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Pediatric Nephrology (Berlin, Germany) Aug 2023Continuous kidney replacement therapy (CKRT) has become an integral part of the care of critically ill children. However, uncertainty exists regarding the current state...
BACKGROUND
Continuous kidney replacement therapy (CKRT) has become an integral part of the care of critically ill children. However, uncertainty exists regarding the current state of how CKRT is prescribed and delivered in children. The main objective of this study was to identify the current practices for pediatric CKRT.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic review of the literature from 2012 to 2022 to identify data regarding CKRT timing of initiation, dosing, anticoagulation, fluid removal, and quality monitoring. Using this data, we then performed a two-round modified Delphi process using a multinational internet-assisted survey of prescribers of CKRT.
RESULTS
The survey was constructed using 172 articles that met inclusion criteria (12% of studies were pediatric focused). A total of 147 and 126 practitioners completed the survey in rounds 1 and 2, respectively. Participants represented Europe (9.5-11.6%) and North America including pediatric intensivists, nephrologists, and advance practice providers. Consensus (defined as a ≥ 75% participant response of "sometimes" or "always") was achieved for 26 statements. There was consensus in the practices of CKRT initiation, dosing, method of anticoagulation, and fluid removal. In contrast, there appears to be greater variability in the methods used for monitoring anticoagulation and the quality of the delivered treatment.
CONCLUSIONS
Our study results suggest that the current state of pediatric CKRT practice is reflective of the literature over the last 10 years, which is largely based on the care of adult patients. This data provides a framework to study best practices to further improve outcomes for children receiving CKRT. A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information.
Topics: Adult; Child; Humans; Delphi Technique; Acute Kidney Injury; Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy; Blood Coagulation; Anticoagulants
PubMed: 36625932
DOI: 10.1007/s00467-022-05864-z -
Singapore Medical Journal Jun 2024Nurturing professional identities instils behavioural standards of physicians, and this in turn facilitates consistent professional attitudes, practice and patient care....
INTRODUCTION
Nurturing professional identities instils behavioural standards of physicians, and this in turn facilitates consistent professional attitudes, practice and patient care. Identities are socioculturally constructed efforts; therefore, we must account for the social, cultural and local healthcare factors that shape physicians' roles, responsibilities and expectations. This study aimed to forward a programme to nurture professionalism among physicians in Singapore.
METHODS
A three-phase, evidenced-based approach was used. First, a systematic scoping review (SSR) was conducted to identify professionalism elements. Second, a questionnaire was created based on the findings of the SSR. Third, a modified Delphi approach, which involved local experts to identify socioculturally appropriate elements to nurture professionalism, was used.
RESULTS
A total of 124 articles were identified from the SSR; these articles revealed definitions, knowledge, skills and approaches to nurturing professionalism. Through the modified Delphi approach, we identified professional traits, virtues, communication, ethical, self-care, teaching and assessment methods, and support mechanisms.
CONCLUSION
The results of this study formed the basis for a holistic and longitudinal programme focused on instilling professional traits and competencies over time through personalised and holistic support of physicians. The findings will be of interest to medical communities in the region and beyond.
Topics: Singapore; Humans; Delphi Technique; Professionalism; Surveys and Questionnaires; Education, Medical, Graduate; Physicians; Clinical Competence; Attitude of Health Personnel; Physician's Role
PubMed: 34823327
DOI: 10.11622/smedj.2021224 -
Trauma, Violence & Abuse Jul 2024There is no consensus on the outcomes needed for the recovery and reintegration of survivors of modern slavery and human trafficking. We developed the Modern Slavery... (Review)
Review
There is no consensus on the outcomes needed for the recovery and reintegration of survivors of modern slavery and human trafficking. We developed the Modern Slavery Core Outcome Set (MSCOS) to address this gap. We conducted three English-language reviews on the intervention outcomes sought or experienced by adult survivors: a qualitative systematic review (4 databases, 18 eligible papers, thematic analysis), a rapid review of quantitative intervention studies (four databases, eight eligible papers, content analysis) and a gray literature review (2 databases, 21 websites, a call for evidence, 13 eligible papers, content analysis). We further extracted outcomes from 36 pre-existing interview transcripts with survivors, and seven interviews with survivors from underrepresented groups. We narrowed down outcomes via a consensus process involving: a three-stage E-Delphi survey (191 respondents); and a final consensus workshop (46 participants). We generated 398 outcomes from our 3 reviews, and 843 outcomes from interviews. By removing conceptual and literal duplicates, we reduced this to a longlist of 72 outcomes spanning 10 different domains. The E-Delphi produced a 14-outcome shortlist for the consensus workshop, where 7 final outcomes were chosen. Final outcomes were: "long-term consistent support," "secure and suitable housing," "safety from any trafficker or other abuser," "access to medical treatment," "finding purpose in life and self-actualisation," "access to education," and "compassionate, trauma-informed services." The MSCOS provides outcomes that are accepted by a wide range of stakeholders and that should be measured in intervention evaluation.
Topics: Humans; Survivors; Enslavement; Human Trafficking; Consensus; Adult; Female; Male; Delphi Technique
PubMed: 37991003
DOI: 10.1177/15248380231211955 -
BMJ Open May 2024There are no globally agreed on strategies on early detection and first response management of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) during and after caesarean birth. Our study...
Strategies for optimising early detection and obstetric first response management of postpartum haemorrhage at caesarean birth: a modified Delphi-based international expert consensus.
OBJECTIVE
There are no globally agreed on strategies on early detection and first response management of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) during and after caesarean birth. Our study aimed to develop an international expert's consensus on evidence-based approaches for early detection and obstetric first response management of PPH intraoperatively and postoperatively in caesarean birth.
DESIGN
Systematic review and three-stage modified Delphi expert consensus.
SETTING
International.
POPULATION
Panel of 22 global experts in PPH with diverse backgrounds, and gender, professional and geographic balance.
OUTCOME MEASURES
Agreement or disagreement on strategies for early detection and first response management of PPH at caesarean birth.
RESULTS
Experts agreed that the same PPH definition should apply to both vaginal and caesarean birth. For the intraoperative phase, the experts agreed that early detection should be accomplished via quantitative blood loss measurement, complemented by monitoring the woman's haemodynamic status; and that first response should be triggered once the woman loses at least 500 mL of blood with continued bleeding or when she exhibits clinical signs of haemodynamic instability, whichever occurs first. For the first response, experts agreed on immediate administration of uterotonics and tranexamic acid, examination to determine aetiology and rapid initiation of cause-specific responses. In the postoperative phase, the experts agreed that caesarean birth-related PPH should be detected primarily via frequently monitoring the woman's haemodynamic status and clinical signs and symptoms of internal bleeding, supplemented by cumulative blood loss assessment performed quantitatively or by visual estimation. Postoperative first response was determined to require an individualised approach.
CONCLUSION
These agreed on proposed approaches could help improve the detection of PPH in the intraoperative and postoperative phases of caesarean birth and the first response management of intraoperative PPH. Determining how best to implement these strategies is a critical next step.
Topics: Humans; Postpartum Hemorrhage; Female; Cesarean Section; Pregnancy; Delphi Technique; Consensus; Early Diagnosis; Tranexamic Acid
PubMed: 38719306
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-079713 -
European Journal of Surgical Oncology :... Jan 2024Measuring and benchmarking quality of care in surgical oncology has been gaining popularity. In autologous breast reconstruction (ABR), a standardized set of indicators...
Measuring and benchmarking quality of care in surgical oncology has been gaining popularity. In autologous breast reconstruction (ABR), a standardized set of indicators to assess quality of care is lacking. In this study, we defined a set of evidence-based quality indicators for autologous breast reconstruction. First, we performed a systematic review to identify factors related to quality of care in ABR. Variables were categorized depending on their function: indicators related to outcome, indicators related to process and case-mix variables. The review was followed by a 3-round Delphi Consensus to determine which indicators and case-mix-variables were considered relevant and feasible for inclusion in an ABR standard set of indicators. 932 unique articles were identified, of which 110 papers were included in the study. Indicators were categorized by function: outcome, process and case-mix variables. In total, 8 process indicators and 41 outcome indicators were extracted. 30 case-mix-variables were included. Following 3 rounds of questioning in the Delphi Consensus, all respondents agreed on type of ABR, oncological outcomes and patient satisfaction for the standard set. Indicators related to complications were consistently ranked highly. Most process indicators were not chosen after 3 rounds of questioning. 11 case-mix-variables were included in the final set. Following the Delphi Consensus, it was possible to identify 33 process and outcome indicators and 11 case-mix-variables for inclusion for a standard set of quality indicators. With the inclusion of both objective and patient-reported outcome measures, this set of indicators provides a multidimensional measurement tool for quality assessment for ABR.
Topics: Humans; Quality Indicators, Health Care; Delphi Technique; Consensus; Patient Reported Outcome Measures
PubMed: 38056020
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejso.2023.107254 -
International Journal of Clinical... Feb 2024Over the past 40 years, the tasks of pharmacists have shifted from logistic services to pharmaceutical care (PhC). Despite the increasing importance of measuring...
BACKGROUND
Over the past 40 years, the tasks of pharmacists have shifted from logistic services to pharmaceutical care (PhC). Despite the increasing importance of measuring quality of care, there is no general definition of Quality Indicators (QIs) to measure PhC. Recognising this, a working group in a European association of PhC researchers, the Pharmaceutical Care Network Europe (PCNE), was established in 2020.
AIM
This research aimed to review existing definitions of QIs and develop a definition of QIs for PhC.
METHOD
A two-step procedure was applied. Firstly, a systematic literature review was conducted to identify existing QI definitions that were summarised. Secondly, an expert panel, comprised of 17 international experts from 14 countries, participated in two surveys and a discussion using a modified Delphi technique to develop the definition of QIs for PhC.
RESULTS
A total of 182 QI definitions were identified from 174 articles. Of these, 63 QI definitions (35%) cited one of five references as the source. Sixteen aspects that construct QI definitions were derived from the identified definitions. As a result of the Delphi study, the panel reached an agreement on a one-sentence definition of QIs for PhC: "quality indicators for pharmaceutical care are validated measurement tools to monitor structures, processes or outcomes in the context of care provided by pharmacists".
CONCLUSION
Building upon existing definition of QIs, an international expert panel developed the PCNE definition of QIs for PhC. This definition is intended for universal use amongst researchers and healthcare providers in PhC.
Topics: Humans; Quality Indicators, Health Care; Consensus; Europe; Pharmaceutical Services; Delphi Technique
PubMed: 37646963
DOI: 10.1007/s11096-023-01631-8 -
Clinical & Translational Oncology :... May 2024This study aimed to develop a set of criteria and indicators to evaluate the quality of care of patients with head and neck cancer (HNC).
PURPOSE
This study aimed to develop a set of criteria and indicators to evaluate the quality of care of patients with head and neck cancer (HNC).
METHODS
A systematic literature review was conducted to identify valuable criteria/indicators for the assessment of the quality of care in HNC. With the aid of a technical group, a scientific committee of oncologists specialised in HNC used selected criteria to propose indicators that were evaluated with a two-round Delphi method. Indicators on which consensus was achieved were then prioritised by the scientific committee to develop a final set of indicators.
RESULTS
We proposed a list of 50 indicators used in the literature or developed by us to be evaluated with a Delphi method. There was consensus on the appropriateness of 47 indicators in the first round; the remaining 3 achieved consensus in the second round. The 50 indicators were scored to prioritise them, leading to a final selection of 29 indicators related to structure (3), process (22), or outcome (4) and covering diagnosis, treatment, follow-up, and health outcomes in patients with HNC. Easy-to-use index cards were developed for each indicator, with their criterion, definition, formula for use in real-world clinical practice, rationale, and acceptable level of attainment.
CONCLUSIONS
We have developed a set of 29 evidence-based and expert-supported indicators for evaluating the quality of care in HNC, covering diagnosis, treatment, follow-up, and health outcomes.
Topics: Humans; Spain; Quality Indicators, Health Care; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Consensus; Delphi Technique
PubMed: 37848694
DOI: 10.1007/s12094-023-03298-z -
South African Medical Journal =... Feb 2024Low- and middle-income countries have a critical shortage of specialist anaesthetists. Most patients arriving for surgery are of low perioperative risk. Without...
BACKGROUND
Low- and middle-income countries have a critical shortage of specialist anaesthetists. Most patients arriving for surgery are of low perioperative risk. Without immediate access to preoperative specialist care, an appropriate interim strategy may be to ensure that only high-risk patients are seen preoperatively by a specialist. Matching human resources to the burden of disease with a nurse-administered pre-operative screening tool to identify high-risk patients who might benefit from specialist review prior to the day of surgery may be an effective strategy.
OBJECTIVE
To develop a nurse-administered preoperative anaesthesia screening tool to identify patients who would most likely benefit from a specialist review before the day of surgery, and those patients who could safely be seen by the anaesthetist on the day of surgery. This would ensure adequate time for optimisation of high-risk patients preoperatively and limit avoidable day-of-surgery cancellations.
METHODS
A systematic review was conducted to identify preoperative screening questions for use in a three-round Delphi consensus process. A panel of 16 experienced full-time clinical anaesthetists representing all university-affiliated anaesthesia departments in South Africa participated to define a nurses' screening tool for preoperative assessment.
RESULTS
Ninety-eight studies were identified, which generated 79 questions. An additional 14 items identified by the facilitators were added to create a list of 93 questions for the first round. The final screening tool consisted of 81 questions, of which 37 were deemed critical to identify patients who should be seen by a specialist prior to the day of surgery.
CONCLUSION
A structured nurse-administered preoperative screening tool is proposed to identify high-risk patients who are likely to benefit from a timely preoperative specialist anaesthetist review to avoid cancellation on the day of surgery.
Topics: Humans; Delphi Technique; Nurse's Role; South Africa; Preoperative Care; Anesthesia
PubMed: 38525581
DOI: 10.7196/SAMJ.2024.v114i2.1306