• Knowles Kilgore posted an update 3 days, 11 hours ago

    The FertiSTAT (fertility status awareness) tool provides personalized advice on reducing risk factors for infertility and seeking medical advice on the basis of lifestyle and reproductive profile. The aim of our research was to test the FertiSTAT tool in younger patients (14-24 years). selleckchem A secondary objective was to screen for and evaluate knowledge of risk factors that affect fertility. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, INTERVENTIONS, AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Patients aged 14-24 years attending consultations at Geneva University Hospitals received a quantitative questionnaire before consultations. Questions covered lifestyle, gynecological history, perception of fertility, and pregnancy intent. We investigated respondents’ beliefs with regard to risk factors for infertility through “true/false” questions. We selected questions relevant to our population from the original FertiSTAT questionnaire to calculate each respondent’s FertiSTAT score. Scores ranged from “blue” (low risk, score 1) to “red” (risk of infersidering FertiSTAT as a starting point to discuss contraception and risk factors for infertility at an age at which risk mitigation would prove most effective in preserving future fertility.

    The objective of this study was to determine the rate of incidental pregnancy, pregnancy screening frequency, and factors associated with pregnancy screening in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).

    A cross-sectional, descriptive study.

    The research was conducted at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital evaluating PICU admissions between January 1, 2011, and January 31, 2019.

    Female adolescents 14-21 years of age who were admitted to the PICU.

    The study population was divided into 2 groups (Presence and Non-Presence of Pregnancy Screening), and data were collected from the electronic health record.

    We evaluated for patient characteristics and for presence and results of urine pregnancy screening.

    A total of 431 patients were included in the study. Of these, 275 patients (63.8%) had a pregnancy screen performed. No patients with incidental pregnancy were found. There was a statistically significant relationship between pregnancy screening and patient age, type of admission, and origin of tranindividual factors that could preclude screening prior to or during their presentation.

    Input from adolescents and healthcare providers is needed to develop electronic tools that can support patient-centered sexual and reproductive (SRH) care. This study explores facilitators and barriers to patient-centered communication in the context of developing an electronic appointment planning tool to promote SRH communication in clinic settings.

    In-depth interviews were conducted to explore what constitutes adolescent-friendly SRH care and communication, as well as on the design of the appointment planning tool. Interviews were coded iteratively, and analyzed using the software Atlas.TI v8.

    An adolescent primary care clinic, and a pediatric and adolescent gynecology clinic.

    Adolescent girls (N=32; ages 14-18) and providers who care for adolescent girls (N=10).

    Thematic analyses explored facilitators/barriers to SRH communication and care and preferences for the tool.

    Facilitators identified by adolescents and providers included direct patient/provider communication; adolescent-driven decision-making regarding care and contraceptive choice; supplementing clinic visits with electronic resources; and holistic care addressing physical, mental, and social needs. Barriers identified by participants included limited time for appointments; limited adolescent autonomy in appointments; and poor continuity of care when adolescents cannot see the same provider. Given the complexity of issues raised, adolescents and providers were interested in developing an appointment planning tool to guide communication during appointments, and contributed input on its design. The resulting Appointment Planning Tool app pilot is in progress.

    Qualitative interviews with adolescents and providers offer critical insights for the development and implementation of mobile health (mHealth) tools that can foster patient-centered care.

    Qualitative interviews with adolescents and providers offer critical insights for the development and implementation of mobile health (mHealth) tools that can foster patient-centered care.

    A previously published scoring system showed promise in identifying adnexal torsion in adolescents. However, published patients were homogeneously Caucasian/White. We sought to assess whether this scoring system was generalizable to a more diverse population that is predominantly African American and overweight.

    Retrospective chart review.

    Tertiary academic hospital.

    Female patients 0-21 years of age undergoing surgery for suspected ovarian torsion from 2010 to 2019.

    Records were reviewed for patients, including laboratory studies, imaging, surgery, and pathology. Significance was determined for clinical and imaging findings, and retrospective composite scores were calculated for each participant as suggested by the scoring system.

    Determination of whether the previously published composite score was predictive of pediatric adnexal torsion in our population.

    A total of 57 cases of suspected torsion were included. Approximately 60% of patients were African American, 10% Hispanic, and 30% Caucasian/White. The average body mass index (BMI) across ethnicities was 29. Our findings significantly correlated with previously published predictors for all components. The presence of nausea/vomiting, leukocytosis, ovarian volume and ratio were found to be significant. The post hoc calculated composite score was applied to our cohort, and more than 90% of confirmed torsion would have been identified.

    Our study suggests that a previously published composite score assessing torsion can successfully be used to predict torsion in a more diverse setting than the original study population, potentially accelerating surgical management of patients with the condition.

    Our study suggests that a previously published composite score assessing torsion can successfully be used to predict torsion in a more diverse setting than the original study population, potentially accelerating surgical management of patients with the condition.