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This study examined the level of perceived cultural competence of student registered nurse anesthetists (SRNAs) in Illinois and made educational recommendations. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was completed using the Clinical Cultural Competency Questionnaire (CCCQ) to evaluate the perceived level of cultural competence among SRNAs in Illinois. Four domains of clinical cultural competency--knowledge, skills, attitudes (awareness), and encounters--were evaluated and reported. The survey response rate was 16.7% (N=57). A significant positive correlation was observed between cultural knowledge and age (P=.03). There was a significant difference in cultural knowledge between students attending a nurse anesthesia program in suburban Northeastern Illinois and students attending a large, urban university in the city of Chicago, with CCCQ knowledge mean rank scores of 38.44 and 13.77, respectively. The overall level of perceived clinical cultural competence of SRNAs was low: mean (SD)=3.13 (0.54); range=2.17 to 4.89. The authors concluded that SRNAs need additional cultural education and training in their program of study to enhance their perceived level of cultural competence and to deliver culturally competent anesthesia care. The desire to become culturally competent coupled with deficient levels of cultural knowledge among SRNAs merits further work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To present a systematic checklist to improve diagnosing otosclerosis (OS) on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the temporal bones and review this protocol's efficacy in diagnosing OS on HRCT. Methods: A retrospective case series was performed at a University Referral Hospital in urban Chicago, Illinois. High-resolution computed tomographies of the temporal bone were reviewed including 17 ears in the test group with surgically confirmed OS and 21 ears in the control group surgically confirmed to not have OS. Preoperative HRCTs were evaluated by a single neuroradiologist using a systematic protocol created to assist in diagnosing OS. This looked for radiolucency at the fissula ante fenestram and pericochlear region, and new bone formation around the oval and round windows. Results: The radiologist accurately diagnosed OS in all 17 test group ears and ruled out OS in all 21 control group ears using the protocol. All 17 test ears were read to have lucency at the fissula ante fenestram, 9 (53.0%) to have new bone formation, and 8 (47.1%) to have cochlear lucency. The radiologist was more confident in diagnosing OS when cochlear lucency was present with the fissula ante fenestram lucency. Conclusions: This HRCT checklist is a highly accurate tool for evaluating the presence of OS when images are reviewed in the systematic fashion described. Imaging prior to surgery aids in counseling patients, preparing surgically, and excluding other pathologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]