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N Kevin Krane

Publications and source records attributed to N Kevin Krane.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Dialysis services in the hurricane-affected areas in 2005: lessons learned.

BACKGROUND: Hurricane Katrina resulted in partial or complete devastation of dialysis services throughout the Gulf Coast, including the New Orleans metropolitan area. In the immediate aftermath, dialysis had to be provided to patients by surrounding communities in Louisiana, and ultimately by dialysis programs throughout the nation. Peritoneal dialysis patients, though typically more independent, also endured challenges in continuing dialysis following Hurricane Katrina. Hurricane Rita caused similar damage to the western Gulf Coast at Lake Charles, Louisiana and Beaumont, Texas and further delayed recovery of dialysis services in the New Orleans metropolitan area. SETTING: A review of the problems created by the disaster provided many opportunities to improve healthcare delivery and to prepare for recovery from the event. Understanding what happened to the delivery of dialysis and chronic kidney disease services allows the opportunity to develop better systems to support this particularly vulnerable population of patients. CONCLUSION: Many lessons can be learned from these events to minimize future interruption of dialysis services in the face of natural disasters such as hurricanes.

Community Health Services↗
PubMed2006

Perioperative management of peritoneal dialysis patients: review of abdominal surgery.

On abdominal computed tomography scan for evaluation of hematuria, the index patient, a 23-year-old male, was found to have multiple renal cysts bilaterally. He had been on peritoneal dialysis for 6 years, complicated by intermittent episodes of exit-site infection and peritonitis. Over time, he developed recurrent urinary tract infection and nephrolithiasis with intermittent hematuria. His maintenance dose of recombinant erythropoietin was discontinued, and he maintained a normal hemoglobin level. Annual surveillance of the bilateral renal cysts with magnetic resonance imaging revealed development of a complex cystic mass that warranted further investigation. Following a urology consultation, laparoscopic nephrectomy was performed without complications and with minimal interruption of PD. Pathology evaluation revealed renal cell carcinoma within the renal parenchyma and multiple cystic structures consistent with acquired cystic kidney disease. No clear recommendations exist in the literature regarding continuation or interruption of PD in the perioperative period for planned nephrectomy, tumor resection, or other uncomplicated abdominal or retroperitoneal procedures. A perioperative management strategy for PD patients requiring abdominal or retroperitoneal surgery is outlined here. If these recommendations are followed, patients may continue PD with minimal interruption, preservation of the peritoneal membrane, and few complications.

Abdomen↗
PubMed2006

Disaster planning for peritoneal dialysis programs.

Because of increased intensity of hurricanes in the Gulf Coast region of the United States, peritoneal dialysis (PD) programs have been disrupted and patients relocated temporarily following these catastrophic events. We describe the disaster planning, implementation, and follow-up that occurred in one such PD program in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. Each year at the beginning of the North American hurricane season, the PD program's disaster plan is reviewed by clinic staff and copies are distributed to patients. Patients are instructed to assemble a disaster kit and are provided with contact numbers for dialysis suppliers and for a PD program in their planned evacuation city. In July 2005, this disaster plan was tested when an early tropical storm and hurricane entered the Gulf and several patients briefly relocated or evacuated because of power loss and then returned without incident. However, when Hurricane Katrina, a category 5 storm, was predicted to strike the metropolitan area, patients were notified by telephone to evacuate, and contact information, including their evacuation city and telephone and cellular phone numbers, was obtained. Patients were also reminded to take all medications, bottled water, antibacterial soap, hand sanitizer, and 4-5 days of PD supplies. Following the storm, telephone and cellular phone services were severely disrupted. However, text messaging was available to contact patients to confirm safety and to provide further instructions. Arrangements with the major dialysis suppliers to ship emergency supplies to new locations were made by the PD nurse and the patients. Only 2 of 22 patients required hospitalization because of complications resulting from evacuation failure, contamination, and inability to perform dialysis for a prolonged period of time. Both of these patients were quickly released and have continued PD. Following the event, all patients remained on PD, and most have planned to return to their home PD program. Thorough preparation, planning, practice, and implementation and effective communication are necessary to prevent complications in PD patients who are affected by disasters. With advdnce preparation, maintenance of communication with health care providers, and planning for alternative sites of care, patients can be safely maintained on PD without complications following catastrophic natural disasters.

Communication↗
PubMed2004

Low attendance by basic science educators at medical education meetings.

BACKGROUND: Recently, concern has been expressed about the perception that few basic science educators (BSE) attend national and regional medical education meetings. PURPOSE: This study was designed to analyze the issues affecting BSE decisions about whether to attend medical education meetings. METHOD: An online survey was created and submitted to basic science course directors at the 128 U.S. allopathic medical schools. RESULTS: Responses from 486 BSE suggest that because of the pressure to obtain research funding and achieve academic promotion, participation in medical education meetings is not a high priority with most BSE. CONCLUSIONS: BSE attendance at medical education meetings can be improved, but it will require joint efforts by the BSE home institution and medical education organizations.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed2002

Nephrotic syndrome and interstitial nephritis associated with celecoxib.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are well known to cause fluid and electrolyte abnormalities and renal failure. NSAIDs also may cause an acute allergic interstitial nephritis (AIN) and the nephrotic syndrome, characterized by histologic pathology consistent with minimal change disease in patients with previously normal renal function. The nephrotoxic potential of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) inhibitors has not been established because AIN associated with nephrotic syndrome has not been reported secondary to the COX-2 inhibitors. This case report describes the first case of AIN associated with nephrotic syndrome in a patient treated with the selective COX-2 inhibitor, celecoxib.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2002

An innovative partnership in service.

OBJECTIVE: Stimulated by the need for better alignment of educational content and goals with evolving societal needs, practice patterns, and scientific developments, many medical schools are implementing new and creative educational experiences for students. Tulane University School of Medicine and Apple Computers have established an innovative partnership in which Apple laptop computers support and enhance students' service learning projects. The partnership also provides a unique opportunity to meet the Medical School Objectives Project (MSOP) objectives in Medical Informatics and Population Health, as outlined in Report II.(1) DESCRIPTION: Apple Computers has a commitment to the New Orleans community as part of its corporate strategic plan to support educational programs at all levels; Tulane has a longstanding commitment to and experience with student-led service learning as part of the Foundations in Medicine Course.(2) Senior administrative personnel from Tulane and Apple discussed these common interests, resulting in a partnership to enhance the potential impact on the community served. Apple agreed to donate 20 G3 Powerbooks and a complete set of the Apple Learning series of software to support new and ongoing service-learning projects. A committee of Tulane faculty and students, information technology staff, and an Apple representative developed the project. To maximize students' access to the laptops while managing the administration's liability, the laptops were identically configured with standardized software packages (database development and maintenance, Web access, word processing, presentation development and execution, automated backup, and individual project access to protected server space). To maximize the use of the laptops, students from the service-learning organizations can check out the laptops on a just-in-time basis, because the projects have different needs over time. Student-service leaders are currently defining and developing the exact uses for the laptops. We anticipate that this project will enhance the administrative management of service-learning programs (e.g., schedules, directions to sites), the presentation of educational programs (e.g., teaching in schools), the creation of new media to support programs (e.g., our restaurant choking program has a partnership with the American Heart Association to create a video and training manual to be used nationwide), and data tracking (e.g., sites and clients served, outcomes achieved). Students' use of the laptops should support the achievement of several of the MSOP Report II Medical Informatics objectives. To assess that, all first-year medical students are completing a pre- and post-project survey based on those objectives. DISCUSSION: The availability of laptops and software should significantly enhance the service-learning programs. The students participating should gain important skills in the use of computer technology related to their roles as lifelong learners, educators and communicators, researchers, and managers.(1) We plan to report the results of the pre- and post-project surveys once they have been completed. Students' feedback on the project has been very positive, and we hope it can serve as a model for other medical school, corporate, and community partnerships.

Health Services↗
PubMed2002

Review of health information Web sites for peritoneal dialysis information for patients.

We performed a review of United States-based, English-language Web sites to evaluate the information on peritoneal dialysis (PD) available to patients via the Internet. The "hits" obtained after using the search term "peritoneal dialysis" on a series of health care Web sites were listed and reviewed. Information was classified as limited, brief summary, detailed, or extensive, in order of increasing information. Professional organizations dedicated to kidney disease provided extensive information on PD, but Web sites for consumers generally provided little information. Information regarding PD is available to patients on the Internet, but for the most detailed and accurate information, patients should be directed to sites provided by professional organizations that specialize in kidney disease.

Humans↗