Citations

Background Physiological monitoring systems, like Masimo, used during inpatient hospitalisation, offer a non-invasive approach to capture critical vital signs data. These systems trigger alarms when measurements deviate from preset parameters. However, often non-urgent or potentially false alarms contribute to ‘alarm fatigue,’ a form of sensory overload that can have adverse effects on both patients and healthcare staff. The Joint Commission, in 2021, announced a target to mitigate alarm fatigue-related fatalities through improved alarm management. Yet, no established guidelines are presently available. This study aims to address alarm fatigue at the Mayo Clinic to safeguard patient safety, curb staff burnout and improve the sensitivity of oxygen saturation monitoring to promptly detect emergencies. Methods A quality improvement project was conducted to combat minimise the false alarm burden, with data collected 2 months prior to intervention commencement. The project’s goal was to decrease the total alarm value by 20% from 55%–85% to 35%–75% within 2 months, leveraging quality improvement methodologies. Interventions February to April 2021, we implemented a two-pronged intervention: (1) instituting a protocol to evaluate patients’ continuous monitoring needs and discontinuing it when appropriate, and (2) introducing educational signage for patients and Mayo Clinic staff on monitoring best practices. Results Baseline averages of red alarms (158.6), manual snoozes (37.8) and self-resolves (120.7); the first postintervention phase showed reductions in red alarms (125.5), manual snoozes (17.8) and self-resolves (107.8). Second postintervention phase recorded 138 red alarms, 13 manual snoozes and 125 self-resolves. Baseline comparison demonstrated an average of 16.92% reduction of alarms among both interventions (p value: 0.25). Conclusion Simple interventions like education and communication techniques proved instrumental in lessening the alarm burden for patients and staff. The findings underscore the practical use and efficacy of these methods in any healthcare setting, thus contributing to mitigating the prevalent issue of alarm fatigue.

Background The incidence of cervical cancer has decreased by 70% since the 1950s. Preventative measures include vaccination against HPV strains and Papanicolaou tests. Early identification of cervical cancer through routine screening can significantly improve patient outcomes. Materials and methods At our academic institution, Community Internal Medicine (CIM) Clinic, 63% of female patients aged 21–65 were compliant with cervical cancer screening. The opening of the ‘Saturday Pap Smear Clinic’ sought to address barriers by offering non-traditional appointment times on Saturday mornings with an all female staff. Our aim was to increase the cervical cancer screening rate by 1% within 12 weeks. Our team compared CIM (intervention) and family medicine (FM) (control) compliance rates from September 2021 to January 2022. Messages were sent to the patient indicating non-compliance and offering options to complete screening. Results At the start of this study, 5239 CIM patients were cervical cancer screening non-compliant. Postintervention, cervical screening rates among non-compliant women within CIM improved by 1.2%. The intervention cohort, CIM patients, had a significant improvement in compliance compared with the control group, FM patients. White women between the ages of 50 and 65 comprised the majority of patients who used the ‘Saturday Pap Smear Clinic’. Conclusions The availability of Saturday appointments for cervical cancer screening completion can enhance cervical cancer screening compliance among eligible women. Eliminating barriers for women can improve health outcomes.

Background: Cotesting with the Papanicolaou (Pap) and human papillomavirus tests detects most precancerous and cancerous lesions and increases the sensitivity for detecting high-grade precancerous and invasive cervical cancers compared with human papillomavirus testing alone. Objective: To compare the use of the Papette brush (hereafter Papette) to the traditional spatula with endocervical brush (cytobrush) for cervical cancer screening. Design: Pragmatic observational study. Methods: Adult women aged 21–64 years who were eligible for a Papanicolaou test at a Midwest Community Internal Medicine practice underwent cervical cancer screening using the Papette or spatula with cytobrush from 18 August 2021 through 1 February 2022. Cluster sampling was used across the practice. Pathology reports were then analyzed to compare the number of satisfactory versus unsatisfactory results between the two collection techniques. Results: We collected results for 756 Pap tests. The test results were satisfactory with the Papette 93.8% of the time compared with 93.0% for the spatula with cytobrush. Conclusion: The Papette is not inferior to a spatula with cytobrush as a collection method for Pap tests.

Objectives Lupron 11.25 mg has both a narrow indication and a high cost compared to other Lupron presentations. Prior to our study initiation there was no clear distinction between presentations when ordering within the health-system’s Electronic Health Record (EHR). This resulted in inappropriate product selection, payment and billing errors that negatively impact our healthcare system. To reinforce prior education efforts, a new approach was considered leveraging the EHR with information to steer prescribers to the proper Lupron presentation based on indication. This study aimed to reduce off-label prescribing for Lupron 11.25 mg (NDC 00074-3663-03) by 25% by 02/28/2022 without negatively impacting the insurance collection rate. Methods Baseline Lupron 11.25 mg adult kit administrations one year prior to intervention and off-label prescribing was found to account for 22.7% of administrations. In December 2021 intervention order questions were added to Lupron 11.25 mg in the EHR. One and two-month data was obtained after implementing order questions within the EHR. Lupron 11.25 mg administrations were classified into one of four categories to determine impact on off-label prescribing. Results In the one- and two-month post-implementation periods off-label prescribing was 0% and 15.3% respectively, a reduction of 22.7% to and 7.4% respectively from the baseline assessment. There were no clinical denials found in either post-implementation reporting period. Conclusion This report adds to the body of evidence that leveraging the EHR can lead to healthcare savings and illustrates how patient and healthcare system burden can be reduced by prompting thought and direction when a medication has indication specific dose requirements.

105 Background: Screening for cervical cancer with pap smears and HPV testing can improve patient outcomes by allowing for early identification of cervical cancer. The Minnesota Community Measure and Mayo Clinic's goal is to have a cervical cancer screening rate of 82% (Detailed Report-Cervical Cancer Screening, 2020). Healthy People 2030 aims to have a cervical cancer screening rate of 83.4% (Increase the proportion of females who get screened for cervical cancer -C-09, 2021). Community Internal Medicine cervical cancer screening rates are below this level at 63.09% compliance, with 5,239 patients non-compliant, who are eligible for cervical cancer screenings. Olmsted County only offers acute services on the weekends with no primary care services, which leaves women who work during the week or have childcare/caregiver issues with no options on the weekend or evenings when they have availability to attend appointments. Methods: Based on guidelines for pap smear screening (women ages 21-65), 14,195 women were identified within CIM to be eligible for screening. Of those, 5,239 were due for screening. The Saturday Pap Smear Clinic had 88 available spots. We aimed to improve cervical cancer screening rates among non-compliant women within Community Internal Medicine by 1% (52 women, total noncompliant women = 5,239) by January 2021 without adversely impacting coverage of existing clinic hours. Results: The electronic medical record (EMR), EPIC, was utilized to identify all patients who were eligible for a pap smear based on current guidelines (Total eligible = 14,195; Sample size/non-compliant: 5,239 patients) within Community Internal Medicine (CIM) of the Baldwin Building in Rochester, MN. Interventions included: surveys that were sent to patients via the Patient Portal. Advertising for the Saturday Clinic included Primary Care News, E-boards, Posters, Social Media, SCOPE, Mayo News, and Providers. The Saturday clinic allowed time outside the traditional hours. One unique feature of the clinic is that all females staffed it during clinic hours in an attempt to alleviate some of the fear/anxiety. After completion of the pilot Saturday Pap Clinic, pap smear compliance from the Saturday Pap Clinic alone arose 1.2% (62 patients) within CIM. Conclusions: Post-intervention, cervical screening rates among non-compliant women within Baldwin CIM improved by 1.2% (62 women total).

To review the anxiety and fear risk factors, pathophysiology, symptoms, screening and diagnosis while highlighting treatment considerations for women undergoing a pelvic examination. Methods: We reviewed the literature pertaining to anxiety and fear surrounding the pelvic examination to help guide health care providers’ on available screening options and to review options for individualized patient management. Results: Anxiety and fear are common before and during the pelvic examination. In fact, the pelvic exam is one of the most common anxiety-provoking medical procedures. This exam can provoke negative physical and emotional symptoms such as pain, discomfort, anxiety, fear, embarrassment, and irritability. These negative symptoms can interfere with preventative health screening compliance resulting in delayed or avoided care and significant health consequences. Conclusion: Assessing women for anxiety related to pelvic examinations may help decrease a delay or avoidance of examinations. Risk factor and symptom identification is also a key component in this. General anxiety questionnaires can help identify women with anxiety related to pelvic examinations. Strategies to reduce anxiety, fear and pain during a pelvic examination should routinely be implemented, particularly in women with high-risk factors or those identified with screening techniques as having anxiety, fear or pain with examinations. Treatment options should be targeted at understanding the patient’s concerns, starting conversations about pelvic examinations early, educating patient’s about the examination and offering the presence of a chaperone or support person. During an examination providers should ensure the patient is comfortable, negative phrases are avoided, the correct speculum size is utilized and proper lubrication, draping, dressing and positioning are performed. Treating underlying gynecologic or mental health conditions, consideration of cognitive behavioral therapy and complementary techniques such as lavender aromatherapy and music therapy should also be considered when appropriate.