Evaluation of sexual misconduct complaints: The Oregon Board of Medical Examiners, 1991 to 1995

OBJECTIVE: In 1991 the Oregon Board of Medical Examiners initiated a separate category for the complaint of sexual misconduct. Investigated complaints of sexual misconduct brought to the Oregon Board of Medical Examiners were analyzed for the years 1991 to 1995 to serve as a baseline. Comparison was made to the Federation of State Medical Boards sexual misconduct data for 1991 and 1992.STUDY DESIGN: One hundred complaints brought against 80 licensees were evaluated by practitioner's degree, age group, sex, specialty, and disposition of complaints for the years 1991 to 1995. The allegations were classified into behavior categories of sexual impropriety, sexual transgression, and sexual violations.RESULTS: Sexual misconduct was the allegation in 5.9% of the complaints investigated for the study period. Oregon had more sexual misconduct complaints than the average reported to the Federation of State Medical Boards for the years 1991 and 1992. Most (72%) complaints came from the patients or their families. Two female physicians (2.4%) had sexual boundary complaints. Sexual misconduct complaints increased by a risk ratio of 1.44 with advancing age by decades. Allegations classified into behavior categories according to severity revealed 39% sexual impropriety, 31% sexual transgression, and 30% sexual violation. Reportable disciplinary actions occurred only with multiple allegations of sexual impropriety (6.5%) and for sexual transgression (27%) whereas sexual violation allegations often had one complainant but there were 54% reportable disciplinary actions. Family practice, obstetrics and gynecology, and psychiatry had the highest incidence of sexual misconduct complaints whereas psychiatry and obstetrics and gynecology had the highest incidence of reportable disciplinary actions. Twenty-five percent of the closed cases resulted in reportable disciplinary actions. This analysis is discussed in relationship to legal and ethical issues and the goal of zero tolerance.CONCLUSIONS: Oregon has a higher percentage of sexual misconduct complaints than the average for 42 states reporting to the Federation of State Medical Boards for the years 1991 and 1992. Analysis of the Oregon Board's experience for the study years will provide a baseline for future evaluation and as an educational resource for the Oregon Board of Medical Examiners and professional and specialty societies. Ethical standards, the reporting and investigative processes, and the legal framework are in place and lessen the incidence of sexual misconduct and work toward zero tolerance. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1997;176:1340-8.)     

Influence of plasma drug level and the presence of conduction disease on the electrophysiologic effects of procainamide.

Electrophysiologic measurements were made in 16 patients before and after the intravenous administration of procainamide. The drug was administered at two different dose levels. The lower plasma procainamide level (6 to 7 μg/ml) caused small decreases in cycle length (848 ± 13 versus 799 ± 42 msec), sinus nodal recovery time (1,166 ± 81 versus 1,024 ± 90 msec at a paced rate of 120 beats/min) and sinoatrial conduction time (105 ± 11 to 90 ± 9 msec). Sinus or atrial echo zones, whether or not they caused supraventricular tachyarrhythmia, were abolished by procainamide in 11 of 13 instances. The higher plasma level of procainamide (10 to 11 μg/ml) generally caused greater changes in electrophysiologic measurements. Atrial refractory periods tended to increase but changed significantly only at higher plasma levels. The latter effect was blunted in patients with a prolonged sinoatrial conduction time. The A-H interval and atrioventricular nodal functional refractory period tended to decrease at higher plasma levels, but not significantly. The H-V interval increased slightly from 48 ± 2 to 52 ± 2 msec; this effect was blunted in patients with bundle branch block.It is concluded that procainamide could be useful in managing supraventricular tachyarrhythmia because it abolishes atrial and sinus echo zones that trigger supraventricular tachyarrhythmia and because its widespread effects make it capable of blocking reentry at several sites. The electrophysiologic effects or procainamide are less predictable in patients with conduction disease, and some effects occur only at high plasma levels.     

Selecting US research-intensive doctoral programs in nursing: Pragmatic questions for potential applicants

Nurses hoping to enter a research intensive doctoral program have a choice of program delivery modes, faculty expertise, and multiple points of entry in addition to the traditional post masters. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) lists doctoral programs in nursing in over 300 universities in the United States (U.S.) and Puerto Rico, with most institutions offering more than one type of doctorate. For prospective students who want to maximize their likelihood of significant, sustained scientific impact, identifying research-intensive Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programs with faculty who have a topic match is key. Embarking on a scientific career requires assessing the curricula and faculty at several institutions. The purpose of this paper is to give prospective students pragmatic guidance in selecting a U.S. research-intensive doctoral program in nursing. We provide a list of published quality indicators in PhD programs as well as potential questions to be addressed to key persons in schools.     

The comparative reductions of the plasma lipids and lipoproteins by dietary polyunsaturated fats: Salmon oil versus vegetable oils

The lower plasma lipid levels and lower incidence of atherosclerotic diseases in Greenland Eskimos suggested that the unusual fatty acids present in their diet of seal and fish may be anti-atherogenic. These fatty acids are eicosapentaenoic (C20:5) and docosahexaenoic (C22:6) acids and are of the omega-3 fatty acid family. We have compared a salmon oil diet containing high levels of these unique fatty acids to a control diet high in saturated fat and to a vegetable oil diet high in linoleic acid (C18:2). All diets contained 40% of the total calories as fat and 500 mg of cholesterol; they differed only in fatty acid composition. In 4 wk the salmon oil diet reduced plasma cholesterol levels from 188 to 162 mg/dl (p < 0.001) and triglyceride levels from 77 to 48 mg/dl (p < 0.005). LDL and VLDL cholesterol levels changed from 128 to 108 and 13 to 8 mg/dl (p < 0.005), respectively. HDL cholesterol levels did not change. The vegetable oil diet caused similar decreases in cholesterol levels but did not lower triglyceride levels. The omega-3 fatty acids comprised up to 30% of the total fatty acids in each plasma lipid class after the salmon diet. Fish oils contain fatty acids which may be metabolically unique and potentially useful in the control of both hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia.     

Using Artificial Intelligence to Improve the Quality and Safety of Radiation Therapy

Within artificial intelligence, machine learning (ML) efforts in radiation oncology have augmented the transition from generalized to personalized treatment delivery. Although their impact on quality and safety of radiation therapy has been limited, they are increasingly being used throughout radiation therapy workflows. Various data-driven approaches have been used for outcome prediction, CT simulation, clinical decision support, knowledge-based planning, adaptive radiation therapy, plan validation, machine quality assurance, and process quality assurance; however, there are many challenges that need to be addressed with the creation and usage of ML algorithms as well as the interpretation and dissemination of findings. In this review, the authors present current applications of ML in radiation oncology quality and safety initiatives, discuss challenges faced by the radiation oncology community, and suggest future directions.     

Valvular heart disease in osteogenesis imperfecta.

Aortic and mitral valve abnormalities have been reported which clearly appear to be related to the underlying connective tissue disorder in two patients, a father and daughter, with osteogenesis imperfecta. Although this appears to occur with a much lower prevalence and lesser severity than in the Marfan syndrome, the true prevalence of cardiac connective tissue involvement is not known, and the orthopedic complications of osteogenesis imperfecta may have overshadowed attention to cardiovascular abnormalities. In evaluating patients with osteogenesis imperfecta, careful attention should be paid to cardiovascular findings and if valvular lesions are noted, patients should be instructed regarding the need for antibiotic prophylaxis for dental and surgical procedures. The valvular lesions can progress, and regular follow-up cardiovascular evaluation should be planned. Finally, despite potential problems with tissue friability and healing and a possible tendency for increased bleeding, successful valve replacement can be carried out if necessitated by cardiac disability.     

Mapping mesoscale cortical connectivity in monkey sensorimotor cortex with optical imaging and microstimulation

To map in vivo cortical circuitry at the mesoscale, we applied a novel approach to map interareal functional connectivity. Electrical intracortical microstimulation (ICMS) in conjunction with optical imaging of intrinsic signals (OIS) was used map functional connections in somatosensory cortical areas in anesthetized squirrel monkeys. ICMS produced activations that were focal and that displayed responses which were stimulation intensity dependent. ICMS in supragranular layers of Brodmann Areas 3b, 1, 2, 3a, and M1 evoked interareal activation patterns that were topographically appropriate and appeared consistent with known anatomical connectivity. Specifically, ICMS revealed Area 3b connections with Area 1; Area 1 connections with Areas 2 and 3a; Area 2 connections with Areas 1, 3a, and M1; Area 3a connections with Areas M1, 1, and 2; and M1 connections with Areas 3a, 1, and 2. These somatosensory connectivity patterns were reminiscent of feedforward patterns observed anatomically, although feedback contributions are also likely present. Further consistent with anatomical connectivity, intra-areal and intra-areal patterns of activation were patchy with patch sizes of 200–300 μm. In summary, ICMS with OIS is a novel approach for mapping interareal and intra-areal connections in vivo. Comparisons with feedforward and feedback anatomical connectivity are discussed.     

Norfloxacin (MK-0366, AM-715): In vitro activity and cross-resistance with other organic acids including quality control limits for disk diffusion testing

Norfloxacin is a new organic acid antimicrobic with an expanded spectrum that includes Staphylococcus spp, most Pseudomonas spp, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus ssp anitratus, some streptococci, as well as nearly all enteric bacilli. The drug appears to be bactericidal. Its expanded spectrum suggests that it should be tested separately by disk diffusion or other susceptibility testing methods. Tentative norfloxacin disk test quality control limits were derived from the results of a multi-laboratory study: Escherichia coli, 28–36 mm; S. aureus, 17–28 mm, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 22–29 mm.     

Safety of colostomy closure.

A retrospective study of colostomy closures was prompted by recent reports detailing frequent postoperative complications. In a series of 125 intraperitoneal colostomy closures there was a low incidence of complications. There were no anastomotic breakdowns, fistulas, or deaths. We conclude that closure of a well healed colostomy is a safe operation, the success of which is determined by the careful technic with which it is performed.