-
Journal of Clinical Nursing Sep 2023Triage is a dynamic environment in which large numbers of people can present. It presents a vulnerable assessment point, as a triage nurse must assess a patient's... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Triage is a dynamic environment in which large numbers of people can present. It presents a vulnerable assessment point, as a triage nurse must assess a patient's urgency level and analyse their health status and expected resource needs. Given the critical nature of triage, it is necessary to understand the factors contributing to patient safety.
OBJECTIVES
To identify and examine the factors contributing to patient safety during the triage process.
METHODS
A systematic review of the literature was undertaken, and a thematic analysis of the factors contributing to patient safety during the triage process. PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Sciences, Science Direct, SAGE, EMBASE and reference lists of relevant studies published in English until March 2022 were searched for relevant studies. The search protocol has been registered at the PROSPERO (CRD42019146616), and the review was conducted using the PRISMA criteria.
RESULTS
Out of 5366 records, we included 11 papers for thematic synthesis. Identified factors contributing to patient safety in triage are related to the emergency's work environment, such as patient assessment, high workload, frequent interruptions and staffing, and personal factors such as nurse traits, experience, knowledge, triage fatigue and work schedule.
CONCLUSIONS
This review shows that patient safety is influenced by the attitude, capabilities and experiences of triage nurses, the time when nurses can dedicate themselves to the patient and triage the patient without disruption. It is necessary to raise awareness among nursing administrators and healthcare professionals to provide a safe triage environment for patients.
RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE
This review highlights the evidence on the factors contributing to patient safety in the triage process. Further research is needed for this cohort of triage nurses in the emergency department concerning ensuring patient safety.
PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION
No patient or public contribution was required to design or undertake this review.
Topics: Humans; Triage; Patient Safety; Emergency Service, Hospital; Health Personnel; Nurse Administrators
PubMed: 36653922
DOI: 10.1111/jocn.16622 -
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Nov 2023Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a widespread joint disease, set to increase due to aging and rising obesity. Beyond cartilage degeneration, OA involves the entire joint,... (Review)
Review
Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a widespread joint disease, set to increase due to aging and rising obesity. Beyond cartilage degeneration, OA involves the entire joint, including the synovial fluid, bones, and surrounding muscles. Existing treatments, such as NSAIDs and corticosteroid injections, mainly alleviate symptoms but can have complications. Joint replacement surgeries are definitive but carry surgical risks and are not suitable for all. Stromal vascular fraction (SVF) therapy is a regenerative approach using cells from a patient's adipose tissue. SVF addresses as degenerative and inflammatory aspects, with potential for cartilage formation and tissue regeneration. Unlike traditional treatments, SVF may reverse OA changes. Being autologous, it reduces immunogenic risks. A systematic search was undertaken across PubMed, Medline, and Scopus for relevant studies published from 2017 to 2023. Keywords included "SVF", "Knee Osteoarthritis", and "Regenerative Medicine". This systematic search yielded a total of 172 articles. After the removal of duplicates and an initial title and abstract screening, 94 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility. Of these, 22 studies met the inclusion criteria and were subsequently included in this review. This review of SVF therapy for knee OA suggests its potential therapeutic benefits. Most studies confirmed its safety and efficacy, and showed improved clinical outcomes and minimal adverse events. However, differences in study designs and sizes require a careful interpretation of the results. While evidence supports SVF's positive effects, understanding methodological limitations is key. Incorporating SVF is promising, but the approach should prioritize patient safety and rigorous research.
Topics: Humans; Osteoarthritis, Knee; Stromal Vascular Fraction; Injections; Adipose Tissue
PubMed: 38138193
DOI: 10.3390/medicina59122090 -
Spine Surgery and Related Research May 2024Tranexamic acid (TXA) has gained popularity in spinal surgery because of its potential to reduce blood loss. However, concerns regarding its safety and efficacy remain.... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Tranexamic acid (TXA) has gained popularity in spinal surgery because of its potential to reduce blood loss. However, concerns regarding its safety and efficacy remain. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy of TXA in reducing blood loss and its safety profile in spinal surgeries.
METHODS
A comprehensive search was conducted in electronic databases for randomized controlled trials and prospective studies evaluating the use of TXA in spinal surgery. The primary outcomes were intraoperative and total estimated blood loss (EBL), and the secondary outcomes included the incidence and types of complications associated with TXA use. Meta-analyses were performed using random-effects models.
RESULTS
Thirteen studies involving 1,213 participants were included in the meta-analysis. The use of TXA was associated with significant reductions in both intraoperative (mean difference: -46.56 mL [-73.85, -19.26], p<0.01]) and total EBL (mean difference: -210.17 mL [-284.93, -135.40], p<0.01) while also decreasing the need for blood transfusions (risk ratio: 0.68 [0.51, 0.90], p<0.01). No significant difference was found in the incidence and types of thrombotic complications when TXA was used in spinal surgery. Subgroup analysis showed consistent results in instrumentation and fusion surgery and different doses of TXA.
CONCLUSIONS
TXA is effective in reducing intraoperative and overall blood loss in spinal surgery without increasing the risk of complications. These findings support the use of TXA to improve patient outcomes. However, caution should be exercised because of the heterogeneity among the included studies. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and explore potential long-term complications.
PubMed: 38868794
DOI: 10.22603/ssrr.2023-0244 -
Leadership in Health Services... Oct 2023This study aims to appraise and synthesize evidence examining the effects of toxic leadership on the nursing workforce and patient safety outcomes. (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
This study aims to appraise and synthesize evidence examining the effects of toxic leadership on the nursing workforce and patient safety outcomes.
DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH
This is a systematic review in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses protocol. Five electronic databases (SCOPUS, PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL and Psych INFO) were searched to identify relevant articles. Two independent researchers conducted the data extraction and appraisal. A content analysis was used to identify toxic leadership outcomes.
FINDINGS
The initial literature search identified 376 articles, 16 of which were deemed relevant to the final review. Results of the content analysis identified 31 outcomes, which were clustered into five themes: satisfaction with work; relationship with organization; psychological state and well-being; productivity and performance; and patient safety outcomes. Seven mediators between toxic leadership and five outcomes were identified in the included studies.
PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS
Organizational strategies to improve outcomes in the nursing workforce should involve measures to build and develop positive leadership and prevent toxic behaviors among nurse managers through theory-driven strategies, human resource management efforts and relevant policy.
ORIGINALITY/VALUE
The review findings have provided modest evidence suggesting that working under a leader who exhibits toxic behaviors may have adverse consequences in the nursing workforce; however, more research examining if this leadership style influences patient safety and care outcomes is warranted.
Topics: Humans; Leadership; Nurse Administrators; Workforce
PubMed: 37796287
DOI: 10.1108/LHS-06-2023-0047 -
Health Expectations : An International... Dec 2023We conducted a systematic review of qualitative evidence to improve understanding of the processes and outcomes of redress and reconciliation following a life-changing... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
We conducted a systematic review of qualitative evidence to improve understanding of the processes and outcomes of redress and reconciliation following a life-changing event from the perspectives of individuals experiencing the event and their families.
METHODS
We searched six bibliographic databases for primary qualitative evidence exploring the views of individuals who have experienced a life-changing event, and/or their family or carers, of redress or reconciliation processes. This was supplemented with targeted database searches, forward and backward citation chasing and searches of Google Scholar and relevant websites. Title and abstract and full-text screening were undertaken independently by two reviewers. Data extraction and quality appraisal were conducted by one reviewer and checked by a second. We used a best-fit framework synthesis approach, drawing upon procedural and restorative justice concepts.
FINDINGS
Fifty-three studies (61 papers) were eligible for inclusion. Forty-one studies (47 papers) were included in the synthesis, from which we identified four themes. Three themes 'Transparency', 'Person-centered' and 'Trustworthy' represent the procedural elements required to support a fair and objective process. The fourth, 'Restorative justice' encapsulates how a fair process feels to those who have experienced a life-changing event. This theme highlights the importance of an empathic relationship between the different parties involved in the redress-reconciliation process and the significance of being able to engage in meaningful action.
CONCLUSION
Our findings highlight the procedural aspects and context of redress-reconciliation processes required to ensure that the process and outcomes are experienced as fair. These criteria may be applied to the processes used to investigate both recent and historical patient safety events.
PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION
One member of the public affiliated with the Exeter Policy Research Programme Evidence Review Facility helped develop the review protocol. Two people with experience of medically life-changing events provided insight which corroborated our findings and identified important limitations of the evidence included in this review.
Topics: Humans; Caregivers; Qualitative Research; Patients; Empathy; Emotions
PubMed: 37452516
DOI: 10.1111/hex.13820 -
Journal of Neurosurgery. Pediatrics Oct 2023Awake craniotomy (AC) is employed to maximize tumor resection while preserving neurological function in eloquent brain tissue. This technique is used frequently in...
OBJECTIVE
Awake craniotomy (AC) is employed to maximize tumor resection while preserving neurological function in eloquent brain tissue. This technique is used frequently in adults but remains poorly established in children. Its use has been limited due to concern for children's neuropsychological differences compared with adults and how these differences may interfere with the safety and feasibility of the procedure. Among studies that have reported pediatric ACs, complication rates and anesthetic management vary. This systematic review was performed to comprehensively analyze outcomes and synthesize anesthetic protocols of pediatric ACs.
METHODS
The authors followed PRISMA guidelines to extract studies that reported AC in children with intracranial pathologies. The Medline/PubMed, Ovid, and Embase databases were searched from database inception to 2021, using the terms ("awake") AND ("Pediatric*" OR "child*") AND (("brain" AND "surgery") OR "craniotomy"). Data extracted included patient age, pathology, and anesthetic protocol. Primary outcomes assessed were premature conversion to general anesthesia, intraoperative seizures, completion of monitoring tasks, and postoperative complications.
RESULTS
Thirty eligible studies published from 1997 to 2020 were included that described a total of 130 children ranging in age from 7 to 17 years who had undergone AC. Of all patients reported, 59% were male and 70% had left-sided lesions. Procedure indications included the following etiologies: tumors (77.6%), epilepsy (20%), and vascular disorders (2.4%). Four (4.1%) of 98 patients required conversion to general anesthesia due to complications or discomfort during AC. In addition, 8 (7.8%) of 103 patients experienced intraoperative seizures. Furthermore, 19 (20.6%) of 92 patients had difficulty completing monitoring tasks. Postoperative complications occurred in 19 (19.4%) of 98 patients and included aphasia (n = 4), hemiparesis (n = 2), sensory deficit (n = 3), motor deficit (n = 4), or others (n = 6). The most commonly reported anesthetic techniques were asleep-awake-asleep protocols using propofol, remifentanil or fentanyl, a local scalp nerve block, and with or without dexmedetomidine.
CONCLUSIONS
The findings of this systematic review suggest the tolerability and safety of ACs in the pediatric population. Although pediatric intracranial pathologies pose etiologies that certainly may benefit from AC, there is a need for surgeons and anesthesiologists to perform individualized risk-benefit analyses due to the risks associated with awake procedures in children. Age-specific, standardized guidelines for preoperative planning, intraoperative mapping, monitoring tasks, and anesthesia protocols will help to continue minimizing complications, while improving tolerability, and streamlining workflow in the treatment of this patient population.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Male; Child; Adolescent; Female; Brain Neoplasms; Wakefulness; Retrospective Studies; Craniotomy; Postoperative Complications; Anesthetics; Seizures
PubMed: 37410631
DOI: 10.3171/2023.4.PEDS22296 -
Journal of Travel Medicine Dec 2023Pregnant women and their babies face significant risks from three vaccine-preventable diseases: COVID-19, influenza and pertussis. However, despite these vaccines'... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Pregnant women and their babies face significant risks from three vaccine-preventable diseases: COVID-19, influenza and pertussis. However, despite these vaccines' proven safety and effectiveness, uptake during pregnancy remains low.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic review (PROSPERO CRD42023399488; January 2012-December 2022 following PRISMA guidelines) of interventions to increase COVID-19/influenza/pertussis vaccination in pregnancy. We searched nine databases, including grey literature. Two independent investigators extracted data; discrepancies were resolved by consensus. Meta-analyses were conducted using random-effects models to estimate pooled effect sizes. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistics.
RESULTS
From 2681 articles, we identified 39 relevant studies (n = 168 262 participants) across nine countries. Fifteen studies (39%) were randomized controlled trials (RCTs); the remainder were observational cohort, quality-improvement or cross-sectional studies. The quality of 18% (7/39) was strong. Pooled results of interventions to increase influenza vaccine uptake (18 effect estimates from 12 RCTs) showed the interventions were effective but had a small effect (risk ratio = 1.07, 95% CI 1.03, 1.13). However, pooled results of interventions to increase pertussis vaccine uptake (10 effect estimates from six RCTs) showed no clear benefit (risk ratio = 0.98, 95% CI 0.94, 1.03). There were no relevant RCTs for COVID-19. Interventions addressed the 'three Ps': patient-, provider- and policy-level strategies. At the patient level, clear recommendations from healthcare professionals backed by text reminders/written information were strongly associated with increased vaccine uptake, especially tailored face-to-face interventions, which addressed women's concerns, dispelled myths and highlighted benefits. Provider-level interventions included educating healthcare professionals about vaccines' safety and effectiveness and reminders to offer vaccinations routinely. Policy-level interventions included financial incentives, mandatory vaccination data fields in electronic health records and ensuring easy availability of vaccinations.
CONCLUSIONS
Interventions had a small effect on increasing influenza vaccination. Training healthcare providers to promote vaccinations during pregnancy is crucial and could be enhanced by utilizing mobile health technologies.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Influenza, Human; Influenza Vaccines; Whooping Cough; COVID-19; Vaccination
PubMed: 37934788
DOI: 10.1093/jtm/taad138 -
International Journal of Clinical... Aug 2023Only 5-10% of all adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are reported. Mechanisms to support patient and public reporting offer numerous advantages to health care systems... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Only 5-10% of all adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are reported. Mechanisms to support patient and public reporting offer numerous advantages to health care systems including increasing reporting rate. Theory-informed insights into the factors implicated in patient and public underreporting are likely to offer valuable opportunity for the development of effective reporting-interventions and optimization of existing systems.
AIM
To collate, summarize and synthesize the reported behavioral determinants using the theoretical domains framework (TDF), that influence patient and public reporting of ADRs.
METHOD
Cochrane, CINAHL, Web of science, EMBASE and PubMed were systematically searched on October 25th, 2021. Studies assessing the factors influencing public or patients reporting of ADRs were included. Full-text screening, data extraction and quality appraisal were performed independently by two authors. Extracted factors were mapped to TDF.
RESULTS
26 studies were included conducted in 14 countries across five continents. Knowledge, social/professional role and identity, beliefs about consequences, and environmental context and resources, appeared to be the most significant TDF domains that influenced patient and public behaviors regarding ADR reporting.
CONCLUSION
Studies included in this review were deemed of low risk of bias and allowed for identification of key behavioural determinants, which may be mapped to evidence-based behavioral change strategies that facilitate intervention development to enhance rates of ADR reporting. Aligning strategies should focus on education, training and further involvement from regulatory bodies and government support to establish mechanisms, which facilitate feedback and follow-ups on submitted reports.
Topics: Humans; Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Patients; Government; Pharmacovigilance
PubMed: 37247158
DOI: 10.1007/s11096-023-01591-z -
Journal of Medical Internet Research Aug 2023The adoption of virtual consultations, catalyzed by the COVID-19 pandemic, has transformed the delivery of primary care services. Owing to their rapid global... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The adoption of virtual consultations, catalyzed by the COVID-19 pandemic, has transformed the delivery of primary care services. Owing to their rapid global proliferation, there is a need to comprehensively evaluate the impact of virtual consultations on all aspects of care quality.
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to evaluate the impact of virtual consultations on the quality of primary care.
METHODS
A total of 6 databases were searched. Studies that evaluated the impact of virtual consultations, for any disease, were included. Title and abstract screening and full-text screening were performed by 2 pairs of investigators. Risk of bias was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. A narrative synthesis of the results was performed.
RESULTS
In total, 30 studies (5,469,333 participants) were included in this review. Our findings suggest that virtual consultations are equally effective to or more effective than face-to-face care for the management of certain conditions, including mental illness, excessive smoking, and alcohol consumption. Overall, 4 studies indicated positive impacts on some aspects of patient-centeredness; however, a negative impact was noted on patients' perceived autonomy support (ie, the degree to which people perceive those in positions of authority to be autonomy supportive). Virtual consultations may reduce waiting times, lower patient costs, and reduce rates of follow-up in secondary and tertiary care settings. Evidence for the impact on clinical safety is extremely limited. Evidence regarding equity was considerably mixed. Overall, it appears that virtual care is more likely to be used by younger, female patients, with disparities among other subgroups depending on contextual factors.
CONCLUSIONS
Our systematic review demonstrated that virtual consultations may be as effective as face-to-face care and have a potentially positive impact on the efficiency and timeliness of care; however, there is a considerable lack of evidence on the impacts on patient safety, equity, and patient-centeredness, highlighting areas where future research efforts should be devoted. Capitalizing on real-world data, as well as clinical trials, is crucial to ensure that the use of virtual consultations is tailored according to patient needs and is inclusive of the intended end users. Data collection methods that are bespoke to the primary care context and account for patient characteristics are necessary to generate a stronger evidence base to inform future virtual care policies.
Topics: Humans; Female; COVID-19; Pandemics; Referral and Consultation; Alcohol Drinking; Primary Health Care
PubMed: 37647117
DOI: 10.2196/48920 -
Aesthetic Surgery Journal. Open Forum 2023TikTok (San Jose, CA) is a popular and rapidly growing social media platform. With beauty and skincare among the top 5 most popular categories, TikTok represents an... (Review)
Review
TikTok (San Jose, CA) is a popular and rapidly growing social media platform. With beauty and skincare among the top 5 most popular categories, TikTok represents an important platform for plastic surgery education and communication. However, given the vast array of content shared daily, regulating content for veracity is challenging. It may also be an important and potentially overlooked avenue for the dissemination of inaccurate information pertaining to plastic surgery. This systematic review evaluates TikTok's impact on plastic surgery. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Guidelines, a systematic literature review was performed of the use of TikTok within the plastic surgery field. The following databases were queried: PubMed (National Institutes of Health; Bethesda, MD), EMBASE (Elsevier; Amsterdam, the Netherlands), and PsychInfo (American Psychological Association; Washington, DC). The search captured 31 studies of which 7 were included in the final analysis. The studies examined the following areas: gender-affirming surgery ( = 1), breast reconstruction ( = 1), aesthetic surgical procedures ( = 1), plastic surgeon profiles ( = 1), and profiles of videos relating to plastic surgery hashtags ( = 3). The videos' quality was assessed using the DISCERN scale. Physician videos scored notably higher than nonphysician videos. The mean DISCERN score across all the videos ( = 386) was 1.91 (range: 1.44-3.00), indicating poor quality. TikTok is a popular medium for sharing plastic surgery content. The existing literature has demonstrated overall poor-quality information on plastic surgery, and further study is needed to evaluate its impact in terms of perceptions of the specialty and healthcare behaviors. Future work should focus on promoting accurate, high-quality videos, potentially including a peer-review function for healthcare content. This can leverage TikTok's potential for disseminating content while upholding patient safety.
PubMed: 37868688
DOI: 10.1093/asjof/ojad081