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Advocating for diversity in medical education
Earlier this year,
If enacted, the EDUCATE Act would cut off federal funding to medical schools that force students or faculty to adopt specific beliefs; discriminate based on race or ethnicity; or have diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices or any functional equivalent. The bill would also require accreditation agencies to check that their standards do not push these practices, while still allowing instruction about health issues tied to race or collecting data for research.
In response to the introduction of this act, CHEST published a statement in support of DEI practices and their necessary role within the practice of health care and medical training programs.
It is our belief that health care requires a solid patient-provider therapeutic alliance to achieve successful outcomes, and decades of scientific research have shown that a lack of clinician diversity worsens health disparities. For patients from historically underserved communities, having clinicians who share similar lived experiences almost always leads to significant improvements in patient outcomes. If identity concordance is not feasible, clinicians with considerable exposure to diverse patient populations, equitable approaches to care, and inclusive perspectives on health gained through continuing, comprehensive medical education and professional training can also positively impact outcomes.
Research indicates that a diverse medical workforce improves cultural competence and can help clinicians better meet the needs of patients from diverse backgrounds and ethnicities and that the benefits of diverse learning environments enhance the educational experience of all participants. Racial and ethnic health inequities illuminate the greatest gaps and worst patient outcomes, especially when compounded by disparities related to gender identity, ability, language, immigration status, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomics, and other social drivers of health. Research also shows that nearly one-fifth of Latine Americans avoid medical care due to concern about experiencing discrimination, Black Americans have significantly lower life expectancies, and Asian Americans are the only racial group to experience cancer as a leading cause of death. It is also well documented that communities experiencing disproportionately high rates of COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, and mortality when compared with White Americans include Black, Latine, Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Native Americans.
“In 2023, the CHEST organization shared its organizational values: community, inclusivity, innovation, advocacy, and integrity,” said CHEST President, Jack D. Buckley, MD, MPH, FCCP. “In strong accordance with these values and with our mission to champion the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of chest diseases and advance the best patient outcomes, CHEST is firmly committed to the necessity of diversity, equity, and inclusion in health care research, education, and delivery.”
Guided by our core values, CHEST is relentlessly committed to improving the professional’s experience and patient outcomes equally. This commitment compels us to work toward eliminating disparities in the medical field. According to the most recent US Census projections, by 2045, White Americans will no longer be considered a racial majority, with Black, Latine, and Asian Americans continuing to rise. It is incumbent upon us to ensure that our clinician workforce reflects the diversity of its local and national communities.
The underrepresentation of physicians from racially diverse backgrounds is factually clear. Black physicians comprise 5% of the current physician workforce despite Black Americans representing 13% of the population.1 Similarly, while Native Americans comprise 3% of the United States population, Native American physicians account for less than 1% of the physician workforce, with less than 10% of medical schools reporting total enrollment of more than four Native American students.2 Where gender is concerned, women make up about 36% of the physician workforce, a professional disparity that is further exacerbated given the intersections of race and gender, resulting in a significant impact on the current workforce.3 Allowing disinformation to influence the future of medical education and patient care directly contradicts our mission as clinicians dedicated to improving the health of all people.
If physician representation and patient outcomes are linked, as research shows, the lack of diverse medical school representation has dire consequences for matriculation, job recruitment, retention, and promotion. Without supportive policies, programs, and equity-focused curriculums in medical education, we will never close the gap on professional disparities, which means we will similarly never close the gap on health disparities.
Our commitment to our members, all health care professionals, and the field of medicine means that we will stand firm in our defense of DEI today and every day until we have achieved optimal, equitable health for all people in all places. CHEST is committed to an intersectional approach to equitable health care education and delivery. We strive to design solutions that center the most impacted and radiate support outward, ensuring our interventions benefit all others experiencing discrimination.
Read more about CHEST’s commitment to diversity and other advocacy work on the CHEST website.
References
1. AAMC. Figure 18. Percentage of all active physicians by race/ethnicity, 2018. AAMC; 2019. https://www.aamc.org/data-reports/workforce/data/figure-18-percentage-all-active-physicians-race/ethnicity-2018#:~:text=Diversity%20in%20Medicine%3A%20Facts%20and%20Figures%202019,-Diversity%20in%20Medicine&text=Among%20active%20physicians%2C%2056.2%25%20identified,as%20Black%20or%20African%20American
2. Murphy B. New effort to help Native American pre-meds pursue physician dreams. AMA. January 13, 2022. https://www.ama-assn.org/education/medical-school-diversity/new-effort-help-native-american-pre-meds-pursue-physician-dreams
3. AAMC. U.S. Physician Workforce Data Dashboard. AAMC; 2023. https://www.aamc.org/data-reports/report/us-physician-workforce-data-dashboard
Earlier this year,
If enacted, the EDUCATE Act would cut off federal funding to medical schools that force students or faculty to adopt specific beliefs; discriminate based on race or ethnicity; or have diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices or any functional equivalent. The bill would also require accreditation agencies to check that their standards do not push these practices, while still allowing instruction about health issues tied to race or collecting data for research.
In response to the introduction of this act, CHEST published a statement in support of DEI practices and their necessary role within the practice of health care and medical training programs.
It is our belief that health care requires a solid patient-provider therapeutic alliance to achieve successful outcomes, and decades of scientific research have shown that a lack of clinician diversity worsens health disparities. For patients from historically underserved communities, having clinicians who share similar lived experiences almost always leads to significant improvements in patient outcomes. If identity concordance is not feasible, clinicians with considerable exposure to diverse patient populations, equitable approaches to care, and inclusive perspectives on health gained through continuing, comprehensive medical education and professional training can also positively impact outcomes.
Research indicates that a diverse medical workforce improves cultural competence and can help clinicians better meet the needs of patients from diverse backgrounds and ethnicities and that the benefits of diverse learning environments enhance the educational experience of all participants. Racial and ethnic health inequities illuminate the greatest gaps and worst patient outcomes, especially when compounded by disparities related to gender identity, ability, language, immigration status, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomics, and other social drivers of health. Research also shows that nearly one-fifth of Latine Americans avoid medical care due to concern about experiencing discrimination, Black Americans have significantly lower life expectancies, and Asian Americans are the only racial group to experience cancer as a leading cause of death. It is also well documented that communities experiencing disproportionately high rates of COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, and mortality when compared with White Americans include Black, Latine, Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Native Americans.
“In 2023, the CHEST organization shared its organizational values: community, inclusivity, innovation, advocacy, and integrity,” said CHEST President, Jack D. Buckley, MD, MPH, FCCP. “In strong accordance with these values and with our mission to champion the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of chest diseases and advance the best patient outcomes, CHEST is firmly committed to the necessity of diversity, equity, and inclusion in health care research, education, and delivery.”
Guided by our core values, CHEST is relentlessly committed to improving the professional’s experience and patient outcomes equally. This commitment compels us to work toward eliminating disparities in the medical field. According to the most recent US Census projections, by 2045, White Americans will no longer be considered a racial majority, with Black, Latine, and Asian Americans continuing to rise. It is incumbent upon us to ensure that our clinician workforce reflects the diversity of its local and national communities.
The underrepresentation of physicians from racially diverse backgrounds is factually clear. Black physicians comprise 5% of the current physician workforce despite Black Americans representing 13% of the population.1 Similarly, while Native Americans comprise 3% of the United States population, Native American physicians account for less than 1% of the physician workforce, with less than 10% of medical schools reporting total enrollment of more than four Native American students.2 Where gender is concerned, women make up about 36% of the physician workforce, a professional disparity that is further exacerbated given the intersections of race and gender, resulting in a significant impact on the current workforce.3 Allowing disinformation to influence the future of medical education and patient care directly contradicts our mission as clinicians dedicated to improving the health of all people.
If physician representation and patient outcomes are linked, as research shows, the lack of diverse medical school representation has dire consequences for matriculation, job recruitment, retention, and promotion. Without supportive policies, programs, and equity-focused curriculums in medical education, we will never close the gap on professional disparities, which means we will similarly never close the gap on health disparities.
Our commitment to our members, all health care professionals, and the field of medicine means that we will stand firm in our defense of DEI today and every day until we have achieved optimal, equitable health for all people in all places. CHEST is committed to an intersectional approach to equitable health care education and delivery. We strive to design solutions that center the most impacted and radiate support outward, ensuring our interventions benefit all others experiencing discrimination.
Read more about CHEST’s commitment to diversity and other advocacy work on the CHEST website.
References
1. AAMC. Figure 18. Percentage of all active physicians by race/ethnicity, 2018. AAMC; 2019. https://www.aamc.org/data-reports/workforce/data/figure-18-percentage-all-active-physicians-race/ethnicity-2018#:~:text=Diversity%20in%20Medicine%3A%20Facts%20and%20Figures%202019,-Diversity%20in%20Medicine&text=Among%20active%20physicians%2C%2056.2%25%20identified,as%20Black%20or%20African%20American
2. Murphy B. New effort to help Native American pre-meds pursue physician dreams. AMA. January 13, 2022. https://www.ama-assn.org/education/medical-school-diversity/new-effort-help-native-american-pre-meds-pursue-physician-dreams
3. AAMC. U.S. Physician Workforce Data Dashboard. AAMC; 2023. https://www.aamc.org/data-reports/report/us-physician-workforce-data-dashboard
Earlier this year,
If enacted, the EDUCATE Act would cut off federal funding to medical schools that force students or faculty to adopt specific beliefs; discriminate based on race or ethnicity; or have diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices or any functional equivalent. The bill would also require accreditation agencies to check that their standards do not push these practices, while still allowing instruction about health issues tied to race or collecting data for research.
In response to the introduction of this act, CHEST published a statement in support of DEI practices and their necessary role within the practice of health care and medical training programs.
It is our belief that health care requires a solid patient-provider therapeutic alliance to achieve successful outcomes, and decades of scientific research have shown that a lack of clinician diversity worsens health disparities. For patients from historically underserved communities, having clinicians who share similar lived experiences almost always leads to significant improvements in patient outcomes. If identity concordance is not feasible, clinicians with considerable exposure to diverse patient populations, equitable approaches to care, and inclusive perspectives on health gained through continuing, comprehensive medical education and professional training can also positively impact outcomes.
Research indicates that a diverse medical workforce improves cultural competence and can help clinicians better meet the needs of patients from diverse backgrounds and ethnicities and that the benefits of diverse learning environments enhance the educational experience of all participants. Racial and ethnic health inequities illuminate the greatest gaps and worst patient outcomes, especially when compounded by disparities related to gender identity, ability, language, immigration status, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomics, and other social drivers of health. Research also shows that nearly one-fifth of Latine Americans avoid medical care due to concern about experiencing discrimination, Black Americans have significantly lower life expectancies, and Asian Americans are the only racial group to experience cancer as a leading cause of death. It is also well documented that communities experiencing disproportionately high rates of COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, and mortality when compared with White Americans include Black, Latine, Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Native Americans.
“In 2023, the CHEST organization shared its organizational values: community, inclusivity, innovation, advocacy, and integrity,” said CHEST President, Jack D. Buckley, MD, MPH, FCCP. “In strong accordance with these values and with our mission to champion the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of chest diseases and advance the best patient outcomes, CHEST is firmly committed to the necessity of diversity, equity, and inclusion in health care research, education, and delivery.”
Guided by our core values, CHEST is relentlessly committed to improving the professional’s experience and patient outcomes equally. This commitment compels us to work toward eliminating disparities in the medical field. According to the most recent US Census projections, by 2045, White Americans will no longer be considered a racial majority, with Black, Latine, and Asian Americans continuing to rise. It is incumbent upon us to ensure that our clinician workforce reflects the diversity of its local and national communities.
The underrepresentation of physicians from racially diverse backgrounds is factually clear. Black physicians comprise 5% of the current physician workforce despite Black Americans representing 13% of the population.1 Similarly, while Native Americans comprise 3% of the United States population, Native American physicians account for less than 1% of the physician workforce, with less than 10% of medical schools reporting total enrollment of more than four Native American students.2 Where gender is concerned, women make up about 36% of the physician workforce, a professional disparity that is further exacerbated given the intersections of race and gender, resulting in a significant impact on the current workforce.3 Allowing disinformation to influence the future of medical education and patient care directly contradicts our mission as clinicians dedicated to improving the health of all people.
If physician representation and patient outcomes are linked, as research shows, the lack of diverse medical school representation has dire consequences for matriculation, job recruitment, retention, and promotion. Without supportive policies, programs, and equity-focused curriculums in medical education, we will never close the gap on professional disparities, which means we will similarly never close the gap on health disparities.
Our commitment to our members, all health care professionals, and the field of medicine means that we will stand firm in our defense of DEI today and every day until we have achieved optimal, equitable health for all people in all places. CHEST is committed to an intersectional approach to equitable health care education and delivery. We strive to design solutions that center the most impacted and radiate support outward, ensuring our interventions benefit all others experiencing discrimination.
Read more about CHEST’s commitment to diversity and other advocacy work on the CHEST website.
References
1. AAMC. Figure 18. Percentage of all active physicians by race/ethnicity, 2018. AAMC; 2019. https://www.aamc.org/data-reports/workforce/data/figure-18-percentage-all-active-physicians-race/ethnicity-2018#:~:text=Diversity%20in%20Medicine%3A%20Facts%20and%20Figures%202019,-Diversity%20in%20Medicine&text=Among%20active%20physicians%2C%2056.2%25%20identified,as%20Black%20or%20African%20American
2. Murphy B. New effort to help Native American pre-meds pursue physician dreams. AMA. January 13, 2022. https://www.ama-assn.org/education/medical-school-diversity/new-effort-help-native-american-pre-meds-pursue-physician-dreams
3. AAMC. U.S. Physician Workforce Data Dashboard. AAMC; 2023. https://www.aamc.org/data-reports/report/us-physician-workforce-data-dashboard
Pseudomonas infection in patients with noncystic fibrosis bronchiectasis
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a clinically important organism that infects patients with noncystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB). In the United States, the estimated prevalence of NCFB is 213 per 100,000 across all age groups and 813 per 100,000 in the over 65 age group.1 A retrospective cohort study suggests the incidence of NCFB as ascertained from International Classification of Diseases codes may significantly underestimate its true prevalence.2
As the incidence of patients with NCFB continues to increase, the impact of the Pseudomonas infection is expected to grow. A recent retrospective cohort study of commercial claims from IQVIA’s PharMetrics Plus database for the period 2006 to 2020 showed that patients with NCFB and Pseudomonas infection had on average 2.58 hospital admissions per year, with a mean length of stay of 9.94 (± 11.06) days, compared with 1.18 admissions per year, with a mean length of stay of 6.5 (± 8.42) days, in patients with Pseudomonas-negative NCFB. The same trend applied to 30-day readmissions and ICU admissions, 1.32 (± 2.51 days) vs 0.47 (± 1.30 days) and 0.95 (± 1.62 days) vs 0.33 (± 0.76 days), respectively. The differential cost of care per patient per year between patients with NCFB with and without Pseudomonas infection ranged from $55,225 to $315,901.3
Recent data from the United States Bronchiectasis Registry showed the probability of acquiring Pseudomonas aeruginosa was 3% annually.4 The prevalence of Pseudomonas infection in a large, geographically diverse cohort in the United States was quoted at 15%.5 A retrospective analysis of the European Bronchiectasis Registry database showed Pseudomonas infection was the most commonly isolated pathogen (21.8%).6
Given the high incidence and prevalence of NCFB, the high prevalence of Pseudomonas infection in patients with NCFB, and the associated costs and morbidity from infection, identifying effective treatments has become a priority. The British, Spanish (SEPAR), South African, and European bronchiectasis guidelines outline several antibiotic regimens meant to achieve eradication. Generally, there is induction with a (1) quinolone, (2) β-lactam + aminoglycoside, or (3) quinolone with an inhaled antibiotic followed by three months of maintenance inhaled antibiotics.7-10 SEPAR allows for retreatment for recurrence at any time during the first year with any regimen.
For chronic Pseudomonas infection, SEPAR recommends treatment with inhaled antibiotics for patients with more than two exacerbations or one hospitalization, while the threshold in the British and European guidelines is more than three exacerbations. Azithromycin may be used for those who are intolerant or allergic to the nebulized antibiotics. It is worth noting that in the United States, the antibiotics colistin, ciprofloxacin, aztreonam, gentamicin, and tobramycin are administered off label for this indication. A systematic review found a 10% rate of bronchospasm in the treated group compared with 2.3% in the control group, and premedication with albuterol is often needed.11
Unfortunately, the data supporting the listed eradication and suppressive regimens are weak. A systematic review and meta-analysis of six observational studies including 289 patients showed a 12-month eradication rate of only 40% (95% CI, 34-45; P < 0.00001; I2 = 0).12 These results are disappointing and identify a need for further research into the manner in which Pseudomonas infection interacts with the host lung.
We currently know Pseudomonas infection evades antibiotics and host defenses by accumulating mutations and deletions. These include loss-of-function mutations in mucA (mucoidy), lasR (quorum-sensing), mexS (regulates the antibiotic efflux pump), and other genes related to the production of the polysaccharides Psl and Pel (which contribute to biofilm formation).13 There may also be differences in low and high bacteria microbial networks that interact differently with host cytokines to create an unstable environment that predisposes to exacerbation.14
In an attempt to improve our eradication and suppression rates, investigators have begun to target specific aspects of Pseudomonas infection behavior. The GREAT-2 trial compares gremubamab (a bivalent, bispecific, monoclonal antibody targeting Psl exopolysaccharide and the type 3 secretion system component of PcrV) with placebo in patients with chronic Pseudomonas infection. A phase II trial with the phosphodiesterase inhibitor esifentrine, a phase III trial with a reversible DPP1 inhibitor called brensocatib (ASPEN), and a phase II trial with the CatC inhibitor BI 1291583 (Airleaf) are also being conducted. Each of these agents targets mediators of neutrophil inflammation.
In summary, NCFB with Pseudomonas infection is common and leads to an increase in costs, respiratory exacerbations, and hospitalizations. While eradication and suppression are recommended, they are difficult to achieve and require sustained durations of expensive medications that can be difficult to tolerate. Antibiotic therapies will continue to be studied (the ERASE randomized controlled trial to investigate the efficacy and safety of tobramycin to eradicate Pseudomonas infection is currently underway), but targeted therapies represent a promising new approach to combating this stubbornly resistant bacteria. The NCFB community will be watching closely to see whether medicines targeting molecular behavior and host interaction can achieve what antibiotic regimens thus far have not: consistent and sustainable eradication.
Dr. Green is Assistant Professor in Medicine, Medical Director, Bronchiectasis Program, UMass Chan/Baystate Health, Chest Infections Section, Member-at-Large
References
1. Weycker D, Hansen GL, Seifer FD. Prevalence and incidence of noncystic fibrosis bronchiectasis among US adults in 2013. Chron Respir Dis. 2017;14(4):377-384. doi: 10.1177/1479972317709649
2. Green O, Liautaud S, Knee A, Modahl L. Measuring accuracy of International Classification of Diseases codes in identification of patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis. ERJ Open Res. 2024;10(2):00715-2023. doi: 10.1183/23120541.00715-2023
3. Franklin M, Minshall ME, Pontenani F, Devarajan S. Impact of Pseudomonas aeruginosa on resource utilization and costs in patients with exacerbated non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis. J Med Econ. 2024;27(1):671-677. doi: 10.1080/13696998.2024.2340382
4. Aksamit TR, Locantore N, Addrizzo-Harris D, et al. Five-year outcomes among U.S. bronchiectasis and NTM research registry patients. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. Accepted manuscript. Published online April 26, 2024.
5. Dean SG, Blakney RA, Ricotta EE, et al. Bronchiectasis-associated infections and outcomes in a large, geographically diverse electronic health record cohort in the United States. BMC Pulm Med. 2024;24(1):172. doi: 10.1186/s12890-024-02973-3
6. Chalmers JD, Polverino E, Crichton ML, et al. Bronchiectasis in Europe: data on disease characteristics from the European Bronchiectasis registry (EMBARC). Lancet Respir Med. 2023;11(7):637-649. doi: 10.1016/S2213-2600(23)00093-0
7. Polverino E, Goeminne PC, McDonnell MJ, et al. European Respiratory Society guidelines for the management of adult bronchiectasis. Eur Respir J. 2017;50(3):1700629. doi: 10.1183/13993003.00629-2017
8. Martínez-García MÁ, Máiz L, Olveira C, et al. Spanish guidelines on treatment of bronchiectasis in adults. Arch Bronconeumol. 2018;54(2):88-98. doi: 10.1016/j.arbres.2017.07.016
9. Hill AT, Sullivan AL, Chalmers JD, et al. British Thoracic Society guideline for bronchiectasis in adults. Thorax. 2019;74(Suppl 1):1-69. doi: 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2018-212463
10. Goolam Mahomed A, Maasdorp SD, Barnes R, et al. South African Thoracic Society position statement on the management of non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis in adults: 2023. Afr J Thorac Crit Care Med. 2023;29(2):10.7196/AJTCCM. 2023.v29i2.647. doi: 10.7196/AJTCCM.2023.v29i2.647
11. Brodt AM, Stovold E, Zhang L. Inhaled antibiotics for stable non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis: a systematic review. Eur Respir J. 2014;44(2):382-393. doi: 10.1183/09031936.00018414
12. Conceição M, Shteinberg M, Goeminne P, Altenburg J, Chalmers JD. Eradication treatment for Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in adults with bronchiectasis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur Respir Rev. 2024;33(171):230178. doi: 10.1183/16000617.0178-2023
13. Hilliam Y, Moore MP, Lamont IL, et al. Pseudomonas aeruginosa adaptation and diversification in the non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis lung. Eur Respir J. 2017;49(4):1602108. doi: 10.1183/13993003.02108-2016
14. Gramegna A, Kumar Narayana J, Amati F, et al. Microbial inflammatory networks in bronchiectasis exacerbators with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Chest. 2023;164(1):65-68. doi: 10.1016/j.chest.2023.02.014
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a clinically important organism that infects patients with noncystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB). In the United States, the estimated prevalence of NCFB is 213 per 100,000 across all age groups and 813 per 100,000 in the over 65 age group.1 A retrospective cohort study suggests the incidence of NCFB as ascertained from International Classification of Diseases codes may significantly underestimate its true prevalence.2
As the incidence of patients with NCFB continues to increase, the impact of the Pseudomonas infection is expected to grow. A recent retrospective cohort study of commercial claims from IQVIA’s PharMetrics Plus database for the period 2006 to 2020 showed that patients with NCFB and Pseudomonas infection had on average 2.58 hospital admissions per year, with a mean length of stay of 9.94 (± 11.06) days, compared with 1.18 admissions per year, with a mean length of stay of 6.5 (± 8.42) days, in patients with Pseudomonas-negative NCFB. The same trend applied to 30-day readmissions and ICU admissions, 1.32 (± 2.51 days) vs 0.47 (± 1.30 days) and 0.95 (± 1.62 days) vs 0.33 (± 0.76 days), respectively. The differential cost of care per patient per year between patients with NCFB with and without Pseudomonas infection ranged from $55,225 to $315,901.3
Recent data from the United States Bronchiectasis Registry showed the probability of acquiring Pseudomonas aeruginosa was 3% annually.4 The prevalence of Pseudomonas infection in a large, geographically diverse cohort in the United States was quoted at 15%.5 A retrospective analysis of the European Bronchiectasis Registry database showed Pseudomonas infection was the most commonly isolated pathogen (21.8%).6
Given the high incidence and prevalence of NCFB, the high prevalence of Pseudomonas infection in patients with NCFB, and the associated costs and morbidity from infection, identifying effective treatments has become a priority. The British, Spanish (SEPAR), South African, and European bronchiectasis guidelines outline several antibiotic regimens meant to achieve eradication. Generally, there is induction with a (1) quinolone, (2) β-lactam + aminoglycoside, or (3) quinolone with an inhaled antibiotic followed by three months of maintenance inhaled antibiotics.7-10 SEPAR allows for retreatment for recurrence at any time during the first year with any regimen.
For chronic Pseudomonas infection, SEPAR recommends treatment with inhaled antibiotics for patients with more than two exacerbations or one hospitalization, while the threshold in the British and European guidelines is more than three exacerbations. Azithromycin may be used for those who are intolerant or allergic to the nebulized antibiotics. It is worth noting that in the United States, the antibiotics colistin, ciprofloxacin, aztreonam, gentamicin, and tobramycin are administered off label for this indication. A systematic review found a 10% rate of bronchospasm in the treated group compared with 2.3% in the control group, and premedication with albuterol is often needed.11
Unfortunately, the data supporting the listed eradication and suppressive regimens are weak. A systematic review and meta-analysis of six observational studies including 289 patients showed a 12-month eradication rate of only 40% (95% CI, 34-45; P < 0.00001; I2 = 0).12 These results are disappointing and identify a need for further research into the manner in which Pseudomonas infection interacts with the host lung.
We currently know Pseudomonas infection evades antibiotics and host defenses by accumulating mutations and deletions. These include loss-of-function mutations in mucA (mucoidy), lasR (quorum-sensing), mexS (regulates the antibiotic efflux pump), and other genes related to the production of the polysaccharides Psl and Pel (which contribute to biofilm formation).13 There may also be differences in low and high bacteria microbial networks that interact differently with host cytokines to create an unstable environment that predisposes to exacerbation.14
In an attempt to improve our eradication and suppression rates, investigators have begun to target specific aspects of Pseudomonas infection behavior. The GREAT-2 trial compares gremubamab (a bivalent, bispecific, monoclonal antibody targeting Psl exopolysaccharide and the type 3 secretion system component of PcrV) with placebo in patients with chronic Pseudomonas infection. A phase II trial with the phosphodiesterase inhibitor esifentrine, a phase III trial with a reversible DPP1 inhibitor called brensocatib (ASPEN), and a phase II trial with the CatC inhibitor BI 1291583 (Airleaf) are also being conducted. Each of these agents targets mediators of neutrophil inflammation.
In summary, NCFB with Pseudomonas infection is common and leads to an increase in costs, respiratory exacerbations, and hospitalizations. While eradication and suppression are recommended, they are difficult to achieve and require sustained durations of expensive medications that can be difficult to tolerate. Antibiotic therapies will continue to be studied (the ERASE randomized controlled trial to investigate the efficacy and safety of tobramycin to eradicate Pseudomonas infection is currently underway), but targeted therapies represent a promising new approach to combating this stubbornly resistant bacteria. The NCFB community will be watching closely to see whether medicines targeting molecular behavior and host interaction can achieve what antibiotic regimens thus far have not: consistent and sustainable eradication.
Dr. Green is Assistant Professor in Medicine, Medical Director, Bronchiectasis Program, UMass Chan/Baystate Health, Chest Infections Section, Member-at-Large
References
1. Weycker D, Hansen GL, Seifer FD. Prevalence and incidence of noncystic fibrosis bronchiectasis among US adults in 2013. Chron Respir Dis. 2017;14(4):377-384. doi: 10.1177/1479972317709649
2. Green O, Liautaud S, Knee A, Modahl L. Measuring accuracy of International Classification of Diseases codes in identification of patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis. ERJ Open Res. 2024;10(2):00715-2023. doi: 10.1183/23120541.00715-2023
3. Franklin M, Minshall ME, Pontenani F, Devarajan S. Impact of Pseudomonas aeruginosa on resource utilization and costs in patients with exacerbated non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis. J Med Econ. 2024;27(1):671-677. doi: 10.1080/13696998.2024.2340382
4. Aksamit TR, Locantore N, Addrizzo-Harris D, et al. Five-year outcomes among U.S. bronchiectasis and NTM research registry patients. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. Accepted manuscript. Published online April 26, 2024.
5. Dean SG, Blakney RA, Ricotta EE, et al. Bronchiectasis-associated infections and outcomes in a large, geographically diverse electronic health record cohort in the United States. BMC Pulm Med. 2024;24(1):172. doi: 10.1186/s12890-024-02973-3
6. Chalmers JD, Polverino E, Crichton ML, et al. Bronchiectasis in Europe: data on disease characteristics from the European Bronchiectasis registry (EMBARC). Lancet Respir Med. 2023;11(7):637-649. doi: 10.1016/S2213-2600(23)00093-0
7. Polverino E, Goeminne PC, McDonnell MJ, et al. European Respiratory Society guidelines for the management of adult bronchiectasis. Eur Respir J. 2017;50(3):1700629. doi: 10.1183/13993003.00629-2017
8. Martínez-García MÁ, Máiz L, Olveira C, et al. Spanish guidelines on treatment of bronchiectasis in adults. Arch Bronconeumol. 2018;54(2):88-98. doi: 10.1016/j.arbres.2017.07.016
9. Hill AT, Sullivan AL, Chalmers JD, et al. British Thoracic Society guideline for bronchiectasis in adults. Thorax. 2019;74(Suppl 1):1-69. doi: 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2018-212463
10. Goolam Mahomed A, Maasdorp SD, Barnes R, et al. South African Thoracic Society position statement on the management of non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis in adults: 2023. Afr J Thorac Crit Care Med. 2023;29(2):10.7196/AJTCCM. 2023.v29i2.647. doi: 10.7196/AJTCCM.2023.v29i2.647
11. Brodt AM, Stovold E, Zhang L. Inhaled antibiotics for stable non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis: a systematic review. Eur Respir J. 2014;44(2):382-393. doi: 10.1183/09031936.00018414
12. Conceição M, Shteinberg M, Goeminne P, Altenburg J, Chalmers JD. Eradication treatment for Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in adults with bronchiectasis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur Respir Rev. 2024;33(171):230178. doi: 10.1183/16000617.0178-2023
13. Hilliam Y, Moore MP, Lamont IL, et al. Pseudomonas aeruginosa adaptation and diversification in the non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis lung. Eur Respir J. 2017;49(4):1602108. doi: 10.1183/13993003.02108-2016
14. Gramegna A, Kumar Narayana J, Amati F, et al. Microbial inflammatory networks in bronchiectasis exacerbators with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Chest. 2023;164(1):65-68. doi: 10.1016/j.chest.2023.02.014
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a clinically important organism that infects patients with noncystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB). In the United States, the estimated prevalence of NCFB is 213 per 100,000 across all age groups and 813 per 100,000 in the over 65 age group.1 A retrospective cohort study suggests the incidence of NCFB as ascertained from International Classification of Diseases codes may significantly underestimate its true prevalence.2
As the incidence of patients with NCFB continues to increase, the impact of the Pseudomonas infection is expected to grow. A recent retrospective cohort study of commercial claims from IQVIA’s PharMetrics Plus database for the period 2006 to 2020 showed that patients with NCFB and Pseudomonas infection had on average 2.58 hospital admissions per year, with a mean length of stay of 9.94 (± 11.06) days, compared with 1.18 admissions per year, with a mean length of stay of 6.5 (± 8.42) days, in patients with Pseudomonas-negative NCFB. The same trend applied to 30-day readmissions and ICU admissions, 1.32 (± 2.51 days) vs 0.47 (± 1.30 days) and 0.95 (± 1.62 days) vs 0.33 (± 0.76 days), respectively. The differential cost of care per patient per year between patients with NCFB with and without Pseudomonas infection ranged from $55,225 to $315,901.3
Recent data from the United States Bronchiectasis Registry showed the probability of acquiring Pseudomonas aeruginosa was 3% annually.4 The prevalence of Pseudomonas infection in a large, geographically diverse cohort in the United States was quoted at 15%.5 A retrospective analysis of the European Bronchiectasis Registry database showed Pseudomonas infection was the most commonly isolated pathogen (21.8%).6
Given the high incidence and prevalence of NCFB, the high prevalence of Pseudomonas infection in patients with NCFB, and the associated costs and morbidity from infection, identifying effective treatments has become a priority. The British, Spanish (SEPAR), South African, and European bronchiectasis guidelines outline several antibiotic regimens meant to achieve eradication. Generally, there is induction with a (1) quinolone, (2) β-lactam + aminoglycoside, or (3) quinolone with an inhaled antibiotic followed by three months of maintenance inhaled antibiotics.7-10 SEPAR allows for retreatment for recurrence at any time during the first year with any regimen.
For chronic Pseudomonas infection, SEPAR recommends treatment with inhaled antibiotics for patients with more than two exacerbations or one hospitalization, while the threshold in the British and European guidelines is more than three exacerbations. Azithromycin may be used for those who are intolerant or allergic to the nebulized antibiotics. It is worth noting that in the United States, the antibiotics colistin, ciprofloxacin, aztreonam, gentamicin, and tobramycin are administered off label for this indication. A systematic review found a 10% rate of bronchospasm in the treated group compared with 2.3% in the control group, and premedication with albuterol is often needed.11
Unfortunately, the data supporting the listed eradication and suppressive regimens are weak. A systematic review and meta-analysis of six observational studies including 289 patients showed a 12-month eradication rate of only 40% (95% CI, 34-45; P < 0.00001; I2 = 0).12 These results are disappointing and identify a need for further research into the manner in which Pseudomonas infection interacts with the host lung.
We currently know Pseudomonas infection evades antibiotics and host defenses by accumulating mutations and deletions. These include loss-of-function mutations in mucA (mucoidy), lasR (quorum-sensing), mexS (regulates the antibiotic efflux pump), and other genes related to the production of the polysaccharides Psl and Pel (which contribute to biofilm formation).13 There may also be differences in low and high bacteria microbial networks that interact differently with host cytokines to create an unstable environment that predisposes to exacerbation.14
In an attempt to improve our eradication and suppression rates, investigators have begun to target specific aspects of Pseudomonas infection behavior. The GREAT-2 trial compares gremubamab (a bivalent, bispecific, monoclonal antibody targeting Psl exopolysaccharide and the type 3 secretion system component of PcrV) with placebo in patients with chronic Pseudomonas infection. A phase II trial with the phosphodiesterase inhibitor esifentrine, a phase III trial with a reversible DPP1 inhibitor called brensocatib (ASPEN), and a phase II trial with the CatC inhibitor BI 1291583 (Airleaf) are also being conducted. Each of these agents targets mediators of neutrophil inflammation.
In summary, NCFB with Pseudomonas infection is common and leads to an increase in costs, respiratory exacerbations, and hospitalizations. While eradication and suppression are recommended, they are difficult to achieve and require sustained durations of expensive medications that can be difficult to tolerate. Antibiotic therapies will continue to be studied (the ERASE randomized controlled trial to investigate the efficacy and safety of tobramycin to eradicate Pseudomonas infection is currently underway), but targeted therapies represent a promising new approach to combating this stubbornly resistant bacteria. The NCFB community will be watching closely to see whether medicines targeting molecular behavior and host interaction can achieve what antibiotic regimens thus far have not: consistent and sustainable eradication.
Dr. Green is Assistant Professor in Medicine, Medical Director, Bronchiectasis Program, UMass Chan/Baystate Health, Chest Infections Section, Member-at-Large
References
1. Weycker D, Hansen GL, Seifer FD. Prevalence and incidence of noncystic fibrosis bronchiectasis among US adults in 2013. Chron Respir Dis. 2017;14(4):377-384. doi: 10.1177/1479972317709649
2. Green O, Liautaud S, Knee A, Modahl L. Measuring accuracy of International Classification of Diseases codes in identification of patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis. ERJ Open Res. 2024;10(2):00715-2023. doi: 10.1183/23120541.00715-2023
3. Franklin M, Minshall ME, Pontenani F, Devarajan S. Impact of Pseudomonas aeruginosa on resource utilization and costs in patients with exacerbated non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis. J Med Econ. 2024;27(1):671-677. doi: 10.1080/13696998.2024.2340382
4. Aksamit TR, Locantore N, Addrizzo-Harris D, et al. Five-year outcomes among U.S. bronchiectasis and NTM research registry patients. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. Accepted manuscript. Published online April 26, 2024.
5. Dean SG, Blakney RA, Ricotta EE, et al. Bronchiectasis-associated infections and outcomes in a large, geographically diverse electronic health record cohort in the United States. BMC Pulm Med. 2024;24(1):172. doi: 10.1186/s12890-024-02973-3
6. Chalmers JD, Polverino E, Crichton ML, et al. Bronchiectasis in Europe: data on disease characteristics from the European Bronchiectasis registry (EMBARC). Lancet Respir Med. 2023;11(7):637-649. doi: 10.1016/S2213-2600(23)00093-0
7. Polverino E, Goeminne PC, McDonnell MJ, et al. European Respiratory Society guidelines for the management of adult bronchiectasis. Eur Respir J. 2017;50(3):1700629. doi: 10.1183/13993003.00629-2017
8. Martínez-García MÁ, Máiz L, Olveira C, et al. Spanish guidelines on treatment of bronchiectasis in adults. Arch Bronconeumol. 2018;54(2):88-98. doi: 10.1016/j.arbres.2017.07.016
9. Hill AT, Sullivan AL, Chalmers JD, et al. British Thoracic Society guideline for bronchiectasis in adults. Thorax. 2019;74(Suppl 1):1-69. doi: 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2018-212463
10. Goolam Mahomed A, Maasdorp SD, Barnes R, et al. South African Thoracic Society position statement on the management of non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis in adults: 2023. Afr J Thorac Crit Care Med. 2023;29(2):10.7196/AJTCCM. 2023.v29i2.647. doi: 10.7196/AJTCCM.2023.v29i2.647
11. Brodt AM, Stovold E, Zhang L. Inhaled antibiotics for stable non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis: a systematic review. Eur Respir J. 2014;44(2):382-393. doi: 10.1183/09031936.00018414
12. Conceição M, Shteinberg M, Goeminne P, Altenburg J, Chalmers JD. Eradication treatment for Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in adults with bronchiectasis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur Respir Rev. 2024;33(171):230178. doi: 10.1183/16000617.0178-2023
13. Hilliam Y, Moore MP, Lamont IL, et al. Pseudomonas aeruginosa adaptation and diversification in the non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis lung. Eur Respir J. 2017;49(4):1602108. doi: 10.1183/13993003.02108-2016
14. Gramegna A, Kumar Narayana J, Amati F, et al. Microbial inflammatory networks in bronchiectasis exacerbators with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Chest. 2023;164(1):65-68. doi: 10.1016/j.chest.2023.02.014
Sleep and athletic performance
Sleep Medicine Network
Respiratory-Related Sleep Disorders Section
Considering the recent Olympics, it is timely to review the importance of sleep for optimal athletic performance. When surveyed, 20% to 50% of athletes report poor or insufficient sleep, with consequences across four categories.1,2
Athletic performance: Objective measures of athletic performance, such as oxygen-carrying capacity during cardiopulmonary exercise and even sport-specific accuracy measures, like shooting percentage in basketball, have been shown to worsen with decreased sleep.
Decision-making: Insufficient sleep can impact split-second decisions in competition. In a study of male soccer players, sleep restriction negatively impacted perceptual abilities and reaction time. Traveling across time zones also appears to degrade performance; NBA players’ free-throw shooting worsens when they are jet-lagged.
Recovery and injury prevention: Getting less than eight hours of sleep may increase one’s chances of injury during performance. Sleepiness and insomnia are both independent risk factors for developing a concussion in college athletes and outperform more intuitive risk factors such as a history of prior concussion or participating in a high-risk sport. Impaired sleep directly alters secretion of growth hormone, cortisol, and proinflammatory cytokines—all of which can hinder recovery.
Mental health: Over a third of elite athletes are estimated to experience a mental health problem. A clear bidirectional relationship exists between mental health and sleep health, with important implications not only for optimal competitive mindset but also longevity and success over one’s career.
Although much of clinical sleep medicine focuses on pathology, we can also help our patients reach their athletic goals by strategizing ways to prioritize and improve sleep.
References
1. Cook JD, Charest J. Sleep and performance in professional athletes. Curr Sleep Med Rep. 2023;9(1):56-81.
2. Charest J, Grandner MA. Sleep and athletic performance: impacts on physical performance, mental performance, injury risk and recovery, and mental health. Sleep Med Clin. 2020;15(1):41-57.
Sleep Medicine Network
Respiratory-Related Sleep Disorders Section
Considering the recent Olympics, it is timely to review the importance of sleep for optimal athletic performance. When surveyed, 20% to 50% of athletes report poor or insufficient sleep, with consequences across four categories.1,2
Athletic performance: Objective measures of athletic performance, such as oxygen-carrying capacity during cardiopulmonary exercise and even sport-specific accuracy measures, like shooting percentage in basketball, have been shown to worsen with decreased sleep.
Decision-making: Insufficient sleep can impact split-second decisions in competition. In a study of male soccer players, sleep restriction negatively impacted perceptual abilities and reaction time. Traveling across time zones also appears to degrade performance; NBA players’ free-throw shooting worsens when they are jet-lagged.
Recovery and injury prevention: Getting less than eight hours of sleep may increase one’s chances of injury during performance. Sleepiness and insomnia are both independent risk factors for developing a concussion in college athletes and outperform more intuitive risk factors such as a history of prior concussion or participating in a high-risk sport. Impaired sleep directly alters secretion of growth hormone, cortisol, and proinflammatory cytokines—all of which can hinder recovery.
Mental health: Over a third of elite athletes are estimated to experience a mental health problem. A clear bidirectional relationship exists between mental health and sleep health, with important implications not only for optimal competitive mindset but also longevity and success over one’s career.
Although much of clinical sleep medicine focuses on pathology, we can also help our patients reach their athletic goals by strategizing ways to prioritize and improve sleep.
References
1. Cook JD, Charest J. Sleep and performance in professional athletes. Curr Sleep Med Rep. 2023;9(1):56-81.
2. Charest J, Grandner MA. Sleep and athletic performance: impacts on physical performance, mental performance, injury risk and recovery, and mental health. Sleep Med Clin. 2020;15(1):41-57.
Sleep Medicine Network
Respiratory-Related Sleep Disorders Section
Considering the recent Olympics, it is timely to review the importance of sleep for optimal athletic performance. When surveyed, 20% to 50% of athletes report poor or insufficient sleep, with consequences across four categories.1,2
Athletic performance: Objective measures of athletic performance, such as oxygen-carrying capacity during cardiopulmonary exercise and even sport-specific accuracy measures, like shooting percentage in basketball, have been shown to worsen with decreased sleep.
Decision-making: Insufficient sleep can impact split-second decisions in competition. In a study of male soccer players, sleep restriction negatively impacted perceptual abilities and reaction time. Traveling across time zones also appears to degrade performance; NBA players’ free-throw shooting worsens when they are jet-lagged.
Recovery and injury prevention: Getting less than eight hours of sleep may increase one’s chances of injury during performance. Sleepiness and insomnia are both independent risk factors for developing a concussion in college athletes and outperform more intuitive risk factors such as a history of prior concussion or participating in a high-risk sport. Impaired sleep directly alters secretion of growth hormone, cortisol, and proinflammatory cytokines—all of which can hinder recovery.
Mental health: Over a third of elite athletes are estimated to experience a mental health problem. A clear bidirectional relationship exists between mental health and sleep health, with important implications not only for optimal competitive mindset but also longevity and success over one’s career.
Although much of clinical sleep medicine focuses on pathology, we can also help our patients reach their athletic goals by strategizing ways to prioritize and improve sleep.
References
1. Cook JD, Charest J. Sleep and performance in professional athletes. Curr Sleep Med Rep. 2023;9(1):56-81.
2. Charest J, Grandner MA. Sleep and athletic performance: impacts on physical performance, mental performance, injury risk and recovery, and mental health. Sleep Med Clin. 2020;15(1):41-57.
The gas stove: Friend or foe?
Diffuse Lung Disease and Lung Transplant Network
Occupational and Environmental Health Section
The kitchen is considered the heart of the home, but recent discoveries have raised concerns about whether this beloved space might also pose hidden health risks. Gas stoves, present in 38% of U.S. homes, generate multiple pollutants including nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), a known respiratory irritant.1 Studies have identified a correlation between NO₂ levels and respiratory conditions, with children being particularly vulnerable.2 The association between domestic NO₂ exposure from gas stoves and conditions such as asthma has led to increased scrutiny of indoor air quality.
Studies have demonstrated that households using gas stoves have higher indoor NO₂ levels, with levels that far exceed the EPA national ambient air quality standards.3 While the predominance of studies have looked at a correlation with pediatric pulmonary processes, there is also evidence of increased lung function loss in patients who smoke and have COPD.4
Switching from gas to electric stoves is one proposed solution to mitigate exposure to NO₂. Evidence suggests that electric stoves significantly reduce indoor NO₂ levels, lowering the risk of respiratory illnesses.
Another proposed solution has been to utilize hoods; however, capture efficiency is variable and some recycle the air and return it indoors.5 While existing data indicates a connection between gas stove use and respiratory health risks, conclusive evidence examining the magnitude and mechanisms linking these factors to chronic lung diseases is still needed. Comprehensive studies will help determine whether the kitchen staple—a gas stove—is indeed a friend or a foe to our respiratory health.
References
1. U.S. Energy Information Administration, Appliances in U.S. homes, by household income, 2020. https://www.eia.gov/consumption/residential/data/2020/hc/pdf/HC%203.5.pdf. Accessed September 10, 2024.
2. Belanger K, Holford TR, Gent JF, Hill ME, Kezik JM, Leaderer BP. Household levels of nitrogen dioxide and pediatric asthma severity. Epidemiology. 2013;24(2):320-330.
3. Singer BC, Pass RZ, Delp WW, Lorenzetti DM, Maddalena RL. Pollutant concentrations and emission rates from natural gas cooking burners without and with range hood exhaust in nine California homes. Building and Environment. 2017;122:215-229.
4. Hansel NN, Woo H, Koehler K, et al. Indoor pollution and lung function decline in current and former smokers: SPIROMICS AIR. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2023;208(10):1042-1051.
5. Nassikas NJ, McCormack MC, Ewart G, et al. Indoor air sources of outdoor air pollution: health consequences, policy, and recommendations: an Official American Thoracic Society Workshop report. Ann Am Thorac Soc. 2024;21(3), 365-376.
Diffuse Lung Disease and Lung Transplant Network
Occupational and Environmental Health Section
The kitchen is considered the heart of the home, but recent discoveries have raised concerns about whether this beloved space might also pose hidden health risks. Gas stoves, present in 38% of U.S. homes, generate multiple pollutants including nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), a known respiratory irritant.1 Studies have identified a correlation between NO₂ levels and respiratory conditions, with children being particularly vulnerable.2 The association between domestic NO₂ exposure from gas stoves and conditions such as asthma has led to increased scrutiny of indoor air quality.
Studies have demonstrated that households using gas stoves have higher indoor NO₂ levels, with levels that far exceed the EPA national ambient air quality standards.3 While the predominance of studies have looked at a correlation with pediatric pulmonary processes, there is also evidence of increased lung function loss in patients who smoke and have COPD.4
Switching from gas to electric stoves is one proposed solution to mitigate exposure to NO₂. Evidence suggests that electric stoves significantly reduce indoor NO₂ levels, lowering the risk of respiratory illnesses.
Another proposed solution has been to utilize hoods; however, capture efficiency is variable and some recycle the air and return it indoors.5 While existing data indicates a connection between gas stove use and respiratory health risks, conclusive evidence examining the magnitude and mechanisms linking these factors to chronic lung diseases is still needed. Comprehensive studies will help determine whether the kitchen staple—a gas stove—is indeed a friend or a foe to our respiratory health.
References
1. U.S. Energy Information Administration, Appliances in U.S. homes, by household income, 2020. https://www.eia.gov/consumption/residential/data/2020/hc/pdf/HC%203.5.pdf. Accessed September 10, 2024.
2. Belanger K, Holford TR, Gent JF, Hill ME, Kezik JM, Leaderer BP. Household levels of nitrogen dioxide and pediatric asthma severity. Epidemiology. 2013;24(2):320-330.
3. Singer BC, Pass RZ, Delp WW, Lorenzetti DM, Maddalena RL. Pollutant concentrations and emission rates from natural gas cooking burners without and with range hood exhaust in nine California homes. Building and Environment. 2017;122:215-229.
4. Hansel NN, Woo H, Koehler K, et al. Indoor pollution and lung function decline in current and former smokers: SPIROMICS AIR. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2023;208(10):1042-1051.
5. Nassikas NJ, McCormack MC, Ewart G, et al. Indoor air sources of outdoor air pollution: health consequences, policy, and recommendations: an Official American Thoracic Society Workshop report. Ann Am Thorac Soc. 2024;21(3), 365-376.
Diffuse Lung Disease and Lung Transplant Network
Occupational and Environmental Health Section
The kitchen is considered the heart of the home, but recent discoveries have raised concerns about whether this beloved space might also pose hidden health risks. Gas stoves, present in 38% of U.S. homes, generate multiple pollutants including nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), a known respiratory irritant.1 Studies have identified a correlation between NO₂ levels and respiratory conditions, with children being particularly vulnerable.2 The association between domestic NO₂ exposure from gas stoves and conditions such as asthma has led to increased scrutiny of indoor air quality.
Studies have demonstrated that households using gas stoves have higher indoor NO₂ levels, with levels that far exceed the EPA national ambient air quality standards.3 While the predominance of studies have looked at a correlation with pediatric pulmonary processes, there is also evidence of increased lung function loss in patients who smoke and have COPD.4
Switching from gas to electric stoves is one proposed solution to mitigate exposure to NO₂. Evidence suggests that electric stoves significantly reduce indoor NO₂ levels, lowering the risk of respiratory illnesses.
Another proposed solution has been to utilize hoods; however, capture efficiency is variable and some recycle the air and return it indoors.5 While existing data indicates a connection between gas stove use and respiratory health risks, conclusive evidence examining the magnitude and mechanisms linking these factors to chronic lung diseases is still needed. Comprehensive studies will help determine whether the kitchen staple—a gas stove—is indeed a friend or a foe to our respiratory health.
References
1. U.S. Energy Information Administration, Appliances in U.S. homes, by household income, 2020. https://www.eia.gov/consumption/residential/data/2020/hc/pdf/HC%203.5.pdf. Accessed September 10, 2024.
2. Belanger K, Holford TR, Gent JF, Hill ME, Kezik JM, Leaderer BP. Household levels of nitrogen dioxide and pediatric asthma severity. Epidemiology. 2013;24(2):320-330.
3. Singer BC, Pass RZ, Delp WW, Lorenzetti DM, Maddalena RL. Pollutant concentrations and emission rates from natural gas cooking burners without and with range hood exhaust in nine California homes. Building and Environment. 2017;122:215-229.
4. Hansel NN, Woo H, Koehler K, et al. Indoor pollution and lung function decline in current and former smokers: SPIROMICS AIR. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2023;208(10):1042-1051.
5. Nassikas NJ, McCormack MC, Ewart G, et al. Indoor air sources of outdoor air pollution: health consequences, policy, and recommendations: an Official American Thoracic Society Workshop report. Ann Am Thorac Soc. 2024;21(3), 365-376.
Prediction models in sepsis
Critical Care Network
Sepsis/Shock Section
Early recognition is the linchpin of sepsis management, as mortality from sepsis increases by 4% to 9% for every hour that diagnosis and treatment are delayed.1,2 Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are increasingly featured in discussions and publications about sepsis care. Already ML models are embedded in electronic medical records (EMR), driving best-practice advisories that are presented to users.3 Epic, the EMR that serves over half of patients in the US, offers its own proprietary cognitive computing model for early detection.
As ML permeates the critical care space, it is increasingly important that clinicians understand the limitations of these models. Recently Kamran et al (NEJM AI) evaluated the Epic sepsis model with disappointing results after excluding cases already recognized by clinicians. The model achieved a positive predictive value of 5%, and 80% of high-risk sepsis cases were missed.3
An application study by Lilly et al (CHEST) showed that an ML model for clinically actionable events was more accurate with less alarm burden when compared to biomedical monitor alarms or telemedicine systems.4 The clinical utility of this model, however, remains questionable; presumably by the time a patient monitor has alarmed, the term “early recognition” can no longer be applied. In this study a significantly elevated false-positive rate required clinicians to review all cases prior to action.
ML models seem to offer incredible potential to clinicians. How they fit into current practice, however, deserves careful consideration. It may be that we just are not there yet.
References
1. Sepsis Alliance. (2024, June 19). Septic shock. 2024. https://www.sepsis.org/sepsisand/septic-shock/. Accessed September 10, 2024.
2. Djikic M, Milenkovic M, Stojadinovic M, et al. The six scoring systems’ prognostic value in predicting 24-hour mortality in septic patients. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2024;28(12):3849-3859.
3. Kamran F, Tjandra D, Heiler A, et al. Evaluation of sepsis prediction models before onset of treatment. NEJM AI. 2024.
4. Lilly CM, Kirk D, Pessach IM, et al. Application of machine learning models to biomedical and information system signals from critically ill adults. CHEST. 2024;165(5):1139-1148.
Critical Care Network
Sepsis/Shock Section
Early recognition is the linchpin of sepsis management, as mortality from sepsis increases by 4% to 9% for every hour that diagnosis and treatment are delayed.1,2 Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are increasingly featured in discussions and publications about sepsis care. Already ML models are embedded in electronic medical records (EMR), driving best-practice advisories that are presented to users.3 Epic, the EMR that serves over half of patients in the US, offers its own proprietary cognitive computing model for early detection.
As ML permeates the critical care space, it is increasingly important that clinicians understand the limitations of these models. Recently Kamran et al (NEJM AI) evaluated the Epic sepsis model with disappointing results after excluding cases already recognized by clinicians. The model achieved a positive predictive value of 5%, and 80% of high-risk sepsis cases were missed.3
An application study by Lilly et al (CHEST) showed that an ML model for clinically actionable events was more accurate with less alarm burden when compared to biomedical monitor alarms or telemedicine systems.4 The clinical utility of this model, however, remains questionable; presumably by the time a patient monitor has alarmed, the term “early recognition” can no longer be applied. In this study a significantly elevated false-positive rate required clinicians to review all cases prior to action.
ML models seem to offer incredible potential to clinicians. How they fit into current practice, however, deserves careful consideration. It may be that we just are not there yet.
References
1. Sepsis Alliance. (2024, June 19). Septic shock. 2024. https://www.sepsis.org/sepsisand/septic-shock/. Accessed September 10, 2024.
2. Djikic M, Milenkovic M, Stojadinovic M, et al. The six scoring systems’ prognostic value in predicting 24-hour mortality in septic patients. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2024;28(12):3849-3859.
3. Kamran F, Tjandra D, Heiler A, et al. Evaluation of sepsis prediction models before onset of treatment. NEJM AI. 2024.
4. Lilly CM, Kirk D, Pessach IM, et al. Application of machine learning models to biomedical and information system signals from critically ill adults. CHEST. 2024;165(5):1139-1148.
Critical Care Network
Sepsis/Shock Section
Early recognition is the linchpin of sepsis management, as mortality from sepsis increases by 4% to 9% for every hour that diagnosis and treatment are delayed.1,2 Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are increasingly featured in discussions and publications about sepsis care. Already ML models are embedded in electronic medical records (EMR), driving best-practice advisories that are presented to users.3 Epic, the EMR that serves over half of patients in the US, offers its own proprietary cognitive computing model for early detection.
As ML permeates the critical care space, it is increasingly important that clinicians understand the limitations of these models. Recently Kamran et al (NEJM AI) evaluated the Epic sepsis model with disappointing results after excluding cases already recognized by clinicians. The model achieved a positive predictive value of 5%, and 80% of high-risk sepsis cases were missed.3
An application study by Lilly et al (CHEST) showed that an ML model for clinically actionable events was more accurate with less alarm burden when compared to biomedical monitor alarms or telemedicine systems.4 The clinical utility of this model, however, remains questionable; presumably by the time a patient monitor has alarmed, the term “early recognition” can no longer be applied. In this study a significantly elevated false-positive rate required clinicians to review all cases prior to action.
ML models seem to offer incredible potential to clinicians. How they fit into current practice, however, deserves careful consideration. It may be that we just are not there yet.
References
1. Sepsis Alliance. (2024, June 19). Septic shock. 2024. https://www.sepsis.org/sepsisand/septic-shock/. Accessed September 10, 2024.
2. Djikic M, Milenkovic M, Stojadinovic M, et al. The six scoring systems’ prognostic value in predicting 24-hour mortality in septic patients. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2024;28(12):3849-3859.
3. Kamran F, Tjandra D, Heiler A, et al. Evaluation of sepsis prediction models before onset of treatment. NEJM AI. 2024.
4. Lilly CM, Kirk D, Pessach IM, et al. Application of machine learning models to biomedical and information system signals from critically ill adults. CHEST. 2024;165(5):1139-1148.
Lung ultrasound: An indispensable yet underutilized tool
Thoracic Oncology and Chest Procedures Network
Ultrasound and Chest Imaging Section
An assessment using bedside thoracic ultrasound (TUS) improves diagnostic evaluation and therapeutic management in critically ill patients without undue risk. With changes in diagnosis occurring in 23% of cases and alterations in management in 39% of critically ill patients, TUS can improve length of stay, reduce complications, minimize delays in therapy, and lower hospitalization costs.1 Compared with its cardiac counterpart, attaining proficiency in lung ultrasound (LUS) is easier.2 Intensivists are at risk of forgoing mastering LUS in favor of developing more difficult skills. Proficiency in LUS is essential, as more than half of TUS evaluations are for respiratory complaints and most findings are pulmonary.1
A quick bedside assessment outperforms chest radiographs and available clinical scores in distinguishing pneumonia from atelectasis. The presence of dynamic air bronchograms within the consolidation is 45% sensitive and 99% specific for pneumonia over atelectasis.3 When air bronchograms are static, the presence of flow on color Doppler is 98% sensitive and 68% specific for pneumonia over atelectasis. Similarly, a closer look at the pleural lining shows more than the presence or absence of lung sliding. The presence of fragmentation, irregularity, or thickening of pleural lines provides 100% specificity in discriminating a noncardiogenic interstitial pathology from cardiogenic pulmonary edema.4
LUS is the workhorse and unsung hero of point-of-care ultrasound. In the last year, LUS has shown utility beyond evaluation for pneumothorax, pulmonary edema, and pleural effusion. Its potential impact on diagnosis and management is still growing. We just need to take a closer look.
References
1. Heldeweg M, Lopez Matta JE, Pisani L, Slot S. The impact of thoracic ultrasound on clinical management of critically ill patients (UltraMan): an international prospective observational study. Crit Care Med. 2023;51:357-364.
2. Kraaijenbrink BVC, Mousa A, Bos LD, et al. Defining basic (lung) ultrasound skills: not so basic after all? Intensive Care Med. 2022;48:628–629.
3. Haaksma M, Smit J, Heldeweg M, Nooitgedacht J, de Grooth H. Extended lung ultrasound to differentiate between pneumonia and atelectasis in critically ill patients: a diagnostic accuracy study. Crit Care Med. 2022;50:750-759.
4. Heldeweg M, Smit M, Kramer-Elliott S, et al. Lung ultrasound signs to diagnose and discriminate interstitial syndromes in ICU patients: a diagnostic accuracy study in two cohorts. Crit Care Med. 2022;50(11):1607-1617.
Thoracic Oncology and Chest Procedures Network
Ultrasound and Chest Imaging Section
An assessment using bedside thoracic ultrasound (TUS) improves diagnostic evaluation and therapeutic management in critically ill patients without undue risk. With changes in diagnosis occurring in 23% of cases and alterations in management in 39% of critically ill patients, TUS can improve length of stay, reduce complications, minimize delays in therapy, and lower hospitalization costs.1 Compared with its cardiac counterpart, attaining proficiency in lung ultrasound (LUS) is easier.2 Intensivists are at risk of forgoing mastering LUS in favor of developing more difficult skills. Proficiency in LUS is essential, as more than half of TUS evaluations are for respiratory complaints and most findings are pulmonary.1
A quick bedside assessment outperforms chest radiographs and available clinical scores in distinguishing pneumonia from atelectasis. The presence of dynamic air bronchograms within the consolidation is 45% sensitive and 99% specific for pneumonia over atelectasis.3 When air bronchograms are static, the presence of flow on color Doppler is 98% sensitive and 68% specific for pneumonia over atelectasis. Similarly, a closer look at the pleural lining shows more than the presence or absence of lung sliding. The presence of fragmentation, irregularity, or thickening of pleural lines provides 100% specificity in discriminating a noncardiogenic interstitial pathology from cardiogenic pulmonary edema.4
LUS is the workhorse and unsung hero of point-of-care ultrasound. In the last year, LUS has shown utility beyond evaluation for pneumothorax, pulmonary edema, and pleural effusion. Its potential impact on diagnosis and management is still growing. We just need to take a closer look.
References
1. Heldeweg M, Lopez Matta JE, Pisani L, Slot S. The impact of thoracic ultrasound on clinical management of critically ill patients (UltraMan): an international prospective observational study. Crit Care Med. 2023;51:357-364.
2. Kraaijenbrink BVC, Mousa A, Bos LD, et al. Defining basic (lung) ultrasound skills: not so basic after all? Intensive Care Med. 2022;48:628–629.
3. Haaksma M, Smit J, Heldeweg M, Nooitgedacht J, de Grooth H. Extended lung ultrasound to differentiate between pneumonia and atelectasis in critically ill patients: a diagnostic accuracy study. Crit Care Med. 2022;50:750-759.
4. Heldeweg M, Smit M, Kramer-Elliott S, et al. Lung ultrasound signs to diagnose and discriminate interstitial syndromes in ICU patients: a diagnostic accuracy study in two cohorts. Crit Care Med. 2022;50(11):1607-1617.
Thoracic Oncology and Chest Procedures Network
Ultrasound and Chest Imaging Section
An assessment using bedside thoracic ultrasound (TUS) improves diagnostic evaluation and therapeutic management in critically ill patients without undue risk. With changes in diagnosis occurring in 23% of cases and alterations in management in 39% of critically ill patients, TUS can improve length of stay, reduce complications, minimize delays in therapy, and lower hospitalization costs.1 Compared with its cardiac counterpart, attaining proficiency in lung ultrasound (LUS) is easier.2 Intensivists are at risk of forgoing mastering LUS in favor of developing more difficult skills. Proficiency in LUS is essential, as more than half of TUS evaluations are for respiratory complaints and most findings are pulmonary.1
A quick bedside assessment outperforms chest radiographs and available clinical scores in distinguishing pneumonia from atelectasis. The presence of dynamic air bronchograms within the consolidation is 45% sensitive and 99% specific for pneumonia over atelectasis.3 When air bronchograms are static, the presence of flow on color Doppler is 98% sensitive and 68% specific for pneumonia over atelectasis. Similarly, a closer look at the pleural lining shows more than the presence or absence of lung sliding. The presence of fragmentation, irregularity, or thickening of pleural lines provides 100% specificity in discriminating a noncardiogenic interstitial pathology from cardiogenic pulmonary edema.4
LUS is the workhorse and unsung hero of point-of-care ultrasound. In the last year, LUS has shown utility beyond evaluation for pneumothorax, pulmonary edema, and pleural effusion. Its potential impact on diagnosis and management is still growing. We just need to take a closer look.
References
1. Heldeweg M, Lopez Matta JE, Pisani L, Slot S. The impact of thoracic ultrasound on clinical management of critically ill patients (UltraMan): an international prospective observational study. Crit Care Med. 2023;51:357-364.
2. Kraaijenbrink BVC, Mousa A, Bos LD, et al. Defining basic (lung) ultrasound skills: not so basic after all? Intensive Care Med. 2022;48:628–629.
3. Haaksma M, Smit J, Heldeweg M, Nooitgedacht J, de Grooth H. Extended lung ultrasound to differentiate between pneumonia and atelectasis in critically ill patients: a diagnostic accuracy study. Crit Care Med. 2022;50:750-759.
4. Heldeweg M, Smit M, Kramer-Elliott S, et al. Lung ultrasound signs to diagnose and discriminate interstitial syndromes in ICU patients: a diagnostic accuracy study in two cohorts. Crit Care Med. 2022;50(11):1607-1617.
2025 Crohn’s & Colitis Congress® Abstract Submissions
The 2025 Crohn’s & Colitis Congress®, a partnership of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation and AGA, is now accepting original inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)-research abstract submissions through Oct. 16. Abstracts are free to submit and may be selected for in-person lectures or poster presentations. Accepted abstracts will also be co-published in AGA’s Gastroenterology (https://www.gastrojournal.org/) and the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation’s Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (https://academic.oup.com/ibdjournal).
Be sure to review the abstract submission guidelines and submit by 9 p.m. EDT, Wednesday, Oct. 16.
Presenting authors will receive notification of acceptance on Monday, Dec. 9.
The Crohn’s & Colitis Congress will take place Feb. 6-8, 2025, in San Francisco, California. It brings together the community of multidisciplinary experts and colleagues to revolutionize prevention, care and outcomes for IBD patients.
Learn alongside your colleagues and discover how to provide the absolute best care to those suffering with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
The 2025 Crohn’s & Colitis Congress®, a partnership of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation and AGA, is now accepting original inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)-research abstract submissions through Oct. 16. Abstracts are free to submit and may be selected for in-person lectures or poster presentations. Accepted abstracts will also be co-published in AGA’s Gastroenterology (https://www.gastrojournal.org/) and the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation’s Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (https://academic.oup.com/ibdjournal).
Be sure to review the abstract submission guidelines and submit by 9 p.m. EDT, Wednesday, Oct. 16.
Presenting authors will receive notification of acceptance on Monday, Dec. 9.
The Crohn’s & Colitis Congress will take place Feb. 6-8, 2025, in San Francisco, California. It brings together the community of multidisciplinary experts and colleagues to revolutionize prevention, care and outcomes for IBD patients.
Learn alongside your colleagues and discover how to provide the absolute best care to those suffering with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
The 2025 Crohn’s & Colitis Congress®, a partnership of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation and AGA, is now accepting original inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)-research abstract submissions through Oct. 16. Abstracts are free to submit and may be selected for in-person lectures or poster presentations. Accepted abstracts will also be co-published in AGA’s Gastroenterology (https://www.gastrojournal.org/) and the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation’s Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (https://academic.oup.com/ibdjournal).
Be sure to review the abstract submission guidelines and submit by 9 p.m. EDT, Wednesday, Oct. 16.
Presenting authors will receive notification of acceptance on Monday, Dec. 9.
The Crohn’s & Colitis Congress will take place Feb. 6-8, 2025, in San Francisco, California. It brings together the community of multidisciplinary experts and colleagues to revolutionize prevention, care and outcomes for IBD patients.
Learn alongside your colleagues and discover how to provide the absolute best care to those suffering with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Meet Our 10 Editorial Fellows
We are excited to announce the 2024-25 participants, who will gain hands-on experience and mentorship working closely with the editors and staff at the AGA journals over the next year.
The 10 editorial fellows (2 per journal) will learn about the entire editorial process, from manuscript submission to peer review to acceptance. They will participate in discussions and conferences with the boards of editors, assist with manuscript review, and help disseminate articles via their social media platforms.
Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Robyn Jordan, MD, MPH
Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore | USA
Daryl Ramai, MD, MPH, MSc
Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston | USA
Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Kole H. Buckley, PhD
University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia | USA
Lin Y. Hung, PhD
New York University | USA
Gastroenterology
Corey J. Ketchem, MD
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia | USA
Rishad Khan, MD
University of Toronto | Canada
Gastro Hep Advances
Sasha Kapil, MD
UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas | USA
June Tome, MD
Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota | USA
Techniques and Innovations in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
Thomas Enke, MD
University of Colorado, Aurora | USA
Sami Elamin, MD
Harvard, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston | USA
We are excited to announce the 2024-25 participants, who will gain hands-on experience and mentorship working closely with the editors and staff at the AGA journals over the next year.
The 10 editorial fellows (2 per journal) will learn about the entire editorial process, from manuscript submission to peer review to acceptance. They will participate in discussions and conferences with the boards of editors, assist with manuscript review, and help disseminate articles via their social media platforms.
Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Robyn Jordan, MD, MPH
Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore | USA
Daryl Ramai, MD, MPH, MSc
Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston | USA
Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Kole H. Buckley, PhD
University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia | USA
Lin Y. Hung, PhD
New York University | USA
Gastroenterology
Corey J. Ketchem, MD
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia | USA
Rishad Khan, MD
University of Toronto | Canada
Gastro Hep Advances
Sasha Kapil, MD
UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas | USA
June Tome, MD
Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota | USA
Techniques and Innovations in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
Thomas Enke, MD
University of Colorado, Aurora | USA
Sami Elamin, MD
Harvard, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston | USA
We are excited to announce the 2024-25 participants, who will gain hands-on experience and mentorship working closely with the editors and staff at the AGA journals over the next year.
The 10 editorial fellows (2 per journal) will learn about the entire editorial process, from manuscript submission to peer review to acceptance. They will participate in discussions and conferences with the boards of editors, assist with manuscript review, and help disseminate articles via their social media platforms.
Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Robyn Jordan, MD, MPH
Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore | USA
Daryl Ramai, MD, MPH, MSc
Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston | USA
Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Kole H. Buckley, PhD
University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia | USA
Lin Y. Hung, PhD
New York University | USA
Gastroenterology
Corey J. Ketchem, MD
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia | USA
Rishad Khan, MD
University of Toronto | Canada
Gastro Hep Advances
Sasha Kapil, MD
UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas | USA
June Tome, MD
Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota | USA
Techniques and Innovations in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
Thomas Enke, MD
University of Colorado, Aurora | USA
Sami Elamin, MD
Harvard, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston | USA
Creating a Planned Gift That’s Meaningful To You
The AGA Research Foundation has helped make significant strides in advancing the treatment and cure of digestive diseases by funding talented investigators.
Planning your gift to benefit AGA Research Foundation in the future is an opportunity to express what matters to you. As an AGA member, you can work with the AGA Research Foundation to ensure that your planned gift is designated for a purpose that meets your goals for leaving a legacy—such as research awards, support for specific programs, or unrestricted gifts to help meet the Foundation’s mission.
In as little as one sentence in your will and/or trust, you can complete your gift: “I give to AGA Research Foundation, a nonprofit corporation currently located at 4930 Del Ray Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814, or its successor thereto, _________ [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted charitable use and purpose.”
If you have named the AGA Research Foundation in your will or trust, please let us know so we can ensure that your gift is used according to your wishes. Notifying us of your plans will enable us to plan for the use of your future gift. However, if you prefer to remain anonymous, we will keep your name and gift in strict confidence.
Please contact [email protected] for more information. If you are considering a planned gift, consult with your own legal and tax advisors.
The AGA Research Foundation has helped make significant strides in advancing the treatment and cure of digestive diseases by funding talented investigators.
Planning your gift to benefit AGA Research Foundation in the future is an opportunity to express what matters to you. As an AGA member, you can work with the AGA Research Foundation to ensure that your planned gift is designated for a purpose that meets your goals for leaving a legacy—such as research awards, support for specific programs, or unrestricted gifts to help meet the Foundation’s mission.
In as little as one sentence in your will and/or trust, you can complete your gift: “I give to AGA Research Foundation, a nonprofit corporation currently located at 4930 Del Ray Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814, or its successor thereto, _________ [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted charitable use and purpose.”
If you have named the AGA Research Foundation in your will or trust, please let us know so we can ensure that your gift is used according to your wishes. Notifying us of your plans will enable us to plan for the use of your future gift. However, if you prefer to remain anonymous, we will keep your name and gift in strict confidence.
Please contact [email protected] for more information. If you are considering a planned gift, consult with your own legal and tax advisors.
The AGA Research Foundation has helped make significant strides in advancing the treatment and cure of digestive diseases by funding talented investigators.
Planning your gift to benefit AGA Research Foundation in the future is an opportunity to express what matters to you. As an AGA member, you can work with the AGA Research Foundation to ensure that your planned gift is designated for a purpose that meets your goals for leaving a legacy—such as research awards, support for specific programs, or unrestricted gifts to help meet the Foundation’s mission.
In as little as one sentence in your will and/or trust, you can complete your gift: “I give to AGA Research Foundation, a nonprofit corporation currently located at 4930 Del Ray Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814, or its successor thereto, _________ [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted charitable use and purpose.”
If you have named the AGA Research Foundation in your will or trust, please let us know so we can ensure that your gift is used according to your wishes. Notifying us of your plans will enable us to plan for the use of your future gift. However, if you prefer to remain anonymous, we will keep your name and gift in strict confidence.
Please contact [email protected] for more information. If you are considering a planned gift, consult with your own legal and tax advisors.
Hospital to home tracheostomy care
SLEEP MEDICINE NETWORK
Home-Based Mechanical Ventilation and Neuromuscular Section
Technological improvement has enhanced our ability to support these patients with complex conditions in their home settings. However, clinical practice guidelines are lacking, and current practice relies on a consensus of expert opinions.1-3
Once a patient who has had a tracheostomy begins transitioning care to home, identifying caregivers is vital.
Caregivers need to be educated on daily tracheostomy care, airway clearance, and ventilator management.
Protocols to standardize this transition, such as the “Trach Trail” protocol, help reduce ICU readmissions with new tracheostomies (P = .05), eliminate predischarge mortality (P = .05), and may decrease ICU length of stay (P = 0.72).4 Standardized protocols for aspects of tracheostomy care, such as the “Go-Bag” from Boston Children’s Hospital, ensure that a consistent approach keeps providers, families, and patients familiar with their equipment and safety procedures, improving outcomes and decreasing tracheostomy-related adverse events.4-6
Understanding the landscape surrounding which equipment companies have trained field respiratory therapists is crucial. Airway clearance is key to improving ventilation and oxygenation and maintaining tracheostomy patency. Knowing the types of airway clearance modalities used for each patient remains critical.
Trach care may look substantially different for some populations, like patients in the neonatal ICU. Trach changes may happen more frequently. Speaking valve times may be gradually increased while planning for possible decannulation. Skin care involving granulation tissue and stoma complications is particularly important for this population. Active infants need well-fitting trach ties to balance enough support to maintain their trach without causing skin breakdown or discomfort. Securing the trach to prevent pulling or dislodgement as infants become more active is crucial as developmental milestones are achieved.
We hope national societies prioritize standardizing care for this vulnerable population while promoting additional high-quality, patient-centered outcomes in research studies. Implementation strategies to promote interprofessional teams to enhance education, communication, and outcomes will reduce health care disparities.
References
1. Am J Respir Crit Care Med Vol 161. pp Sherman JM, Davis S, Albamonte-Petrick S, et al. Care of the child with a chronic tracheostomy. This official statement of the American Thoracic Society was adopted by the ATS Board of Directors, July 1999. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2000;161(1):297-308. doi: 10.1164/ajrccm.161.1.ats1-00 297-308, 2000
2. Mitchell RB, Hussey HM, Setzen G, et al. Clinical consensus statement: tracheostomy care. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2013;148(1):6-20. Preprint. Posted online September 18, 2012. PMID: 22990518. doi: 10.1177/0194599812460376
3. Sterni LM, Collaco JM, Baker CD, et al; ATS Pediatric Chronic Home Ventilation Workgroup. An official American Thoracic Society clinical practice guideline: pediatric chronic home invasive ventilation. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2016;193(8):e16-35. PMID: 27082538; PMCID: PMC5439679. doi: 10.1164/rccm.201602-0276ST
4. Cherney RL, Pandian V, Ninan A, et al. The Trach Trail: a systems-based pathway to improve quality of tracheostomy care and interdisciplinary collaboration. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2020;163(2):232-243. doi: 10.1177/0194599820917427
5. Brown J. Tracheostomy to noninvasive ventilation: from acute care to home. Sleep Med Clin. 2020;15(4):593-598. doi: 10.1016/j.jsmc.2020.08.003
6. Kohn J, McKeon M, Munhall D, Blanchette S, Wells S, Watters K. Standardization of pediatric tracheostomy care with “Go-bags.” Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2019;121:154-156. doi: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2019.03.022
SLEEP MEDICINE NETWORK
Home-Based Mechanical Ventilation and Neuromuscular Section
Technological improvement has enhanced our ability to support these patients with complex conditions in their home settings. However, clinical practice guidelines are lacking, and current practice relies on a consensus of expert opinions.1-3
Once a patient who has had a tracheostomy begins transitioning care to home, identifying caregivers is vital.
Caregivers need to be educated on daily tracheostomy care, airway clearance, and ventilator management.
Protocols to standardize this transition, such as the “Trach Trail” protocol, help reduce ICU readmissions with new tracheostomies (P = .05), eliminate predischarge mortality (P = .05), and may decrease ICU length of stay (P = 0.72).4 Standardized protocols for aspects of tracheostomy care, such as the “Go-Bag” from Boston Children’s Hospital, ensure that a consistent approach keeps providers, families, and patients familiar with their equipment and safety procedures, improving outcomes and decreasing tracheostomy-related adverse events.4-6
Understanding the landscape surrounding which equipment companies have trained field respiratory therapists is crucial. Airway clearance is key to improving ventilation and oxygenation and maintaining tracheostomy patency. Knowing the types of airway clearance modalities used for each patient remains critical.
Trach care may look substantially different for some populations, like patients in the neonatal ICU. Trach changes may happen more frequently. Speaking valve times may be gradually increased while planning for possible decannulation. Skin care involving granulation tissue and stoma complications is particularly important for this population. Active infants need well-fitting trach ties to balance enough support to maintain their trach without causing skin breakdown or discomfort. Securing the trach to prevent pulling or dislodgement as infants become more active is crucial as developmental milestones are achieved.
We hope national societies prioritize standardizing care for this vulnerable population while promoting additional high-quality, patient-centered outcomes in research studies. Implementation strategies to promote interprofessional teams to enhance education, communication, and outcomes will reduce health care disparities.
References
1. Am J Respir Crit Care Med Vol 161. pp Sherman JM, Davis S, Albamonte-Petrick S, et al. Care of the child with a chronic tracheostomy. This official statement of the American Thoracic Society was adopted by the ATS Board of Directors, July 1999. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2000;161(1):297-308. doi: 10.1164/ajrccm.161.1.ats1-00 297-308, 2000
2. Mitchell RB, Hussey HM, Setzen G, et al. Clinical consensus statement: tracheostomy care. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2013;148(1):6-20. Preprint. Posted online September 18, 2012. PMID: 22990518. doi: 10.1177/0194599812460376
3. Sterni LM, Collaco JM, Baker CD, et al; ATS Pediatric Chronic Home Ventilation Workgroup. An official American Thoracic Society clinical practice guideline: pediatric chronic home invasive ventilation. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2016;193(8):e16-35. PMID: 27082538; PMCID: PMC5439679. doi: 10.1164/rccm.201602-0276ST
4. Cherney RL, Pandian V, Ninan A, et al. The Trach Trail: a systems-based pathway to improve quality of tracheostomy care and interdisciplinary collaboration. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2020;163(2):232-243. doi: 10.1177/0194599820917427
5. Brown J. Tracheostomy to noninvasive ventilation: from acute care to home. Sleep Med Clin. 2020;15(4):593-598. doi: 10.1016/j.jsmc.2020.08.003
6. Kohn J, McKeon M, Munhall D, Blanchette S, Wells S, Watters K. Standardization of pediatric tracheostomy care with “Go-bags.” Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2019;121:154-156. doi: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2019.03.022
SLEEP MEDICINE NETWORK
Home-Based Mechanical Ventilation and Neuromuscular Section
Technological improvement has enhanced our ability to support these patients with complex conditions in their home settings. However, clinical practice guidelines are lacking, and current practice relies on a consensus of expert opinions.1-3
Once a patient who has had a tracheostomy begins transitioning care to home, identifying caregivers is vital.
Caregivers need to be educated on daily tracheostomy care, airway clearance, and ventilator management.
Protocols to standardize this transition, such as the “Trach Trail” protocol, help reduce ICU readmissions with new tracheostomies (P = .05), eliminate predischarge mortality (P = .05), and may decrease ICU length of stay (P = 0.72).4 Standardized protocols for aspects of tracheostomy care, such as the “Go-Bag” from Boston Children’s Hospital, ensure that a consistent approach keeps providers, families, and patients familiar with their equipment and safety procedures, improving outcomes and decreasing tracheostomy-related adverse events.4-6
Understanding the landscape surrounding which equipment companies have trained field respiratory therapists is crucial. Airway clearance is key to improving ventilation and oxygenation and maintaining tracheostomy patency. Knowing the types of airway clearance modalities used for each patient remains critical.
Trach care may look substantially different for some populations, like patients in the neonatal ICU. Trach changes may happen more frequently. Speaking valve times may be gradually increased while planning for possible decannulation. Skin care involving granulation tissue and stoma complications is particularly important for this population. Active infants need well-fitting trach ties to balance enough support to maintain their trach without causing skin breakdown or discomfort. Securing the trach to prevent pulling or dislodgement as infants become more active is crucial as developmental milestones are achieved.
We hope national societies prioritize standardizing care for this vulnerable population while promoting additional high-quality, patient-centered outcomes in research studies. Implementation strategies to promote interprofessional teams to enhance education, communication, and outcomes will reduce health care disparities.
References
1. Am J Respir Crit Care Med Vol 161. pp Sherman JM, Davis S, Albamonte-Petrick S, et al. Care of the child with a chronic tracheostomy. This official statement of the American Thoracic Society was adopted by the ATS Board of Directors, July 1999. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2000;161(1):297-308. doi: 10.1164/ajrccm.161.1.ats1-00 297-308, 2000
2. Mitchell RB, Hussey HM, Setzen G, et al. Clinical consensus statement: tracheostomy care. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2013;148(1):6-20. Preprint. Posted online September 18, 2012. PMID: 22990518. doi: 10.1177/0194599812460376
3. Sterni LM, Collaco JM, Baker CD, et al; ATS Pediatric Chronic Home Ventilation Workgroup. An official American Thoracic Society clinical practice guideline: pediatric chronic home invasive ventilation. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2016;193(8):e16-35. PMID: 27082538; PMCID: PMC5439679. doi: 10.1164/rccm.201602-0276ST
4. Cherney RL, Pandian V, Ninan A, et al. The Trach Trail: a systems-based pathway to improve quality of tracheostomy care and interdisciplinary collaboration. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2020;163(2):232-243. doi: 10.1177/0194599820917427
5. Brown J. Tracheostomy to noninvasive ventilation: from acute care to home. Sleep Med Clin. 2020;15(4):593-598. doi: 10.1016/j.jsmc.2020.08.003
6. Kohn J, McKeon M, Munhall D, Blanchette S, Wells S, Watters K. Standardization of pediatric tracheostomy care with “Go-bags.” Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2019;121:154-156. doi: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2019.03.022