DBS-Edmonton App, a Tool to Manage Patient Expectations of DBS in Parkinson Disease.

OBJECTIVE: After deep brain stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson disease (PD), patients often do not report the level of satisfaction anticipated. This misalignment can relate to patients' expectations for an invasive treatment and insufficient knowledge of DBS's effectiveness in relieving motor and nonmotor symptoms (NMS). Patient satisfaction depends on expectations and goals for treatment. We hypothesized that improving patient education with a patient-centered shared decision-making tool emphasizing autonomy would improve patient satisfaction and clinical outcome. METHODS: We developed a computer application (DBS-Edmonton app), allowing patients with PD to input their symptoms and to learn how effective DBS addresses their prioritized symptoms. Sixty-two volunteers referred for DBS used the DBS-Edmonton app. DBS-related knowledge and patient perceptions of the DBS-Edmonton app were assessed with pre- and post-use questionnaires. Fourteen of 24 patients who proceeded to DBS achieved optimization at 6 months. Perceived functional improvement was assessed and compared with 12 control patients with DBS who did not use the DBS-Edmonton app. RESULTS: All 62 volunteers considered the DBS-Edmonton app helpful and would recommend it to others. There was improved knowledge about how NMS and axial symptoms respond to DBS. Postoperatively, there was no significant difference in symptoms improvement assessed by standard scales between the groups. Volunteers who used the DBS-Edmonton app had greater satisfaction (p = 0.014). CONCLUSION: This interventional study showed that the DBS-Edmonton app improved DBS-related knowledge and patient satisfaction, independent of the objective motor outcome. It may assist patients in deciding to proceed to DBS and can be easily incorporated into practice to improve patient satisfaction post-DBS.

NxStage dialysis system-associated thrombocytopenia: a report of two cases.

Thrombocytopenia in hemodialysis patients has recently been reported to be commonly caused by electron-beam sterilization of dialysis filters. We report the occurrence of thrombocytopenia in the first two patients of a newly established home hemodialysis program. The 2 patients switched from conventional hemodialysis using polysulfone electron-beam sterilized dialyzers to a NxStage system, which uses gamma sterilized polyehersulfone dialyzers incorporated into a drop-in cartridge. The thrombocytopenia resolved after return to conventional dialysis in both patients and recurred upon rechallenge in the patient who opted to retry NxStage. This is the first report of thrombocytopenia with the NxStage system according to the authors’ knowledge. Dialysis-associated thrombocytopenia pathophysiology and clinical significance are not well understood and warrant additional investigations.

Effects and impacts of Productive Ward from a nursing perspective.

The Productive Ward: releasing time to care (PW) initiative is predominantly a nurse-led quality improvement (QI) offering, designed to streamline ward work processes and clinical environments in an attempt to 'release time to care'. It has been implemented widely in the UK, recently attracting international interest. This paper systematically reviews the literature relating to the PW initiative, highlights and ranks the reported effects and impacts from a nursing perspective. Nine themes emerged from our content analysis. This paper examines the three most reported themes-empowerment, leadership and engagement-exploring how they may influence the opportunities for implementing and sustaining the initiative. This study brings some experience, learning and insight from the PW initiative to those currently involved in implementation. It also highlights some elements of change not being delivered by PW. The comprehensive list of reported impacts and effects, from a nursing perspective, adds value to senior nurses attempting to cultivate a culture of QI.