Medical Specialties Commons^™

Improving Head Ct Utilization After Traumatic Intracranial Hemorrhage According To The Modified Brain Injury Guidelines (Mbig), Mathews Lan, Md, Michael Baldassari, Md, Caitlin Ritz, Md, Tyler Alexander, Bs, Richard Schmidt, Md

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

Background

Problem Statement: There are subsets of patients with traumatic intracranial hemorrhage who are low-risk for clinically significant hemorrhage expansion and/or neurologic deterioration requiring procedural intervention, yet these patients often undergo multiple serial head CT’s requiring an extended length of stay that may not be necessary. The Brain Injury Guidelines^1,2 (BIG) and subsequent modified Brain Injury Guidelines³ (mBIG) sought to categorize these low-risk subsets and provide an algorithm for more efficient care for these patients.

Project AIM: For low-risk patients with traumatic intracranial hemorrhage (specifically mBIG 2), we aim to reduce the number of head CT’s during admission …

Evaluating Patient Satisfaction Of Medication Education In Oncology, Christina Lew, Pharmd, Bcps, Rose Dimarco, Pharmd, Bcps, Bcop, Maria Hafez, Md

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

Background

• Optimization of medication education is important in promoting patient adherence, improving outcomes, and managing toxicities.
• With the increasing complexities of cancer treatments and an aging population, patient understanding is critical. In addition, chemotherapy is associated with toxicities that often require supportive care management.
• Historically, institutions and providers decide upon the type, format, and amount of information provided to patients.
• The aim of the project is to assess patient understanding of information provided in clinic, retention of information after clinic, and patient satisfaction.

Lung Cancer In Immunosuppressed Patients, Garrett Melby, Andrew Bernstein, Md, Matthew Tucker, Md, Julia Palecki, Md, Zoe Begun, Md, Amman Bhasin, Md, Tingting Zhang, Phd, Ida Micaily, Md

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

Background

- Lung cancer is the #1 cause of cancer-related mortality in U.S. adults

- Immune evasion is a key mechanism in tumor cell proliferation

• Immunosuppressed patients have higher lung cancer incidences and worse lung cancer outcomes

- Success of immunotherapies supports the role of host immune function in host tumor response

• Studies have shown immunotherapy to be safe and effective in a variety of immunosuppressed populations
• Immunosuppressed patients are often excluded from immunotherapy trials and under-treated with immunotherapy compared to immunocompetent cohorts

- This study aimed to assess the disease course, PD-L1 expression, and utilized treatment modalities across patients …

Improving Post-Operative Educational Handouts After Spine Surgery, Arbaz A. Momin, James Harrop

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

Background

Problem Statement: After spine surgery, patients are given take home instructions which are outdated and provide limited answers to frequently asked questions. This leads to increased office calls and overnight calls to on-call physician.

Project AIM:

• Improving educational handouts given to patients after spine surgery
• Aim is to analyze current handouts given to patients after spine surgery
• Identify frequently asked questions by patients after surgery

Bad Blood – A Patient Safety Analysis, Daniel Moylan, Md, Jonathan Colon Sanchez, Md, Tatianna Branch, Do, Ryan Gardner, Md, Taha Awan, Md, Emily Custer, Do, Tram Phung, Md, Sandy Samuel, Md, Gabrielle Mangan, Rn, Tamar Wolinsky, Md

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

Background

Context: In this patient safety analysis, the authors review a case in which a patient’s labs collected in a large, quaternary care hospital's ER demonstrated concerning results that significantly deviated from labs drawn only hours prior

Problem Statement: The suspected mislabeling of patient labs resulted in a near-miss for the identified patient and unknown consequences for a second patient

Project AIM: Determine the root causes of this error and identify mechanisms to improve patient safety by reducing the incidence of similar errors

Pharmacist-Assisted Insulin Titration In Primary Care To Improve Diabetes Outcomes, Megana Murugesh, Md, Alisha Goyal, Michael Kelly, Pharmd, Emily Scopelliti, Pharmd, Barbara Simon, Md, Aparna Sarin, Md, Mph

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

Background

Problem Statement: Approximately, 90% of patients with Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM) are treated by primary care providers (PCPs) and with a growing aging population, and a shrinking primary care workforce, the demand for PCPs to provide care to diabetics is only expected to further worsen.

Despite novel therapies in T2DM, insulin remains a mainstay in treatment. Titrating insulin is a tedious and time-consuming task, requiring frequent follow-ups and lengthy conversations, increasing the burden of care on PCPs.

Project AIM:

1. Assess efficacy of pharmacy–assisted insulin titration in T2DM in achieving glycemic control by monitoring blood glucose and A1c changes
2. Evaluate …

Interprofessional Pilot Approach To Standardizing Nursing-Provider Driven Postpartum Urinary Retention Protocol, Mymy Nguyen, Mary Van Schaick, Md, Charlette E. Williams, Md, Anne Bocage, Md, Julia Switzer, Md

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

Background

Problem Statement: Postpartum urinary retention is a frequent cause of distress to new mothers, affecting 1 in 500 patients¹. It is imperative that patients receive prompt diagnosis and management to avoid long term sequelae of urogenital tract morbidity, including detrusor damage and bladder rupture². Although hospital protocols for urinary retention in the non-obstetric setting exist, management of urinary retention in the postpartum setting often varies by nursing-provider preference.

Project AIM: In this QI project, we developed a standardized protocol for postpartum urinary retention, and a comprehensive training model for provider and nursing teams. We assessed …

Medication Access Barriers To Hepatitis C Anti-Viral Therapy Following Transplantation Of Hepatitis C Positive Donors Into Hepatitis C Negative Recipients, Harry Rockower, Md, Sarah Yeager, Pharmd, Jami Schulte, Pharmd, Dagan Coppock, Md, Jonathan Fenkel, Md, Katherine Belden, Md

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

Background

• Over the past decade there has been a paradigm shift in solid organ transplantation with the use of Hepatitis C (HCV) positive donor organs for HCV negative recipients.
• This evaluation looks through the lens of insurance approval for direct acting antivirals (DAA) and the process needed for obtaining and ensuring affordability of these medications.
• While the AASLD/IDSA guidelines recommend early initiation of pangenotypic DAA therapy after organ transplant without the need to confirm recipient viral replication many centers often initiate the DAA approval process after viremia is detected due to insurance barriers.¹
• The process for obtaining insurance approval …

Resumption Of Anti-Platelet/Anticoagulation Therapy Following Lumbar Spine Surgery, Stephanie Serva, Md

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

Background

Problem Statement:

• No current guideline or protocol for AC/AP resumption in neurosurgical spine patients at TJUH
• There is difficulty in providing consistent perioperative anticoagulation recommendations to patients, as there remains no widely accepted, definitive literature of evidence or guidelines (Louie et al, 2020)

Project Aims:

• To determine standardized protocol for resuming antiplatelet/anticoagulation therapy following lumbar surgery
• To reduce combined postoperative cardiac/cerebrovascular/thrombotic events, and post-operative hematomas

Cardiology Referrals For African-American Basketball Players Falls Below Expectation, Vacha Shah, Blaise O'Malley, Douglas Corsi, Avinash Saraiya, Margaret Doyle, I. Masood, Brian Osler, A. Hajduczok, David Shipon

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

Background

Problem Statement:

• Rates of sudden cardiac death due to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy are higher in male African American basketball players compared with White players (Maron, 2003)
• Male African American NCAA Division I basketball players have the highest incidence of sudden cardiac arrest and death between the ages of 11 and 29 (Peterson, 2020)
• Retrospective analysis of the HeartBytes Registry collected by Simon’s Heart Organization identified multiple risk factors, such as asthma and sickle cell anemia, higher in this population than in the general population
• Increased murmurs and EKG abnormalities such as ST-segment depressions and other nonspecific changes are present in …

Early Non-Invasive Monitoring Of Fatty Liver Disease Using Emr Software, Franklin L. Thelmo, Do Jr., Eric J. Shiffrin, Md

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

Background

• Problem: Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD) and Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH) are liver diseases that have rapidly increased in the population over the last few years and are becoming an evercommon cause of liver failure and the need for liver transplant. Disease presence long predates concerning symptoms and many individuals will not be made aware until after the diseased has progressed in severity. Earlier intervention is often inhibited due to the need of invasive biopsy or specific lab testing not easily available leading to significant underdiagnosis of patients with early disease
• Project AIM: We sought to add a …

Streamlined Pre-Authorization Expedites Patient Discharges From Stroke Units To Rehabilitation Centers, Michael Vo, William Nguyen, Matthew Trotter, Jeffrey Zhou, Glenn A. Gonzalez, Eric Mong, Rene Daniel, Ross-Jordan Elliott, James Harrop

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

Background

Problem statement: Patient discharge from neurosurgical stroke units to rehabilitation centers is a complex administrative and clinical endeavor involving a population often with cognitive and motor morbidity that can be intensified with extensive hospital length of stay (LOS).

Project aim: This project aims to analyze the change in LOS due to the introduction of liaisons, who advocate for and expedite pre-authorization, rounds, and plan of care establishment for patients with strokes.

Providing A Latch Key: Increasing Lactation Education For Medical Students, Elizabeth Wagman, Bs, Santosh Coorg, Md, Cheryl Godcharles, Md, Nabblem-C

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

Background

• Problem Statement: Current Healthy People 2030 data suggests that only up to 25% of infants are exclusively breastfed at six months of life, but target rates are upwards of 40%. Though this trend is multifactorial, an actionable solution is to increase lactation education for residents and medical students to better equip them to counsel patients.
• Project AIM: We aim to increase provider comfort in lactation counseling by implementing lactation education, resources, hands-on training, and postpartum follow-up strategies for Thomas Jefferson University pre-clerkship/ rotating medical students and OB/GYN residents.

Racial Disparities In Transcatheter And Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement, Maggie Doyle, Svenja Schneider, Md, Kashka Mallari, Md, Nicholas Ruggiero, Md, Rebecca Marcantuono, Crnp, Alec Vishnevsky, Md, Yevgeniy Brailovsky, Do

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

Background

• Transcatheter and surgical aortic valve replacement (TAVR, SAVR) is disproportionately distributed across racial and ethnicity groups.^{1, 2}
• Nationally, 87-91% of individuals undergoing AVR are White, despite making up approximately 60% of the US population.^1-4
• Jefferson’s AVR demographic data is consistent with national trends.
• Further studies have found that zip codes associated with lower socioeconomic status (SES) have lower rates of TAVR.⁵
• Although this disparity is widely recognized, there lacks understanding of contributing factors and potential interventions.

Project Aim:

• Investigate additional demographic data of Thomas Jefferson University Hospital (TJUH) patients undergoing TAVR to isolate targets for future …

Importance Of The Assessment Of Left Ventricular Function Following A Diagnosis Of Left Bundle Branch Block, Samuel Dyer, Bs, Benjamin Mass, Bs, Alyson Owen, Md

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

Background

• Left bundle branch block (LBBB) is a diagnosis often encountered in clinical practice.
• It can be seen as a harbinger of decreased left ventricular function in the future. LBBB has been associated with new onset congestive heart failure (CHF) and death from cardiovascular diseases.¹

Problem Statement

• LBBB in and of itself is given inadequate follow-up and attention by clinicians. Project AIM: bring to light the delay in follow-up after diagnosis of LBBB.

Ventilation Method During Intensive Care Unit Transport After Cardiac Surgeries; When Should We Use A Ventilator?, Francis Anderson, Do, Kent Berg, Md, Marc Torjman, Phd, Yoshihisa Morita, Md

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

Background

Problem Statement: Manual ventilation with AMBU bag is utilized mostly for transporting post cardiac surgery patients to the intensive care unit, but some patients need mechanical ventilation due to concern for oxygenation, ventilation, and cardiac function.

Also, transport can be a critical moment because of limited hemodynamic information and suboptimal environment for therapeutic intervention.

Thus, risk stratification for appropriate ventilation is necessary for safe transport. •

Project AIM: We assessed biventricular function (with a hand-held echocardiography), arterial blood gas, and hemodynamics pre and post transport in manual and mechanical ventilation groups.

Patient Perceptions Of Screening For Social Determinants Of Health In A Primary Care Setting, Blaise O'Malley, Zarin Mohsenin, Olivia George, Geoffrey Mills

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

Background

• Social determinants of health (SDOH) screenings have become increasingly common in healthcare settings over the past decade (Berkowitz et al., 2021; Rogers et al., 2020)
• These screenings can help healthcare providers direct care and provide resources to patients with social needs (Bleacher et al., 2019)
• The sensitive nature of the screening questions may cause patients to feel uncomfortable (Broaddus- Shea et al., 2022)
• Many related studies focus on the perspective of adult caregivers of pediatric patients, less on the perspective of adult patients (Emengo et al., 2020)

Project Aims

1. To further our understanding of adult patient perceptions of the …

Do Large Language Models Adhere To Clinical Guidelines For Cervical Fusion? A Comparison Of Chatbotgenerated Responses With Nass Coverage Recommendations, Advith Sarikonda, Ba, Bs, Emily Self, Md, Dwight Mitchell Self, Md, Abhijeet Sambangi, Bs, Angeleah Carreras, Md, Jack Jallo, Md

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

Background

Introduction:

• Cervical fusion is a widely performed procedure with rapidly increasing usage.
• Despite this surge in utilization, there has been limited exploration into whether cervical fusion procedures align with evidence-based guidelines.
• To address these issues, the North American Spine Society (NASS) has developed EBM coverage recommendations for various diagnostic procedures and therapeutic treatments in the field of spine surgery

Project AIM:

• To assess the efficacy of chatbots in adhering to official guidelines for indications for cervical spine surgery

Utilizing Inpatient Opportunities To Increase Comprehensive Advanced Care Planning In Oncology Patients, Alexandros Grivas, Md, Brian Schonewald, Md, Sawan Dutta, Md, Matt Bierowski, Md, Chioma Nwonu, Do, Evan Nardone, Md

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

Background

- Advanced Care Planning (ACP) is a high-value intervention that significantly improves end-of-life (EOL) care.

- ACP includes discussion between the patient and a qualified healthcare provider in an appropriate healthcare setting aiming: o To recognize patient’s wishes at end-of-life situations.

• To identify surrogates to act in the patient’s best wishes if they become unable to make such decisions.
• ACPs provide comfort on patients and their families during stressful end-of-life situations and facilitates appropriate use of resources.
• Absence of ACP leads to non-beneficial care, higher financial burden, and family distress.
• Ideal locations to form and document ACP are outpatient …

Oncology Infusion Center Hyperglycemia Protocol, Franklin L. Thelmo, Do Jr., Eric J. Shiffrin, Md, Rose Dimarco, Pharmd, Bcps, Bcop, Emily Brand, Pharmd, Daniel Lin, Md

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

Background

• Problem: Patients receiving chemotherapy for their cancer are often overwhelmed with the stresses of their new diagnoses and other coexistent medical issues may be forgotten or ignored. In the event dysglycemia or diabetes appears during the course of chemotherapy it may difficult for these patients to obtain care in a timely fashion and early literature suggests that dysglycemia may decrease the efficacy of chemotherapy
• Aim: Our goal was a protocol designed to ensure adequate euglycemia in patients at the Oncology Infusion Center (OIC) to eliminate insulin treatment guesswork for hyperglycemia, allow timely care with endocrinology specialists, and create a …

Implementation Of Pediatric Behavioral And Developmental Health Screening Tools At Student-Run Free Clinics In Philadelphia Shelters, Renee Li, Jasmine Miller, Martin Henry, Do, Bob Motley, Md, David Beckmann, Md, Mph

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

Background & Project Aims

• Children experiencing homelessness (CEH) are at increased risk for behavioral health problems: 78% show behavioral problems, academic delays, or depression.¹

• Recent research suggests an increased prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) among people experiencing homelessness.^2,3

• Psychosocial challenges are exacerbated by limited access to behavioral health and developmental disability screening, which is essential for early intervention.^4-6

• Recent studies have found that behavioral health screening in shelters is feasible, can generate a large number of referrals, and can be carried out by a student-run clinic without significantly disrupting workflow.^7,8

Correlation Of Neck Circumference With Bmi And Waist Circumference In A High-Risk Urban Cohort, Jay Satasiya, Bs, Meera Patel, Bs, Antoinette Portnoy, Bs, Noel Tharakan, Bs, Brian D. Fedgchin, Md, Glenn S. Cooper, Md, Cindy Cheng, Md, Phd

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

Background

Problem Statement:

• Obesity is a global epidemic requiring accurate ongoing clinical assessment, as it increases risk of multiple health conditions, such as CVD.
• Body mass index (BMI) is the most widely used anthropometric measure.
• Waist circumference (WC) is an accurate measure of visceral fat.
• Neck circumference (NC) is a newer, simple assessment tool positively correlated with percent body fat, BMI and WC.
• NC is easier to measure than WC, and unaffected by external factors like lean muscle mass for BMI, and abdominal distension, respiration, and patient discomfort for WC.

Hypothesis:

• NC, less studied in black patients, who are at …

The Tensegrity Curriculum: A Comprehensive Curricular Structure Supporting Cultural Humility In Undergraduate Medical Education., Anne C Jones, Kristin N Bertsch, Deborah Williams, Millicent King Channell

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

Due to growing health disparities in underserved communities, a comprehensive approach is needed to train physicians to work effectively with patients who have cultures and belief systems different from their own. To address these complex healthcare inequities, Rowan-Virtua SOM implemented a new curriculum, The Tensegrity Curriculum, designed to expand beyond just teaching skills of cultural competence to include trainees' exploration of cultural humility. The hypothesis is that this component of the curriculum will mitigate health inequity by training physicians to recognize and interrupt the bias within themselves and within systems. Early outcomes of this curricular renewal process reveal increased student …

Promoting Physiologic Birth By Improving Access To Doulas, Karen Schwartz

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Translational and Clinical Research Projects

Birth in the United States (U.S.) leans towards a medicalized approach, overlooking the advantages of physiologic birth. Physiologic birth is a natural approach to childbirth, without medical interventions. Intrapartum nurses play an integral role in caring for women during labor by providing continuous labor support. Competing nursing tasks, exacerbated nursing shortages and increased nurse to patient ratios have made it increasingly challenging for intrapartum (IP) nurses to provide continuous labor support to their patients. The aim of this DNP project is to gain insight into the beliefs of IP nurses regarding childbirth and how these beliefs impact their approach to …

Nsaids Role In Triggering Ibd Exacerbations; Reality Or Misunderstanding? A Systematic Review, Alec Swartz, Malitha Hettiarachchi

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Introduction: Initial studies seemed to show that NSAID use was associated with increased risk of IBD exacerbation. Supported by known role of COX-1/2 isoenzymes (specifically their prostaglandin [PG] products) in maintaining GI mucosal barrier and mediating inflammation Combination of early research findings and COX prostaglandin knowledge resulted in NSAID avoidance in IBD patients. Recent data seemingly contradicts prior research, and NSAID use is predicted to not play a role in IBD exacerbation Methods: We conducted a systematic review of the literature using PubMed and American Journal of Gastroenterology. Of the thousands of results, we narrowed our results to 4 recent …

Minimally Invasive Tissue Extraction: Continued Growth Through Simulation For Obgyn Residents, Angela Frankel, Md, Mph, Melanie Hotz, Md, Patrick Teefey, Md

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Posters

Background

• Minimally invasive surgery often requires tissue morcellation for extraction of large surgical specimens.¹
• Surgeon comfort with tissue morcellation in gynecologic surgery is vital in providing a minimally invasive (MIS) approach.
• However, OBGYN residents often feel underprepared to perform this skill independently.²
• While practicing tissue morcellation in the OR is ideal, simulation has been shown to improve resident technical skill without risking increased operative time or associated morbidity.³
• This intervention seeks to build upon a prior simulation exercise, with the ultimate goal of improving OB-GYN resident self-reported comfort with minimally invasive tissue extraction.

Addressing Intimate Partner Violence (Ipv) Amongst Pregnant And Postpartum Individuals, Charlette E. Williams, Md, Elizabeth S. Hood, Bs, Julia F. Switzer, Md

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Posters

Goals of Project

1. Better recognition of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) as it relates to our poor maternal morbidity and mortality statistics/outcomes
2. Better trauma-informed education surrounding recognition of red flag signs/symptoms for House Staff/Ob-Gyn rotation students
3. Better paring of patients with resources both in the clinic setting & postpartum

Moonlighting: A Pilot Project To Assess Impact Of Extracurricular Activities On Career Satisfaction And Quality-Of-Life In Graduate Medical Education, Charlotte O'Sullivan, David Lee, Karen Childers, Justine Nasr

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Background: Moonlighting is the delivery of healthcare outside of training programs in exchange for compensation. The Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education allows individual training programs to permit or restrict moonlighting, which leads to variation in prevalence and practice. Guidelines and regulations for moonlighting vary greatly across graduate medical education programs. Yet, limited research has been done to determine resident and fellow physician attitudes towards moonlighting and its impact on quality-of-life. Objective: This pilot study investigates how participating in moonlighting and extracurricular activities may impact resident and fellow physicians’ self-perceptions of quality-of-life and career satisfaction. Methods: 442 residents and fellow …

Amniotic Bladder Therapy For Treating Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome: A 6 Month Follow Up, Jack Considine, Codrut Radoiu, Sophie Wittenberg, Nivedita Dhar, Raghav Madan, Jack Vercnocke, Aron Liaw, Alaa Hamada

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Introduction: Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome (IC/BPS) is a debilitating condition marked by chronic pelvic pain and concurrent lower urinary tract symptoms. Our prior research established the efficacy of Amniotic Bladder Therapy (ABT) in offering symptomatic relief to refractory IC/BPS patients for a duration of up to 3 months. This study aims to delve into the durability of ABT, examining its effects over a more extended period, specifically up to 6 months. Materials and Methods: Consecutive IC/BPS patients participated in the study, receiving intra-detrusor injections of 100mg micronized amniotic membrane. Comprehensive clinical evaluations were complemented by patient reported outcome measures, encompassing …

Oncology Treatment Plan Updates In Epic-Beacon, Rose Dimarco, Pharmd, Bcps, Bcop, Gloria Espinosa, Mat, Pharmd, Bcop, Kelly Miskovsky, Pharmd, Bcop, Gina Hemmert, Pharmd

Kimmel Cancer Center Papers, Presentations, and Grand Rounds

Background

In Medical Oncology, the utilization of EPIC-Beacon Treatment Plans is integral for prescribing and administering cancer treatments. These treatment plans typically consist of anticancer infusion medications (chemotherapy, immunotherapy, etc.), supportive care medications, required laboratory orders, and other monitoring recommendations to ensure that patients receive safe and effective care. In 2017, TJUH transitioned from Varian’s Aria to EPIC’s electronic medical record system. Since then, there has not been a formal review of existing plans, and there are many inconsistencies between plans in different cancer types.

Problem Statement:

• Currently, there is not a formal process for review of existing treatment plans, …