Measuring outcomes for TC clients: Higher Ground Drug Rehabilitation Trust

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 121-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julian King ◽  
Johnny Dow ◽  
Brendan Stevenson
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Outcome ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Outcome Data ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Drug Rehabilitation ◽  
Post Discharge ◽  
Discharge Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Clinical Outcome Data

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse the clinical outcome data collected as part of an 18-week, abstinence-based residential therapeutic community (TC) programme, Higher Ground Drug Rehabilitation Trust (Higher Ground) in New Zealand. Lessons and implications for routine collection of clinical outcome data are identified. Design/methodology/approach Higher Ground collects longitudinal data on all consenting clients using a battery of validated psychometric tools, with repeated measures at up to nine points in time from first presentation through to 12-month post-discharge follow up. Data analysis covered clients who entered Higher Ground between 1 July 2012 and 2 June 2015 (n=524). Findings Clients presented with histories of addiction which often had significant negative associations with their physical and psychological health, their relationships, work, accommodation and criminal behaviour. By the time they exited the programme, clinically and statistically significant improvements were seen across multiple indicators including: substance use and abstinence; symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety and stress; and a range of social indicators. Research limitations/implications Attrition in follow-up research is a significant challenge, with people completing the TC programme being more likely to participate than those who do not. This limits generalizability in post-discharge data. There was no control group, making causal attribution a challenge. Identifying suitable benchmarks from the literature is challenging because of the variety of outcome measures and research methodologies used. Practical implications Tracking client outcomes longitudinally using psychometric tools is potentially valuable for TCs and their funding bodies, as it provides insights into patterns of client recovery that can inform ongoing service improvements and resource allocation decisions. However, significant challenges remain. Originality/value The study demonstrates the value, and practical challenges, of collecting high-quality outcome data in a TC setting.

P–574 Examination of inter centre variation in PGT-A “no result rate” and efficacy of rebiopsy - Analysis of 22,833 samples 2015–2019

2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
C Lynch ◽  
K Sanders ◽  
T Gordon ◽  
D Griffin
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Outcome ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Outcome Data ◽  
Exact Test ◽  
Clinical Outcome Data ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Impact On Survival ◽  
Registration Number ◽  
Patient Use

Abstract Study question Are there significant differences in PGT-A “no result” rates and clinical outcomes following rebiopsy between ART clinics, and do rebiopsied embryos perform better than transferring with no result? Summary answer There is significant differences between clinics in terms of “no result rate” in PGT-A and utilisation of rebiopsy. What is known already: With any testing platform used in PGT-A, there is always a chance that a sample will not yield a result and rebiopsy may be considered to ascertain an embryos cytogenetic status. Studies have demonstrated rebiopsy yields results and adds to embryos genetically suitable for transfer. Clinical outcome data, however, remains scarce, leading to difficulty for clinics in benchmarking their performance when rebiopsied embryos are transferred. Study design, size, duration A retrospective analysis was performed of trophectoderm samples submitted for PGT-A via NGS over a 5yr period, 2015–2019. The no result (NR) rate was calculated per year and per clinic. Clinics were contacted for follow up data on NR embryos in terms of usage and clinical outcomes. Clinical outcomes from rebiopsied embryos were compared with those transferred as NR without rebiopsy. Participants/materials, setting, methods Data was collected on 22833 trophectoderm samples, submitted by 30 IVF laboratories. NR rate was analysed by year and by clinic. Clinics were asked if NR embryos had undergone rebiopsy, and if so if they had survived warming and rebiopsy. Clinics were asked if embryos selected for transfer had survived (re)warming, and to provide clinical follow-up including hCG test, clinical pregnancies, miscarriage and livebirth. The two tailed Fishers exact test was used for statistical analysis. Main results and the role of chance There was a wide range in sample numbers submitted by clinics over the time period, ranging from 9 samples through to 2633. In tclinics submitting over 500 samples the NR rate ranged from 0.6% to 7.4%, and in the those submitting 100–499 samples it ranged from 1.1% to 5.8%. Both these differences proved to be statistically significant (p < 0.05) between the best and worst performing clinics, and shows that a gap in performance exists between clinics. Less than 50% of NR embryos underwent rebiopsy. While the majority of embryos undergoing rebiopsy yielded a result (92.3%) and 31.4% of these were euploid or mosaic, almost half still remain in storage. The rate of livebirth/ongoing implantation in the rebiopsy group is 35.5% and 17.1% in the non rebiopsy group, illustrating a non significant trend towards a higher chance of implantation and livebirth in the rebiopsy group. Of 58 patients undergoing rebiopsy without any euploids in their initial cycle, 18 had a euploid embryo identified for future use. The additional manipulations involved in rebiopsy do not impact on survival at warming for transfer, but clinical outcomes in rebiopsied embryos appear poorer than those where a result was generated at first biopsy. Limitations, reasons for caution Despite starting with 22833 samples, 1115 of which were classified as NR, there were only 31 rebiopsied and 42 NR embryos transferred. It was therefore not possible to analyse transfer data by clinic or by embryo quality. Wider implications of the findings: Rebiopsy yields genetic results and embryos suitable for patient use, including for patients who produced no other euploid/mosaic embryos in their cycle. However, it is not offered/performed in many cases. Clinical outcome data must continue to be compiled and analysed to confirm performance exceeds transfer of NR embryos. Trial registration number Not applicable

scholarly journals Impact of pharmacist-conducted anticoagulation patient education and telephone follow-up on transitions of care: a randomized controlled trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lamis R. Karaoui ◽  
Elsy Ramia ◽  
Hanine Mansour ◽  
Nisrine Haddad ◽  
Nibal Chamoun
Keyword(s):  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Bleeding Event ◽  
Transitions Of Care ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Post Discharge ◽  
Readmission Rates ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background There is limited published data in Lebanon evaluating the impact of supplemental education for anticoagulants use, especially DOACs, on clinical outcomes such as bleeding. The study aims to assess the impact of pharmacist-conducted anticoagulation education and follow-up on bleeding and readmission rates. Methods This study was a randomized, non-blinded interventional study conducted between August 2017 and July 2019 in a tertiary care teaching Lebanese hospital. Participants were inpatients ≥18 years discharged on an oral anticoagulant for treatment. Block randomization was used. The control group received the standard nursing counseling while the intervention group additionally received pharmacy counseling. Phone call follow-ups were done on day 3 and 30 post-discharge. Primary outcomes included readmission rates and any bleeding event at day 3 and 30 post-discharge. Secondary outcomes included documented elements of education in the medical records and reported mortality upon day 30 post-discharge. Results Two hundred patients were recruited in the study (100 patients in each study arm) with a mean age of 73.9 years. In the pharmacist-counseled group, more patients contacted their physician within 3 days (14% versus 4%; p = 0.010), received explicit elements of education (p < 0.001) and documentation in the chart was better (p < 0.05). In the standard of care group, patients were more aware of their next physician appointment date (52% versus 31%, p < 0.001). No difference in bleeding rates at day 3 and 30 post-discharge was observed between the groups. Conclusions Although pharmacist-conducted anticoagulation education did not appear to reduce bleeding or readmission rates at day 30, pharmacist education significantly increased patient communication with their providers in the early days post-discharge. Trial registration Lebanon Clinical Trial Registry LBCTR2020033424. Retrospectively registered. Date of registration: 06/03/2020.

A new endoscopic technique to decompress lumbar nerve roots affected by spondylolysis

2003 ◽  
Vol 98 (3) ◽  
pp. 290-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Koichi Sairyo ◽  
Shinsuke Katoh ◽  
Tadanori Sakamaki ◽  
Shinji Komatsubara ◽  
Natsuo Yasui
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Outcome ◽  
Nerve Root ◽  
Clinical Results ◽  
Skin Incision ◽  
Endoscopic Technique ◽  
Spinal Instability ◽  
Nerve Roots ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Proximal Stump

✓ The authors describe a new endoscopic technique to decompress lumbar nerve roots affected by spondylolysis. Short-term clinical outcome was evaluated. Surgery-related indications were: 1) radiculopathy without low-back pain; 2) no spinal instability demonstrated on dynamic radiographs; and 3) age older than 40 years. Seven patients, four men and three women, fulfilled these criteria and underwent endoscopic decompressive surgery. Their mean age was 60.9 years (range 42–70 years). No subluxation was present in four patients, whereas Meyerding Grade I slippage was demonstrated in three. For endoscopic decompression, a skin incision of 16 to 18 mm in length was made, and fenestration was performed to identify the affected nerve root. The proximal stump of the ragged edge of the spondylotic lesion, and the fibrocartilaginous mass compressing the nerve root were removed. The follow-up period ranged from 6 to 22 months (mean 11.7 months). Clinical outcome was evaluated using Gill criteria; in three patients the outcome was excellent, and in four it was good. This new endoscopic technique was useful in the decompression of nerve roots affected by spondylolysis, the technique was minimally invasive, and the clinical results were acceptable.

Risk of late stroke and survival following carotid endarterectomy procedures for symptomatic patients

1990 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 193-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dennis A. Turner ◽  
Jay Tracy ◽  
Stephen J. Haines
Keyword(s):  
Carotid Endarterectomy ◽  
Life Table ◽  
Stroke Risk ◽  
Neurological Symptoms ◽  
Treatment Modalities ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Postoperative Stroke ◽  
Fine Print

✓ The long-term outcome following carotid endarterectomy for neurological symptoms was analyzed using a retrospective life-table approach in 212 patients who had undergone 243 endarterectomy procedures. The postoperative follow-up period averaged 38.9 ± 2.1 months (mean ± standard error of the mean). The endpoints of stroke and death were evaluated in these patients. Patient groups with the preoperative symptoms of amaurosis fugax, transient ischemic attack, and prior recovered stroke were similar in terms of life-table outcome over the follow-up period. Sixty-two percent of symptomatic patients were alive and free of stroke at 5 years. The late risk of stroke (after 30 days postoperatively) averaged 1.7% per year based on a linear approximation to the hazard at each life-table interval (1.3% per year for ipsilateral stroke). The trend of late stroke risk was clearly downward, however, and could be fitted more accurately by an exponential decay function with a half-life of 33 months. Thus, the risk of stroke following carotid endarterectomy for neurological symptoms was highest in the perioperative period, slowly declined with time, and occurred predominantly ipsilateral to the procedure. The definition of a prospective medical control group remains crucial for a critical analysis of treatment modalities following the onset of premonitory neurological symptoms. In the absence of an adequate control group for this series, the calculated perioperative and postoperative stroke risk from this study was compared to data obtained from the literature on stroke risk in medically treated symptomatic patients. This uncontrolled comparison of treatment modalities suggests the combined perioperative and postoperative stroke risk associated with carotid endarterectomy to be modestly improved over medical treatment alone.

scholarly journals The added value of cognition-targeted exercise versus symptom-targeted exercise for multiple sclerosis fatigue: A randomized controlled pilot trial

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. e0258752
Author(s):  
Azza Alketbi ◽  
Salah Basit ◽  
Nouran Hamza ◽  
Lori M. Walton ◽  
Ibrahim M. Moustafa
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Clinical Outcome ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Recruitment Rate ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Entire Study ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Intervention Protocol

Background Fatigue is considered one of the most common symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) and lacks a current standardized treatment. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the feasibility and effectiveness of a cognition-targeted exercise versus symptom-targeted exercise for MS fatigue. Methods In this Pilot, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial, sixty participants with multiple sclerosis, were randomly assigned to either a Cognition-Targeted Exercise (CTE) (N = 30, mean age 41) or a Symptom-Targeted Exercise (STE) (N = 30, mean age 42). The participants in the experimental group received eight, 50-minute sessions of weekly Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) in addition to a CTE Program; whereas, participants in the control group received eight, 50-minute sessions of weekly CBT in addition to the standardized physiotherapy program (STE Program). Feasibility was assessed through recruitment rate, participant retention, adherence and safety, in addition to clinical outcome measures, including: (1) Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS), (2) Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS), (3) Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). All outcome measures were assessed at baseline (pretreatment), following completion of the eight visit intervention protocol, and at 3-months follow-up. Results The recruitment rate was 60% and 93% of participants completed the entire study. The recruited participants complied with 98% of the required visits. No adverse events were recorded. A Generalized Estimation Equation Model revealed a significant difference over time as an interaction term during the post and follow up visit for all clinical outcome measures (p < .001). Conclusion The addition of CTE to CBT exhibited positive and more lasting influence on MS fatigue outcomes compared to Symptom-Targeted Exercise (STE). Feasibility and efficacy data from this pilot study provide support for a full-scale RCT of CTE as an integral component of Multiple Sclerosis fatigue management.

Adverse effects of prolonged hyperventilation in patients with severe head injury: a randomized clinical trial

1991 ◽  
Vol 75 (5) ◽  
pp. 731-739 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Paul Muizelaar ◽  
Anthony Marmarou ◽  
John D. Ward ◽  
Hermes A. Kontos ◽  
Sung C. Choi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cerebral Ischemia ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cerebral Vasoconstriction ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Severity Of Injury ◽  
Head Injured ◽  
Injured Patients ◽  
To Receive

✓ There is still controversy over whether or not patients should be hyperventilated after traumatic brain injury, and a randomized trial has never been conducted. The theoretical advantages of hyperventilation are cerebral vasoconstriction for intracranial pressure (ICP) control and reversal of brain and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) acidosis. Possible disadvantages include cerebral vasoconstriction to such an extent that cerebral ischemia ensues, and only a short-lived effect on CSF pH with a loss of HCO3− buffer from CSF. The latter disadvantage might be overcome by the addition of the buffer tromethamine (THAM), which has shown some promise in experimental and clinical use. Accordingly, a trial was performed with patients randomly assigned to receive normal ventilation (PaCO2 35 ± 2 mm Hg (mean ± standard deviation): control group), hyperventilation (PaCO2 25 ± 2 mm Hg: HV group), or hyperventilation plus THAM (PaCO2 25 ± 2 mm Hg: HV + THAM group). Stratification into subgroups of patients with motor scores of 1–3 and 4–5 took place. Outcome was assessed according to the Glasgow Outcome Scale at 3, 6, and 12 months. There were 41 patients in the control group, 36 in the HV group, and 36 in the HV + THAM group. The mean Glasgow Coma Scale score for each group was 5.7 ± 1.7, 5.6 ± 1.7, and 5.9 ± 1.7, respectively; this score and other indicators of severity of injury were not significantly different. A 100% follow-up review was obtained. At 3 and 6 months after injury the number of patients with a favorable outcome (good or moderately disabled) was significantly (p < 0.05) lower in the hyperventilated patients than in the control and HV + THAM groups. This occurred only in patients with a motor score of 4–5. At 12 months posttrauma this difference was not significant (p = 0.13). Biochemical data indicated that hyperventilation could not sustain alkalinization in the CSF, although THAM could. Accordingly, cerebral blood flow (CBF) was lower in the HV + THAM group than in the control and HV groups, but neither CBF nor arteriovenous difference of oxygen data indicated the occurrence of cerebral ischemia in any of the three groups. Although mean ICP could be kept well below 25 mm Hg in all three groups, the course of ICP was most stable in the HV + THAM group. It is concluded that prophylactic hyperventilation is deleterious in head-injured patients with motor scores of 4–5. When sustained hyperventilation becomes necessary for ICP control, its deleterious effect may be overcome by the addition of THAM.

An evaluation of an emotion regulation programme for people with an intellectual disability

2014 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 105-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenna McWilliams ◽  
Ian de Terte ◽  
Janet Leathem ◽  
Sandra Malcolm
Keyword(s):  
Emotion Regulation ◽  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Emotion Regulation Strategies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Regulation Strategies ◽  
Continued Use ◽  
Treatment Gains ◽  
Larger Sample

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the effectiveness of the Transformers programme on individual's use of appropriate emotion regulation strategies. Design/methodology/approach – Five people with an intellectual disability participated in the Transformers programme and took part in the current study. The intervention was evaluated using the Profile of Anger Coping Skills (PACS) and incident reports. The PACS was completed by participants and their caregivers. Findings – The majority of participants demonstrated increases in self- and caregiver-reported use of appropriate emotion regulation strategies following their involvement in the Transformers programme. However, treatment gains were not always maintained at follow-up. Three of the participants also exhibited fewer incidents of challenging behaviour after taking part in the programme. Originality/value – Overall, the results provide preliminary support for the continued use of the Transformers programme with people with an intellectual disability who have emotion regulation difficulties. It is recommended that further research be carried out with a larger sample size, a control group, and a longer follow-up period.

Long-term seizure outcomes following amygdalohippocampectomy

2003 ◽  
Vol 98 (4) ◽  
pp. 751-763 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Gregor Wieser ◽  
Marcos Ortega ◽  
Alon Friedman ◽  
Yasuhiro Yonekawa
Keyword(s):  
Mesial Temporal Lobe Epilepsy ◽  
Outcome Data ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Seizure Outcome ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Selective Amygdalohippocampectomy ◽  
Class 1 ◽  
Fine Print

Object. Analyses of the results of surgery for epilepsy are hindered by inconsistent classifications of seizure outcome, small numbers of patients, and short postoperative follow-up periods. The authors conducted a retrospective study with a reassessment of the long-term seizure outcomes in patients who underwent selective amygdalohippocampectomy (SelAH) for pharmacotherapy—resistant mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) at the Zurich University Hospital from 1975 to 1999. Methods. Year-by-year data and the last available data on seizure outcomes were retrospectively assessed for 369 consecutively surgically treated patients who had participated in a follow-up period longer than 1 year as of 1999 and whose outcomes were classified according to the Engel scale and the proposed new International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) scale. Patients were grouped into nonlesional and lesional MTLE groups depending on whether they harbored a gross anatomical lesion that caused the MTLE. Differentiation was made between curative and palliative operations. Complications related to surgery are reported for 453 patients who underwent SelAH and participated in more than 3 months of follow-up review. The last available outcome data according to the Engel scale were found to be generally similar to those of the new ILAE classification, with 66.9% of patients free from disabling seizures (Engel Class I) compared with 57.1% who were completely seizure and aura free (ILAE Class 1). The last available data on seizure outcome were not significantly different between patients in the lesional and nonlesional MTLE groups. In the lesional group, seizure outcomes were significantly better when patients underwent surgery early in the course of the disease. Overall, 70% of the patients received reductions in their antiepileptic drug treatment at the time of the last available follow-up review. Complications related to the surgical procedures were rare. Conclusions. The authors conclude that SelAH is a safe and effective surgical procedure for MTLE.

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