Educational interventions to improve detection and management of cognitive decline in primary care-An Italian multicenter pragmatic study.

Introduction: Timely detection of cognitive decline in primary care is essential to promote an appropriate care pathway and enhance the benefits of interventions. We present the results of a study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an educational intervention addressed to Italian family physicians (FPs) to improve timely detection and management of cognitive decline. Materials and methods: We conducted a pre-post study in six Italian health authorities (HAs) involving 254 FPs and 3,736 patients. We measured process and outcome indicators before the intervention (1 January 2014 to 31 December 2016) and after the intervention (1 January 2018 to 31 December 2019). One interactive face-to-face session workshop was delivered by local cognitive disorders and dementia specialists and FP advisors at each HA, in the period September 2017-December 2017. The session focused on key messages of the local Diagnostic and Therapeutic Care Pathway (DTCP) or regional guidelines: (a) the role of the FP for a timely suspicion of cognitive decline is fundamental; (b) when cognitive decline is suspected, the role of the FP is active in the diagnostic work-up; (c) FP's knowledge on pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions is essential to improve the management of patients with cognitive decline. Results: An overall improvement in diagnostic procedures and management of patients with cognitive decline by FPs after the intervention was observed. The number of visits per year performed by FPs increased, and the time interval between the first FP consultation and the diagnosis was optimized. Neuroleptic use significantly decreased, whereas the use of benzodiazepines remained steadily high. Non-pharmacological interventions, or use of support services, were underrepresented even in the post-intervention. Differences among the participating HAs were identified and discussed. Discussion: Results from this study suggest the success of the educational intervention addressed to FPs in improving early detection and management of cognitive decline, highlighting the importance to continue medical education in this field. At the same time, further initiatives of care pathway dissemination and implementation should promote strategies to enhance interactions between primary and secondary care optimizing the collaboration between FPs and specialists.

Predictive factors for thirty day mortality in geriatric patients with hip fractures: a prospective study.

PURPOSE: The study aims to analyze the incidence of 30-day mortality in elderly patients who underwent surgery for hip fractures and its associated factors. METHODS: A prospective multicentric study was performed. All patients aged ≥ 65 years, with fragility hip fractures, consecutively admitted in two Italian hospitals were included. Patients with periprosthetic or pathological fractures were excluded. Logistic regression was used to identify patient and patient care variables that independently influenced the 30-day mortality and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to assess their predictive capacity on the outcome. RESULTS: Of the patients, 728 met the inclusion criteria, of whom approximately 5% died within 30 days after admission. The 45.7% of the deceased patients died while hospitalized. Multivariate analysis showed that advancing age was the only independent predictor of 30-day mortality (OR = 1.084, 95% CI = 1.024-1.147), while a higher presence of informal caregivers was a protective factor (OR = 0.988, 95% CI = 0.979-0.997). The area under the ROC curve of the model was 0.723 (CI95% 0.676-0.770) for 30-day mortality in elderly hip fractures patients. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with an advanced age need careful follow-up, especially within 30 days following operation for hip fracture; at the same time, the presence of informal caregivers at the patient's bedside should be promoted.

Use of sodium hypochlorite for skin antisepsis before inserting a peripheral venous catheter: a pilot study.

Although it can be prevented, catheter-related bacteremia is common and dangerous. The antiseptics most widely used during insertion of peripheral venous catheters (PVCs) include povidone iodine, alcohol, and chlorhexidine. Another widely used antiseptic is a solution of 0.057 g sodium hypochlorite. This pilot study explored the contamination rate of the PVC tip inserted after skin decontamination with sodium hypochlorite. Culture analysis of the tips of the PVCs inserted into the 42 participants showed 7 (16.7%) colonized catheters. The results of this pilot study suggest taking into serious consideration the assessment of this antiseptic in randomized experimental studies.

[Skin antisepsis with 0.05% sodium hypochlorite before the insertion of a peripheral venous catheter in adults, children and newborns]. / Utilizzo dell'ipoclorito di sodio 0.05% soluzione cutanea nella antisepsi della cute prima dell'inserimento del catetere venoso periferico in adulti, bambini e neonati.

INTRODUCTION: Antisepsis of the skin of adults, children and newborns before the insertion of a peripheral venous catheter (PVC) reduces the risk of catheter related infections (CRI). Data on the effectiveness of electrolytic sodium hypochlorite are missing. METHODS: An explorative study was conducted on children, adults and newborns admitted to hospital and with skin antisepsis with sodium hypoclorite 0.057g with active chlorine 0.055g in 100ml (Amukine Med®) to assess the level of contamination of PVC tips, as surrogate sign of infection. Quantitative methods were used and the catheter tip was considered colonized if >1000 CFU (colony forming Units)/catheter segment. RESULTS: In the sample of 42 adults, 51 children and 52 newborns, 16.7%, 7.8% and 3.8% of catheter tips were contaminated respectively. No catheter related phlebites were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Skin antisepsis with Amukine Med® seems effective in preventing CRIs but further comparative studies are needed with the antiseptics recommended by guidelines.