Background Wire localization is historically the most common method for guiding excision of non-palpable breast lesions, but there are limitations to the technique. Newer technologies such as magnetic seeds may allow some of these challenges to be overcome. The aim was to compare safety and effectiveness of wire and magnetic seed localization techniques. Methods Women undergoing standard wire or magnetic seed localization for non-palpable lesions between August 2018 and August 2020 were recruited prospectively to this IDEAL stage 2a/2b platform cohort study. The primary outcome was effectiveness defined as accurate localization and removal of the index lesion. Secondary endpoints included safety, specimen weight and reoperation rate for positive margins. Results Data were accrued from 2300 patients in 35 units; 2116 having unifocal, unilateral breast lesion localization. Identification of the index lesion in magnetic-seed-guided (946 patients) and wire-guided excisions (1170 patients) was 99.8 versus 99.1 per cent (P = 0.048). There was no difference in overall complication rate. For a subset of patients having a single lumpectomy only for lesions less than 50 mm (1746 patients), there was no difference in median closest margin (2 mm versus 2 mm, P = 0.342), re-excision rate (12 versus 13 per cent, P = 0.574) and specimen weight in relation to lesion size (0.15 g/mm2  versus 0.138 g/mm2, P = 0.453). Conclusion Magnetic seed localization demonstrated similar safety and effectiveness to those of wire localization. This study has established a robust platform for the comparative evaluation of new localization devices.

Background: Patients with mental health disorders experience difficulty in selecting treatments. With a paternalistic approach, patients are not offered an opportunity to provide input. Shared decision making (SDM) occurs when providers and patients collaborate on informed treatment decisions. Research on psychiatric providers' perceptions toward SDM is limited. Objective: This pilot study aimed to determine psychiatric providers' willingness to engage in SDM and factors that influence willingness. Methods: This cross-sectional, self-report study measured willingness, attitude, experiences, and barriers related to SDM as well as demographic/practice characteristics. A survey was e-mailed to psychiatric providers at 3 psychiatric institutions. Results: Out of 80 providers e-mailed, 29 (36.3%) responded. Providers had a favorable attitude toward SDM (3.26 ± 0.24, range = 1-4) and a high willingness to use SDM (3.43 ± 0.50, range = 1-4). The most common SDM methods were discussions (96.6%) and written material (89.7%). Common perceived barriers included limited patient capacity (86.2%) and limited time with patient (62.1%). Current SDM users (3.46 ± 0.51) had a higher willingness to engage in SDM than noncurrent users (3.00 ± 0.00), t = 4.63, df = 25.0, P < .001. Attitude and willingness were positively related (r = .62, P < .001). Attitude did not vary based on demographic/practice characteristics. Conclusions: Willingness to use SDM was positively related to a favorable attitude toward SDM. Larger, geographically diverse, randomized controlled trials need to be conducted to evaluate the willingness of psychiatric providers to conduct SDM.

A metropolitan hospital system has developed and implemented a transition-of-care program focusing on patients with mental illnesses and high risk for hospital readmissions or emergency department visits. Currently, the transition period between care settings creates a state of vulnerability for patients and their caregivers. Poor care coordination negatively affects patient outcomes and results in a major economic burden. Patients with mental illnesses are particularly sensitive to transition-of-care issues including confusion about which medications to start and stop. This program aims to design, implement, and evaluate interventions to improve care transitions at 3 hospitals for individuals with a primary or secondary psychiatric diagnosis. In the inpatient setting, the clinical pharmacist, nurse practitioners, and social workers collaborate to identify medication-related problems. After patients are discharged from the hospital, nurse practitioners, the clinical pharmacist, and educators follow up with patients for 30 days via home health aide visits and telephone calls. Evidence-based tools and assessments are used to drive the program's interventions. From June 2014 to September 2014, 770 patients were identified as high risk. Readmissions data are pending. The patient outcomes data will fill the gap in the literature with essential information on transition-of-care issues within the mental health population. This program has implications to affect health care policy because it uses multiple evidence-based practices with the ultimate goal of decreasing economic burden for health systems and patients. New pharmacist roles in transition of care may emerge from this program.