A qualitative investigation of paediatric intensive care staff attitudes towards the diagnosis of lower respiratory tract infection in the molecular diagnostics era.

Background: In the past decade, molecular diagnostic syndromic arrays incorporating a range of bacterial and viral pathogens have been described. It is unclear how paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) staff diagnose lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) and integrate diagnostic array results into antimicrobial decision-making. Methods: An online survey with eleven questions was distributed throughout paediatric intensive care societies in the UK, continental Europe and Australasia with a total of 755 members. Participants were asked to rate the clinical factors and investigations they used when prescribing for LRTI. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with staff who participated in a single-centre observational study of a 52-pathogen diagnostic array. Results: Seventy-two survey responses were received; most responses were from senior doctors. Whilst diagnostic arrays were used less frequently than routine investigations (i.e. microbiological culture), they were of comparable perceived utility when making antimicrobial decisions. Prescribers reported that for arrays to be clinically impactful, they would need to deliver results within 6 h for stable patients and within 1 h for unstable patients to inform their immediate decision to prescribe antimicrobials. From 16 staff interviews, we identified that arrays were helpful for the diagnosis and screening of bacterial LRTI. Staff reported it could be challenging to interpret results in some cases due to the high sensitivity of the test. Therefore, results were considered within the context of the patient and discussed within the multidisciplinary team. Conclusions: Diagnostic arrays were considered of comparable value to microbiological investigations by PICU prescribers. Our findings support the need for further clinical and economic evaluation of diagnostic arrays in a randomised control trial. Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT04233268. Registered on 18 January 2020. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s44253-023-00008-z.

Australian Genomics: Outcomes of a 5-year national program to accelerate the integration of genomics in healthcare.

Australian Genomics is a national collaborative partnership of more than 100 organizations piloting a whole-of-system approach to integrating genomics into healthcare, based on federation principles. In the first five years of operation, Australian Genomics has evaluated the outcomes of genomic testing in more than 5,200 individuals across 19 rare disease and cancer flagship studies. Comprehensive analyses of the health economic, policy, ethical, legal, implementation and workforce implications of incorporating genomics in the Australian context have informed evidence-based change in policy and practice, resulting in national government funding and equity of access for a range of genomic tests. Simultaneously, Australian Genomics has built national skills, infrastructure, policy, and data resources to enable effective data sharing to drive discovery research and support improvements in clinical genomic delivery.

Providing sealants at the general anaesthetic assessment visit for children requiring caries-related dental extractions under general anaesthetic: a pilot randomised controlled trial.

Introduction Children experiencing a caries-related dental general anaesthetic (GA) are at high risk of developing new caries. It is thus important to maximise opportunities for prevention.Aim To undertake a pilot randomised controlled clinical trial (RCT) to assess the feasibility of delivering and evaluating the effectiveness of sealing sound permanent molars at the pre-GA assessment appointment in children needing caries-related extractions under GA.Methods Children (5-15 years) scheduled for GA extractions at Birmingham Dental Hospital were randomised to control or sealant groups. At the pre-GA assessment appointment, sound permanent molars were sealed. Participants were followed up at two years.Results In total, 132 children were assessed for eligibility and 100 randomised (50 control, 50 sealant). Forty-nine children in the intervention group had sealants applied. At two years, 82 children returned for follow-up (43 control, 39 sealant). Sealants were retained on 93.5% (244/261) of surfaces sealed at baseline. Overall, 42% (n = 18) of control group participants had dentine caries in at least one permanent molar that was sound at baseline compared with none in the sealant group.Conclusion Following caries-related extractions under GA, children are at high risk of developing new caries in permanent molars that were sound at the time of the GA. Sealant placement during the pre-GA assessment visit is feasible and may reduce caries incidence in this vulnerable group. High-risk families were found to be reliable study participants.

Relationship between inflammation and metabolic regulation of energy expenditure by GLP-1 in critically ill children.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Critical illness is associated with derangement in the metabolic and inflammatory response. Previous investigators have highlighted the cross-link between feeding, inflammation and gut homeostasis. Glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a gut derived hormone that plays an important role in the modulation of energy metabolism through appetite regulation and promotion of gastric motility. Growing evidence suggests that GLP-1 might influence energy expenditure. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between inflammatory activation and metabolic regulation of energy expenditure by assessing cytokine release, levels of GLP-1 and energy expenditure in a cohort of critically ill children. METHOD: This is a prospective study conducted in critically ill children. A blood sample was collected from each child during the first few days of critical illness, for the analysis of serum inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-10, IL-6 and IL-1ß) and GLP-1 in 42 children. Indirect calorimetry (IC) measurements were performed concurrently in a subset of 21 children. The metabolic index was determined using the ratio of Measured Resting Energy Expenditure (MREE)/Predicted Resting Energy Expenditure (PREE) based on the Schofield equation. Correlation analysis was performed, followed by a stepwise linear regression analysis to assess factors affecting GLP-1 and the metabolic index. RESULTS: A total of 42 children (0-14 years) were included in this study. The regression analysis indicated that CRP, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1ß statistically influenced GLP-1 concentrations (p < 0.01). Where IC measurements were performed (N = 21), GLP-1 showed a statistically significant association with the metabolic index (p < 0.01). No evidence of statistical association was recorded between the inflammatory mediators and the metabolic index. Overall the results showed that circulating GLP-1 was increased in response to inflammatory stimuli in critically ill children. GLP-1 contributed to the changes observed in MREE induced by critical illness in our cohort. CONCLUSION: Energy expenditure is extremely variable in critically ill children, our study suggests that changes in GLP-1 might contribute to a significant amount of this variation. If confirmed in larger studies, GLP-1 could be used as a correction factor for REE predictive equations in critically ill children.

Influence of clinical context on interpretation and use of an advance care planning policy: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Advance care planning is a process through which people share their values, goals and preferences regarding future medical treatments with the purpose of aligning care received with patient wishes. The objective of this study was to explore perspectives from patients and clinicians in 4 clinical settings to understand how context influences interpretation and application of advance care planning processes. METHODS: This study used a qualitative interpretive descriptive design. Patient and clinician participants were recruited across 4 clinical outpatient settings (cancer, heart failure, renal failure and supportive living) in Calgary and Edmonton. Data were collected between 2014 and 2015 by means of recorded one-on-one semistructured interviews. We analyzed the data using thematic analysis in 2016-2017. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients and 34 clinicians participated in interviews. Themes common to all 4 contexts were lack of shared understanding between patients and clinicians, and a lack of consistent clinical process related to advance care planning. Advance care planning understanding and process varied substantially between contexts. This variation seemed to be driven by differences in perceptions around disease burden and the nature of the physician-patient relationship. INTERPRETATION: Provision of a system-wide policy and procedural framework alone was not found to be sufficient to form a standardized approach to advance care planning, as considerable variability existed in advance care planning process between and within clinical settings. Quality-improvement methods that consider local processes, gaps and barriers can help in developing a consistent, comprehensive process.

Innovating the Problem Away? A Critical Study of Anti-Rape Technologies.

In the context of expanding preventative strategies for addressing sexual violence, we are witnessing the emergence of an array of new anti-rape technologies targeted at women. These tools, promoted primarily through the Internet, include a variety of apps for mobile phones, signal- and alarm-emitting wearable technologies, and internal and external body devices. Based on analyses of websites promoting such instruments, we critically examine these devices with respect to their possible benefits, limitations, and unintended physical, social, and legal consequences for women. We suggest that unanticipated outcomes may undermine both victims and their cases, those the technologies are ostensibly designed to help.

Understanding the motivations of patients: A co-designed project to understand the factors behind patient engagement.

BACKGROUND: Large-scale transformation depends on effective engagement of diverse stakeholders. With the evolution of the role of the 'patient partner' in health-care decision making, understanding the motivations of these individuals is essential to the success of engagement initiatives. This study reports on motivational factors associated with patient engagement in health care. METHODS: Patient co-investigators and a researcher co-designed and conducted this study. A survey was administered to patients and family members. Key informant interviews and previous research informed the development of the survey tool. The survey data were analysed using exploratory factor analysis to identify the underlying dimensions in the data. Cronbach's alpha was used to determine reliability. RESULTS: A total of 1449 individuals participated in the survey. Of these, 543 completed and 427 partially completed the survey (67% complete rate). The mean age of the respondents was 54 years. The majority of participants were female, well-educated, retired, married and lived in an urban centre. Seven motivational factors explained 65% of the total variance. Analysis of internal consistency revealed acceptable reliability for all items. The seven motivations were as follows: Self-fulfillment, Improving Healthcare, Compensation, Influence, Learning New Things, Conditional and Perks. CONCLUSION: The results of this research describe a sample of patient and family members currently engaged with health systems. We identified seven motivational factors underlying their engagement. A deeper knowledge of volunteer motivations will not only create meaningful engagement opportunities for patients, but also enable health organizations to gain from the experience of these individuals, thereby enhancing quality and sustainability of patient engagement programmes.

Healthcare Providers' Perceptions of Single-Room Versus Traditional Maternity Models: A Concurrent Mixed-Methods Study.

While many hospitals have transitioned from traditional maternity care to a single-room maternity model, little is known about how healthcare providers' practice differs between the models. This mixed-methods study compared healthcare providers' job satisfaction and team collaboration between traditional and single-room maternity care and explored how each model shaped providers' practice. Data were collected via questionnaires and interviews with healthcare providers from 2 hospitals. Independent t tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, and thematic analysis were used in analysis; findings were then triangulated. No difference was found in team collaboration and job satisfaction scores between single-room (n = 84) and traditional (n = 42) maternity care; however, providers described different means toward satisfaction and collaboration in the interviews (n = 18). Single-room maternity care providers valued interprofessional teamwork, patient/family involvement, and continuity of care. Traditional maternity care providers enjoyed specialization but described teamwork as uniprofessional and disconnected across professions; transfers between units weakened communication and fragmented care. While single-room maternity care providers described less tension and a more holistic patient-family journey, further research must be undertaken to examine whether and how interprofessional collaboration and communication impact patient and health system outcomes.

Experimenting with Governance: Alberta's Strategic Clinical Networks.

Alberta is undertaking a bold and somewhat risky step overhauling its health system governance to build higher performance in quality, safety and improved health outcomes for Albertans. On the heels of having re-established a single province-wide health authority (Alberta Health Services [AHS]), provincial health system decision makers have moved to establish province-wide Strategic Clinical Networks™ (SCNs). Sixteen SCNs have been implemented, and all are constituted as teams of healthcare professionals, researchers, government stakeholders, patients and families seeking to improve delivery of healthcare across the province. SCNs were developed in part as a strategy for strengthening clinical engagement to achieve a broad range of healthcare delivery benefits including improvement of clinical care processes and reduced variations in practice, better access to care and improved patient outcomes across the province. Here, we examine the rationale and potential of this governance intervention, while also considering some of the fundamental questions around their potential impact and the ultimate need for multidimensional assessment.

Client satisfaction with nursing-led sexual assault and domestic violence services in Ontario.

INTRODUCTION: There is still little known about survivors' experiences of and satisfaction with comprehensive nursing-led hospital-based sexual assault and domestic violence treatment programs. METHOD: To address this gap, we surveyed and collected information from clients/guardians presenting to 30 of 35 of Ontario's Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centres across seven domains: presentation characteristics, client characteristics, assailant characteristics, assault characteristics, health consequences, service use, and satisfaction with services. RESULTS: One thousand four hundred eighty-four clients participated in the study, 96% of whom were women/girls. Most were White (75.3%), 12-44 years old (87.8%), and living with family (69.6%); 97.9% of clients used at least one service. The most commonly used service was assessment and/or documentation of injury (84.8%), followed by on-site follow-up care (73.6%). Almost all clients/guardians reported that they received the care needed (98.6%), rated the overall care as excellent or good (98.8%), and stated that the care had been provided in a sensitive manner (95.4%). Concerns and recommendations to improve care expressed by a small proportion of clients/guardians focused on long wait times, negative emergency department staff attitudes, issues of privacy and confidentiality, and difficulty with accessing services. DISCUSSION: The high uptake and positive evaluation of services provided by Ontario's Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centre programs confirms the value of nursing-led, hospital-based care in the aftermath of sexual assault and domestic violence. Ongoing evaluation of such services will ensure the best care possible for this patient population.

Beat the clock! Wait times and the production of 'quality' in emergency departments.

Emergency care in large urban hospitals across the country is in the midst of major redesign intended to deliver quality care through improved access, decreased wait times, and maximum efficiency. The central argument in this paper is that the conceptualization of quality including the documentary facts and figures produced to substantiate quality emergency care is socially organized within a powerful ruling discourse that inserts the interests of politics and economics into nurses' work. The Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale figures prominently in the analysis as a high-level organizer of triage work and knowledge production that underpins the way those who administer the system define, measure and evaluate emergency care processes, and then use this information for restructuring. Managerial targets and thinking not only dominate the way emergency work is understood, determined, and controlled but also subsume the actual work of health-care providers in spaces called 'wait times', where it is systematically rendered 'unknowable'. The analysis is supported with evidence from an extensive institutional ethnography that shows what nurses actually do to manage the safe passage of patients through their emergency care process starting with the work of triage nurses.

The Seamless Transfer-of-Care Protocol: a randomized controlled trial assessing the efficacy of an electronic transfer-of-care communication tool.

BACKGROUND: The transition between acute care and community care represents a vulnerable period in health care delivery. The vulnerability of this period has been attributed to changes to patients' medication regimens during hospitalization, failure to reconcile discrepancies between admission and discharge and the burdening of patients/families to take over care responsibilities at discharge and to relay important information to the primary care physician. Electronic communication platforms can provide an immediate link between acute care and community care physicians (and other community providers), designed to ensure consistent information transfer. This study examines whether a transfer-of-care (TOC) communication tool is efficacious and cost-effective for reducing hospital readmission, adverse events and adverse drug events as well as reducing death. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial conducted on the Medical Teaching Unit of a Canadian tertiary care centre will evaluate the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of a TOC communication tool. Medical in-patients admitted to the unit will be considered for this study. Data will be collected upon admission, and a total of 1400 patients will be randomized. The control group's acute care stay will be summarized using a traditional dictated summary, while the intervention group will have a summary generated using the TOC communication tool. The primary outcome will be a composite, at 3 months, of death or readmission to any Alberta acute-care hospital. Secondary outcomes will be the occurrence of post-discharge adverse events and adverse drug events at 1 month post discharge. Patients with adverse outcomes will have their cases reviewed by two Royal College certified internists or College-certified family physicians, blinded to patients' group assignments, to determine the type, severity, preventability and ameliorability of all detected adverse outcomes. An accompanying economic evaluation will assess the cost per life saved, cost per readmission avoided and cost per QALY gained with the TOC communication tool compared to traditional dictation summaries. DISCUSSION: This paper outlines the study protocol for a randomized controlled trial evaluating an electronic transfer-of-care communication tool, with sufficient statistical power to assess the impact of the tool on the significant outcomes of post-discharge death or readmission. The study findings will inform health systems around the world on the potential benefits of such tools, and the value for money associated with their widespread implementation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01402609.

Examination for sexual assault: evaluating the literature for indicators of women-centered care.

This study aimed to assess the extent to which recent peer-reviewed published literature on the acute management of sexual assault was women-centered. We developed indicators and a framework that operationalized women-centered care provision in the context of sexual assault. We then reviewed and evaluated the literature in relation to these indicators. A systematic search identified a total of 20 relevant articles for inclusion in the analysis. These were published in medical journals (65%, 13/20), nursing journals (20%, 4/20), and journals targeted toward other health care practitioners (15%, 3/20), and originated from the United States (65%, 13/20), the United Kingdom (15%, 3/20), Australia (10%, 2/20), Spain (5%, 1/20), and Canada (5%, 1/20) between January 2000 and August 2005. We found little acknowledgment of the inherent tensions faced by sexual assault examiners in providing women-centered care. Moreover, absent from most articles were discussions of the complexities of consent in sexual assault examinations, social justice issues, the need for gender-sensitive training for health care providers, and a critical appraisal of colposcopic and DNA technologies. Indicators of respect, safety and restoring control, and connections to community were present in the majority of articles.