A Qualitative Analysis of Oncology Patient Awareness of Medication Shortages and Their Preferences for How Shortages Should Be Managed

2020 ◽  
pp. JOP.19.00608
Author(s):  
Andrew Hantel ◽  
Fay J. Hlubocky ◽  
Mark Siegler ◽  
Christopher K. Daugherty
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Care ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Care Center ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Weighted Average ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Oncology Patient ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Multiple Decision Makers

PURPOSE: Medication shortages in US hospitals are ongoing, widespread, and frequently involve antineoplastic and supportive medications used in cancer care. The ways shortages are managed and the ways provider-patient communication takes place are heterogeneous, but the related preferences of oncology patients are undefined. This study sought to qualitatively evaluate patient preferences. METHODS: A cross-sectional, semi-structured interview study was conducted from January to June 2019. Participants were adult oncology inpatients who received primary cancer care at the University of Chicago, had undergone treatment within 2 years, and had 1 or more previous hospitalizations during that period. Participants (n = 54) were selected consecutively from alternating hematology and oncology services. The primary outcome was thematic saturation across the domains of awareness of medication shortages, principle preferences regarding decision makers, preferences regarding allocation of therapy drugs, and allocation-related communication. RESULTS: Thematic saturation was reached after 39 participants completed the study procedures (mean age, 59.6 years [standard deviation, 14.5 years]; men made up 61.5% of the study population [mean age, 24 years]; response rate, 72.0%). In all, 18% of participants were aware of institutional medication shortages. Patients preferred having multiple decision makers for allocating medications in the event of a shortage. A majority of patients named oncologists (100%), ethicists (92%), non-oncology physicians (77%), and pharmacists (64%) as their preferred decision makers. Participants favored allocation of drugs based on their efficacy (normalized weighted average, 1.3), and they also favored prioritizing people who were already receiving treatment (1.8), younger patients (2.0), sicker patients (3.1), and those presenting first for treatment (5.3). Most participants preferred preferred disclosure of supportive care medication shortages (74%) and antineoplastic medication shortages (79%) for equivalent substitutions. CONCLUSION: In a tertiary-care center with medication shortages, few oncologic inpatients were aware of shortages. Participants preferred having multiple decision makers involved in principle-driven allocation of scarce medications. Disclosure was preferred when their usual medications needed to be substituted with equivalent alternatives. These preliminary data suggest that preferences do not align with current management practices for medication shortages.

scholarly journals Awareness of tuberculosis in the community: time to rethink strategies

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (11) ◽  
pp. 4995
Author(s):  
Meera Shankar ◽  
Ramasubramanian V. ◽  
Balasubramaniam Ramakrishnan
Keyword(s):  
Program Implementation ◽  
Genetic Disorder ◽  
Care Center ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
World Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Treatment And Prevention ◽  
Health Organization

Background: Tuberculosis is highly prevalent in developing countries like India and several strategies have been implemented by the World Health Organization and Government of India in order to minimize its burden. However, effectiveness of these strategies is best achieved when there is adequate awareness among the general population regarding the cause and spread of the disease. This study was carried out to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding tuberculosis among general population.Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out among 500 adults visiting our tertiary care center as patients or attenders for a period of one year between April 2018 and March 2019. A structured interview schedule was used to collect information regarding the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding the cause, spread and management of tuberculosis infection.Results: About 73.6% of the study participants felt that tuberculosis was a genetic disorder, while only 12.4% of them were aware that the infection was transmitted through coughing, etc. Moreover, 18% of the participants believed that the medications for treating tuberculosis could be stopped without the supervision of the health care provider.Conclusions: This study has elicited the prevailing misconception regarding the cause, transmission, treatment and prevention of tuberculosis. It is important for policy makers and public health program implementation experts to develop health literacy campaigns to specifically create awareness among the population, so as to facilitate successful mitigation of the disease.

Prehospital Intubations Are Associated with Elevated Endotracheal Tube Cuff Pressures: A Cross-Sectional Study Characterizing ETT Cuff Pressures at a Tertiary Care Emergency Department

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Ruo S. Chen ◽  
Laurel O’Connor ◽  
Matthew R. Rebesco ◽  
Kara L. LaBarge ◽  
Edgar J. Remotti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endotracheal Tube ◽  
Cuff Pressure ◽  
Care Center ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Endotracheal Tube Cuff ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Tube Cuff ◽  
Respiratory Therapists ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Introduction: Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers are trained to place endotracheal tubes (ETTs) in the prehospital setting when indicated. Endotracheal tube cuffs are traditionally inflated with 10cc of air to provide adequate seal against the tracheal lumen. There is literature suggesting that many ETTs are inflated well beyond the accepted safe pressures of 20-30cmH2O, leading to potential complications including ischemia, necrosis, scarring, and stenosis of the tracheal wall. Currently, EMS providers do not routinely check ETT cuff pressures. It was hypothesized that the average ETT cuff pressure of patients arriving at the study site who were intubated by EMS exceeds the safe pressure range of 20-30cmH2O. Objectives: While ETT cuff inflation is necessary to close the respiratory system, thus preventing air leaks and aspiration, there is evidence to suggest that over-inflated ETT cuffs can cause long-term complications. The purpose of this study is to characterize the cuff pressures of ETTs placed by EMS providers. Methods: This project was a single center, prospective observational study. Endotracheal tube cuff pressures were measured and recorded for adult patients intubated by EMS providers prior to arrival at a large, urban, tertiary care center over a nine-month period. All data were collected by respiratory therapists utilizing a cuff pressure measurement device which had a detectable range of 0-100cmH2O and was designed as a syringe. Results including basic patient demographics, cuff pressure, tube size, and EMS service were recorded. Results: In total, 45 measurements from six EMS services were included with ETT sizes ranging from 6.5-8.0mm. Mean patient age was 52.2 years (67.7% male). Mean cuff pressure was 81.8cmH2O with a range of 15 to 100 and a median of 100. The mode was 100cmH2O; 40 out of 45 (88.9%) cuff pressures were above 30cmH2O. Linear regression showed no correlation between age and ETT cuff pressure or between ETT size and cuff pressure. Two-tailed T tests did not show a significant difference in the mean cuff pressure between female versus male patients. Conclusion: An overwhelming majority of prehospital intubations are associated with elevated cuff pressures, and cuff pressure monitoring education is indicated to address this phenomenon.

A Comparison of Falls and Dizziness Handicap by Vestibular Diagnosis

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Ryan J. Huang ◽  
Sherri L. Smith ◽  
Libor Brezina ◽  
Kristal M. Riska
Keyword(s):  
Care Center ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Demographic Variables ◽  
Vestibular Migraine ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Positional Vertigo ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Risk Of Falls ◽  
Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

Purpose There is a paucity of data that directly compares the falls rate and dizziness handicap of different vestibular diagnoses. The purpose of this study is to compare the falls rate and dizziness handicap of common vestibular diagnoses encountered among a cohort of vestibular patients at a single institution. Method We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study of patients evaluated for dizziness at a tertiary care center vestibular clinic between August 1, 2017, and March 19, 2019. Vestibular diagnosis, demographic variables, comorbidities, falls status, and Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) were extracted from the medical record for analysis. Associations between vestibular diagnosis and falls history or DHI were evaluated using multivariate logistic and linear regression, respectively. Results A total of 283 patients met our inclusion criteria with the following diagnoses: benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV; n = 55), acoustic neuroma ( n = 30), Ménière's disease ( n = 28), multiple vestibular diagnoses ( n = 15), vestibular migraine ( n = 135), or vestibular neuritis ( n = 20). After adjusting for age, sex, race, medications, and comorbidities, the odds of falling was 2.47 times greater (95% CI [1.08, 6.06], p = .039) and the DHI score was 11.66 points higher (95% CI [4.99, 18.33], p < .001) in those with vestibular migraine compared to those with BPPV. Other diagnoses were comparable to BPPV with respect to odds of falling and dizziness handicap. Conclusions Patients with vestibular migraine may suffer an increased risk of falls and dizziness handicap compared to patients with BPPV. Our findings highlight the need for timely evaluation and treatment of all patients with vestibular disease.

scholarly journals Transport Factors Affecting the Outcome of Referred Neonates Admitted in A Tertiary Care Hospital

2018 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 159-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madhabi Baidya ◽  
Mahfuza Shirin ◽  
Liton Chandra Saha
Keyword(s):  
Perinatal Asphyxia ◽  
Care Center ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Preterm Neonates ◽  
P Value ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Neonatal Transport ◽  
Group I ◽  
Group Ii

Background: Adequate neonatal transport is a key component of care of the sick newborns who require referral to tertiary care center. Poor transportation is one of the iatrogenic factors associated with greater neonatal mortality. Neonatal transport is the greatest challenge faced today in our country. The purpose of this study was to find out characteristics of transport of referred neonates and to idention the factors that contribute to mortality.Methodology: This cross sectional study was conducted in Dhaka Shishu (Children) Hospital from June 2013 to November 2013. Both term and preterm neonates who were referred within first seven days of life were included and those with gross congenital abnormalities and left against medical advice were excluded from the study. After enrollment, data were collected using a structured questionnaire including birth details, interventions before transportation, reasons for referral, and details of transportation. Outcome & duration of hospital stay were also recorded. Neonates who were expired considered as group I and who were survived considered as group II. The study variables were analyzed for their association with immediate outcome by applying chi square test and t test. P value <0.05 was considered significant.Results: This study found that out of 332 neonates 181 were expired with 54.5% mortality rate. One eighty one neonates who were expired, considered as group I and one fifty one neonate were survived, considered as group II. The mortality was significantly high in male neonates [RR 0.80 (0.66-0.97)] and neonates those delivered at home [RR 1.34(1.10-1.64)] (p<0.05). Perinatal asphyxia, pre-term low birth weight, neonatal sepsis were the main causes of referral. It was found that transportation without any referral note [RR 1.40 (1.14- 1.71)], no advice regarding maintenance of airway[RR 1.50(1.17- 1.92)]and keeping warm [RR 1.51(1.17-1.950], resuscitation on admission [RR 1.63(1.23-2.17)] and transportation required > 3hours [RR 1.36(1.09-1.69)] were associated with significantly higher mortality among referred transported neonates(p<0.05).Conclusions: This study found that male neonates, home delivery, transportation without any referral note, no advice regarding maintenance of airway and keeping warm, resuscitation needed on admission and prolonged transportation time were significantly associated with mortality of referred transported neonates.Bangladesh J Child Health 2017; VOL 41 (3) :159-164

scholarly journals Usefulness of the Non-Contact Tonometry in Out-Patient Screening

2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Satheesh Solomon T Selvin ◽  
Chris Elsa Samson Jacob ◽  
Thomas Kuriakose
Keyword(s):  
Central Corneal Thickness ◽  
Care Center ◽  
Corneal Thickness ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Applanation Tonometry ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Iop Measurement ◽  
The Mean

Purpose: Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT) is considered the gold standard for Intraocular Pressure (IOP) measurement. It has the disadvantages of being a contact device, need for a slit-lamp, non-portability and need of a skilled examiner. Many hospitals are using a Non Contact Tonometry (NCT) as a screening device to save clinician time, however the usefulness is not proved in terms of reliability. This study was aimed to determine the usefulness of the Air-puff tonometer (TONOREF NIDEK II, NIDEK CO., LTD., JAPAN) over a GAT in a tertiary care center. Design: Cross-sectional Study Methods: This was a cross-sectional, non interventional observational study conducted on 224 eyes (right eye) from 224 patients. All patients underwent the IOP measurement with both methods and a central corneal thickness (CCT) measured. The data was analyzed using SPSS 20.0 software. Results: The mean age of the patients was 40.3±11.29 years. There was a statistically significant difference (p<0.001) between the mean NCT and GAT readings which persisted even after correction for central corneal thickness. The correlation between NCT and GAT using Pearson’s correlation coefficient was strong irrespective of the corrections for their corneal thickness (r = 0.751 and 0.718 for uncorrected and corrected values respectively). The correlation of the individual clinicians for the readings varied from moderate to strong. The ROC curve showed the best sensitivity and specificity to occur at around 13 to 14 mmHg. Conclusion: NCT seems to overestimate the IOP at low ranges as compared to the GAT and underestimate at higher ranges. The crossover of the values is seen between 12 to 13 mmHg.  The clinician should do an individualized analysis of his/her GAT measurements to the readings of the NCT machine at the clinic to obtain clinician specific nomogram. 

scholarly journals An observational study on patient compliance and adverse drug reactions of antihypertensives drugs in a tertiary care center of Bihar

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 190-193
Author(s):  
Mrityunjay Kumar Pandit ◽  
Kumar Gaurav ◽  
Jeetendra Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Combination Therapy ◽  
Antihypertensive Drugs ◽  
Care Center ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Institutional Ethics

Hypertension is among the most common non-communicable and lifestyle disease in our country that affects adult population of both the genders from all socio-economic backgrounds and urban and rural population. In-spite of this, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are suboptimal. Adherence of prescribed treatment has been studied in patients of hypertension in this study. : An observational and cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Pharmacology, Jawahar Lal Nehru Medical College and Hospital, Bhagalpur, Bihar. Prior to the initiation of the study, clearance was obtained from the Institutional Ethics Committee. Study period was between January 2021 and June 2021.A predesigned pretested interview schedule was used to collect the data from the 247 study participants. This schedule contained information related to socio-demographic variables, comorbidity, a format to assess the compliance to antihypertensive drugs prescribed and any adverse event. : A significant improvement in maintain optimal in blood pressure was observed in patients treated with one pill per day as compared to patients prescribed with two and three pills per day. Compliance was significantly better in patients in combination therapy as compared to monotherapy. : Low dose combination therapy has been stated to be more effective than high dose monotherapy in controlling blood pressure. It shows better compliance and lesser incidence of side-effects.

scholarly journals Metabolic syndrome in alopecia areata: an observational study at a tertiary care center

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 647
Author(s):  
Subrata Kumar Das ◽  
Saptadipa Das
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Observational Study ◽  
Alopecia Areata ◽  
Care Center ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Tertiary Care Center ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Laboratory Parameters ◽  
Number Of Patients

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> The aim was to evaluate the parameters of metabolic syndrome (MS) in patients of alopecia areata and to investigate the possibility of an existing relationship between MS and alopecia areata (AA).</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> This cross-sectional observational study included 50 patients with AA who attended OPD of department of dermatology at a tertiary care center during a period of 1 year. Clinical and laboratory parameters were noted in each patient.<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> This study included 50 patients with AA (33 males and 17 females). In the present study maximum number of patients belonged to the age group 20-30 years with 23 patients, followed by 30-40 years with 17  patients. Most of the study subjects, 17 were college students and number of employees were 15. Out of 50 patients 44  had patch(es) and 2 patient had alopecia totalis. In this study out of 50 patients, 38 had mild AA, 7 had AA and 5 patients had severe AA. No significant derangement of clinical and laboratory parameters of MS observed in patients of AA.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> In the present study we did not observe any significant derangement of clinical and laboratory parameters of  MS  in patients of alopecia areata.</p>

scholarly journals Clinical and laboratory profiles of genital ulcers (sexually transmitted diseases) in a tertiary care center in northeastern India

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 120-129
Author(s):  
Romita Bachaspatimayum ◽  
Zamzachin Guite ◽  
Thangjam Bijayanti Devi
Keyword(s):  
Care Center ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Herpes Genitalis ◽  
Tertiary Care Center ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Female Ratio ◽  
Ulcer Disease ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Northeastern India ◽  
Genital Ulcers

Background: Genital ulcers are defined as breaches in the continuity of the genital mucosa and/or skin. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that cause genital ulcer disease (GUD) are syphilis, chancroid, donovanosis, lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV), and herpes genitalis. This study aimed to investigate the clinical and laboratory profiles of STI-related genital ulcers. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional two-year study was conducted on patients attending the Outpatient Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy in a tertiary care center in northeastern India. Selected were 95 patients who presented themselves with STI-related genital ulcers. Detailed history taking and examination were conducted with basic tests to assist the diagnosis. Results: The male-to-female ratio was 3.32:1, and the most common site was the glans and prepuce in males (28.77%) and the labia majora and minora in females (36.36%). 96.84% of patients had superficial ulcers. The KOH mount was positive in 26 patients. The Tzanck smear was positive in 31 patients. RPR was positive in four. HIV was positive in eleven. Herpes genitalis (96.84%) was the most common GUD. Mixed STIs were attested in 41.05% of patients. Conclusion: GUD can take various forms of presentation. The available laboratory tests should be utilized. The possibility of mixed infections should always be kept in mind.

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