Under-Reporting of Adverse Drug Reactions in Finland and Healthcare Professionals' Perspectives on How to Improve Reporting.

BACKGROUND: Adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting has been studied relatively extensively in all the Nordic countries besides Finland, but no definitive solution to decrease under-reporting has been found. Despite many similarities in reporting, the most notable difference compared to other Nordic countries is that ADR reporting is completely voluntary in Finland. PURPOSE: The purpose was to examine if voluntary reporting influences healthcare professional (HCP) ADR reporting, why HCPs do not report all suspected ADRs, how could reporting be enhanced, and do we need to develop the process for collecting ADR follow-up (F/U) information from HCPs. METHODS: An open and anonymous questionnaire was developed and made available online at the e-form portal of the University of Helsinki. Trade and area unions distributed the questionnaire to their respective member physicians, nurses, and pharmacists. Two independent coders performed the content analysis of answers to open-ended questions. RESULTS: A total of 149 responses was received. Two fifths (38%) of the HCPs confirmed that they had not always reported suspected ADRs. The main reason for not reporting was that the ADR was already known. HCPs who had no previous ADR reporting experience did not report ADRs mainly because it was not clear how to report them. Seriousness (chosen by 76%) and unexpectedness of the reaction (chosen by 64%) were the most actuating factors in reporting an ADR. Only 52% of the HCPs had received ADR reporting training and only 16% of the HCPs felt that they had enough information about reporting. Most HCPs felt that ADR F/U requests are justified, and these requests did not affect their ADR reporting willingness. CONCLUSIONS: As in other Nordic countries, ADR under-reporting occurs also in Finland despite differences in reporting guidance. ADR reporting rate could be enhanced by organizing recurring training, information campaigns, and including reporting reminders to the patient information systems that HCPs use. Training should primarily aid in recognizing ADRs, educate in how to report, and promote a reporting culture among HCPs.

Incidence Trends for SARS-CoV-2 Alpha and Beta Variants, Finland, Spring 2021.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 Alpha and Beta variants became dominant in Finland in spring 2021 but had diminished by summer. We used phylogenetic clustering to identify sources of spreading. We found that outbreaks were mostly seeded by a few introductions, highlighting the importance of surveillance and prevention policies.

Therapeutic Procedures for Malignant Ascites in a Palliative Care Outpatient Clinic.

BACKGROUND: The optimal treatment of malignant ascites (MA) and feasibility of the management with free drainage remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: To study the success of drainage, complications, and survival after paracentesis or insertion of an indwelling tunneled catheter (TC) for the MA performed on a day-case basis. DESIGN AND SETTING: We evaluated 118 paracenteses and 48 insertions of TCs performed in 104 patients with MA at the Palliative Care Outpatient Unit of Tampere University Hospital. RESULTS: Drainage of ascites fluid (median 3700 mL; range 300-13,200 mL) was successful in all cases. The complication rates were 7% and 25% for paracenteses and TCs, respectively. Most of the complications were minor. Repeated procedures were needed in 64% and 10% of the paracenteses and insertions of TCs, respectively, (p < 0.001). Median survival after the first procedure was 40 days (interquartile range, IQR: 17-115). Patients with pancreatic cancer had shorter median survival (19 days; IQR: 9-35) compared with other patients (47 days; IQR: 23-143) (age-adjusted HR 2.73; 95% CI: 1.65-4.52), whereas patients receiving chemotherapy had longer median survival (112 days; IQR: 43-205) compared with patients without chemotherapy (25 days; IQR: 14-52) (age-adjusted HR 2.48; 95% CI: 1.58-3.89). The volume of removed ascites fluid was not associated with survival. CONCLUSIONS: Free drainage of MA seems feasible in an outpatient clinic. Early insertion of TC should be considered to avoid repeated paracenteses. However, in patients with pancreatic cancer, paracentesis might be an accepted alternative due to their short life expectancy.