Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Covid-19 Prevalence And Trends Among Pregnant And Postpartum Persons In Maine By Rurality And Pregnancy Conditions, Charlie O. Grantham, Christina M. Ackerman-Banks Md, Heather S. Lipkind Md, Ms, Kristin Palmsten Scd, Katherine A. Ahrens Mph, Phd

Journal of Maine Medical Center

No abstract provided.

Retrospective Evaluation Of The Covid-19 Contact Tracing Program At The Maine Center For Disease Control And Prevention, Elisabeth Brewington Mha, Mph, Ben K. Greenfield Phd, Jessica Purser Phd

Journal of Maine Medical Center

Introduction: Despite the widespread use of contact tracing efforts throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, there are limited findings available about best practices and recommendations. The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention contracted staff to conduct COVID-19 contact tracing from August 2020 through February 2022. A retrospective evaluation of this program was conducted to share lessons learned with public health and health care leaders for future use.

Methods: Contracted contact tracing staff participated in facilitated discussions structured by the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats analysis framework. Three sessions were recorded and transcribed, and qualitative analysis through thematic review and evaluation coding …

Genetic Testing Reveals Germline Mutations Among Patients Undergoing Surgery For Colorectal Carcinoma In A Community Hospital Setting, Alex R. Jones, Dana Greer Rn, Bsn, Ocn, Karin L. Cole Md

Journal of Maine Medical Center

Introduction: Defined germline mutations contribute to 5% to 10% of cases of colorectal carcinoma (CRC). While protocols for universal tumor screening have been adopted to detect mismatch repair (MMR) protein deficiency, widespread multigene panel testing has not been achieved. Barriers to implementing testing protocols may occur in community settings.

Methods: A total of 160 patients presenting for surgical management of CRC between 2011 and 2020 were considered for retrospective analysis in a single-surgeon, single-institution, community-based cohort. The rate of multigene panel testing and prevalence of germline mutations were calculated, and patient characteristics were assessed.

Results: A total of 32/160 (20%) …

County And Demographic Differences In Drug Arrests And Controlled Substance Use In Maine, Trajan F. Hyde, Amadea D. Bekoe-Tabiri, Amalie K. Kropp Lopez, Luis G. Devia, Belsy D. Gutierrez, Matthew C. Lara, Anthony R. Soto, Daniel E. Kaufman, Matthew T. Moran, Kevin J. Simpson, Dipam T. Shah, Michelle Foster, Clare E. Desrosiers, John Hebert, Stephanie D. Nichols, Kenneth Lee Mccall, Brian J. Piper

Journal of Maine Medical Center

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Introduction: The Diversion Alert Program (DAP) was established to curb misuse of drugs and help identify people who may need treatment for substance use disorder (SUD). Law enforcement compiled arrest data into a database accessible by health care providers. Our objectives were to identify regional and demographic differences in drug use and misuse in Maine.

Methods: All arrests (N = 11 234) reported to the DAP from 2013 to 2018 were examined by county and arrestee demographics, and classified into families (opioids, stimulants, sedatives). The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Automation of Reports and Consolidated Orders System (ARCOS) tracks the distribution …

Evaluation Of Geographic Disparities In Cervical Cancer Survival Across Maine, Kaylee Underkofler, Jason Lachance

Journal of Maine Medical Center

Introduction. National data exists suggesting the existence of geographic disparities in oncology care within the United States. It is unknown whether geographic disparities present a problem for women with gynecologic malignancies locally in Maine.

Methods. Data for each cervical cancer case diagnosed or treated under the MaineHealth system between 2007 and 2011 were acquired from the MaineHealth Network Registry. Average annual incidence and 5-year survival were calculated for each county in Maine and were mapped using geographic information systems (GIS) software. Next, cases were divided into 2 groups: those residing less than or equal to 60 miles from the sole …

Injection Drug Use And Care Charges For Infective Endocarditis, Verity N. Ramirez, Jenny L. Carwile, Kristina Rokas, Wendy Craig, Kinna Thakarar

Journal of Maine Medical Center

No abstract provided.

Increasing Actual And Perceived Burden Of Tick-Borne Disease In Maine, Robert P. Smith Md Mph, Carol A. Mccarthy Md, Susan P. Elias Phd

Journal of Maine Medical Center

Introduction: The burden of tick-borne disease (TBD) in Maine has steadily increased since the first case of Lyme disease was reported in the late 1980s. The emergence of five different agents of TBD in Maine has been challenging and confusing for clinicians and the public.

Methods: We reviewed the ecology of emerging of tick -borne disease, then reviewed risk factors for tick bites and tick-borne disease in Maine. We then compared the burden of TBD versus community-acquired comparison infections in terms of hospitalizations, deaths, and media attention.

Results and Discussion: In Maine, risk of exposure to bites from the vector …