scholarly journals A 5 Year Retrospective Analysis of Leave against Advice from the Medical Wards of a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital

Author(s):  
JE Ojobi ◽  
E Ugwu ◽  
PO Idoko ◽  
MO Ogiator ◽  
SS Gomerep ◽  
...  

Self discharge (SD) of hospitalized patients is an adverse clinical event often resulting from a fundamental disagreement between the patient or an interested third party and the attending physician and / or the hospital environment. This culminates in the patient’s withdrawal of their initial voluntary consent for hospitalisation and abrupt termination of in - patient medical care. Patients who left hospital admission against the advice of their doctors are both a concern and a challenge for individuals in the health industry. It negatively impacts treatment outcomes and exposes the clinician and health care administrators to the hazards of litigations. The study was aimed at determining the incidence of SD and associated factors in medical admissions. It was a retrospective descriptive hospital based study of patients who self discharged from medical wards of Federal Medical Center, Makurdi from June 2012 – May 2017. Approval was obtained from the institution’s research ethics board. Thirty one individuals (0.62% of total admission) self discharged within the study period. Financial constraints was responsible for 32.2% (10) of SD followed by proximity to social support 19.4% (6). Five patients (16.1%) elected not to disclose any reasons. The incidence reduced from 0.21% to 0.02% at the start and end of study period respectively. Though SD was relatively low in this study, the incidence could be reduced further by expanding the scope of health insurance scheme, skilful communication and negotiating patient management using patient – centred methods.

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-34
Author(s):  
Jason K. Chu ◽  
Abdullah H. Feroze ◽  
Kelly Collins ◽  
Lynn B. McGrath ◽  
Christopher C. Young ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVEPlacement of an external ventricular drain (EVD) is a common and potentially life-saving neurosurgical procedure, but the economic aspect of EVD management and the relationship to medical expenditure remain poorly studied. Similarly, interinstitutional practice patterns vary significantly. Whereas some institutions require that patients with EVDs be monitored strictly within the intensive care unit (ICU), other institutions opt primarily for management of EVDs on the surgical floor. Therefore, an ICU burden for patients with EVDs may increase a patient’s costs of hospitalization. The objective of the current study was to examine the expense differences between the ICU and the general neurosurgical floor for EVD care.METHODSThe authors performed a retrospective analysis of data from 2 hospitals within a single, large academic institution—the University of Washington Medical Center (UWMC) and Seattle Children’s Hospital (SCH). Hospital charges were evaluated according to patients’ location at the time of EVD management: SCH ICU, SCH floor, or UWMC ICU. Daily hospital charges from day of EVD insertion to day of removal were included and screened for days that would best represent baseline expenses for EVD care. Independent-samples Kruskal-Wallis analysis was performed to compare daily charges for the 3 settings.RESULTSData from a total of 261 hospital days for 23 patients were included in the analysis. Ten patients were cared for in the UWMC ICU and 13 in the SCH ICU and/or on the SCH neurosurgical floor. The median values for total daily hospital charges were $19,824.68 (interquartile range [IQR] $12,889.73–$38,494.81) for SCH ICU care, $8,620.88 (IQR $6,416.76–$11,851.36) for SCH floor care, and $10,002.13 (IQR $8,465.16–$12,123.03) for UWMC ICU care. At SCH, it was significantly more expensive to provide EVD care in the ICU than on the floor (p < 0.001), and the daily hospital charges for the UWMC ICU were significantly greater than for the SCH floor (p = 0.023). No adverse clinical event related to the presence of an EVD was identified in any of the settings.CONCLUSIONSICU admission solely for EVD care is costly. If safe EVD care can be provided outside of the ICU, it would represent a potential area for significant cost savings. Identifying appropriate patients for EVD care on the floor is multifactorial and requires vigilance in balancing the expenses associated with ICU utilization and optimal patient care.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wanhua Xie ◽  
Xiufeng Yang ◽  
Xiaojun Cao ◽  
Peiying Liu

Abstract Background In China, a long waiting time for registration is a common occurrence in many tertiary hospitals. This study aimed to analyze the effects of a comprehensive reservation service for non-emergency registration on appointment registration rate, patient waiting time, patient satisfaction and outpatient volume at the Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center. Methods This was a cross-sectional study. This study investigated the effects of a comprehensive reservation service for non-emergency registration in Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center in China starting in October 2015. In total, 2194 patients completed a satisfaction survey administered by the Guangdong Situation Research Center. The content of the questionnaire consisted of six aspects: general impression, service attitude, service quality, hospital environment, price perception and medical ethics. A Likert 5-point rating scale was used in the questionnaire; answers were classified as “very satisfied”, “relatively satisfied”, “neutral”, “unsatisfied” and “very unsatisfied”. The method of application was paper-based. T-tests were used to compare the sample means, and chi-square tests were used to compare the rates. A multiple-test procedure was performed to evaluate the differences in the reservation rates during a 12-month period. Results After the implementation of the comprehensive reservation service for non-emergency registration in our hospital, which has an annual outpatient volume of approximately 4 million, the monthly appointment registration rate increased from (34.95 ± 2.91)% to(89.13 ± 3.12)%,P < 0.01. The patient waiting time was significantly reduced (P < 0.01), and the proportion of patients who believed that the waiting time required improvement was decreased significantly (P < 0.01). Moreover, the third-party evaluation result of outpatient satisfaction significantly improved (P < 0.01). The total hospital outpatient volume decreased(P < 0.01). The outpatient volume of the Department of General Pediatrics decreased. Conclusion The implementation of the comprehensive reservation service for non-emergency registration in the hospital shortened patient waiting time and improved patient satisfaction, and the outpatient volume was effectively controlled. These results indicated that this program obtained the desired results in a Grade 3A hospital in China.


Author(s):  
Seon-Ju Kam ◽  
Young-Sun Yoo

Patients’ emotional responses to the hospital environment can be considered as important as medical technology and equipment. Therefore, this study investigated their experiences to determine whether the pattern using hospital identity (HI) elements, a widely used design method for patient clothing in university hospitals, can affect their emotional response and contribute to healing. It aimed to identify whether controlling the motif characteristics, arrangement, and spacing in this pattern design, and the direction between motifs, could be a method to design patient clothing for healing. To investigate patients’ emotional response and suggestions for patient clothing design, an interview-based qualitative approach was used. In-depth interviews were conducted with 12 patients discharged from Kyung Hee University Hospital Medical Center (KHUMC), Seoul. The interview questions consisted of two parts. One part featured questions about participants’ emotional responses to the medical environment and their latest patient clothing experience, and the other featured questions about their emotional response to, and suggestions for, the healing expression of pattern design using HI. The results confirmed that the motif characteristics, arrangement, and spacing, and the direction between motifs, influenced patients’ positive emotions and contributed to the healing effect. Therefore, when the HI elements of a medical institution are applied in the design of patient clothing with the characteristics of a healing design, patients perceive this as providing stability and comfort. The design of patient clothing becomes a medium that not only builds the brand image of medical institutions, but also enhances the quality of medical services centered on patient healing.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
S Leboube ◽  
T Bochaton ◽  
A Paccalet ◽  
C Crola Da Silva ◽  
P Jeantet ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction IL-6 and IL-10 are two major cytokines secreted at the acute phase of myocardial infarction (MI). IL-6 has a pro-inflammatory effect whereas IL-10 has anti-inflammatory effect. Objective Our objective was to assess the prognosis value of IL-6, IL-10 and IL-10/IL-6 ratio serum level at the acute phase of ST elevation MI (STEMI). Methods We prospectively enrolled 247 patients admitted for acute STEMI from 2016 to 2019. Blood samples were collected at 5 time points: admission, 4, 24, 48 hours and 1 month (H4, H24, H48, M1). IL-6 and IL-10 were assessed using ELISA. Patients underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging at one month for infarct size (IS) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) assessment. Clinical outcomes were prospectively recorded over 18 months. Results Patient mean age was 59±12 years. IL-6 reached a peak at H24 at 5.4 pg/mL interquartile range (IQR) [2.1–11.0] and IL-10 peaked as early as admission at 5.6 pg/mL IQR [8.7–29.3] followed by a decrease within the first month. Median IL-10/IL-6 ratio at admission was 4.2 [1.4–8.6] with a strong decrease at H24 (0.5 [0.2–1.3]). IL-6 and IL-10 levels at H24 were correlated with IS (respectively r=0.44, p&lt;0.0001, and r=0.29, p=0.0001) and inversely correlated with LVEF (respectively r=−0.42, p&lt;0.0001 and r=−0.26, p=0.0003). Patients with IL-10/IL-6 ratio ≥1 had smaller IS compared to patients with IL-10/IL-6 ratio &lt;1 (respectively 9.0% IQR [2.4–15.4] of LV versus 17% IQR [8.7–29.3] of LV, p&lt;0.0001) and they had higher LVEF (58.0% IQR [52.0–62.3] versus 49.0% IQR [41.5–56.0], p&lt;0.0001). Patients with IL-10/IL-6 ratio &lt;1 were more likely to have an adverse clinical event (MI, stroke, hospitalization for heart failure and all-cause death) during the first 18 months after STEMI compared to patients with IL-10/IL-6 ratio ≥1 (HR=2.7, 95% CI [1.2–5.5], p=0.04). Conclusion Serum IL-10/IL-6 &gt;1 was associated with a poor outcome after STEMI and might be a valuable prognostic marker. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public hospital(s). Main funding source(s): Hospices Civils de Lyon, Fédération Française de Cardiologie


2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. i12-i42
Author(s):  
E Spurring ◽  
G Donnelly

Abstract Intro In July 2019 the MHRA issued a drug safety update reminding healthcare professionals that rivaroxaban should be taken with food. This came after they received a number of thromboembolic events reported in patients prescribed rivaroxaban, thought to be linked with incorrect ingestion on an empty stomach [1]. Our aim was to establish if the healthcare professionals in our department had this knowledge and to audit our current dispensing practice to assess if our hospitalised patient cohort were being exposed to any increased risk. Methods A retrospective study was conducted using electronic data from 21 patients that were prescribed rivaroxaban across 14 medical wards. A questionnaire was used to establish the staff’s knowledge. Results Of the surveyed healthcare professionals, 79% knew that rivaroxaban should be taken with food (86% of nurses and 79% of doctors). Despite this only 17% of patients took the tablet with food. 75% of patients had rivaroxaban incorrectly dispensed over an hour post meal and 8% were uncertain due to poor documentation. Only 14% of healthcare professionals were aware that in those with swallowing difficulties, rivaroxaban can be crushed. Conclusions In our department most of the healthcare professionals had a good academic knowledge of correct rivaroxaban administration, however we have demonstrated that this is failing to correctly influence clinical practice. 75% of patients taking Rivaroxaban in hospital are being subjected to increased risk due to the hospital environment. This was found to relate to the difference in timing of the drug dispensing round in comparison to meal times. As part of the roll out of electronic prescribing in our trust, a warning now shows when both prescribing and dispensing Rivaroxaban to attempt to improve this highlighted risk. We have also highlighted this to the ward managers and at our governance meeting. Reference 1. Drug Safety Update volume 12, issue 12: July 2019: 3.


2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (7) ◽  
pp. 1692-1698 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison J Schepers ◽  
Alexis R Jones ◽  
Brandi N Reeves ◽  
Sascha A Tuchman ◽  
Jill S Bates

Purpose Lenalidomide, bortezomib, and dexamethasone (RVd) has emerged as a preferred induction therapy in multiple myeloma (MM) in the United States. Due to lenalidomide's teratogenic risk, patients and prescribers must comply with a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy (REMS) program. The REMS program limits dispensing to certain third-party specialty pharmacies, whose average prescription fill times are longer than in-house specialty pharmacies. In practice, a delay in procurement of lenalidomide may mean that patients start therapy with only bortezomib and dexamethasone, delaying the start of more effective triplet therapy. The primary objective of this study is to determine if a delay from start of bortezomib and dexamethasone to start of triplet therapy with lenalidomide impacts rate of achievement of very good partial response (VGPR) after four cycles of RVd. Methods This was a single-center retrospective review of adults with newly diagnosed MM who received RVd induction therapy at University of North Carolina Medical Center between April 2014 and June 2017. Patients who started lenalidomide ≥10 days after bortezomib comprised the “Delay” group, while those who started lenalidomide concurrently with bortezomib or within 1–9 days after bortezomib comprised the “No Delay” group. The primary outcome was VGPR or better response rate after four cycles of RVd. Results Thirty-eight patients met inclusion criteria. Nine patients (23.7%) experienced any delay in initiation of lenalidomide, with a mean delay of 7.8 days (range 1–18). Four patients (10.5%) experienced a delay ≥10 days. No patients in the Delay group were of reproductive potential, compared to 8.8% in the No Delay group ( p = 0.54). VGPR or better response rate did not differ between the Delay and No Delay groups (66.7% vs. 58.8%, p = 0.79). The mean number of lenalidomide prescriptions generated per RVd cycle was 1.35 (range 1–5, SD 0.74). Conclusions This study did not demonstrate an effect on clinical response after delays ≥10 days between bortezomib and lenalidomide initiation. No patients in the delay group were females of reproductive potential, which is the primary target for increased safety behind the REMS program.


2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahteme Bekele ◽  
Wubshet Jote ◽  
Tigist Workneh ◽  
Berhanu Worku

BACKGROUND: Worldwide, the supply of organs continues to be much less than the demand. Many studies identify poor knowledge and negative attitude about organ donation for this. The purpose of this study was to assess knowledge and attitude towards organ donation and associated factors among people who accompany patient during hospital visit at tertiary hospital in Ethiopia.METHODS: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 1st to May 31, 2019, at a tertiary hospital and the only transplant center in Ethiopia. The patient companions were interviewed with structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics were presented and factors associated with good knowledge and favorable attitude were assessed using Binary logistic regression.RESULTS: A total of 414 patient companion participated in the study. The mean age of the respondents was 35+13years, and 252(60.9%) were males. Forty-four (10.6%) of the study participants had good knowledge about organ donation. Male gender was significantly associated with improved knowledge (AOR=2.127 95% CI: 1.036, 4.368). A favorable attitude towards donation was found in 219(52.9%) of the study participants. Participants who had completed secondary education were more likely to have unfavorable attitude towards organ donation (AOR=0.498, 95% CI: 0.290, 0.857).CONCLUSION: Knowledge about organ donation was found to be poor, and attitudes towards organ donation were found to be unfavorable among patient companions at a major medical center in Ethiopia. Strategies focused on education of the general public and broad dissemination of information on the benefits of organ donation will be critical for improving the organ donor pool.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 583-586 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Gorgone ◽  
Brian McNichols ◽  
Valerie J. Lang ◽  
William Novak ◽  
Alec B. O'Connor

ABSTRACT Background  Training residents to become competent in common bedside procedures can be challenging. Some hospitals have attending physician–led procedure teams with oversight of all procedures to improve procedural training, but these teams require significant resources to establish and maintain. Objective  We sought to improve resident procedural training by implementing a resident-run procedure team without routine attending involvement. Methods  We created the role of a resident procedure coordinator (RPC). Interested residents on less time-intensive rotations voluntarily served as RPC. Medical providers in the hospital contacted the RPC through a designated pager when a bedside procedure was needed. A structured credentialing process, using direct observation and a procedure-specific checklist, was developed to determine residents' competence for completing procedures independently. Checklists were developed by the residency program and approved by institutional subspecialists. The service was implemented in June 2016 at an 850-bed academic medical center with 70 internal medicine and 32 medicine-pediatrics residents. The procedure service functioned without routine attending involvement. The impact was evaluated through resident procedure logs and surveys of residents and attending physicians. Results  Compared with preimplementation procedure logs, there were substantial increases postimplementation in resident-performed procedures and the number of residents credentialed in paracenteses, thoracenteses, and lumbar punctures. Fifty-nine of 102 (58%) residents responded to the survey, with 42 (71%) reporting the initiative increased their ability to obtain procedural experience. Thirty-one of 36 (86%) attending respondents reported preferentially using the service. Conclusions  The RPC model increased resident procedural training opportunities using a structured sign-off process and an operationalized service.


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