Adena Regional Medical Center

Burnout is a pervasive occupational hazard for neurologists-undermining their well-being, jeopardizing patient safety and satisfaction, limiting access to care, and inflating health care costs. Well-designed appreciation and recognition practices may help mitigate some of its key drivers. This pilot study evaluates faculty perspectives on appreciation strategies in an academic neurology department. We used the Moffitt Provider Appreciation Assessment (MPAA), which assesses the types of appreciation methods respondents value, regardless of whether those practices are currently implemented in their workplace. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among full-time clinical faculty in the Department of Neurology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. The survey included demographics, the MPAA, the single-item Mini-Z burnout inventory to assess self-reported burnout levels, and an intent-to-leave question. MPAA responses were analyzed for frequencies, and the association between burnout and intent to leave was examined. Of the 202 faculty members, 77 (38%) participated. The most highly valued appreciation practices were inclusion in decision making (77%), efforts to reduce daily frustrations (75%), and positive feedback from patients and families (71%). Gifts, team celebrations with food, and public affirmations were among the least valued practices. Burnout symptoms were reported by 45% of respondents, and 30% indicated an intent to leave within 2 years. Higher burnout levels were associated with increased intent to leave (p < 0.00001). Because the scores for self-reported burnout and intent to leave reflect current work conditions while MPAA scores capture enduring personal values, MPAA rankings cannot be compared directly with burnout or turnover metrics. Neurology clinical faculty prioritized appreciation methods that directly address clinical work, underscoring the value of implementing tailored recognition practices that may reduce burnout. The methodology used in this pilot study can be adapted for broader application in other settings. After identifying faculty preferences, health care organizations can implement meaningful, transparent, and inclusive appreciation strategies that have the potential to strengthen physician relationships, promote well-being, and support a sustainable workforce.

ABSTRACT Background Acute limb ischemia (ALI) is a critical vascular emergency marked by a sudden reduction in blood flow to the limb, significantly increasing amputation risk. Revascularization outcomes in urban versus rural areas have not been examined. Research design and methods The National Inpatient Sample from 2016 to 2021 identified patients with ALI who underwent revascularization. Propensity score matching compared outcomes, analyzed using STATA version 18. Results Of 85,760 hospitalizations for ALI receiving percutaneous revascularization 81,880 (95.5%) were in urban centers and 3,880 (4.5%) in rural facilities. Patients in urban hospitals showed higher mortality (4% vs. 2.7%), myocardial infarction (MI) (3.4% vs. 2.7%), cardiogenic shock (1.6% vs. 0.6%), cardiac arrest (6.5% vs. 5.9%), major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) (7.5% vs. 5.3%), mechanical circulatory support (1.1% vs. 0.5%), and acute kidney injury (18.5% vs. 15.4%). However, urban patients had lower intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) (3.4% vs. 6.5%), major amputation (6.3% vs. 7.8%), fasciotomy (1.8% vs. 2.2%), and major adverse limb events (MALE) (46.4% vs. 49.1%), with a significant difference of p < 0.01 compared to rural hospitals. Conclusions Urban hospitals in the United States report elevated mortality rates and significant cardiovascular events in comparison to their rural counterparts.

Abstract Purpose Mycolicibacter kumamotonensis is a very rare non-tuberculosis mycobacteria that has only been isolated a handful of times. Typically, it has been described as a respiratory infection, however is has been seen as a soft tissue infection once in the past. This case follows an occurrence of Mycolicibacter kumamotonensis soft tissue infection that was found in the United States and follows an individual with no known travelling history. Methods This case reports follows the clinical treatment plan of an infection was found after the patient developed dactylitis and AFB culture was performed after tenosynovectomy. Results The patient was started on a 3 drug regiment including a macrolide, rifampin, and ethambutol. The patient was initially doing well, however did need another surgical intervention due to concern for median nerve neurolysis. Moxifloxacin was added to the treatment plan at that time. Conclusion Further characterization of Mycolibacter Kumamotonensis is required in order to help with work up and management of this organism.

IntroductionDiplopia is an uncommon emergency department (ED) complaint representing only 0.1% of visits, but it has a large differential. One cause is a cranial nerve palsy, which may be from a benign or life-threatening process.Case ReportA 69-year-old female presented to the ED with two days of diplopia and dizziness. The physical exam revealed a sixth cranial nerve palsy isolated to the left eye. Imaging demonstrated an intracavernous internal carotid artery aneurysm. The patient was treated with embolization by neurointerventional radiology.DiscussionThe evaluation of diplopia is initially divided into monocular, usually from a lens problem, or binocular, indicating an extraocular process. Microangiopathic disease is the most common cause of sixth nerve palsy; however, more serious etiologies may be present, such as an intracavernous internal carotid artery aneurysm, as in the patient described. Imaging modalities may include computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging.ConclusionSome causes of sixth nerve palsy are benign, while others will require more urgent attention, such as consideration of an intracavernous internal carotid artery aneurysm.

Intrathecal analgesia has emerged as a key therapeutic option for pain relief for patients who have failed other treatment avenues as well as patients with adequate analgesia on high dose enteral or parenteral therapy but with unacceptable side effects. Intrethecal infusions of analgesics have been increasingly utilized since the later 1980s for the treatment of persistent pain. The purpose of this review is to provide research based clinical insight regarding the safe and appropriate use of the intrathecal infusion modality. Long-term intrathecal infusion analgesia or long-term intrathecal or long-term intrathecal analgesic therapy has significantly progressed over the past 25 years. The evidence for implantable intrathecal infusion systems is strong for short-term improvement in pain of malignancy or neuropathic pain. The evidence is moderate for long-term management of persistent pain. Reasonably strong evidence exists for the use of ong-term intrathecal analgesic therapy in alleviation of cancer pain; however, the evidence supporting long-term efficacy in persistent noncancer pain is less convincing. Future studies are needed to better define the role of long-term intrathecal analgesic therapy in persistent pain, especially with respect to which pain conditions or subpopulations of patients are most responsive to long-term intrathecal analgesic therapy, and which agents or combination of agents are most appropriate for which pain conditions or subpopulations of patients. Novel combinations of intrathecal analgesics such as clonidine and gabapentin deserve future study. The current body of literature supports the use of intrathecal agents for the treatment of moderate or severe pain related to cancer and noncancer origins. Further clinical studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of new intrathecal drugs, the complications related to these devices, and the proper selection of patients to receive these treatments.