Prospective Implementation of Multi-Disciplinary Obstetric Team Decreases the Mortality Rate of Pregnant Women with Sickle Cell Disease in Ghana

Blood ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 128 (22) ◽  
pp. 1017-1017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eugenia Vicky Naa Kwarley Asare ◽  
Yvonne Adomakoh ◽  
Edeghonghon Olayemi ◽  
Enoch Mensah ◽  
Harriet Ghansah ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction: Pregnant women with sickle cell disease (SCD) are at increased risk for both pregnancy and SCD related morbidity and mortality. At the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), a national referral center in Accra, Ghana, the estimated maternal mortality ratio of women with and without SCD is 8,300 and 690 per 100,000 live births respectively (US, general population, maternal mortality ratio 14 per 100, 000 live births). In 2015, a multi-disciplinary obstetric SCD team was formed comprising obstetricians, hematologists, pulmonologists and nurses. In a before and after study design, we tested the hypothesis that implementing a multi-disciplinary team for care of pregnant women with SCD would significantly decrease maternal mortality. Methodology: The study received ethical approval from the Ethical and Protocol Review Committee, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana Institutional Review Board and Vanderbilt University Medical Center (Data Coordinating Center (DCC). The pre-intervention period was from January 2014 to April 2015, and the post intervention period was May 2015 to May 2016. During the intervention period, members of the multi-disciplinary team evaluated participants at enrollment, during outpatient visits and during acute illnesses (inpatient and outpatient). Simple protocols were implemented for preventing and treating Acute Chest Syndrome (ACS). Balloons were purchased (substituted for incentive spirometry devices) and used routinely during management of acute pain episodes and after surgery. Multiple pulse oximetry machines were integrated into routine clinical practice for monitoring of oxygen desaturation. Close maternal and fetal monitoring were implemented. During the pre-intervention period, pregnant women were admitted to multiple wards throughout the hospital. Post-intervention, pregnant women were primarily admitted to two designated wards at the Obstetrics Department, for better coordinated care. All participants in the post-intervention period were followed from enrollment until six weeks postpartum. Members of the clinical research team and DCC adjudicated every vaso-occlusive pain episode, ACS episode, and acute event requiring hospitalization. Pain was defined as an acute episode, unrelated to labor and requiring hospitalization. ACS was defined based on the presence of at least 2 of the following criteria: fever, increased respiratory rate, chest pain, pulmonary auscultatory findings, increased O2 requirement or new radiodensity on chest roentgenogram. Results: A total of 154 and 91 deliveries by women with SCD were evaluated in the pre- and post-intervention period, respectively. The median age for cases in the pre-intervention period was 29 (range 18- 43) years. The median age for cases in post-intervention period was 29 (range 18-41) years and 35 participants had hemoglobin SSand 56had HbSC. Among the 91 participants, rates of pain and ACS were 194.6 (64/32.89) and 42.6 (14/32.89) events per 100 patient-years, respectively. Median gestational age at enrollment was 24 (range 7 - 40) weeks. Median gestational age at delivery was 38 (range 26 - 41) weeks. Perinatal mortality rates pre- and post-intervention were 74.3 per 1000 total births (11/ 148 X 1000) and 54.9 per 1000 total births (5/91 X 1000) respectively. Maternal mortality pre- and post-intervention were 9.7% (15 of 154) and 1.1% (1 of 91) of total deliveries respectively. The maternal mortality ratio pre- and post-intervention were 10,949 (15/137) and 1,163 (1/86) per 100,000 live births respectively. Cause of death pre-intervention period included: cardiopulmonary disease-60.0%, preeclampsia-6.67%, acute kidney injury-6.67%, severe anemia-20.0%, hypovolemic shock-6.67%. During the post-intervention period, the only death was an autopsy confirmed massive pulmonary embolism four days postpartum. Conclusion: In a low and middle income setting, a multidisciplinary team approach to care of pregnant women with SCD can dramatically decrease maternal mortality, as well as perinatal mortality. Further strategies must be employed to decrease the SCD related maternal mortality and perinatal mortality rates to levels expected in the non-SCD population and to implement multi-disciplinary SCD obstetric teams in other regions. Disclosures Asare: Vanderbilt University Medical Center Gift Funds: Research Funding; Intramural University of Ghana Research fund: Research Funding. Adomakoh:Vanderbilt University Medical Center Gift Funds: Research Funding; Intramural University of Ghana Research fund: Research Funding. Olayemi:Intramural University of Ghana Research fund: Research Funding; Vanderbilt University Medical Center Gift Funds: Research Funding. Mensah:Vanderbilt University Medical Center Gift Funds: Research Funding; Intramural University of Ghana Research fund: Research Funding. Ghansah:Vanderbilt University Medical Center Gift Funds: Research Funding; Intramural University of Ghana Research fund: Research Funding. Osei- Bonsu:Vanderbilt University Medical Center Gift Funds: Research Funding; Intramural University of Ghana Research fund: Research Funding. Crabbe:Vanderbilt University Medical Center Gift Funds: Research Funding; Intramural University of Ghana Research fund: Research Funding. Musah:Vanderbilt University Medical Center Gift Funds: Research Funding; Intramural University of Ghana Research fund: Research Funding. Hayfron- Benjamin:Vanderbilt University Medical Center Gift Funds: Research Funding; Intramural University of Ghana Research fund: Research Funding. Boafor:Vanderbilt University Medical Center Gift Funds: Research Funding; Intramural University of Ghana Research fund: Research Funding. Kassim:Vanderbilt University Medical Center Gift Funds: Research Funding; Intramural University of Ghana Research fund: Research Funding. James:Vanderbilt University Medical Center Gift Funds: Research Funding; Intramural University of Ghana Research Fund: Research Funding. Oppong:Vanderbilt University Medical Center Gift Funds: Research Funding; Intramural University of Ghana Research fund: Research Funding.

Blood ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 128 (22) ◽  
pp. 5489-5489
Author(s):  
Amma A. Benneh ◽  
Eugenia Vicky Naa Kwarley Asare ◽  
Edeghonghon Olayemi

Abstract Background: Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) are a group of diseases characterized by clonal disorders of the pluripotent stem cell. The annual incidence of all subtypes of MPN is 6-10/100,000 population. MPN without Philadelphia chromosome or BCR-ABL1 fusion gene such as Polycythaemia Vera(PV), Essential Thrombocythaemia (ET) and Myelofibrosis (MF) are known as BCR-ABL1 negative MPN. Diagnosis and management of these conditions in a limited resource environment can be challenging. Some successes have however been chalked when diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties have been overcome. Methodology: A retrospective patient chart review of patients who attended Hematology clinic at the Department of Hematology, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital was conducted between January 2005 and December 2015.This review included all adult patients diagnosed with PV, ET and MF over the period. Diagnosis of MPN was made mainly by film comment, bone marrow aspirate, trephine biopsy and JAK 2 mutation analysis if patient could afford. Patients records were analyzed for demographic characteristics, clinical signs, hematological parameters, treatment options and outcomes. Results: The annual incidence of MPN over the period under study was 2.4 per year. The median age was 46 (range 24 - 75) years. There was male predominance of 1.9: 1. Splenomegaly was the commonest organomegaly seen. Polycythaemia Vera was the commonest (10; 38.5%) BCR-ABL1 negative MPN to be diagnosed at the hospital within the period. Treatment options available for patients with PV was venesection and hydroxycarbamide. For ET and MF it was hydroxycarbamide and supportive treatment. The longest survivor within the period of study has lived with Polycythaemia Vera for the past 10 years. Conclusion: The diagnosis and management of BCR-ABL1 negative MPN in emerging economic environments can be challenging as resources are limited. Certain conditions such as Hyperreactive malarial splenomegaly (HMS) can also mimic MPN and as such a high index of suspicion coupled with appropriate diagnostic facilities are required for early diagnosis and prompt management. Despite these odds, the disease is controlled reasonably well in our environment giving the patients more years of quality life than they would have had without any intervention. Disclosures Asare: Intramural University of Ghana Research fund: Research Funding; Vanderbilt University Medical Center Gift Funds: Research Funding. Olayemi:Intramural University of Ghana Research fund: Research Funding; Vanderbilt University Medical Center Gift Funds: Research Funding.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S412-S412
Author(s):  
Bhagyashri D Navalkele ◽  
Nora Truhett ◽  
Miranda Ward ◽  
Sheila Fletcher

Abstract Background High regulatory burden on hospital-onset (HO) infections has increased performance pressure on infection prevention programs. Despite the availability of comprehensive prevention guidelines, a major challenge has been communication with frontline staff to integrate appropriate prevention measures into practice. The objective of our study was to evaluate the impact of educational intervention on HO CAUTI rates and urinary catheter days. Methods At the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Infection prevention (IP) reports unit-based monthly HO infections via email to respective unit managers and ordering physician providers. Starting May 2018, IP assessed compliance to CAUTI prevention strategies per SHEA/IDSA practice recommendations (2014). HO CAUTI cases with noncompliance were labeled as “preventable” infections and educational justification was provided in the email report. No other interventions were introduced during the study period. CAUTI data were collected using ongoing surveillance per NHSN and used to calculate rates per 1,000 catheter days. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare pre- and post-intervention data. Results Prior to intervention (July 2017–March 2018), HO CAUTI rate was 1.43 per 1,000 catheter days. In the post-intervention period (July 2018–March 2019), HO CAUTI rate decreased to 0.62 per 1,000 catheter days. Comparison of pre- and post-intervention rates showed a statistically significant reduction in HO CAUTIs (P = 0.04). The total number of catheter days reduced, but the difference was not statistically significant (8,604 vs. 7,583; P = 0.06). Of the 14 HO CAUTIs in post-intervention period, 64% (8/14) were reported preventable. The preventable causes included inappropriate urine culturing practice in asymptomatic patients (5) or as part of pan-culture without urinalysis (2), and lack of daily catheter assessment for necessity (1). Conclusion At our institute, regular educational feedback by IP to frontline staff resulted in a reduction of HO CAUTIs. Feedback measure improved accountability, awareness and engagement of frontline staff in practicing appropriate CAUTI prevention strategies. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S656-S656
Author(s):  
Derek Evans ◽  
Mariana M Lanata Piazzon ◽  
Kaitlyn Schomburg

Abstract Background Hoop’s Family Children’s Hospital is a pediatric hospital with 72 beds, nested within Cabell Huntington Hospital. There is an established adult antibiotic stewardship program (ASP), however, since 2014 there has not been a pediatric infectious disease (ID) specialist and no pediatric ASP. With the recent hire of a pediatric ID specialist in Oct 2019 and the formation of a targeted pediatric ASP, we tracked the use of ceftriaxone (CRO) in our facility. Methods Starting January 2020, education was provided to pediatric providers in regards to appropriate CRO dosing and clinical indications via email communication. The main goals were to limit 100mg/kg/day dosing to severe infections and reduce CRO use in community-acquired pneumonia. This was sustained through intermittent prospective audits and feedback. A retrospective chart review was done from 2019-2021 for the months of January, April and December of each year. Patients ≤18 years of age who received CRO were included. Dosing, interval frequency, indication, and treatment duration were reviewed. Patients who received a single dose of CRO were excluded. Results From Jan 2019 – April 2021, 391 patient charts were reviewed (189 in the pre-intervention period and 202 in the post intervention period). There were no significant differences in age, race/ethnicity and gender in the two study groups. In the pre-intervention period, 86% of patients were prescribed CRO at severe infection dosing vs 33% in the post intervention period (p< 0.0001) (Figure 1). When dosing was paired with indication, only 20% of patients in the pre intervention period had the appropriate dosing per clinical indication compared to 83% in the post intervention period (p< 0.0001) (Figure 2). We also saw that in the pre-intervention period the most common indication for CRO was pneumonia (66%), which decreased to 57% in 2020 and to 35% in 2021 (p< 0.0001) (Figure 3). Figure 1 describes the percentage of patients receiving ceftriaxone at severe infection dosing. This changed from an average of 86% in the pre-intervention period to 33% in the post-intervention period. Figure 2 describes the percentage of patients receiving ceftriaxone at the appropriate dosing dependent on the clinical indication provided. This changed from 20% in the pre-intervention period to closer to 90% in the post-intervention period. Conclusion Pediatric specific ASP efforts and expertise proved to be crucial in appropriate CRO use in our institution. With a feasible education strategy and targeted prospective audit and feedback, there has been a sustained impact in inappropriate CRO use. This underscores the importance of targeted pediatric ASP efforts in pediatric hospitals within larger adult hospitals. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures


2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (30_suppl) ◽  
pp. 264-264
Author(s):  
Margaret Soriano ◽  
Anne Chang ◽  
Aralee Galway ◽  
Laura Listro ◽  
Evaline Liu ◽  
...  

264 Background: Despite clear advantages of Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems for safe cancer chemotherapy administration, persistent opportunities exist to further reduce chemotherapy order errors. Unintended dose escalation orders of previously dose reduced chemotherapy were the most commonly reported “near-miss” medication safety events at our institution. This can lead to potential patient harm, delays in care, decreased patient satisfaction, reduced infusion room efficiency, and increased care team workload and decreased satisfaction. We sought to reduce chemotherapy order errors using interventions developed with process improvement techniques. Methods: Unintended dose escalation errors per month (the primary outcome measure) were identified through the hospital safety reporting system and by monitoring the EHR (EPIC) chemotherapy administration reports to identify dose escalations. All cases were confirmed with primary chart review. The pre-intervention baseline assessment period was 6/2017-11/2017, and the post intervention period was 12/2017-5/2018. Two interventions were selected: 1) Revision of the nursing chemotherapy checklist posted on all infusion room workstations for use prior to releasing chemotherapy orders; and 2) educating ordering providers and nurses about new EHR functionality to display prior and future chemotherapy orders. Statistical Process Control chart analysis was conducted with upper (UCL) and lower (LCL) control limits of 3 standard deviations. The primary aim was to reduce the number of chemotherapy errors by 50% in the post-intervention period. Results: The pre-intervention period averaged 3.83 chemotherapy ordering errors per month (UCL = 9.71, LCL = 0). The post-intervention period significantly reduced the average errors per month to 1.33 (UCL = 4.97, LCL = 0). The copy/forward feature in multi-day cycles was the most common source of unintended dose escalations. Conclusions: Implementation of the 2 interventions resulted in a 65% reduction of unintended dose modification errors. Based on successful results and positive staff feedback, we plan to roll out these interventions at additional satellite facilities.


2021 ◽  
pp. 001857872110557
Author(s):  
Jessica L. Colmerauer ◽  
Kristin E. Linder ◽  
Casey J. Dempsey ◽  
Joseph L. Kuti ◽  
David P. Nicolau ◽  
...  

Purpose: Following updates to the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) practice guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Adults with Community-acquired Pneumonia in 2019, Hartford HealthCare implemented changes to the community acquired pneumonia (CAP) order-set in August 2020 to reflect criteria for the prescribing of broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy. The objective of the study was to evaluate changes in broad-spectrum antibiotic days of therapy (DOT) following these order-set updates with accompanying provider education. Methods: This was a multi-center, quasi-experimental, retrospective study of patients with a diagnosis of CAP from September 1, 2019 to October 31, 2019 (pre-intervention) and September 1, 2020 to October 31, 2020 (post-intervention). Patients were identified using ICD-10 codes (A48.1, J10.00-J18.9) indicating lower respiratory tract infection. Data collected included demographics, labs and vitals, radiographic, microbiological, and antibiotic data. The primary outcome was change in broad-spectrum antibiotic DOT, specifically anti-pseudomonal β-lactams and anti-MRSA antibiotics. Secondary outcomes included guideline-concordance of initial antibiotics, utilization of an order-set to prescribe antibiotics, and length of stay (LOS). Results: A total of 331 and 352 patients were included in the pre- and post-intervention cohorts, respectively. There were no differences in order-set usage (10% vs 11.3%, P = .642) between the pre- and post-intervention cohort, respectively. The overall duration of broad-spectrum therapy was a median of 2 days (IQR 0-8 days) in the pre-intervention period and 0 days (IQR 0-4 days) in the post-intervention period ( P < .001). Patients in whom the order-set was used in the post-intervention period were more likely to have guideline-concordant regimens ([36/40] 90% vs [190/312] 60.9%; P = .003). Hospital LOS was shorter in the post-intervention cohort (4.8 days [2.9-7.2 days] vs 5.3 days [IQR 3.5-8.5 days], P = .002). Conclusion: Implementation of an updated CAP order-set with accompanying provider education was associated with reduced use of broad-spectrum antibiotics. Opportunities to improve compliance and thus further increase guideline-concordant therapy require investigation.


Author(s):  
Hang Thi Phan ◽  
Thuan Huu Vo ◽  
Hang Thi Thuy Tran ◽  
Hanh Thi Ngoc Huynh ◽  
Hong Thi Thu Nguyen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CR-BSI) cause high neonatal mortality and are related to inadequate aseptic technique during the care and maintenance of a catheter. The incidence of CR-BSI among neonates in Hung Vuong Hospital was higher than that of other neonatal care centres in Vietnam. Methods An 18-month pre- and post-intervention study was conducted over three 6-month periods to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention for CR-BSI and to identify risk factors associated with CR-BSI. During the intervention period, we trained all nurses in the Department of Neonatology on BSI preventive practices, provided auditing and feedback about aseptic technique during catheter care and maintenance, and reorganised preparation of total parenteral nutrition. All neonates with intravenous catheter insertion ≥48 h in the pre- and post-intervention period were enrolled. A standardised questionnaire was used to collect data. Blood samples were collected for cultures. We used Poisson regression to calculate rate ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for CR-BSI incidence rates and logistic regression to identify risk factors associated with CR-BSI. Results Of 2225 neonates enrolled, 1027 were enrolled in the pre-intervention period, of which 53 CR-BSI cases occurred in 8399 catheter-days, and 1198 were enrolled in the post-intervention period, of which 32 CR-BSI cases occurred in 8324 catheter-days. Incidence rates of CR-BSI significantly decreased after the intervention (RR = 0.61, 95% CI 0.39–0.94). Days of hospitalisation, episodes of non-catheter–related hospital-acquired infections, and the proportion of deaths significantly decreased after the intervention (p < 0.01). The CR-BSI was associated with days of intravenous catheter (odds ratio [OR] = 1.05, 95% CI 1.03–1.08), use of endotracheal intubation (OR = 2.27, 95% CI 1.27–4.06), and intravenous injection (OR = 8.50, 95% CI 1.14–63.4). Conclusions The interventions significantly decreased the incidence rate of CR-BSI. Regular refresher training and auditing and feedback about aseptic technique during care and maintenance of catheters are critical to reducing CR-BSI.


2008 ◽  
Vol 83 (1) ◽  
pp. 157-184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kalin Kolev ◽  
Carol A. Marquardt ◽  
Sarah E. McVay

We empirically examine the effects of intensified scrutiny over non-GAAP reporting on the quality of non-GAAP earnings exclusions. We find that, on average, exclusions are of higher quality (i.e., more transitory) following intervention by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) into non-GAAP reporting. We further find that firms that stopped releasing non-GAAP earnings numbers after the SEC intervention had lower quality exclusions in the pre-intervention period. These results are consistent with the SEC's objectives of improving the quality of non-GAAP earnings figures. However, when we decompose total exclusions into special items and other exclusions, we find evidence that the quality of special items has decreased in the post-intervention period, which suggests that managers adapted to the new disclosure environment by shifting more recurring expenses into special items. This suggests that there may be unintended consequences arising from the heightened scrutiny over non-GAAP reporting.


CJEM ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 648-655 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Copeland ◽  
Andrew Gray

AbstractObjectivesFast tracks are one approach to reduce emergency department (ED) crowding. No studies have assessed the use of fast tracks in smaller hospitals with single physician coverage. Our study objective was to determine if implementation of an ED fast track in a single physician coverage setting would improve wait times for low-acuity patients without negatively impacting those of higher acuity.MethodsA daytime fast track opened in 2010 at Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital, a southwestern Ontario community hospital. Before and after intervention groups comprised of ED visits in 2009 and 2011 were compared. Pooled comparison of all Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS) patients in each period, and between subgroups CTAS 2-5 comparisons were performed for: wait time (WT), length of stay (LOS), WTs that met national CTAS time guidelines (MNCTG), and proportion of patients that left without being seen (LWBS).ResultsWT and LOS were six minutes (88 min to 82 min, p=0.002) and 15 minutes (158 min to 143 min, p<0.001) lower, respectively, in the post-intervention period. Subgroup analysis showed CTAS 4 had the most pre- to post-intervention decrease in WT, of 13 minutes (98 min to 85 min, p<0.001). There was statistical improvement in MNCTG in the post-intervention period. No differences were found in outcome measures for higher-acuity patients or LWBS rates.ConclusionsImplementation of a fast track in a medium-volume community hospital with single physician coverage can improve patient throughput by decreasing WT and LOS without negatively impacting high-acuity patients. This may be clinically relevant, particularly for hospital administrators, given the improvement in meeting national WT standards we found post-intervention.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S159-S159
Author(s):  
Margaret Cooper ◽  
Katherine C Shihadeh ◽  
Cory Hussain ◽  
Timothy C Jenkins

Abstract Background Inappropriate urine cultures can contribute to overutilization of antibiotic treatment for asymptomatic bacteriuria. The objective of this study was to evaluate the appropriateness of urine cultures and the impact of a clinical decision support (CDS) intervention. Methods The CDS intervention involved embedding three questions in the urine culture order: whether the patient has fever, leukocytosis or urinary symptoms. When the answer to all three questions is no, a best practice advisory (BPA) alerts the provider that the patient may not meet criteria for a urine culture and suggests cancellation of the order. Cultures obtained in patients experiencing fever, leukocytosis, or urinary symptoms, and those who were pregnant, undergoing invasive urologic procedure, or &lt; 3 years old were classified as appropriate. We performed a quasi-experimental study assessing appropriateness of urine cultures before and after implementation of the BPA. The pre-intervention period was 5/9/19 to 7/31/20 and the intervention period was 2/3/21 to 4/27/21. Random samples of 100 cases from pre- and post-intervention were reviewed to assess appropriateness. Results There were 12,679 and 8,270 urine cultures performed pre-intervention and post-intervention, respectively. In 100 cases reviewed pre-intervention, 74% of the cultures were appropriate. Of these, 54% were ordered due to fever or leukocytosis, 50% due to urinary symptoms, and 12% in pregnant women. Post-intervention, the BPA fired on 458 orders and 106 (23%) were subsequently discontinued. Of the 100 cases reviewed post-intervention, 5 orders were discontinued after the BPA fired. Of the remaining 95 cultures, 78% were appropriate. Of these, 41% were ordered for fever or leukocytosis, 69% for urinary symptoms, and 11% in pregnant women. The change in the proportion of appropriate cultures pre- and post-intervention was not statistically significant (74% vs 78%, respectively, p=0.906). Conclusion In nearly one quarter of urine cultures performed, there was not an appropriate indication. Our intervention led to cancellation of 23% urine culture orders and resulted in an absolute increase in 4% of the cultures being ordered appropriately. However, the change in appropriateness was not statistically significant. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures


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