Clinical Research Directory

Monocyte Distribution Width (MDW) in the General Population of Emergency Department Patients With and Without Bacteremia

This project will evaluate the usefulness of Monocyte Distribution Width (MDW) for the diagnosis of blood culture positivity (BSI) in patients in the Emergency Department (ED) and reevaluate the usefulness of MDW in patients with BSI and sepsis. Consequently, if MDW indicate a high likelihood of bacteremia antibiotic management in patients with suspected bacterial infections will be changed and aid appropriate antibiotic administration.

Supportive Release Center Study

The Supportive Release Center (SRC) is a collaboration between the University of Chicago Urban Health Lab, Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities, Heartland Alliance Health, and the Cook County Sheriff's office. The aim of the SRC is to identify individuals with mental illnesses, substance use disorders, and other vulnerabilities as they are released from the Cook County Jail (CCJ), provide an improved environment to assess needs of these individuals, and facilitate effective linkages with social services following release, including medical care and substance use or mental health treatment. The SRC improves the current standard of care offered at the CCJ by introducing mechanisms to facilitate engagement with post-release services and address individuals' immediate acute needs. The primary objective of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the impact of assignment to the SRC on the number of arrests within one year of study enrollment among eligible men being released from the Cook County Jail. Researchers hypothesize that the SRC is more effective than usual care at facilitating and ensuring receipt of transition services and care, and that receipt of this treatment will decrease the number of arrests within one year of study enrollment.

Electronic Cardiac Rehabilitation (eCardiacRehab) Feasibility Study

In Norway, more than 11,000 patients undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) annually. However, a very recent study utilizing registry data show a national average of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) participation of only 14%, despite its proven beneficial effects on readmissions, physical capacity, psychological distress, self-management, and quality of life. CR is strongly recommended in European guidelines. However, uptake is low and is not systematically identifying those in most need of CR. The primary objective of eCardiacRehab is to meet rehabilitation needs of large patient populations regardless of their access to traditional place-based rehabilitation by developing and evaluating the efficacy and cost effectiveness of an interdisciplinary and comprehensive home-based eCardiacRehab programme. eCardiacRehab address patient- and system level challenges in order to increase access to CR. The investigators give particular attention to older patients, women, and those with comorbidities or mental health challenges. Aspects related to continuity of care between specialist and primary care services, health literacy, adherence to treatment, cost effectiveness and ethics are investigated. The investigators will 1) continue to develop the programme with patients, general practitioners, healthcare experts from both specialist and primary care services, and technology developers, 2) develop treatment modules, 3) establish information and communication infrastructure, 4) evaluate the process and efficacy of treatment modules, 5) ensure knowledge development and transfer of competence to the municipalities, and 6) contribute to fulfil the innovation potential for health service and industry partners. eCardiacRehab has the potential to improve interaction and collaboration between primary and secondary care, modernise and digitalise work processes, and develop more coherent and tailored patient pathways. The vision of the home-based eCardiacRehab is to make CR available to all.

Optimizing OR Simulation in MEDI 045: Bias Reduction and Strategic Improvements (OPTIMIST)

This study explores the evolving landscape of operating room (OR) simulation by identifying key trends, addressing potential biases, and providing actionable recommendations for improvement. Using data-driven analysis, the research uncovers patterns in skill development and decision-making, offering insights into the effectiveness of current OR simulation programs. The study also tackles biases in data collection, including selection and response bias, ensuring the reliability of findings.