Perceived discrimination in medical settings remains prevalent within the U.S. health care system. However, the details of these experiences and their associations with perceived quality of care are not well understood. Our study assessed multiple measures of perceived racial/ethnic discrimination in medical settings and investigated the locations and purported perpetrators of the discriminatory experiences within a population-based sample of 1,543 Black, White, Mexican, Puerto Rican, and Other adults. We used logistic regression to estimate associations between perceived discrimination in the medical setting and three quality of care indicators. Overall, 40% of the sample reported one or more types of perceived discrimination in a medical setting, with significant differences by race/ethnicity. Discrimination was perceived across health settings and from a variety of providers and staff. In adjusted logistic regression models, individuals reporting discrimination had more than twice the odds of reporting fair or poor quality of care (OR = 2.4 [95% CI: 1.4–4.3]). In addition, perceived discrimination in medical settings was significantly associated with report of not having enough time with the physician and not being as involved in decision-making as desired. These findings expand our understanding of perceived discriminatory experiences in health care and the consequences of it for patients, providers, and health care systems. This information is essential for identifying future provider interventions and improving the training of health care professionals.

Background The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) recommends surgical valvular intervention in right-sided infective endocarditis for persistent vegetations >20 mm after recurrent pulmonary emboli, infection with a difficult to eradicate organism with greater than seven days of persistent bacteremia or tricuspid regurgitation causing right sided heart failure. In this case report, we discuss the role of percutaneous aspiration thrombectomy for a large tricuspid valve (TV) mass as an alternative to surgery due to poor surgical candidacy in a patient with Austrian Syndrome, following a complex implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) device extraction. Case Summary A 70 year-old female presented to the Emergency Department after being found acutely delirious at home by family. Infectious workup was notable for growth of streptococcus pneumoniae in the blood, cerebrospinal, and pleural fluid. Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) was pursued in the setting of bacteremia and revealed a mobile mass on the TV consistent with endocarditis. Given the size and embolic potential of the mass and eventual need for ICD replacement, the decision was made to pursue extraction of the valvular mass. The patient was a poor candidate for invasive surgery, so we opted to perform percutaneous aspiration thrombectomy. After the ICD device was extracted, the TV mass was successfully debulked using the AngioVac system without complication. Discussion Percutaneous aspiration thrombectomy of right-sided valvular lesions has been introduced as a minimally invasive approach to avoid or delay valvular surgery. When intervention is indicated for TV endocarditis, AngioVac percutaneous thrombectomy may be a reasonable operative approach, particularly in patients who are at high risk for invasive surgery. We report a case of successful AngioVac debulking of a TV thrombus in a patient with Austrian Syndrome. Contributions All authors contributed significantly to the writing of this case. Dr. Middleton led the outline, learning points, and writing of the case. Dr. Middleton conducted literature review with Dr. McDaniel who assisted in writing the discussion. Dr. Attanasio was the main provider and interventionalist in the case and provided invaluable expert feedback and edits to the report.

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