Validation and inter-rater reliability of inexpensive, mini, no-touch infrared surface thermometry devices as an assessment tool for prediction of wound-related deep and surrounding infection

WCET Journal ◽  
2019 ◽  
pp. 18-22
Author(s):  
Hiske Smart ◽  
Eman Al Al Jahmi ◽  
Ebrahim Buhiji ◽  
Sally-Anne Smart
Keyword(s):  
Temperature Difference ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Predictive Ability ◽  
Skin Surface ◽  
Infrared Thermometry ◽  
Health Care Clinics ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Wound Assessment ◽  
The Times ◽  
Assessment Modality

Industrial infrared thermometry devices are large and, despite being less expensive than the current gold standard Exergen Dermatemp medical infrared thermometer, are still not affordable enough to ensure unrestricted and consistent use of this assessment modality in regular wound-related day-to-day practice. An increased skin surface temperature differentiation of 3°F associated with a wound has a positive predictive ability to detect deep or surrounding wound infection. This study hypothesised that inexpensive, pen- or pocket-sized, no-touch surface infrared thermometry devices will be equal in ability to detect a 3oF increased skin temperature compared to the Exergen Dermatemp infrared device and be reliable in the hands of any wound assessor. The odds of the control and other thermometers to detect a 3oF temperature difference, irrespective of the raters, were achieved in all five of the mini thermometers tested, with a correct temperature difference prediction that occurred in 90.933% of the times (odds determined 9/10). As a result of this study mini, no-touch infrared thermometry, to detect a 3oF temperature difference in wound assessment to determine tendency, could be implemented into primary health care clinics, rural clinics, day-to-day hospital practice and standard outpatients departments at a small financial cost, regardless of which thermometer is put to use.

Experience of negative pressure wound therapy over sternal wound healing: A retrospective review

WCET Journal ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 9-18
Author(s):  
Wai Sze Ho ◽  
Wai Kuen Lee ◽  
Ka Kay Chan ◽  
Choi Ching Fong
Keyword(s):  
Wound Healing ◽  
Negative Pressure ◽  
Negative Pressure Wound Therapy ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Wound Care ◽  
Wound Therapy ◽  
Treatment Pathways ◽  
Wound Assessment ◽  
One Year

Objectives The aim of this study was to retrospectively review the effectiveness of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) in sternal wound healing with the use of the validated Bates-Jensen Wound Assessment Tool (BWAT), and explore the role of NPWT over sternal wounds and future treatment pathways. Methods Data was gathered from patients' medical records and the institution's database clinical management system. Seventeen subjects, who had undergone cardiothoracic surgeries and subsequently consulted the wound care team in one year were reviewed. Fourteen of them were included in the analysis. Healing improvement of each sternal wound under continuous NPWT and continuous conventional dressings was studied. In total, 23 continuous NPWT and 13 conventional dressing episodes were analysed with the BWAT. Results Among conventional dressing episodes, sternal wound improvement was 2.5–3% over 10 days to 3.5 weeks, whereas 4–5% sternal healing was achieved in 5 days to 2 weeks with sternal wire presence. Better healing at 11% in 1 week by conventional dressing was attained after sternal wire removal. In NPWT episodes, 8–29%, 13–24%, and 15–46% of healing was observed in 2 weeks, 3.5 to 5 weeks and 6 to 7 weeks, respectively. Only 39% wound healing was acquired at the 13th week of NPWT in one subject. With sternal wire present, 6%–29% wound healing progress was achieved by NPWT in 1–4 weeks, and 16–23% wound improvement in 2 to 4.5 weeks by NWPT after further surgical debridement. After sternal wire removal, 6–34% sternal wound healing occurred by continuous NPWT for 1–2 weeks, and maximum healing at 46% after 2.5 weeks of NPWT were observed. Conclusions Better wound healing was achieved in the NPWT group in comparison to conventional dressings alone. However, suboptimal sternal wound healing by NPWT alone was observed. Removal of sternal wire may improve the effectiveness of NPWT. Successful tertiary closure after NPWT among subjects supports the important bridging role of NPWT in sternal wound healing. Factors causing stagnant sternal wound healing by NPWT alone are discussed.

Development of the perceptions of preventable adverse events assessment tool (PPAEAT): measurement properties and patients’ mental health status

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Franziska Maria Keller ◽  
Christina Derksen ◽  
Lukas Kötting ◽  
Martina Schmiedhofer ◽  
Sonia Lippke
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Patient Safety ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Discriminant Validity ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Item Scale

Abstract Background Patient-centered care and patient involvement have been increasingly recognized as crucial elements of patient safety. However, patient safety has rarely been evaluated from the patient perspective with a quantitative approach aiming at making patient safety and preventable adverse events measurable. Objectives The objectives of this study were to develop and evaluate the psychometric properties of a questionnaire assessing patient safety by perceived triggers of preventable adverse events among patients in primary health-care settings while considering mental health. Methods Two hundred and ten participants were recruited through various digital and print channels and asked to complete an online survey between November 2019 and April 2020. Exploratory factor analysis was performed to identify domains of triggers of preventable adverse events affecting patient safety. Furthermore, a multi-trait scaling analysis was performed to evaluate internal reliability as well as item-scale convergent–discriminant validity. A multivariate analysis of covariance evaluated whether individuals below and above the symptom threshold for depression and generalized anxiety perceive triggers of preventable adverse events differently. Results The five factors determined were information and communication with patients, time constraints of health-care professionals, diagnosis and treatment, hygiene and communication among health-care professionals, and knowledge and operational procedures. The questionnaire demonstrated a good total and subscale internal consistency (α = 0.90, range = 0.75–0.88), good item-scale convergent validity with significant correlations between 0.57 and 0.78 (P < 0.05; P < 0.01) for all items with their associated subscales, and satisfactory item-scale discriminant validity between 0.14 and 0.55 (P > 0.05) with no significant correlations between the items and their competing subscales. The questionnaire further revealed to be a generic measure irrespective of patients’ mental health status. Patients older than 50 years of age perceived a significantly greater threat to their own safety compared to patients below that age. Conclusion The developed Perceptions of Preventable Adverse Events Assessment Tool (PPAEAT) exhibits good psychometric properties, which supports its use in future research and primary health-care practice. Further validation of the PPAEAT in different settings, languages and larger samples is needed. The results of this study need to be considered when assessing patient safety in the context of health-care research.

scholarly journals An evaluation of the adequacy of pharmaceutical services for the provision of antiretroviral treatment in primary health care clinics

2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Talitha Crowley ◽  
Ethelwynn L. Stellenberg
Keyword(s):  
Antiretroviral Treatment ◽  
Resource Constraints ◽  
Pharmaceutical Services ◽  
Storage Space ◽  
Health Care Clinics ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Professional Nurses ◽  
Quantitative Descriptive ◽  
Service Standards

Background: With the introduction of nurse-initiated and -managed antiretroviral therapy (NIMART), new challenges have emerged with regard to the prescribing and dispensing of ART by nurses. One of the key challenges is ensuring adequate pharmaceutical services at PHC clinics.Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the adequacy of pharmaceutical services for the provision of ART in PHC clinics.Method: A quantitative descriptive study was undertaken in 20 (43%) randomly selected, eligible clinics in the uMgungundlovu district of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.Results: Clinics used allocated medicine rooms for storing medication, as there were no pharmacies. Problems identified were: insufficient storage space (50%; n = 10); inadequates ecurity (40%; n = 8); poor air conditioning (20%; n = 4), and functional stock-outs of essential drugs (80%; n = 16). Professional nurses performed the tasks of managing drug supply and prescribing and dispensing medication as there were no pharmacists or pharmacist's assistants in these clinics.Conclusion: Human resource constraints necessitate professional nurses to manage drug supplies and to prescribe and dispense medication in resource-constrained PHC clinics. Clear guidelines tailored for PHC are needed to assist nurses in maintaining pharmaceutical service standards when ART services are decentralised.

scholarly journals Antimicrobial prescribing patterns in a group of private primary health care clinics in South Africa

2007 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Norah L Katende-Kyenda ◽  
Martie S Lubbe ◽  
Jan HP Serfontein ◽  
Ilse Truter
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Prescribing Patterns ◽  
Antimicrobial Prescribing ◽  
Health Care Clinics ◽  
Primary Health

The aim of this study was to investigate the prescribing of antimicrobials in private primary health care in South Africa. ABSTRAK Die doel met hierdie studie was om die voorskryfpatrone van antimikrobiese middels in private primêre gesondheidsorginrigtings in Suid-Afrika te ondersoek.

scholarly journals Sustainability of the integrated chronic disease management model at primary care clinics in South Africa

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ozayr H. Mahomed ◽  
Shaidah Asmall ◽  
Anna Voce
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Chronic Disease ◽  
Disease Management ◽  
Chronic Disease Management ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Health Care Clinics ◽  
Clinical Support ◽  
Supportive Management

Background: An integrated chronic disease management (ICDM) model consisting of four components (facility reorganisation, clinical supportive management, assisted self-supportive management and strengthening of support systems and structures outside the facility) has been implemented across 42 primary health care clinics in South Africa with a view to improve the operational efficiency and patient clinical outcomes.Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the sustainability of the facility reorganisation and clinical support components 18 months after the initiation.Setting: The study was conducted at 37 of the initiating clinics across three districts in three provinces of South Africa.Methods: The National Health Service (NHS) Institute for Innovation and Improvement Sustainability Model (SM) self-assessment tool was used to assess sustainability.Results: Bushbuckridge had the highest mean sustainability score of 71.79 (95% CI: 63.70–79.89) followed by West Rand Health District (70.25 (95% CI: 63.96–76.53)) and Dr Kenneth Kaunda District (66.50 (95% CI: 55.17–77.83)). Four facilities (11%) had an overall sustainability score of less than 55.Conclusion: The less than optimal involvement of clinical leadership (doctors), negative staff behaviour towards the ICDM, adaptability or flexibility of the model to adapt to external factors and infrastructure limitation have the potential to negatively affect the sustainability and scale-up of the model.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Access on the perspective of adult users of Primary Health Care in Fortaleza, Brazil

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
L Borges Costa ◽  
C Salles Gazeta Vieira Fernandes ◽  
T Custódio Mota ◽  
E Torquato Santos ◽  
M Moura de Almeida ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Health System ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
Access To Health Services ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Care Assessment ◽  
The City

Abstract The Alma-Ata Conference promoted Primary Health Care (PHC) worldwide as a form of universal and continuous access to quality and effective health services. In Brazil, PHC, through the Family Health Strategy (FHS), aims to be the gateway to the health system and its structuring axis. For this, it is necessary to promote access, an essential condition for the quality of health care services, following the attributes systematized by Barbara Starfield. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of the attribute “First Contact Access” on the perspective of adult users of public PHC services in the city of Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. A transversal study was carried out, in 19 PHC Units, from June to December 2019, using the Primary Care Assessment Tool (PCATool) Brazil version for adult users. Kruskal-Wallis test was used for statistical analysis. 233 users participated, mostly women (69.5%), aged 30 to 59 years old (55.3%), mixed-race (69.5%), with complete high school (38.2%), without private health coverage (89.3%), homeowners (68.7%) and belonging to families of up to 4 members (87.9%). The “Accessibility” component had the lowest score, 2.83, and the “Utilization” had the highest score, 8.06. Older age was associated with higher “Accessibility” scores (p = 0,018), while lower values of “Utilization” were associated with higher education (p = 0,004). The main problems observed were: low access for acute demand consultations, lack of access at nighttime and weekends, little access through non-personal ways, bureaucratic barriers and a long time for scheduling appointments. We conclude that, although there was an improvement in PHC coverage in the city over the years, mainly due to FHS, there is still a lot to improve to ensure timely access to health services. Key messages Users consider PHC as the usual source of care, demonstrated by the high score of 'Utilization', however, they are unable to use it when necessary, demonstrated by the low score of 'Accessibility'. Expanding forms of access is essential to contribute to the strengthening of PHC in Fortaleza, Brazil, facilitating the entry to its national Universal Health System.

scholarly journals The role of honey in healing of bedsores in cancer patients

2012 ◽  
Vol 01 (02) ◽  
pp. 66-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aramita Saha ◽  
Subrata Chattopadhyay ◽  
Md. Azam ◽  
Prabir Kr. Sur
Keyword(s):  
Wound Healing ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Critical Difference ◽  
Visual Analogue Pain ◽  
Wound Assessment ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Bacteria And Fungi ◽  
And Control

Abstract Bacground: Honey was used to treat infected wounds as long as 2000 years before bacteria were discovered. It has been reported to have inhibitory action to around 50 species of bacteria and fungi (aspergillus, penicillium). Usually, Metronidazole powder is used in our palliative clinic for wound healing due to low cost & effectivity. Honey is cheap, easily available ingredient with high astringent activity. Objective: Objectives of the study were to find out the effectiveness of Honey in terms of rate of wound healing & pain control in bedsores of cancer patients. Materials and Methods: 40 cancer patients with bedsore wounds were randomly assigned (1:1 ratio i.e. 20 in each arm) for Study Arm (Honey plus Metronidazole powder) and Control Arm (only Metronidazole powder), attending Palliative clinic of our department in between July 2010 to September 2011. Washing of the wound with normal saline done daily before application of above medicaments. Change of posture & soft bed were encouraged in both groups. A pre designed interview proforma, standardised Bates Jensen Wound Assessment Tool and Visual Analogue Pain assessment scale were used to collect and assess data. Results: There was significant difference in wound healing status (F value = 6.523; Critical Difference =14.03, P&nit;0.05) from day 10 and pain reduction also (F value = 6.638 and Critical Difference = 1.667, P&nit;0.05) from day 7 in study arm. Conclusion: Application of honey dressing provides a better wound healing, rapid pain relief in cancer patients with bedsores in palliative settings.

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