Application of Information Link Control in Surgical Specimen Near-Miss Events in a South China Hospital: Nonrandomized Controlled Study.

Background: Information control is a promising approach for managing surgical specimens. However, there is limited research evidence on surgical near misses. This is particularly true in the closed loop of information control for each link. Objective: A new model of surgical specimen process management is further constructed, and a safe operating room nursing practice environment is created by intercepting specimen near-miss events through information safety barriers. Methods: In a large hospital in China, 84,289 surgical specimens collected in the conventional information specimen management mode from January to December 2021 were selected as the control group, and 99,998 surgical specimens collected in the information safety barrier control surgical specimen management mode from January to December 2022 were selected as the improvement group. The incidence of near misses, the qualified rate of pathological specimen fixation, and the average time required for specimen fixation were compared under the 2 management modes. The causes of 2 groups of near misses were analyzed and the near misses of information safety barrier control surgical specimens were studied. Results: Under the information-based safety barrier control surgical specimen management model, the incidence of adverse events in surgical specimens was reduced, the reporting of near-miss events in surgical specimens was improved by 100%, the quality control quality management of surgical specimens was effectively improved, the pass rate of surgical pathology specimen fixation was improved, and the meantime for surgical specimen fixation was shortened, with differences considered statistically significant at P<.05. Conclusions: Our research has developed a new mode of managing the surgical specimen process. This mode can prevent errors in approaching specimens by implementing information security barriers, thereby enhancing the quality of specimen management, ensuring the safety of medical procedures, and improving the quality of hospital services.

The lifetime risk of maternal near miss morbidity in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America: a cross-country systematic analysis.

BACKGROUND: Life-threatening maternal near miss (MNM) morbidity can have long-term consequences for the physical, psychological, sexual, social, and economic wellbeing of female individuals. The lifetime risk of MNM (LTR-MNM) quantifies the probability that a female individual aged 15 years will have an MNM before age 50 years, given current mortality and fertility rates. We compare the LTR-MNM globally to reveal inequities in the cumulative burden of severe maternal morbidity across the reproductive life course. METHODS: We estimated the LTR-MNM for 40 countries with multifacility, regional, or national data on the prevalence of MNM morbidity measured using WHO or modified WHO criteria of organ dysfunction from 2010 onwards (Central and Southern Asia=6, Eastern and Southeastern Asia=9, Latin America and the Caribbean=10, Northern Africa and Western Asia=2, sub-Saharan Africa=13). We also calculated the lifetime risk of severe maternal outcome (LTR-SMO) as the lifetime risk of maternal death or MNM. FINDINGS: The LTR-MNM ranges from a 1 in 269 risk in Viet Nam (2010) to 1 in 6 in Guatemala (2016), whereas the LTR-SMO ranges from a 1 in 201 risk in Malaysia (2014) to 1 in 5 in Guatemala (2016). The LTR-MNM is a 1 in 20 risk or higher in nine countries, seven of which are in sub-Saharan Africa. The LTR-SMO is a 1 in 20 risk or higher in 11 countries, eight of which are in sub-Saharan Africa. The relative contribution of the LTR-MNM to the LTR-SMO ranges from 42% in Angola to 99% in Japan. INTERPRETATION: There exist substantial global and regional disparities in the cumulative burden of severe maternal morbidity across the reproductive life course. The LTR-MNM is an important indicator to highlight the magnitude of inequalities in MNM morbidity, once accounting for obstetric risk, fertility rates, and mortality rates. The LTR-SMO can be used to highlight variation in the relative importance of morbidity to the overall burden of maternal ill-health across the female reproductive life course, given countries' stage in the obstetric transition. Both the LTR-MNM and LTR-SMO can serve as important indicators to advocate for further global commitment to end preventable maternal morbidity and mortality. FUNDING: UK Economic and Social Research Council, EU Horizon 2020 Marie Curie Fellowship, and Leverhulme Trust Large Centre Grant.

Communication in maternal near miss cases: an analysis based on Habermas. / Comunicação em casos de near miss materno: uma análise a partir de Habermas.

This study sought to understand the network of meanings mutually experienced among women who survived maternal near miss due to lapses in care during pregnancy, labor and birth, based on Habermas' theory of communication. A qualitative methodology was selected, with the participation of 14 women who survived maternal near miss by means of the autobiographical narrative interview proposed by Schutze, based on the Communicative Action theory of Jurgen Habermas. From the analysis, two categories emerged: "Selective listening, clashes and negligence" and "Blaming the Patient and Violent Communication." The narratives reveal that the interpersonal relationship was not based on dialogue, but on superior knowledge as opposed to acknowledging the other, reflecting an authoritarian, non-reflexive posture of the professionals, without self-criticism or genuine critical freedom, with important repercussions on user care. The primacy of strategic rationality and the defense of verticalized technical success contributed to important communication lapses in the care of women who progressed to maternal near miss.

O estudo buscou compreender a rede de significados construídos intersubjetivamente por mulheres sobreviventes ao near miss materno sobre os lapsos na assistência à gestação, ao parto e ao nascimento, partindo da teoria da comunicação de Habermas. Optou-se pela metodologia qualitativa, com participação de 14 mulheres sobreviventes ao near miss materno por meio da entrevista narrativa autobiográfica proposta por Schutze, partindo da teoria do agir comunicativo de Jurgen Habermas. A partir da análise, emergiram duas categorias: "escuta seletiva, embates e negligência" e "culpabilização da paciente e a comunicação violenta". As narrativas descortinam que a relação interpessoal não foi dialógica, e sim pautada em um saber superior em contraposição ao reconhecimento do outro, refletindo nos profissionais uma postura autoritária, não reflexiva e sem a autocrítica ou liberdade crítica genuína, com importantes repercussões na atenção ao usuário. A primazia da racionalidade estratégica e a defesa de um êxito técnico verticalizado contribuíram para importantes lapsos de comunicação na assistência a mulheres que evoluíram para near miss materno.

Women's experiences of maternal near miss: Qualitative findings from Malawi.

OBJECTIVE: This study explored the experiences of women with maternal near miss and their perceptions of the quality of care they received in three facilities in Malawi. METHODS: This study employed a qualitative phenomenological approach. Data were collected using in depth interviews and analysed using thematic content analysis. The data were collected in three hospitals between September and November 2020. The purposively selected participants were 18 women meeting criteria for maternal near miss related to obstetric haemorrhage (6), hypertensive disorders (7), sepsis (2) and ruptured ectopic pregnancy (3). RESULTS: Women's experiences of maternal near miss fell under four broad themes; (a) realisation of the near miss; (b) religious beliefs and interpretation of near miss; (c) social and economic aspects of maternal near miss; and d) perceptions of quality of care. Women's initial emotional responses were fear and anxiety but were soon overshadowed by the fear for their babies' wellbeing. Most women perceived the care they received as timely, adequate, and respectful, yet many women also expressed that their service providers did not provide an opportunity to openly discuss their condition. CONCLUSIONS: The experience of near miss goes beyond the immediate physical discomforts and has psychological, economic, and social consequences for women and their families. Despite women's perception of care as respectful, there are still communication gaps with their service providers. Campaigns to improve the communication between providers and patients and their families in situation of severe morbidity warrant consideration.

Factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding in " Near Miss " neonates in Brazil.

Objective: To assess the association between sociodemographic and perinatal factors and hospital practices to encourage exclusive breastfeeding in near miss neonates in maternity hospitals. Methods: This is a prospective cohort of live births from the survey "To be born in Brazil" conducted between 2011 and 2012. The weighted number of newborns who met the neonatal near miss criteria was 832. Exclusive breastfeeding at hospital discharge and 45 days after delivery were dependent variables of the study. The sociodemographic and perinatal factors of the puerperal women and hospital practices to encourage breastfeeding were independent variables. The data were analyzed with Poisson regression and set with p value<0.05. Is exclusive breastfeeding in neonatal near misses associated with factors related to sociodemographic conditions, maternal characteristics and the organization of health services? Results: Data from 498 women and their children were analyzed. Mothers with incomplete primary education were more likely (36%) to have exclusive breastfeeding (RR: 1.36; 95% CI: 1.06-1.74) at discharge. Women who did not offer the breast to the newborn in the joint accommodation (65%) were less likely to be breastfeeding exclusively (RR: 0.65; 95% CI: 0.56-0.75) at discharge. Variables that increased the probability of exclusive breastfeeding after 45 days of delivery were primiparity (RR: 1.36; 95% CI: 1.08-1.69) and having the newborn in the delivery room (RR: 1.90; 95% CI: 1.12-3.24). Conclusion: Exclusive breastfeeding in neonatal near misses was associated with maternal characteristics and important hospital practices, such as being breastfed in the joint accommodation and the newborn being in the mother's lap in the delivery room.

"Near Miss": A Mixed-Methods Analysis of Medical Student Assignments in Patient Safety.

The purpose of this study is to inform the curriculum for Entrustable Professional Activity 13 through analysis of fourth year medical student patient safety event assignments. From 2016 to 2021, students were asked to identify a patient safety event and indicate if the event required an incident report. Assignments were reviewed and coded based on Joint Commission incident definitions. Qualitative analysis was performed to evaluate incident report justification. There were 473 student assignments included in the analysis. Assignments reported incidents regarding communication, medical judgment, medication errors, and coordination of care. Students indicated only 18.0% (85/473) would warrant an incident report. Justification for not filing an incident report included lack of harm to the patient or that it was previously reported. Students were able to identify system issues but infrequently felt an incident report was required. Justifications for not filing an incident report suggest a need for a curriculum focused on the value of reporting near misses and hazardous conditions.

Retrospective Observational Study of the Frequency and Interrelationships Among Neonatal Near Miss Criteria.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the frequency and interrelationships among neonatal near miss (NNM) criteria and the anticipated workload for audits in high-income countries. DESIGN: Observational retrospective descriptive study. SETTING: Tertiary maternal and neonatal units at Mater Mothers' Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. PARTICIPANTS: Cases of stillbirths (n = 483), neonatal deaths (n = 203), and live births (n = 66,353) from January 2016 to July 2022 (N = 67,039). METHODS: We identified eight prespecified NNM criteria nominated by perinatal experts. Primary outcomes were NNM frequency, their interrelationships, and related workload. We used descriptive statistics and analysis of variance and considered p < .05 significant. RESULTS: We found 2,243 unique NNM cases (33.7/1,000 live births). The NNM ratio per 1,000 live births according to each of the eight criteria were: unplanned resuscitation at birth (25.09/1,000 live births), birth asphyxia needing surveillance for hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (8.46/1,000 live births), metabolic acidosis at birth (8.04/1,000 live births), advanced resuscitation at birth (3.68/1,000 live births), seizures and/or stroke (0.96/1,000 live births), severe intraventricular hemorrhage and/or cerebellar hemorrhage (0.95/1,000 live births), moderate to severe hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (0.9/1,000 live births), and severe birth trauma (0.44/1,000 live births). Almost one third of NNM cases met more than one criterion. Anticipated workload for monthly NNM audits varied from 0.04 to 2.8 cases per 1,000 live births. CONCLUSION: Different sets of NNM criteria considerably alter the frequency of NNMs and the anticipated workload for NNM audits. Their interrelationships are likely attributable to the fact that some of the criteria are risk factors for or are part of the causal pathway for other NNM criteria. These findings can assist with the determination of a pragmatic NNM definition considering the feasibility of NNM audits in high-income countries.

Factors Influencing Novice and Beginner Nurses' Intention to Report Medication Errors and Near Misses.

INTRODUCTION: Novice and beginner nurses make more medical errors than senior nurses. However, there is significant underreporting of medication errors and near misses among novice and beginner nurses. OBJECTIVE: To identify the factors that influence the intention of novice and beginner nurses to report medication errors and near misses. METHODS: A cross-sectional exploratory study was carried out among third-year nursing students in a Quebec university (n = 143). Data was collected through a self-reported questionnaire based on the adapted Theory of Planned Behavior. Simple descriptive analyses and a series of contingency analyses were performed using Chi-2 or Fisher exact tests. Correction of multiple tests was done using Bonferroni test. RESULTS: All theoretical constructs were significantly associated with intention. Sociodemographic factors (age, sex, experience and education program) were also associated with intention. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Further studies are needed to identify the determinants of intention to report medication errors and near misses among novice and beginner nurses. More attention is required in nursing practice and education to act on these factors, thus encouraging novice and beginner nurses to report medication errors and near misses.

Risk factors for maternal near-miss in an undeveloped province in south-central China, 2012-2022.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the risk factors for maternal near-miss (MNM) using the WHO near-miss approach. METHODS: Data were obtained from the Maternal Near-Miss Surveillance System in Hunan Province, China, 2012-2022. Multivariate logistic regression analysis (method: Forward, Wald, α = 0.05) and adjusted odds ratios (aORs) were used to identify risk factors for MNM. RESULTS: Our study included 780,359 women with 731,185 live births, a total of 2461 (0.32%) MNMs, 777,846 (99.68%) non-MNMs, and 52 (0.006%) maternal deaths were identified. The MNM ratio was 3.37‰ (95%CI: 3.23-3.50). Coagulation/hematological dysfunction was the most common cause of MNM (75.66%). Results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed risk factors for MNM: maternal age > = 30 years old (aOR > 1, P < 0.05), unmarried women (aOR = 2.21, 95%CI: 1.71-2.85), number of pregnancies > = 2 (aOR > 1, P < 0.05), nulliparity (aOR = 1.51, 95%CI: 1.32-1.72) or parity > = 3 (aOR = 1.95, 95%CI: 1.50-2.55), prenatal examinations < 5 times (aOR = 1.13, 95%CI: 1.01-1.27), and number of cesarean sections was 1 (aOR = 1.83, 95%CI: 1.64-2.04) or > = 2 (aOR = 2.48, 95%CI: 1.99-3.09). CONCLUSION: The MNM ratio was relatively low in Hunan Province. Advanced maternal age, unmarried status, a high number of pregnancies, nulliparity or high parity, a low number of prenatal examinations, and cesarean sections were risk factors for MNM. Our study is essential for improving the quality of maternal health care and preventing MNM.

Critical airway-related incidents and near misses in anaesthesia: a qualitative study of a critical incident reporting system.

BACKGROUND: Many serious adverse events in anaesthesia are retrospectively rated as preventable. Anonymous reporting of near misses to a critical incident reporting system (CIRS) can identify structural weaknesses and improve quality, but incidents are often underreported. METHODS: This prospective qualitative study aimed to identify conceptions of a CIRS and reasons for underreporting at a single Swiss centre. Anaesthesia cases were screened to identify critical airway-related incidents that qualified to be reported to the CIRS. Anaesthesia providers involved in these incidents were individually interviewed. Factors that prevented or encouraged reporting of critical incidents to the CIRS were evaluated. Interview data were analysed using the Framework method. RESULTS: Of 3668 screened airway management procedures, 101 cases (2.8%) involved a critical incident. Saturation was reached after interviewing 21 anaesthesia providers, who had been involved in 42/101 critical incidents (41.6%). Only one incident (1.0%) had been reported to the CIRS, demonstrating significant underreporting. Interviews revealed highly variable views on the aims of the CIRS with an overall high threshold for reporting a critical incident. Factors hindering reporting of cases included concerns regarding identifiability of the reported incident and involved healthcare providers. CONCLUSIONS: Methods to foster anonymity of reporting, such as by national rather than departmental critical incident reporting system databases, and a change in culture is required to enhance reporting of critical incidents. Institutions managing a critical incident reporting system need to ensure timely feedback to the team regarding lessons learned, consequences, and changes to standards of care owing to reported critical incidents. Consistent reporting and assessment of critical incidents is required to allow the full potential of a critical incident reporting system.

Near-miss and maternal sepsis mortality: A qualitative study of survivors and support persons.

BACKGROUND: Prior studies have shown that maternal deaths due to sepsis occur due to delays in recognition, treatment, and escalation of care through medical chart reviews. This study was conducted to obtain the patient perspective for near-miss and maternal mortality cases due to sepsis. OBJECTIVE: To identify quality improvement opportunities for improving maternal sepsis through patient and support person experiences. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty semi-structured interviews and three follow-up focus groups with patients who experienced critical illness from maternal sepsis in the United States and their support persons (when available) were conducted from May 23, 2022, through October 14, 2022. In this qualitative study, data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS: In this qualitative study of patients with maternal sepsis and their support persons, four main quality improvement themes were identified. The themes were the following: (1) participants reported a lack of awareness of pregnancy-related warning signs and symptoms of when to seek care, (2) many of the presenting symptoms participants experienced were not typical of expected warning signs of maternal sepsis, such as severe pain, overwhelming tiredness, and lack of fever (3) participant concerns were met with dismissal leading to delays in diagnosis, (4) participants experienced long-term sequelae but had difficulty receiving screening and referrals for treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study suggest that standardized patient education about the warning signs of maternal sepsis and provider education about the presentation of maternal sepsis, improved listening to patients, and follow-up for sequalae of sepsis are needed.

Predictors and a scoring model for maternal near-miss and maternal death in Southern Thailand: a case-control study.

PURPOSE: To identify predictors and develop a scoring model to predict maternal near-miss (MNM) and maternal mortality. METHODS: A case-control study of 1,420 women delivered between 2014 and 2020 was conducted. Cases were women with MNM or maternal death, controls were women who had uneventful deliveries directly after women in the cases group. Antenatal characteristics and complications were reviewed. Multivariate logistic regression and Akaike information criterion were used to identify predictors and develop a risk score for MNM and maternal mortality. RESULTS: Predictors for MNM and maternal mortality (aOR and score for predictive model) were advanced age (aOR 1.73, 95% CI 1.25-2.39, 1), obesity (aOR 2.03, 95% CI 1.22-3.39, 1), parity ≥ 3 (aOR 1.75, 95% CI 1.27-2.41, 1), history of uterine curettage (aOR 5.13, 95% CI 2.47-10.66, 3), history of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) (aOR 13.55, 95% CI 1.40-130.99, 5), anemia (aOR 5.53, 95% CI 3.65-8.38, 3), pregestational diabetes (aOR 5.29, 95% CI 1.27-21.99, 3), heart disease (aOR 13.40, 95%CI 4.42-40.61, 5), multiple pregnancy (aOR 5.57, 95% CI 2.00-15.50, 3), placenta previa and/or placenta-accreta spectrum (aOR 48.19, 95% CI 22.75-102.09, 8), gestational hypertension/preeclampsia without severe features (aOR 5.95, 95% CI 2.64-13.45, 4), and with severe features (aOR 16.64, 95% CI 9.17-30.19, 6), preterm delivery <37 weeks (aOR 1.65, 95%CI 1.06-2.58, 1) and < 34 weeks (aOR 2.71, 95% CI 1.59-4.62, 2). A cut-off score of ≥4 gave the highest chance of correctly classified women into high risk group with 74.4% sensitivity and 90.4% specificity. CONCLUSIONS: We identified predictors and proposed a scoring model to predict MNM and maternal mortality with acceptable predictive performance.

Perinatal mortality, severe maternal morbidity and maternal near miss: protocol of a study integrated with the Birth in Brazil II survey. / Mortalidade perinatal, morbidade materna grave e near miss materno: protocolo de um estudo integrado à pesquisa Nascer no Brasil II.

Brazil presents high maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Cases of severe maternal morbidity, maternal near miss, and perinatal deaths are important health indicators and share the same determinants, being closely related to living conditions and quality of perinatal care. This article aims to present the study protocol to estimate the perinatal mortality rate and the incidence of severe maternal morbidity and maternal near miss in the country, identifying its determinants. Cross-sectional study integrated into the research Birth in Brazil II, conducted from 2021 to 2023. This study will include 155 public, mixed and private maternities, accounting for more than 2,750 births per year, participating in the Birth in Brazil II survey. We will collect retrospective data from maternal and neonatal records of all hospitalizations within a 30-day period in these maternities, applying a screening form to identify cases of maternal morbidity and perinatal deaths. Medical record data of all identified cases will be collected after hospital discharge, using a standardized instrument. Cases of severe maternal morbidity and maternal near miss will be classified based on the definition adopted by the World Health Organization. The perinatal deaths rate and the incidence of severe maternal morbidity and maternal near miss will be estimated. Cases will be compared to controls obtained in the Birth in Brazil II survey, matched by hospital and duration of pregnancy, in order to identify factors associated with negative outcomes. Results are expected to contribute to the knowledge on maternal morbidity and perinatal deaths in Brazil, as well as the development of strategies to improve care.

O Brasil apresenta elevada morbimortalidade materna e perinatal. Casos de morbidade materna grave, near miss materno e óbitos perinatais são indicadores importantes de saúde e compartilham dos mesmos determinantes sociais, tendo estreita relação com as condições de vida e qualidade da assistência perinatal. Este artigo pretende apresentar o protocolo de estudo que visa estimar a taxa de mortalidade perinatal e a incidência de morbidade materna grave e near miss materno no país, assim como identificar seus determinantes. Trata-se de estudo transversal integrado à pesquisa Nascer no Brasil II, realizada entre 2021 e 2023. Serão incluídas neste estudo 155 maternidades públicas, mistas e privadas, com mais de 2.750 partos por ano, participantes do Nascer no Brasil II. Nessas maternidades, será realizada coleta retrospectiva de dados de prontuário materno e neonatal de todas as internações ocorridas num período de 30 dias, com aplicação de uma ficha de triagem para identificação de casos de morbidade materna e de óbito perinatal. Dados de prontuário de todos os casos identificados serão coletados após a alta hospitalar, utilizando instrumento padronizado. Casos de morbidade materna grave e near miss materno serão classificados por meio da definição adotada pela Organização Mundial da Saúde. Será estimada a taxa de mortalidade perinatal e a incidência de morbidade materna grave e near miss materno. Os casos serão comparados a controles obtidos na pesquisa Nascer no Brasil II, pareados por hospital e duração da gestação, visando a identificação de fatores associados aos desfechos negativos. Espera-se que os resultados deste artigo contribuam para o conhecimento sobre a morbidade materna e a mortalidade perinatal no país, bem como para a elaboração de estratégias de melhoria do cuidado.

Brasil tiene una alta morbimortalidad materna y perinatal. Los casos de morbilidad materna severa, maternal near miss y muertes perinatales son importantes indicadores de salud y comparten los mismos determinantes sociales, y tienen una estrecha relación con las condiciones de vida y la calidad de la asistencia perinatal. Este artículo pretende presentar el protocolo de estudio que tiene como objetivo estimar la tasa de mortalidad perinatal y la incidencia de morbilidad materna severa y maternal near miss en el país, así como identificar sus determinantes. Se trata de un estudio transversal integrado a la investigación Nacer en Brasil II, realizada entre el 2021 y el 2023. Este estudio incluirá 155 maternidades públicas, mixtas y privadas, con más de 2.750 partos al año, que participan en el Nacer en Brasil II. En estas maternidades, se realizará una recopilación retrospectiva de datos de las historias clínicas maternas y neonatales de todas las hospitalizaciones ocurridas en un período de 30 días, con la aplicación de un formulario de triaje para identificar casos de morbilidad materna y de muerte perinatal. Los datos de las historias clínicas de todos los casos identificados se recopilarán tras el alta hospitalaria, mediante un instrumento estandarizado. Los casos de morbilidad materna severa y maternal near miss se clasificarán por medio de la definición adoptada por la Organización Mundial de la Salud. Se estimará la tasa de mortalidad perinatal y la incidencia de morbilidad materna severa y maternal near miss. Los casos se compararán con los controles obtenidos en el estudio Nacer en Brasil II, emparejados por hospital y duración del embarazo, para identificar factores asociados con desenlaces negativos. Se espera que los resultados de este artículo contribuyan al conocimiento sobre la morbilidad materna y la mortalidad perinatal en el país, así como a la elaboración de estrategias para mejorar el cuidado.

Tande nou gwonde! (Hear us roar!)- Youth perspectives of maternal near-misses: Protocol for a photovoice study of young childbearing people's perspectives of maternal near-misses in northwest Haiti.

INTRODUCTION: Globally, a shift is occurring to recognize the importance of young peoples' health and well-being, their unique health challenges, and the potential they hold as key drivers of change in their communities. In Haiti, one of the four leading causes of death for those 20-24 years old is pregnancy, childbirth, and the weeks after birth or at the end of a pregnancy. Important gaps remain in existing knowledge about youth perspectives of maternal health and well-being within their communities. Youth with lived experiences of maternal near-misses are well-positioned to contribute to the understanding of maternal health in their communities and their potential role in bringing about change. OBJECTIVES: To explore and understand youth perspectives of maternal near-miss experiences that occurred in a local healthcare facility or at home in rural Haiti. METHODS: We will conduct a qualitative, community-based participatory research study regarding maternal near-miss experiences to understand current challenges and identify solutions to improve community maternal health, specifically focused on youth maternal health. We will use Photovoice to seek an understanding of the lived experiences of youth maternal near-miss survivors. Participants will be from La Pointe, a Haitian community served by their local healthcare facility. We will undertake purposeful sampling to recruit approximately 20 female youth, aged 15-24 years. Data will be generated through photos, individual interviews and small group discussions (grouped by setting of near-miss experience). Data generation and analysis are expected to occur over a three-month period. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethics approval will be sought from Centre Médical Béraca in La Pointe, Haiti, and from the Hamilton Integrated Research Ethics Board in Hamilton ON, Canada. We will involve community stakeholders, especially youth, in developing dissemination and knowledge mobilisation strategies. Our findings will be disseminated as an open access publication, be presented publicly, at conferences, and defended as part of a doctoral thesis.

Impact of social determinants of health on progression from potentially life-threatening complications to near miss events and death during pregnancy and post partum in a middle-income setting: an observational study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the potential associations between social determinants of health (SDH) and severe maternal outcomes (SMO), to better understand the social structural framework and the contributory, non-clinical mechanisms associated with SMO. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective observational study. STUDY SETTING: Tertiary referral centre in south-eastern region of India. PARTICIPANTS: One thousand and thirty-three women with potentially life-threatening complications (PLTC) were identified using WHO criteria. RISK FACTORS ASSESSED: Social Determinants of Health (SDH). PRIMARY OUTCOMES: Severe maternal outcomes, which include maternal near-miss and maternal death. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Logistic regression to assess the association between SDH and clinical factors on SMO, expressed as adjusted ORs (aOR) with a 95% CI. RESULTS: Of the 37 590 live births, 1833 (4.9%) sustained PLTC, and 380 (20.7%) developed SMO. Risk of SMO was higher with increasing maternal age (adjusted OR (aOR) 1.04 (95% CI 1.01 to 1.07)), multiparity (aOR 1.44 (1.10 to 1.90)), medical comorbidities (aOR 1.50 (1.11 to 2.02)), obstetric haemorrhage (aOR 4.63 (3.10 to 6.91)), infection (aOR 2.93 (1.83 to 4.70)), delays in seeking care (aOR 3.30 (2.08 to 5.23)), and admissions following a referral (aOR 2.95 (2.21 to 3.93)). SMO was lower in patients from socially backward community (aOR 0.45 (0.33 to 0.61)), those staying more than 10 km from hospital (aOR 0.56 (0.36 to 0.78)), those attending at least four antenatal visits (aOR=0.53 (0.36 to 0.78)) and those referred from resource-limited facilities (aOR=0.62 (0.46 to 0.84)). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the independent contribution of SDH to SMO among those sustaining PLTC in a middle-income setting, highlighting the need to formulate preventive strategies beyond clinical considerations.

Concept analysis of Neonatal Near Miss.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the concept of Neonatal Near Miss (NNM) using Walker and Avant's method. METHOD: This study employs conceptual analysis following Walker and Avant's model, involving concept selection, objective definition, identification of potential uses, determination of attributes, model case creation, additional case consideration, antecedent identification, consequent analysis, and empirical reference examination. To elucidate the concept, a scoping review was conducted across journals indexed in scientific databases such as Web of Science, EMBASE, SCOPUS, and MEDLINE/PubMed. RESULTS: The analysis encompassed 43 articles, revealing diverse definitions of neonatal near miss across different contexts. A comprehensive definition emerged from identified antecedents: risk of death, susceptibility to adverse outcomes, and potential adverse events. These antecedents were categorized into maternal conditions, neonatal conditions, and healthcare assistance. CONCLUSION: The analysis and definition of the NNM concept was successful, and its antecedents, attributes, and consequences were delineated. IMPLICATIONS: Identifying the risk factors associated with NNM cases may contribute to reducing infant morbidity and mortality and improving the quality of care, facilitating future research and improving the use of the NNM concept.

Mortalidade materna e near miss no contexto de iniquidades em saúde / Maternal mortality and near miss in the context of health inequities

Contexto - As mortes maternas, em sua maioria, são consideradas evitáveis. Near miss materno, situação de uma mulher que quase morreu devido a uma complicação materna grave, é um critério relacionado à prevenção de mortes maternas. Ambas podem ser afetadas por iniquidades em saúde. Nesse sentido, o objetivo desta revisão rápida foi identificar como as iniquidades em saúde influenciam as taxas de mortes maternas e de near miss. Pergunta - Quais são as evidências sobre as taxas de mortalidade materna e near miss no contexto de iniquidades em saúde? Métodos - As buscas de estudos primários e secundários foram realizadas em 22 de abril de 2024 nas bases de dados Lilacs - Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde (via Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde - BVS), Pubmed e Epistemonikos. A seleção de estudos foi realizada em duplicidade e de modo independente. Apenas as revisões sistemáticas foram avaliadas quanto à qualidade metodológica. Resultados - De 360 registros recuperados nas buscas, 19 estudos foram incluídos. Os estudos se referem a dados especialmente dos Estados Unidos, com foco em mulheres negras. Apenas dois estudos abordam o contexto brasileiro. Os achados foram agrupados em duas categorias: (i) iniquidades em saúde e mortalidade materna; (ii) iniquidades em saúde e near miss.

Context - Most maternal deaths are considered preventable. Maternal near miss, a situation in which a woman almost died due to a serious maternal complication, is a criterion related to the prevention of maternal deaths. Both can be affected by health inequities. In this sense, the objective of this rapid review was to identify how health inequities influence the rates of maternal deaths and near miss. Question - What is the evidence on maternal mortality and near miss rates in the context of health inequities? Methods - Searches for primary and secondary studies were carried out on April 22, 2024 in the databases Lilacs - Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (via the Virtual Health Library - VHL), Pubmed and Epistemonikos. Study selection was performed in duplicate and independently. Only systematic reviews were assessed for methodological quality. Results - Of 360 records retrieved in the searches, 19 studies were included. The studies refer to data especially from the United States, with a focus on black women. Only two studies address the Brazilian context. The findings were grouped into two categories: (i) health inequities and maternal mortality; (ii) health inequities and near miss.

Development of a trigger tool to identify harmful incidents, no harm incidents, and near misses in prehospital emergency care.

BACKGROUND: Emergency Medical Services (EMS) are a unique setting because care for the chief complaint is given across all ages in a complex and high-risk environment that may pose a threat to patient safety. Traditionally, a reporting system is commonly used to raise awareness of adverse events (AEs); however, it could fail to detect an AE. Several methods are needed to evaluate patient safety in EMS. In this light, this study was conducted to (1) develop a national ambulance trigger tool (ATT) with a guide containing descriptions of triggers, examples of use, and categorization of near misses (NMs), no harm incidents (NHIs), and harmful incidents (HIs) and (2) use the ATT on randomly selected ambulance records. METHODS: The ambulance trigger tool was developed in a stepwise manner through (1) a literature review; (2) three sessions of structured group discussions with an expert panel having knowledge of emergency medical service, patient safety, and development of trigger tools; (3) a retrospective record review of 900 randomly selected journals with three review teams from different geographical locations; and (4) inter-rater reliability testing between reviewers. RESULTS: From the literature review, 34 triggers were derived. After removing clinically irrelevant ones and combining others through three sessions of structured discussions, 19 remained. The most common triggers identified in the 900 randomly selected records were deviation from treatment guidelines (30.4%), the patient is non conveyed after EMS assessment (20.8%), and incomplete documentation (14.4%). The positive triggers were categorized as a near miss (40.9%), no harm (3.7%), and harmful incident (0.2%). Inter-rater reliability testing showed good agreement in both sessions. CONCLUSION: This study shows that a trigger tool together with a retrospective record review can be used as a method to measure the frequency of harmful incidents, no harm incidents, and near misses in the EMS, thus complementing the traditional reporting system to realize increased patient safety.

Using the WHO individual near miss case review (NMCR) cycle to improve quality of emergency obstetric care and maternal outcome in Keren hospital, Eritrea: an interrupted time series analysis.

BACKGROUND: In 2016, the WHO regional office for Europe prepared a manual for conducting routine facility based individual near miss case review cycle. This study evaluates the effectiveness of the individual near miss case review (NMCR) cycle in improving quality of emergency obstetric care and maternal outcome in Keren hospital. METHODS: An interrupted time series design was used to achieve the objectives of this study. Monthly data on women with potentially life-threatening conditions (PLTCs) admitted between April 2018 and October 2022 (i.e. 33 months pre-implementation and 22 months post-implementation) were collected from medical records. Segmented regression analysis was used to assess the intervention's effect on three process and outcome measures, namely, SMO, delayed care, and substandard care. The intervention was expected a priori to show immediate improvements without time-lag followed by gradual increment in slope. Segmented regression analyses were performed using the "itsa' command in STATA. RESULTS: During the entire study period, 4365 women with potentially life threatening conditions were identified. There was a significant reduction in the post-implementation period in the proportion of mothers with PLTC who experienced SMO (- 8.86; p <  0.001), delayed care (- 8.76; p <  0.001) and substandard care (- 5.58; p <  0.001) compared to pre-implementation period. Results from the segmented regression analysis revealed that the percentage of women with SMO showed a significant 4.75% (95% CI: - 6.95 to - 2.54, p <  0.001) reduction in level followed by 0.28 percentage points monthly (95% CI: - 0.37 to - 0.14, p <  0.001) drop in trend. Similarly, a significant drop of 3.50% (95% CI: - 4.74 to - 2.26, p <  0.001) in the level of substandard care along with a significant decrease of 0.21 percentage points (95% CI: - 0.28 to - 0.14, p < 0.001) in the slope of the regression line was observed. The proportion of women who received delayed care also showed a significant 7% (95% CI: - 9.28 to - 4.68, p < 0.001) reduction in post-implementation level without significant change in slope. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the WHO individual NMCR cycle was associated with substantial improvements in quality of emergency obstetric care and maternal outcome. The intervention also bears a great potential for scaling-up following the guidance provided in the WHO NMCR manual.

Activation of the native PHYTOENE SYNTHASE 1 promoter by modifying near-miss cis-acting elements induces carotenoid biosynthesis in embryogenic rice callus.

KEY MESSAGE: Modification of silent latent endosperm-enabled promoters (SLEEPERs) allows the ectopic activation of non-expressed metabolic genes in rice callus Metabolic engineering in plants typically involves transgene expression or the mutation of endogenous genes. An alternative is promoter modification, where small changes in the promoter sequence allow genes to be switched on or off in particular tissues. To activate silent genes in rice endosperm, we screened native promoters for near-miss cis-acting elements that can be converted to endosperm-active regulatory motifs. We chose rice PHYTOENE SYNTHASE 1 (PSY1), encoding the enzyme responsible for the first committed step in the carotenoid biosynthesis pathway, because it is not expressed in rice endosperm. We identified six motifs within a 120-bp region, upstream of the transcriptional start site, which differed from endosperm-active elements by up to four nucleotides. We mutated four motifs to match functional elements in the endosperm-active BCH2 promoter, and this promoter was able to drive GFP expression in callus and in seeds of regenerated plants. The 4 M promoter was not sufficient to drive PSY1 expression, so we mutated the remaining two elements and used the resulting 6 M promoter to drive PSY1 expression in combination with a PDS transgene. This resulted in deep orange callus tissue indicating the accumulation of carotenoids, which was subsequently confirmed by targeted metabolomics analysis. PSY1 expression driven by the uncorrected or 4 M variants of the promoter plus a PDS transgene produced callus that lacked carotenoids. These results confirm that the adjustment of promoter elements can facilitate the ectopic activation of endogenous plant promoters in rice callus and endosperm and most likely in other tissues and plant species.