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Implementing an Evidence-Based Feeding Protocol: Impact on Nurses' Knowledge, Perceptions, and Feeding Culture in the NICU
McKenna, Laura L; Bellini, Sandra; Whalen, Mary; Magri, Eileen; Akerman, Meredith
BACKGROUND:Evidence-based feeding practices are often variable among neonatal providers due to lack of knowledge and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) feeding culture norms. PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE:To evaluate changes in NICU nurses' knowledge, perceptions, feeding practices and culture following education about, and implementation of, an evidence-based Infant-Driven Feeding (IDF) protocol. METHODS:A pre-/postprospective comparative design was used to survey 120 registered nurses employed in a level 3 NICU about feeding practices, knowledge, and culture prior to IDF education and 1 to 2 months after IDF implementation. RESULTS:The preeducation survey yielded 59 respondents; of these, 30 responded to the same survey after IDF implementation. Postimplementation responses were significant for fewer nurses making decisions to begin oral feedings (P = .035), greater use of gestational age to increase frequency of oral feeding attempts (P = .03), less reliance on weight loss to decrease oral feeding attempts (P = .018), an increase in use of combination interventions to prepare infants for oral feeding (P = .001), and greater willingness to allow a rest period or stop the feeding if an infant falls asleep after completing 70% of the feeding (P = .03). IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE AND RESEARCH/UNASSIGNED:Trends in several survey categories following the education program and implementation of IDF support the use of evidence-based practices (EBPs) such as IDF. Future research focused on nurses' perceptions of how education influences integration of specific EBPs into practice is needed. Evaluating EBP mentorship combined with education about EBPs can provide insights on how best to integrate EBPs into practice.
PMID: 34596085
ISSN: 1536-0911
CID: 5030252
Effect of Prostate Volume and Minimum Tumor Temperature on Four-Year Quality-of-Life Following Focal Cryoablation Compared with Active Surveillance in Men with Prostate Cancer
Monaco, Ashley; Sommer, Jessica; Akerman, Meredith; Joshi, Parth; Corcoran, Anthony; Katz, Aaron E
BACKGROUND:The purpose of this study is to analyze quality-of-life (QoL) metrics in men treated with focal cryoablation (FC) compared to active surveillance (AS) for localized PCa over a four-year follow-up period. We further investigated the effect of prostate size and minimum tumor temperature on QoL outcomes. METHODS:An Institutional Review Board-approved database was reviewed for patients who underwent FC or AS. QoL questionnaire responses were collected and scores were analyzed for differences between FC and AS, between prostate volume <50 cc and > 50 cc, and "cold" (<-78°C) and "warm" (>-78°C) tumor temperatures. RESULTS:148 AS and 60 FC patients were included. Compared to AS, no significant difference existed in urinary function measured by EPIC (p=0.593) and IPSS (p=0.241), bowel habits (p=0.370), or anxiety (p=0.672) across time post-FC. FC had significantly worse sexual function compared to AS measured by EPIC (p<0.0001) and IIEF (p<0.0001). Patients with prostate volume <50cc did not demonstrate differences between AS and FC in urinary function on EPIC (p=0.459) or IPSS (p=0.628) but FC patients had worse sexual function on EPIC (p<0.001) and IIEF (p<0.001). FC patients with a prostate volume >50cc had better urinary function measured by IPSS (p<0.05) and similar sexual function on EPIC (p=0.162) and IIEF (p=0.771) compared to AS. Urinary function over time measured by EPIC (0.825) and IPSS (p=0.658) was the same between AS, "warm", and "cold" FC groups. AS had significantly better sexual function than the "warm" and "cold" FC groups on EPIC (p<0.001) and IIEF (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS:No differences were found in anxiety, urinary, or bowel function between AS and FC. Despite differences in sexual function, patients with larger prostates had no difference in sexual function and improved urinary function compared to AS. Future studies with larger cohorts are needed.
PMID: 36106598
ISSN: 1557-900x
CID: 5336312
Ceftriaxone 1 g Versus 2 g Daily for the Treatment of Enterobacterales Bacteremia: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Baalbaki, Nadeem; Blum, Sharon; Akerman, Meredith; Johnson, Diane
PMCID:9608102
PMID: 36311303
ISSN: 8755-1225
CID: 5358372
The First COVID-19 Pandemic Wave and the Effect on Health Care Trainees: A National Survey Study
Liu, Helen H; Petrone, Patrizio; Akerman, Meredith; Howell, Raelina S; Morel, Andrew H; Sohail, Amir H; Alsamarraie, Cindy; Brathwaite, Barbara; Kinzler, Wendy; Maurer, James; Brathwaite, Collin E M
BACKGROUND:This study observes the trends and patterns among trainees during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and their response to resident education and hospital/program support. METHODS:An anonymous online 31-question survey was distributed to medical students and postgraduate year residents. Topics included were demographics, clinical responsibilities, educational/curricula changes, and trainee wellness. Descriptive analysis was performed for each set of demographic groupings as well as 2 and 3 group comparisons. RESULTS:< .0001). CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:We aim to provide continued educational support for our trainees' clinical development and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic.
PMCID:9483660
PMID: 36121024
ISSN: 1555-9823
CID: 5333002
Capturing total steroid burden in patients with atopic dermatitis and asthma
Fonacier, Luz; Banta, Erin; Mawhirt, Stephanie; Noor, Irum; Feldman, Eleanor; Armstrong Martin, Robert; Akerman, Meredith; Sani, Sonam
PMID: 36065113
ISSN: 1539-6304
CID: 5332372
Four-year quality-of-life outcomes in low- to intermediate-risk prostate cancer patients following definitive stereotactic body radiotherapy versus management with active surveillance
Monaco, Ashley; Sommer, Jessica; Akerman, Meredith; Lischalk, Jonathan W; Haas, Jonathan; Corcoran, Anthony; Katz, Aaron
OBJECTIVE:To review quality-of-life (QoL) metrics between patients who underwent definitive stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) versus active surveillance (AS) for management of low- to intermediate-risk prostate cancer (PCa). METHODS:A prospectively maintained PCa database was reviewed containing results of patient-reported QoL surveys. Patients with localized disease who chose AS or SBRT and completed at least one survey within four years of treatment were included. Patients who received salvage therapy were excluded. Survey results were compared across time using mixed-effects repeated measures analysis of covariance models that adjusted for factors significant in univariate analysis. A group x time interaction effect was examined to compare rate of change over time between AS and SBRT. P < 0.05 was significant. RESULTS:148 AS and 161 SBRT patients were included. Significantly more SBRT patients had intermediate-risk disease (p < 0.0001). AS had significantly worse sexual function compared to SBRT across time. While not significant, bowel function scores were lower for SBRT patients across time points. SBRT patients had significantly lower anxiety than AS patients at 24 months (p < 0.011) and 36 months (p < 0.010). Urinary function though worse in SBRT patients at 12 months in EPIC, was not significantly different in both groups across time points. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:SBRT patients have excellent QoL compared to AS with regard to anxiety post treatment. Though SBRT patients initially have worse urinary and bowel function than AS, scores were eventually similar in both cohorts by 48 months. SBRT patients have significantly worse sexual function post treatment. This study may help facilitate counseling in patients choosing PCa treatment.
PMID: 35821267
ISSN: 1433-8726
CID: 5269152
Institutional Usage of Ferric Pyrophosphate Citrate (FPC) Delivered Via Dialysate in Reducing Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents (ESAs) and IV Iron Cost
Wang, Shan; DellaFera, Louis; Dhanani, Lameesa; Malone, Brian; Dutka, Paula; Akerman, Meredith; Masani, Naveed
Dialysis patients are often iron deficient due to a multiple factors. Ferric pyrophosphate citrate is a complex iron salt that can be given via dialysate allowing maintenance of hemoglobin (Hgb) concentration and iron balance while reducing the need for IV iron. The purpose of this study is to perform a cost evaluation of FPC and the effect it has on lowering the dose/use of ESAs and IV iron therapy. This study reviewed the same 100 hemodialysis patient's charts before and after the use of FPC. The data points that were collected and analyzed are as follows: hemoglobin, ferritin levels, average weekly ESA dosing, and IV iron replacement therapy dose. Out of 100 patients, there was no statistical difference in the average hemoglobin, ferritin, and iron saturation levels observed in the patients before and after FPC use. The average weekly dose of darbepoetin alfa per patient was 52.74 μg before the FPC group compared to 39.27 μg in the post FPC group (P < .0001). The total dose of ferric gluconate per patient was 3290.01 mg in the before FPC group and 585.60 mg in the post FPC group (P < .0001). The average total iron sucrose dose per patient in the before FPC group was 3097.92 mg versus 1216.67 mg in the post FPC group (P < .1563). When comparing FPC's cost and implementation into both of our outpatient dialysis centers, this yielded a net savings of $296 751.49.
PMCID:9125122
PMID: 35615489
ISSN: 0018-5787
CID: 5232582
Diagnosing PFAPA during the COVID-19 era: clarity during quarantine [Letter]
Fiorito, Theresa; Akerman, Meredith; Noor, Asif; Krilov, Leonard R
PMID: 35190384
ISSN: 1468-2044
CID: 5172042
Stop the Bleed: A Prospective Evaluation and Comparison of Tourniquet Application in Security Personnel Versus Civilian Population
Petrone, Patrizio; Baltazar, Gerard; Jacquez, Ricardo A; Akerman, Meredith; Brathwaite, Collin E M; Joseph, D'Andrea K
INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND:Stop the Bleed (STB) is a national training program aiming to decrease the mortality associated with life-threatening bleeding due to injury. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and confidence level of security personnel placing a tourniquet (TQ) compared to civilians. METHODS:Pre and post questionnaires were shared with security personnel (Group 1) and civilians (Group 2). Both groups were assessed to determine comfort level with TQ placement. Time and success rate for placement was recorded pre- and post-STB training. A generalized linear mixed model or generalized estimating equations was used to compare pre and post measurements. RESULTS:There were 234 subjects enrolled. There was a statistically significant improvement between the pre- and post-training responses in both groups with respect to comfort level in placing a TQ. Participants also demonstrated increased familiarity with the anatomy and bleeding control after STB training. A higher successful TQ placement was obtained in both groups after STB training (Pre-training: Group 1 [17.4%], Group 2 [12.8%]; Post-training: Group 1 [94.8%], Group 2 [92.3%]). Both groups demonstrated improved time to TA placement with a longer mean time improvement achieved in Group 1. Although the time to TQ placement pre-and post-training was statistically significant, we found that the post-training times between Groups 1 and 2 were similar (P = .983). CONCLUSIONS:Participants improved their confidence level with the use of hemorrhage control techniques and dramatically increased the rate and time to successful placement of a TQ. While civilians had the greatest increase in comfort level, the security personnel group saw the most significant reduction in the time to successful TQ placement. These findings highlight the critical role of STB in educating and empowering both civilians and security personnel in bleeding control techniques.
PMID: 35567282
ISSN: 1555-9823
CID: 5215142
Utilization of Family as Faculty: A Patient Directed Simulation Education to Improve Patient and Family Communication during Patient-Family Centered Rounds (PFCR)
Asuncion, Arsenia M; Quintos-Alagheband, Maria Lyn; Leavens-Maurer, Jill; Akerman, Meredith; Janicke, Patricia; Cavanaugh, Sean
Introduction/UNASSIGNED:Patient-family-centered care (PFCC) is based on the understanding that the family is the child's source of strength and support. Effective communication between families and providers is an essential component of PFCC. Our interprofessional team designed an initiative to improve medical providers' communication in partnership with the Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC). Strategies included the creation of a competency rubric and simulation curriculum using the family as faculty. The SMART aim was to improve the percentage of respondents who answered "Always" to doctor communication domains from 72% to 75.6% in Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) by December 2020. Methods/UNASSIGNED:Pediatric residents, medical students, faculty, nurses, and PFAC members formed a Quality Improvement (QI) team to address PFCR competency. The team created a PFCC checklist to address competency. PFAC volunteers served as standardized parents in an in situ simulation of PFCR scenarios involving interprofessional in-patient teams. Evaluators observed rounds for the pre and postintervention assessment using the checklist. The outcome measure was the percentage of respondents who answered "Always" in the HCAPHS domain for physician communication. The process measure was the PFCR pre and postintervention, using Fisher's exact test for analysis. Results/UNASSIGNED:Using a statistical process chart (SPC), HCAHPS data from 2018 to 2020 showed that we exceeded our aim of >5% increase in the physician communication performance. Pre-post intervention data showed improvement in PFCR competency. Conclusion/UNASSIGNED:Family as faculty simulation led to improved physician communication, translating to improved performance in the HCAHPS score and PFCR competency communication domains.
PMCID:9197349
PMID: 35720860
ISSN: 2472-0054
CID: 5281782