scholarly journals Who Are Hospice Patients and What Care Is Provided in Hospices? A Pilot Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. 448-454
Author(s):  
Remco M. Koorn ◽  
Merel van Klinken ◽  
Everlien de Graaf ◽  
Rick E. G. W. Bressers ◽  
Adri P. Jobse ◽  
...  

Background: Hospices provide multidimensional care. In the Netherlands, patients with <3 months estimated life expectancy have access to hospice care. Insight into patients admitted to hospices and the care provided is lacking. In preparation for a national multicenter study, a pilot study was performed. Objective: The primary objective was to test the appropriateness of the study procedures and the availability of hospice patient records (HPRs), and patient and care characteristics. Method: A cross-sectional pilot study was performed using a descriptive exploratory design. Sixteen hospices were invited to participate, and HPRs from 8 deceased patients per hospice were selected. Data were collected using self-developed electronic case report forms. Outcomes: (1). Appropriateness of procedures: availability of HPRs and identified barriers and strategies. (2) Availability of patient and care characteristics in HPRs. Results: In total, 104 HPRs of patients from 13 hospices were enrolled. Various types of HPRs were found with different availabilities: nurses’ records were most available (98%) compared to volunteers’ records (62%). Overarching barriers were as follows: ethical issues, lack of knowledge, and lack of communication. Information about the illness was most available (97%), whereas descriptions of experienced symptoms were least available (10%). Conclusion: Collecting HPRs is difficult and time-consuming. Specifically, data from separate records of home care nurses and general practitioners were difficult to come by. Patient and care characteristics were alternately present, which led to an extension of data collection in HPRs to 3 time periods. Piloting is essential to adjust study procedures and outcome measures to ensure a feasible national multicenter hospice study.

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Jha ◽  
S. Khurana ◽  
K. Ali ◽  
I. Ahmad ◽  
S. Verma

The primary objective of this narrative review was to evaluate the current literature and to provide further insight into the role of concurrent training on various components of physical health or performance. Literature was obtained by electronic searches of databases using specific keywords. Combined effect of training sessions proved to be as beneficial as drug interactions. Results from cross-sectional, longitudinal, and intervention studies are reviewed and discussed with main focus on physical parameters, such as body composition, physiological parameters, molecular adaptation, athlete’s perspective, order of execution, interference phenomena and recovery. In conclusion, concurrent resistance and endurance training is an effective method for enhancing overall fitness as well as improving quality of life.


2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-57
Author(s):  
Gregory R. Kutcher ◽  
Jacek T. Soroka

Objectives: Although the experiences of family members who care for relatives at the end of life have been researched extensively, little is known about the needs and experiences of families caring for hospice patients with pacemakers. Aim: To better understand the experiences of family caregivers of a terminally ill patient who received hospice care at home and chose deactivation of a pacemaker. Design: The exploratory, cross-sectional design involved semistructured, in-depth interviews. A narrative analysis focusing on form and content was chosen to analyze the data. Participants: Five bereaved caregivers from the Midwestern United States who provided care and participated in the deactivation of their family member’s pacemaker. Results: Four storylines that described, gave meaning to, and contextualized the caregivers’ experiences were identified: “I am done. I am not doing it anymore”; “Whatever you decide, I’ll support you”; “It is really difficult to watch, but you want to be there”; and “I will not have part of this.” Caregivers struggled with lack of support, understanding, and acceptance from medical providers when their family member decided to have her pacemaker deactivated, and they believed that the hospice model of care was appropriate to support and help them in that process. Conclusions: This research aids in understanding the ramifications of family-provided end-of-life care to a patient whose pacemaker has been deactivated. This can help to increase hospice clinicians’ knowledge regarding caregivers’ experiences facing deactivation of a pacemaker, before and after the patient’s death.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
K Otsuka ◽  
M Villiger ◽  
A Karanasos ◽  
L J C Van Zandvoort ◽  
P Doradla ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Polarization-sensitive (PS-) optical frequency domain imaging (OFDI) measures polarization properties of tissue together with conventional cross-sectional OFDI images of subsurface microstructure. PS-OFDI offers refined insight into plaque morphology and composition, which are implicated in the pathogenesis of acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Purpose This first-in-human pilot study of intravascular polarimetry aimed to investigate birefringence and depolarization features of coronary plaques in patients and to examine the relationship of these features with established structural characteristics available to conventional OFDI and with clinical presentation. Methods 30 patients undergoing PS-OFDI (acute coronary syndrome; ACS, n=12 and stable angina pectoris; SAP, n=18) participated in this study. 342 cross-sectional images evenly distributed along all imaged coronary arteries were classified into one of seven plaque categories according to conventional OFDI. Polarization features averaged over the entire intimal area of each cross-section were compared between plaque types and with structural parameters. Further, we assessed the polarization properties in the fibrous caps of ACS and SAP culprit lesions and compared them with structural features using a generalized linear model. Results The median birefringence and depolarization showed statistically significant differences among plaque types (both p<0.001, one-way ANOVA). Depolarization significantly differed between individual plaque types (p<0.05), except between fibro-fatty and fibro-calcified plaques. Caps of ACS lesions and ruptured caps exhibited lower birefringence than caps of SAP lesions (p<0.01). In addition to clinical presentation, cap birefringence also associated with macrophage accumulation as assessed by normalized standard deviation. Intravascular polarimetry Conclusions Intravascular polarimetry provides quantitative metrics that help to characterize coronary arterial tissues and may offer refined insight into coronary arterial atherosclerotic lesions in patients (Figure). Quantitative assessment of plaque polarization properties by intravascular polarimetry may open new avenues for studying plaque progression and detecting high-risk patients. Acknowledgement/Funding The JSPS Overseas Research Fellowship, the Uehara Memorial Foundation, and the Japan Heart Foundation and Bayer Yakuhin


2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 8
Author(s):  
Danielle Mayer ◽  
Melissa Frontino ◽  
Patricia Melissen ◽  
Daohai Yu ◽  
Nima PatelShori

Objective: The primary objective was to identify factors that would motivate an adult to bring a child into the community pharmacy for an influenza vaccination via a pilot study conducted in Pennsylvania. Design: This was a multi-site, cross-sectional, exploratory, survey-based pilot study. Setting: Participants were identified at three grocery store community pharmacies in southeastern Pennsylvania. Results: A total of 349 surveys were collected over the study period and 325 participant surveys were included in the analysis. Receiving a vaccine in fifteen minutes or less (140; 74%) and not needing an appointment (142; 75%) were the top motivating factors for parents. Privacy, increased knowledge, and pharmacist counseling were identified as motivating factors for ninety-five (51%), eighty-nine (48%), and eighty-four (45%) parents, respectively. Cost was a barrier for eighty-eight parents (47%).The motivators and barriers for peers, those without children who might influence a parental decision, were similar to those of parents, however, more peers identified a child friendly environment (45% vs. 32%; p=0.02) and pharmacist counseling (57% vs. 45%; p=0.03) as motivators. Conclusion: The opportunity to receive an influenza vaccination quickly, without an appointment, are the most important factors to parents and peers. Factors of cost, counseling, and increased access to educational materials are of moderate importance.   Conflict of Interest: None Treatment of Human Subjects: IRB exemption granted   Type: Original Research


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-58
Author(s):  
AKM Farhad Hossain ◽  
Md Mahmudur Rahman Siddiqui ◽  
Sayada Fatema Khatun

Background: Thyroid cancer is the most common malignant disease in endocrine system. It is an emerging public health issue associated with burden on the family, community and the nation. The aim of this study is to determine the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of patient with thyroid cancer attending in tertiary hospital. Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted among 246 thyroid cancer patients in two tertiary hospitals of Dhaka city from 01 July 2018 to 30 June 2019. The subjects were selected purposively following specific selection criteria and maintaining ethical issues. Data were collected by face to face interview using a semi-structured questionnaire and checklist. Data were analyzed by the statistical package for the social science (SPSS) version 23. Results: This study revealed that majority (74.4%) of respondents was female, married (72%), housewife (61.4%), rural respondent (41.1%) and had primary education (69%). Mean (± SD) age of the respondent was 37.85(±12.20) years (Range 14-70 years) and mean (± SD) monthly family income was Tk. 17681(±10602). Out of 246 cases, 204 (82.9%) was papillary and 42 (17.1%) was follicular carcinoma. Various clinical presentations included visible neck swelling in 225 (91.5%), swollen lymph node in 103 (41.9%), pain 90 (36.6%), Difficulties in swallowing 87 (35.4%), Hoarseness of voice in 141 (57.3%), cough along with swelling 47(19.1%), Difficulties in breathing due to swelling in 13(5.3%) of the patients. Conclusion: Incidence of thyroid cancer has increased worldwide specially in female patients in 3rd and 4th decades of life. As thyroid cancer is a growing public health problem in Bangladesh, proper screening and early diagnostic facilities at all level should be available to measure its actual burden in the country. Anwer Khan Modern Medical College Journal Vol. 11, No. 1: Jan 2020, P 54-58


GIS Business ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 359-370
Author(s):  
Dr. Ravi S. Dalawai

Indian population is in growing trend from 942.2 million in 1994 to 1.36 billion in 2019.Among this six per cent of India's population was of the age 65 and above (UNFPA, 2019). Today the work culture is totally changed. Both husband and wife are forced to work in the current scenario and unable to take care of their parents. The changing structure created increased problems for old age people leads to loneliness, psychological, physical health and financial insecurity. The study paper provides insight into the social and demographic factor and health related sickness of the oldest people. This research explained the cross-sectional study included a representative sample (n=116) of adults aged ≥60 years. The sample was chosen using a four-stage stratified random-cluster survey sampling method .The Chi Square test and ANOVA test was analyzed using SPSS20.


Author(s):  
M. Tasdik Hasan ◽  
Sahadat Hossain ◽  
Rajat Das Gupta ◽  
Vivek Podder ◽  
Naima Afroz Mowri ◽  
...  

Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 763
Author(s):  
Daniele Roberto Giacobbe ◽  
Chiara Russo ◽  
Veronica Martini ◽  
Silvia Dettori ◽  
Federica Briano ◽  
...  

A single-center cross-sectional study was conducted to describe the use of ceftaroline in a large teaching hospital in Northern Italy, during a period also including the first months of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The primary objective was to describe the use of ceftaroline in terms of indications and characteristics of patients. A secondary objective was to describe the rate of favorable clinical response in patients with bloodstream infections (BSI) due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA-BSI) receiving ceftaroline. Overall, 200 patients were included in the study. Most of them had COVID-19 (83%, 165/200) and were hospitalized in medical wards (78%, 155/200). Included patients with COVID-19 pneumonia were given empirical ceftaroline in the suspicion of bacterial co-infection or superinfection. Among patients with MRSA-BSI, ceftaroline was used as a first-line therapy and salvage therapy in 25% (3/12) and 75% (9/12) of cases, respectively, and as a monotherapy or in combination with daptomycin in 58% (7/12) and 42% (5/12) of patients, respectively. A favorable response was registered in 67% (8/12) of patients. Improving etiological diagnosis of bacterial infections is essential to optimize the use of ceftaroline in COVID-19 patients. The use of ceftaroline for MRSA-BSI, either as a monotherapy or in combination with other anti-MRSA agents, showed promising rates of favorable response.


Author(s):  
Siddrah Irfan ◽  
Nor Sheereen Zulkefly

AbstractObjectivesThe present pilot study examined the associations between attachment relationships, psychological problems, and negative automatic thoughts among late adolescents in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.SubjectsA total of 98 participants (male = 49, female = 49) were recruited from government colleges in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.MethodsThe measures used to assess the research variables of this cross sectional study were the Inventory of Parent-Peer Attachment (IPPA-Urdu), Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-Urdu), and the Automatic Thought Questionnaire (ATQ-Urdu).ResultsAll of these measures had good reliabilities. Findings of the correlation analyses demonstrated that maternal, paternal and peer attachment relationships were negatively related to symptoms of depression and anxiety as well as to negative automatic thoughts. On the other hand, depressive and anxiety symptoms were positively associated with negative automatic thoughts. Additionally, findings suggested that future studies must investigate adolescents from two-parent households and exclude those with only one living parent.ConclusionThe results underscored the need for further investigations of the linkages between attachment relationships, negative automatic thoughts and psychological problems on larger samples.


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