Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

A Rare Entity: Case Report Of Recurrent Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis, Astrid A. Gleaton, Kartikey Pandya

Journal of Maine Medical Center

Introduction: Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS) is well known in pediatric surgery and has good outcomes after pyloromyotomy.1 Emesis in the immediate postoperative period occurs in 40% of patients with HPS and is attributed to gastroparesis from prolonged gastric distention.2 Emesis presenting weeks to months after pyloromyotomy prompts an evaluation that often yields pathology unrelated to HPS. Because recurrent HPS is rare, making this diagnosis highlighted the importance of practicing broad differential diagnoses, ruling out most common causes, and including obscure etiologies.

Clinical Findings: A 3-week-old male born after full-term gestation with a history of HPS underwent an uncomplicated laparoscopic pyloromyotomy. …

Spouses With Pulmonary Mycobacterium Avium Complex Infections: A Case Report, Gregg Raymond Md, Emily Wood Md

Journal of Maine Medical Center

Introduction: Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) is the most common cause of pulmonary infections due to nontuberculous mycobacterium in the United States. While there have been reports of geographic variations in incidence as well as disease clusters among genetically related individuals, there have been no published reports describing clusters of co-occurring pulmonary MAC disease among genetically unrelated individuals.

Clinical Findings: Patient 1 was a 56-year-old male with worsening asthma exacerbations associated with recurrent bronchitis. Patient 2 was a 55-year-old female with worsening asthma exacerbations, progressive dyspnea, and recurrent bronchitis. The 2 patients lived together, were immunocompetent, and genetically unrelated. They were …

Total Body Photography And Sequential Digital Dermoscopy Imaging For Melanoma Surveillance In Patients Starting Natalizumab For Multiple Sclerosis, Tyler Nussinow Ba, Amanda Robinson Np, Biljana Beretich Md, Kathryn Stevens Np, Elizabeth Seiverling Md

Journal of Maine Medical Center

Introduction: Natalizumab is an integrin receptor antagonist that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat multiple sclerosis and Crohn’s disease. The drug has been linked to an increased risk of melanoma. This brief report highlights an innovative clinical approach for monitoring the skin of patients prescribed natalizumab.

Methods: We include 2 cases from our skin oncology clinic and a literature review on the incidence of melanoma in patients prescribed natalizumab between 2004 and 2019.

Results: In addition to our 2 cases, we found 193 reports of patients with melanoma who were prescribed natalizumab. We propose an …

Implementing A Clinical Practice Guideline For Pediatric Appendicitis Safely Reduced Health Care Use And Improved Antimicrobial Stewardship, Jack Vernamonti, Robin Cotter, Jennifer Jubulis, Kartikey Pandya

Journal of Maine Medical Center

Introduction: Appendicitis is the most common emergency surgical disease in children. Those with perforated appendicitis have a more complicated and varied course. Through a clinical practice guideline (CPG), we sought to reduce computed tomography scans, laboratory draws, and exposure to broad-spectrum antibiotics without adversely affecting length of stay, hospital readmission, or repeat antibiotic administration.

Methods: Electronic records were retrospectively reviewed before and after CPG implementation, and data was collected in REDCap.

Results were reported as mean or percent incidence, and statistical analysis was done using a Student’s t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, or Pearson’s χ2 with P < .05 considered significant. Results: One hundred patients with a perforated appendix (50 before and 50 after CPG implementation) were included in our analysis. Length of stay (4.98 vs 4.46 days; P = .25), hospital readmission rate (10% vs 14%; P = .54), and additional antibiotic administration (2% vs 4%; P = .56) did not change. We observed no difference in the Pediatric Appendicitis Score (9 vs 9; P = .48) and a trending increase in evaluation at an outside hospital (56% vs 74%; P = .06). Rates of computed tomography scans did not differ overall (50% vs 40%; P = .31), but showed a decreasing trend at our institution (30% vs 12%; P = .06). We also found fewer post-operative laboratory studies (90% vs 38%; P < .01) and patients who received broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics (92% vs 18%; P < .01).

Discussion: Through implementing the …

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%) …

Missed Opportunities: Documentation And Referral Rates Among Children And Adults With Obesity, Heidi Walls, Christina Holt, Amy Haskins Phd, Williams Dexter

Journal of Maine Medical Center

Introduction: Our study reports rates of obesity documentation on the problem list (PL) and numbers of referrals to obesity medicine specialists and dietitians among pediatric and adult patients with obesity.

Methods: All pediatric and adult patients with obesity seen at 14 primary care clinics between 7/1/2017 and 6/30/2019 were evaluated for inclusion of obesity on the PL and referrals to obesity medicine specialists or dietitians.

Results: For children with BMI >95% for age, obesity was documented in 31.2%, and 12.5% received a referral. For adults with BMI >30, obesity was documented in 54.2%, and 8.4% received a referral. Significantly more …

Focused Hospital Medicine Cme On Pulmonary Point-Of-Care Ultrasound Through Just-In-Time Training During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Matthew Buttarazzi, Kristen Bartlett, Katherine Stebbins, Monica Thim

Journal of Maine Medical Center

Introduction: We describe the use of focused CME with just-in-time training in pulmonary point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) for hospitalists as part of our response to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This training served as a pilot for developing a longitudinal training program for our inpatient adult medicine providers.

Methods: In mid-March 2020, ultrasound education and image review were deployed within hospital medicine at a large academic medical center. Faculty were provided (1) a small-group lecture focused on ultrasound findings in pneumonia, (2) weekly review of imaging, and (3) a monthly review conference of ultrasound imaging.

Results: Use of POCUS for pulmonary pathology …

The Implementation Of Telemedicine In The Covid-19 Era, Rebecca K. Bell, Katherine Badger, Kerri L. Barton Mph, Michael Kohut Phd, Michael Clark Md

Journal of Maine Medical Center

Introduction: During the COVID-19 global pandemic in 2020, social distancing policies called for health care providers to turn to telemedicine platforms for most of their patient encounters. We aimed to better understand the experiences and perspectives of patients and providers who used telemedicine in the primary care setting.

Methods: This study included semi-structured interviews with patients and providers who participated in telemedicine visits during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients (n = 14) were from a rural Maine practice and providers (n = 10) were from practices within 100 miles of a tertiary care center. The interviews were analyzed …

Access To Point-Of-Care Ultrasound In Maine Emergency Departments, Christina N. Wilson, Campbell Belisle Haley

Journal of Maine Medical Center

Introduction: Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is an essential tool in emergency medicine. We evaluated access to bedside ultrasound machines and characterized POCUS use in Maine emergency departments (EDs).

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional electronic survey of all ED medical directors in Maine. The survey included questions on ED characteristics, access to ultrasound machines, POCUS use patterns, POCUS administration, and barriers to use.

Results: Thirty-four EDs were identified, and 24 medical directors completed the survey, yielding a response rate of 71%. EDs were predominantly small and rural. Only 21% identified as urban, and 54% reported less than 20 000 annual visits. Surveys …

Effectiveness Of Two Frequently Used Screening Tools In Identifying Depression And Anxiety In Collegiate Athletes, Adriana C. Isacke Do, Amy Haskins Phd, Christina Holt Md, Msc, Williams Dexter Md, Facsm

Journal of Maine Medical Center

Introduction: To determine whether the Electronic Pre-participation Physical Examination (EPPE), a proprietary and frequently used tool, is an effective method for depression and anxiety screening in the collegiate athlete population as compared to the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4).

Methods: College athletes at a Division III university completed PHQ-4 questionnaires and a proprietary EPPE. Positive reponse rates to depression and/or anxiety for both questionnaires were collected and analyzed with a kappa (κ) statistic.

Results: Among 420 students, we found that 9 (2%) reported depression and/or anxiety via the EPPE. Of the 26 students (6%) who answered positively on the PHQ-4, we …

Connected: Using A Novel In-House Communication System To Efficiently Deliver Imaging Results, Daniel Greentree, Brendan R. Calhoun, Steven Farraher

Journal of Maine Medical Center

Introduction: The primary objective was to investigate the effectiveness of a fully staffed electronic communication system (1Connect) in delivering timely critical imaging results and incidental findings. The secondary objective was to evaluate the financial impact of this system on a radiology practice.

Methods: From January 2014 through June 2016, the 1Connect database was retrospectively reviewed and sorted by category of submission type: Critical (1-hour communication time), STAT (2 hours), or Unexpected finding (3 business days). The percent of successful communications completed within the appropriate time frame was calculated for each priority category and used as a measure of the system’s …

Inhibiting Fatty Acid Binding Protein Family Members Decreases Multiple Myeloma Cell Proliferation Through Effecting The Myc Pathway, Mariah Farrell, Heather Fairfield, Anastasia D'Amico, Carolyne Falank, Connor Murphy, Michaela Reagan

Costas T. Lambrew Research Retreat 2021

FABP inhibition leads to increased survival of myeloma bearing mice and decreased cell growth by inhibiting MYC signaling.

Institutional Experience With Primary Interventional Radiology Sclerotherapy For Lymphatic Malformation, Obiyo Osuchukwu, Brenton Reading, Charlene Dekonenko, Wendy Jo Svetanoff, Jeff Thekkekara, Douglas C. Rivard, Charles L. Snyder, Tolulope A. Oyetunji

Costas T. Lambrew Research Retreat 2021

Interventional Radiology Sclerotherapy is effective for treatment of primary and recurrent lymphatic malformations

Plasma Concentrations Of Per- And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances And Body Composition From Mid-Childhood To Early Adolescence, Jaclyn Janis, Sheryl Rifas-Shiman, Shravanthi M. Seshasayee, Clifford J Rosen, Abby F Fleisch, Sharon Sagiv, Emily Oken

Costas T. Lambrew Research Retreat 2021

BACKGROUND

• Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) may alter body composition by lowering anabolic hormones and increasing inflammation.

Prior studies have found positive, inverse, and null associations of PFAS concentrations with adiposity among children and adolescents.

Few studies have examined associations of PFAS concentrations with changes in body composition longitudinally.

No study has examined the association of PFAS plasma concentrations with lean mass.

Preventive Healthcare Services Receipt And Primary Care Provider Utilization Among People Who Inject Drugs, E K. Nenninger, Kinna Thakarar

Costas T. Lambrew Research Retreat 2021

Introduction:

People who inject drugs (PWID) face barriers to accessing primary care providers (PCPs) and preventive services, but are at increased risk for preventable infections

Preventive services can be accessed through PCPs, or while hospitalized or at community organizations like syringe service programs (SSPs)

The Introduction Of A Multimodal Clinical Pathway For Outpatient Total Knee Arthroplasty In The Era Of Covid-19, D Bunch, R Mountjoy, G Korsunsky, A Rana, C Sturgeon

Costas T. Lambrew Research Retreat 2021

The combination of a short acting spinal and muscle-sparing regional blocks, including adductor canal and iPACK blocks, can allow for successful outpatient total knee arthroplasty.

Ketamine Infusions For Post-Cesarean Pain In Patients With Opioid Use Disorder, Talitha Budi, Johanna Cobb, Wendy Craig, Heather Turcotte, Janelle Richard, Aurora Quaye

Costas T. Lambrew Research Retreat 2021

Discussion:

• Opioid consumption may be reduced during ketamine infusion without significant side effects

• Further investigation planned with a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Improving The Care Of Patients With Cirrhosis At Mmc, Lesley B. Gordon, Elizabeth Herrle, Matt Buttarazzi, Monica Thim, Jenna S. Ptaschinski, Victoria Molina, Natalie Channell

Costas T. Lambrew Research Retreat 2021

Purpose: Improve the rate and timeliness of paracenteses for patients with decompensated cirrhosis.

Exploring Ob/Gyn Provider Knowledge, Practice And Confidence Levels Before And After Aces Training, Nadi Nina Kaonga, Alexandra Turnbull, Paula Vokey, Julia Brock

Costas T. Lambrew Research Retreat 2021

Trauma-informed training on ACEs improves provider confidence on screening and treating their prenatal patients.

Standardized Ekg Curriculum, Michael Ellerman, Jon Nichols, Sanjeev Francis

Costas T. Lambrew Research Retreat 2021

Goal: To study the effect of a standardized EKG curriculum on competency of interpreting common EKGs among internal medicine residents

Anterior-Based Muscle Sparing Approach For Total Hip Arthroplasty, Callahan M. Sturgeon, George M. Babikian, Brian J. Mcgrory, Adam J. Rana

Costas T. Lambrew Research Retreat 2021

A high value, high quality and low cost surgery: a 7.5 year single-center, retrospective case series

Impact Of Bowel Management Guidelines On Documentation And Patient Outcomes In The Intensive Care Unit, Alana Trottier, Paul Blakeslee, Kristiina Hyrkas

Costas T. Lambrew Research Retreat 2021

Introduction

• Bowel management (BM) is an inadvertently overlooked aspect of patient care for critically ill patients who have complex, immediate life-threatening health issues.

• Bowel dysfunction is common with the reported incidence of diarrhea between 3.3%-78% and constipation between 20-83%

• Studies suggest that BM guidelines can standardize care, improve documentation, and impact patient outcomes

• Use of BM guidelines has remained low, probably influenced by clinicians’ resistance to change, resulting in small to moderate improvements and difficulties sustaining new practices

• We anticipated that sustained changes require recognizing clinicians’ current practice, integrating modifications into existing workflow, and engaging …

Examining The Relationship Between Markers Of Emergency Department Crowding And Physician Wellbeing, Jessica Dibiase, Tania D. Strout, Samir Haydar, Karla Hyde, Elizabeth Hamilton, Christine Hein

Costas T. Lambrew Research Retreat 2021

Objectives-

Explore changes to EP wellbeing over time.

Evaluate the relationships between markers of ED crowding and boarding and EP wellbeing

Development Of Maine Ongoing Outreach Simulation Education (Moose), A Novel Telesimulation Program, To Improve Neonatal Resuscitation In A Rural Community Hospital, Allison Zanno, Misty Melendi, Micheline Chipman, Jeffrey Holmes, Alexa Craig, Samantha Piro, Anna Gilbert, Sarah Gabrielson, Leah Mallory, Anya Culter, Mary Ottolini

Costas T. Lambrew Research Retreat 2021

Objective- To implement monthly neonatal resuscitation telesimulation team training sessions in a rural community hospital delivery room that is feasible, sustainable, and replicable at other sites.

Leveraging Spiritual Care Resources To Reduce The Number Of Behavioral Events On An Acute And Intermediate Medical-Surgical Unit, Natasha Bartlett, Tia Jamir, Sally Langerak, Heather Weidemann

Costas T. Lambrew Research Retreat 2021

In 2018, R4/AVU an acute and intermediate care medical unit at Maine Medical Center (MMC), had a high level of distressing behavioral events (Code Grays) and staff stress.

Ideographic Modeling And Data Visualization Of Sleep, Affect, And Psychotic Symptoms: A Case Example, D M. Weiss, E Aslinger, W L. Cook, K A. Johnson, K M. Elacqua, R I. Mesholam-Gately, K A. Woodberry

Costas T. Lambrew Research Retreat 2021

Background:

1. Psychotic disorders are heterogeneous.

2. Current diagnostic categorizations are unable to capture individuals’ unique symptom experiences.

3. Newly-developed ideographic analyses and data visualization tools may be useful in assessing individuals’ symptom experiences and stimulating data informed care.

Investigation Of The Relationship Between Obesity, Weight Cycling, And Tumor Progression In Murine Myeloma Models, Heather Fairfield, Catherine R. Marinac, Mariah Farrell, Brenda M. Birmann, Michaela R. Reagan

Costas T. Lambrew Research Retreat 2021

We investigated this relationship in two murine myeloma models with a high fat diet (HFD) to induce obesity, and a diet cycling (DC) regimen to model weight cycling.

Perceptions Of Self-Efficacy And Experiences Of Mindfulness On Pain And Anxiety In Patients Undergoing A Colorectal Surgery: A Prospective Mixed Methods Study, Rebecca Brown, Julie Fitzgibbons, Rachel Farrington

Costas T. Lambrew Research Retreat 2021

Introduction

• Pain and anxiety have a physiological response on the body.

• Increased heart rate, respiratory rate and blood pressure can lead to complications, and thus longer hospitalization along with decreased patient satisfaction.

Parent Experience Of Hie And Hypothermia: A Call For Trauma Informed Care, Anna Sagaser, Betsy Pilon, Annie Goeller, Monica Lemmon, Alexa Craig

Costas T. Lambrew Research Retreat 2021

Objective:

To assess parents’ experience of communication with the medical team and involvement with their infant during HIE treatment.

Phq 9 Utilization In Maine Health, Steven Gerrish, Kerri Barton, Neil Korsen

Costas T. Lambrew Research Retreat 2021

The PHQ is a brief patient survey for diagnosing depression and monitoring response to treatment.