[Establishment of Hematopoietic cell transplantation program in developing countries : Guidelines from the francophone Society of bone marrow transplantation and cellular therapy (SFGM-TC)]. / Mise en place d'un programme de greffe de cellules souches hématopoïétiques dans les pays en voie de développement. Recommandations de la Société francophone de greffe de moelle et de thérapie cellulaire (SFGM-TC).

Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is the curative treatment for many malignant and non-malignant blood disorders and some solid cancers. However, transplant procedures are considered tertiary level care requiring a high degree of technicality and expertise and generating very high costs for hospital structures in developing countries as well as for patients without health insurance. During the 11th annual harmonization workshops of the francophone Society of bone marrow transplantation and cellular therapy (SFGM-TC), a designated working group reviewed the literature in order to elaborate unified guidelines, for developing the transplant activity in emerging countries. Access to infrastructure must comply with international standards and therefore requires a hospital system already in place, capable of accommodating and supporting the HCT activity. In addition, the commitment of the state and the establishment for the financing of the project seems essential.

Joint Statement of the German Respiratory Society and German Society of Thoracic Surgery in Cooperation with the German Radiological Society: Structural Prerequisites of Centres for Interventional Treatment of Emphysema.

Interventional treatment of emphysema offers a wide range of surgical and endoscopic options for patients with advanced disease. Multidisciplinary collaboration of pulmonology, thoracic surgery, and imaging disciplines in patient selection, therapy, and follow-up ensures treatment quality. The present joint statement describes the required structural and quality prerequisites of treatment centres. This is a translation of the German article "Positionspapier der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Pneumologie und Beatmungsmedizin und der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Thoraxchirurgie in Kooperation mit der Deutschen Röntgengesellschaft: Strukturvoraussetzungen von Zentren für die interventionelle Emphysemtherapie" Pneumologie. 2020;74:17-23.

Characteristics Associated With High-Performing Pediatric Heart Transplant Centers in the United States From 2006 to 2015.

Importance: Differences among pediatric transplant centers in long-term survival of pediatric recipients of heart transplants can be mostly explained by differences in 90-day mortality. Objective: To understand characteristics associated with high-performing pediatric HT centers by comparing key outcomes among centers stratified by 90-day risk-adjusted mortality. Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective cohort study included recipients of HT aged younger than 18 years in the US. Analyses included 44 US centers during 2006 to 2015 using the Organ Procurement and Transplant Network database. A risk model for 90-day mortality was developed using data from all recipients to estimate expected 90-day mortality and 90-day standardized mortality ratio (SMR; calculated as observed mortality divided by expected mortality) for each center. Centers were stratified into tertiles by SMR and compared for key outcomes. Data were analyzed from January to March 2020. Exposures: High-, medium-, and low-performing centers (SMR tertile). Main Outcomes and Measures: Posttransplant 90-day mortality across recipient risk spectrum and incidence of and mortality following early posttransplant complications. Results: Of 3211 children analyzed, 1016 (31.6%) were infants younger than 1 year and 1459 (45.4%) were girls. The median (interquartile range) age was 4 (0-12) years. Centers were stratified by SMR tertile, and SMR was 0 to 0.71 among 15 high-performing centers, 0.79 to 1.12 among 14 medium-performing centers, and 1.19 to 3.33 among 15 low-performing centers. High-performing centers had 90-day mortality of 0.8% (95% CI, 0.3%-1.8%) in children with low risk and expected mortality of 2.0%, 2.3% (95% CI, 0.6%-5.7%) in children with intermediate risk and expected mortality of 6.5%, and 16.7% (95% CI, 7.9%-29.3%) in children with high risk and expected mortality of 30.8%. Incidence of acute rejection during transplant hospitalization was 10.3% at high-performing centers, 10.3% at medium-performing centers, and 9.7% at low-performing centers (P for trend = .68), and incidence of post-HT kidney failure requiring dialysis was 4.1% at high-performing centers, 5.2% at medium-performing centers, and 8.5% at low-performing centers (P for trend = .001). Ninety-day mortality was significantly lower at high-performing centers among children treated for rejection (high-performing: 2.0%; medium-performing: 6.9%; low-performing: 11.7%; P for trend = .006) and among recipients receiving dialysis for post-HT kidney failure (high-performing: 17.5%; medium-performing: 39.4%; low-performing: 47.6%; P for trend < .001). Conclusions and Relevance: This cohort study found that high-performing pediatric HT centers had lower 90-day mortality across the recipient risk spectrum and lower mortality among recipients who develop rejection or post-HT kidney failure during transplant hospitalization. These findings suggest presence of superior processes and systems of care at high-performing pediatric HT centers.

COVID-19 Obstetrics Task Force, Lombardy, Italy: Executive management summary and short report of outcome.

From February 24, 2020, a COVID-19 obstetric task force was structured to deliver management recommendations for obstetric care. From March 1, 2020, six COVID-19 hubs and their spokes were designated. An interim analysis of cases occurring in or transferred to these hubs was performed on March 20, 2020 and recommendations were released on March 24, 2020. The vision of this strict organization was to centralize patients in high-risk maternity centers in order to concentrate human resources and personal protective equipment (PPE), dedicate protected areas of these major hospitals, and centralize clinical multidisciplinary experience with this disease. All maternity hospitals were informed to provide a protected labor and delivery room for nontransferable patients in advanced labor. A pre-triage based on temperature and 14 other items was developed in order to screen suspected patients in all hospitals to be tested with nasopharyngeal swabs. Obstetric outpatient facilities were instructed to maintain scheduled pregnancy screening as per Italian guidelines, and to provide pre-triage screening and surgical masks for personnel and patients for pre-triage-negative patients. Forty-two cases were recorded in the first 20 days of hub and spoke organization. The clinical presentation was interstitial pneumonia in 20 women. Of these, seven required respiratory support and eventually recovered. Two premature labors occurred.

Challenges in the provision of kidney care at the largest public nephrology center in Guatemala: a qualitative study with health professionals.

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasing worldwide, and the majority of the CKD burden is in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, there is wide variability in global access to kidney care therapies such as dialysis and kidney transplantation. The challenges health professionals experience while providing kidney care in LMICs have not been well described. The goal of this study is to elicit health professionals' perceptions of providing kidney care in a resource-constrained environment, strategies for dealing with resource limitations, and suggestions for improving kidney care in Guatemala. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were performed with 21 health professionals recruited through convenience sampling at the largest public nephrology center in Guatemala. Health professionals included administrators, physicians, nurses, technicians, nutritionists, psychologists, laboratory personnel, and social workers. Interviews were recorded and transcribed in Spanish. Qualitative data from interviews were analyzed in NVivo using an inductive approach, allowing dominant themes to emerge from interview transcriptions. RESULTS: Health professionals most frequently described challenges in providing high-quality care due to resource limitations. Reducing the frequency of hemodialysis, encouraging patients to opt for peritoneal dialysis rather than hemodialysis, and allocating resources based on clinical acuity were common strategies for reconciling high demand and limited resources. Providers experienced significant emotional challenges related to high patient volume and difficult decisions on resource allocation, leading to burnout and moral distress. To improve care, respondents suggested increased budgets for equipment and personnel, investments in preventative services, and decentralization of services. CONCLUSIONS: Health professionals at the largest public nephrology center in Guatemala described multiple strategies to meet the rising demand for renal replacement therapy. Due to systems-level limitations, health professionals faced difficult choices on the stewardship of resources that are linked to sentiments of burnout and moral distress. This study offers important lessons in Guatemala and other countries seeking to build capacity to scale-up kidney care.

Abdominal wall hernia surgery in The Netherlands: a national survey.

PURPOSE: In The Netherlands, the quality of abdominal wall hernia surgery is largely unknown due to the lack of a hernia registry. This study was designed to assess the current state of abdominal wall hernia surgery in The Netherlands, to create a starting point for future evaluation of new quality measures. METHODS: Dutch hernia management indicators and recently proposed European Hernia Society (EHS) requirements for accredited/certified hernia centers were used. The number of Dutch hospitals that meet the four main EHS requirements (on volume, experience, use of a registry and quality control) was assessed by analyzing governmental information and the results of a survey amongst all 1.554 Dutch general surgeons. RESULTS: The survey was representative with 426 respondents (27%) from all 75 hospitals. Fifty-one percent of the hospitals had a median inguinal repair volume of more than 290 (14-1.238) per year. An open or laparo-endoscopic inguinal repair technique was not related to hospital volume. Experienced hernia surgeons, use of a registry and a structured quality control were reported to be present in, respectively, 97%, 39%, and 15% of the hospitals. Consensus in answers between the respondents per hospital was low (< 20%). Two hospitals (3%) met all four requirements for accreditation. CONCLUSION: This descriptive analysis demonstrates that hernia surgery in the Netherlands is performed in every hospital, by all types of surgeons, using many different techniques. If the suggested EHS requirements are used as a measuring rod, only 3% of the Dutch hospitals could be accredited as a hernia center.

Infection prevention and control in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF): Results from a survey in 35 German CF treatment centers.

This survey evaluates whether the Cystic Fibrosis (CF)-specific infection prevention and control (IPC) recommendations released by the Commission for Hospital Hygiene and Infection Prevention (KRINKO) in 2012 have been implemented in specialized German CF facilities. Of 35 participating centers (response rate 32.7%), 37% care for more than 100 patients and 44% treat mainly adults. Clinics for adult CF patients report a shortage of qualified personnel for intensified environmental cleaning. Some hospitals struggle to provide single patient rooms with an adjacent sanitary area to segregate CF patients strictly. Most centers offer at least one decolonization cycle (including systemic and inhalative antibiotics) to patients colonized with MRSA. In CF centers in Germany, the KRINKO IPC recommendations are considered helpful by the attending physicians and thoroughly implemented. There is room for improvement concerning strict segregation of inpatients with CF in single patient rooms, in particular in large CF centers mainly caring for adults.

Arquitectura de procesos con indicadores estratégicos en los servicios médicos de consulta externa en hospitales de alta especialidad.

INTRODUCTION: The importance of granting high specialty outpatient services calls for a diagnosis through process architecture in order to measure outpatient services deferral with key performance indicators and to evaluate the opportunity of scheduling appointments at high specialty hospitals. OBJECTIVE: To apply the process architecture model and key performance indicators in high specialty hospitals, in order to analyze outpatient appointment scheduling activities and to improve the quality of medical care and patient safety. METHOD: Quantitative, sequential and deductive reasoning study, with correlational scope, to assess the degree of association between variables, and to establish and define key performance indicators, according to the importance of activities in medical services. A convenience sample in time and by accessibility to two high specialty hospitals in Mexico city was used. RESULTS: Deferral in outpatient services was measured with an emphasis on the analysis of 19 indicators for a proposal of strategies. CONCLUSIONS: The model of priority indicators of the architecture of medical processes is presented through the analysis of activities, which comprehensively visualizes medical care and allows improving the quality of the medical services provided to the patient.

INTRODUCCIÓN: La importancia de otorgar consulta externa de alta especialidad invita a realizar un diagnóstico a través de la arquitectura de procesos para medir con indicadores el diferimiento de consulta y evaluar la oportunidad de programación de citas en hospitales de alta especialidad. OBJETIVO: Aplicar el modelo de arquitectura de proceso e indicadores en hospitales de alta especialidad, para analizar las actividades de la programación de citas en consulta externa y mejorar la calidad de la atención médica y seguridad al paciente. MÉTODO: Estudio cuantitativo, secuencial y con razonamiento deductivo, de alcance correlacional para evaluar el grado de asociación entre variables, establecer y definir los medidores de desempeño, de acuerdo con la importancia de las actividades en los servicios médicos. Se trabajó una muestra de conveniencia en tiempo y por accesibilidad a dos hospitales de alta especialidad de la Ciudad de México. RESULTADOS: Se midió el diferimiento en consulta externa con relevancia en el análisis de 19 indicadores para una propuesta de estrategias. CONCLUSIONES: El modelo de indicadores prioritarios de arquitectura de procesos médicos a través del análisis de las actividades visualiza integralmente la atención médica y permite mejorar la calidad en el servicio médico al paciente.

Assessment of client satisfaction with pharmacist services at outpatient pharmacy of Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital.

BACKGROUND: Client satisfaction towards the pharmacist services is essential to measure the level of pharmacy services offered to clients and the implementation of pharmaceutical care in the hospital. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess client satisfaction towards the pharmacist service from April 20 to 30, 2019 at OPD pharmacy of Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital (TASH). Clients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were interviewed by using a five scale Likert scale. Then data was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 21. The results of the study were presented using table, frequency, and percentage. A binary logistic regression was also employed. The association was declared at p<0.05. RESULT: In this study 250 study participants were included. Majority of the participants were males (56.4%, n = 141) with the mean (±standard deviation) age of 38.97±13.73. The mean satisfaction was 51.6%. Study participants perception on pharmacy staff number insufficiency (AOR = 0.32, 95%CI: 0.17, 0.59) and their perception towards the waiting area scored as somewhat fair (AOR = 0.50 (0.27, 0.94) and not convenient (AOR = 0.18 (0.06, 0.56) were negatively associated with their satisfaction. CONCLUSION: In this study, study participants have an overall satisfaction of above 50%. Respondent satisfaction for pharmacist approach or communication skill was higher than their satisfaction towards the medication guidance given to them. Study participants perception of the waiting area and staff number sufficiency for the service were significant predictors of their satisfaction. Hence, the TASH administration is expected to improve such pharmaceutical service areas to meet patient demands.

The Value of Magnet® Recognition for Specialty Hospitals.

Now in its 29th year, the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Magnet Recognition Program stands as the premier international acknowledgment of nursing excellence in healthcare organizations around the world. The program's applicability in general hospitals, community hospitals, and academic medical centers is established, but what about specialty hospitals? In this month's Magnet Perspectives, nursing leaders from 3 specialty sectors, rehabilitation hospitals, cancer hospitals, and children's hospitals, discuss the ways in which the Magnet framework enriches the practice environment and promotes outstanding nurse and patient outcomes. Insights are shared about how the Magnet journey provides the foundation to address current challenges in healthcare, including nurse staffing shortages, burnout, unit effectiveness, safety and quality imperatives, patient experience, and more.

Diabetic ketoacidosis among adult patients with diabetes mellitus admitted to emergency unit of Hawassa university comprehensive specialized hospital.

OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of diabetic ketoacidosis among adult patients admitted in emergency department of Hawassa university comprehensive specialized hospital. An institution based retrospective cross-sectional study design was conducted among 195 adult patients aged 16 years and above with known or previously unknown diabetes cases presented in the emergency unit. RESULT: In our study from the total 195 patients medical record reviewed 78 (40%) developed DKA. Out of the total reviewed medical record 55 (28.2%) and 23 (11.8%) were with type-1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus respectively. From acute complication of diabetes, diabetic ketoacidosis was a leading cause 78 (77%) followed by hypoglycemia 14 (14%) and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (9%). During multiple logistic regression analysis age and hypertension were found to have significant association with diabetic ketoacidosis.

Accreditation and certification requirements for hernia centers and surgeons: the ACCESS project.

INTRODUCTION: There is a need for hernia centers and specialist hernia surgeons because of the increasing complexity of hernia surgery procedures due to new techniques, more difficult cases and a tailored approach with an increasing public awareness demanding optimal treatment results. Therefore, the requirements for accredited/certified hernia centers and specialist hernia surgeons should be formulated by the international and national hernia societies, while taking account of the respective health care systems. METHODS: The European Hernia Society (EHS) has appointed a working group composed of 18 hernia experts from all regions of Europe (ACCESS Group-Hernia Accreditation and Certification of Centers and Surgeons-Working Group) to formulate scientifically based requirements for hernia centers and specialist hernia surgeons while taking into consideration different health care systems. A consensus was reached on the key questions by means of a meeting, a telephone conference and the exchange of contributions. The requirements formulated below were deemed implementable by all participating hernia experts in their respective countries. RESULTS: The ACCESS Group suggests for an adequately equipped hernia center the following requirements: (a) to be accredited/certified by a national or international hernia society, (b) to perform a higher case volume in all types of hernia surgery compared to an average general surgery department in their country, (c) to be staffed by experienced hernia surgeons who are beyond the learning curve for all types of hernia surgery recommended in the guidelines and are responsible for education and training of hernia surgery in their department, (d) to treat hernia patients according to the current guidelines and scientific recommendations, (e) to document each case prospectively in a registry or quality assurance database (f) to perform follow-up for comparison of their own results with benchmark data for continuous improvement of their treatment results and ensuring contribution to research in hernia treatment. To become a specialist hernia surgeon, the ACCESS Group suggests a general surgeon to master the learning curve of all open and laparo-endoscopic hernia procedures recommended in the guidelines, perform a high caseload and additionally to implement and fulfill the other requirements for a hernia center. CONCLUSION: Based on the above requirements formulated by the European Hernia Society for accredited/certified hernia centers and hernia specialist surgeons, the national and international hernia societies can now develop their own programs, while taking account of their specific health care systems.

[General medical care in French psychiatric units for inmates: A national survey]. / Soins médicaux généraux en unité hospitalière spécialement aménagée : une enquête nationale.

OBJECTIVES: The UHSA (UHSA) are French psychiatric units for inmates which admit detainees suffering from a psychiatric disorder requiring full-time hospital care. Non-psychiatric pathologies are overrepresented in patients with psychiatric disorders but also in detainees. As a result, patients hospitalized in UHSA are largely exposed to non-psychiatric conditions, and exploring the organization of general medical care for these patients appears very relevant. The aim of this study is to review the general medical care in all French UHSA. METHODS: A descriptive study was carried out through a survey of the nine facilities. RESULTS: All UHSA benefit from the intervention of a general practitioner. The physical clinical examination, the biological assessment and the electrocardiogram are systematically performed at the patient's admission in 7, 5 and 9 establishments, respectively. However, the offer of general medical care in UHSA seems disparate and sometimes insufficient. Specialized consultations are regularly requested during hospitalizations, but no establishment benefits from a telemedicine system or specialized consultations on site. The extraction of the patient to the general hospital is therefore systematic when such a consultation is needed. But the number of penitentiary escorts per day is limited. In 6 UHSA, medical extractions are thus regularly canceled by the penitentiary administration, sometimes without a medical opinion. Finally, the patient's regular physician is only contacted in 3 UHSA during hospitalizations. CONCLUSION: Based on these results, ways of improving the organization of general medical care in UHSA are proposed through four main axes: the structure and general organization; the general medical care; the link with the healthcare partners and the articulation with the penitentiary administration.

[Current issues in pancreatic surgery]. / Aktual'nye voprosy khirurgii podzheludochnoi zhelezy.

AIM: To present own experience of pancreatic surgery and to analyze literature data for this issue. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We have analyzed work of abdominal surgery department over the last 5 years. Moreover, MEDLINE and RSCI databases regarding surgical treatment of pancreatic diseases were assessed. RESULTS: There were 456 pancreatectomies. Postoperative complications arose in 176 (38.6%) patients, 11 patients died (2.4%). According to world data, mortality after pancreatectomy reaches 10%. Only creation of specialized centers is proven way to improve the outcomes. CONCLUSION: Current medical assistance for pancreatic disease may be only achieved in specialized centers with large number of various pancreatic procedures. The organization of such centers is required throughout the country and certain accreditation criteria should be developed for this purpose. Targeted routing of patients to specialized pancreatology centers will be able to reduce incidence of diagnostic, tactical and technical errors.

Fred Hutchinson Report Plots The Nexus of Cost and Quality.

A report from the Hutchinson Institute for Cancer Outcomes Research is remarkable. Committing to transparency as a catalyst for improvement, 27 hospital systems and cancer centers across Washington State bare all in the first public report to integrate clinic level quality and cost data in oncology.