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Tidsskrift For Den Norske Laegeforening... Jun 2024The increase in patient visits to emergency departments is a global challenge. We wished to survey patient inflow and patient composition over time at two Norwegian...
BACKGROUND
The increase in patient visits to emergency departments is a global challenge. We wished to survey patient inflow and patient composition over time at two Norwegian university hospitals.
MATERIAL AND METHOD
A retrospective, descriptive study of patient contacts (patients ≥ 16 years of age) in the emergency departments of Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, and St Olav's Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital in the period 2012-21. Data were retrieved from patient records and the patient administration system.
RESULT
A total of 585 780 patient contacts were included. The number of patient contacts in the emergency departments was 30 696 in 2012 and 40 396 in 2021 at Haukeland University Hospital, and 18 967 in 2012 and 28 822 in 2021 at St Olav's Hospital. The largest increase during the study period appeared to be in the age group 67-79 years, with an increase of 57 % (from 6 190 to 9 691) at Haukeland University Hospital, and 77 % (from 3 849 to 6 817) at St Olav's Hospital. The proportion of patient contacts that ended in hospitalisation was 82 % in 2012 and 74 % in 2021 at Haukeland University Hospital, and 87 % in 2012 and 61 % in 2021 at St Olav's Hospital. Of the patients that were admitted, the median age was 65 years, while the median age of those who were discharged from the emergency department was 48 years at Haukeland University Hospital and 52 years at St Olav's Hospital.
INTERPRETATION
The study showed an increase in patient contacts in the emergency departments at Haukeland University Hospital and St Olav's Hospital over a period of ten years. The number of older adults in the population will continue to increase in the years ahead, and the need for urgent care assessments will correspondingly increase. It is important that the health services are aware of changes in patient influx and patient composition in order to ensure patient safety and the working environment of emergency departments in the future.
Topics: Humans; Norway; Emergency Service, Hospital; Hospitals, University; Middle Aged; Aged; Adult; Retrospective Studies; Female; Male; Adolescent; Young Adult; Hospitalization; Aged, 80 and over; Age Distribution
PubMed: 38934308
DOI: 10.4045/tidsskr.23.0669 -
Kidney Research and Clinical Practice Jun 2024Continuous kidney replacement therapy (CKRT) is crucial in the management of acute kidney injury in intensive care units (ICUs). Nonetheless, the optimal anticoagulation...
The role of nafamostat mesylate anticoagulation in continuous kidney replacement therapy for critically ill patients with bleeding tendencies: a retrospective study on patient outcomes and safety.
BACKGROUND
Continuous kidney replacement therapy (CKRT) is crucial in the management of acute kidney injury in intensive care units (ICUs). Nonetheless, the optimal anticoagulation strategy for patients with bleeding tendencies remains debated. This study aimed to evaluate patient outcomes and safety of nafamostat mesylate (NM) compared with no anticoagulation (NA) in critically ill patients with bleeding tendencies who were undergoing CKRT.
METHODS
This retrospective study enrolled 2,313 patients who underwent CKRT between March 2013 and December 2022 at the third affiliated hospital in South Korea. After applying the exclusion criteria, 490 patients were included in the final analysis, with 245 patients in the NM and NA groups each, following 1:1 propensity score matching. Subsequently, in-hospital mortality, incidence of bleeding complications, agranulocytosis, hyperkalemia, and length of hospital stay were assessed.
RESULTS
No significant differences were observed between the groups regarding the lengths of hospital and ICU stays or the incidence of agranulocytosis and hyperkalemia. The NM group showed a smaller decrease in hemoglobin levels during CKRT (-1.90 g/dL vs. -2.39 g/dL) and less need for blood product transfusions than the NA group. Furthermore, the NM group exhibited a survival benefit in patients who required transfusion of all three blood products.
CONCLUSION
NM is an effective and safe anticoagulant for CKRT in critically ill patients, especially those requiring transfusion of all three blood products. Although these findings are promising, further multicenter studies are needed to validate them and explore the mechanisms underlying the observed benefits.
PubMed: 38934038
DOI: 10.23876/j.krcp.23.310 -
Archives of Rheumatology Jun 2024This study aimed to investigate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination rates and factors affecting vaccination in children with rheumatic diseases.
OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to investigate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination rates and factors affecting vaccination in children with rheumatic diseases.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
This multicenter cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted between July 2022 and September 2022. Four hundred seventy-four patients (256 females, 218 males; median age: 15 years; interquartile range, 13 to 16 years) were included in the patient group, and 211 healthy children (124 females, 87 males; median age: 15 years; interquartile range, 13 to 16 years) were included in the control group. A questionnaire was administered to the parents face-to-face during routine outpatient visits.
RESULTS
Of the patients, 220 were followed up with the diagnosis of autoinflammatory disease, 174 with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, 48 with connective tissue disease, 23 with vasculitis, eight with uveitis, and one with sarcoidosis. In the study group, 256 (54%) patients and 115 (54.5%) healthy children received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Parents' concern regarding potential side effects of the vaccine was the most common reason for COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy in both groups. The median patient age, follow-up period, colchicine treatment rates, childhood vaccination and influenza vaccination rates, median parental age, parental vaccination rate, and parental education level were higher in vaccinated patients (p<0.001).
CONCLUSION
Parents' concerns about safety and side effects were found to be the most important factors affecting vaccination success. Identification of the underlying causes of parental vaccine hesitancy will facilitate the development of effective vaccination strategies for potential future outbreaks.
PubMed: 38933728
DOI: 10.46497/ArchRheumatol.2024.10356 -
Bulletin of the World Health... Jul 2024To demonstrate how the new internationally comparable instrument, the People's Voice Survey, can be used to contribute the perspective of the population in assessing...
OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate how the new internationally comparable instrument, the People's Voice Survey, can be used to contribute the perspective of the population in assessing health system performance in countries of all levels of income.
METHODS
We surveyed representative samples of populations in 16 low-, middle- and high-income countries on health-care utilization, experience and confidence during 2022-2023. We summarized and visualized data corresponding to the key domains of the World Health Organization universal health coverage framework for health system performance assessment. We examined correlation with per capita health spending by calculating Pearson coefficients, and within-country income-based inequities using the slope index of inequality.
FINDINGS
In the domain of care effectiveness, we found major gaps in health screenings and endorsement of public primary care. Only one in three respondents reported very good user experience during health visits, with lower proportions in low-income countries. Access to health care was rated highest of all domains; however, only half of the populations felt secure that they could access and afford high-quality care if they became ill. Populations rated the quality of private health systems higher than that of public health systems in most countries. Only half of respondents felt involved in decision-making (less in high-income countries). Within countries, we found statistically significant pro-rich inequalities across many indicators.
CONCLUSION
Populations can provide vital information about the real-world function of health systems, complementing other system performance metrics. Population-wide surveys such as the People's Voice Survey should become part of regular health system performance assessments.
Topics: Humans; Health Services Accessibility; Developing Countries; Delivery of Health Care; Developed Countries; Quality of Health Care; Healthcare Disparities; Global Health
PubMed: 38933481
DOI: 10.2471/BLT.23.291184 -
Turk Gogus Kalp Damar Cerrahisi Dergisi Apr 2024This study aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of transverse aortic arch stenting and evaluate the course of hypertension and the act of arch stenting on...
BACKGROUND
This study aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of transverse aortic arch stenting and evaluate the course of hypertension and the act of arch stenting on systemic hypertension.
METHODS
The transverse aortic arch stenting procedures between January 2007 and May 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Detailed procedure information, technical aspects, pressure measurements, angiographic data, balloons and stents used, complications, and immediate results were examined. Early and mid-term results were assessed.
RESULTS
Eighteen patients (10 males and 8 females; mean age: 14.5±5.3 years; range, 4 to 23 years) were included in the study, all of whom were hypertensive before the procedure. The mean weight was 56.8±19.6 kg. In seven patients, the stent struts had to be dilated due to the stent causing jailing at the entrance of nearby arch vessels. After stenting, there was a significant increase in arch diameter and a decrease in ascending aorta pressure and the pressure gradient across the aorta. There were no early mortality or major complications. Late migration of the stent was observed in one patient. Three patients became normotensive immediately after the intervention, and five became drug-free during the follow-up. The requirement for dual antihypertensive therapy was significantly reduced.
CONCLUSION
Residual transverse arch lesions may contribute to the persistence of systemic hypertension after coarctation treatment. Transverse arch stent implantation can be performed safely with favorable outcomes, facilitating better blood pressure control. However, it should be noted that these patients remain at risk for lifelong hypertension and should be closely monitored in this regard.
PubMed: 38933307
DOI: 10.5606/tgkdc.dergisi.2024.25931 -
Health and Human Rights Jun 2024Managing residential care facilities (RCFs) includes the ability to manage adverse events while maintaining a human rights-based approach to care and support. Literature...
Managing residential care facilities (RCFs) includes the ability to manage adverse events while maintaining a human rights-based approach to care and support. Literature investigating rights-based approaches in RCFs is scarce; therefore, an investigation of the current approach in RCFs will inform improvements. This study sought to identify whether RCFs in Ireland upheld a rights-based approach during the course of adverse events by analyzing notifications of adverse events from 2021 taken from the Database of Statutory Notifications from Social Care in Ireland. Data analysis was conducted independently by two researchers. Notifications of adverse events were coded according to whether the human rights principles of fairness, respect, equality, dignity, and autonomy were upheld or violated during the adverse event and its subsequent management. There was some evidence of violations, including staff violations during adverse events and their management, as well as residents violating fellow residents' autonomy, respect, and dignity in notifications of "serious injury" and "allegations of abuse." However, overall, good practice was identified, with residents' human rights upheld by staff. Our findings indicate that a rights-based approach to care and support is being upheld during adverse events and their management, which may indicate that such an approach to care and support has been adopted.
Topics: Humans; Human Rights; Ireland; Residential Facilities; Personal Autonomy; Patient Safety
PubMed: 38933218
DOI: No ID Found -
Frontiers in Medicine 2024Family-centered care (FCC) is a model of care provision that sees a patient's loved ones as essential partners to the health care team and positively influences the...
INTRODUCTION
Family-centered care (FCC) is a model of care provision that sees a patient's loved ones as essential partners to the health care team and positively influences the psychological safety of patients and loved ones.
OBJECTIVES
This review aims to present an overview of impactful publications, authors, institutions, journals, countries, fields of application and trends of FCC in the 21 century as well as suggestions on further research.
METHODS
The Web of Science Database was searched for publications on FCC between January 2000 and Dezember 2023. After screening for duplicates, VOS Viewer and CiteSpace were used to analyze and visualize the data.
RESULTS
Scientific interest in FCC has grown and resulted in the scientific output of 4,836 publications originating from 103 different countries. Based on the frequent author keywords, FCC was of greatest interest in neonatology and pediatrics, nursing, critical and intensive care, end-of-life and palliative care, and patient-related outcomes. The recent research hotspots are "patient engagement," "qualitative study," and "health literacy."
CONCLUSION
FCC has gained recognition and spread from the pediatric to the adult palliative, intensive, end-of-life and geriatric care settings. This is a very reassuring development since adults, especially when older, want and need the assistance of their social support systems. Recent research directions include the involvement of patients in the development of FCC strategies, health literacy interventions and the uptake of telemedicine solutions.
PubMed: 38933103
DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1401577 -
Frontiers in Psychiatry 2024Data on reproductive safety of recently approved newer antipsychotics are limited. Here, we report a case vignette of a patient with schizophrenia treated with...
Data on reproductive safety of recently approved newer antipsychotics are limited. Here, we report a case vignette of a patient with schizophrenia treated with cariprazine during pregnancy. The patient became pregnant unexpectedly while taking medication. As a result of shared decision-making, the patient and her psychiatrist decided to continue the treatment, which proved to be protective against relapse and had no adverse effect either on the course of pregnancy or on the health of the newborn. Cariprazine maintenance treatment during pregnancy was found to be safe in our case.
PubMed: 38932938
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1421395 -
Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics Dec 2024This study aimed to assess the attitudes and willingness of pregnant women to receive the influenza vaccine and the factors influencing their decisions. A sample survey...
This study aimed to assess the attitudes and willingness of pregnant women to receive the influenza vaccine and the factors influencing their decisions. A sample survey was conducted among pregnant women receiving prenatal care at various medical institutions in Minhang District, Shanghai, from March to June 2023. The survey included inquiries about demographic information, knowledge, and perception of influenza disease and influenza vaccine. Logistic regression models and chi-square tests were used to analyze the data. 6.9% (78/1125) of participants considered receiving the influenza vaccine during pregnancy. Participants with graduate education or above (OR = 4.632, 95%CI: 1.046-20.517), non-office workers (OR = 2.784, 95%CI: 1.560-4.970), and participants whose spouses were not office workers (OR = 0.518, 95% CI: 0.294-0.913) were significantly associated with high intent to vaccinate. Participants with superior knowledge (>30 points) exhibited greater willingness ( < .001). Participants who viewed post-influenza symptoms as mild had a significantly lower willingness to vaccinate during pregnancy (2.3%), compared to those who disagreed ( = .015). Conversely, those recognizing a heightened risk of hospitalization due to respiratory diseases in pregnant women post-influenza were significantly more inclined to vaccinate during pregnancy (8.8%) ( = .007). Participants recognizing benefits uniformly expressed willingness to receive the influenza vaccine during pregnancy ( < .001), while those perceiving barriers uniformly rejected vaccination ( < .001). Higher education, non-office worker status, and having an office worker spouse correlate with greater willingness to receive the influenza vaccine during pregnancy. Enhanced knowledge and accurate perceptions of influenza and its vaccine influenced willingness. Accumulating knowledge about influenza and its vaccine fosters accurate perceptions. Notably, overall willingness to vaccinate during pregnancy remains low, likely due to safety concerns, and lack of accurate perceptions. Targeted health education, improved communication between healthcare providers and pregnant women, and campaigns highlighting vaccine benefits for mothers and children are essential.
Topics: Humans; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Pregnancy; China; Adult; Influenza Vaccines; Influenza, Human; Pregnant Women; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Young Adult; Surveys and Questionnaires; Vaccination; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; Prenatal Care; Cross-Sectional Studies; Adolescent
PubMed: 38932738
DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2024.2368944 -
Vaccines Jun 2024Cancer survivors are at higher risk of developing severe complications from influenza due to their compromised immune systems. Despite their increased vulnerability to...
BACKGROUND
Cancer survivors are at higher risk of developing severe complications from influenza due to their compromised immune systems. Despite their increased vulnerability to influenza and the availability of vaccines, vaccine hesitancy among cancer survivors remains a significant public health concern in China.
METHODS
A multicenter, cross-sectional study was conducted among cancer survivors in China from January to December 2023. A total of 500 participants were recruited from the oncology departments of five tertiary hospitals. A structured, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics, cancer-related information, medical history, lifestyle factors, and influenza vaccine hesitancy. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with influenza vaccine hesitancy.
RESULTS
The response rate was 97.0% (485/500). Among all participants, 204 (42.06%) reported vaccine hesitancy. The results of multiple logistic regression showed that the longer the end of anti-cancer treatment, without a history of adverse vaccine reactions, and the level of family support played a protective role in vaccine hesitancy. Current rehabilitation status, frequent colds, not being informed by doctors about vaccination, exercising, lack of community vaccination education programs, and concerns about vaccine safety were risk factors that increase vaccine hesitancy.
CONCLUSIONS
A high proportion of cancer survivors in our study reported influenza vaccine hesitancy. Addressing concerns about vaccine safety, improving access to vaccination services, and enhancing doctor-patient communication are crucial for increasing influenza vaccine uptake in this vulnerable population.
PubMed: 38932368
DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12060639