Transition of patients with Gaucher disease type 1 from pediatric to adult care: results from two international surveys of patients and health care professionals.

Introduction: Gaucher disease (GD) is a rare, autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder caused by a deficiency in the enzyme glucocerebrosidase. The most common subtype in Europe and the USA, type 1 (GD1), is characterized by fatigue, cytopenia, splenomegaly, hepatomegaly, bone disease, and rarely pulmonary disease. Increased life expectancy brought about by improved treatments has led to new challenges for adolescents and their transition to adult care. Efficient healthcare transition to adult care is essential to manage the long-term age-related complications of the disease. Methods: This international study consisted of two online surveys: one survey for patients with GD1 and one survey for healthcare professionals (HCPs) involved in treatment of patients with GD1. The aims of this international, multi-center project were to evaluate the current transition process in various countries and to understand the challenges that both HCPs and patients experience. Results: A total of 45 patients and 26 HCPs took part in the survey, representing 26 countries. Our data showed that a third (11/33) of patients were aware of transition clinics and most stated that the clinic involved patients with metabolic diseases or with GD. Seven patients attended a transition clinic, where most patients (5/7) received an explanation of the transition process. Approximately half of HCPs (46%; 12/26) had a transition clinic coordinator in their healthcare center, and 10 of HCPs had a transition clinic for patients with metabolic diseases in their healthcare center. HCPs reported that transition clinics were comprised of multi-disciplinary teams, with most patients over the age of 18 years old managed by hematology specialists. The main challenges of the transition process reported by HCPs included limited funding, lack of expertise and difficulty coordinating care amongst different specialties. Discussion: Our study demonstrates the lack of a standardized process, the need to raise awareness of transition clinics amongst patients and the differences between the transition process in different countries. Both patients and HCPs expressed the need for a specialist individual responsible for transition, efficient coordination between pediatricians and adult specialists and for patient visits to the adult center prior to final transition of care.

Midwife-attended planned home births versus planned hospital births in Spain: Maternal and neonatal outcomes.

BACKGROUND: The debate on the safety and outcomes of home versus hospital births highlights the need for evidence-based evaluations of these birthing settings, particularly in Catalonia where both options are available. AIM: To compare sociodemographic characteristics and maternal and neonatal outcomes between low-risk women opting for home versus hospital births in Catalonia, Spain. METHODS: This observational cross-sectional study analysed 3,463 low-risk births between 2016 and 2018, including 2,713 hospital and 750 home births. Researchers collected sociodemographic data, birthing processes, and outcomes, using statistical analysis to explore differences between the settings. FINDINGS: Notable differences emerged: Women choosing home births typically had higher education levels and were predominantly Spanish. They were 3.43 times more likely to have a spontaneous birth and significantly less likely to undergo instrumental births than those in hospitals. Home births were associated with higher utilization of non-pharmacological analgesia and a more pronounced tendency to iniciate breastfeeding within the first hour post birth and stronger inclination towards breastfeeding. Hospital births, conversely, showed higher use of the lithotomy position and epidural analgesia. There were no significant differences in neonatal outcomes between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATION FOR PRACTICE: Home births managed by midwives offered better obstetric and neonatal outcomes for low-risk women than hospital births. These results suggest home birth as a safe, viable option that promotes natural birthing processes and reduces medical interventions. The study supports the integration of midwife-led home birth into public health policies, affirming its benefits for maternal and neonatal health.

The Crucial Role of Empowerment in Engaging Adolescents and Young Adults for Independence: Essential Strategies and Skills for a Successful Transition.

BACKGROUND: An increasing number of pediatric solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients are surviving into adolescence and young adulthood. The transition from pediatric to adult-oriented care occurs during a unique and vulnerable period. METHODS: Presented here is a structured approach to healthcare transition (HCT) for adolescent and young adult SOT recipients aimed at optimizing independence in order to assist young patients with adherence, self-management, and improved quality of life. RESULTS: Close attention must be paid to neurocognitive development, mental well-being, and social determinants of health. CONCLUSIONS: These efforts require a multidisciplinary team approach as well as collaboration between pediatric and adult providers in order to achieve these goals and patient longevity.

"Crafting a 'TransitionOmeter': A Proposed Framework for Developing and Honing Capabilities of Young People Transitioning to Adult Healthcare Services."

This paper focuses on an innovative approach to preparing children and young people, with Spina Bifida, to move from child-centered to adult-oriented healthcare systems. Reflecting on our role in delivering a national nurse led service, we set to identify and critique international transition tools in use for this population. Specifically, we aimed to identify the core capabilities and indicators of progression to successful transition, so that holistic interventions could be planned to match the needs of individuals and their carers. There were two phases to the study, initially focusing on a systematic literature review on transition tools and the specific items that these tools captured, including skills, abilities and behaviors. Phase two culminated in the articulation of a segmented and incremental "road map", aligned with facets deemed essential for a successful healthcare transition. The reporting of the literature review (phase one) followed the PRISMA guidelines and shaped the qualitative element of the study (phase two) through the use of semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis. The search strategy yielded 11 studies, which were then manually searched for other relevant literature, adding a further 14 articles. The review analyzed 7 specific tools for spina bifida and 8 generic tools, which were deemed appropriate for this group of patients. A comprehensive list of core capabilities was then articulated and framed to fit a progression timeline. Specific interventions were formulated to explore ways to co-produce resources that could enhance and support a planned transition to adult-focused services. Our proposed mapping of capabilities and progression could shape other transition programs, where nurses work collaboratively with young people, carers and other members of a team. More work is needed to further explore and embed the framework that, as we did, could be digitized and shared with all stakeholders involved in the transition process.

Health-related quality of life and self-reported health status in adolescents with chronic health conditions before transfer of care to adult health care: an international cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Heath-related quality of life (HRQoL) is lower in adolescents with chronic health conditions compared to healthy peers. While there is evidence of some differences according to the underlying condition and gender, differences by measure and country are poorly understood. In this study we focus on the differences in HRQoL in adolescents with various chronic medical conditions in the year before transfer of care to adult health services. We also study the associations of two different HRQoL measurements to each other and to self-reported health. METHODS: We recruited 538 adolescents from New Children`s Hospital, Helsinki, Finland, and the Royal Children`s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia in 2017-2020. We used two validated HRQoL measurement instruments, Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) and 16D, and a visual analog scale (VAS) for self-reported health status. RESULTS: In total, 512 adolescents (50.4% female, mean age 17.8 [SD 1.2] years), completed the survey measures. Higher HRQoL was reported in males than females in both countries (PedsQL 79.4 vs. 74.1; 16D 0.888 vs. 0.846), and in adolescents from Finland than Australia (80.6 vs. 72.2 and 0.905 vs. 0.825, p < 0.001 for all). Adolescents with diabetes, rheumatological, nephrological conditions and/or organ transplants had higher HRQoL than adolescents with neurological conditions or other disease syndromes (p < 0.001). PedsQL and 16D scores showed a strong correlation to each other (Spearman correlation coefficient r = 0.81). Using the 7-point VAS (1-7), 52% (248 of 479) considered their health status to be good (6-7) and 10% (48 of 479) rated it poor (1-2). Better self-reported health was associated with higher HRQoL. CONCLUSIONS: The HRQoL of transition aged adolescents varies between genders, diagnostic groups, and countries of residence. The association between self-reported health and HRQoL suggests that brief assessment using the VAS could identify adolescents who may benefit from in-depth HRQoL evaluation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Trial registration name The Bridge and registration number NCT04631965 ( https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04631965 ).

The effectiveness of an education program based on healthcare transition in adolescents with asthma: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Adolescents diagnosed with asthma make a transition to adult care when they reach a certain age. Besides, these adolescents need specialized education for them to become autonomous, competent, and adult patients and gain the necessary knowledge and skills related to their disease. In this study, by using a prospective randomized controlled trial design, we evaluated the effectiveness of an education program based on healthcare transition provided to adolescents diagnosed with asthma. METHODS: After obtaining the consent of adolescents and their parents, 52 adolescents aged between 14 and 18 years who were diagnosed with asthma were randomly assigned to the intervention group (individual four face-to-face and six online education sessions) or the control group (standard care). The primary outcome was the differences between the Transition Readiness Assessment Questionnaire (TRAQ) scores of the two groups. The secondary outcomes included the differences between the Self-Efficacy Scale for Children and Adolescents with Asthma and Mind the Gap scores of the two groups. The outcomes were measured at two different time points: baseline (first assessment; Week 0) and immediately after the intervention (last assessment; Week 12). RESULTS: In the initial evaluations, there was no significant difference between the groups in terms of the primary or secondary outcomes (p > .05). In the final assessments, the TRAQ (Z = -4.740, p < .001) and Self-Efficacy Scale for Children and Adolescents with Asthma (t = 6.344, p < .001) scores of the intervention group were found to be significantly higher than the scores of the control group, while their Mind the Gap Scale scores were significantly lower (t = 6.146, p < .001). CONCLUSION: It was determined that the educational intervention integrated with pediatric care based on readiness for transition from pediatric care to adult care was effective in increasing the transition readiness and self-efficacy of the adolescents. The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov with the ID code NCT05550922.

Transition readiness and anxiety among adolescents with a chronic condition and their parents: A cross-sectional international study.

AIMS: To evaluate associations of age, transition readiness and anxiety in adolescents with chronic conditions and to compare perceptions of adolescents and their parents regarding health self-management and transition readiness. DESIGN: Cross-sectional international study, reported following STROBE guidelines. METHODS: Adolescents and young adults (N = 512, mean age 17.7) with a chronic medical condition and their parents (N = 322) from Finland and Australia. Data were collected through surveys (between September 2017 and December 2020). Adolescents reported the duration of their condition. Age at survey was defined by the response date of the questionnaires. Validated questionnaires were used to measure transition readiness (Am I ON TRAC? for Adult Care) and anxiety related to transition of care (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory short form). Perceptions of health self-management and transition readiness were compared in adolescent/parent dyads. Associations were explored using Spearman's correlation. RESULTS: Duration of condition and age at survey correlated weakly with transition readiness knowledge and behaviour. Higher transition readiness knowledge scores correlated with higher behaviour scores. Higher transition readiness behaviour scores were associated with lower levels of anxiety. Adolescents were less anxious than their parents and adolescents and parents mostly agreed about health self-management and transition readiness. CONCLUSION: Transition readiness should be determined by an assessment of knowledge, self-management and psychosocial skills instead of age alone. Further research should address how well transition readiness predicts positive health outcomes after the transfer of care. IMPLICATIONS FOR PATIENT CARE: Transition readiness and self-management skills should be formally assessed because positive feedback may decrease the anxiety of both adolescents and their parents regarding the transfer of care. REPORTING METHOD: We have adhered to the STROBE statement, using STROBE checklist for cross-sectional studies. PATIENT OR PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT STATEMENT: No patient or public involvement. TRIAL AND PROTOCOL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.org NCT04631965.

Course of an unplanned and unexpected pregnancy in a 39 year-old patient with Complex bladder extrophy: a case report.

BACKGROUND: With improved operative techniques pregnancy rates have been rising in patients with anomalies of the extrophy-epispadias-complex, including also female patients with bladder extrophy. Specific risks around pregnancy need to be addressed sufficiently beforehand. CASE PRESENTATION: An unplanned pregnancy was detected at 34 weeks in a 39-year old White female patient with former complex bladder extrophy. Decades after her operation she had not received any follow-up medical care and believed to be unable to conceive due to her anomaly. Thus no contraceptive matters were taken. The patient had lived in a stable relationship with regular sexual intercourse for many years. Until 34 weeks the pregnancy was uncomplicated, but then uterine prolapse and signs of beginning pre-eclampsia appeared, and a healthy girl was born with cesarean section. CONCLUSION: As patients with bladder extrophy and other anomalies from the extrophy-epispadias-complex reach adolescence/adulthood, they need continuous medical follow-up and transition of care to adult surgery and gynecology in order to address specific aspects of sexual health, reproduction, contraception, and also cancer screening. In the presented case lack of transition of care resulted in an unplanned and complicated pregnancy.

Evaluating adult care in Dravet syndrome upon transferring from pediatrics in the U.S.: A caregiver-based survey study.

Patients with Dravet syndrome (DS) and their caregivers must navigate a complex process upon transitioning from pediatric to adult healthcare settings. Our study examines the state of care transfer of patients with DS in the U.S. A 34-question e-survey evaluating patient demographics, clinical features, and details of the transfer process was sent to caregivers of adults with DS (≥18 years old) residing in the U.S. through the Dravet Syndrome Foundation. Forty-six responses were included in the analysis. Twenty-nine patients (n = 29/46) did not undergo transfer of care - mostly because they were still followed by pediatric neurologists/epileptologists (71%), whereas 17 (n = 17/46) underwent transfer of care. Adult neurology/epilepsy teams providing care never/rarely included a multidisciplinary team (71%), addressed patients' self-advocacy capabilities (53%), or legal guardianship/end-of-life decision-making (59%). Adult neurology/epilepsy teams were considered very much attentive/available (63%), attentive and accommodating to patients with behavioral/cognitive issues (50%), and knowledgeable about caring for patients with intellectual disability/behavioral issues (63%), collaborating with caregivers (75%), and DS - especially in adults (50%). Most caregivers (62.5%) rated the transfer process as good, very good, or excellent. Patients with DS and their caregivers would benefit from more accessible transition programs, which would be ideally equipped to deliver care tailored to these patients' needs.

The Warmest of Handoffs: A Neighborhood Physician's Transfer of Care.

Transitioning care of a patient from an outgoing to an incoming physician provides a precious opportunity to transfer knowledge and trust. We explore this process from the perspectives of 2 practitioners, an incoming physician who recently completed training and a retiring physician leaving a practice of 40 years. The method we arrived at for this transfer provided the space for collaboration on what the essence of caring for a unique individual will entail. We discovered that a handoff of care is the intergenerational transfer of culture. It involves worrying and watching and relaxing into hopefulness. It is both witnessing and launching a life's work. It is reliving and inheriting and reinventing relationship.

Health care transition planning for adolescents and emerging adults with intellectual disabilities and developmental disabilities: Distinctions and challenges.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this article is to provide the reader with insight and enhanced understanding of the health care transition planning process for adolescents and emerging adults with intellectual disabilities and developmental disabilities. There are distinctly different programmatic considerations that need to be addressed in advancing their transfer of care to adult providers and promoting their transition to adulthood. These differences are due in part to the federal and state legislative initiatives that were established in the education, rehabilitation, employment, and developmental disabilities service systems. In contrast, no comparable federal and state mandates exist in the system of health care. The legislative mandates in education, rehabilitation, and employment are presented and discussed as well as the federal legislation on rights and protections for individuals with intellectual disabilities and developmental disabilities. Consequently, health care transition (HCT) planning involves application of a framework of care that is characteristically different than the planning efforts undertaken for adolescents and emerging adults (AEA) with special health care needs (SHCN)/disabilities and for typically developing AEA. The best practice HCT recommendations are discussed in the context of this intellectual disabilities and developmental disabilities framework of care. CONCLUSIONS: Health care transition planning for adolescents and emerging adults with intellectual disabilities and developmental disabilities involves additional and distinctly clinical and programmatic models of care. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Health care transition planning guidance for adolescents and emerging adults with intellectual disabilities and developmental disabilities are provided based upon best practice recommendations.

Transferring critical pediatric patients from emergency department to intensive care: A quality improvement initiative.

BACKGROUND: Transfer of care, moving hospitalized patients between care areas, is a critical point of vulnerability for healthcare organizations. Patient information handoff is an essential activity occurring frequently in hospital environments. Poor communication has been linked with adverse events and poor patient outcomes. This evidence-based quality project aimed to enhance the handoff process between the Emergency Department (ED) and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) by standardizing transfer of care steps. This was accomplished through customizing a reporting tool to contain all the information the receiving department deemed necessary for safe patient care. METHODS: A customized situation, background, assessment, recommendation (SBAR) form handoff tool was developed for ED to PICU transfers. This SBAR tool included information that PICU nurses identified as critical to transfer of care. Nurse perceptions were surveyed pre- and post-implementation. Patient safety event reports were tracked to evaluate events related to transfer of care before and after the practice change. FINDINGS: An increased number of PICU nurses agreed the customized handoff tool was complete and organized. Additionally, more nurses agreed that handoff gave all information needed to safely care for critically ill patients transferred from the ED. Lastly, bedside patient checks increased, and patient safety events related to transfer of care decreased. DISCUSSION: This project demonstrated that implementation of a standardized transfer of care process coupled with a customized handoff tool increased PICU nurse perceptions that handoff was organized, and all information needed to safely care for critically ill patients was conveyed. APPLICATION TO PRACTICE: Transfer of care processes between the ED and PICU should be standardized. The use of customized tools may improve information exchange between nurses and ensure that all vital patient information is communicated.

Houston Methodist Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Guidelines.

Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (RAAA) is an acute aortic condition that requires emergent intervention and appropriate continuity of care to optimize patient outcomes. We describe the standardized RAAA protocol at the Houston Methodist Hospital Acute Aortic Treatment Center, developed to navigate critical patient transfer periods safely and efficiently, make crucial decisions about surgical intervention, and clearly communicate these plans with other care team providers. Our workflow is organized into five phases: prehospital, preoperative, intraoperative, postoperative, and post-discharge. We identify the transfer center, anesthesia, operating room nursing staff, surgeons, and intensive care unit as key entities of our acute aortic pathology care team. This systematic protocol for the management of acute aortic emergencies such as RAAA identifies critical decision points, potential complications at each stage, and recommendations for best practice.

Barriers and Opportunities for the Use of Digital Tools in Medicines Optimization Across the Interfaces of Care: Stakeholder Interviews in the United Kingdom.

BACKGROUND: People with long-term conditions frequently transition between care settings that require information about a patient's medicines to be transferred or translated between systems. This process is currently error prone and associated with unintentional changes to medications and miscommunication, which can lead to serious patient consequences. One study estimated that approximately 250,000 serious medication errors occur in England when a patient transitions from hospital to home. Digital tools can equip health care professionals with the right information at the right time and place to support practice. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to answer the following questions: what systems are being used to transfer information across interfaces of care within a region of England? and what are the challenges and potential opportunities for more effective cross-sector working to support medicines optimization? METHODS: A team of researchers at Newcastle University conducted a qualitative study by performing in-depth semistructured interviews with 23 key stakeholders in medicines optimization and IT between January and March 2022. The interviews lasted for approximately 1 hour. The interviews and field notes were transcribed and analyzed using the framework approach. The themes were discussed, refined, and applied systematically to the data set. Member checking was also performed. RESULTS: This study revealed themes and subthemes pertaining to 3 key areas: transfer of care issues, challenges of digital tools, and future hopes and opportunities. We identified a major complexity in terms of the number of different medicine management systems used throughout the region. There were also important challenges owing to incomplete patient records. We also highlighted the barriers related to using multiple systems and their subsequent impact on user workflow, a lack of interoperability between systems, gaps in the availability of digital data, and poor IT and change management. Finally, participants described their hopes and opportunities for the future provision of medicines optimization services, and there was a clear need for a patient-centered consolidated integrated health record for use by all health and care professionals across different sectors, bridging those working in primary, secondary, and social care. CONCLUSIONS: The effectiveness and utility of shared records depend on the data within; therefore, health care and digital leaders must support and strongly encourage the adoption of established and approved digital information standards. Specific priorities regarding understanding of the vision for pharmacy services and supporting this with appropriate funding arrangements and strategic planning of the workforce were also described. In addition, the following were identified as key enablers to harness the benefits of digital tools to support future medicines optimization: development of minimal system requirements; enhanced IT system management to reduce unnecessary repetition; and importantly, meaningful and continued collaboration with clinical and IT stakeholders to optimize systems and share good practices across care sectors.

Facilitating the transfer of care from secondary to primary care: a scoping review to understand the role of pharmacists in general practice.

BACKGROUND: Limited published research exists on the role of pharmacists in general practice (primary care pharmacists) in facilitating post-hospital discharge care of patients. AIM: To summarise and map the nature and extent of current evidence on the role of primary care pharmacists in facilitating patient discharge from secondary to primary care and to inform future practice and research. METHOD: Six electronic databases were systematically searched from inception to March 2022 for studies published in the English language that described and/or evaluated primary care pharmacist-led interventions for patients following hospital discharge. Grey literature and reference lists of included studies were also searched. Two authors independently screened articles for selection. A structured, pilot-tested form was used for data extraction. RESULTS: Twenty articles were included. The majority of studies (n = 17; 85%) were conducted in the USA. The most frequently reported intervention made by primary care pharmacists were medication reviews (n = 18) and medication reconciliation (n = 16). Studies have demonstrated the emerging roles of pharmacists involving collaboration with other healthcare professionals, review of laboratory monitoring, referrals, and follow-up. A wide range of outcomes such as the impact on hospital readmission rates, healthcare utilisation and reduction of potential adverse drug events were reported. CONCLUSION: Pharmacists in general practice can offer a range of interventions in facilitating transfer of care of patients from secondary to primary care with positive patient and healthcare utilisation outcomes. However, more rigorous research evidence is required to establish the effectiveness, generalisability, acceptability, and sustainability of these services.

The development of a transition medical home utilizing the individualized transition plan (ITP) model for patients with complex diseases of childhood.

BACKGROUND: Advances in medicine and technology, have enabled greater numbers of children with complex illness to survive into adulthood. Adolescents with these conditions are at high risk for adverse outcomes when transitioning to adult health care. The "Staging Transition for Every Patient" (STEP) Program was developed to systematically improve the transition from pediatric to adult healthcare. OBJECTIVE: This article details the development of the STEP program and the novel use of "Individualized Transition Plans" (ITP) in the clinic setting. METHODS: A provider needs' assessment of the existing transition services among youth with specific diagnoses was performed, a steering committee was developed that created a transition policy, and a medical home within the adult system was established with an interdisciplinary approach. The ITP focuses on 5 individualized goals, it was developed and tested with the first-year cohort of patients. RESULTS: In the initial needs assessment, 7 of 35 diagnoses were found to have an effective transition plan. The STEP program partnered with departments across the adult facility to conduct 267 interdisciplinary patient visits. In the first year, 169 new patients were seen in the clinic. The average age was 23.0 ± 4.1 years old. The ITP goals included referrals to adult specialists, advanced care planning, career and education, transition readiness, caregiver burden, and an emergency sick plan. CONCLUSION: There is a need for organized transition care for medically complex youth. The STEP program answers that need by addressing the unique needs of each patient. Individualized transition planning builds trust and addresses multiple domains of health.

Transition from paediatric to adult care in young people with diabetes; A structured programme from a regional diabetes service, Auckland, New Zealand.

AIM: To assess participation with a structured transition programme for adolescents with diabetes. METHODS: Data from a regional cohort aged less than 16 years of age with type 1 (T1) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) in Auckland, New Zealand (2006-2016). Participation was defined as opting into a structured transition programme. RESULTS: Five hundrend and twelve adolescents who were to be transferred to adult care (476 type 1 (T1D) and 36 type 2 (T2D)), overall participation rate of 83%, 86% (408/476) with T1D compared to 47% (17/36) with T2D. Within the cohort of T1D, participation rates for Maori and Pacific were lower (74% and 77%, respectively) than New Zealand Europeans (88%, p = 0.020 and p = 0.039, respectively). Lower socio-economic status was associated with reduced participation (77%) compared to higher socio-economic status (90%, p = 0.002). Of the 476 T1D who participated, 408 (96%) subsequently attended at least one adult service clinic ("capture"). 42% attended an adult clinic within the planned 3 months, 87% at 6 months and retention in adult clinics over 5 years of follow-up was 78%. By contrast, the 68 young people with T1D who did not participate in the structured transition had a capture rate of 78% (p < 0.001) and retention of 63% (p = 0.036). CONCLUSIONS: In adolescents with diabetes, a formal transition from a paediatric service was associated with high rates of adult capture and subsequent retention in adult care over a 5-year follow-up period. Low socio-economic status, Maori or Pacific ethnicity and T2D were associated with reduced participation in the structured transition programme.

A Culturally Competent Approach to Discharge Planning and Transfer of Care.

Culturally competent discharge planning and transfer of care play a leading role in communication and the effective provision of high-quality care to patients from diverse sociocultural backgrounds. However, no standardization has been established. Here, we present the case of a Spanish-speaking patient discharged with instructions in English on two separate occasions, which resulted in readmission and deleterious outcomes. We emphasize the need to provide a safe and culturally competent transition of care.

Role of primary care pharmacists in the post-hospital discharge care of patients: a scoping review protocol.

BACKGROUND: Evidence has shown that there is a significant problem with medication safety when patients are transferred between settings. The role of community pharmacists and hospital pharmacists in facilitating transition of care has been well-researched. However, with the developing role of pharmacists in general practice as part of a multi-disciplinary team, little is known about their role in improving transition of care when patients move from secondary to primary care. The key objective of this scoping review is to understand the nature and extent of the role of primary care pharmacists for patients recently discharged from secondary care. METHODS: This scoping review will follow the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for scoping review underpinned by the Arksey and O'Malley methodology and reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. The following electronic databases will be systematically searched: MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Web of Science and NICE Evidence. Reference lists of included full texts will be searched for relevant papers, in addition to grey literature which includes websites of relevant professional organisations. Primary studies, published in the English language that involved a primary care pharmacist-led intervention post-hospital discharge will be included. Two independent reviewers will screen studies against eligibility criteria and use a piloted data extraction form to extract data related to the review questions. The data will be presented in tabular form and assessed for key themes to identify gaps and inform future research. DISCUSSION: This scoping review will map current evidence surrounding the role of primary care pharmacists in the post-hospital discharge care of patients. Findings will inform ongoing research to support safer transfer-of-care post-hospital discharge and identify ways in which collaboration between healthcare professionals can be improved. This review anticipates guiding the inclusion of patient and public involvement (PPI) at the consultation stage to validate and build on the findings.

Reducing delayed transfer of care in older people: A qualitative study of barriers and facilitators to shorter hospital stays.

INTRODUCTION: Growing numbers of older patients occupy hospital beds despite being 'medically fit' for discharge. These Delayed Transfers of Care amplify inefficiencies in care and can cause harm. Delayed transfer because of family or patient choice is common; yet, research on patient and family perspectives is scarce. To identify barriers to, and facilitators of, shorter hospital stays, we sought to understand older people's and caregivers' thoughts and feelings about the benefits and harms of being in hospital and the decisions made at discharge. METHODS: A multimethod qualitative study was carried out. Content analysis was carried out of older people's experiences of health or care services submitted to the Care Opinion online website, followed by telephone and video interviews with older people and family members of older people experiencing a hospital stay in the previous 12 months. RESULTS: Online accounts provide insight into how care was organized for older people in the hospital, including deficiencies in care organization, the discharge process and communication, as well as how care was experienced by older people and family members. Interview-generated themes included shared meanings of hospitalization and discharge experiences and the context of discharge decisions including failure in communication systems, unwarranted variation and lack of confidence in care and lack of preparation for ongoing care. CONCLUSION: Poor quality and availability of information, and poor communication, inhibit effective transfer of care. Communication is fundamental to patient-centred care and even more important in discharge models characterized by limited assessments and quicker discharge. Interventions at the service level and targeted patient information about what to expect in discharge assessments and after discharge could help to address poor communication and support for improving discharge of older people from hospital. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: The Frailty Oversight Group, a small group of older people providing oversight of the Community Aging Research 75+ study, provided feedback on the research topic and level of interest, the draft data collection tools and the feasibility of collecting data with older people during the COVID-19 pandemic. The group also reviewed preliminary findings and provided feedback on our interpretation.