Contribution to Lab Errors as a Healthcare Professional

With the emergence of new diagnostic markers every day, laboratory investigations have become an essential and integral part of healthcare. It is prudent to ensure that this dependence on diagnosis and treatment in laboratories is serious and responsible. This responsibility does not lie solely within the confines of a laboratory but extends to any healthcare personnel involved in the process of report generation. Reviews revolving around this topic focus on the laboratory's roles and conclude with the emphasis on paying attention to the extra-analytical phases. In this review, we attempt to expand our audience to include all healthcare professionals and highlight their role in increasing or minimizing laboratory errors. The process of creating a reliable report will be viewed as a shared responsibility. This includes the patient who has the responsibility to follow the direction given before specimen collection and extends to the doctor who interprets the results, keeping in mind all the inherent limitations that a test encompasses.

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Focused Review: Potential Rare and Atypical Symptoms as Indicator for Targeted COVID-19 Screening

Medicina ◽

10.3390/medicina57020189 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 57 (2) ◽

pp. 189 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Swee Li Ng ◽

Yong Sze Ong ◽

Kooi Yeong Khaw ◽

Siew Phooi Teh ◽

Ching Siang Tan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Professional ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Nausea And Vomiting ◽

Healthcare Personnel ◽

Shortness Of Breath ◽

Atypical Symptoms ◽

Global Pandemic ◽

Reduced Risk

The global pandemic of the coronavirus disease 2019 is a known consequence of infection of severe respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). It has affected nations worldwide with soaring number of cases daily. Symptoms such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting are commonly presented in COVID-19 patients. This focused review aims to discuss these uncommon and atypical COVID-19 symptoms that may be presented which might affect neurological, cardiovascular, cutaneous and ocular systems and their possible mode of actions. Nonetheless, there are some cases of reported uncommon or atypical symptoms which may warrant healthcare professionals to be aware of, especially when in contact with patients. The knowledge and information concerning these symptoms might be able to provide additional cues for healthcare professional by subjecting patients to COVID-19 screening. Meanwhile, it might be able to further enhance the alertness and additional precautions being taken by healthcare personnel, which eventually lead to reduced risk of infections.

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What are the risk factors for avoidable transitions in the last year of life? A qualitative exploration of professionals’ perspectives for improving care in Germany

BMC Health Services Research ◽

10.1186/s12913-021-06138-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Alina Kasdorf ◽

◽

Gloria Dust ◽

Vera Vennedey ◽

Christian Rietz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Professional ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Qualitative Content Analysis ◽

Individual Interviews ◽

Information Power ◽

Care Services ◽

Healthcare Settings ◽

Nursing Services ◽

Value Based Care ◽

Qualitative Exploration

Abstract Background Little is known about the nature of patients’ transitions between healthcare settings in the last year of life (LYOL) in Germany. Patients often experience transitions between different healthcare settings, such as hospitals and long-term facilities including nursing homes and hospices. The perspective of healthcare professionals can therefore provide information on transitions in the LYOL that are avoidable from a medical perspective. This study aims to explore factors influencing avoidable transitions across healthcare settings in the LYOL and to disclose how these could be prevented. Methods Two focus groups (n = 11) and five individual interviews were conducted with healthcare professionals working in hospitals, hospices and nursing services from Cologne, Germany. They were asked to share their observations about avoidable transitions in the LYOL. The data collection continued until the point of information power was reached and were audio recorded and analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results Four factors for potentially avoidable transitions between care settings in the LYOL were identified: healthcare system, organization, healthcare professional, patient and relatives. According to the participants, the most relevant aspects that can aid in reducing unnecessary transitions include timely identification and communication of the LYOL; consideration of palliative care options; availability and accessibility of care services; and having a healthcare professional taking main responsibility for care planning. Conclusions Preventing avoidable transitions by considering the multicomponent factors related to them not only immediately before death but also in the LYOL could help to provide more value-based care for patients and improving their quality of life.

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Ethical challenges when using coercion in mental healthcare: A systematic literature review

Nursing Ethics ◽

10.1177/0969733016629770 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 25 (1) ◽

pp. 92-110 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

Marit Helene Hem ◽

Elisabeth Gjerberg ◽

Tonje Lossius Husum ◽

Reidar Pedersen

Keyword(s):

Patient Autonomy ◽

Moral Distress ◽

Mental Healthcare ◽

Healthcare Personnel ◽

Ethical Challenge ◽

Ethical Challenges ◽

Best Interest ◽

Ethical Considerations ◽

Search Terms ◽

Healthcare It

Background: To better understand the kinds of ethical challenges that emerge when using coercion in mental healthcare, and the importance of these ethical challenges, this article presents a systematic review of scientific literature. Methods: A systematic search in the databases MEDLINE, PsychInfo, Cinahl, Sociological Abstracts and Web of Knowledge was carried out. The search terms derived from the population, intervention, comparison/setting and outcome. A total of 22 studies were included. Ethical considerations: The review is conducted according to the Vancouver Protocol. Results: There are few studies that study ethical challenges when using coercion in an explicit way. However, promoting the patient’s best interest is the most important justification for coercion. Patient autonomy is a fundamental challenge facing any use of coercion, and some kind of autonomy infringement is a key aspect of the concept of coercion. The concepts of coercion and autonomy and the relations between them are very complex. When coercion is used, a primary ethical challenge is to assess the balance between promoting good (beneficence) and inflicting harm (maleficence). In the included studies, findings explicitly related to justice are few. Some studies focus on moral distress experienced by the healthcare professionals using coercion. Conclusion: There is a lack of literature explicitly addressing ethical challenges related to the use of coercion in mental healthcare. It is essential for healthcare personnel to develop a strong awareness of which ethical challenges they face in connection with the use of coercion, as well as challenges related to justice. How to address ethical challenges in ways that prevent illegitimate paternalism and strengthen beneficent treatment and care and trust in connection with the use of coercion is a ‘clinical must’. By developing a more refined and rich language describing ethical challenges, clinicians may be better equipped to prevent coercion and the accompanying moral distress.

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Conceptualizing Narrative Health and Medicine to Develop Cultural Competence to Improve Communication During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal ◽

10.14738/assrj.81.9577 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 32-36

Author(s):

Kent Willis ◽

Colleen Marzilli

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Professional ◽

Cultural Competence ◽

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽

Patient Care ◽

Patient Outcomes ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Important Concept ◽

Healthcare Environment ◽

Health Narrative ◽

Improve Patient

Narrative health is a technique that healthcare professionals can use to connect with patients. The events of 2020, including the global severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), have identified that patient care is largely dependent upon relationships within the healthcare environment. Relationships in the healthcare environment are established through a trusting exchange between the patient and provider, and one technique to develop this relationship and trust is through narrative health. Narrative health provides the exchange of information between patient and provider in a discussion-like manner, or narrative health. This strategy promotes cultural competence amongst the healthcare professional team and improves communication between the patient and provider. Narrative health is an important concept for healthcare professionals to understand, and narrative health should be a part of any healthcare professional’s toolbox, especially in vulnerable times like the COVID pandemic. The inclusion of narrative health in practice has the potential to improve patient outcomes and empower healthcare professionals and patients.

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Translational Education

Biomedicine Hub ◽

10.1159/000481127 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2 (Suppl. 1) ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Denis Horgan ◽

Daniel Schneider ◽

Gabriella Pravettoni ◽

Angelo Paradiso ◽

Louis Denis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Professional ◽

Great Degree ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Education And Training ◽

And Training ◽

Lack Of Knowledge

The issue of translational education of healthcare professionals is a major one. It is clear that a great degree of upskilling is already required and, to keep pace with the science, this must be ongoing. Stakeholders need to achieve this together - with agreed-on standards across the board so that no patient is denied a suitable, virtually tailor-made treatment due to a lack of knowledge or understanding on behalf of the healthcare professional treating and diagnosing him or her. A key partner in tackling this is the healthcare community, and one way to achieve the goal is through increased EU-wide investment in translational education and training of healthcare professionals.

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Exploring ethical aspects of elective surgery patients’ decision-making experiences

Nursing Ethics ◽

10.1177/0969733012448967 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 20 (6) ◽

pp. 672-683 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Mei-Ling Lin ◽

Chuen-Teng Huang ◽

Hsien-Hsien Chiang ◽

Ching-Huey Chen

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Informed Consent ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Elective Surgery ◽

Phenomenological Approach ◽

Healthcare Personnel ◽

Decision Making Process ◽

Ethical Aspects ◽

Southern Taiwan ◽

Colaizzi's Method

The practice of respecting patients’ autonomy is rooted in the healthcare professionals’ empathy for patients’ situations, without which appropriate supports to the patients during the informed consent process may be remarkably moderated. The purpose of this study was to explore elective surgery patients’ experiences during their decision-making process. This research was conducted using a phenomenological approach, and the data analysis was guided by Colaizzi’s method. A total of 17 participants were recruited from a hospital in southern Taiwan. Two major themes emerged from the analyses: (a) a voluntary yet necessary alternative—to undergo a surgery and (b) alternatives compelled by the unalterable decision—the surgery. It was concluded that unless healthcare professionals can empathize with the distressed situation of their patients who are facing elective surgery, the practice of informed consent may become merely a routine. Nurses can be the best advocates for patients and facilitators to enhance communication between patients and healthcare personnel.

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EP.TH.602Exploring decision-making of healthcare professionals in patients with benign large non-pedunculated colonic polyps (BLNPCP) virtually using combined focus group and nominal group technique

British Journal of Surgery ◽

10.1093/bjs/znab309.063 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 108 (Supplement_7) ◽

Author(s):

L Wheldon ◽

J Morgan ◽

MJ Lee ◽

S Riley ◽

SR Brown ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Healthcare Professional ◽

Patient Preference ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Nominal Group Technique ◽

Colonic Polyps ◽

Nominal Group ◽

Shared Decision ◽

Patient Factors ◽

Group Technique

Abstract Aim We aimed to elicit key factors that influence healthcare professional decision-making when deciding treatment for BLNPCP. Background Benign large non-pedunculated colonic polyps (BLNPCP) may harbour covert malignancy and opinions differ about the optimal treatment modality. There are several options available, including endoscopic mucosal resection, endoscopic submucosal resection, combined endoscopic laparoscopic surgery and surgical resection. Despite widespread availability of endoscopic resection techniques, there are high rates of surgery in the UK. Methods Three focus groups of healthcare professionals, comprised of either consultant colorectal surgeons, nurse endoscopists and consultant gastroenterologists, were conducted virtually utilising the Nominal Group Technique. Meetings were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Themes were devolved using the framework approach for qualitative analysis. A priority-ranked list of factors influencing healthcare professional decision-making in this setting was generated. Results Five main themes were identified as influencing decision-making: Shared decision making (patient preference, informed consent); Patient factors (co-morbidity, age, life-expectancy); Polyp factors (Location, size, morphology, risk of cancer); Healthcare professionals (skill-set, personal preference); System factors (techniques availability locally, regional referral networks). Nominal Group Technique generated 55 items across the three focus groups. Nurses and gastroentologists ranked patient factors (particularly drug history and tolerance of procedure) and shared decision making (patient preference) more highly then surgeons. Surgeons placed greater emphasis on polyp factors particularly location and the risk of submucosal invasive carcinoma. Conclusion Decision making is complex and multifactorial. These results support the benefits of complex polyp MDTs and patient involvement in the decision-making. The complexity of decision-making may underpin wide variation in practice.

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Assessment of biochemistry request forms

Journal of Chitwan Medical College ◽

10.3126/jcmc.v5i3.16521 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 5 (3) ◽

pp. 18-24 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

S Singh ◽

S Khatiwada

Keyword(s):

Laboratory Data ◽

Tertiary Hospital ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Successful Outcome ◽

Ethical Review ◽

Sample Type ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Laboratory Errors ◽

Specimen Collection ◽

Drug History

Oversight of information on biochemistry requisition forms may lead to laboratory errors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of completion of these forms. The observational cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2014 and March 2015 in the biochemistry department of a tertiary hospital in Kathmandu after approval by the Institutional Ethical Review Committee. Two thousand and thirty nine request forms were randomly assessed for the completeness of information provided by the requesting physician. Microsoft excels software and SPSS-17 was used for analysis. Patient confidentiality was maintained. Out of 2039 request forms examined, the only 100% documented parameter was the patient’s name. Date of specimen collection was recorded in 79.74% of forms and age in 98.53%. The working diagnosis was recorded in 28.44% but no information regarding patient preparation. While the consultants name were stated in 13.29% of cases, drug history in 0.24%. Parameters like gender were recorded in 98.82%, sample type in 0.29%. Whether the patient was present in the ward or in the outpatient department was documented in 15.11% whereas patient number in 38.35%. Doctors were more likely to sign the forms rather than providing their name/designation. This study demonstrates that the custom of completion of request forms was poor. As laboratory data plays a significant role in medical diagnosis and research, incomplete data provided to the laboratory could significantly impact on the comments and successful outcome of treatment. Closer interaction between clinicians and laboratory personnel by means of request forms can improve the quality of services to patients.

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Medical manslaughter: a recent history

Bulletin of The Royal College of Surgeons of England ◽

10.1308/rcsbull.2014.96.4.118 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 96 (4) ◽

pp. 118-119

Author(s):

Simon Edwards

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Professional ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Recent History ◽

Medical Negligence ◽

Media Attention ◽

The Subject

While it remains rare that a healthcare professional is struck off or prosecuted for clinical negligence, criminal prosecutions for medical negligence through the offence of gross negligence manslaughter are even rarer. Although few in number, these cases are often the subject of intense media attention and show a trend towards increasingly severe sentences, with the most recent cases involving custodial terms. The ramifications of recent rulings for healthcare professionals could be profound.

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Factors related to privacy of Somali refugees in health care

Nursing Ethics ◽

10.1177/0969733019855748 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 27 (2) ◽

pp. 514-526

Author(s):

Niina Eklöf ◽

Maija Hupli ◽

Helena Leino-Kilpi

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Healthcare Professional ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Somali Refugees ◽

Cultural Aspects ◽

Gender Concordance ◽

Ethical Approval ◽

Same Gender ◽

The Individual ◽

The University

Background: Privacy is one of the key principles in health care and requires understanding of the cultural aspects of patients’ privacy. In Western cultures privacy is focused on the individual, however, in some non-Western cultures, privacy is linked to the collectivism of the community or religion. Objectives: The objective of this study is to describe the factors related to the realisation of privacy of Somali refugees in health care by describing the factors related to the patient, healthcare professional and interpreter. Research design: The data were collected from Somali refugees (N = 29) using a qualitative questionnaire and were analysed by deductive content analysis based on factors related to the patient, healthcare professional and interpreter. Ethical consideration: Ethical approval was obtained from the University of Turku, and research permissions were obtained from all participating institutions. Findings: Factors related to the patient were as follows: privacy was realised when the patient had self-determination; was able to act according to Somali culture; had knowledge and understanding of treatment; and trusted the healthcare professional. Factors related to the healthcare professional were as follows: the healthcare professional was expected to be of the same gender as the patient, act professionally, focus on the health issues, and to have knowledge and understanding of the Somali culture. Factors related to the interpreter were as follows: the presence and Somali background of the interpreter decreased privacy; the interpreter was expected to be of the same gender as the patient; to have competence and to behave professionally. Discussion: Gender congruence, professionalism and caring attitude and common understanding between the Somali patient and Finnish provider increase the privacy of Somali patients. Conclusion: Somali patients’ privacy can be improved by increasing healthcare professionals’ understanding of Somali culture, acknowledging the importance of gender concordance in relation to healthcare professionals and interpreters, and the effect of the presence of the interpreter on patients’ privacy.

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