Organizational Perspectives of Nurse Executives in 15 Hospitals on the Impact and Effectiveness of Rapid Response Teams.

BACKGROUND: Many hospitals use rapid response teams (RRTs) to respond to deteriorating patients, but it remains unclear what organizations actually monitor. Understanding what organizations value in an RRT may help clarify measurement choices. Interviews were conducted to determine how organizational leaders perceived and evaluated their hospitals' RRTs. METHODS: The study used a descriptive, qualitative design. Participants were nurse executives and key informants in 300- to 500-bed hospitals in the south-central United States and were recruited using purposive and snowball sampling. Sample size was determined by data saturation. Semistructured face-to-face interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. Interview data were analyzed using the techniques of conventional content analysis and constant comparison and descriptive statistics for demographics. RESULTS: From November 2014 through April 2015, 27 participants were interviewed from 15 hospitals. Global themes emerged: value of and monitoring the RRT. All participants valued positive patient outcomes from use of the RRT, such as decreased code rates and transfers to the ICU. They also valued positive influences of the RRT on the health care team such as education, relationships, and promotion of a culture of safety, including providing consistency of care and evidence-based care. Formal and informal RRT evaluations were usually conducted, resulting in subsequent actions. CONCLUSION: Participants emphasized the impact of the RRT on professional staff relationships and the organizational culture, suggesting that the actual value of the RRT stretches beyond patient outcomes. Evaluations of the RRTs were largely informal. Hospitals placed high value on health care team and organizational outcomes but generally did not capture data to support them.

Organizational Perspectives on Rapid Response Team Structure, Function, and Cost: A Qualitative Study.

BACKGROUND: Understanding how an organization determines structure and function of a rapid response team (RRT), as well as cost evaluation and implications, can provide foundational knowledge to guide decisions about RRTs. OBJECTIVES: The objectives were to (1) identify influencing factors in organizational development of RRT structure and function and (2) describe evaluation of RRT costs. METHODS: Using a qualitative, ethnographic design, nurse executives and experts in 15 moderate-size hospitals were interviewed to explore their decision-making processes in determining RRT structure and function. Face-to-face interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim and verified for accurateness. Using content analysis and constant comparison, interview data were analyzed. Demographic data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: The sample included 27 participants from 15 hospitals in 5 south-central states. They described a variety of RRT responders and functions, with the majority of hospitals having a critical care charge nurse attending all RRT calls for assistance. Others described a designated RRT nurse with primary RRT duties as responder to all RRT calls. Themes of RRT development from the data included influencers, decision processes, and thoughts about cost. DISCUSSION: It is important to understand how hospitals determine optimal structure and function to enhance support of quality nursing care. Determining the impact of an RRT on costs and benefits is vital in balancing patient safety and limited resources. Future research should focus on clarifying differences between team structure and function in outcomes as well as the most effective means to estimate costs and benefits.

A platelet target for venous thrombosis? P2Y1 deletion or antagonism protects mice from vena cava thrombosis.

A role for platelets in the pathogenesis of venous thrombosis was suggested by clinical and preclinical studies. However, examination of the platelet receptor, P2Y1, in this area has been limited. The goal of the current study was to examine effects of P2Y1 deletion, or selective antagonism with MRS2500, in oxidative venous thrombosis in mice. The P2Y12 antagonist, clopidogrel, was included as a reference agent. Anesthetized C57BL/6 or genetically modified mice underwent 3.5 or 5 % FeCl(3)-induced vena cava thrombosis. Pharmacokinetic properties of MRS2500 were defined for dose selection. Platelet aggregation and renal or tail bleeding times (BT) were measured to put antithrombotic effects into perspective. P2Y1 deletion significantly reduced (p < 0.001) venous thrombus weight by 74 % in 3.5 % FeCl(3) injury compared to P2Y1(+/+) littermates. MRS2500 (2 mg/kg, i.v.) significantly decreased (p < 0.001) thrombus weight 64 % in C57BL/6 mice. In the more severe 5 % FeCl(3)-induced injury model, thrombus weight significantly (p < 0.001) decreased 68 % in P2Y1(-/-) mice versus P2Y1(+/+) mice, and MRS2500 (2 mg/kg) was also beneficial (54 % decrease, p < 0.01). Renal BT doubled in P2Y1(-/-) versus P2Y1(+/+) mice, and increased threefold with MRS2500 compared to vehicle. Tail BT was markedly prolonged in P2Y1(-/-) mice (7.9X) and in C57BL/6 mice given MRS2500. The current study demonstrates that P2Y1 deletion or antagonism significantly reduced venous thrombosis in mice, suggesting that P2Y1 receptors play a role in the pathogenesis of venous thrombosis, at least in this species. However as with many antithrombotic agents the benefit comes at the potential price of an increase in provoked bleeding times.

Effects of plasma kallikrein deficiency on haemostasis and thrombosis in mice: murine ortholog of the Fletcher trait.

Plasma kallikrein is a multifunctional serine protease involved in contact activation of coagulation. Deficiency in humans is characterised by prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT); however, the balance between thrombosis and haemostasis is not fully understood. A study of plasma kallikrein-deficient mice revealed increased aPTT, without prolonged bleeding time. Prekallikrein antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) treatment in mice suggested potential for a positive therapeutic index. The current goal was to further define the role of plasma kallikrein in coagulation. Blood pressure and heart rate were normal in plasma kallikrein-deficient mice, and mice were completely protected from occlusion (100 ± 1.3% control flow) in 3.5% FeCl3 -induced arterial thrombosis versus heterozygotes (20 ± 11.4%) and wild-type littermates (8 ± 0%). Vessels occluded in 8/8 wild-type, 7/8 heterozygotes, and 0/8 knockouts. Anti-thrombotic protection was less pronounced in 5% FeCl3-induced arterial injury. Integrated blood flow was 8 ± 0% control in wild-type and heterozygotes, and significantly (p<0.01) improved to 43 ± 14.2% in knockouts. The number of vessels occluded was similar in all genotypes. Thrombus weight was significantly reduced in knockouts (-47%) and heterozygotes (-23%) versus wild-type in oxidative venous thrombosis. Average tail bleeding time increased modestly in knockout mice compared to wild-type. Average renal bleeding times were similar in all genotypes. These studies confirm and extend studies with prekallikrein ASO, and demonstrate that plasma kallikrein deletion prevents occlusive thrombus formation in mice with a minimal role in provoked bleeding. Additional support for the significance of the intrinsic pathway in the coagulation cascade is provided, as well as for a potential new anti-thrombotic approach.

Bleeding response induced by anti-thrombotic doses of a phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-ß inhibitor in mice.

INTRODUCTION: Published evidence suggests that phosphoinositide 3 kinase-ß (PI3K-ß) plays an important role in platelet aggregation and shear activation. TGX-221 is a selective PI3K-ß inhibitor with a good separation of anti-thrombotic efficacy and bleeding (therapeutic index) in rats. Our goal was to further evaluate potential of a PI3K-ß inhibitor as an anti-thrombotic agent by determining the therapeutic index in another species and efficacy model. Reported effects of TGX-221 in rats were also confirmed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: TGX-221 (0.3 + 0.3, 1 + 1, 3 + 3 mg/kg + mg/kg/hr, i.v.) or vehicle was given to mice starting 15 min prior to FeCl(3) arterial thrombosis (AT), tail or kidney bleeding time (BT) procedures. RESULTS: Integrated blood flow over 30 min (%baseline mean ± SEM) improved (p < 0.05) with TGX-221 doses 1 + 1 (49 ± 13.9%) and 3+3 (88 ± 10.6%) versus 0.3 + 0.3 (10 ± 0.8%) and vehicle (10 ± 0.6%). Vascular patency (non-occluded/total arteries) improved (p < 0.01) with TGX-221 doses of 3 + 3 (7/8), but not 0.3 + 0.3 (0/8) or 1 + 1 (4/8) versus vehicle (0/8). Tail BT (sec) increased (p < 0.05) with TGX-221 doses of 3 + 3 (median 1560) and 1 + 1 (1305) versus vehicle (225). Mean renal BT (sec) increased (p < 0.05) in all TGX-221 groups (3 + 3: 510 + 26; 1 + 1: 478 + 41; 0.3 + 0.3: 246 + 37) versus vehicle (123 + 9). For comparison, a reference agent, aspirin (30 mpk, i.p.) increased tail BT 1.9X and renal BT 2.6X. CONCLUSIONS: The novel finding of a clear impact on hemostasis by TGX-221 was demonstrated by increased bleeding in two models in mice at anti-thrombotic doses. The results suggest a narrower therapeutic index for this PI3K-ß inhibitor than previously recognized, at least for this species.

Assessing functional outcomes of children with muscular dystrophy and scoliosis: the Muscular Dystrophy Spine Questionnaire.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to develop a valid and reliable scale to evaluate the symptoms and functional abilities important to children with scoliosis and muscular dystrophy and their parents. METHODS: Eighty-five items were generated from a review of the literature and interviews with clinicians, parents, and children with muscular dystrophy and scoliosis. Items were reviewed and rated in terms of "importance" and "severity" by the children and their parents. The foremost 29 items were formatted into a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: The questionnaire, completed 2 weeks apart, demonstrated "excellent" test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.97). Construct validity was established through correlations with forced vital capacity (r = 0.46; P = 0.02), the Activities Scale for Kids (r = 0.40; P = 0.04), and the Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Questionnaire (r = 0.72; P = 0.00). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the Muscular Dystrophy Spine Questionnaire is a valid and reliable questionnaire designed to assess the outcomes of treatment in children with muscular dystrophy and scoliosis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE OR CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Prognostic level 2.

Deficiency in thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) protected mice from ferric chloride-induced vena cava thrombosis.

Thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) is a plasma carboxypeptidase that renders a fibrin-containing thrombus less sensitive to lysis. Since the role of TAFI in thrombus formation is still controversial in mice, our present study was designed to evaluate mice deficient in TAFI (TAFI(-/-)) on FeCl(3)-induced vena cava and carotid artery thrombosis. Parallel studies were carried out in wild-type mice using a potato carboxypeptidase inhibitor (PCI), a selective inhibitor of activated TAFI (TAFIa). Significant reduction in thrombus formation was observed in TAFI(-/-) mice (n = 8, P < 0.05 compared to wild-type littermates) but not in heterozygous (TAFI(+/-)) mice in 3.5% FeCl(3)-induced vena cava thrombosis. A similar effect was observed following treatment with 5 mg/kg bolus plus 5 mg/kg/h PCI in the same venous thrombosis model in C57BL/6 mice (n = 8, P < 0.01 compared to vehicle). No compositional difference was observed for the venous thrombi in TAFI(-/-) and wild-type littermates with or without PCI treatment using histological assessment. In contrast, neither TAFI deficiency nor treatment with PCI showed antithrombotic efficacy in the 3.5% FeCl(3)-induced carotid artery thrombosis model. In a tail transection bleeding time model, both TAFI deficiency and PCI treatment increased bleeding time up to 4.5 and 3.5 times, respectively, over controls (P < 0.05, n = 8). Similar ex vivo fibrinolytic activities were demonstrated for both TAFI deficiency and PCI treatment as enhanced lysis of thrombin-induced plasma clots and lysis of whole blood clot in a thrombelastograph. These data provide direct evidence for the role of TAFIa in vena cava thrombosis without the addition of exogenous thrombolytic in mice. The strong ex vivo fibrinolytic activity of TAFI deficiency or TAFIa inhibition by PCI provides a biomarker of TAFIa inhibition that tracks in vivo antithrombotic efficacy.

Parents' and patients' perceptions of postoperative appearance in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional evaluation of patients after surgery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). OBJECTIVES: To determine the agreement between patients' and parents' perceptions of the patient's postoperative appearance and to compare those perceptions with physical and radiographic measures of deformity. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Improving cosmesis is an important aim of surgery. Patients' appearances may influence their evaluation of its outcome. METHODS: Physical and radiographic data were collected 2 years after surgery for 128 patients with AIS. Patients and parents independently rated shoulder blades, shoulders, waist, and overall appearance. Additionally, patients completed the Quality of Life Profile for Spinal Disorders (QLPSD). Agreement was evaluated with the weighted kappa statistic ranging between 0 and 1 where higher values indicate better agreement. RESULTS: Fair to moderate agreement was found between patient and parent ratings of the patient's shoulder blades (kappa = 0.39; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.29-0.48), shoulders (kappa = 0.38; 95% CI, 0.26-0.50), waist (kappa = 0.45; 95% CI, 0.25-0.55), and overall appearance (kappa = 0.22; 95% CI, 0.04-0.40). Patients rated the appearance of their waist (P = 0.013) and overall appearance (P = 0.039) significantly worse than their parents. Patients' perceptions of their overall appearance had higher correlations with the body image subscale score (r = 0.45, P = 0.000) and the total quality of life score on the QLPSD (r = 0.37, P = 0.000) than did parents' perceptions of those same measures (r = 0.21, P = 0.025; and r = 0.08, P = 0.369, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Radiographic and physical measures of deformity do not correlate well with patients' and parents' perceptions of appearance. Patients and parents do not strongly agree on the cosmetic outcome of AIS surgery. Therefore, given that the adolescents themselves undergo the surgery, patients' assessments of their deformity, rather than radiographic measures or parents' assessments, should play a major role in the evaluation of surgical success.

Use of diabetes resources in adults attending a self-management education program.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the types of resources used to acquire information or assistance in the management of diabetes, and to identify persons who are more or less likely to use a variety of diabetes resources. METHODS: Through the use of a questionnaire and review of patient records, sociodemographic, clinical, and health care service utilization characteristics were obtained for 267 individuals with type 2 diabetes from a culturally diverse diabetes education centre. Descriptive analyses were performed to provide information on the types of diabetes resources used by age, sex and primary language spoken. Multivariable Poisson regression was used to predict low from high users of a variety of diabetes resources. RESULTS: On average, most patients used four different resources. The most commonly cited were physicians or endocrinologists; diabetes educators; and magazines, newspapers, books or television. Those who did not speak English, were born outside of Canada, had a lower level of education, or who were older used fewer diabetes resources. CONCLUSION: Notably, the characteristics of individuals who are less likely to use resources or a variety of resources reflect the basic determinants of health (i.e., age, sex, ethnicity or primary language spoken, and education). PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: We need to develop resources that are equitably accessible and of interest to all patients, particularly for individuals who do not speak English, who have lower education and literacy levels, and who are older. Furthermore, imparting the skills on how to find and utilize currently existing resources to assist in chronic disease self-management should be promoted as a core aspect of self-management education.

Practice locations of graduates of family physician residency and nurse practitioner programs: considerations within the context of institutional culture and curricular innovation through Titles VII and VIII.

BACKGROUND: Studies have described the aggregate results of federal funding for health professions education at the national level, but analysis of the long-term impact of institutional participation in these programs has been limited. PURPOSE: To describe and assess federally supported curricular innovations at East Tennessee State University designed to promote family medicine and nurse practitioner graduate interest in rural and underserved populations. METHODS: Descriptive analysis of a survey to determine practice locations of nurse practitioner graduates (1992-2002) and graduates of 3 family medicine residencies (1978-2002). Graduates' (N = 656) practice locations were documented using specific federal designations relating to health professions shortages and rurality. RESULTS: Overall, 83% of family medicine residency and 80% of nurse practitioner graduates selected practice locations in areas with medically underserved or health professions shortage designations; 48% of family physicians and 38% of nurse practitioners were in rural areas. CONCLUSIONS: Graduates who study in an educational setting with a mission-driven commitment to rural and community health and who participate in curricular activities designed to increase their experience with rural and underserved populations choose, in high numbers, to care for these populations in their professional practice.

Measuring physical function in children with spina bifida and dislocated hips: the Spina Bifida Hips Questionnaire.

The objective of this study was to develop a questionnaire to evaluate the activities of daily living that are important to children with spina bifida and dislocated hips and their families. Ninety-six items were generated from a review of the literature and interviews with clinicians, parents, and children with spina bifida and dislocated hips. Items were rated independently for "importance" and "severity" by the children and their parents. The 26 most important and severe items were formatted into a self-administered questionnaire, the Spina Bifida Hips Questionnaire (SBHQ). Parents and children completed 2 weeks apart the SBHQ, the Activities Scale for Kids (ASK), and the Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Questionnaire (PODCQ). The SBHQ showed excellent test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation = 0.97). Construct validity was established by correlations with the ASK (r = 0.79, P < 0.01) and the PODCQ (r = 0.84, P < 0.01). In conclusion, the SBHQ is a valid and reliable questionnaire for the evaluation of treatment outcomes for children with spina bifida and dislocated hips.

Entry-level competencies needed by BSNs in acute health care agencies in Tennessee in the next 10 years.

This study focused on the identification of entry-level competencies needed by bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) graduates who will begin working in acute health care agencies in Tennessee within 10 years. The purpose of this study was to increase awareness of the competencies needed by graduates of BSN programs in Tennessee to meet the demands of acute health care agencies, considering current and anticipated changes in the healthcare delivery system. The opinions of nurse educators, nurse administrators, recent BSN graduates, and experienced BSN graduates were solicited to assess congruency of perceptions. This study found there was a statistically significant difference in the perceptions of nurses in acute health care agencies and faculty in BSN programs about the importance of entry-level competencies needed by BSN graduates.

Outcome in patients lost to follow-up.

Long-term outcome studies are valuable for providing information on the results of joint arthroplasty. However, a progressively increasing rate of attrition correlates with the length of study. The attrition rate of patients "lost to follow-up" ("non-attenders") may have a significant effect on the reported outcome. The goal of this study was to analyze the effect of the outcome in patients lost to follow-up on analysis in the setting of total knee arthroplasty. We found a lower rate of failure for revision surgery and higher satisfactory results in "non-attenders" compared with patients completing follow-up. No statistical effect of loss to follow-up care was noted on survivorship analysis when revision surgery or revision plus severe pain were considered as end points. Therefore, the patients who do not attend follow-up visits do not necessarily have poor results.