Stage 1 acute kidney injury is independently associated with infection following cardiac surgery

ObjectivesSevere acute kidney injury (AKI) is a known risk factor for infection and mortality. However, whether stage 1 AKI is a risk factor for infection has not been evaluated in adults. We hypothesized that stage 1 AKI following cardiac surgery would independently associate with infection and mortality.MethodsIn this retrospective propensity score–matched study, we evaluated 1620 adult patients who underwent nonemergent cardiac surgery at the University of Colorado Hospital from 2011 to 2017. Patients who developed stage 1 AKI by Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes creatinine criteria within 72 hours of surgery were matched to patients who did not develop AKI. The primary outcome was an infection, defined as a new surgical-site infection, positive blood or urine culture, or development of pneumonia. Secondary outcomes included in-hospital mortality, stroke, and intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital length of stay (LOS).ResultsStage 1 AKI occurred in 293 patients (18.3%). Infection occurred in 20.9% of patients with stage 1 AKI compared with 8.1% in the no-AKI group (P < .001). In propensity-score matched analysis, stage 1 AKI independently associated with increased infection (odds ratio [OR]; 2.24, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.37-3.17), ICU LOS (OR, 2.38; 95% CI, 1.71–3.31), and hospital LOS (OR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.17-1.45).ConclusionsStage 1 AKI is independently associated with postoperative infection, ICU LOS, and hospital LOS. Treatment strategies focused on prevention, early recognition, and optimal medical management of AKI may decrease significant postoperative morbidity.     

The prognostic role of tumour‐infiltrating lymphocytes in oral squamous cell carcinoma: A meta‐analysis

It has been suggested that tumour‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are associated with the progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). However, the prognostic value of TILs is inconclusive due to the heterogeneity of immune cells within the tumour microenvironment. In this meta‐analysis, we aimed to assess the prognostic value of TILs in OSCC. The PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, Scopus and Web of Science databases were searched up to April 20, 2019, and 33 studies were ultimately included in this meta‐analysis. Our pooled meta‐analysis showed that high infiltration of CD8⁺ TILs, CD45RO⁺ TILs and CD57⁺ TILs favoured better overall survival (OS). However, high infiltration of CD68⁺ macrophages and CD163⁺ macrophages was associated with poor prognosis in OSCC. These findings suggest that CD8⁺ TILs, CD45RO⁺ TILs, CD57⁺ TILs, CD68⁺ macrophages and CD163⁺ macrophages might serve as novel prognostic factors and therapeutic targets in OSCC.     

Learners’ acceptance of a webinar for continuing medical education

The aim of this study was to evaluate learners’ acceptance of a webinar for continuing medical education that was instigated by the International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (IAOMS). A live, interactive webinar on orthognathic surgery was broadcast via the Internet. The learners’ acceptance of the webinar was evaluated using a standardized, validated questionnaire (Student Evaluation of Educational Quality, SEEQ). One hundred and fifty-three participants attended the webinar; 55 participants (46 male, nine female) completed the questionnaire. The mean age of the respondents was 41.6 ± 10.0 years. The age of male and female respondents did not differ significantly. The respondents were spread over five continents, with the highest number from Brazil. The SEEQ showed a high level of acceptance for almost all subscales. There was no statistically significant difference between male and female respondents concerning acceptance of the webinar (P = 0.614). The wide distribution of participants shows the potential for webinars as facilitators of barrier-free distribution of knowledge. The webinar was well accepted by the attendees independent of sex, specialty, and work experience. However, the sex ratio reflects the underrepresentation of women in oral and maxillofacial surgery.     

A Burnout Reduction and Wellness Strategy: Personal Financial Health for the Medical Trainee and Early Career Radiation Oncologist

PurposePhysician burnout is reported in more than one out of every 2 practicing clinicians and is just as prevalent in training physicians. Burnout severity is also associated with increasing levels of financial debt. Medical professionals are notable for their high and increasing levels of debt; despite this, financial literacy is poor among physicians, and financial education is largely absent from medical education. Radiation oncologists (ROs) are no different in this regard, with 33% of residents reporting high levels of burnout symptoms, 33% carrying >$200,000 of educational debt, and 75% reporting being unprepared to handle future financial decisions. To fill this gap, we reviewed the basic tenets of personal financial health for the early career RO.Methods and materialsThe core concept of financial independence (FI) is introduced, and we review 4 basic tenets of personal financial health for the young medical professional: debt, behavior, investment, and asset protection strategies.ResultsFI is achieved by saving until the desired quality of life can be maintained, independent of employment income. Debt strategy involves minimizing debt accrual, understanding student loans, and having a debt management plan. Behavioral strategy involves setting financial goals, calculating worth and a savings rate, budgeting, and frugal living. The basics of investing include asset allocation, diversification, rebalancing, and minimizing expenses. Finally, asset protection includes insuring against catastrophic events with disability, life, health, liability, and property insurance.ConclusionsHealthy financial practices can lead to FI and may facilitate professional and personal freedoms with the goal of mitigating burnout-associated stressors. The tenets of strong financial health for ROs in the early stages of their career include sound debt, behavioral, investment, and asset protection strategies. Furthermore, initial and continuing financial education is an overlooked but important curriculum component. ROs with their financial houses in order can devote more resources to learning and practicing good medicine while living healthy, rewarding lives.     

脑卒中后偏瘫肩痛患者生活质量的影响因素研究

目的 探讨脑卒中后偏瘫肩痛患者生活质量的直接和间接影响因素，以期为临床症状管理提供参考信息。 方法 采用一般资料调查表、脑卒中后偏瘫肩痛症状评估表、简易疲乏量表、医院焦虑抑郁量表、Fugl-Meyer上肢功能评分量表和脑卒中生活质量专用量表对205例脑卒中后偏瘫肩痛患者进行调查。结果 偏瘫肩痛患者的生活质量总分为（144.48±27.69），整体处于中等水平。生活质量的主要影响因素是肩痛困扰、肩痛频度、肩外旋、疲乏程度和抑郁，可以解释总变异的63.3%。路径分析结果显示，疲乏程度、肩痛频度和肩痛困扰可直接影响患者的生活质量（β_(疲乏程度-生活质量)=-0.252，P<0.001；β_(肩痛频度-生活质量)=-0.147，P<0.001；β_(肩痛困扰-生活质量)=-0.317，P<0.001）；疲乏程度和肩痛频度亦可通过肩痛困扰来间接影响患者的生活质量（ β_(疲乏程度-肩痛困扰-生活质量)=-0.066，P<0.001；β_(肩痛频度-肩痛困扰-生活质量)=-0.064，P<0.001）。结论 临床上应同时关注脑卒中患者疲乏和偏瘫肩痛症状，关注抑郁和疲乏对症状体验的协同作用，提高医护人员症状管理的效率，从而提高脑卒中偏瘫肩痛患者的生活质量。     

临床护理路径在心血管患者静脉留置针中的研究分析

目的:提高静脉留置针使用有效期,保证心血管患者得到及时用药,有效开放静脉抢救通道。方法:建立了心血管患者静脉留置针的临床护理路径(Clinical Nursing Pathway,CNP)。选择我院2018年1-12月期间接诊的静脉留置针心血管患者为研究对象,共100例,随机分组,即对照组(50例,常规护理)与实验组(50例,在常规护理基础上辅以临床护理路径),比较两组护理效果,包括留置时间、不良反应情况、患者满意度等。结果:护理后,两组患者留置时间无明显差异,但实验组不良反应发生率、静脉炎发生率低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);实验组满意度、一次性置管成功率高于对照组,而非计划性拔管率则低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:心血管患者静脉留置针护理中辅以临床护理路径,可减少不良反应,预防静脉炎,延长置管时间,提高护理满意度,值得优选。