word count: 259; Text word count: 1,553; Tables: 2; Figures: 2; References: 11 Abstract Objectives: To describe and evaluate a risk-stratified triage pathway for inpatient urology consultations during the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic. This pathway seeks to outline a urology patient care strategy that reduces the transmission risk to both healthcare providers and patients, reduces the healthcare burden, and maintains appropriate patient care.

Patients with bladder and bowel dysfunction represent a homogeneous group that would potentially benefit from a multidisciplinary treatment approach involving urology, gastroenterology and psychology professionals.

BackgroundIntroducing patient safety and quality improvement science to medical students is integral to improving healthcare. However, developing and implementing a patient safety curriculum can be challenging in a medical school curriculum that is already densely packed. Our aim was to develop and evaluate the impact of a workshop introducing patient safety and quality improvement science to a large class of first-year medical students.MethodAs a part of an evolving longitudinal patient safety curriculum, an introductory workshop on patient safety was integrated into an anatomy course. A high impact event (a simulated “retained sponge” discovery during an anatomy dissection lab) was used to introduce medical error. The educational session which followed consisted of a presentation by an interprofessional team utilizing the retained sponge as example of an error. Use of safety tools was introduced and quality improvement science was discussed using the evolution of methods to decrease retained foreign objects during surgery. A patient’s story told by a close family member about the personal impact of medical errors was presented. Students then participated in an interactive breakout activity and completed a module on safety. The impact of the workshop was assessed through pre- and post- session tests.ResultsQuantitative and qualitative evaluation reflected a positive effect of the session in improving students’ safety knowledge and attitudes. Students’ mean total knowledge improved from 7.58 to 8.98 (p = 0.000). Mean total attitudes score improved from 47.73 to 50.56 (p = 0.000). Students’ comments after the workshop reflected increased awareness and appreciation of the importance of addressing medical errors.ConclusionA workshop introducing patient safety and quality improvement to first year medical students improved knowledge and attitudes regarding safety and increased awareness of the importance of addressing medical errors in their future careers. Integrating patient safety education into an existing foundational science course is a model for teaching patient safety at other medical schools.

Caution! Chemists playing: Novel clusters of the form [M2Li2Cl2(OR)4] featuring rare seesaw geometry at the transition metal centers were synthesized for M=Cr-Co. The use of sterically hindering alkoxide ligands, as well as the inclusion of lithium ions in the structures enforces this highly unusual configuration.

Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) may contain mediators of acute lung injury. The objectives were to determine if EBC could be collected in a mechanically ventilated rat, to measure tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the EBC after staphylococcal enterotoxin B administration (SEB) and to find out if the concentrations of TNF-α and IL-6 correlated with those in lung lavage. Four hours after SEB instillation, rats were placed on mechanical ventilation and EBC was collected over 90 minutes. Lung lavage was collected and white cell count was determined. TNF-α and IL-6 were measured in the EBC and lavage. EBC was available in a sufficient quantity (250-400 μL) for the measurement of cytokines. The rats that received SEB had an inflammatory response when compared to control rats as shown by an increase in white cell count. TNF-α and IL-6 were detected in the EBC. Concentration of TNF-α correlated with that in the lavage (r = .497, P = .021), whereas IL-6 did not. EBC can be collected in rats in sufficient quantities to study acute lung injury. TNF-α and IL-6 can be measured in the EBC. Correlation between TNF-α in the EBC and lavage was demonstrated in this rat model of lung injury.