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Intensive & Critical Care Nursing Mar 2024To identify and synthesise interventions and implementation strategies to optimise patient flow, addressing admission delays, discharge delays, and after-hours...
OBJECTIVES
To identify and synthesise interventions and implementation strategies to optimise patient flow, addressing admission delays, discharge delays, and after-hours discharges in adult intensive care units.
METHODS
This systematic review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) reporting guidelines. Five electronic databases, including CINAHL, PubMed, Emcare, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library, were searched from 2007 to 2023 to identify articles describing interventions to enhance patient flow practices in adult intensive care units. The Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP) tool assessed the methodological quality of the included studies. All data was synthesised using a narrative approach.
SETTING
Adult intensive care units.
RESULTS
Eight studies met the inclusion criteria, mainly comprising quality improvement projects (n = 3) or before-and-after studies (n = 4). Intervention types included changing workflow processes, introducing decision support tools, publishing quality indicator data, utilising outreach nursing services, and promoting multidisciplinary communication. Various implementation strategies were used, including one-on-one training, in-person knowledge transfer, digital communication, and digital data synthesis and display. Most studies (n = 6) reported a significant improvement in at least one intensive care process-related outcome, although fewer studies specifically reported improvements in admission delays (0/0), discharge delays (1/2), and after-hours discharge (2/4). Two out of six studies reported significant improvements in patient-related outcomes after implementing the intervention.
CONCLUSION
Organisational-level strategies, such as protocols and alert systems, were frequently employed to improve patient flow within ICUs, while healthcare professional-level strategies to enhance communication were less commonly used. While most studies improved ICU processes, only half succeeded in significantly reducing discharge delays and/or after-hours discharges, and only a third reported improved patient outcomes, highlighting the need for more effective interventions.
IMPLICATIONS FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE
The findings of this review can guide the development of evidence-based, targeted, and tailored interventions aimed at improving patient and organisational outcomes.
PubMed: 38494383
DOI: 10.1016/j.iccn.2024.103688 -
Research in Social & Administrative... Jun 2024Telephone and videoconsults are known synchronous telepharmacy modalities being used to respond to the demand for outpatient pharmacy services. However, little is known... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Telephone and videoconsults are known synchronous telepharmacy modalities being used to respond to the demand for outpatient pharmacy services. However, little is known about the evidence for cancer telepharmacy service models.
OBJECTIVES
To review existing evidence regarding synchronous telepharmacy service models for adult outpatients with cancer, with a secondary focus on outcomes, enablers, and barriers.
METHODS
A PROSPERO registered systematic review was conducted using PubMed, CINAHL, and EMBASE in March 2023. Key search terms included pharmacy, telepharmacy, and outpatient. During article selection in Covidence, an extra inclusion criterion of synchronous cancer-focused services was applied; data extraction and narrative analysis were then performed.
RESULTS
From 2129 non-duplicate articles, 8 were eligible for inclusion, describing 7 unique patient populations. The service models included pre-treatment medication history taking, adherence monitoring, toxicity assessment, and discharge follow-up. Studies found synchronous telepharmacy services can improve timeliness of care, optimise workload management, and provide individualised and convenient efficacy monitoring and counselling. One study of 177 patients on immune checkpoint inhibitors found 38% of the 726 telephone consults involved at least one intervention. When videoconsults were compared directly with telephone consults for pre-treatment medication history, it was found scheduled videoconsults had a significantly higher success rate than unscheduled telephone consults, and that videoconsults also represented increased funding and equivalent time efficiency. When telephone follow-up was compared to no follow-up, improved treatment adherence was seen, and progression-free survival was significantly higher for the telephone group (6.1 months vs 3.7 months, p = 0.001). Reported enablers included physician buy-in, staff resources, and correct utilisation of technology, while identified barriers included time investment required and technical issues.
CONCLUSION
Both telephone and videoconsult modalities are being used to deliver synchronous telepharmacy services across a range of outpatient services. Although more evidence is needed, data to date supports positive service benefits and enhanced care.
Topics: Humans; Telemedicine; Neoplasms; Pharmaceutical Services; Outpatients; Telephone; Adult; Videoconferencing; Ambulatory Care
PubMed: 38490859
DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2024.02.016 -
Journal of Comparative Effectiveness... Apr 2024The overall goal of this review was to examine the cost-utility of robotic-arm assisted surgery versus manual surgery. We performed a systematic review of all health... (Review)
Review
The overall goal of this review was to examine the cost-utility of robotic-arm assisted surgery versus manual surgery. We performed a systematic review of all health economic studies that compared CT-based robotic-arm assisted unicompartmental knee arthroplasty, total knee arthroplasty and total hip arthroplasty with manual techniques. The papers selected focused on various cost-utility measures. In addition, where appropriate, secondary aims encompassed various clinical outcomes (e.g., readmissions, discharges to subacute care, etc.). Only articles directly comparing CT-based robotic-arm assisted joint arthroplasty with manual joint arthroplasty were included, for a resulting total of 21 reports. Almost all twenty-one studies demonstrated a positive effect of CT scan-guided robotic-assisted joint arthroplasty on health economic outcomes. For studies reporting on 90-day episodes of costs, 10 out of 12 found lower costs in the robotic-arm assisted groups. Robotic-arm assisted joint arthroplasty patients had shorter lengths of stay and cost savings based on their 90-day episodes of care, among other metrics. Payors would likely benefit from encouraging the use of this CT-based robotic technology.
Topics: Humans; Knee Joint; Osteoarthritis, Knee; Robotic Surgical Procedures; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee; Lower Extremity; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
PubMed: 38488048
DOI: 10.57264/cer-2023-0040 -
Frontiers in Psychiatry 2024Care delivery for the increasing number of people presenting at hospital emergency departments (EDs) with mental illness is a challenging issue. This review aimed to... (Review)
Review
Improving emergency department care for adults presenting with mental illness: a systematic review of strategies and their impact on outcomes, experience, and performance.
BACKGROUND
Care delivery for the increasing number of people presenting at hospital emergency departments (EDs) with mental illness is a challenging issue. This review aimed to synthesise the research evidence associated with strategies used to improve ED care delivery outcomes, experience, and performance for adults presenting with mental illness.
METHOD
We systematically reviewed the evidence regarding the effects of ED-based interventions for mental illness on patient outcomes, patient experience, and system performance, using a comprehensive search strategy designed to identify published empirical studies. Systematic searches in Scopus, Ovid Embase, CINAHL, and Medline were conducted in September 2023 (from inception; review protocol was prospectively registered in Prospero CRD42023466062). Eligibility criteria were as follows: (1) primary research study, published in English; and (2) (a) reported an implemented model of care or system change within the hospital ED context, (b) focused on adult mental illness presentations, and (c) evaluated system performance, patient outcomes, patient experience, or staff experience. Pairs of reviewers independently assessed study titles, abstracts, and full texts according to pre-established inclusion criteria with discrepancies resolved by a third reviewer. Independent reviewers extracted data from the included papers using Covidence (2023), and the quality of included studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute suite of critical appraisal tools.
RESULTS
A narrative synthesis was performed on the included 46 studies, comprising pre-post ( = 23), quasi-experimental ( = 6), descriptive ( = 6), randomised controlled trial (RCT; = 3), cohort ( = 2), cross-sectional ( = 2), qualitative ( = 2), realist evaluation ( = 1), and time series analysis studies ( = 1). Eleven articles focused on presentations related to substance use disorder presentation, 9 focused on suicide and deliberate self-harm presentations, and 26 reported mental illness presentations in general. Strategies reported include models of care (e.g., ED-initiated Medications for Opioid Use Disorder, ED-initiated social support, and deliberate self-harm), decision support tools, discharge and transfer refinements, case management, adjustments to liaison psychiatry services, telepsychiatry, changes to roles and rostering, environmental changes (e.g., specialised units within the ED), education, creation of multidisciplinary teams, and care standardisations. System performance measures were reported in 33 studies (72%), with fewer studies reporting measures of patient outcomes ( = 19, 41%), patient experience ( = 10, 22%), or staff experience ( = 14, 30%). Few interventions reported outcomes across all four domains. Heterogeneity in study samples, strategies, and evaluated outcomes makes adopting existing strategies challenging.
CONCLUSION
Care for mental illness is complex, particularly in the emergency setting. Strategies to provide care must align ED system goals with patient goals and staff experience.
PubMed: 38487586
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1368129 -
Einstein (Sao Paulo, Brazil) Feb 2024To review the long-term outcomes (functional status and psychological sequelae) of survivors of critical illnesses due to epidemic viral pneumonia before the COVID-19...
OBJECTIVE
To review the long-term outcomes (functional status and psychological sequelae) of survivors of critical illnesses due to epidemic viral pneumonia before the COVID-19 pandemic and to establish a benchmark for comparison of the COVID-19 long-term outcomes.
METHODS
This systematic review of clinical studies reported the long-term outcomes in adults admitted to intensive care units who were diagnosed with viral epidemic pneumonia. An electronic search was performed using databases: MEDLINE®, Web of Science™, LILACS/IBECS, and EMBASE. Additionally, complementary searches were conducted on the reference lists of eligible studies. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. The results were grouped into tables and textual descriptions.
RESULTS
The final analysis included 15 studies from a total of 243 studies. This review included 771 patients with Influenza A, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. It analyzed the quality of life, functionality, lung function, mortality, rate of return to work, rehospitalization, and psychiatric symptoms. The follow-up periods ranged from 1 to 144 months. We found that the quality of life, functional capacity, and pulmonary function were below expected standards.
CONCLUSION
This review revealed great heterogeneity between studies attributed to different scales, follow-up time points, and methodologies. However, this systematic review identified negative long-term effects on patient outcomes. Given the possibility of future pandemics, it is essential to identify the long-term effects of viral pneumonia outbreaks. This review was not funded. Prospero database registration: (www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero) under registration ID CRD42021190296.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Patient Discharge; Pandemics; Quality of Life; Pneumonia, Viral; COVID-19; Intensive Care Units
PubMed: 38477798
DOI: 10.31744/einstein_journal/2024RW0352 -
The American Journal of Emergency... May 2024Traumatic brain injury (TBI) results in 2.5 million emergency department (ED) visits per year in the US, with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) accounting for 90% of... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) results in 2.5 million emergency department (ED) visits per year in the US, with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) accounting for 90% of cases. There is considerable evidence that many experience chronic symptoms months to years later. This population is rarely represented in interventional studies. Management of adult mTBI in the ED has remained unchanged, without consensus of therapeutic options. The aim of this review was to synthesize existing literature of patient-centered ED treatments for adults who sustain an mTBI, and to identify practices that may offer promise.
METHODS
A systematic review was conducted using the PubMed and Cochrane databases, while following PRISMA guidelines. Studies describing pediatric patients, moderate to severe TBI, or interventions outside the ED were excluded. Two reviewers independently performed title and abstract screening. A third blinded reviewer resolved discrepancies. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) was employed to assess the methodological quality of the studies.
RESULTS
Our search strategy generated 1002 unique titles. 95 articles were selected for full-text screening. The 26 articles chosen for full analysis were grouped into one of the following intervention categories: (1) predictive models for Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS), (2) discharge instructions, (3) pharmaceutical treatment, (4) clinical protocols, and (5) functional assessment. Studies that implemented a predictive PCS model successfully identified patients at highest risk for PCS. Trials implementing discharge related interventions found the use of video discharge instructions, encouragement of daily light exercise or bed rest, and text messaging did not significantly reduce mTBI symptoms. The use of electronic clinical practice guidelines (eCPG) and longer leaves of absence from work following injury reduced symptoms. Ondansetron was shown to reduce nausea in mTBI patients. Studies implementing ED Observation Units found significant declines in inpatient admissions and length of hospital stay. The use of tablet-based tasks was found to be superior to many standard cognitive assessments.
CONCLUSION
Validated instruments are available to aid clinicians in identifying patients at risk for PCS or serious cognitive impairment. EDOU management and evidence-based modifications to discharge instructions may improve mTBI outcomes. Additional research is needed to establish the therapeutic value of medications and lifestyle changes for the treatment of mTBI in the ED.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Child; Brain Concussion; Post-Concussion Syndrome; Brain Injuries, Traumatic; Emergency Service, Hospital; Patient-Centered Care
PubMed: 38460465
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2024.02.038 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Mar 2024Admission avoidance hospital at home provides active treatment by healthcare professionals in the patient's home for a condition that would otherwise require acute... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Admission avoidance hospital at home provides active treatment by healthcare professionals in the patient's home for a condition that would otherwise require acute hospital inpatient care, and always for a limited time period. This is the fourth update of this review.
OBJECTIVES
To determine the effectiveness and cost of managing patients with admission avoidance hospital at home compared with inpatient hospital care.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, Embase, and CINAHL on 24 February 2022, and checked the reference lists of eligible articles. We sought ongoing and unpublished studies by searching ClinicalTrials.gov and WHO ICTRP, and by contacting providers and researchers involved in the field.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised controlled trials recruiting participants aged 18 years and over. Studies comparing admission avoidance hospital at home with acute hospital inpatient care.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
We followed the standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane and the Effective Practice and Organisation of Care (EPOC) Group. We performed meta-analysis for trials that compared similar interventions, reported comparable outcomes with sufficient data, and used individual patient data when available. We used the GRADE approach to assess the certainty of the body of evidence for the most important outcomes.
MAIN RESULTS
We included 20 randomised controlled trials with a total of 3100 participants; four trials recruited participants with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; two trials recruited participants recovering from a stroke; seven trials recruited participants with an acute medical condition who were mainly older; and the remaining trials recruited participants with a mix of conditions. We assessed the majority of the included studies as at low risk of selection, detection, and attrition bias, and unclear for selective reporting and performance bias. For an older population, admission avoidance hospital at home probably makes little or no difference on mortality at six months' follow-up (risk ratio (RR) 0.88, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.68 to 1.13; P = 0.30; I = 0%; 5 trials, 1502 participants; moderate-certainty evidence); little or no difference on the likelihood of being readmitted to hospital after discharge from hospital at home or inpatient care within 3 to 12 months' follow-up (RR 1.14, 95% CI 0.97 to 1.34; P = 0.11; I = 41%; 8 trials, 1757 participants; moderate-certainty evidence); and probably reduces the likelihood of living in residential care at six months' follow-up (RR 0.53, 95% CI 0.41 to 0.69; P < 0.001; I = 67%; 4 trials, 1271 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). Hospital at home probably results in little to no difference in patient's self-reported health status (2006 patients; moderate-certainty evidence). Satisfaction with health care received may be improved with admission avoidance hospital at home (1812 participants; low-certainty evidence); few studies reported the effect on caregivers. Hospital at home reduced the initial average hospital length of stay (2036 participants; low-certainty evidence), which ranged from 4.1 to 18.5 days in the hospital group and 1.2 to 5.1 days in the hospital at home group. Hospital at home length of stay ranged from an average of 3 to 20.7 days (hospital at home group only). Admission avoidance hospital at home probably reduces costs to the health service compared with hospital admission (2148 participants; moderate-certainty evidence), though by a range of different amounts and using different methods to cost resource use, and there is some evidence that it decreases overall societal costs to six months' follow-up.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Admission avoidance hospital at home, with the option of transfer to hospital, may provide an effective alternative to inpatient care for a select group of older people who have been referred for hospital admission. The intervention probably makes little or no difference to patient health outcomes; may improve satisfaction; probably reduces the likelihood of relocating to residential care; and probably decreases costs.
Topics: Humans; Health Facilities; Hospitalization; Hospitals; Inpatients; Patient Discharge; Home Care Services
PubMed: 38438116
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007491.pub3 -
BMC Nursing Mar 2024Antimicrobial resistance has become one of the world's most important public health problems. Accordingly, nursing strategies to manage antimicrobials in hospital...
BACKGROUND
Antimicrobial resistance has become one of the world's most important public health problems. Accordingly, nursing strategies to manage antimicrobials in hospital environments are fundamental to promoting patient health. The aim of this study was to summarise the best evidence available on nursing strategies for the safe management of antimicrobials in hospital environments.
METHODS
This qualitative systematic review used meta-aggregation in accordance with the recommendations of the Joanna Briggs Institute. The protocol was registered in the data base of the Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews under No. CRD42021224804. The literature search was conducted, in April and May 2021, in the following data bases and journal repositories: Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS) via the Virtual Health Library (VHL), Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System on-line (Medline) via PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO) and Excerpta Medica Database (EMBASE). The findings of each study were summarized and the results were meta-aggregated in JBI SUMARI software.
RESULTS
The search resulted in a total of 447 studies and, after selection, the review included 26 studies, in which 42 nursing strategies were identified. The strategies were first categorised as care- or stewardship-related and then into the subcategories: Screening, Administration, Monitoring and Discharge, Nursing Team, Multi-professional Teams, Patients and Institutional Leadership. The 42 strategies were meta-aggregated and represented in flow diagrams. The best evidence was synthesized related to nursing strategies in the safe management of antimicrobials in the hospital environment.
CONCLUSIONS
Nurses play an indispensable function in antimicrobial stewardship in the hospital environment, because they work directly at the core of safe patient care. Significant contributions by nursing towards reducing antimicrobial resistance were found in care-related practice, education activities, research and policy.
PubMed: 38429699
DOI: 10.1186/s12912-024-01753-y -
PeerJ 2024One in eight patients is affected by a mental health condition, and interprofessional mental health teams collaborate to improve patient care. While pharmacists and...
BACKGROUND
One in eight patients is affected by a mental health condition, and interprofessional mental health teams collaborate to improve patient care. While pharmacists and social workers are recognized as mental health team members, there is a lack of literature describing interprofessional relations and education between these professions, especially as it pertains to mental health. The purpose of this review was to identify and characterize reports describing pharmacist-social worker interprofessional relations and education within mental health.
METHODOLOGY
To address this knowledge gap, this scoping review was conducted to collect and characterize reports published between January 1, 1960 and August 18, 2023 describing pharmacist-social worker interprofessional relations and education within the field of mental health. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines were followed. Ovid MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Social Work Abstracts were searched using keywords "pharmacy student," "pharmacist," "social work student," "social worker," and "social work." Reports were included if they were published in English and interprofessional relations or education occurred directly between (student) pharmacists and social workers.
RESULTS
Three hundred twenty records were identified and three records were included: one cross sectional study, one qualitative educational project, and one case report. Each record suggested positive patient and/or educational outcomes developing from pharmacist-social worker interprofessional relations and education. In clinical practice, pharmacist-social work teams identified mental health risk factors, reduced 30-day readmissions, and improved post-discharge telehealth care. In the classroom, a social worker improved pharmacy students' confidence assessing patient suicidal ideations.
CONCLUSIONS
This scoping review identified needs and areas for future research: pharmacist interprofessional education with Master of Social Work and Doctor of Social Work degree students, transitional care and mental health outcome measure reporting using evidence-based outcomes, and development of scholarly teaching projects utilizing higher-level educational frameworks beyond learner reactions.
Topics: Humans; Pharmacists; Social Workers; Mental Health; Aftercare; Cross-Sectional Studies; Patient Discharge; Students, Pharmacy; Interprofessional Relations
PubMed: 38410797
DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16977 -
Medicine Feb 2024Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate intervention to increase the prospect of survival. There are various ways to... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate intervention to increase the prospect of survival. There are various ways to achieve cardiopulmonary resuscitation in such patients, either through manual chest compression or mechanical chest compression. Thus, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the differences between these interventions.
METHODS
PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Scopus were explored from inception to May 2023. Additionally, the bibliographies of relevant studies were searched. The Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for Randomized Controlled Trials, Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, and the Risk of Bias in Non-Randomized Studies-I tools were utilized to perform quality and risk of bias assessments.
RESULTS
There were 24 studies included within this quantitative synthesis, featuring a total of 111,681 cardiac arrest patients. Overall, no statistically significant differences were observed between the return of spontaneous circulation, survival to hospital discharge, short-term survival, and long-term survival. However, manual chest compression was associated with a significantly superior favorability of neurological outcomes (OR: 1.41; 95% CI: 1.07, 1.84; P = .01).
CONCLUSION
Although there were no major differences between the strategies, the poorer post-resuscitation neurological outcomes observed in mechanical chest compression indicate the need for further innovation and advancements within the current array of mechanical devices. However, future high-quality studies are necessary in order to arrive at a valid conclusion.
Topics: Humans; Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; Patient Discharge; Thorax; Pressure
PubMed: 38394534
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000037294