Articles: pandemics.
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Retrospective cohort study. ⋯ This study demonstrates the disparity in telemedicine utilization across different populations within the surgical spine patient population. Surgeons may use this information to guide interventions aimed at reducing existing disparities and work with certain patient populations to find a solution.
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People with disabilities face unique challenges that may affect skin cancer prevention, diagnosis, and access to treatment. These challenges could be exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, the prevalence of self-reported skin cancer diagnoses, delayed medical care because of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, and skin cancer risk factors among people with disabilities were estimated. ⋯ Because of disability-related challenges, older age, and delaying medical care during the pandemic, people with disabilities may be at increased risk for inequitable skin cancer outcomes.
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The COVID-19 pandemic forced operating rooms (ORs) to adopt new safety protocols. Although these measures protected the health of patients and providers, their impact on OR efficiency remains unclear. Our objective was to further elucidate the effects of COVID-19 on orthopedic surgery OR efficiency. ⋯ Although significant, there was minimal absolute change in orthopedic OR efficiency during the onset of the pandemic. These results suggest that the protocols enacted at our institution appropriately maintained orthopedic OR efficiency, even in the context of the rapidly increasing COVID-19 burden.
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Current publications on the topic of communication in intensive care units (ITS) are shaped by the experiences of the COVID19 pandemic and the restrictions on personal contact and communication experienced during this time. Virtual, computer-based and telemedical concepts have grown out of this situation with limited contact and communication possibilities with patients and their relatives, but also between the individual service providers in the health system. It can also be assumed that artificial intelligence will increasingly be an issue in communication in intensive care units in the coming years. However, the significance, consequences and risks of the use of these new possibilities remain to be seen.