BACKGROUND & AIMS: BACKGROUND:A large insurer in Hawaii mails annual reminders to its members regarding recommended health screenings. This study examined the associations between the characteristics of physicians visited after the reminders were sent and the health screenings received for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers, and for diabetes and cholesterol. METHODS:The study population included members identified as needing health screenings from 2000 to 2003 based on age and gender criteria. The study used a longitudinal design focusing on the 12 months after reminders were sent. Data were analyzed using logistic regression examining physician visits, other health services, and receipt of health screenings by 1-month intervals subsequent to the reminder mailings. RESULTS:In adjusted, multivariable models, members who saw physicians they had not seen in the past year had odds ratios for obtaining health screenings 6 to 8 times higher than members who only saw previously visited physicians. This enhanced response occurred among members receiving their first, second, and third (or subsequent) annual reminder letter. The more physicians that were visited and who were new to the members, the more likely the members were to obtain health screenings. CONCLUSIONS:Members seeing physicians they had not seen in the past year had significantly higher screening rates than the members only seeing physicians they had previously visited. The results suggest that healthcare screening may receive less attention at repeat visits with a physician than at visits with a physician who is new to a member.

背景与目标：

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BACKGROUND & AIMS: BACKGROUND:Side-stream spirometry offers a non-invasive method to monitor continuously respiratory mechanics in intubated patients. We studied the effects of different positions on dynamic lung compliance during anaesthesia. METHODS:The study consisted of 56 patients, operated in supine, prone, kneeling or lateral park-bench position. Dynamic lung compliance and inspiratory peak pressure were recorded after induction of anaesthesia, 15 min and 1 h after posturing the patient. RESULTS:The first measured compliances were comparable in all groups. The compliance in the lateral and the prone positions was significantly lower than in the supine position at 15 min (P < 0.01) and 1 h (P < 0.001) after the posture change. The peak inspiratory pressure was significantly lower in the kneeling position than in the other groups (P < 0.01 at the first measurement, P < 0.001 at the later measurements). No correlation was found between body mass index and compliance. CONCLUSION:We found that dynamic lung compliance decreased significantly upon change of posture from supine to lateral or prone position, whereas in the kneeling position no change in compliance was observed. We suggest that the kneeling position might be preferable to the prone position.

背景与目标：

BACKGROUND & AIMS: :Severe preeclampsia rarely occurs prior to 20 weeks of gestation except in pregnancies with triploidy. The patient reported herein is a 29-year-old primigravida who developed severe preeclampsia at 20 weeks of gestation. Evaluation of the pregnancy demonstrated a markedly abnormal quadruple screen. Amniocentesis demonstrated a fetus with triploidy, despite a normal appearance.

背景与目标： : 除三倍体妊娠外，妊娠20周前很少发生严重的先兆子痫。本文报道的患者是一名29岁的初产妇，在妊娠20周时出现严重的先兆子痫。对妊娠的评估显示出明显异常的四重筛查。羊膜穿刺术显示胎儿具有三倍体，尽管外观正常。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The accuracy of cervicovaginal fetal fibronectin as a predictor of preterm birth was studied in patients with increased risk for preterm delivery (according to the Creasy-score). In a prospective blind observational study the smear from the posterior fornix vaginae of 56 pregnant patients without PROM was examined using a quantitative immunoassay for the detection of fetal fibronectin. The patients who tested positively for fetal fibronectin had significantly more preterm deliveries than those with a negative result (CHI square-test, p < 0.01, RR 5.1). Overall, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were 56%, 87%, 45% and 91%, respectively. In patients with preterm labor these values were 75%, 87%, 60%, and 93%, respectively. No patient with a negative result delivered preterm during the following two weeks. It is concluded that performing the fetal fibronectin test in patients with preterm labor is useful for the prediction of preterm birth. Routine testing in patients at increased risk (asymptomatic patients) is not recommended for lack of effectiveness.

背景与目标： 在早产风险增加的患者中研究了宫颈阴道胎儿纤维连接蛋白作为早产预测指标的准确性 (根据Creasy评分)。在一项前瞻性盲观察研究中，使用定量免疫测定法检查了56例无胎膜早破的孕妇的后穹窿阴道涂片，以检测胎儿纤连蛋白。胎儿纤连蛋白检测呈阳性的患者的早产明显多于阴性结果的患者 (卡方检验，p <0.01，RR 5.1)。总体而言，敏感性、特异性、阳性和阴性预测值分别为56% 、87% 、45% 和91%。在早产患者中，这些值分别为75%，87%，60% 和93%。在接下来的两周内，没有阴性结果的患者早产。结论对早产患者进行胎儿纤连蛋白试验对预测早产有一定的帮助。不建议对风险增加的患者 (无症状患者) 进行常规测试，因为缺乏有效性。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Environmental pollution has become a major concern for the future of life on our planet; medical care, especially in hospitals, contributes significantly to this pollution. The increasing usage of highly-developed medical devices, drugs and disposable products are a drain on natural resources as well as financial ones. In this situation, it is a major task for hospital epidemiologists to maintain high standards of hygiene while reducing environmental pollution, reducing consumption of limited natural resources, and minimizing costs. The reduction of hospital waste, the control of polluting and toxic emissions, the avoidance of unnecessary disinfection procedures and disposables, the implementation of energy and water saving technologies are practicable measures in hospital ecology. To realize a sustainable development within hospitals, it is necessary that the need to maintain a balance between effective infection control and a good ecological environment is recognized and supported by health-care workers and the hospital management.

背景与目标： 环境污染已成为地球生命未来的主要问题; 医疗保健，尤其是医院的医疗保健，对这种污染有很大影响。高度发达的医疗设备，药品和一次性产品的使用日益增加，既消耗了自然资源，也消耗了金融资源。在这种情况下，医院流行病学家的主要任务是在减少环境污染的同时保持高标准的卫生，减少对有限自然资源的消耗并最大程度地降低成本。减少医院废物，控制污染和有毒排放物，避免不必要的消毒程序和一次性用品，实施节能节水技术是医院生态中的可行措施。为了实现医院内部的可持续发展，有必要在有效的感染控制和良好的生态环境之间保持平衡的需要得到医护人员和医院管理层的认可和支持。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: A patient with heterozygous protein S deficiency experienced cutaneous necrosis following subcutaneous heparin administration. Deficiencies of both protein C and protein S, known risk factors for the more frequently encountered coumarin necrosis, may predispose patients to this complication of heparin therapy as well. The putative association of protein S deficiency with cutaneous heparin necrosis could not be proven, however, since attempts to reproduce the heparin necrosis were unsuccessful.

背景与目标： 杂合蛋白S缺乏症患者在皮下注射肝素后出现皮肤坏死。蛋白C和蛋白S的缺乏是香豆素坏死较常见的已知危险因素，也可能使患者易患肝素治疗的这种并发症。然而，由于试图重现肝素坏死的尝试均未成功，因此无法证明蛋白质S缺乏症与皮肤肝素坏死的关系。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: :The adoption of information technology in patient care has become a trend in healthcare organizations. The impact of this technology on end users has been widely studied, but little attention has been given to its influence from a management perspective. The purpose of this study was to explore nurse managers' perceived experiences in implementing a policy to adopt personal digital assistant technology. A descriptive, exploratory qualitative approach (one-on-one, in-depth interviews) was used to collect data from 16 nurse managers of inpatient units at a medical center in Taiwan. Interview data were analyzed according to Miles and Huberman's data reduction, data display, and conclusion verification process. The results revealed that nurse managers experienced the limitations of technology, training issues, doctors' obstructive influence, role conflict, and improvement of future personal digital assistant use. These results can be used to improve strategic organizational planning and in-service training programs to implement information systems.

背景与目标： : 在患者护理中采用信息技术已成为医疗保健组织的趋势。该技术对最终用户的影响已得到广泛研究，但从管理角度对其影响的关注很少。这项研究的目的是探索护士经理在实施采用个人数字助理技术的政策方面的感知经验。采用描述性，探索性定性方法 (一对一，深入访谈) 从台湾医疗中心的16名住院病房护士经理收集数据。根据Miles和Huberman的数据缩减，数据显示和结论验证过程对访谈数据进行分析。结果表明，护士经理经历了技术的局限性，培训问题，医生的阻碍影响，角色冲突以及未来个人数字助理使用的改进。这些结果可用于改善战略组织计划和在职培训计划，以实施信息系统。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: :Inborn errors of vitamin B(12) (cobalamin) metabolism are characterized by decreased production of active cobalamin cofactors and subsequent deficiencies in the activities of methionine synthase and methylmalonyl-CoA mutase. With the recent discovery of the cblJ defect in two patients with phenotypes mimicking the cblF defect, there are nine genes known to be involved in cobalamin metabolism. The new defect is caused by mutations in the ABCD4 gene, encoding an ABC transporter. At the moment, there is no clear distinction between the cblJ and cblF defects either clinically or biochemically, and both defects result in blocks in the transport of cobalamin from the lysosome to the cytoplasm. A patient was diagnosed with hyperhomocysteinemia and methylmalonic aciduria at the age of 8 years. Incorporations of both [(14)C]propionate and [(14)C]methyltetrahydrofolate in cultured fibroblasts were within reference ranges and thus too high to allow for complementation analysis. We observed decreased synthesis of both adenosylcobalamin and methylcobalamin and accumulation of unmetabolized cyanocobalamin. Exome sequencing was performed to identify causative mutation(s) and Sanger re-sequencing was performed to validate segregation of mutation in the family. By this approach, a homozygous mutation, c.423C>G, in the ABCD4 gene was identified. Here, we report the successful application of exome sequencing for diagnosis of a rare inborn error of vitamin B(12) metabolism in a patient whose unusual presentation precluded diagnosis using standard biochemical and genetic approaches. The patient represents only the third known patient with the cblJ disorder.

背景与目标： : 维生素b (12) (钴胺素) 代谢的先天性错误的特征是活性钴胺素辅因子的产生减少，随后蛋氨酸合酶和甲基丙二酰辅酶a变位酶的活性不足。随着最近在两名表型模仿cblF缺陷的患者中发现cblJ缺陷，已知有9个基因与钴胺素代谢有关。新的缺陷是由编码ABC转运蛋白的ABCD4基因突变引起的。目前，无论是在临床上还是在生化上，cblJ和cblF缺陷之间都没有明确的区别，这两个缺陷都会导致钴胺素从溶酶体到细胞质的转运受到阻碍。一名患者在8岁时被诊断出患有高同型半胱氨酸血症和甲基丙二酸尿症。培养的成纤维细胞中 [(14)C] 丙酸酯和 [(14)C] 甲基四氢叶酸的加入都在参考范围内，因此太高，无法进行互补分析。我们观察到腺苷钴胺和甲钴胺的合成减少以及未代谢的氰钴胺的积累。进行外显子组测序以鉴定致病突变 (s)，并进行了Sanger重新测序以验证家族中突变的分离。通过这种方法，在ABCD4基因中发现了一个纯合突变，c.423C>G。在这里，我们报告了外显子组测序在诊断罕见的先天性维生素b (12) 代谢错误中的成功应用，该患者的异常表现无法使用标准的生化和遗传学方法进行诊断。该患者仅代表第三位已知的cblJ疾病患者。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: PURPOSE:To evaluate outcomes among early-stage breast cancer patients after conservative surgery and full-dose intraoperative radiotherapy electrons (ELIOT) by applying the Groupe Européen de Curiethérapie-European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (GEC-ESTRO) recommendations for partial breast irradiation (APBI). MATERIALS AND METHODS:One-thousand eight-hundred and twenty-two patients were stratified into the three GEC-ESTRO categories of "good candidates", "possible candidates" and "contraindication" in order to assess outcomes. RESULTS:All the 1822 cases except 7 could be classified according to GEC-ESTRO groups: 573 patients met the criteria to be included in the "good candidates" group, 468 patients in the "possible candidates" group and 767 patients in the "contraindication" group. Median and mean follow-up length was 3.5 years (range 0-10.5 years) and 3.8 years (SD 2.2), respectively. The 5-year rate of in-breast tumor reappearances for "good candidates", "possible candidates" and "contraindication" groups were 1.9%, 7.4% and 7.7%, respectively (p 0.001). While the regional node relapse showed no difference, the rate of distant metastases was significantly different in the "contraindication" group compared to the other two categories, having a significant impact on survival. CONCLUSIONS:Among the ELIOT population, the GEC-ESTRO recommendations enabled the selection of the good candidates with a low rate of local recurrence, but failed to differentiate the "possible candidates" and the "contraindication" groups.

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BACKGROUND & AIMS: :Extensive laboratory testing is often performed in the emergency department evaluation of the new-onset seizure patient. To determine the utility of such testing, a prospective study of patients with a new-onset seizure presenting to the ED of an inner-city, university-affiliated teaching hospital was done. One hundred thirty-six patients were entered into the study between October 1984 and January 1988. All patients had uniform data collection performed. Pertinent historical information and physical examination findings were recorded on a standardized form before laboratory abnormality was a sole or contributory cause of the seizure disorder. These included four patients with hypoglycemia, four with hyperglycemia, two with hypocalcemia, and one with hypomagnesemia. Only two cases (hypoglycemia) were not suspected on the basis of findings on the history or physical examination. In ED patients, the incidence of a new-onset seizure due to a correctable metabolic disturbance is low. We conclude that, with the exception of the serum glucose, the extensive ED laboratory workup often done for the evaluation of a new-onset seizure is unnecessary. Further test ordering should be directed by the medical history and physical examination.

背景与目标： : 在急诊科对新发癫痫患者的评估中，经常进行广泛的实验室测试。为了确定这种测试的实用性，对向市中心大学附属教学医院的ED呈递的新发癫痫发作患者进行了前瞻性研究。在1984年10月和1988年1月之间，有136名患者进入了研究。所有患者均进行了统一的数据收集。在实验室异常是癫痫发作的唯一或促成原因之前，将相关的历史信息和体格检查结果记录在标准化表格上。其中包括4名低血糖患者，4名高血糖患者，2名低钙血症患者和1名低镁血症患者。根据病史或体格检查发现，仅怀疑有2例 (低血糖)。在ED患者中，由于可纠正的代谢紊乱而引起的新发癫痫发作的发生率较低。我们得出的结论是，除血清葡萄糖外，通常不需要进行广泛的ED实验室检查以评估新发癫痫发作。进一步的检查顺序应由病史和体格检查指示。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: OBJECTIVES:To evaluate first-year doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) students' communication apprehension, outcome expectations, and self-efficacy for communication over the duration of a 15-week patient-counseling course. DESIGN:First-year PharmD students (n=94) were asked to complete a 47-item, self-administered questionnaire on 3 occasions over the duration of the Nonprescription Drugs/Patient-Counseling course during the fall 2009 and 2010 semesters. ASSESSMENT:Eighty-seven of 94 students completed the survey instrument across data collection periods. There were significant reductions in total communication apprehension scores and in the communication apprehension subscores for meetings and public speaking, and significant increases in self-efficacy over time. No differences were found for outcome expectations of communication scores or the subscores for interpersonal conversations and group discussion. CONCLUSIONS:Communication apprehension may be decreased and self-efficacy for communication increased in first-year PharmD students through a 15-week Nonprescription Drugs/Patient-Counseling course using small-group practice sessions, case studies, and role-play exercises in conjunction with classroom lectures.

背景与目标：

BACKGROUND & AIMS: :A 57-year-old woman showed frequent premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) originating from the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT), and some of the PVCs triggered polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (PVT). Structural heart diseases were ruled out by conventional cardiac examinations. Radiofrequency catheter ablation was successful in eliminating the PVCs and subsequent PVT. However, epinephrine infusion unmasked her prolonged QT interval, and a genetic analysis revealed a KCNH2 mutation (R694H) as the cause of latent type-2 long QT syndrome (LQTS). This case suggests that latent LQTS may work as an arrhythmogenic substrate of PVT triggered by a benign form of RVOT-PVCs in patients with a structurally normal heart.

背景与目标： : 一名57岁的女性表现出频繁的源自右心室流出道 (RVOT) 的室性早搏 (pvc)，其中一些pvc触发了多形性室性心动过速 (PVT)。常规心脏检查排除了结构性心脏病。射频导管消融成功消除了pvc和随后的PVT。然而，肾上腺素输注揭示了她延长的QT间期，基因分析显示KCNH2突变 (R694H) 是潜伏性2型长QT综合征 (LQTS) 的原因。这种情况表明，在结构正常的心脏患者中，潜在的LQTS可能是由良性形式的rvot-pvc触发的PVT的致心律失常底物。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: OBJECT:Quality and safety are basic concerns in any medical practice. Especially in daily surgical practice, with increasing turnover and shortened procedure times, attention to these topics needs to be assured. Starting in 2007, the authors used a perioperative checklist in all elective procedures and extended the checklist in January 2011 according to the so-called team time-out principles, with additional assessment of patient identity and the planned surgical procedure performed immediately before skin incision, including the emergency cases. METHODS:The advanced perioperative checklist includes parts for patient identification, preoperative assessments, team time-out, postoperative treatment, and imaging controls. All parts are signed by the responsible physician except for the team time-out, which is performed and signed by the theater nurse on behalf of the surgeon immediately before skin incision. RESULTS:Between January 2007 and December 2010, 1 wrong-sided bur hole in an emergency case and 1 wrong-sided lumbar approach in an elective case (of 8795 surgical procedures) occurred in the authors' department. Using the advanced perioperative checklist including the team time-out principles, no error occurred in 3595 surgical procedures (January 2011-June 2012). In the authors' department all team members appreciate the chance to focus on the patient, the surgical procedure, and expected difficulties. The number of incomplete checklists and of patients not being transferred into the operating room was lowered significantly (p = 0.002) after implementing the advanced perioperative checklist. CONCLUSIONS:In the authors' daily experience, the advanced perioperative checklist developed according to the team time-out principles improves preoperative workup and the focus of the entire team. The focus is drawn to the procedure, expected difficulties of the surgery, and special needs in the treatment of the particular patient. Especially in emergency situations, the team time-out synchronizes the involved team members and helps to improve patient safety.

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BACKGROUND & AIMS: :Our experience with the subcutaneous absorbable bridge for constructing a temporary loop ileostomy and loop colostomy is described. The use of this subcutaneous absorbable bridge in 15 patients - 6 with loop ileostomy and 9 with loop colostomy - was almost without complications. The absorbable bridge is a progress for maturation of the stoma and for immediate postoperative as prospective fitting of a watertight appliance. The actual trend substituting the temporary loop colostomy by the loop ileostomy may be advanced by the unlimited use of the subcutaneous absorbable bridge for constructing a temporary loop ileostomy.

背景与目标： : 描述了我们在构建临时回肠造口术和回肠造口术的皮下可吸收桥方面的经验。在15例患者中使用这种皮下可吸收桥-6例回肠造口术和9例回肠造口术-几乎没有并发症。可吸收桥是造口成熟和术后即刻作为水密器具的前瞻性安装的进步。通过无限制地使用皮下可吸收桥来构建临时回肠造口术，可以提高用回肠造口术代替临时回肠造口术的实际趋势。