Inflammatory bowel disease integral care units: Evaluation of a nationwide quality certification programme. The GETECCU experience.

BACKGROUND: One of the most valued targets in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is for physicians to provide and patients to receive a high-level quality of care. This study aimed to evaluate the implementation of a nationwide quality certification programme for IBD units. METHODS: Identification of quality indicators (QI) for IBD Unit certification was based on Delphi methodology that selected 53 QI, which were subjected to a normalisation process. Selected QI were then used in the certification process. Coordinated by GETECCU, this process began with a consulting round and an audit drill followed by a formal audit carried out by an independent certifying agency. This audit involved the scrutiny of the selected QI in medical records. If 80%-90% compliance was achieved, the IBD unit audited received the qualification of "advanced", and if it exceeded 90% the rating was "excellence". Afterwards, an anonymous survey was conducted among certified units to assess satisfaction with the programme for IBD units. RESULTS: As of January 2021, 66 IBD units adhere to the nationwide certification programme. Among the 53 units already audited by January 2021, 31 achieved the certification of excellence, 20 the advanced certification, and two did not obtain the certification. The main survey results indicated high satisfaction with an average score of 8.5 out of 10. CONCLUSION: Certification of inflammatory bowel disease units by GETECCU is the largest nationwide certification programme for IBD units reported. More than 90% of IBD units adhered to the programme achieved the certification.

An Examination of Applicants and Factors Associated with Matriculation to Complex General Surgical Oncology Fellowship Training Programs.

BACKGROUND: The demand for training in complex general surgical oncology (CGSO) fellowships currently exceeds the number of positions offered; however, there are scarce data defining the applicant pool or characteristics associated with successful matriculation. Our study described the applicant population and to determine factors associated with acceptance into the fellowship. STUDY DESIGN: Data were extracted from the Electronic Residency Application System for applicants in 2015 and 2016 and stratified based on matriculation status. Applicant demographics, including medical education, residency, and research achievements, were analyzed. Academic productivity was quantified using the number of peer-reviewed publications as well as the journal with the highest impact factor in which an applicant's work was published. RESULTS: Data were gathered on a total of 283 applicants, of which 105 matriculated. The overall population was primarily male (63.2%), Caucasian (40.6%), educated at a U.S. allopathic medical school (53.4%), and trained at a university-based General Surgery residency (55.5%). Education at a U.S. allopathic school (OR = 5.63, p < 0.0001), university-based classification of the applicant's surgical residency (OR = 4.20, p < 0.0001), and a residency affiliation with a CGSO fellowship (OR = 2.61, p = 0.004) or National Cancer Institute designated Comprehensive Cancer Center (OR = 3.16, p < 0.001) were found to be associated with matriculation. Matriculants published a higher number of manuscripts than nonmatriculants (median of 10 vs. 4.5, p < 0.0001) and more frequently achieved publication in journals with higher impact factors (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: This study represents the first objective description of the CGSO fellowship applicant pool. Applicants' medical school, residency, and research data points correlated with successful matriculation.

The Personal and Professional Experiences of Integrative Nurse Coach Certificate Program Graduates: A Pilot Study.

Integrative Nurse Coaching is a new practice in professional nursing. The purpose of this pilot study is to describe Integrative Nurse Coach Certificate Program graduates' personal and professional experiences. This is a qualitative, pilot study with a convenience sample of Integrative Nurse Coach Certificate Program graduates ( n = 13). Researchers conducted semistructured interviews and identified common themes. The pilot study found four common themes from the participants' experiences as follows: (1) development of self, (2) enriched self-care, (3) a call to action for facilitating the health care paradigm shift, and (4) incorporating Integrative Nurse Coaching into practice. The pilot study's findings and conclusions provide insight into the potential benefits of Integrative Nurse Coaching and the importance of nurse self-care.

Creation of a certification requirement for pharmacists in direct patient care roles.

PURPOSE: Steps taken by a large health system to require certification for all pharmacists in direct patient care roles are detailed. SUMMARY: Major supply chain changes and rising payer expectations are reshaping pharmacy practice, resulting in expanded responsibilities for pharmacists and a heightened need for certification in specialized practice areas. In response, the pharmacy leadership team at UW Health, the integrated health system of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, used an iterative process and a "rolling" FAQ format to develop and implement a certification requirement. Key decisions during the process included decisions to accept only rigorous certifications (mainly those offered by the Board of Pharmacy Specialties), to provide institutional support for continuing education-based recertification, and to use an accepted definition of direct patient care in determining which pharmacists need to be certified. The team obtained the support of the UW Health human relations department by drafting a policy and rewriting all pharmacist position descriptions to incorporate the certification requirement. An all-pharmacist forum was held to build staff commitment. As a result of the requirement, 73 pharmacists were required to obtain certification by 2018 at a total cost to UW Health of $44,000; ongoing support of certification maintenance will cost an estimated $40,000 per year. CONCLUSION: Health systems can be successful in establishing uniform certification expectations for pharmacists in direct patient care roles, even across diverse practice settings, by aligning expectations with organizational goals.

How to prepare for revalidation.

Rationale and key points This is the first in a series of eight articles providing information about the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) revalidation process, which was introduced in April 2016. This article focuses on setting up an online NMC account, preparing for revalidation and understanding revalidation requirements. ¼ Revalidation is a mandatory process for nurses and midwives, enabling them to demonstrate their ability to practise safely and effectively. ¼ Registered nurses and midwives are required to revalidate with the NMC every 3 years. ¼ Revalidation encourages nurses and midwives to stay up to date in their professional practice. Reflective activity How to revalidate articles can help to update your practice and provide information about the revalidation process, including how you can successfully submit your revalidation request to the NMC. Reflect on and write a short account of: 1. The strengths of revalidation compared to post-registration education and practice requirements. 2. The revalidation requirements and how these can be met. Subscribers can upload their reflective accounts at: rcni.com/portfolio .

The methodology for defining the European standards for the certification of Haemophilia Centres in Europe.

INTRODUCTION: Work Package 4 Development of the standardisation criteria of the European Haemophilia Network project has the main objective of implementing a common and shared European strategy for a certification system for two levels of Haemophilia Centres: European Haemophilia Treatment Centres and European Haemophilia Comprehensive Care Centres in the Member States of the European Union. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An inclusive and participatory process for developing shared standards and criteria for the management of patients with inherited bleeding disorders has been carried out. The process has been implemented through four different consultation events involving the entire European community of stakeholders that significantly contributed in the drafting of the European Guidelines for the certification of Haemophilia Centres. RESULTS: The Guidelines set the standards for the designation of centres that provide specialised and multidisciplinary care (Haemophilia Comprehensive Care Centres) as well as local routine care (Haemophilia Treatment Centres). Standards cover several issues such as: general requirements; patient care; advisory services; laboratory; networking of clinical and specialised services. CONCLUSIONS: The drafting of the European Guidelines for the certification of Haemophilia Centres was performed adopting a rigorous methodological approach. In order to build the widest possible consensus to the quality standards, the main institutional and scientific stakeholders have been involved. The resulting document will significantly contribute in promoting standardisation in the quality of diagnosis and treatment in European Haemophilia Centres.

A legacy building model for holistic nursing.

This pilot project was an effort to record the historical roots, development, and legacy of holistic nursing through the visionary spirit of four older American Holistic Nurses Association (AHNA) members. The aim was twofold: (a) to capture the holistic nursing career experiences of elder AHNA members and (b) to begin to create a Legacy Building Model for Holistic Nursing. The narratives will help initiate an ongoing, systematic method for the collection of historical data and serve as a perpetual archive of knowledge and inspiration for present and future holistic nurses. An aesthetic inquiry approach was used to conduct in-depth interviews with four older AHNA members who have made significant contributions to holistic nursing. The narratives provide a rich description of their personal and professional evolution as holistic nurses. The narratives are presented in an aesthetic format of the art forms of snapshot, pastiche, and collage rather than traditional presentations of research findings. A synopsis of the narratives is a dialogue between the three authors and provides insight for how a Legacy Model can guide our future. Considerations for practice, education, and research are discussed based on the words of wisdom from the four older holistic nurses.

Osteopathic Continuous Certification: it's here--are you prepared?

The authors explain Osteopathic Continuous Certification (OCC) as mandated by the American Osteopathic Association Board of Trustees. Implemented on January 1, 2013, OCC is the process wherein osteopathic physicians certify their training and expertise in their chosen specialty and maintain the standard of excellence begun with the initial American Osteopathic Association certification. In contrast to one-time examinations, OCC is intended to be an ongoing, lifelong process for osteopathic physicians.

Characteristics of adults seeking medical marijuana certification.

BACKGROUND: Very little is known about medical marijuana users. The present study provides descriptive information on adults seeking medical marijuana and compares individuals seeking medical marijuana for the first time with those renewing their medical marijuana card on measures of substance use, pain and functioning. METHODS: Research staff approached patients (n=348) in the waiting area of a medical marijuana certification clinic. Chi-square and Wilcoxon signed rank tests were used to compare participants who reported that they were seeking medical marijuana for the first time (n=195) and those who were seeking to renew their access to medical marijuana (n=153). RESULTS: Returning medical marijuana patients reported a higher prevalence of lifetime cocaine, amphetamine, inhalant and hallucinogen use than first time patients. Rates of recent alcohol misuse and drug use were relatively similar between first time patients and returning patients with the exception of nonmedical use of prescription sedatives and marijuana use. Nonmedical prescription sedative use was more common among first time visitors compared to those seeking renewal (p<0.05). The frequency of recent marijuana use was higher in returning patients than first time patients (p<0.0001). Compared to first time patients, returning patients reported somewhat lower current pain level and slightly higher mental health and physical functioning. CONCLUSIONS: Study results indicate that differences exist between first time and returning medical marijuana patients. Longitudinal data are needed to characterize trajectories of substance use and functioning in these two groups.

AOA continuing medical education.

The author provides an update on the current continuing medical education (CME) cycle, which began on January 1, 2013, and will end on December 31, 2015. The author also details the changes to the CME guide for osteopathic physicians, the requirements for Category 1 CME sponsors accredited by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), and new online CME opportunities. Topic areas include recent changes in CME policies and the continuing challenges associated with awarding and recording CME credits for osteopathic physicians who hold specialty board certification. In addition, the article provides an update for osteopathic specialists and subspecialists in requesting AOA Category 1-A credit for American Medical Association Physician's Recognition Award Category 1 courses.

AOA specialty board certification.

The authors details information related to the 2012 certification processing activity of the Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists, which oversees the work of the 18 specialty certifying boards of the American Osteopathic Association.