Active humidification in mechanical ventilation is not associated to an increase in respiratory infectious complications in a quasi-experimental pre–post intervention study

Author(s):  
L. Picazo ◽  
M.P. Gracia Arnillas ◽  
R. Muñoz-Bermúdez ◽  
X. Durán ◽  
F. Álvarez Lerma ◽  
...  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sehj Kashyap ◽  
Amanda F Spielman ◽  
Nikhil Ramnarayan ◽  
Sahana SD ◽  
Rashmi Pant ◽  
...  

Background and Objectives: Globally, 2.5 million newborns die within the first month of life annually. The majority of deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), and many of these deaths happen at home. The study assessed if the Care Companion Program (CCP) an in-hospital, skills-based training given to families improves post-discharge maternal and neonatal health outcomes. Methods: This quasi-experimental pre-post intervention study design compared self-reported behavior and health outcomes among families before and after the CCP intervention. Intention to treat analysis included families regardless of their exposure to the intervention. Mixed effects logistic regression model, adjusted for confounders, was fit for all observations. Effects were expressed as Relative Risks (RR) with 95% Confidence Intervals (CI). Results: At 2-weeks post-delivery, telephone surveys were conducted in the pre (n = 3510) and post-intervention (n = 1474) groups from 11 district hospitals in the states of Karnataka and Punjab. The practice of dry cord care improved significantly by 4%, (RR = 1.04, 95%CI [1.04,1.06]) and skin to skin care by 78% (RR=1.78, 95%CI [1.37,2.27]) in the post-intervention group as compared to pre-intervention group. Furthermore, newborn complications reduced by 16% (RR=0.84, 95%CI [0.76,0.91]), mother complications by 12% (RR=0.88, 95%CI [0.79,0.97]) and newborn readmissions by 56% (RR=0.44, 95%CI [0.31,0.61]). Outpatient visits increased by 27% (RR=1.27, 95%CI [1.10,1.46]). However, outcomes of breastfeeding, mothers diet, hand-hygiene, and process indicator of being instructed on warning signs were not different. Conclusion: Postnatal care should incorporate pre-discharge multi-pronged training of families to improve essential maternal and newborn care practices. The CCP model runs on a public-private partnership and is integrated into existing health systems. Our findings demonstrate that it is possible to improve outcomes through a family-centered approach in India. The CCP model can be integrated into formalised hospital processes to relieve overburdened healthcare systems in LMIC settings.


Per Linguam ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-67
Author(s):  
Sharon Moonsamy

Increased demand on a learner’s linguistic, cognitive and metacognitive abilities is expected at higher grades in schools. The application of cognitive and metacognitive strategies when learning is, however, not always automatic, therefore explicit mediation to retrieve and apply these processes appropriately, is essential. This paper aims to compare the linguistic experiences of Grade 5 learners with Developmental Language Difficulties (DLD) when writing a narrative, pre- and post-discussion intervention. The intervention approach is grounded in Feuerstein (2006) and Vygotsky’s (1934/1987) theories of cognitive development. This quantitative and qualitative study was a quasi-experimental, pre- and posttest design. The sample consisted of 10 Grade 5 learners from a remedial school. The pretest written narratives preceded the intervention phase and were followed by the posttest narratives. The macro- and microstructure of the written narratives were analysed, using an adapted framework based on Fey’s (2001) and Moonsamy’s (2009) analysis protocol. Explicit discussions on writing processes should generalise to familiar and novel tasks required in all learning situations. The findings suggest that interventions, using group discussions, were beneficial for learners with DLD where knowledge was coconstructed. Improvements in microstructure were evident while the macrostructure remained the same at post-intervention. This study contributes to evidence-based practice for learner instruction in mainstream and special needs environments.


2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Signe Egenberg ◽  
Gileard Masenga ◽  
Lars Edvin Bru ◽  
Torbjørn Moe Eggebø ◽  
Cecilia Mushi ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (B) ◽  
pp. 344-349
Author(s):  
Irma Bernadette S. Sitohang ◽  
Benny Nelson ◽  
Melani Marissa ◽  
Wresti Indriatmi ◽  
Wismandari Wisnu

BACKGROUND: Melasma is a common hyperpigmentation disorder, which causes brownish discoloration of the face. Despite unclear mechanisms, thyroid hormones were thought to play a role in melasma. AIM: This study aims to determine and compare the clinical improvement of melasma in hyperthyroid patients receiving anti-thyroid drugs. METHODS: An interventional study with a quasi-experimental design (pre-post-intervention study) was conducted at the Internal Medicine Outpatient Clinic and Dermatology and Venereology Outpatient Clinic, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia, from July 2019 to March 2020. A comparative analysis was done to compare the modified melasma area and severity index (mMASI) in hyperthyroid patients before and after 12 weeks of anti-thyroid drugs. All subjects did not receive any additional topical therapies for their melasma. The clinical features were evaluated objectively at baseline and 12th-week visit, by mMASI score on different areas of the face (forehead, left-right malar, and chin) and Wood’s lamp examination. RESULTS: All areas showed a decline in mMASI score components (e.g., involvement areas and darkness degree) after 12 weeks of treatment. However, only the malar area showed a significant decline (p < 0.05). Wood’s lamp examination at baseline revealed dermal type melasma on 17 subjects, mixed type on six subjects, and epidermal type on one subject. All types remained unchanged after 12 weeks of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that mMASI score in malar area improved significantly, this might be because malar area included this study were comprised of epidermal, dermal, and mixed type. On the other hand, based on Wood’s lamp examination, all types of melasma remained unchanged after 12 weeks of treatment.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Schoeppe ◽  
Jo Salmon ◽  
Susan L. Williams ◽  
Deborah Power ◽  
Stephanie Alley ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Interventions using activity trackers and smartphone apps have demonstrated their ability to increase physical activity in children and adults. However, they have not been tested in entire families. Further, few family-centred interventions have actively involved both parents, and assessed intervention efficacy separately for children, mothers and fathers. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to examine the short-term efficacy of an activity tracker and app intervention to increase physical activity in the entire family (children, mothers and fathers). METHODS This was a pilot single-arm intervention study with pre-post measures. Between 2017-2018, 40 families (58 children aged 6-10 years, 39 mothers, 33 fathers) participated in the 6-week Step it Up Family program in Queensland, Australia. Using commercial activity trackers combined with apps (Garmin Vivofit Jr for children, Vivofit 3 for adults), the intervention included individual and family-level goal-setting, self-monitoring, performance feedback, family step challenges, family social support and modelling, weekly motivational text messages, and an introductory session delivered face-to-face or via telephone. Parent surveys were used to assess intervention efficacy measured as pre-post intervention changes in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in children, mothers and fathers. RESULTS Thirty-eight families completed the post intervention survey (95% retention). At post intervention, MVPA had increased in children by 58 min/day (boys: 54 min/day, girls: 62 min/day; all P < .001). In mothers, MVPA increased by 27 min/day (P < .001), and in fathers, it increased by 31 min/day (P < .001). Furthermore, the percentage of children meeting Australia’s physical activity guidelines for children (≥60 MVPA min/day) increased from 34% to 89% (P < .001). The percentage of mothers and fathers meeting Australia’s physical activity guidelines for adults (≥150 MVPA min/week) increased from 8% to 57% (P < .001) in mothers, and from 21% to 68% (P < .001) in fathers. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that an activity tracker and app intervention is an efficacious approach to increasing physical activity in entire families to meet national physical activity guidelines. The Step it Up Family program warrants further testing in a larger, randomised controlled trial to determine its long-term impact. CLINICALTRIAL No trial registration as this is not an RCT. It is a pilot single-arm intervention study


Author(s):  
Deborah J Mills ◽  
Colleen L Lau ◽  
Christine Mills ◽  
Luis Furuya-Kanamori

Abstract Background Current guidelines for rabies pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) recommend multiple vaccine doses. Travellers sometimes present for pre-travel consultation with insufficient time to complete standard PrEP schedules. We investigated the efficacy of one-dose intramuscular (IM) vaccine in priming the immune system (as PrEP) by measuring antibody response to simulated post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). Methods A quasi-experimental pre–post intervention clinical trial was conducted at a specialist travel clinic in Australia. Adults (≥18 years) without a history of rabies vaccination were included. At Visit 1, seronegative status was confirmed and one dose of 0.5 ml IM rabies vaccine (Verorab®) administered. At Visit 2 (≥60 days after Visit 1), serology was repeated and a simulated PEP dose (0.5 ml IM) given on this day and again 3 days later (Visit 3). Serology was repeated at Visit 4 (7 days after Visit 2). Results A total of 94 antibody-negative participants were included (&lt;50 years [n = 50]; ≥50 years [n = 44]). At Visit 2, 38.0 and 31.8% of participants aged &lt;50 and ≥50 years were antibody-positive (≥0.5 EU/ml). At Visit 4, all participants were antibody-positive; 82.0 and 47.7% of participants aged &lt;50 and ≥50 years had antibody levels &gt;4 EU/ml, respectively. Conclusions One-dose IM vaccine was effective as PrEP for priming the immune system in both age groups, resulting in rapid development of antibodies 7 days after commencing simulated PEP. If there is insufficient time to complete a standard PrEP schedule, one-dose IM could be considered as an alternative schedule for short trips, rather than not offering travellers any doses at all. Clinical trials registration: ACTRN12619000946112.


Author(s):  
Panipak Katawethiwong ◽  
Anucha Apisarnthanarak ◽  
Kittiya Jantarathaneewat ◽  
David J. Weber ◽  
David K. Warren ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Limited data are available on the implementation of an area under the concentration-time curve (AUC)–based dosing protocol with multidisciplinary team (MT) support to improve adherence with vancomycin dosing protocol. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of an AUC-based dosing protocol with MT support intervention with adherence to a hospital-wide vancomycin dosing protocol at Thammasat University Hospital. Method: We conducted a quasi-experimental study in patients who were prescribed intravenous vancomycin. The study was divided into 2 periods; (1) the preintervention period when the vancomycin dosing protocol was already applied in routine practice and (2) the post-intervention period when the implementation of an AUC-based dosing protocol with MT support was added to the existing vancomycin dosing protocol. The primary outcome was the rate of adherence, and the secondary outcomes included acute kidney injury events, vancomycin-related adverse events, and 30-day mortality rate. Results: In total, 240 patients were enrolled. The most common infections were skin and soft-tissue infections (24.6%) and bacteremia (24.6%). The most common pathogens were coagulase-negative staphylococci (19.6%) and Enterococcus spp (15.4%). Adherence with the vancomycin dosing protocol was significantly higher in the postintervention period (90.8% vs 55%; P ≤ .001). By multivariate analysis, an AUC-based dosing protocol with MT support was the sole predictor for adherence with the vancomycin dosing protocol (adjusted odds ratio, 10.31; 95% confidence interval, 4.54–23.45; P ≤ .001). The 30-day mortality rate was significantly lower during the postintervention period (8.3% vs 20%; P = .015). Conclusions: AUC-based dosing protocol with MT support significantly improved adherence with vancomycin dosing protocol and was associated with a lower 30-day mortality rate.


Author(s):  
Leticia Borfe ◽  
Caroline Brand ◽  
Letícia Schneiders ◽  
Jorge Mota ◽  
Claudia Cavaglieri ◽  
...  

Physical exercise reduces the biochemical markers of obesity, but the effects of multicomponent interventions on these markers should be explored. The present study aimed to elucidate how overweight/obese adolescents respond to a multicomponent program approach on body composition, physical fitness, and inflammatory markers, using a quasi-experimental study with 33 overweight/obesity adolescents (control group (CG) = 16; intervention group (IG) = 17). The intervention consisted of 24 weeks with physical exercises and nutritional and psychological guidance. Both groups were evaluated at the pre/post-intervention moments on body mass index (BMI); body fat (%Fat); waist circumference (WC); waist/hip ratio (WHR); waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF); abdominal strength, flexibility; leptin; interleukin 6; interleukin 10; and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Mixed-analysis of variance and generalized estimation equations were used for statistical analysis. There was an interaction effect between groups and time on %Fat (p = 0.002), WC (p = 0.023), WHR (p < 0.001), WHtR (p = 0.035), CRF (p = 0.050), and leptin (p = 0.026). Adolescents were classified as 82.4% responders for %Fat, 70.6% for WC, 88.2% for WHR, and 70.6% for CRF. Further, there was an association between changes in %Fat (p = 0.033), WC (p = 0.032), and WHR (p = 0.033) between responders and non-responders with CRF in the IG. There was a positive effect on body composition, physical fitness, and leptin. In addition, reductions in body composition parameters were explained by CRF improvements.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S684-S684
Author(s):  
Victoria Konold ◽  
Palak Bhagat ◽  
Jennifer Pisano ◽  
Natasha N Pettit ◽  
Anish Choksi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background To meet the core elements required for antimicrobial stewardship programs, our institution implemented a pharmacy-led antibiotic timeout (ATO) process in 2017 and a multidisciplinary ATO process in 2019. An antibiotic timeout is a discussion and review of the need for ongoing empirical antibiotics 2-4 days after initiation. This study sought to evaluate both the multidisciplinary ATO and the pharmacy-led ATO in a pediatric population, compare the impact of each intervention on antibiotic days of therapy (DOT) to a pre-intervention group without an ATO, and to then compare the impact of the pharmacy-led ATO versus multidisciplinary ATO on antibiotic days of therapy (DOT). Methods This was a retrospective, pre-post, quasi-experimental study of pediatric patients comparing antibiotic DOT prior to ATO implementation (pre-ATO), during the pharmacy-led ATO (pharm-ATO), and during the multidisciplinary ATO (multi-ATO). The pre-ATO group was a patient sample from February-September 2016, prior to the initiation of a formal ATO. The pharmacy-led ATO was implemented from February-September 2018. This was followed by a multidisciplinary ATO led by pediatric residents and nurses from February-September 2019. Both the pharm-ATO and the multi-ATO were implemented as an active non-interruptive alert added to the electronic health record patient list. This alert triggered when new antibiotics had been administered to the patient for 48 hours, at which time, the responsible clinician would discuss the antibiotic and document their decision via the alert workspace. Pediatric patients receiving IV or PO antibiotics administered for at least 48 hours were included. The primary outcome was DOT. Secondary outcomes included length of stay (LOS) and mortality. Results 1284 unique antibiotic orders (n= 572 patients) were reviewed in the pre-ATO group, 868 (n= 323 patients) in the pharm-ATO and 949 (n= 305 patients) in the multi-ATO groups. Average DOT was not significantly different pre vs post intervention for either methodology (Table 1). Mortality was similar between groups, but LOS was longer for both intervention groups (Table 1). Impact of an ATO on DOT, Mortality and LOS Conclusion An ATO had no impact on average antibiotic DOT in a pediatric population, regardless of the ATO methodology. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document