scholarly journals Nurse-Led, Shared Medical Appointments for Common Gastrointestinal Conditions—Improving Outcomes Through Collaboration With Primary Care in the Medical Home: A Prospective Observational Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 59-66
Author(s):  
Kerri L Novak ◽  
Jennifer Halasz ◽  
Christopher Andrews ◽  
Colleen Johnston ◽  
Willem Schoombee ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are common gastrointestinal disorders accounting for a significant demand for specialty care. The aim of this study was to evaluate safety, access and outcomes of patients assessed by a nurse-led, shared medical appointment. Methods This prospective observational study utilized a sample of 770 patients referred to a gastroenterology Central Access and Triage for routine GERD, dyspepsia or IBS from 2011 to 2014. Patient demographics, clinical indication, frequency and outcomes of endoscopy, quality of life, wait times and long-term outcomes (>2 years) were compared between 411 patients assigned to a nurse-led, shared medical appointment and 359 patients assigned to clinic for a gastroenterology physician consultation. Results The nurse-led, shared medical appointment pathway compared with usual care pathway had shorter median wait times (12.6 weeks versus 137.1 weeks, P < 0.0001), fewer endoscopic exams (50.9% versus 76.3%, P < 0.0001), less gastroenterology re-referrals (4.6% versus 15.6%, P < 0.0001), and reduced visits to the emergency department (6.1% versus 12.0%, P = 0.004). After two years of follow-up, outcomes were no different between the pathways. Conclusions Patients with GERD, IBS or dyspepsia who attend the nurse-led, shared medical appointment have improved access to care and reduced resource utilization without increased risk of significant gastrointestinal outcomes after two years of follow-up.

2012 ◽  
Vol 142 (5) ◽  
pp. S-379-S-380
Author(s):  
Eleonora Giannetti ◽  
Rossella Turco ◽  
Erasmo Miele ◽  
Federica de Seta ◽  
Marina Russo ◽  
...  

Haematologica ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey I. Zwicker ◽  
Dilan Paranagama ◽  
David S. Lessen ◽  
Philomena M. Colucci ◽  
Michael R. Grunwald

Polycythemia vera (PV) is associated with increased risk of thrombosis and hemorrhage. Aspirin, recommended for primary thromboprophylaxis, is often combined with anticoagulants during management of acute thrombotic events. The safety of dual antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy is not established in PV. In a prospective, observational study, 2510 patients with PV were enrolled at 227 sites in the United States. Patients were monitored for the development of hemorrhage and thrombosis after enrollment. A total of 1602 patients with PV received aspirin with median (range) follow-up of 2.4 (0-3.6) years. The exposure-adjusted rate of all hemorrhages in patients receiving aspirin alone was 1.40 per 100 patient-years (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.99-1.82). The combination of aspirin plus anticoagulant was associated with an incidence of hemorrhage of 6.75 per 100 patient-years (95% CI: 3.04-10.46). The risk of hemorrhage was significantly greater in patients receiving the combination of aspirin and anticoagulant compared with aspirin alone (total hemorrhages, hazard ratio [HR]: 5.83; 95% CI: 3.36-10.11; P


Cardiology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Aharon Erez ◽  
Gregory Golovchiner ◽  
Robert Klempfner ◽  
Ehud Kadmon ◽  
Gustavo Ruben Goldenberg ◽  
...  

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> In patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) at risk for stroke, dabigatran 150 mg twice a day (DE150) is superior to warfarin for stroke prevention. However, there is paucity of data with respect to bleeding risk at this dose in elderly patients (≥75 years). We aimed to evaluate the safety of DE150 in comparison to warfarin in a real-world population with AF and low bleeding risk (HAS-BLED score ≤2). <b><i>Methods:</i></b> In this prospective observational study, 754 consecutive patients with AF and HAS-BLED score ≤2 were included. We compared outcome of elderly patients (age ≥75 tears) to younger patients (age &#x3c;75 years). The primary end point was the combined incidence of all-cause mortality, stroke, systemic emboli, and major bleeding event during a mean follow-up of 1 year. <b><i>Results:</i></b> There were 230 (30%) elderly patients, 151 patients were treated with warfarin, and 79 were treated with DE150. Fifty-two patients experienced the primary endpoint during the 1-year follow-up. Among the elderly, at 1-year of follow-up, the cumulative event rate of the combined endpoint in the DE150 and warfarin was 8.9 and 15.9% respectively (<i>p</i> = 0.14). After adjustment for age and gender, patients who were treated with DE150 had a nonsignificant difference in the risk for the combined end point as patients treated with warfarin both among the elderly and among the younger population (HR 0.58, 95% C.I = 0.25–1.39 and HR = 1.12, 95% C.I 0.62–2.00, respectively [<i>p</i> for age-group-by-treatment interaction = 0.83). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Our results suggest that Dabigatran 150 mg twice a day can be safely used among elderly AF patients with low bleeding risk.


BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (8) ◽  
pp. e014505 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mona Leandra Peikert ◽  
Laura Inhestern ◽  
Corinna Bergelt

IntroductionFor ill children as well as for their parents and siblings, childhood cancer poses a major challenge. Little is known about the reintegration into daily life of childhood cancer survivors and their families. The aim of this prospective observational study is to further the understanding of the role of rehabilitation measures in the reintegration process of childhood leukaemia or brain tumour survivors and their family members after the end of cancer treatment.Methods and analysisThis prospective observational study consists of three study arms: a quantitative study in cooperation with three German paediatric oncological study registries (study arm 1), a quantitative study in cooperation with a rehabilitation clinic that offers a family-oriented paediatric oncological rehabilitation programme (study arm 2) and a qualitative study at 12-month follow-up including families from the study arms 1 and 2 (study arm 3). In study arm 1, children, parents and siblings are surveyed after treatment (baseline), 4–6 months after baseline measurement and at 12-month follow-up. In study arm 2, data are collected at the beginning and at the end of the rehabilitation measure and at 12-month follow-up. Families are assessed with standardised questionnaires on quality of life, emotional and behavioural symptoms, depression, anxiety, fear of progression, coping and family functioning. Furthermore, self-developed items on rehabilitation aims and reintegration into daily life are used. Where applicable, users and non-users of rehabilitation measures will be compared regarding the outcome parameters. Longitudinal data will be analysed by means of multivariate analysis strategies. Reference values will be used for comparisons if applicable. Qualitative data will be analysed using thematic analysis.Ethics and disseminationThis study has been approved by the medical ethics committee of the Medical Chamber of Hamburg. Data will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at conferences.


Author(s):  
VS Gaurav Narayan ◽  
SG Ramya ◽  
Sonal Rajesh Kumar ◽  
SK Nellaiappa Ganesan

Introduction: The Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is a rapid decline in renal filtration function. The aetiological spectrum, prevalence of AKI and outcome is highly variable. This variation exists due to the difference in the criteria used, study population and demographic features. Huge differences are noted when AKI is compared in developing and developed countries. Hence, it is important to analyse the spectrum of AKI to facilitate earlier diagnosis and treatment which shall help in improving the outcome. Aim: To study the prevalence, aetiology and outcome of AKI in the medical intensive care. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective observational study conducted in a medical intensive care for 18 months where 1490 patients were screened and 403 patients were included as AKI by KDIGO criteria. History, examination, appropriate investigations and treatment details including dialysis were noted. The serum creatinine levels were obtained every day, to know the time of onset of AKI, at the time of death or discharge, and after one month for patients who turned up for follow-up. Patients were categorised based on outcome as survivors and nonsurvivors. Survivors were divided into as fully recovered and partially recovered and those who left the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) against medical advice were termed as lost to follow-up. Results: A total of 403 patients (27.04% of 1490) of medical intensive care admissions were found to have AKI. Sepsis was the most common cause of AKI. At the end of the month, 78.4% of AKI patients fully recovered, 1.2% partially recovered and the mortality was 14.9%. Mortality was higher in AKI associated with chronic medical conditions like cardiac failure, chronic liver disease and stroke. Conclusion: If treated early, AKI is mostly reversible. Regional differences in AKI should be studied extensively and local guidelines should be formulated by experts for prevention and early treatment, to improve the disease outcome.


2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-10
Author(s):  
Grisuna Singh ◽  
Binod Thapa ◽  
Kiran Gurung ◽  
Nirmal Gyawali

Introduction: The physical, socioeconomic and psychological burden of low back pain is enormous. The poor socioeconomic condition and geographical constrains confines people to limited health facilities. The objective of the study was to evaluate whether combination of caudal epidural steroids with local anaesthetics and gabapentin is effective for radicular low back pain in the rural Nepal setting. Methods: It was a prospective observational study including 300 patients with radicular low back pain done over a period of 6 months (13/4/2016 to 30/10/2016). All participants received caudal epidural steroid injection (6ml 2% Xylocaine with adrenaline plus Depomedroxy steroid 80mg plus 12 ml distilled water) and 200 mg gabapentin daily for three months. All patients were followed up for three months and were evaluated. Results: Mean age of presentation was 41.21 years (SD ± 11.02) with majority of farmers (42.31%). Mean Numerical Rating Scale at the baseline was 8.01(SD±1.00) and at the first follow up was 3.98 (SD±0.83) (p <0.001). Mean Oswestry Disability Index at baseline was7.85 (SD±0.98) and at the first follow up was 4.04 (SD±0.80) (p <0.001). Straight Leg Raising Test at baseline was less than 70° in 84.7% which improved to more than 70° in 87.9% of the patients (p-value <0.001). Conclusion: Caudal epidural steroids combined with gabapentin is safe, economical and technically less demanding. This treatment modality can be used with good outcomes in the rural areas with limited diagnostic and therapeutic facilities.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document