Animal-Assisted Activity in Critically Ill Older Adults: A Randomized Pilot and Feasibility Trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 412-417
Author(s):  
Sandy Branson ◽  
Lisa Boss ◽  
Shannan Hamlin ◽  
Nikhil S. Padhye
Keyword(s):  
Stress Responses ◽  
Feasibility Trial ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Hospital Policy ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Icu Patients ◽  
Indwelling Catheters ◽  
Control Intervention ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Before And After

Background: Limited evidence suggests the efficacy of animal-assisted activities (AAA) in improving biobehavioral stress responses in older patients in intensive care units (ICUs). Objectives: To assess the feasibility of an AAA (dog) intervention for improving biobehavioral stress response, measured by self-reported stress and anxiety and salivary cortisol, C-reactive protein, and interleukin-1β in older ICU patients, we examined enrollment, attrition, completion, data collection, and biobehavioral stress responses. Methods: ICU patients ≥60 years old were randomly assigned to a 10-min AAA intervention or control/usual ICU care. Attitudes toward pets were assessed before the intervention. Self-reported stress and anxiety and salivary stress biomarkers were collected before and after the intervention and the usual care condition. Results: The majority of patients were ineligible due to lack of decisional capacity, younger age, inability to provide saliva specimens, or critical illness. Though 15 participants were randomly allocated (AAA = 9; control = 6), only 10 completed the study. All participants completed the questionnaires; however, saliva specimens were significantly limited by volume. AAA was associated with decreases in stress and anxiety. Biomarker results were variable and revealed no specific trends associated with stress responses. Conclusions: Barriers to recruitment included an insufficient number of patients eligible for AAA based on hospital policy, difficulty finding patients who met study eligibility criteria, and illness-related factors. Recommendations for future studies include larger samples, a stronger control intervention such as a visitor without a dog, greater control over the AAA intervention, and use of blood from indwelling catheters for biomarkers.

scholarly journals Discontinuation of contact precautions with the introduction of universal daily chlorhexidine bathing

2017 ◽  
Vol 145 (12) ◽  
pp. 2575-2581 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. MCKINNELL ◽  
S. J. EELLS ◽  
E. CLARK ◽  
D. D. RAND ◽  
G. T. KIET ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Policy Change ◽  
Improve Patient Safety ◽  
Contact Precaution ◽  
Hospital Policy ◽  
Icu Patients ◽  
Contact Precautions ◽  
Chlorhexidine Bathing ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Improve Patient

SUMMARYContact precautions are a traditional strategy to prevent transmission of methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA). Chlorhexidine bathing is increasingly used to decrease MRSA burden and transmission in intensive care units (ICUs). We sought to evaluate a hospital policy change from routine contact precautions for MRSA compared with universal chlorhexidine bathing, without contact precautions. We measured new MRSA acquisition in ICU patients and surveyed for MRSA environmental contamination in common areas and non-MRSA patient rooms before and after the policy change. During the baseline and chlorhexidine bathing periods, the number of patients (453vs.417), ICU days (1999vs.1703) and MRSA days/1000 ICU days (109vs.102) were similar. MRSA acquisition (2/453vs.2/457,P= 0·93) and environmental MRSA contamination (9/474vs.7/500,P= 0·53) were not significantly different between time periods. There were 58% fewer contact precaution days in the ICU during the chlorhexidine period (241/1993vs. 102/1730,P< 0·01). We found no evidence that discontinuation of contact precautions for patients with MRSA in conjunction with adoption of daily chlorhexidine bathing in ICUs is associated with increased MRSA acquisition among ICU patients or increased MRSA contamination of ICU fomites. Although underpowered, our findings suggest this strategy, which has the potential to reduce costs and improve patient safety, should be assessed in similar but larger studies.

scholarly journals Recruitment of low-income pregnant women into a dietary and dental care intervention: lessons from a feasibility trial

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Rodrigues Amorim Adegboye ◽  
Paula G Cocate ◽  
Camila Benaim ◽  
Maria Claudia da Veiga Carvalho ◽  
Michael M Schlüssel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Quantitative Data ◽  
Health Centre ◽  
Feasibility Trial ◽  
Random Allocation ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Phone Calls

Abstract Background: There are difficulties in carrying out research in low-income urban communities, but the methodological challenges and suggestions on how to deal with them are often undocumented. The aim of this study is to describe the challenges of recruiting and enrolling low-income pregnant women with periodontitis to a clinical trial on vitamin D/calcium milk fortification and periodontal therapy (PT) and describe the patient-, study protocol- and setting-related factors related to women’s ineligibility and refusal to participate in the study. Methods: A mixed-method sequential exploratory design was applied. Qualitative and quantitative data on recruitment to a 2x2 factorial feasibility clinical trial were used. 18 women attending the health centre in a low-income area in Duque de Caxias (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) took part in focus group discussions and data were thematically analysed. Quantitative data were analysed using appropriate descriptive statistics, including absolute and relative frequencies. Results: Of all referrals (767), 548 (78.5%) did not meet the initial eligibility criteria. The main reason for exclusion (58%) was advanced gestational age (>20 weeks) at first prenatal appointment. In the periodontal examination (dental screen), the main reason for exclusion was the presence of extensive caries (64 out of 127 exclusions). Non-participation of those eligible after the periodontal examination was approximately 24% (22 out 92 eligible women) and predominantly associated with patient-related barriers (e.g. transportation barriers, family obligations, unresponsive to phone calls, and disconnected telephones). The study recruited 70 women with periodontitis in 53 weeks and did not reach the benchmark of 120 women in 36 weeks (58.3% of the original target). Recruitment was severely hindered by health centre closures due to general strikes. The recruitment yields were 9.1% (70/767) of all women contacted at first prenatal visit and 76.1% (70/92) of those screened eligible and enrolled in the trial. Women did not report concerns regarding random allocation and considered fortified milk as a healthy and safe food for pregnant women. Some women reported that financial constraints (e.g. transportation cost) could hinder participation in the study. Conclusion: Engagement between the research team and health centre staff (e.g. nurses) facilitated referral and recruitment, yet some pregnant women failed to participate in the study largely due to significant patient-related socio-demographic barriers and setting-related factors. Our data illustrate the complexity of overcoming recruitment and enrolment challenges for clinical trials in resource-limited settings.

scholarly journals Recruitment of low-income pregnant women into a dietary and dental care intervention: lessons from a feasibility trial

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Rodrigues Amorim Adegboye ◽  
Paula G Cocate ◽  
Camila Benaim ◽  
Maria Claudia da Veiga Carvalho ◽  
Michael M Schlüssel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Quantitative Data ◽  
Health Centre ◽  
Feasibility Trial ◽  
Random Allocation ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Phone Calls

Abstract Background There are difficulties in carrying out research in low-income urban communities, but the methodological challenges and suggestions on how to deal with them are often undocumented. The aim of this study is to describe the challenges of recruiting and enrolling low-income pregnant women with periodontitis to a clinical trial on vitamin D/calcium milk fortification and periodontal therapy (PT) and describe the patient-, study protocol- and setting-related factors related to women’s ineligibility and refusal to participate in the study Methods Qualitative and quantitative data on recruitment to a 2x2 factorial feasibility clinical trial were used. 18 women attending the health centre in a low-income area in Duque de Caxias (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) took part in focal group discussions and data were thematically analysed. Quantitative data were analysed using appropriate descriptive statistics, including absolute and relative frequencies. Results Of all referrals (767), 548 (78.5%) did not meet the initial eligibility criteria. The main reason for exclusion (58%) was advanced gestational age (>20 weeks) at first prenatal appointment. The study recruited 70 women in 56 weeks and did not reach the benchmark of 120 women in 36 weeks (58.3% of the original target). Recruitment was severely hindered by health centre closures due to general strikes. Non-participation of those eligible after periodontal examination was approximately 24% (22 out 92) and predominantly associated with patient-related barriers (e.g. transportation barriers, family obligations, unresponsive to phone calls, and disconnected telephones). The recruitment yields were 9.1% (70/767) of all women contacted at first prenatal visit and 76.1% (70/92) of those screened eligible and enrolled in the trial. Women did not report concerns regarding random allocation and considered fortified milk as a healthy and safe food for pregnant women. Some women reported that financial constraints (e.g. transportation cost) could hinder participation in the study. Conclusion Engagement between the research team and health centre staff (e.g. nurses) facilitated referral and recruitment, yet some pregnant women failed to participate in the study largely due to significant patient-related socio-demographic barriers and setting-related factors. Our data illustrates the complexity of overcoming recruitment and enrolment challenges for clinical trials in resource-limited settings.

Impact of Michigan’s new opioid prescribing laws on spine surgery patients: analysis of the Michigan Spine Surgery Improvement Collaborative

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Paul Park ◽  
Victor Chang ◽  
Hsueh-Han Yeh ◽  
Jason M. Schwalb ◽  
David R. Nerenz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spine Surgery ◽  
Spinal Surgery ◽  
Readmission Rate ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Readmission Rates ◽  
Opioid Prescribing ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Impact

OBJECTIVEIn 2017, Michigan passed new legislation designed to reduce opioid abuse. This study evaluated the impact of these new restrictive laws on preoperative narcotic use, short-term outcomes, and readmission rates after spinal surgery.METHODSPatient data from 1 year before and 1 year after initiation of the new opioid laws (beginning July 1, 2018) were queried from the Michigan Spine Surgery Improvement Collaborative database. Before and after implementation of the major elements of the new laws, 12,325 and 11,988 patients, respectively, were treated.RESULTSPatients before and after passage of the opioid laws had generally similar demographic and surgical characteristics. Notably, after passage of the opioid laws, the number of patients taking daily narcotics preoperatively decreased from 3783 (48.7%) to 2698 (39.7%; p < 0.0001). Three months postoperatively, there were no differences in minimum clinically important difference (56.0% vs 58.0%, p = 0.1068), numeric rating scale (NRS) score of back pain (3.5 vs 3.4, p = 0.1156), NRS score of leg pain (2.7 vs 2.7, p = 0.3595), satisfaction (84.4% vs 84.7%, p = 0.6852), or 90-day readmission rate (5.8% vs 6.2%, p = 0.3202) between groups. Although there was no difference in readmission rates, pain as a reason for readmission was marginally more common (0.86% vs 1.22%, p = 0.0323).CONCLUSIONSThere was a meaningful decrease in preoperative narcotic use, but notably there was no apparent negative impact on postoperative recovery, patient satisfaction, or short-term outcomes after spinal surgery despite more restrictive opioid prescribing. Although the readmission rate did not significantly increase, pain as a reason for readmission was marginally more frequently observed.

scholarly journals Improving TB infection control in a regional hospital in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. bmjoq-2018-000347 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilsa Louisa Haeusler ◽  
Felicity Knights ◽  
Vishaal George ◽  
Andy Parrish
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Hospital Policy ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Root Cause ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Service Training ◽  
Education And Awareness ◽  
Awareness Raising

This quality improvement (QI) work was carried out in Cecilia Makiwane Hospital (CMH), a regional public hospital in the Eastern Cape, South Africa (SA). SA has among the highest incidence of tuberculosis (TB) in the world and this is a leading cause of death in SA. Nosocomial infection is an important source of TB transmission. Adherence to TB infection prevention control (IPC) measures in the medical inpatient department was suboptimal at CMH. The overall aim of this QI project was to make sustainable improvements in TB IPC. A multidisciplinary team was formed to undertake a root cause analysis and develop a strategy for change. The main barriers to adherence to IPC measures were limited knowledge of IPC methods and stigma associated with TB. Specifically, the project aimed to increase the number of: ‘airborne precaution’ signs placed above patients’ beds, patients correctly isolated and patients wearing surgical face masks. Four Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles were used. The strategy for change involved education and awareness-raising in different formats, including formal in-service training delivered to nurses and doctors, a hospital-wide TB awareness week with engaging activities and competitions, and a World TB Day provincial solidarity march. Data on adherence to the three IPC measures were collected over an 8-month period. Pre-intervention (October 2016), a mean of 2% of patients wore face masks, 22% were correctly isolated and 12% had an airborne precaution sign. Post-intervention (May 2017), the compliance improved to 17%, 50% and 25%, respectively. There was a large variation in compliance to each measure. Improvement was greatest in the number of patients correctly isolated. We learnt it is important to work with, not in parallel to, existing teams or structures during QI work. On-the-ground training of nurses and clinicians should be undertaken alongside engagement of senior staff members and managers. This improves the chance of change being adopted into hospital policy.

scholarly journals Adverse Events in Home-Care Nursing Agencies and Related Factors: A Nationwide Survey in Japan

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 2546
Author(s):  
Noriko Morioka ◽  
Masayo Kashiwagi
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Event ◽  
Patient Safety ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
Home Care ◽  
Process Of Care ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Home Care Nursing ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Care Nursing

Despite the importance of patient safety in home-care nursing provided by licensed nurses in patients’ homes, little is known about the nationwide incidence of adverse events in Japan. This article describes the incidence of adverse events among home-care nursing agencies in Japan and investigates the characteristics of agencies that were associated with adverse events. A cross-sectional nationwide self-administrative questionnaire survey was conducted in March 2020. The questionnaire included the number of adverse event occurrences in three months, the process of care for patient safety, and other agency characteristics. Of 9979 agencies, 580 questionnaires were returned and 400 were included in the analysis. The number of adverse events in each agency ranged from 0 to 47, and 26.5% of the agencies did not report any adverse event cases. The median occurrence of adverse events was three. In total, 1937 adverse events occurred over three months, of which pressure ulcers were the most frequent (80.5%). Adjusting for the number of patients in a month, the percentage of patients with care-need level 3 or higher was statistically significant. Adverse events occurring in home-care nursing agencies were rare and varied widely across agencies. The patients’ higher care-need levels affected the higher number of adverse events in home-care nursing agencies.

scholarly journals Changes in the Soundscape of the Public Space Close to a Highway by a Noise Control Intervention

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 5284
Author(s):  
Timothy Van Renterghem ◽  
Francesco Aletta ◽  
Dick Botteldooren
Keyword(s):  
Public Space ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Noise Abatement ◽  
Acoustic Environment ◽  
The Public ◽  
Control Intervention ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Noise Shielding ◽  
Visual Preferences ◽  
The Impact

The deployment of measures to mitigate sound during propagation outdoors is most often a compromise between the acoustic design, practical limitations, and visual preferences regarding the landscape. The current study of a raised berm next to a highway shows a number of common issues like the impact of the limited length of the noise shielding device, initially non-dominant sounds becoming noticeable, local drops in efficiency when the barrier is not fully continuous, and overall limited abatement efficiencies. Detailed assessments of both the objective and subjective effect of the intervention, both before and after the intervention was deployed, using the same methodology, showed that especially the more noise sensitive persons benefit from the noise abatement. Reducing the highest exposure levels did not result anymore in a different perception compared to more noise insensitive persons. People do react to spatial variation in exposure and abatement efficiency. Although level reductions might not be excessive in many real-life complex multi-source situations, they do improve the perception of the acoustic environment in the public space.

Improving Genetics Clinic Efficiency and Capacity Using Design and Human Factors Methods

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 204-210
Author(s):  
Maryam Attef ◽  
Mireille Cloutier ◽  
Meredith Gillespie ◽  
Chantal Trudel ◽  
Kym Boycott
Keyword(s):  
Human Factors ◽  
Task Analysis ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Time On Task ◽  
Prenatal Genetics ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Clinic Efficiency ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Improve Access

This quality improvement study focused on developing an understanding of factors influencing the ability of prenatal genetics counsellors (GCs) to efficiently see patients during the COVID-19 pandemic and strategies to improve their workflow using techniques from human factors and design. The demand for Prenatal Genetics Clinics is rising which has increased pressure on GCs to become more efficient. Genetics counsellors can improve access to their services by reducing the time spent on the tasks performed before and after a genetic counselling encounter, thereby increasing the number of patients they see. We were limited to certain methods to understand the differences in workflow before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study involved a literature review, archival analysis of workflow studies conducted before the pandemic, stakeholder meetings and mapping, a brainstorming session, as well as documenting time-on-task in a diary and naturalistic observation sessions. A task analysis was developed to identify factors influencing efficiency related to the design of the space, processes and the use of artefacts. Virtual and on-site workflows show that GCs spend at least half of their time on tasks before and/or after the patient’s appointment. Looking at potential inefficiencies or bottlenecks in workflow formed the development of a strategic plan for improving GC workflows at the prenatal Genetics Clinic. Improvements suggested through this analysis were constrained to support the current number of healthcare providers working within the existing space configuration.

scholarly journals The Impact of Intervention-Related Risk Factors on the Risk of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Is High in a Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s407-s409
Author(s):  
Ksenia Ershova ◽  
Oleg Khomenko ◽  
Olga Ershova ◽  
Ivan Savin ◽  
Natalia Kurdumova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Mechanical Ventilation ◽  
Negative Slope ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Ventilator Associated Pneumonia ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Icu Patients ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Adf Test ◽  
Over Time

Background: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) represents the highest burden among all healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), with a particularly high rate in patients in neurosurgical ICUs. Numerous VAP risk factors have been identified to provide a basis for preventive measures. However, the impact of individual factors on the risk of VAP is unclear. The goal of this study was to evaluate the dynamics of various VAP risk factors given the continuously declining prevalence of VAP in our neurosurgical ICU. Methods: This prospective cohort unit-based study included neurosurgical patients who stayed in the ICU >48 consecutive hours in 2011 through 2018. The infection prevention and control (IPC) program was implemented in 2010 and underwent changes to adopt best practices over time. We used a 2008 CDC definition for VAP. The dynamics of VAP risk factors was considered a time series and was checked for stationarity using theAugmented Dickey-Fuller test (ADF) test. The data were censored when a risk factor was present during and after VAP episodes. Results: In total, 2,957 ICU patients were included in the study, 476 of whom had VAP. Average annual prevalence of VAP decreased from 15.8 per 100 ICU patients in 2011 to 9.5 per 100 ICU patients in 2018 (Welch t test P value = 7.7e-16). The fitted linear model showed negative slope (Fig. 1). During a study period we observed substantial changes in some risk factors and no changes in others. Namely, we detected a decrease in the use of anxiolytics and antibiotics, decreased days on mechanical ventilation, and a lower rate of intestinal dysfunction, all of which were nonstationary processes with a declining trend (ADF testP > .05) (Fig. 2). However, there were no changes over time in such factors as average age, comorbidity index, level of consciousness, gender, and proportion of patients with brain trauma (Fig. 2). Conclusions: Our evidence-based IPC program was effective in lowering the prevalence of VAP and demonstrated which individual measures contributed to this improvement. By following the dynamics of known VAP risk factors over time, we found that their association with declining VAP prevalence varies significantly. Intervention-related factors (ie, use of antibiotics, anxiolytics and mechanical ventilation, and a rate of intestinal dysfunction) demonstrated significant reduction, and patient-related factors (ie, age, sex, comorbidity, etc) remained unchanged. Thus, according to the discriminative model, the intervention-related factors contributed more to the overall risk of VAP than did patient-related factors, and their reduction was associated with a decrease in VAP prevalence in our neurosurgical ICU.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None

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