Daniel Imler

All Publications

• PREDICTORS OF NONDIAGNOSTIC ULTRASOUND FOR APPENDICITIS JOURNAL OF EMERGENCY MEDICINE Keller, C., Wang, N. E., Imler, D. L., Vasanawala, S. S., Bruzoni, M., Quinn, J. V. 2017; 52 (3): 318-323

  Abstract

  Ionizing radiation and cost make ultrasound (US), when available, the first imaging study for the diagnosis of suspected pediatric appendicitis. US is less sensitive and specific than computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, which are often performed after nondiagnostic US.We sought to determine predictors of nondiagnostic US in order to guide efficient ordering of imaging studies.A prospective cohort study of consecutive patients 4 to 30 years of age with suspected appendicitis took place at an emergency department with access to 24/7 US, MRI, and CT capabilities. Patients with US as their initial study were identified. Clinical (i.e., duration of illness, highest fever, and right lower quadrant pain) and demographic (i.e., age and sex) variables were collected. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria; BMI >85th percentile was categorized as overweight. Patients were followed until day 7. Univariate and stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed.Over 3 months, 106 patients had US first for suspected appendicitis; 52 (49%) had nondiagnostic US results. Eighteen patients had appendicitis, and there were no missed cases after discharge. On univariate analysis, male sex, a yearly increase in age, and overweight BMI were associated with nondiagnostic US (p < 0.05). In the multivariate model, only BMI (odds ratio 4.9 [95% CI 2.0-12.2]) and age (odds ratio 1.1 [95% CI 1.02-1.20]) were predictors. Sixty-eight percent of nondiagnostic US results occurred in overweight patients.Overweight and older patients are more likely to have a nondiagnostic US or appendicitis, and it may be more efficient to consider alternatives to US first for these patients. Also, this information about the accuracy of US to diagnose suspected appendicitis may be useful to clinicians who wish to engage in shared decision-making with the parents or guardians of children regarding imaging options for children with acute abdominal pain.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jemermed.2016.07.101

  View details for Web of Science ID 000397089400023

• MRI vs. Ultrasound as the initial imaging modality for pediatric and young adult patients with suspected appendicitis. Academic emergency medicine Imler, D., Keller, C., Sivasankar, S., Wang, N. E., Vasanawala, S., Bruzoni, M., Quinn, J. 2017

  Abstract

  While ultrasound (US), given its lack of ionizing radiation is currently the recommended initial imaging study of choice for the diagnosis of appendicitis in pediatric and young adult patients, it does have significant shortcomings. US is time intensive, operator dependent, and results in frequent inconclusive studies, thus necessitating further imaging, and admission for observation or repeat clinical visits. A rapid focused Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) for appendicitis has been shown to have definitive sensitivity and specificity, similar to Computed tomography (CT) but without radiation and offers a potential alternative to US.In this single-center prospective cohort study, we sought to determine the difference in total length of stay and charges between rapid MRI and US as the initial imaging modality in pediatric and young adult patients presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) with suspected appendicitis. We hypothesized that rapid MRI would be more efficient and cost effective than US as the initial imaging modality in the ED diagnosis of appendicitis.A prospective randomized cohort study of consecutive patients was conducted in patients 2-30 years of age in an academic ED with access to both rapid MRI and US imaging modalities 24/7. Prior to the start of the study, the days of the week were randomized to either rapid MRI or US as the initial imaging modality. Physicians evaluated patients with suspected appendicitis per their usual manner. If the physician decided to obtain radiologic imaging, the pre-determined imaging modality for the day of the week was used. All decisions regarding other diagnostic testing and/or further imaging were left to the physician's discretion. Time intervals (min) between triage, order placement, start of imaging, end of imaging, image result and disposition (discharge vs. admission), as well as total charges (diagnostic testing, imaging and repeat ED visits) were recorded.Over a 100-day period, 82 patients were imaged to evaluate for appendicitis; 45/82 (55%) of patients were in the US first group; and 37/82 (45%) patients were in the rapid MRI first group. There were no differences in patient demographics or clinical characteristics between the groups and no cases of missed appendicitis in either group. 11/45 (24%) of US first patients had inconclusive studies, resulting in follow-up rapid MRI and 5 return ED visits contrasted with no inconclusive studies or return visits (p< 0.05) in the rapid MRI group. The rapid MRI compared to US group was associated with longer ED length of stay (mean difference 100 min; 95% CI 35-169) and increased ED charges (mean difference $4,887; 95% CI $1,821 - $8,513).In the diagnosis of appendicitis, US first imaging is more time efficient and less costly than rapid MRI despite inconclusive studies after US imaging. Unless the process of obtaining a rapid MRI becomes more efficient and less expensive, US should be the first line imaging modality for appendicitis in patients 2-30 years of age. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

  View details for DOI 10.1111/acem.13180

  View details for PubMedID 28207968

• R-SCAN: Imaging for Pediatric Minor Head Trauma. Journal of the American College of Radiology Lee, S., Grant, G. A., Fisher, P. G., Imler, D., Padrez, R., Avery, C., Sharp, A. L., Wintermark, M. 2017; 14 (2): 294-297

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jacr.2016.10.006

  View details for PubMedID 28017272

• A 12-Year-Old Girl with Abdominal Pain Visual Journal of Emergency Medicine Buss, P., Lobo, V., Imler, D. 2016; 2: 69-70
• Bronchiolitis Pediatric Emergency Medicine Reports Migliaccio, D., Imler, D., Wang,, N. 2015; 20 (5)
• Predictors of Non-diagnostic Ultrasound for Appendicitis. (2015), SAEM Annual Meeting Abstracts. Academic Emergency Medicine, 22: S144. Keller, C., Quinn, J., Imler, D., Wang, E., Vasanawala, S., Bruzoni, M. 2015
• Development of DASH Mobile: A mHealth Lifestyle Change Intervention for the Management of Hypertension 14th World Congress on Medical and Health Informatics (MEDINFO) Mann, D. M., Kudesia, V., Reddy, S., Weng, M., Imler, D., Quintiliani, L. IOS PRESS. 2013: 973?973

  Abstract

  Several landmark studies based on the DASH diet have established the effectiveness of a lifestyle approach to blood pressure control that emphasizes a diet rich in fruits and vegetables with moderate portions of low-fat dairy and lean protein along with increased physical activity and reduced sodium intake. However, this evidence base remains underused due feasibility limitations of implementing these intense in-person interventions and poor engagement with desktop computer based versions. Mobile technologies such as smartphones and wireless sensors have the ability to deliver behavioral interventions in-the-moment and with reduced user burden. DASH Mobile is a new mHealth system being developed to deliver this evidence-based lifestyle intervention to hypertensive patients. The system consists of an Android based "app" that facilitates easy tracking of DASH food portions, integrated Bluetooth blood pressure, weight and pedometer monitoring, goal setting, simple data visualizations and multimedia video clips to train patients in the basic concepts of the lifestyle change plan. At present, the system is undergoing usability testing with a pilot clinical trial planned for Spring 2013.

  View details for DOI 10.3233/978-1-61499-289-9-973

  View details for Web of Science ID 000341021700241

  View details for PubMedID 23920747

• Improved physician work flow after integrating sign-out notes into the electronic medical record. Joint Commission journal on quality and patient safety / Joint Commission Resources Bernstein, J. A., Imler, D. L., Sharek, P., Longhurst, C. A. 2010; 36 (2): 72-78

  Abstract

  In recent years, electronic sign-out notes have been identified as a means of enhancing the effective transfer of patient care between providers. Such a tool was developed and implemented within the electronic medical record (EMR) system, and its impact on physician work flow was assessed.A printable sign-out report was implemented within the EMR system at a tertiary academic children's hospital. Month 1 post go-live survey data were collected in June and July 2006, and 6-month post go-live survey data were collected in November and December 2006. Use of the sign-out form to document handoff data between go-live and Month 16 (September 2007) was measured using log data from the EMR. Housestaff physicians were asked to report the impact of the tool on their work flow and satisfaction with the sign-out process through a Web-based survey.The sign-out report was steadily adopted following its introduction. Between the first and second surveys, use of EMR-integrated sign-out increased from 37% to 81% of respondents for day-to-night sign-out (chi2 = 12.79, p < .001) and from 14% to 39% for night-to-day sign-out (chi 2 = 5.08, p < .05). With increased use of the report, housestaff reported less time devoted to redundant data entry and increased satisfaction with the sign-out process.EMR-integrated sign-out documents offer the advantages of other electronic network-accessible systems and can also incorporate information already in the medical record in an automated manner. Although the primary motivation for introducing standardized, EMR-integrated sign-out documents is to enhance the safety of patient handoffs, the perception of improved physician work flow is also a benefit of such an intervention.

  View details for PubMedID 20180439

• Improved Physician Work Flow After Integrating Sign-out Notes into the Electronic Medical Record JOINT COMMISSION JOURNAL ON QUALITY AND PATIENT SAFETY Bernstein, J. A., Imler, D. L., Sharek, P., Longhurst, C. A. 2010; 36 (2): 72-+

  View details for DOI 10.1016/S1553-7250(10)36013-2

  View details for Web of Science ID 000443789500004