Evidence-Based Clinical Guidelines and Their Impact on Prevention of Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infections

2012 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-30
Author(s):  
Paula McCauley

The growing concern for hospital-acquired infections in health care has stimulated the development of evidence-based practice (EBP) guidelines. Health care institutions across the United States are increas- ing their focus on the implementation of clinical practice guidelines using current EBP. Adherence to these guidelines by health care professionals is expected to improve the quality, equity, and efficiency of patient care.

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 3
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Murtha ◽  
Vinit Khanna ◽  
Talia Sasson ◽  
Devang Butani

Sepsis is frequently encountered in the hospital setting and can be community-acquired, health-care-associated, or hospital-acquired. The annual incidence of sepsis in the United States population ranges from 300 to 1031 per 100,000 and is increasing by 13% annually. There is an associated inhospital mortality of 10% for sepsis and >40% for septic shock. Interventional radiology is frequently called on to treat patients with sepsis, and in rarer circumstances, interventional radiologists themselves may cause sepsis. Thus, it is essential for interventional radiologists to be able to identify and manage septic patients to reduce sepsis-related morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this paper is to outline procedures most likely to cause sepsis and delineate important clinical aspects of identifying and managing septic patients.


Author(s):  
Eric M. Patashnik ◽  
Alan S. Gerber ◽  
Conor M. Dowling

The U.S. medical system is touted as the most advanced in the world, yet many common treatments are not based on sound science. This book sheds new light on why the government's response to this troubling situation has been so inadequate, and why efforts to improve the evidence base of U.S. medicine continue to cause so much political controversy. The book paints a portrait of a medical industry with vast influence over which procedures and treatments get adopted, and a public burdened by the rising costs of health care yet fearful of going against “doctor's orders.” It offers vital insights into the limits of science, expertise, and professionalism in American politics. The book explains why evidence-based medicine is important. First, the delivery of unproven care can expose patients to serious risks. Second, the slow integration of evidence can lead to suboptimal outcomes for patients who receive treatments that work less well for their conditions than alternatives. Third, the failure to implement evidence-based practices encourages wasteful spending, causing the health care system to underperform relative to its level of investment. This book assesses whether the delivery of medical care in the United States is evidence based. It argues that by systematically ignoring scientific evidence (or the lack thereof), the United States is substantially out of balance.


2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 259-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daisuke Shibata

Context Although cultural competencies in athletic training education exist, there are limited international athletic training educational opportunities available. Study abroad experiences help students gain international and multicultural perspectives. The lack of study abroad opportunities is more pronounced in non–English-speaking countries. Objective The purpose of this article is to describe experiences with developing and conducting a short-term, faculty-led study abroad program in Japan. Essential elements and recommendations based on the study abroad program are interwoven throughout the article. Background The diversity in the United States and among the collegiate student-athlete population has increased. However, the population of athletic training professionals does not match this diversity. This mismatch has increased attention to the demand to find ways to nurture cultural competencies in athletic trainers. Simultaneously with changes in the United States, growth of the athletic training profession and athletic training educational programs is noticeable in Japan and other non–English-speaking countries. A well-designed study abroad program can expose students to the unique perspectives of athletic training and/or related health care professions and nurture cultural competency. Recommendations(s) A short-term, faculty-led study abroad program should include an assistant and local facilitator, multiple site visits, at least a day without guidance from the program, an adequate balance between academic and cultural activities, program dinners, opportunities for students to present and share their experiences, and a focus on keeping the trip safe. Conclusion(s) The short-term, faculty-led study abroad program in Japan offered unique opportunities for athletic training students to gain knowledge of and an appreciation for athletic training in diverse cultures and to incorporate these experiences into their future personal and professional practice. Further information and data are required to provide an optimum education for students to learn and apply cultural competencies as health care professionals.


2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 476-490
Author(s):  
Vinaya Manchaiah ◽  
George Vlaescu ◽  
Srinivas Varadaraj ◽  
Elizabeth Parks Aronson ◽  
Marc A. Fagelson ◽  
...  

Objective Although tinnitus is one of the most commonly reported symptoms in the general population, patients with bothersome tinnitus are challenged by issues related to accessibility of care and intervention options that lack strong evidence to support their use. Therefore, creative ways of delivering evidence-based interventions are necessary. Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) demonstrates potential as a means of delivering this support but is not currently available in the United States. This article discusses the adaptation of an ICBT intervention, originally used in Sweden, Germany, and the United Kingdom, for delivery in the United States. The aim of this study was to (a) modify the web platform's features to suit a U.S. population, (b) adapt its functionality to comply with regulatory aspects, and (c) evaluate the credibility and acceptability of the ICBT intervention from the perspective of health care professionals and patients with bothersome tinnitus. Materials/Method Initially, the iTerapi ePlatform developed in Sweden was adopted for use in the United States. Functional adaptations followed to ensure that the platform's functional and security features complied with both institutional and governmental regulations and that it was suitable for a U.S. population. Following these adaptations, credibility and acceptance of the materials were evaluated by both health care professionals ( n = 11) and patients with bothersome tinnitus ( n = 8). Results Software safety and compliance regulatory assessments were met. Health care professionals and patients reported favorable acceptance and satisfaction ratings regarding the content, suitability, presentation, usability, and exercises provided in the ICBT platform. Modifications to the features and functionality of the platform were made according to user feedback. Conclusions Ensuring that the ePlatform employed the appropriate features and functionalities for the intended population was essential to developing the Internet-based interventions. The favorable user evaluations indicated that the intervention materials were appropriate for the tinnitus population in the United States.


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mike Grady ◽  
Laurence Barry Katz ◽  
Pamela Anderson ◽  
Brian Leonard Levy

BACKGROUND We previously demonstrated in patients with diabetes that displaying blood glucose results in association with color improved their ability to interpret glucose results. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to investigate the perceptions of health care professionals (HCPs) in specific countries about the value of color on a new glucose meter and to determine if HCP perspectives among countries differ on the value of this approach in clinical practice. METHODS A total of 180 HCPs, including 105 endocrinologists, 34 primary care physicians, 25 diabetes educators, and 16 pharmacists, were recruited from India (n=50), Russia (n=50), China (n=50), and the United States (n=30). These HCPs experienced the OneTouch Select Plus Simple glucose meter online from their own office computer using interactive demonstrations (webpages, meter simulator, and video clips). After providing demographic and current clinical practice insights, HCPs responded to questions about the utility of the color-enhanced glucose meter. RESULTS Mean age and years in their current professional role for the 180 HCPs was 41.3 (SD 8.1) and 13.3 (SD 6.8) years for endocrinologists, 41.3 (SD 8.3) and 14.1 (SD 6.8) years for primary care physicians, 37.5 (SD 8.7) and 12.7 (SD 6.8) years for diabetes educators, and 35.9 (SD 5.3) and 9.5 (SD 5.2) years for pharmacists. In all, 88% (44/50) of Russian and 83% (25/30) of American HCPs said their patients find it easy to recognize low, in-range, or high blood glucose results compared to 56% (28/50) of HCPs in China and 42% (21/50) in India. Regardless of country, HCPs had less confidence that their patients act on blood glucose results with 52% (26/50) in Russia, 63% (19/30) in the United States, 60% (30/50) in China, and 40% (20/50) in India responding positively. During the interactive online meter experience, HCPs from all countries responded positively to questions about a meter with color features. After reflecting on the value of this meter, most HCPs strongly agreed or agreed their patients would be more inclined to act on results using a meter with color features (Russia: 92%, 46/50; United States: 70%, 21/30; China: 98%, 49/50; India: 94%, 47/50). They also said that color was particularly useful for patients with lower numeracy or education who may struggle with interpreting results (Russia: 98%, 49/50; United States: 77%, 23/30; China: 100%, 50/50; India: 82%, 41/50). CONCLUSIONS This multicountry online study provides evidence that HCPs had high overall satisfaction with the OneTouch Select Plus glucose meter, which uses color-coded information to assist patients with interpreting blood glucose results. This may be especially helpful in patient populations with low numeracy or literacy and limited access to health care and direct interaction with HCPs.


Author(s):  
Rintu Jayan ◽  
Riya Paul ◽  
Riyamol Abraham ◽  
Riyamol Roy ◽  
Roniya Dominic ◽  
...  

Background: Hands are the principal route of nosocomial infections or hospital acquired infections or health associated infections. Hand hygiene is effective in reducing infection rates. Hand hygiene among the health care professionals play a pivotal role in preventing the transmission of hospital acquired infections. The aim of the study was to assess the attitude regarding hand hygiene among students of healthcare professions.Methods: Quantitative research approach and descriptive survey design were used for the study. The purposive sampling technique was adopted to select 100 samples, 25 each from MBBS, BDS, B.Sc. Nursing and BPT. A structured attitude scale was used to collect the data. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.Results: The study results showed that majorities (55%) of sample were in the age of 22 years, majorities (90%) were females, and majority (98%) of sample had previous information regarding hand hygiene. The entire study sample had favorable attitudes towards hand hygiene. The study showed a significant association between attitude scores and receiving previous information on hand hygiene.Conclusions: The study concluded that health professional students have favorable attitude towards hand hygiene. 


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