United States

This case details a unique fatal outcome of myocarditis in a 17-year-old Black male. The young patient initially displayed symptoms resembling stomach flu. A rapid decline in his health led to sudden death. Postmortem findings and CDC evaluation revealed ischemic myocarditis as the cause. Two positive post-mortem COVID tests suggest emphasizing the need for broader diagnostic perspectives, vigilance in monitoring symptom evolution, and understanding of COVID-19&#39;s varied impacts on the pediatric population


AMA Research Challenge 2023

Fatal Case of Myocarditis in a 17-Year-Old Black Male with COVID-19

This case details a unique fatal outcome of myocarditis in a 17-year-old Black male. The young patient initially displayed symptoms resembling stomach flu. A rapid decline in his health led to sudden death. Postmortem findings and CDC evaluation revealed ischemic myocarditis as the cause. Two positive post-mortem COVID tests suggest emphasizing the need for broader diagnostic perspectives, vigilance in monitoring symptom evolution, and understanding of COVID-19's varied impacts on the pediatric population


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Background. Cocaine abuse is a major worldwide health problem with an estimated 5 million users in the USA. Crack cocaine inhalation causes serious pulmonary complications, which may progress to respiratory failure, leading to in-hospital mortality ranging from 20% to 100% [1]. Pulmonary complications include: diffuse alveolar damage and hemorrhagic alveolitis, pulmonary edema, eosinophilic pneumonia, foreign body granulomas, cocaine related pulmonary infection, obliterative bronchiolitis, asthma, pneumothorax, thromboembolic disease and persistent gas-exchange abnormalities. Respiratory manifestations are nonspecific and include shortness of breath, fever, cough, wheezing, hemoptysis, and chest pains. 
Case Presentation. A 42-year-old male was found unresponsive on the street with a crack pipe on him. He had pinpoint pupils and was breathing inadequately with respiratory rate (RR) of 7-8 per minute. After he was given naloxone, he started reacting to noxious stimuli. He was placed on a non-rebreather mask (NRBM) and was transferred to the hospital. In the emergency room, the patient was hypertensive, tachycardic, and desaturating to the 50s, which together with low Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) prompted intubation and mechanical ventilation with settings of FiO2 100%, VT 460 ml, RR 24, and PEEP 12. The patient became hypotensive, requiring two vasopressors. On a physical exam, a large amount of blood was noted in the endotracheal tube. Initial labs showed pH 7.16, pCO2 59, pO2 53, elevated lactate and neutrophilic leukocytosis. Urine toxicology was positive for cocaine. EKG showed sinus tachycardia. Chest X-ray demonstrated bilateral infiltrates. CT-chest revealed extensive bilateral airspace opacities suggesting ARDS versus diffuse pulmonary hemorrhage. The patient was admitted to ICU for acute hypoxemic hypercapnic respiratory failure, circulatory shock due to ARDS vs diffuse alveolar hemorrhage and septic shock due to aspiration pneumonia. The management included antibiotics, IV fluids, vasopressors and supportive care. During a course of ICU stay for four days, the patient’s needs for vasopressors decreased and mental status improved. On day 4, the patient extubated himself. He was placed on a high flow nasal cannula. His vital signs remained stable, and he was alert and oriented to person, place and time. On repeat chest X-ray, diffuse bilateral airspace opacities decreased in size. Thus, the patient was downgraded to the floor.
Conclusion. The present case highlights pulmonary complications of cocaine use. Clinicians must consider various pulmonary complications in the differential diagnosis of respiratory failure when evaluating critically ill patients with history of cocaine use.


Pulmonary Complications of Crack Cocaine Inhalation

Background
Pitt Hopkins Syndrome (PHS) is a rare genetic condition (~1:35,000 births) involving pathologic variants of the TCF4 gene. Manifestations of PHS include developmental delay, seizures, gastro-esophageal reflux (GERD), and autonomic dysfunction (e.g., hyperventilation, constipation). There is limited understanding of disease progression into later adulthood. We here-in present the case of the oldest reported patient with exome sequencing confirmed PHS with recurrent fevers and orange urine.
Case Presentation
A 35-year-old male with diagnosed PHS presents to primary care clinic for recurrent fevers and discolored urine. The patient is non-verbal at baseline with global developmental delays. His main PHS symptoms include hyperventilation spells, severe GERD requiring fundoplication, seizures, and dysautonomia. Three months prior, he was hospitalized with fever, malaise, and breakthrough seizures. Workup was notable for Influenza A and radiographic evidence of aspiration pneumonia and a bladder calcification. He received phenobarbital, anti- microbials, and supportive care and was discharged home once stabilized. Since discharge he has experienced nightly fevers up to 101 oF with intermittent evanescent rash. Associated symptoms included poor oral intake, aggression, malaise, and increased seizure frequency. He also had fluorescent orange, malodorous urine and was diagnosed with multiple UTIs that recurred after treatment, and fevers persisted.
© 2023 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
A broad differential for recurrent fever was considered. Autoimmune/inflammatory diseases, such as Still’s disease, were effectively excluded with an unremarkable rheumatologic workup. Malignancy was considered less likely with normal imaging and blood counts. Infectious disease specialists found no evidence of chronic infectious process or Lyme disease. However, recurrent aspiration pneumonia was considered given severe GERD. Initial urologic evaluation showed non-specific signs of dehydration. His previously identified bladder calcification was thought to be consistent with urachal remnant. Because a urachal remnant could be a nidus of infection, he underwent cystoscopy which was unremarkable. Ultimately, his abnormal urinary color and nightly fevers resolved, although the patient has continued to struggle with UTIs and failure to thrive.
Discussion
This is an unusual case of the oldest reported patient with PHS who completed months of evaluation for recurrent fever without identification of a clear cause. Considering the known role of TCF4 in neuronal development, these symptoms may represent additional autonomic features of PHS in adults. Further, this may highlight the impact of recurrent UTIs, severe GERD and aspiration pneumonias on disease morbidity and mortality. We present this case as to report additional under-recognized clinical features in adult PHS and begin to characterize the lifetime disease process.

Recurrent fever in an adult with Pitt-Hopkins Syndrome: A challenging case in a rare patient

The median nerve maintains a close relationship with the brachial artery in the upper limb. Variability in the formation and distribution of upper extremity vessels is frequently encountered during donor body dissections. This case presents a rare anatomical variation of the brachial artery emerging through an opening in the median nerve. The median nerve formed a small opening without the contribution from additional nerve roots, and the remaining vasculature of the upper limb was otherwise normal. An abnormal arrangement of a neurovascular bundle in the arm can cause sensory and motor issues, as well as vascular implications. This variation has potential clinical significance in surgical interventions. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a small median nerve opening pierced by the brachial artery.

Variation of the Brachial Artery Emerging through an Opening in the Median Nerve: A Case Report

Background
Geminus Head Start is a federal program that works with children under five years old from low-income communities to promote school readiness. The organization in Northwest Indiana provided anecdotal data on delayed social and emotional development of children during the pandemic. Studies have shown that adverse childhood development can have a severe psychological and physiological impact on health outcomes into adulthood. However, there has been a lack of research on quantifying the extent of damage from the pandemic on our Head Start children, who mainly identify as Black/African American. 

Methods
Geminus Head Start provided demographic data including race, postal codes and DECA for over 4650 students from 2019-2023. DECA, Devereux Early Childhood Assessment, is used by educators to evaluate children’s social emotional competence for early intervention. In this study, we are investigating the DECA categories, including initiative, self control, and attachment/relationships. We analyzed DECA scores via ANOVA along with listening into the teacher focus groups. 

Results
Students had increased attachment/relationship scores from the 2019-2020 school year to the 2020-2021 school year (36.69 to 44.59). However, following COVID-19 to the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 school years, these scores dropped to 23.51. When looking at the second protective factor, self regulation, the opposite trend was found. The scores went from 18.79 in 2019-2020 down to 14.68 in 2020-2021 and eventually up to 23.51 in 2021-2022.

Conclusion

Like most institutions, the pandemic has created a time of isolation and instability for our children and their families. In particular, these children have not been able to access adequate conditions to develop emotional and social maturity. Lacking this development can lead to several negative health outcomes as it may impact mental health and the ability to create healthy supportive networks.


Retrospective Analysis of COVID-19 Impact on Social & Emotional Development in Children of Low-Income Communities from Head Start 


Background:
Mobile health (mHealth) is a rapidly evolving technological field determined to assist healthcare professionals and users in monitoring their health status through biometrics collected on internet of things (IoTs). Recent advancements in IoTs increase user access to protected/personal health information (PHI) and streamline data analysis for healthcare professionals to perform occupational responsibilities. While IoTs involve gathering individual health data, which some may see as violating the rights of privacy and security, implementing effective policies and regulations can ensure that confidentiality is maintained. Although the utilization of IoTs in healthcare is evolving rapidly, there is still limited exploration regarding how it can benefit individuals in high-risk occupations, such as first responders, who are frequently exposed to dangerous conditions.

Methods:
To explore this knowledge gap, our team has performed a literature review on the development of mHealth & IoTs in high-exposure occupations. High-exposure occupations were defined as those who experienced increased trauma, environmental hazards, chemicals, and stress (e.g., emergency medicine, firefighters, police officers, etc.). We reviewed previous implementations of IoTs in high-exposure occupations, evaluated statistics of work-related illnesses/injuries that were identified as preventable, and recognized challenges of IoTs utilization in such occupations.

Results:
Our literature review concluded there is a significant opportunity for the current utilization of IoTs in physician-patient relationships to expand toward such careers. Implementing non-obstructive wearable devices in high-exposure careers while abiding by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act can minimize work-related mortalities, improve situational awareness, aid in the early detection of occupational illnesses/injuries, and facilitate safer working conditions. The Swiss cheese model developed by James Reason supports these claims through the addition of another systemic barrier to reduce unnecessary risk. Such an idea could be promoted by real-time monitoring and analysis of biometric data (heart rate, electrocardiogram, pulse oximetry, etc.) and environmental data for the user and a potential third-party analyst. The third-party analyst would interpret live biometrics for the users of the IoTs and send an alert if any abnormalities were identified compared to baseline measurements.

Conclusion:
mHealth and IoTs have become common since the COVID-19 pandemic and increased development encourages further utilization. Implementation of non-obstructive wearable devices in high-exposure occupations is one such way. Here we present a solution to promote work-related safety for preventable illnesses/injuries. Our literature review establishes an opportunity for the expansion of mHealth and IoTs to high-exposure occupations to promote overall safety.

IoTs Expansion and their Opportunity to Promote Safety in High-Exposure Occupations

Background
Emergency department (ED) visits for preventable dental conditions are substantially increasing. 

Methods
A retrospective chart review of prospectively maintained data was used. We reviewed 275 children who presented to the ED between July 2019 and January 2021. The inclusion criteria were children under the age of 18 years with odontogenic pain, demographics, insurance status, primary diagnosis, services provided in the ED, prescriptions given, total ED length of stay, and disposition. We classified these visits as necessary and unnecessary based on the treatment given. Data were analyzed using chi-square and student t-test.

Results
Among these patients, 52% were males with ages 9.3±4.7 years and a median of 9 years old. The primary diagnoses were dental caries (27%), tooth pain (26%), tooth infections (17%), traumatic tooth fracture (11%), and others comprising cavities, gingivitis, and oral mucosal infections (19%). Most patients were under Medicaid-managed care (67%), followed by those without insurance (17%). After ED evaluation, 70% of patients received non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), 55% had dental referrals, 28% had OMFS referrals, and 27% received antibiotics. This cohort was subdivided into necessary versus unnecessary ED visitation––with the majority of patients having tooth pain (17% vs. 33%) and dental caries (21% vs. 31%) that required NSAIDs (35% vs. 34%) and home discharge (98% vs. 99%).

Conclusion
The cost of 1 ED visit in New York City averages from 1400$ to 1600$, so avoiding these 155 unnecessary ED visits, about 250,000$ could be saved. Dental pain is highly prevalent among children, with a substantial increase in ED visits for atraumatic dental problems. The fact is that dental conditions can be treated more effectively in a dental clinic due to the availability of definitive care and the likelihood of continuity of care than in a hospital. Multiple strategies are required to reduce this usage and relieve the healthcare system pressure. Reducing barriers like lack of insurance, sociocultural deterrents, and language barriers improves access to optimal dental care. Efforts should be made to raise dental health awareness and improve access and utilization of oral health care services. These will benefit the patient and decrease the reliance on hospital ED for non-traumatic dental issues.


An Audit of Dental Visits in the Pediatric Emergency Department of a Community Teaching Hospital

Background
One in four adults in the United States live with a disability, making interactions between patients with disabilities and healthcare professionals inevitable. Despite this, numerous studies demonstrate that healthcare professionals lack confidence in providing equitable care to disabled patients. Several calls have been issued for improved anti-ableist and disability-specific healthcare education. However, there is a dearth of disability-focused continuing medication education (CME). Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore and assess patient-facing employees’ (1) willingness to participate in disability health training, and (2) self-perceived changes in confidence and attitudes towards patients with disabilities after completion of a disability-focused educational module termed the ADEPT-CARE protocol.

Methods
All patient-facing employees in our healthcare system were invited to voluntarily participate in the ADEPT-CARE module. The CME module of ADEPT-CARE consisted of a fifteen-minute video describing the protocol, which is a nine-step mnemonic for performing an equitable and comprehensive history and physical exam for a disabled patient, and a ten-minute ADEPT-CARE “in-action” standardized patient scenario. Voluntary pre- and post- module surveys assessed participants’ confidence and attitudes towards patients with disabilities on a 4-point Likert scale and included elements from Iezzoni et. al. and the Disability Attitudes in Health Care Scale. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze survey results. 

Results
Of the 14,410 patient-facing employees who were invited to participate in the training, 13,164 (91%) voluntarily completed the ADEPT-CARE module, and 1,542 (11.7%) completed the pre- and post-survey. Participants were most likely to be nurses, work in a non-surgical specialty, and have no prior training on disability. Completion of the module resulted in an increase in participants’ likelihood to agree that understanding their patients with disabilities was valuable (95.3% vs 98.2%, p<0.0001). Nearly all participants agreed that the ADEPT-CARE module improved their knowledge of disability health (n = 1,425, n = 94.6%), made sense (n = 1,472, 96.6%), increased their confidence in caring for patients with disabilities (n = 1,396, 93.1%), and will help them take better care of patients with disabilities (n = 1,463, 96.5%).

Conclusion
Healthcare professionals were willing to participate in voluntary training on disability. ADEPT-CARE was understood by a wide range of professionals and staff, and completing the training led to significant changes in participants’ self-perceived confidence and attitudes towards disabled patients. ADEPT-CARE has the potential to be a valuable teaching tool across other health systems to directly counter ableism in healthcare.

Improving Health Care Delivery for Patients with Disabilities: Implementing ADEPT-CARE Amongst Patient-Facing Employees at an Academic Medical Center

Background
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death in the United States. In Hawaii, three of every ten deaths are due to CAD. Access to cardiac catheterization centers (CCC) is crucial for reducing morbidity and mortality, but most CCCs are concentrated in the capital, Honolulu. No prior studies have assessed the distribution of CCCs in relation to the demand and capacity for catheterization services in Hawaii using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). This study analyzed both current demand vs. capacity for CCCs, as well as projected optimal CCC locations based on time and distance considerations on the island of Oahu. 

Methods
GIS is a powerful tool with which location-allocation problems may be addressed. Data from the Hawaii Department of Health was implemented to estimate the number of patients in need of CCCs. Patients were then randomly distributed across residential areas in the location-allocation model. Using network analysis in GIS, residents’ travel time from their homes to the nearest CCCs was approximated. Travel time and demand vs. capacity maps were created to enable assessment of the accessibility of CCCs in each region and to highlight areas with unmet demand.

Results
Time-to-care analysis showed significant time burdens for patients in certain areas of Oahu. Under optimal traffic conditions, it took >60 minutes for patients in West Oahu and the North Shore, and >40 minutes for patients in Northeast Oahu to reach the nearest CCCs. Analysis of the demand vs. capacity of CCCs revealed the CCC in Central Oahu, which serves many of the patients with significant time burdens, exceeded its annual capacity by more than 985 patients. Meanwhile, all CCCs in South Oahu had significantly higher capacity than demand. To best decrease time burdens and mitigate capacity concerns for the greatest number of patients, an additional CCC should be established in West Oahu.

Conclusion
GIS analysis showed that the current CCCs on Oahu are not positioned to optimize patient outcomes. Patients in areas with significant time-to-CCC burdens likely face worse outcomes when they need emergent catheterization. This disparity could be remedied with the addition of CCCs closer to these regions, particularly in West Oahu. Looking forward, this model may be applied to other healthcare resources, such as emergency departments, to analyze current demand and geographical distributions and to influence future resource allocation. GIS has the power to improve healthcare efficiency, thus enhancing clinical outcomes.

GIS Analysis of Cardiac Catheterization Centers on the Island of Oahu


Purpose for Review 
This perspective piece has two goals: first, to describe issues related to artificial intelligence-based applications for cancer control as they may impact health inequities or disparities; and second, to report on a review of systematic
reviews and meta-analyses of artificial intelligence-based tools for cancer control to ascertain the extent to which discussions of justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, or health disparities manifest in syntheses of the field’s best evidence.
Recent Findings 
We found that, while a significant proportion of existing syntheses of research on AI-based tools in cancer control use formal bias assessment tools, the fairness or equitability of models is not yet systematically analyzable across studies. Issues related to real-world use of AI-based tools for cancer control, such as workflow considerations, measures of usability and acceptance, or tool architecture, are more visible in the literature, but still addressed only in a minority of reviews.
Summary
Artificial intelligence is poised to bring significant benefits to a wide range of applications in cancer control, but more thorough and standardized evaluations and reporting of model fairness are required to build the evidence base for AI-based
tool design for cancer and to ensure that these emerging technologies promote equitable healthcare.

Artificial Intelligence and Cancer Control: Toward Prioritizing Justice,
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) in Emerging Decision Support
Technologies

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Fatal Case of Myocarditis in a 17-Year-Old Black Male with COVID-19

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Pulmonary Complications of Crack Cocaine Inhalation