Faculty Bibliography

BACKGROUND:We hypothesized that the outcomes of trauma patients with a body mass index (BMI) equal to or greater than 30 compared to patients with BMI less than 30 would not differ at a level 1 trauma center that is also a Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence in the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP). STUDY DESIGN/METHODS:Patients equal to and greater than 18 years old treated between 1/1/2018 and 12/31/2020 were included. Demographics, BMI, comorbidities, and outcomes (hospital-LOS, ICU-LOS, blood products used, and mortality) were compared between 2 groups: obese (BMI ≥30) vs non-obese (BMI <30). RESULTS:< .0001). When adjusted for age, sex, DM, dementia, ISS, and ICU admission, there was no statistically significant difference in hospital-LOS (4.30 [95% CI: 4.10, 4.52] vs 4.48 [95% CI: 4.18, 4.79]) or mortality. No statistical differences were seen between the 2 groups in blood product use. CONCLUSIONS:Obesity did not correlate with poorer outcomes at an ACS-verified level 1 Trauma Center and Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence. Further studies are needed to determine whether outcomes vary at hospitals without both designations.

OBJECTIVE:Aggression from patients and families on health care providers (HCP) is common yet understudied. We measured its prevalence and impact on HCPs in inpatient and outpatient settings. METHODS:Four thousand six hundred seven HCPs employed by a community teaching hospital received an anonymous survey with results analyzed. RESULTS:Of 1609 HCPs (35%) completing the survey, 88% of inpatient staff reported experiencing different types of aggression compared to 82% in outpatient setting. Almost half did not report it to their supervisor. Younger staff were more likely to report abuse. Negative impacts on productivity and patient care were reported. A third of all responders' indicated negative effects on mental health. CONCLUSIONS:Despite negative impacts on staff wellbeing and productivity, patient/family aggression toward HCPs is highly prevalent and underreported. Our healthcare system needs measures to address staff security and wellness.

BACKGROUND:Asthma, a common childhood condition, often presents with chronic cough. While evaluating for chronic cough, many specialists obtain a baseline chest radiograph (CR) to assess for other causes. Usually read as 'normal', sometimes CRs will reveal evidence of airway inflammation in the form of subtle findings, such as 'increased interstitial markings' or 'peribronchial thickening'. There is sparse literature in the outpatient setting correlating findings on baseline CRs with adverse outcomes such as systemic steroid use, emergency department (ED) visit or hospitalisation. METHODS:This was a retrospective study of patients seen at our institution's Pediatric Pulmonology outpatient clinic. We reviewed the charts of all new patients aged 0-18 years who presented between January 2015 and December 2017. Patients were included if they were diagnosed with asthma, had a CR after the initial visit and were followed up at least twice. Adverse outcomes include systemic steroid use, ED visit or hospitalisation. RESULTS:130 subjects were included. 89 subjects had clear CRs and 41 subjects had CRs with airway inflammation. Overall events were higher in the airway inflammation group (22.5% vs 46.3%, respectively, p<0.0058). There were no significant differences between in terms of oral corticosteroid use or hospitalisations. There was a significant difference between the two groups in terms of ED visits (2.2% vs 14.6%, respectively, p=0.0121). CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:This study shows a positive correlation between airway inflammation findings on baseline CR and subsequent ED visits in patients with asthma.

Introduction/UNASSIGNED:Parenteral Nutrition (PN) can lead to intestinal failure associated liver disease (IFALD). There are no human studies to date studying specifically the benefits of light-protection on neonatal IFALD. Recently, the European Medicines Agency and the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) both recommended full light protection of PN to reduce the risk of adverse clinical outcomes. Objective/UNASSIGNED:The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of light-protecting PN on the incidence of cholestasis and peak direct bilirubin levels in premature infants. Study design/UNASSIGNED:Retrospective chart review of preterm infants requiring PN for a minimum of 2 weeks with or without light-protection. After light protection of the PN solution, primary outcomes (including cholestasis and direct bilirubin levels) of both groups were compared. Secondary outcomes include evaluation of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), sepsis and mortality. Results/UNASSIGNED:= 0.0223). There was no difference in NEC, ROP, sepsis or mortality. Conclusion/UNASSIGNED:Our study supports that the practice of light-protecting PN may reduce the incidence of IFALD in premature infants. Moreover, there was a trend toward decreased incidence of severe BPD in the light-protection group. Further light protection studies are needed to confirm these findings.

OBJECTIVES/OBJECTIVE:To develop standard cervical elastography nomograms for singleton pregnancies at 18-22 weeks gestation using the E-cervix ultrasound application; assess intra-observer reliability of the E-cervix elastography parameters; and determine if these cervical elastography measurements can be used in the prediction of spontaneous preterm birth. METHODS:This was a prospective cohort study of pregnant women undergoing cervical length screening assessment via transvaginal ultrasound examination at 18 - 22 weeks gestation. A semi-automatic, cervical elastography application (E-cervix) was utilized during the transvaginal examination to calculate five quantitative parameters (Internal Os Stiffness, External Os Stiffness, Internal to External Os Stiffness Ratio, Hardness Ratio, Elasticity Contrast Index) and create a standard nomogram for each one of them. The intra-observer reliability was calculated using Shrout-Fliess reliability. Cervical elastography parameters were compared between those who delivered preterm (<37 weeks) spontaneously versus full term. A multivariable logistic regression model was performed to determine the ability of the cervical elastography parameters to predict spontaneous preterm birth. RESULTS:742 women were included of which 49 (6.6%) had a spontaneous preterm delivery. A standard nomogram was created for each of the cervical elastography parameters from those who had a full term birth in the index pregnancy (n=693). Intra-observer reliability was good or excellent (intraclass correlation (ICC) = 0.757 - 0.887) for each of the cervical elastography parameters except External Os Stiffness which was poor (ICC = 0.441). In univariate analysis, none of the cervical elastography parameters were associated with a statistically significant increased risk of spontaneous preterm birth. In a multivariable model adjusting for history of preterm birth, gravidity, ethnicity, cervical cerclage and vaginal progesterone use, increasing Elasticity Contrast Index was significantly associated with an increased risk of spontaneous preterm birth (OR 1.15, 95%CI [1.02, 1.30]; P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS:Cervical elastography parameters are reliably measured and are stable across 18-22 weeks gestation. Based on our findings, the Elasticity Contrast Index was associated with an increased risk for spontaneous preterm birth and may be the parameter useful for future research.

RATIONAL AND OBJECTIVES/OBJECTIVE:Radiology has one of the lowest female representation rates in medicine and recruiting female residents is a challenge for some residency programs. There is limited understanding of gender differences among residency applicants during program selection. The study objective is to investigate which program factors were considered most important by radiology residency applicants and to assess for differences by gender, race and ethnicity. MATERIALS AND METHODS/METHODS:An anonymous survey was distributed electronically to diagnostic and interventional radiology residency programs in the US and Canada via the Association of Program Coordinators in Radiology (APCR). Residents were asked to evaluate the importance of 30 factors during evaluation of residency programs using a 5-point Likert scale (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important). RESULTS:370 residents and 1 fellow completed the survey. Of the respondents, 269 were male (72.5%) and 101 were female (27.2%). The most important factors to respondents during program selection were program culture (4.42), geographic location (4.17), fellowship placement (4.14), and imaging and/or procedure volume (3.98). There was a significant difference between male and female respondents in the importance of program culture (p = 0.002), composition of current residents (p = 0.007), percentage of current female residents (p < 0.0001), program size (p = 0.047), call schedule (p = 0.025), percentage of female faculty (p < 0.0001), faculty ethnic and racial diversity (p < 0.0001), resident ethnic and racial diversity (p < 0.0001), which female respondents ranked more highly. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:Applicants consider many factors during residency program selection. Program culture, geographic location, fellowship placement and imaging and/or procedural volume were most important. There were significant differences by gender, race and ethnicity in importance of several factors.

BACKGROUND:Telemedicine in obstetrics has mostly been described in the rural areas that have limited access to subspecialties. During the COVID-19 pandemic, health systems rapidly expanded telemedicine services for urgent and nonurgent healthcare delivery, even in urban settings. The New York University health system implemented a prompt systemwide expansion of video-enabled telemedicine visits, increasing telemedicine to >8000 visits daily within 6 weeks of the beginning of the pandemic. There are limited studies that explore patient and provider satisfaction of telemedicine visits in obstetrical patients during the COVID-19 epidemic, particularly in the United States. OBJECTIVE:This study aimed to evaluate both the patients' and the providers' satisfaction with the administration of maternal-fetal medicine services through telemedicine and to identify the factors that drive the patients' desire for future obstetrical telemedicine services. STUDY DESIGN/METHODS:A cross-sectional survey was administered to patients who completed a telemedicine video visit with the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine at the New York University Langone Hospital-Long Island from March 19, 2020, to May 26, 2020. A 10-question survey assessing the patients' digital experience and desire for future use was either administered by telephone or self-administered by the patients via a link after obtaining verbal consent. The survey responses were scored from 1-strongly disagree to 5-strongly agree. We analyzed the demographics and survey responses of the patients who agreed to vs those who answered neutral or disagree to the question "I would like telehealth to be an option for future obstetric visits." The providers also answered a similar 10-question survey. The median scores were compared using appropriate tests. A P value of <.05 was considered significant. RESULTS:A total of 253 patients participated in 433 telemedicine visits, and 165 patients completed the survey, resulting in a 65% survey response rate. Overall, there were high rates of patient satisfaction in all areas assessed. Those who desired future telemedicine had significantly greater agreeability that they were able to see and hear their provider easily (5 [4.5, 5] vs 5 [4, 5]; P=.014) and that the lack of physical activity was not an issue (5 [4, 5] vs 5 [4, 5]; P=.032). They were also more likely to agree that the telemedicine visits were as good as in-person visits (4 [3, 5] vs 3 [2, 3]; P<.001) and that telehealth made it easier for them to see doctors or specialists (5 [4, 5] vs 3 [2, 3]; P<.001). The patients seeking consults for poor obstetrical history were more likely to desire future telemedicine compared with other visit types (19 (90%) vs 2 (10%); P=.05). Provider survey responses also demonstrated high levels of satisfaction, with 83% agreeing that they would like telemedicine to be an option for future obstetrical visits. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:We demonstrated that maternal-fetal medicine obstetrical patients and providers were highly satisfied with the implementation of telemedicine during the initial wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and a majority of them desire telemedicine as an option for future visits. A patient's desire for future telemedicine visits was significantly affected by their digital experience, the perception of a lack of need for physical contact, perceived time saved on travel, and access to healthcare providers. Health systems need to continue to improve healthcare delivery and invest in innovative solutions to conduct physical examinations remotely.