scholarly journals Preoperative hemostasis assessment in adenotonsillar surgery: is it really necessary?

Author(s):  
Rita Gama ◽  
Nuno Medeiros ◽  
Fernanda Castro ◽  
Artur Condé

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background: </strong>Adenoidectomy, tonsillectomy and adenotonsillectomy are among the most frequently performed procedures in otorhinolaryngology. Postoperative hemorrhage is, undoubtedly, the most feared complication of this kind of surgery. The authors aim to clarify the role of preoperative hemostatic assessment in adenotonsillar surgery, by reviewing the available literature on the subject.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods: </strong>Articles adressing preoperative assessment on adenotonsillar surgery were searched in PubMed® database, since its publication till April 2020.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> The role of hemostasis preoperative assessment in adenotonsillar surgery is still controversial, since some authors recommend its application in a selective range of patients, while others support its universal use. Most studies showed that a normal hemostatic study does not exclude the possibility of an hemostatic disease, and that most changed results are not correlated with the probability of postoperative hemorrhage. Hence, international recommendations discourage the screening of otherwise healthy patients, although most health care professionals continue to conduct preoperative tests in a systematic manner.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> The authors emphasize the need to discuss the subject and to protocol the preoperative approach for these patients, given the confusing and divergent existing data, in such frequently performed procedures in the otolaryngology field.</p>

2021 ◽  
pp. 019459982098070
Author(s):  
Habib Khoury ◽  
Shaghauyegh S. Azar ◽  
Hannah Boutros ◽  
Nina L. Shapiro

Objectives To understand national trends in 30-day postoperative readmission following inpatient pediatric tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. Study Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Nationwide Readmissions Database. Methods We used the Nationwide Readmissions Database to identify and analyze 30-day readmissions following inpatient tonsillectomy from 2010 to 2015. Using the International Classification of Disease codes, we identified 66,652 patients and analyzed the incidence, causes, risk factors, and costs of 30-day readmission. Results Of 66,652 patients who underwent inpatient tonsillectomy, 2660 (4.0%) experienced a readmission. Readmitted patients were more commonly aged <2 years (23.4 vs 10.6%, P = .01) and had a greater burden of comorbidities, including preoperative anemia (3.9 vs 1.3%, P < .001), coagulopathy (3.5 vs 1.4%, P < .001), and neurologic disorders (19.1 vs 6.6%, P < .001). Readmitted patients experienced higher rates of postoperative complications (17.4 vs 9.0%, P < .001) and had a longer length of stay (4.5 vs 2.2 days, P < .001). Index cost of hospitalization was higher among readmitted patients ($14,129 vs $7307, P < .001), and each readmission cost an additional $7576. Postoperative hemorrhage (21.3%) and dehydration (17.7%) were the 2 most common causes for readmission. Independent predictors of readmission included age <3 years, multiple comorbidities, and postoperative neurologic complications. The incidences of tonsillectomies and readmissions declined during the study period, most notably between 2010 and 2012. Conclusion Readmission after inpatient tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy places a substantial financial burden on the health care system. Targeted strategies to improve preoperative assessment and optimize postoperative care may prevent readmission, reduce unnecessary health care expenditures, and improve patient outcomes.


Author(s):  
Alfonso M. Cueto-Manzano ◽  
Héctor R. Martínez-Ramírez ◽  
Laura Cortés-Sanabria ◽  
Enrique Rojas-Campos

2019 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana Wu ◽  
Lamercie Saint-Hilaire ◽  
Andrew Pineda ◽  
Danielle Hessler ◽  
George W. Saba ◽  
...  

Background and Objectives: Health professionals increasingly recognize the role that social determinants play in health disparities. However, little focus is placed on how health care professionals themselves contribute to disparities through biased care. We have developed a curriculum based on an antioppression framework which encourages health professionals to evaluate their biases and combat health care disparities through an active process of allyship. Methods: Teaching methods emphasize skill building and include lectures, guided reflections, and facilitated discussions. Pre- and postsurveys were administered to assess participants’ confidence level to recognize unconscious bias and to be an ally to colleagues, patients, and staff. In total, we conducted 20 workshops with a total of 468 participants across multiple disciplines. Results: The survey response rate was 80%. Using a paired t-test, the mean difference in the pre- and postsurveys revealed a statistically significant improvement across all measures. Participants showed the greatest improvements (large effect size d&gt;0.8) in their understanding of the process of allyship, their ability to describe strategies to address, assess, and recognize unconscious bias, and their knowledge of managing situations in which prejudice, power, and privilege are involved. Conclusions: Results show that an antioppression curriculum can enhance health professionals’ confidence in addressing bias in health care through allyship. For those who value social justice and equity, moving from the role of bystander to a place of awareness and solidarity allows for one’s behaviors to mirror these values. Allyship is an accessible tool that all health professionals can use in order to facilitate this process.


Author(s):  
Kathel Dunn ◽  
Joanne Gard Marshall ◽  
Amber L. Wells ◽  
Joyce E. B. Backus

Objective: This study analyzed data from a study on the value of libraries to understand the specific role that the MEDLINE database plays in relation to other information resources that are available to health care providers and its role in positively impacting patient care.Methods: A previous study on the use of health information resources for patient care obtained 16,122 responses from health care providers in 56 hospitals about how providers make decisions affecting patient care and the role of information resources in that process. Respondents indicated resources used in answering a specific clinical question from a list of 19 possible resources, including MEDLINE. Study data were examined using descriptive statistics and regression analysis to determine the number of information resources used and how they were used in combination with one another.Results: Health care professionals used 3.5 resources, on average, to aid in patient care. The 2 most frequently used resources were journals (print and online) and the MEDLINE database. Using a higher number of information resources was significantly associated with a higher probability of making changes to patient care and avoiding adverse events. MEDLINE was the most likely to be among consulted resources compared to any other information resource other than journals.Conclusions: MEDLINE is a critical clinical care tool that health care professionals use to avoid adverse events, make changes to patient care, and answer clinical questions.


CJEM ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 10 (01) ◽  
pp. 38-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen Brown ◽  
Sharon E. Mace ◽  
Ann M. Dietrich ◽  
Stephen Knazik ◽  
Neil E. Schamban

ABSTRACT Patient and family–centred care (PFCC) is an approach to health care that recognizes the integral role of the family and encourages mutually beneficial collaboration between the patient, family and health care professionals. Specific to the pediatric population, the literature indicates that the majority of families wish to be present for all aspects of their child's care and be involved in medical decision-making. Families who are provided with PFCC are more satisfied with their care. Integration of these processes is an essential component of quality care. This article reviews the principles of PFCC and their applicability to the pediatric patient in the emergency department; and it discusses a model for integrating PFCC that is modifiable based on existing resources.


Author(s):  
Marcos Reyes-Estrada ◽  
Nelson Varas-Díaz ◽  
Richard Parker ◽  
Mark Padilla ◽  
Sheilla Rodríguez-Madera

HIV-related stigma among nurses can impact health care services for people with HIV/AIDS (PWHA). health care professionals’ religious views can potentially foster stigmatizing attitudes. There is scarce scientific literature exploring the role of religion on HIV/AIDS stigma among nurses. This study aimed to explore the role of religion in the stigmatization of PWHA by nurses in Puerto Rico. We conducted an exploratory study using qualitative techniques. We conducted 40 in-depth interviews with nurses who provided services to PWHA. Three main factors emerged in the analysis as contributors to HIV/AIDS stigmatization: (1) nurses’ personal religious experiences, (2) religion as a rationale for HIV-related stigma, and (3) religious practices during health care delivery. The results show that religious beliefs play a role in how nurses understood HIV/AIDS and provided service. Results point toward the need for interventions that address personal religious beliefs while reducing HIV/AIDS stigma among nurses.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Bigi

Purpose Within the context of a research program on the most relevant discourse types in chronic care medical encounters, this contribution reports on a qualitative study on the role caregivers play within the process of shared understanding occurring between health-care professionals and elderly patients. The purpose of the paper is to highlight one dimension of such complexity, by bringing to light the challenges connected to the achievement of shared understanding between health-care professionals and elderly patients when caregivers are involved in the conversation. Design/methodology/approach The paper reports on a two-step analysis of a corpus of transcripts of interactions in diabetes and hypertension settings. In the first step, caregivers’ contributions to deliberative sequences have been analyzed. In the second step, the analysis was extended to caregivers’ contributions to the whole encounter. Findings The results show that professionals’ ability to engage caregivers in deliberations during the encounter and, more generally, to assign a role to caregivers as legitimate participants in the consultation may favor the smooth development of the interaction and an effective process of shared understanding among all participants. Originality/value The paper further develops original research about the functions of the argumentative component in dialogues occurring in clinical settings.


Author(s):  
Victoria J. Palmer ◽  
Rob Whitley

There is an abundance of published literature documenting the important role of primary care in the recognition, treatment and management of mental disorders. Despite this, general practitioners, nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and other primary health care professionals remain under acknowledged, and the multidisciplinary team arrangements needed for effective management elusive. Individual and community stigma attached to seeking help has not been removed. This chapter provides an overview of these existing barriers and outlines strategies for implementation to improve recognition and treatment of mental disorders across the spectrum in primary care. These strategies are focused on the delivery of whole person, resulting in integrated and person-centred care.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document