Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are severe dermatologic reactions with mucocutaneous involvement that carry elevated mortality rates. They differ along a spectrum of severity based upon body surface area affected. These conditions, usually caused by a drug or infection, are believed to result from cell-mediated and often drug-specific cytotoxic reactions against keratinocytes, leading to widespread dermal-epidermal detachment. Studies attempting to identify potential curative therapies such as intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) and corticosteroids remain inconclusive. However, improved outcomes have been demonstrated by early withdrawal of offending medications, early transfer to an intensive care unit or burn unit, and aggressive supportive care. Due to the rare incidence of SJS and TEN, its recurrence among survivors hints at future vulnerability for these patients, and notorious offending medications should thus be avoided. This clinical review will highlight the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges posed by SJS and TEN, while emphasizing the need to maintain them high on the emergency medicine physician's differential. The review will also detail the supportive measures to take for preventing the rapid progression of mucocutaneous complications and subsequent sepsis-related mortality.
Background: Burnout can have negative consequences for providers' health and patient care. Mentorship has positive effects including stress mitigation. We sought to evaluate the impact of a mentorship program on burnout in fourth-year medical students during their 4-week emergency medicine subinternship.Methods: This was a prospective, quasi-experimental, mixed-methods study at two institutions. We assessed burnout using the Maslach Burnout Inventory, comprising three subscales: Emotional Exhaustion (EE), Depersonalization (DP), and Personal Accomplishment (PA). We compared changes in burnout scores before and after implementation of a resident-student mentorship program. We compared categorical variables using risk ratios and continuous variables using Wilcoxon rank-sum test. To account for potential confounders, we performed multivariable analysis. Students and mentors completed an evaluative survey. We reported descriptive statistics and performed thematic qualitative analysis on free-response data.Results: A total of 135 students (intervention = 51; control = 84) and 59 mentors participated. Intervention students demonstrated decreased EE and DP and increased PA scores, medians of -2 (-4 to 4), -1 (-3 to 2), and 1 (-1 to 4), respectively, compared to controls, median difference of 0 for all subscales. After adjusting for potential confounders, there was no significant difference in EE (mean difference = -0.2 [-0.5 to 0.2], p = 0.4) or DP scores (mean difference = -0.2 [-1.8 to 1.5], p = 0.9). There was a significant difference in PA scores (mean difference = 2.2 [0.1 to 4.3], p = 0.04). Most students felt the program positively impacted their rotation (39/48) and decreased stress (28/48). Students felt that the program provided career guidance and positively impacted their personal and professional development. The majority (34/37) of mentors enjoyed participating. Qualitative analysis revealed five major themes: relationship building, different perspective, knowledge sharing, personal fulfillment, and self-reflection. Conclusion:We found an increased sense of personal accomplishment after implementation of a mentorship program. Both mentors and mentees viewed the program positively and perceived multiple benefits.
This publication summarizes the relevant literature for the imaging of patients with symptoms of abnormal uterine bleeding, including initial imaging, follow-up imaging when the original ultrasound is inconclusive, and follow-up imaging when surveillance is appropriate. For patients with abnormal uterine bleeding, combined transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound of the pelvis with Doppler is the most appropriate initial imaging study. If the uterus is incompletely visualized with the initial ultrasou2nd, MRI of the pelvis without and with contrast is the next appropriate imaging study, unless a polyp is suspected on the original ultrasound, then sonohysterography can be performed. If the patient continues to experience abnormal uterine bleeding, assessment with ultrasound of the pelvis, sonohysterography, and MRI of the pelvis without and with contrast would be appropriate. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision include an extensive analysis of current medical literature from peer reviewed journals and the application of well-established methodologies (RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE) to rate the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where evidence is lacking or equivocal, expert opinion may supplement the available evidence to recommend imaging or treatment.
Study Objectives: Assess advanced practice provider (APP) competency in ultrasound (US) for symptomatic first trimester pregnancy after a targeted training protocol. Describe confidence of APPs in US image acquisition and interpretation.Methods: As part of a quality assurance (QA) initiative, APPs were trained in point-of-care (POC) first trimester pregnancy transabdominal ultrasound (TAU) via a didactic and supervised examinations. Prior to training, APPs did not utilize POCUS. This is a retrospective chart review of the 6-month period encompassing the training period and subsequent US. All TAU was performed on stable patients in an academic urban tertiary care center emergency department. APPs utilized a brief, systematic acquisition protocol. If there was an intrauterine pregnancy (IUP), large free fluid, or large adnexal mass, a credentialed emergency physician over-read the US for safety. If no IUP was visualized, a radiology ultrasound (RUS) was ordered. A 10-question QA form including interpretations and confidence was completed for all US. Confidence was based on a 5-point Likert scale with the anchors of "not at all confident" (1) to "completely confident" (5).Results: Of the 12 APPs who completed the didactic, 8 (67%) performed TAU. A total of 52 exams were performed identifying 36 (70%) IUPs. Fetal cardiac activity was noted in 94% (34), of which M-mode was obtained in 78% (28) versus visual inspection in 22% (5). Crown rump length (CRL) measurements were obtained in 67% (24) of IUPs. Of those with a calculated CRL, the average gestation was 8 weeks 6 days (SD 15 days). There were no missed ectopic pregnancies. For patients with a TAU confirmed IUP, confidence in identifying IUP, determining CRL, and scanning the adnexa was rated fairly to completely confident (4 or 5) in 86.1%, 79.2%, and 66.7% of exams respectively. There were 4 RUS for patients with an APP-identified IUP. The reasons for RUS were indeterminate if free fluid in the abdomen; no fetal cardiac activity; abnormal appearing cervix; and abnormal tissue in the gestational sac. RUS noted multiple uterine fibroids and small subchorionic hemorrhage; early embryonic demise; Nabothian cysts and cervical calcifications; and choriodecidual hematoma or chorionic bump, respectively. Of the 16 (30%) TAU that did not identify an IUP, 13 of the RUS found an IUP with average gestation of 6 weeks 4 days (SD 15 days). All RUS utilized transvaginal US. In 7 of the 13 RUS confirmed IUP, only a yolk sac and no fetal pole was identified. For TAU with no identified IUP, confidence in scanning the adnexa was 50%.Conclusion: Providing APPs with training and a protocol increased their POCUS utilization. In patients with an IUP, APPs were most confident in the assessment of the location of the pregnancy and least confident in scanning the adnexa. The average gestational age for radiology determined IUP was 2 weeks younger than APP determined IUP. In this small sample, APPs competently identified IUP or appropriately referred to a credentialed emergency physician o...
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.