JAMA otolaryngology-- head & neck surgery
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JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · Aug 2020
ReviewDecontamination Methods for Reuse of Filtering Facepiece Respirators.
The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has proven to be highly infectious, putting health care professionals around the world at increased risk. Furthermore, there are widespread shortages of necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) for these individuals. Filtering facepiece respirators, such as the N95 respirator, intended for single use, can be reused in times of need. We explore the evidence for decontamination or sterilization of N95 respirators for health care systems seeking to conserve PPE while maintaining the health of their workforce. ⋯ COVID-19 presents a high risk for health care professionals, particularly otolaryngologists, owing to the nature of viral transmission, including possible airborne transmission and high viral load in the upper respiratory tract. Proper PPE is effective when used correctly, but in times of scarce resources, institutions may turn to alternative methods of preserving and reusing filtering facepiece respirators. Based on studies conducted on the decontamination of N95 respirators after prior outbreaks, there are several options for institutions to consider for both immediate and large-scale implementation.
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JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · Sep 2020
Multicenter StudyTelemedicine Services Provided to Medicare Beneficiaries by Otolaryngologists Between 2010 and 2018.
Clinicians are increasingly adopting telemedicine in an effort to expand patient access and efficiently deliver care. However, the extent to which otolaryngologists provide telemedicine services is unclear. ⋯ This study suggests that the extent to which otolaryngologists used telemedicine to deliver care to Medicare beneficiaries between 2010 and 2018 was rare. Although there was relative growth in the use of telemedicine by otolaryngologists during this period, absolute growth remained low. Policy makers and provider organizations should support otolaryngologists in the adoption of telemedicine technologies, especially while coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) viral suppression efforts necessitate prolonged restriction of physical clinic throughput.
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JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · May 2013
Comparative StudyHemispheric dominance and cell phone use.
A thorough understanding of why we hold a cell phone to a particular ear may be of importance when studying the impact of cell phone safety. ⋯ An association exists between hand dominance laterality of cell phone use (73%) and our ability to predict hemispheric dominance. Most right-handed people have left-brain LHD and use their cell phone in their right ear. Similarly, most left-handed people use their cell phone in their left ear. Our study suggests that AHD may differ from LHD owing to the difference in handedness and cell phone ear use. Literature suggests a possible relationship between cell phone use and cancer. The fact that few tumors were identified in this population does not rule out an association.
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JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · Sep 2016
Review Meta Analysis Comparative StudyElective Neck Dissection vs Observation in Early-Stage Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Oral Tongue With No Clinically Apparent Lymph Node Metastasis in the Neck: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
The elective management of no clinical or radiologic evidence of lymph node metastasis in the neck (cN0) in early stage T1-T2 oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC) has been the subject of much debate during the past 3 decades and continues to be controversial. ⋯ The findings of this systematic review and meta-analysis indicate that END can significantly reduce the rate of regional nodal recurrence and improve DSS in patients with cT1T2N0 OTSCC.