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OBJECTIVE: Identification of organisms directly from positive blood culture by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has the potential for improved clinical outcomes through earlier organism identification and shorter time to appropriate clinical intervention. The uses of this technology in pediatric patients and its impact in this patient population have not been well described. METHODS: Direct from positive blood culture organism identification via MALDI-TOF was implemented in September 2019. A quality improvement project was performed to assess its impact on admissions for contaminant blood cultures and time to effective and optimal antimicrobials and clinical decision-making. A pre- and post-implementation retrospective review for consecutive September through February time periods, was conducted on patients with positive monomicrobial blood cultures. Statistics were evaluated using Mann-Whitney U and χ2 tests. RESULTS: One hundred nineteen patients with 131 unique blood cultures (65 in pre- and 66 in post-implementation) were identified. Time to identification was shorter, median 35.4 hours (IQR, 22.7-54.3) versus 42.3 hours (IQR, 36.5-49) in post- and pre-groups, respectively (p = 0.02). Patients were less likely to be admitted for a contaminated blood culture in the post-implementation, 26% versus 11% in the pre-implementation (p = 0.03) group. In patients treated for bacteremia, there was a shorter time to optimal therapy from Gram stain reporting in the post-implementation (median 42.7 hours [IQR, 27.2-72]) versus pre-implementation (median 60.8 hours [IQR, 42.9-80.6]) (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Direct from positive blood culture identification by MALDI-TOF decreased time to effective and optimal antimicrobials and decreased unnecessary admission in pediatric patients for contaminated blood cultures.

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STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional clinical measurement study. INTRODUCTION: The carpometacarpal (CMC) joint of the thumb is a complex joint making accurate measurement of range of motion (ROM) challenging. There are limited normative data available to base rehabilitative decisions, which is unfortunate as this joint is frequently affected by arthritis and is critical to hand function. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: To provide passive ROM values for the first CMC joint and investigate the effects of age and gender. METHODS: Ninety-six healthy subjects were divided into 4 age groups of equal gender: 20-34, 35-49, 50-64, and 65+ years. Six-inch plastic universal goniometers were used to take 3 measurements of flexion, extension, and abduction of the dominant hand. RESULTS: Mean ROM values were 21.7 ± 6.8 degrees of flexion, 19.5 ± 5.7 degrees of extension, and 51.1 ± 5.5 degrees of abduction. There was a weak negative correlation (r = -0.22; P = .03) between age and abduction and a difference between 2 age groups. No other relationship or difference due to age, gender, or interactions reached significance. CONCLUSIONS: These normative ROM values for adults can be used by clinicians assessing patients for impaired motion at the CMC joint. No differences in flexion, extension, and abduction due to age and gender were supported, except for a small decrease (4.5°) in abduction in adults 65+ years compared with those of 35-49 years. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

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The U.S. health care system serves a diverse population, often resulting in significant disparities in delivery and quality of care. Nevertheless, most quality improvement efforts fail to systematically assess diversity and associated disparities. This article describes application of the multimethod assessment process (MAP) for understanding disparities in relation to diversity, cultural competence, and quality improvement in clinical practice. MAP is an innovative quality improvement methodology that integrates quantitative and qualitative techniques and produces a system level understanding of organizations to guide quality improvement interventions. A demonstration project in a primary care practice illustrates the utility of MAP for assessing diversity.

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