scholarly journals Retinopathy of Prematurity: Nursing Perspective

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bindu K Sankar ◽  
Hrishikesh Amin ◽  
KM Riaz ◽  
P Pappa ◽  
Shalu Varghese
Keyword(s):  
Retinopathy Of Prematurity ◽  
Neonatal Intensive Care ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Neonatal Intensive Care Units ◽  
Postnatal Life ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Care Givers ◽  
Preterm Babies

Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) is the leading cause of childhood blindness. India and other middle income countries are currently facing the third ‘epidemic’ of this disease which is mainly due to increased survival of preterm babies, suboptimal neonatal care and lack of proper screening and management of ROP. This is a disorder of the immature retina of preterm babies in which abnormal vascularisation occurs after birth. ROP is multifactorial, and is sensitive to the quality of neonatal inpatient care received during early postnatal life. Nurses, being the primary care givers in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs), plays a vital role in prevention and management of ROP.

Prevention of Retinopathy of Prematurity: A Perinatal approach

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 185-188
Author(s):  
Dharmapuri Vidyasagar
Keyword(s):  
Retinopathy Of Prematurity ◽  
Neonatal Intensive Care ◽  
Oxygen Therapy ◽  
Preterm Births ◽  
Inflammatory Factors ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Antenatal Steroids ◽  
Elective Cesarean ◽  
New Research

ABSTRACT Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a multifactorial vasoproliferative retinal disorder in the premature infant exposed to high oxygen therapy. Retinopathy of prematurity is a major contributor to childhood blindness. Whereas ROP in high-income countries is decreasing, it is increasing in the low and middle-income countries, such as India. On the other hand, ROP is also a preventable disease. So far, preventive programs have focused on pediatric, neonatal, and nursing practices: Minimizing exposure to oxygen of premature babies admitted to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in respiratory distress (RDS) and early detection of ROP and treatment by the ophthalmologists. Prematurity is the major risk factor for ROP. Decreasing the risk of prematurity requires a perinatal approach. Evidence shows that good antenatal care, managing preterm labor, and administration of antenatal steroids decrease respiratory complication and the need for oxygen therapy in the premature infants. There is also a need for decreasing the elective cesarean sections (ECS) which add to iatrogenic preterm births and associated respiratory complications. New research shows that inflammatory factors that lead to premature labor also make the premature retinal vessels susceptible to developing ROP. These scientific findings lay ground for a stronger perinatal approach to prevent ROP in future. This article attempts to highlight the perinatal approach to prevent ROP. How to cite this article Vidyasagar D. Prevention of Retinopathy of Prematurity: A Perinatal Approach. Donald School J Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2016;10(2):185-188.

scholarly journals Perspectives and practices of healthcare providers and caregivers on healthcare-associated infections in the neonatal intensive care units of two hospitals in Ghana

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. i38-i50
Author(s):  
Gifty Sunkwa-Mills ◽  
Lal Rawal ◽  
Christabel Enweronu-Laryea ◽  
Matilda Aberese-Ako ◽  
Kodjo Senah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care ◽  
Intensive Care Units ◽  
Neonatal Intensive Care ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Neonatal Intensive Care Units ◽  
Healthcare Associated Infections ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Healthcare Associated ◽  
Low And Middle Income

Abstract Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) remain a serious threat to patient safety worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Reducing the burden of HAIs through the observation and enforcement of infection prevention and control (IPC) practices remains a priority. Despite growing emphasis on HAI prevention in low- and middle-income countries, limited evidence is available to improve IPC practices to reduce HAIs. This study examined the perspectives of healthcare providers (HPs) and mothers in the neonatal intensive care unit on HAIs and determined the major barriers and facilitators to promoting standard IPC practices. This study draws on data from an ethnographic study using 38 in-depth interviews, four focus group discussions and participant observation conducted among HPs and mothers in neonatal intensive care units of a secondary- and tertiary-level hospital in Ghana. The qualitative data were analysed using a grounded theory approach, and NVivo 12 to facilitate coding. HPs and mothers demonstrated a modest level of understanding about HAIs. Personal, interpersonal, community, organizational and policy-level factors interacted in complex ways to influence IPC practices. HPs sometimes considered HAI concerns to be secondary in the face of a heavy clinical workload, a lack of structured systems and the quest to protect professional authority. The positive attitudes of some HPs, and peer interactions promoted standard IPC practices. Mothers expressed interest in participation in IPC activities. It however requires systematic efforts by HPs to partner with mothers in IPC. Training and capacity building of HPs, provision of adequate resources and improving communication between HPs and mothers were recommended to improve standard IPC practices. We conclude that there is a need for institutionalizing IPC policies and strengthening strategies that acknowledge and value mothers’ roles as caregivers and partners in IPC. To ensure this, HPs should be better equipped to prioritize communication and collaboration with mothers to reduce the burden of HAIs.

Retinopathy of Prematurity—Using Electronic Medical Records to Efficiently Follow Patients at Multiple Hospitals

2021 ◽  
pp. 097321792110076
Author(s):  
Gwendolyn Schultz ◽  
Majida Gaffar
Keyword(s):  
Retinopathy Of Prematurity ◽  
Neonatal Intensive Care ◽  
Transitional Period ◽  
Neonatal Intensive Care Units ◽  
American Academy Of Pediatrics ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Cost Efficient ◽  
Delay Of Care ◽  
Physician Scheduling ◽  
Rop Screening

Purpose: To report the use of a centralized electronic medical record (EMR) to provide timely retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening in a previously fragmented monitoring system in a standalone children’s hospital in Connecticut. Methods: A chart review of 306 visits for ROP screening in 3 neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) over a time period of 24 months. Results: All infants born at <30 weeks gestational age or birth weight <1,500g (N = 107) at these NICUs were screened for ROP according to the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines. Data was collected before the implementation of our centralized EMR list, during a transitional period, and once the list was established. Our analysis of the data found an improvement in delay of care from 16.85% to 10.83% of visits, and a decrease in number of visits done during off hours from 20.4% to 5% of visits. Conclusion: Our tool was a free and cost-efficient centralization of a once difficult-to-manage process for ROP screenings in Connecticut. The decrease in delay of care and improvement in physician scheduling will lead to better outcomes for our patients and better sustainability of practice for our providers.

scholarly journals Psychosocial influences on help-seeking behaviour for cancer in low-income and lower middle-income countries: a mixed-methods systematic review

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. e004213
Author(s):  
Grace McCutchan ◽  
Bahr Weiss ◽  
Harriet Quinn-Scoggins ◽  
Anh Dao ◽  
Tom Downs ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Cancer Symptoms ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Help Seeking Behaviour ◽  
Psychosocial Influences

IntroductionStarting cancer treatment early can improve outcomes. Psychosocial factors influencing patients’ medical help-seeking decisions may be particularly important in low and lower middle-income countries (LMIC) where cancer outcomes are poor. Comprehensive review evidence is needed to understand the psychosocial influences on medical help-seeking for cancer symptoms, attendance for diagnosis and starting cancer treatment.MethodsMixed-methods systematic review registered on PROSPERO (CRD42018099057). Peer-reviewed databases were searched until April 2020 for studies assessing patient-related barriers and facilitators to medical help-seeking for cancer symptoms, diagnosis and treatment in adults (18+ years) living in LMICs. Quality of included studies was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme tool. Data were synthesised using meta-analytic techniques, meta-ethnography or narrative synthesis as appropriate.ResultsOf 3963 studies identified, 64 were included. In quantitative studies, use of traditional, complementary and alternative medicine (TCAM) was associated with 3.60 higher odds of prolonged medical help-seeking (95% CI 2.06 to 5.14). Qualitative studies suggested that use of TCAM was a key barrier to medical help-seeking in LMICs, and was influenced by causal beliefs, cultural norms and a preference to avoid biomedical treatment. Women face particular barriers, such as needing family permission for help-seeking, and higher stigma for cancer treatment. Additional psychosocial barriers included: shame and stigma associated with cancer such as fear of social rejection (eg, divorce/disownment); limited knowledge of cancer and associated symptoms; and financial and access barriers associated with travel and appointments.ConclusionDue to variable quality of studies, future evaluations would benefit from using validated measures and robust study designs. The use of TCAM and gender influences appear to be important barriers to help-seeking in LMIC. Cancer awareness campaigns developed with LMIC communities need to address cultural influences on medical help-seeking behaviour.

Social Support and Quality of Life Among People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Ghana

2021 ◽  
pp. 0192513X2110300
Author(s):  
Charles MS. Birore ◽  
Liyun Wu ◽  
Tina Abrefa-Gyan ◽  
Marilyn W. Lewis
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Immune Deficiency Syndrome ◽  
Deficiency Syndrome ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
Hiv Aids

Utilization of antiretroviral therapies (ART) prolongs life and heightens ability to engage in productive activities among people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). This study implemented a 6-week long Social Care Intervention (SCI) Program in Ghana and identified protective factors associated with Quality of Life (QoL) among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). We discovered that SCI model in the form of social support associated positively with differences in the QoL among PLWHA. Logistic regression revealed that social support, especially affectionate support, was positively associated with a higher level of QoL. People who were older and healthier tended to have higher levels of QoL compared with their counterparts who were younger and sicker. These findings suggest that building social support system can serve as an empowerment approach to promote quality of life among PLWHA in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where resources are limited.

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