Pulmonology Commons^™

Characterization Of Contributors To Pleural Fluid Viscosity, Yujai Lin, Megan Rushmeyer, Christopher G. Roy, Shannon Donovan, Rachel Cutting, Matthew Buttarazzi, Charlotte Crist, Ted Sears, J B. Zuckerman

Costas T. Lambrew Research Retreat 2025

Background: Pleural effusion is a common consequence of pulmonary disease and may result from a spectrum of conditions. This pilot study seeks to describe relationships between pleural fluid viscosity and fluid analytes commonly measured in clinical laboratories.

Food Insecurity Screening In People With Cystic Fibrosis, Rebecca Edwards, Lauren Tate, Ana Cairns, Cheryl Coyne, Kathleen Walker, Kim Violette, Ann Ladner, Jessica D'Amico

Costas T. Lambrew Research Retreat 2023

Background: Adequate nutrition is a cornerstone in the management of cystic fibrosis (CF). Malabsorption secondary to pancreatic insufficiency and increased energy demands related to lung disease can increase energy requirements over twofold for a person with CF. Food insecurity (FI) affects approximately 10% of Mainers (1). Per the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, there may be up to a threefold increase in the prevalence of FI in the CF population (2). To address this issue, we implemented FI screening in the adult and pediatric CF programs to identify the prevalence of FI within our population and to offer immediate interventions.

Access To Pediatric Type 1 Diabetes Care In Montana, James C. Bohnhoff, Michael Kohut Phd, Chelsea Bodnar, Elizabeth A. Jacobs

Costas T. Lambrew Research Retreat 2023

Introduction: Management of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) requires significant family effort and specialty support. We aimed to understand how living in a rural state impacts families’ experiences during and after diagnosis.

Prolonged Thunder Before The Storm – Diagnosis Of Aortobronchial Fistula After 28 Months Of Recurrent Hemoptysis, Hilamber Subba, Truc Ta, Edmund Sears

Costas T. Lambrew Research Retreat 2021

Aortobronchial fistula (ABF) should always be considered in patients with hemoptysis and previous thoracic surgery, however the diagnosis is known to be difficult both clinically and radiographically1. We present a case with the longest indolent course of hemoptysis reported to date .

The Maine Lung Cancer Coalition: A Statewide, Multi-Sector Partnership To Improve Evidence-Based Lung Cancer Prevention & Screening, Leo B Waterston, Liz Scharnetzki, Susan Leeds, Jaclyn A. Janis, Lee Lucas, Deborah Deatrick, Rebecca Boulos, Neil Korsen, Paul K.J. Han

Costas T. Lambrew Research Retreat 2021

MLCC has two primary goals:

1. Engage and educate about evidence based lung cancer prevention and screening practices

2. Develop, implement, and evaluate innovative programs to increase access to prevention, screening, and treatment services for all Mainers

Nicotine Replacement Therapies To Decrease Withdrawal Symptoms And Improve Patient Experience, Cheryl Pawloski, Holly Stewart, Devon Gillis, Dena Whitesell, Maya Bulman, Christopher Racine, Raymond Serrano, Leslie Gatcombe-Hynes, Elizabeth Mullany, Amy Mcauliffe, Jayne Weisberg, Amy Sparks, Suneela Nayak, Stephen Tyzik, Ruth Hanselman

Operations Transformation

Smoking is one the leading causes of preventable death in the United States. Patient centered care revolves around encouraging patients to reduce their chances of preventable disease and death. To that end, nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) prescribed within 24 hours of hospital admission increases the chance of quitting and decreases the chance of nicotine withdrawal.

A pilot performance improvement project was initiated on two cardiac units at an academic tertiary medical center. The goal the project was to have NRT ordered within 24 hours of admission 100% of the time. Baseline metrics demonstrated admission NRT orders were below acceptable levels …

Increased 18f-Fdg-Pet Uptake In Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis: Case Report And Review Of The Literature, Rama El-Yafawi, Patricia Cantlin, Thomas E. Van Der Kloot

Journal of Maine Medical Center

We present an unusual case of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), which initially presented as a large lung mass, without renal or other systemic features. The lung mass was most concerning for malignancy, and positron emission tomography (PET) further supported this concern, with intense uptake in the mass as well as in mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes. Biopsies however were non-diagnostic, and the patient developed acute kidney injury with active urinary sediment, leading to a definitive diagnosis of GPA. With supportive care and treatment directed at GPA, she was ultimately able to discontinue hemodialysis, and the lung mass resolved. This case …

Neurocardiac Risk Stratification 6 Hours After Resuscitation From Cardiac Arrest, A Bilkanovic, Z Haxhija, L Lucas, J Dziodzio, R R. Riker, T May, H Friberg, D B. Seder

MaineHealth Maine Medical Center

Introduction:

• An increasing number of patients are resuscitated from out-ofhospital cardiac arrest. Triage to optimal treatment pathways could improve and increase the efficacy of post-resuscition care.

• Despite great variability in etiology, duration, and patterns of injury from cardiac arrest, post-resuscitation treatment guidelines emphasize standard treatments. We hypothesize that by categorizing competing risks very early after resuscitation, it may be possible to improve the efficacy and efficiency of care.

• When measured very early after resuscitation, suppression ratio (SR, the percentage of suppressed EEG), correlates with severity of brain injury and the likelihood of poor neurological outcome.

• The …

Outpatient Treatment Of Pulmonary Embolism: A Single-Center Case Series, Annie Huyler, Casey Z. Macvane, Andrew Perron, Tania D Strout

MaineHealth Maine Medical Center

Background: Pulmonary embolus (PE) is associated with significant utilization of health care resources and financial burden Several additions that have allowed us to look at safely treating patients with PEs as outpatients:

• Simplified Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index (sPESI) -Risk stratifies patients based on their age, vital signs, and past medical history

• Novel oral anticoagulants

Primary Objective: To describe the population, treatment strategies, short-term complications and outcomes associated with outpatient management of PE following treatment in the ED.

Seerratus Anterior Plane Block (Sapb) Improves Paine Control In Rib Fractures, Randy Kring, Peter Croft, David Mackenzie, Christina Wilson, Joseph Rappold, Tania D. Strout

MaineHealth Maine Medical Center

Background:

•Trauma is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Rib fractures are identified in at least 10% of all injured patients.

•Rib fractures can lead to significant respiratory complications, with pneumonia and respiratory failure occurring in up to 31% of patients with rib fractures. Early initiation of aggressive pain control and pulmonary hygiene with incentive spirometry are standard of care to prevent complications from developing.

•In the Emergency Department, patients with rib fractures typically receive systemic analgesia that is largely narcotic-based. This pain control strategy puts patients at risk for the side effects of narcotics such as constipation, …