Mishra
- Pulmonary Medicine, Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi, IND
| | | | - Chanchal Ashok
- Pathology, Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi, IND
| | - Dewesh Kumar
- Community Medicine/Preventive and Social Medicine, Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi, IND
| | - Sujeet Marandi
- Internal Medicine, Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi, IND
| | - Divakar Kumar
- Internal Medicine, Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi, IND
| | - Shreya Singh
- Internal Medicine, Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi, IND
| | - Mayank Mahajan
- Medicine, Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi, IND
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Yoshitake S, Kusama Y, Ito K, Kuroda H, Yamaji M, Ishitani K, Ito Y, Kamimura K, Maihara T. The Incidence of Serious/Invasive Bacterial Diseases in Infants 90 Days Old or Younger at an Emergency Hospital in Japan. Cureus 2023; 15:e36494. [PMID: 37090341 PMCID: PMC10120883 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.36494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The incidence of severe bacterial infections (SBIs) in infants aged ≤90 days is thought to have decreased because of widespread vaccination programs. However, relevant epidemiological data in Japan are scarce. Materials and methods This observational, single-center study investigated the epidemiology of fever in infants aged ≤90 days. SBI was defined as the presence of meningitis, urinary tract infections (UTIs), or bacteremia. Invasive bacterial infection (IBI) was defined as the presence of meningitis, bacteremic UTI, or bacteremia. We determined the incidence of UTIs, bacteremia, meningitis, SBIs, and IBIs in the following three age groups: 0-28, 29-60, and 61-90 days. We subsequently calculated the relative incidence for the groups aged 29-60 and 61-90 days, using the group aged 0-28 days as the reference group. Results Herein, 58, 124, and 166 infants were included in the 0-28 days, 29-60 days, and 61-90 days age groups, respectively. Of the total number of patients, 15.5%, 8.9%, and 16.9% in the 0-28 days, 29-60 days, and 61-90 days age groups, respectively, were diagnosed with SBI. The relative incidences were 1 for the 0-28 days group (reference group), 0.67 for the 29-60 days group (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.39-1.15), and 1.08 for the 61-90 days group (95% CI, 0.58-2.00). Of the total number of patients, 10.3%, 3.2%, and 0.6% in the 0-28 days, 29-60 days, and 61-90 days age groups, respectively, were diagnosed with IBI. Relative incidences were 1 (reference group), 0.50 (95% CI, 0.29-0.88), and 0.28 (95% CI, 0.19-0.41) for the 0-28 days, 29-60 days, and 61-90 days age groups, respectively. All cases of IBI were caused by Group B streptococcus (GBS), except for two cases of bacteremia, which were caused by Haemophilus influenzae. Conclusion The incidence of SBI was similar in the 0-28 days and 61-90 days age groups. However, the incidence of IBI decreased with increasing age. The incidence of UTIs was highest in the 61-90 days age group, and that of meningitis and bacteremia decreased with increasing age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saeka Yoshitake
- Department of Pediatrics, Hyogo Prefectural Amagasaki Medical Center, Amagasaki, JPN
| | - Yoshiki Kusama
- Department of Pediatrics, Hyogo Prefectural Amagasaki General Medical Center, Amagasaki, JPN
| | - Kenta Ito
- Department of General Pediatrics, Aichi Children's Health and Medicine Hospital, Obu, JPN
| | - Hiroyuki Kuroda
- Department of Pediatrics, Hyogo Prefectural Amagasaki General Medical Center, Amagasaki, JPN
| | - Muneyasu Yamaji
- Department of Pediatrics, Hyogo Prefectural Amagasaki Medical Center, Amagasaki, JPN
| | - Kento Ishitani
- Department of Pediatrics, Hyogo Prefectural Amagasaki Medical Center, Amagasaki, JPN
| | - Yusuke Ito
- Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Hyogo Prefectural Amagasaki Medical Center, Amagasaki, JPN
| | - Katsunori Kamimura
- Department of Pediatrics, Hyogo Prefectural Amagasaki Medical Center, Amagasaki, JPN
| | - Toshiro Maihara
- Department pf Pediatrics, Hyogo Prefectural Amagasaki General Medical Center, Amagasaki, JPN
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Gutman CK, Lion KC, Aronson P, Fisher C, Bylund C, McFarlane A, Lou X, Patterson MD, Lababidi A, Fernandez R. Disparities and implicit bias in the management of low-risk febrile infants: a mixed methods study protocol. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e063611. [PMID: 36127098 PMCID: PMC9490627 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-063611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The management of low-risk febrile infants presents a model population for exploring how implicit racial bias promotes inequitable emergency care for children who belong to racial, ethnic and language minority groups. Although widely used clinical standards guide the clinical care of febrile infants, there remains substantial variability in management strategies. Deviations from recommended care may be informed by the physician's assessment of the family's values, risk tolerance and access to supportive resources. However, in the fast-paced emergency setting, such assessments may be influenced by implicit racial bias. Despite significant research to inform the clinical care of febrile infants, there is a dearth of knowledge regarding health disparities and clinical guideline implementation. The proposed mixed methods approach will (1) quantify the extent of disparities by race, ethnicity and language proficiency and (2) explore the role of implicit bias in physician-patient communication when caring for this population. METHODS AND ANALYSIS With 42 participating sites from the Pediatric Emergency Medicine Collaborative Research Committee, we will conduct a multicenter, cross-sectional study of low-risk febrile infants treated in the emergency department (ED) and apply multivariable logistic regression to assess the association between (1) race and ethnicity and (2) limited English proficiency with the primary outcome, discharge to home without lumbar puncture or antibiotics. We will concurrently perform an interpretive study using purposive sampling to conduct individual semistructured interviews with (1) minority parents of febrile infants and (2) paediatric ED physicians. We will triangulate or compare perspectives to better elucidate disparities and bias in communication and medical decision-making. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This study has been approved by the University of Florida Institutional Review Board. All participating sites in the multicenter analysis will obtain local institutional review board approval. The results of this study will be presented at academic conferences and in peer-reviewed publications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colleen K Gutman
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - K Casey Lion
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Center for Child Health, Behavior, and Development, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Paul Aronson
- Departments of Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Carla Fisher
- College of Journalism and Communications, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Department of Health Outcomes and Biomedical Informatics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Carma Bylund
- Department of Health Outcomes and Biomedical Informatics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Antionette McFarlane
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Xiangyang Lou
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Mary D Patterson
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Center for Experiential Learning and Simulation, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Ahmed Lababidi
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Rosemarie Fernandez
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Center for Experiential Learning and Simulation, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
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Blood Procalcitonin Level as a Diagnostic Marker of Pediatric Bacterial Meningitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:diagnostics11050846. [PMID: 34066811 PMCID: PMC8151301 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11050846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 05/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Early diagnosis and treatment of bacterial meningitis in children are essential, due to the high mortality and morbidity rates. However, lumbar puncture is often difficult, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture takes time. This meta-analysis aims to determine the diagnostic accuracy of blood procalcitonin for detecting bacterial meningitis in children. We conducted a systematic search on electronic databases to identify relevant studies. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) were calculated, and a hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic curve and area under the curve (AUC) were determined. Eighteen studies with 1462 children were included in the analysis. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, and the DOR of blood procalcitonin for detecting bacterial meningitis were 0.87 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.78–0.93); 0.85 (95% CI: 0.75–0.91), and 35.85 (95% CI: 10.68–120.28), respectively. The AUC for blood procalcitonin was 0.921. Blood procalcitonin also showed higher diagnostic accuracy for detecting bacterial meningitis than other conventional biomarkers, including serum C-reactive protein and leukocyte count, CSF leukocyte and neutrophil count, and CSF protein and glucose levels. Blood procalcitonin can be a good supplemental biomarker with high diagnostic accuracy in detecting bacterial meningitis in children.
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8
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Berk J, Biondi E, Tamma PD, Herzke C. Things We Do for No Reason ™ : Lumbar Punctures in Low-Risk Febrile Infants with Bronchiolitis. J Hosp Med 2020; 15:181-183. [PMID: 31634097 DOI: 10.12788/jhm.3317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Revised: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Inspired by the ABIM Foundation's Choosing Wisely® campaign, the "Things We Do for No Reason™ " (TWDFNR) series reviews practices that have become common parts of hospital care but may provide little value to our patients. Practices reviewed in the TWDFNR series do not represent "black and white" conclusions or clinical practice standards but are meant as a starting place for research and active discussions among hospitalists and patients. We invite you to be part of that discussion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin Berk
- Warren Alpert School of Medicine at Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Eric Biondi
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Pranita D Tamma
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Carrie Herzke
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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