The Impact of Standing Orders on Medication and Skill Selection, Paramedic Assessment, and Hospital Outcome: A Follow-up Report

1991 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 303-308 ◽  
Author(s):  
James E. Pointer ◽  
Michael Osur ◽  
Colleen Campbell ◽  
Ben H. Mathews ◽  
Chet McCall

AbstractIntroduction:A prior report demonstrated a five-minute decrement in scene and total prehospital times in the standing order and limited standing order intervals as compared to control.Methods:The Alameda County Emergency Medical Service (EMS) District studied the impact of standing orders on field times, comparison of paramedic assessments with emergency department diagnoses, field drug use and procedures, and hospital outcome. These variables were studied over three discrete, six-week, time-study intervals, which represented three different levels of base-hospital medical control (control, standing order, and limited standing order).Results:There were no statistically significant differences between the three time-study intervals for the following variables: 1) incidence of prehospital administration of three cardiac arrest drugs; 2) incidence of prehospital administration of no drugs; 3) incidence of performance of endotracheal intubation; 4) incidence of performance of defibrillation; 5) assessment comparison; and 6) hospital outcome. There were statistically significant differences between intervals for incidence of: 1) administration of naloxone; 2) administration of 50% dextrose; 3) intravenous (IV) starts; and 4) paramedic performance of no procedures.Conclusion:Although there are several potential flaws in method, the data suggest that standing orders result in decreased incidence of drug administration and IV starts in non-critical situations without a negative impact on paramedic assessments or hospital outcome.

2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (12) ◽  
pp. 683-691
Author(s):  
Jean Doherty ◽  
Mary Brosnan ◽  
Lucille Sheehy

Background There has been a shift in maternity care over the past decade. The changes encountered by postnatal ward staff and the impact of these changes on women postnatally requires exploration. This study aimed to ascertain midwives' and healthcare assistants' perspectives of the changes in postnatal care and challenges to providing care in the current context. Methods This was a qualitative study involving two focus groups of 15 midwives and healthcare assistants from an Irish urban maternity hospital. The participants' responses were analysed thematically. Results Changes in women's clinical characteristics, including increased comorbidities and caesarean section rates, were highlighted as creating additional care needs. Furthermore, additional midwifery tasks and clinical protocols as well as shorter hospital stays leave little time for high-quality, woman-centred care. Participants highlighted a negative impact on maternal health from limited follow-up midwifery care in the community. Conclusions With additional midwifery duties and a reduction in time to complete them, additional community midwifery care is key to providing high-quality follow-on care after postnatal discharge from hospital.


2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (10) ◽  
pp. 647 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosana Maia ◽  
Inês Neves ◽  
António Morais ◽  
Henrique Queiroga

Introduction: The relationship between cancer and thromboembolic events has been known for a long time. Lung and venous thromboembolism are frequent complications of lung cancer and its treatment, being a great cause of morbidity and mortality. We pretend to establish the relationship between lung and venous thromboembolism and lung cancer, describe patient characteristics and analyze the impact in the survival and prognosis.Material and Methods: It was a retrospective study. All research subjects were selected from lung cancer patients with a newly diagnosed lung and venous thromboembolism event admitted to Hospital S. João, between January 2008 and December 2013 and were followed until December 2014. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS.Results: From the search, we obtained 113 patients. The majority was male, smokers or ex-smokers, and adenocarcinoma was the most frequent histologic type, being diagnosed mostly in advanced stages. We noticed that the median time between lung cancer diagnosis and lung venous thromboembolism was 2.9 months. In 24 patients (21.4%), the lung cancer diagnosis occurred after the lung and venous thromboembolism event and in 86 patients (76.8%), it occurred before the event. After a median follow up of 1.4 months, 107 (94.7%) patients died, 1 (0.9%) was lost to follow-up and 5 (4.4%) were still alive. The median survival rate was 1.5 months.Discussion: The diagnosis of lung and venous thromboembolism in patients with lung cancer is associated with bad prognosis. It occurs most frequently in patients with advanced disease, in the first months after lung cancer diagnosis and after beginning chemotherapy.Conclusion: Disease progression is an independent predictor with negative impact in overall survival.


2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 1051-1059
Author(s):  
Maryanne Caruana ◽  
Victor Grech

AbstractBackgroundThe improved survival of patients born with CHD has led to increasing interest in research on quality of life of adult survivors. We report the findings of the first study in Malta carried out to investigate quality of life in adults with CHD under follow-up.MethodsA self-reporting questionnaire modelled on the basis of the European Health Interview Survey 2008, including questions on mental health and vitality, was administered to consecutive adult CHD outpatients, aged 16 years and over, between May, 2013 and May, 2014. Foreigners and patients with learning difficulties or cognitive impairment were excluded. Quality-of-life data were compared with that from 371 age- and sex-matched 2008 survey responders – general population cohort. The impact of congenital lesion complexity, hospitalisation in the preceding 12 months, arrhythmias, co-morbidities, and cardiac medication use on quality of life of the CHD cohort was also investigated.ResultsThere were a total of 120 patient responders (63 males; mean age 30.53, SD 12.77 years). Overall, there were no significant differences in mental health and vitality between patient and general population cohorts, although older patients had better mental health scores compared with age-matched controls. Within the adult CHD cohort, hospitalisation in the preceding 12 months was the only factor associated with a poorer quality of life.ConclusionsOverall, CHD has no negative impact on mental health and vitality in Maltese adult patients under follow-up. Patients needing frequent hospitalisations might warrant closer attention by clinical psychologists.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Teresa Bruno ◽  
Guido Scalia ◽  
Nazario Cassaro ◽  
Maria Costanzo ◽  
Sara Boemi

Abstract BackgroundAccording to the 2006 American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology guidelines, positive CIN2 p16 in women over the age of 25 should be managed with excisional treatment. However, excisional treatment is associated with physical, psychological and obstetric morbidity and can have a negative impact on sexual function. In our study we sought to identify a clear management strategy, addressing the impact of routine use of p16 immunohistochemistry in this population and identify appropriate criteria for patient selection with the aim of reducing over-treatment.MethodWe studied the medical records of 130 patients who had undergone laser therapy for CIN2. Each patient underwent colposcopy, biopsy and HPV test and were tested for p16 protein,. Patients were divided based on HPV infection into: single infections, multiple infections. All patients underwent ZTA laser therapy with follow-up (2-year follow-up ). Statistical analysis Contingency tables were created to evaluate the correlation between single, multiple and CIN2+ infections. Values with p <0.05 were considered statistically significant.ResultsSingle infections had a histological regression of 61.8% (21/34) and a histological persistence rate of 35.3% (12/34), which was greater than the multiple infection rate. The common characteristic that the women with persistence and progression had was the dimension of the lesion and the genotype 16. Ten cases of histological persistence and the only case of progression had one lesion greater than three quarters of the cervix.ConclusionsWith the progress of our understanding of the natural history of infection from human papillomavirus and the increasing use of colposcopy, thanks to the addition of HPV genotyping and the technique of immunohistochemistry, conservative management of these lesions is now possible


2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 252-258 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morten Kvistholm Jensen ◽  
Lothar Faber ◽  
Max Liebregts ◽  
Jaroslav Januska ◽  
Jan Krejci ◽  
...  

Abstract Aims We analysed the impact of bundle branch block (BBB) and pacemaker (PM) implantation on symptoms and survival after alcohol septal ablation (ASA) in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Methods and results Among 1416 HCM patients from the Euro-ASA registry, 58 (4%) patients had a PM and 64 (5%) patients had an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) before ASA. At latest follow-up (5.0 ± 4.0 years) after ASA, 118 (8%) patients had an ICD and 229 (16%) patients had a PM. In patients without an implantable device prior to ASA 13% had a PM and 5% had an ICD implanted following ASA. New onset BBB was present in 44% (right BBB in 31%) of patients without previous BBB. At latest follow-up, we found no associations between BBB and New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class 3–4 [odds ratio (OR) 0.98, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.63–1.51; P = 0.91] or Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) Class 3–4 (OR 1.5, CI 0.32–6.7; P = 0.62), respectively, and no associations between PM and NYHA Class 3–4 (OR 1.2, CI 0.70–2.0; P = 0.52) or CCS 3–4 (OR 1.3, CI 0.24–6.6; P = 0.79), respectively. The survival after ASA was not reduced in patients with BBB [hazard ratio (HR) 0.73, CI 0.53–1.01; P = 0.06] or PM (HR 0.78, CI 0.52–1.17; P = 0.24). Conclusions Development of BBB or need for a PM after ASA in patients with obstructive HCM was not associated with inferior symptomatic outcome or reduced survival, thus concerns for the negative impact of impaired cardiac conduction on the clinical outcome after ASA were not confirmed.


2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 114-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alvilde Maria Ossum ◽  
Øyvind Palm ◽  
Milada Cvancarova ◽  
Tomm Bernklev ◽  
Jørgen Jahnsen ◽  
...  

Ongoing joint pain and back pain were associated with reduced quality of life and fatigue in IBD patients after 20 years of disease, whereas spondyloarthritis without ongoing joint symptoms did not have a negative impact on these patient-reported outcomes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 166
Author(s):  
Veronica Marchetti ◽  
Eleonora Gori ◽  
Valeria Mariotti ◽  
Angelo Gazzano ◽  
Chiara Mariti

This research was aimed at evaluating the impact of canine chronic enteropathies on dogs’ quality of life (QoL), their behavior, and owner–dog relationship. Forty-four dogs suffering from primary chronic enteropathies were assessed on the first visit with a veterinary gastroenterologist and on the first follow-up visit using a 1–10 visual scale to evaluate five features of QoL, the Canine Chronic Enteropathy Clinical Activity Index, the Lexington Attachment to Pet Scale, and the Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire. They were compared to a control group of 49 healthy dogs and to a group of 50 dogs suffering from cancer. QoL and severity of enteropathy were negatively associated; enteropathic dogs on the first visit had a lower QoL than healthy dogs for all features and a lower general QoL than cancer patients; enteropathic dogs on the follow-up visit improved significantly for general QoL, health QoL, and interaction QoL. Higher levels of attachment between the owner and the dog were obtained for dogs affected by chronic enteropathies. Finally, dogs showed higher scores for separation-related behaviors and contact/attention behaviors on the first visit than on the subsequent follow-up. As in human medicine, chronic enteropathies have a strong negative impact on dogs.


Blood ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 122 (21) ◽  
pp. 2152-2152
Author(s):  
Teresa Field ◽  
Janelle Perkins ◽  
Marcie Tomblyn ◽  
Ryan Hillgruber ◽  
Taiga Nishihori ◽  
...  

Abstract HCT is the only known curative treatment for MDS. Treatment with the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor 5-azacitidine (aza) can slow leukemic progression and has been utilized prior to HCT for both tumor debulking and to provide stabilization of the disease during the pre-allograft period. To discern the impact of pretransplant aza treatment on HCT outcomes, we retrospectively analyzed 132 patients (pts) according to pretransplant aza exposure. Patients included those who had a diagnosis of MDS or CMML at any time point in the course of their disease who subsequently received a HCT from a HLA-compatible donor. Eligible patients proceeded to transplant if they had adverse disease features such as elevated IPSS risk, treatment related MDS, progression of disease or refractory disease. Consecutive patients referred for HCT between July 2004 and July 2009 were evaluated. Seventy percent of pts with an identified donor proceeded to HCT. All received a myeloablative HCT using fludarabine and IV-busulfan [targeted to a specific AUC of 3500, 5300, 6000 or 7500]. Graft versus host disease prophylaxis was with tacrolimus plus methotrexate or sirolimus or mycophenolate mofetil. Only those with mismatched donors received antithymocyte globulin. The median age of the 64 allograft pts not receiving preHCT aza (No AZA group) was 56.8 (24.8 –73.5) years (yrs). Thirty-seven (58%) pts were older than 55 yrs. At diagnosis, IPSS risk was Low (n=4), Int-1 (n=23), Int-2 (n=13), High (n=5), not evaluable (n=4) (NE), AML (n=16) and CMML (n=9). Seventeen had treatment related MDS (tMDS) and 18 had AML at one time. Donors included 24 sibling donors (MRD), 29 matched unrelated donors (MUD) and 11 mismatched unrelated donors (mMUD). Median follow-up is 66.2 months (29.7 – 105.7 months). Sixty-eight pts received a median of four (1-12) cycles of aza prior to HCT (YES AZA group). The median age was 57.3 (25.6 – 73.8) yrs. Thirty-nine pts (57%) were older than 55 yrs. At diagnosis, IPSS risk was Low (n=3), Int-1 (n=21), Int-2 (n=21), High (n=12), NE (n=2), AML (n=2) and CMML (n=7). Eighteen had tMDS and 10 had AML at one point. Donors included MRD (n=32), MUD (n=31) and mMUD (n=5). Median follow-up is 53.8 months (24.1 – 103.2 months). Prior to transplant the number of marrow blasts in the No-AZA vs Yes-AZA was: <5% (n=37 vs 36), 5-10% (n=12 vs 14), 11 – 20% (n=9 vs 9), >20% (n=2 vs 3) and CMML (n=4 vs 6). All patients engrafted with no difference in engraftment rates or toxicities between the two groups. Additionally, cumulative incidence of non-relapse mortality and relapse rates at 1 yr/ 3 yrs were similar [NRM: No AZA 20.5/ 37.4% vs Yes AZA 20.7/ 23.9 %; REL: 34.2/ 37.5% vs 26.4/ 32.4%]. At 3 years, the RFS and OS suggest improvement with pretransplant AZA but do not reach statistical significance [RFS: No AZA 26% vs Yes AZA 44.1%; p = 0.14; OS: 30.9% vs 51.4%; p=0.15]. Utilization of pre-HCT 5-azaciticidine is a feasible strategy and doesn’t appear to have any negative impact on HCT outcomes. Given the disease control facilitated by aza it should be offered to patients with high risk MDS coming to transplant. Disclosures: Field: Celgene: Research Funding. Alsina:Millennium: Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Lancet:Celgene: Research Funding. List:Celgene: Research Funding. Komrokji:Celgene: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau.


RMD Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. e001548
Author(s):  
Anna Kernder ◽  
Harriet Morf ◽  
Philipp Klemm ◽  
Diana Vossen ◽  
Isabell Haase ◽  
...  

ObjectiveTo analyse the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on rheumatic patients’ and rheumatologists’ usage, preferences and perception of digital health applications (DHAs).MethodsA web-based national survey was developed by the Working Group Young Rheumatology of the German Society for Rheumatology and the German League against Rheumatism. The prospective survey was distributed via social media (Twitter, Instagram and Facebook), QR code and email. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and regression analyses were performed to show correlations.ResultsWe analysed the responses of 299 patients and 129 rheumatologists. Most patients (74%) and rheumatologists (76%) believed that DHAs are useful in the management of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) and felt confident in their own usage thereof (90%; 86%). 38% of patients and 71% of rheumatologists reported that their attitude had changed positively towards DHAs and that their usage had increased due to COVID-19 (29%; 48%). The majority in both groups agreed on implementing virtual visits for follow-up appointments in stable disease conditions. The most reported advantages of DHAs were usage independent of time and place (76.6%; 77.5%). The main barriers were a lack of information on suitable, available DHAs (58.5%; 41.9%), poor usability (42.1% of patients) and a lack of evidence supporting the effectiveness of DHAs (23.2% of rheumatologists). Only a minority (<10% in both groups) believed that digitalisation has a negative impact on the patient–doctor relationship.ConclusionThe COVID-19 pandemic instigated an increase in patients’ and rheumatologists’ acceptance and usage of DHAs, possibly introducing a permanent paradigm shift in the management of RMDs.


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