Background and PurposeSmartphone applications have been increasingly identified as a novel platform for dissemination of healthcare related information. However, there have been no studies done to evaluate the availability and content of stroke related apps. Purpose: This study aims to identify and analyze stroke-related applications available on the Apple iTunes and Android Google Play Store.MethodsThe Apple iTunes store and Android Google Play Store were searched for stroke-related applications on July 27, 2013 using keywords: stroke, brain attack, intracranial hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, cerebral infarction. The content of the applications was analyzed by two independent investigators.ResultsA total of 93 relevant applications (46.2% android and 53.8% iPhone) were identified of which 47.3% were available free of cost. 92% of apps were identified as useful by users and over 60% had scientifically valid information. There is a significant participation of healthcare agencies in dissemination of stroke related information through apps with 47.3% apps being uploaded by them. Over half of all stroke related apps were aimed towards health care workers (51.6%), 75% of which could be utilized as bedside tools for patient care and remainder had information related to recent research advances. The difference in scientific validity between the apps aimed at general population versus healthcare professionals was statistically significant (P<0.01). There was no statistical association between cost of app and scientific validity or usefulness.ConclusionsSmartphone apps are a significant source of information related to stroke. An increasing participation of healthcare agencies should be encouraged to promote dissemination of scientifically valid information.

YouTube may be a significant resource for dissemination of information on public health issues like West Nile virus infection and should be targeted by healthcare agencies for this use. The major drawback of this medium is lack of verification by authorized healthcare professionals before these videos are made available for viewing by the community. Hence, a strict caution should be exercised in obtaining the information from unauthorized videos posted on YouTube.

Introduction: This study aimed to describe the rates and causes of unplanned readmissions within 30 days following carotid artery stenting (CAS) and to use artificial intelligence machine learning analysis for creating a prediction

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Background There are few studies looking into adult, all‐cause and age‐group‐specific unplanned readmissions. The predictors of such unplanned readmissions for all inpatient encounters remain obscure. Aims To describe the incidence and factors associated with unplanned readmissions in all inpatient encounters in the United States. Methods The US Nationwide Readmission Database (NRD) is a representative sample of hospitalisations in the United States (from approximately 28 states) accounting for approximately 60% of the US population. All inpatient encounters during January–November 2017 in the NRD were evaluated for the rates, predictors and costs of unplanned 30 days readmissions for age groups 18–44 years, 45–64 years, 65–75 years and ≥75 years. Elective readmissions and those patients who died on their index hospitalisations were excluded. Weighted analysis was performed to obtain nationally representative data. Results We identified 28 942 224 inpatient encounters with a total of 3 051 189 (10.5%) unplanned readmissions within 30 days. The age groups 18–44 years, 45–64 years, 65–74 years and ≥75 years had 7.0%, 12.0%, 11.7% and 12.3% readmissions respectively. Female gender, private insurance and elective admissions were negative predictors for readmissions. For the group aged 18–44 years, schizophrenia and diabetes mellitus complications were the most frequent primary diagnosis for readmissions, while in all older age groups septicaemia and heart failure were the most frequent primary diagnosis for readmissions. Conclusions Thirty‐day unplanned readmissions are common in patients over age 45 years, leading to significant morbidity. Effective strategies for reducing unplanned readmission may help to improve quality of care, outcomes and higher value care.