Methodological Procedures to Acquire and Analyze Ultrasound Images of Swallowing: A Scoping Review.

This scoping review aimed to identify methodological procedures for acquiring and analyzing ultrasound images related to swallowing in adults and older adults. The inclusion criteria were based on the PCC strategy (participants, concept, and context), as follows: population (adults and older adults), concept (ultrasound assessment), and context (swallowing assessment). The review included observational, experimental, descriptive, and analytical studies and excluded those that were not available in full, animal studies, in vitro studies, letters to the editor, errata, study protocols, and those that used ultrasound for purposes other than swallowing. There were no language and time restrictions. Two independent blinded professionals selected 81 articles that met the inclusion criteria from different databases. The most evaluated parameters included tongue morphology and movements, hyoid bone displacement, swallowing muscle area, and pharyngeal residue detection, such as pharyngeal wall mobility. They used convex and linear transducers (3 MHz to 8 MHz) positioned in the submental, laryngeal, and lateral regions of the neck. The subjects were seated and instructed to eat different food volumes and consistencies. The literature mapping showed that ultrasound is a promising diagnostic tool, helping clinicians understand swallowing disorders, as it provides static and dynamic images in different modes and positions. Also, patients receive real-time biofeedback of changes related to dysphagia.

[Utility of the AGREE tool for the development and evaluation of clinical protocols: From theory to clinical practice]. / Utilidad del instrumento AGREE para la elaboración y la evaluación de protocolos clínicos: de la teoría a la práctica clínica.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Clinical protocols are tools for the delivery of optimal and quality healthcare. However, there are often shortcomings in the quality of their design that invalidate their implementation. The aim of this study is to describe a systematic evaluation of clinical protocols, to analyse their quality in order to enable their implementation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Descriptive study that included the clinical protocols assessed by the Committee of Reviewers of Clinical Practice Recommendations and Health Technologies of a tertiary hospital during 11years of its existence between 2013 and 2023. The AGREE instrument was used to assess the quality of the protocols received, calculating standardised scores by item and domain, and categorising them into: a)excellent (90-100%), b)good (70-89%), c)improvable (50-69%), d)very improvable (30-49%), e)deficient (10-29%), and f)very deficient: 0-9%. RESULTS: Of the 59 documents received by the Commission, 32 were subsidised for AGREE evaluation. The highest scoring domain was «Scope and objective¼, with excellent scores for 29 protocols; the remaining domains had scores ranging from 58.5%-100% for «Rigour in elaboration¼ and 0-100% for «Independence¼. By items, scores ranged from 85.7-100% for «Target users of the protocol are clearly defined¼ to 0-100% for the items «Potential costs of implementing recommendations¼ and «Conflict of interest¼. Of the 32 protocols, 9 were highly recommended, 22 were recommended with modifications/conditions and one was not recommended. CONCLUSIONS: The AGREE tool makes it possible to systematize both the drafting of clinical protocols by the authors and their evaluation by the Clinical Practice Recommendations and Health Technologies Review Committee. This makes it possible to have applicable and quality protocols in our hospital, which results in an improvement in the quality of healthcare.

Antiviral treatment for SARS-CoV-2 infection in the current situation: a position paper of the Spanish Society of Emergency Medicine (SEMES). / Posicionamiento de la Sociedad Española de Medicina de Urgencias y Emergencias (SEMES) ante el tratamiento antiviral frente al SARS-CoV-2 en la situación epidemiológica actual.

SUMMARY: COVID-19 continues to pose a significant threat: mortality stands at nearly twice that of influenza, and the incidence rate is growing as the population's vaccination rate decreases, particularly in Spain and other areas of Europe. Given this situation, it is vitally important know whether medical protocols are consistent and appropriately implemented by health care staff in the interest of preventing possible inefficiency or inequity. Physicians from hospital emergency departments met to study their hospitals' usual clinical practices for managing SARS-CoV-2 infection and to determine their expert opinions on the use of antiviral agents. The participating physicians then reached consensus on evidencebased recommendations for strategies that would optimize emergency treatment.

RESUMEN: Actualmente, la COVID-19 sigue representando una amenaza significativa, con una mortalidad cercana al doble de la ocasionada por la gripe y con una incidencia variable debido a una disminución en la tasa de vacunación de la población, especialmente en el contexto europeo y español. Ante este panorama, es de vital importancia comprobar que los protocolos médicos están consolidados y son debidamente implementados por los profesionales sanitarios, con la finalidad de evitar posibles ineficiencias o inequidades. A través de reuniones con profesionales de urgencias se han observado las prácticas clínicas habituales en los servicios de urgencias hospitalarios para pacientes con infección por SARS-CoV-2, con la finalidad de comprender la perspectiva de estos profesionales acerca del uso de antivirales y, tras un consenso de expertos basados en la evidencia actual, se han generado estas de recomendaciones para poder enfocar estrategias que optimicen el tratamiento de los pacientes en estos servicios.

Clinicians' perceptions of "enhanced recovery after surgery" (ERAS) protocols to improve patient safety in surgery: a national survey from Australia.

BACKGROUND: Surgical patients are at risk of postoperative complications, which may lead to increased morbidity, mortality, hospital length-of-stay and healthcare costs. Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS®) protocols are evidence-based and have demonstrated effectiveness in decreasing complications and associated consequences. However, their adoption in Australia has been limited and the reason for this is unclear. This study aimed to describe clinicians' perceptions of ERAS protocols in Australia. METHODS: A national online survey of anaesthetists, surgeons and nurses was undertaken. Invitations to participate were distributed via emails from professional colleges. The 30-item survey captured respondent characteristics, ERAS perceptions, beliefs, education and learning preferences and future planning considerations. The final question was open-ended for elaboration of perceptions of ERAS. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to describe and compare group differences across disciplines relative to perceptions of ERAS. RESULTS: The sample included 178 responses (116 nurses, 65.2%; 36 surgeons, 20.2%; 26 anaesthetists, 14.6%) across six states and two territories. More than half (n = 104; 58.8%) had used ERAS protocols in patient care, and most perceived they were 'very knowledgeable' (n = 24; 13.6%) or 'knowledgeable' (n = 71; 40.3%) of ERAS. However, fewer nurses had cared for a patient using ERAS (p <.01) and nurses reported lower levels of knowledge (p <.001) than their medical counterparts. Most respondents agreed ERAS protocols improved patient care and financial efficiency and were a reasonable time investment (overall Md 3-5), but nurses generally recorded lower levels of agreement (p.013 to < 0.001). Lack of information was the greatest barrier to ERAS knowledge (n = 97; 62.6%), while seminars/lectures from international and national leaders were the preferred learning method (n = 59; 41.3%). Most supported broad implementation of ERAS (n = 130; 87.8%). CONCLUSION: There is a need to promote ERAS and provide education, which may be nuanced based on the results, to improve implementation in Australia. Nurses particularly need to be engaged in ERAS protocols given their significant presence throughout the surgical journey. There is also a need to co-design implementation strategies with stakeholders that target identified facilitators and barriers, including lack of support from senior administration, managers and clinicians and resource constraints.

Does Examination Table Paper Use Mitigate the Risk of Disease Transmission in a Family Medicine Clinic?

Reducing examination table paper (ETP) use may help curb carbon emissions from health care. Six participants applied Glo Germ (DMA International) to their hands before a common physical examination (abdominal, cardiorespiratory, hip and knee) both with and without ETP. After each exam, UV light was shined on the exam table and photographs were taken. The number of hand touches on ETP-covered areas and uncovered areas were tallied and compared using t tests. Despite covering more surface area, participants touched areas without ETP significantly more than ETP-covered areas (P <.05). Despite its continued use, patients do not have much hand contact with ETP during common clinical examinations.

Updates in traumatic brain injury management: brain oxygenation, middle meningeal artery embolization and new protocols.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) confers significant morbidity and mortality, and is a pathology often encountered by trauma surgeons. Several recent trials have evaluated management protocols of patients with severe TBI. The Brain Oxygen Optimization in Severe Traumatic Brain Injury Phase-II trial (BOOST-II) evaluated efficacy and feasibility of brain oxygen measurement in severe TBI. BOOST phase 3 trial (BOOST-3) and two ongoing trials look to measure functional outcomes in this population. Furthermore, middle meningeal artery embolization has now become standard therapy for adult patients with chronic subdural hematoma (SDH) and has increasing popularity in those with recurrent SDH as an alternative to surgical intervention. In this manuscript, we review the literature, ongoing trials, and discuss current updates in the management of TBI.

CLINICAL PROTOCOLS ADOPTED BY NURSES IN THE EXTRAVASATION OF ANTINEOPLASTIC DRUGS: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW / PROTOCOLOS CLÍNICOS ADOPTADOS POR ENFERMERÍA EN LA EXTRAVASACIÓN DE FÁRMACOS ANTINEOPLÁSICOS: UNA REVISIÓN INTEGRADORA / PROTOCOLOS CLÍNICOS ADOTADOS PELOS ENFERMEIROS NO EXTRAVASAMENTO DE ANTINEOPLÁSICOS: UMA REVISÃO INTEGRATIVA

Objective: To identify the patient safety measures and clinical protocols adopted by nurses in the case of antineoplastic extravasation. Methodology: The research approach was based on an integrative literature review that used the PICo strategy to structure the research question. Bibliographic surveys were carried out using the MEDLINE, Lilacs, BDENF, SciELO and PubMed databases using the following terms according to DeCS: "Clinical Protocols", " Extravasation of Therapeutic and Diagnostic Materials", "Oncology Nursing", "Patient Safety", "Antineoplastics". After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 25 articles were selected, read in full, classified and organized according to the theme, and critically analyzed. Results: From the analysis of the studies, it was possible to delimit the main actions and knowledge of nurses in the management and guarantee of patient safety in the face of antineoplastic extravasation, as well as promising new managements in the prevention and treatment of this aggravation. Conclusion: Nurses' knowledge of specific measures for antineoplastic drug leakage is incipient, and there is a clear need for research to minimize the gaps in innovative knowledge in nursing practice with the aim of preventing extravasation.

Objetivo: Identificar las medidas de seguridad del paciente y los protocolos clínicos adoptados por el personal de enfermería en el caso de extravasación de antineoplásicos. Metodología: El abordaje de la investigación se basó en una revisión bibliográfica integradora que utilizó la estrategia PICo para estructurar la pregunta de investigación. Las pesquisas bibliográficas fueron realizadas en las bases de datos MEDLINE, Lilacs, BDENF, SciELO y PubMed, utilizando los siguientes términos de acuerdo con el DeCS: "Protocolos clínicos", " Extravasación de material terapéutico y de diagnóstico", "Enfermería oncológica", "Seguridad del paciente", "Antineoplásicos". Tras aplicar los criterios de inclusión y exclusión, se seleccionaron 25 artículos, que fueron leídos en su totalidad, clasificados y organizados según el tema, y analizados críticamente. Resultados: A partir del análisis de los estudios, fue posible delinear las principales acciones y conocimientos de las enfermeras en el manejo y garantía de la seguridad del paciente ante la extravasación de antineoplásicos, así como nuevos manejos promisorios en la prevención y tratamiento de este agravamiento. Conclusión: El conocimiento de las enfermeras sobre las medidas específicas para la fuga de fármacos antineoplásicos es incipiente, existiendo una clara necesidad de investigación para minimizar las lagunas de conocimiento innovador en la práctica enfermera con el objetivo de prevenir la extravasación.

Objetivo: Identificar quais são as medidas de segurança do paciente e protocolos clínicos adotados pelos enfermeiros no extravasamento de antineoplásicos. Metodologia: A abordagem da pesquisa se deu a partir de uma revisão integrativa da literatura que se utilizou da estratégia PICo para estruturar a questão de pesquisa. Foram realizados levantamentos bibliográficos utilizando as bases de dados MEDLINE, Lilacs, BDENF, SciELO e PubMed utilizando os termos segundo o DeCS: "Protocolos Clínicos", "Extravasamento de Materiais Terapêuticos e Diagnósticos", "Enfermagem Oncológica", "Segurança do paciente", "Antineoplásicos". Após a aplicação dos critérios de inclusão e exclusão, foram selecionados 25 artigos lidos na íntegra, classificados e organizados conforme a temática, e analisados criticamente. Resultados: A partir da análise dos estudos, foi possível delimitar as principais ações e conhecimentos dos enfermeiros no manejo e garantia da segurança do paciente diante do extravasamento de antineoplásicos, assim como novos manejos promissores na prevenção e tratamento deste agravo. Conclusão: Incipiente é o conhecimento dos enfermeiros sobre as medidas específicas diante do extravasamento de antineoplásicos, com evidente necessidade de pesquisas que minimizem as lacunas no conhecimento inovador na prática da enfermagem com desígnio de prevenir  o extravasamento.

Enhanced recovery after cardiac surgery: A literature review.

Enhanced recovery after cardiac surgery (ERACS) represents a constellation of evidence-based peri-operative methods aimed to reduce the physiological and psychological stress patients experience after cardiac surgery, with the primary objective of providing an expedited recovery to pre-operative functional status. The method involves pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative interventions as well as direct patient engagement to be successful. Numerous publications in regard to the benefits of enhanced recovery have been presented, including decreased post-operative complications, shortened length of stay, decreased overall healthcare costs, and higher patient satisfaction. Implementing an ERACS program undeniably requires a culture change, a methodical shift in the approach of these patients that ultimately allows the team to achieve the aforementioned goals; therefore, team-building, planning, and anticipation of obstacles should be expected.

Degree of swallowing impairment in the elderly: clinical and instrumental assessment.

OBJECTIVE: To classifying the degree of swallowing impairment in the elderly, comparing clinical and instrumental assessment. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study with quantitative and qualitative analysis of clinical and instrumental assessment of 37 elderly, aged 60-82 years, of both genders without neurological, oncological or systemic diseases, participated in this study. All participants were submitted to clinical evaluation and their results compared through fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing considering liquid, pudding and solid food consistencies. Data were analyzed descriptively and statistically using the analysis of variance test (two-way ANOVA) and Tukey's post hoc test (p <  0.05). RESULTS: In the clinical evaluation there was a higher occurrence of moderate swallowing impairment, followed by functional swallowing, while in fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing the severity of the impairment was greater for moderate and mild degrees. There was no statistical difference between the clinical and instrumental evaluation methods. However, there was a significant interaction between the variables, with a difference for liquid consistency in the instrumental evaluation method. CONCLUSION: Healthy elderly have different degree of swallowing impairment according to food consistency. The clinical assessment using a scale that considers the physiological changes of the elderly, presented results similar to those found in the instrumental examination.

Implementation of the Fast-track Protocol for Total Hip Arthroplasty in a Public Hospital in the State of São Paulo - Brazil.

Objective Evaluate the results of the implementation of the Fast Track Protocol (FTP), a medical practice based on scientific evidence, for elective total hip arthroplasty surgery, mainly comparing the National Average Hospital Admission Rate of 7.1 days. Methods 98 patients who underwent elective total hip arthroplasty surgery via the direct anterior approach, anterolateral approach and posterior approach were included in the FTP from December 2018 to March 2020, being followed up preoperatively, intraoperatively and immediately postoperatively. Results The average length of hospital stay was 2.8 days, being 2.1 days for the direct anterior approach, 3.0 days for the anterolateral access approach and 4.1 days for the posterior access approach. The average surgery time was 90 minutes, 19 (19.39%) of the patients were referred to the ICU in the postoperative period, however, none of them underwent surgery using the direct anterior approach. We had no cases of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PTE) or neurological injury, 19 (19.39%) patients had postoperative bleeding requiring dressing change, 4 (4.08%) needed blood transfusion, 2 (2.04%) patients had implant instability, 1 (1.02%) patient had a fracture during surgery and 1 (1.02%) patient died of cardiac complications. Conclusion FTP may be a viable alternative to reduce the length of stay and immediate postoperative complications for elective total hip arthroplasty surgery decreasing the length of stay of patients by 2 to 3 times when compared to the national average of 7.1 days.

Implementation of an adapted perioperative ventriculoperitoneal shunting protocol in a tertiary center located in a low-to-middle-income country.

OBJECTIVE: Preventative protocols have efficaciously reduced shunt infection in developed countries. However, the generalizability of these protocols in low-to-middle-income countries (LMICs) remains unclear. Previously, shunt insertion in the authors' center was routinely performed under institutional preventative precautions, which was updated via merging with the Hydrocephalus Clinical Research Network (HCRN) protocol. This study aimed to investigate the ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) infection rates in pediatric patients following the implementation of the adapted protocol. METHODS: The adapted protocol was implemented in all first-time VPS implantations between 2011 and 2021. The primary outcome was a 6-month shunt infection. The Pearson chi-square test was used for categorical variables and the Mann-Whitney U-test for numeric variables to evaluate the correlation with shunt infection. RESULTS: A total of 352 first-time VPS procedures were performed adhering to the adapted protocol. The median age was 5 months, and 189 (53.7%) were male. Overall, 37 patients (10.5%) experienced shunt infection, with 30 (8.5%) occurring within the first 6 months, which was lower than 13.3% infection rate of the previous series of the same center. The infection rate was slightly higher than the 5.7% and 6.0% rates reported by HCRN studies. Patients with shunt infection were significantly younger (7.5 versus 17.5 months, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study validates the efficacy of an adapted perioperative protocol in mitigating shunt infection in a high-volume center in a LMIC. Adhering to a step-by-step protocol, modified to suit the healthcare resources and financial constraints of LMICs, could maintain low shunt infection rates that are roughly comparable to those of centers in high-income countries.

Efectividad de los protocolos de fisioterapia para pacientes con dolor lumbar crónico. Una revisión sistemática / Effectiveness of physiotherapy protocols for patients with chronic low back pain: A systematic review

Introducción: El dolor lumbar crónico es una de las principales causas de incapacidad laboral en el mundo. Requiere un abordaje interdisciplinario para la evolución del paciente. Hasta el momento, no existe consenso en el manejo del dolor lumbar crónico, lo que generó la inquietud de esta revisión sistemática. Objetivo: Identificar la efectividad de los protocolos de fisioterapia en el manejo del dolor lumbar crónico. Metodología: Se realizó una búsqueda sistemática en las bases de datos Pubmed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Oxford, Wiley, Cochrane Library Plus, PEDro, Epistemonikos, Hinari y LILACS, Google Scholar, Teseo y PROSPERO, desde el inicio de las bases hasta agosto de 2021. Los criterios de selección se definieron según la intervención y el tema del artículo. Resultados: Se incluyeron 26 estudios en la síntesis cualitativa, se excluyeron artículos que no cumplieran con los criterios de inclusión. Se encontró efecto en el control del dolor y la disminución de la discapacidad y las principales intervenciones son: fortalecimiento muscular del Core y miembros inferiores, estiramiento de miembros inferiores, movilidad lumbopélvica y educación o escuela de espalda. La frecuencia en el tratamiento osciló entre 2 y 3 veces por semana durante 5 semanas. Conclusiones: Se encontró mayor efectividad en el tiempo de control del dolor y la disminución de la discapacidad, relacionados principalmente con el fortalecimiento muscular del Core y las estrategias educativas.(AU)

Introduction: Chronic low back pain is one of the main causes of incapacity for work in the world. It requires an interdisciplinary approach for the evolution of the patient. Until now, there is no consensus on the management of chronic low back pain, which generated the concern of this systematic review. Aim: To identify the effectiveness of physiotherapy protocols in the management of chronic low back pain. Methodology: A systematic search was carried out in the Pubmed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Oxford, Wiley, Cochrane Library Plus, PEDro, Epistemonikos, Hinari and LILACS, Google Scholar, Teseo and PROSPERO databases, from the beginning of the databases until August, 2021. The selection criteria were defined according to the intervention and topic of the article. Results: Twenty-six studies were included in the qualitative synthesis, articles that did not meet the inclusion criteria were excluded. An effect was found in the control of pain and the reduction of disability and the main interventions are: muscular strengthening of the core and lower limbs, stretching of the lower limbs, lumbopelvic mobility and education or back school. The treatment frequency ranged from 2 to 3 times per week for 5 weeks. Conclusions: Greater effectiveness was found in pain control time and disability reduction, mainly related to core muscle strengthening and educational strategies.(AU)

Validated medication deprescribing instruments for patients with palliative care needs: a systematic review / Instrumentos validados de desprescripción de medicamentos para los pacientes que reciben cuidados paliativos: una revisión sistemática

Objectives: Patients with life-limiting illnesses are prone to unnecessary polypharmacy. Deprescribing tools may contribute to minimizing negative outcomes. Thus, the aims of the study were to identify validated instruments for deprescribing inappropriate medications for patients with palliative care needs and to assess the impact on clinical, humanistic, and economic outcomes. Methods: A systematic review was conducted in LILACS, PUBMED, EMBASE, COCHRANE, and WEB OF SCIENCE databases (until May 2021). A manual search was performed in the references of enrolled articles. The screening, eligibility, extraction, and bias risk assessment were carried out by 2 independent researchers. Experimental and observational studies were eligible for inclusion. Results: Out of the 5791 studies retrieved, after excluding duplicates (n = 1050), conducting title/abstract screening (n = 4741), and full reading (n = 41), only 1 study met the inclusion criteria. In this included study, a randomized controlled trial was conducted, which showed a high level of bias risk overall. Adults 75 years or older (n = 130) with limited life expectancy and polypharmacy were allocated to 2 groups [intervention arm (deprescribing); and control arm (usual care)]. Deprescribing was performed with the aid of the STOPPFrail tool. The mean number of inappropriate medications and monthly medication costs were significantly lower in the intervention arm. No statistically significant differences were found in terms of unscheduled hospital presentations, falls, fractures, mortality, and quality of life. Conclusions: Despite the availability of several instruments to support deprescribing in patients with palliative care needs, only 1 of them has undergone validation and robust assessment for effectiveness in clinical practice. The STOPPFrail tool appears to reduce the number of inappropriate medications for older people with limited life expectancy (and probably palliative care needs)...(AU)

Objetivo: Los pacientes con enfermedades terminales son propensos a la polifarmacia innecesaria. Las herramientas de desprescripción pueden contribuir a minimizar los resultados negativos. Por lo tanto, los objetivos del estudio fueron identificar instrumentos validados para la desprescripción de medicamentos inapropiados en pacientes con necesidades de cuidados paliativos y evaluar el impacto en los resultados clínicos, humanísticos y económicos. Métodos: Se realizó una revisión sistemática en las bases de datos LILACS, PUBMED, EMBASE, COCHRANE y WEB OF SCIENCE (hasta mayo de 2021). Se realizó una búsqueda manual en las referencias de los artículos incluidos. La selección, elegibilidad, extracción y evaluación del riesgo de sesgo se llevaron a cabo por dos investigadores independientes. Se aceptó la inclusión de estudios observacionales y experimentales. Resultados: De los 5791 estudios recuperados, después de excluir duplicados (n = 1050), realizar la selección de títulos/resúmenes (n = 4741) y la lectura completa (n = 41), solo un estudio cumplió con los criterios de inclusión. En este estudio incluido, se realizó un ensayo controlado aleatorizado, que mostró un alto nivel de riesgo de sesgo en general. A los adultos de 75 años o más (n = 130) con esperanza de vida limitada y polifarmacia se les asignaron dos grupos [grupo de intervención (desprescripción) y grupo de control (atención habitual)]. Se realizó la desprescripción con la ayuda de la herramienta STOPPFrail. El número promedio de medicamentos inapropiados y los costos mensuales de los medicamentos fueron significativamente más bajos en el grupo de intervención. No se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en términos de presentaciones hospitalarias no programadas, caídas, fracturas, mortalidad y calidad de vida. Conclusiones: A pesar de la disponibilidad de varias herramientas para apoyar la deprescripción en pacientes con necesidades de cuidados paliativos...(AU)

Instrumentos validados de desprescripción de medicamentos para los pacientes que reciben cuidados paliativos: una revisión sistemática / Validated medication deprescribing instruments for patients with palliative care needs: a systematic review

Objectives: Patients with life-limiting illnesses are prone to unnecessary polypharmacy. Deprescribing tools may contribute to minimizing negative outcomes. Thus, the aims of the study were to identify validated instruments for deprescribing inappropriate medications for patients with palliative care needs and to assess the impact on clinical, humanistic, and economic outcomes. Methods: A systematic review was conducted in LILACS, PUBMED, EMBASE, COCHRANE, and WEB OF SCIENCE databases (until May 2021). A manual search was performed in the references of enrolled articles. The screening, eligibility, extraction, and bias risk assessment were carried out by 2 independent researchers. Experimental and observational studies were eligible for inclusion. Results: Out of the 5791 studies retrieved, after excluding duplicates (n = 1050), conducting title/abstract screening (n = 4741), and full reading (n = 41), only 1 study met the inclusion criteria. In this included study, a randomized controlled trial was conducted, which showed a high level of bias risk overall. Adults 75 years or older (n = 130) with limited life expectancy and polypharmacy were allocated to 2 groups [intervention arm (deprescribing); and control arm (usual care)]. Deprescribing was performed with the aid of the STOPPFrail tool. The mean number of inappropriate medications and monthly medication costs were significantly lower in the intervention arm. No statistically significant differences were found in terms of unscheduled hospital presentations, falls, fractures, mortality, and quality of life. Conclusions: Despite the availability of several instruments to support deprescribing in patients with palliative care needs, only 1 of them has undergone validation and robust assessment for effectiveness in clinical practice. The STOPPFrail tool appears to reduce the number of inappropriate medications for older people with limited life expectancy (and probably palliative care needs)...(AU)

Objetivo: Los pacientes con enfermedades terminales son propensos a la polifarmacia innecesaria. Las herramientas de desprescripción pueden contribuir a minimizar los resultados negativos. Por lo tanto, los objetivos del estudio fueron identificar instrumentos validados para la desprescripción de medicamentos inapropiados en pacientes con necesidades de cuidados paliativos y evaluar el impacto en los resultados clínicos, humanísticos y económicos. Métodos: Se realizó una revisión sistemática en las bases de datos LILACS, PUBMED, EMBASE, COCHRANE y WEB OF SCIENCE (hasta mayo de 2021). Se realizó una búsqueda manual en las referencias de los artículos incluidos. La selección, elegibilidad, extracción y evaluación del riesgo de sesgo se llevaron a cabo por dos investigadores independientes. Se aceptó la inclusión de estudios observacionales y experimentales. Resultados: De los 5791 estudios recuperados, después de excluir duplicados (n = 1050), realizar la selección de títulos/resúmenes (n = 4741) y la lectura completa (n = 41), solo un estudio cumplió con los criterios de inclusión. En este estudio incluido, se realizó un ensayo controlado aleatorizado, que mostró un alto nivel de riesgo de sesgo en general. A los adultos de 75 años o más (n = 130) con esperanza de vida limitada y polifarmacia se les asignaron dos grupos [grupo de intervención (desprescripción) y grupo de control (atención habitual)]. Se realizó la desprescripción con la ayuda de la herramienta STOPPFrail. El número promedio de medicamentos inapropiados y los costos mensuales de los medicamentos fueron significativamente más bajos en el grupo de intervención. No se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en términos de presentaciones hospitalarias no programadas, caídas, fracturas, mortalidad y calidad de vida. Conclusiones: A pesar de la disponibilidad de varias herramientas para apoyar la deprescripción en pacientes con necesidades de cuidados paliativos...(AU)

India Hypertension Control Initiative: Blood Pressure Control Using Drug and Dose-Specific Standard Treatment Protocol at Scale in Punjab and Maharashtra, India, 2022.

Background: Hypertension treatment coverage is low in India. A stepwise simple treatment protocol is one of the strategies to improve hypertension treatment in primary care. We estimated the effectiveness of various protocol steps to achieve blood pressure (BP) control in public sector health facilities in Punjab and Maharashtra, India, where the India Hypertension Control Initiative (IHCI) was implemented. Methods: We analyzed the records of people enrolled for hypertension treatment and follow-up under IHCI between January 2018 and December 2021 in public sector primary and secondary care facilities across 23 districts from two states. Each state followed a different treatment protocol. We calculated the proportion with controlled BP at each step of the protocol. We also estimated the mean decline in BP pre- and post-treatment. Results: Of 281,209 patients initiated on amlodipine 5 mg, 159,292 continued on protocol drugs and came for a follow-up visit during the first quarter of 2022. Of 33,450 individuals who came for the follow-up in Punjab and 125,842 in Maharashtra, 70% and 76% had controlled BP, respectively, at the first step with amlodipine 5 mg. In Punjab, at the second step with amlodipine 10 mg, the cumulative BP control increased to 75%. A similar 5% (76%-81%) increase was seen in the second step after adding telmisartan 40 mg in Maharashtra. Overall, the mean (SD) systolic blood pressure (SBP) decreased by 16 mmHg from 148 (15) mmHg at the baseline in Punjab. In Maharashtra, the decline in the mean (SD) SBP was about 15 mmHg from the 144 (18) mmHg baseline. Conclusion: Simple drug- and dose-specific protocols helped achieve a high control rate among patients retained in care under program conditions. We recommend treatment protocols starting with a single low-cost drug and escalating with the same or another antihypertensive drug depending on the cost and availability.

[Consensus for the diagnosis and management of extramedullary plasmacytoma in China(2024)].

Extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP) is a special type of malignant plasmacytosis, which is complex and heterogeneous. Most EMP patients have poor prognosis and lack a stratified prognostic system or ideal treatment strategy supported by evidence-based medical evidence, which cannot meet clinical needs. In order to improve the understanding of this disease entity, Plasma Cell Disease Group, Chinese Society of Hematology, Chinese Medical Association and Chinese Myeloma Committee-Chinese Hematology Association developed the "Chinese Expert Consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of extramedullary plasmacytoma", which aims to standardize the clinical diagnosis and treatment of EMP and ultimately improve the overall survival of patients with plasmacytoma.

Methotrexate treatment strategies for rheumatoid arthritis: a scoping review on doses and administration routes.

BACKGROUND: To describe the evidence of methotrexate (MTX) initiation strategies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and, in the case of non-responders, analyse the efficacy and safety of route and dose optimisation. METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive scoping review of randomised controlled trials according to PRISMA Scoping Reviews Checklist and the framework proposed by Arksey and O'Malley. PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane were searched without language restriction, and hand searches of relevant articles were examined. RESULTS: We identified 1,367 potentially eligible studies, of which 12 were selected based on the titles and abstracts and then on the full-length articles. In naïve-MTX patients, a linear dose-response relationship for starting dose was found between 5 mg/m2/week (7.5-10 mg/week) and 10 mg/m2/week (15-22 mg/week), without toxicity correlation. A higher initial dose of MTX (25 mg vs. 15 mg) was more effective, resulting in fewer dose increases due to ineffectiveness and more dose reductions due to higher remission rates. There was also a trend towards increased gastrointestinal toxicity. Comparing different routes of administration of MTX, subcutaneous MTX showed a statistically higher ACR20 response (85%) in comparison with oral MTX (77%) (p < 0.05). The clinical efficacy and safety of accelerated and conventional start MTX regimens were comparable between 7.5 and 15 mg with a 2,5 mg dose increase every two weeks. In RA patients who have failed the initial treatment with MTX, the stepwise increase in MTX doses is associated with a higher ACR20 response and sustained remission rate than other strategies. In MTX non-responders, optimisation to SC MTX was associated with improvements in ACR20 and ACR50 rates with similar toxicity between groups. In the early RA patients subgroup, SC MTX showed higher ACR20 response rates than oral MTX, and intensive oral methods have a much higher sustained remission rate, shorter mean time to remission, and better clinical disease activity measures than conventional treatments. CONCLUSIONS: Higher starting doses of MTX and initial subcutaneous MTX made better performance in improving the ACR20 response, although the clinical effectiveness and safety of other MTX start regimens are comparable. This scoping review provides evidence in support of optimising MTX treatment in terms of route and dose prior to concluding that MTX treatment in RA patients has failed.

Cuidar da pessoa em situação critica no serviço de urgência: contributos do enfermeiro especialista para a qualidade dos cuidados / Caring for the critically ill person in the emergency department: the specialist nurse's contribution to the quality of care

Este relatório de estágio surge no âmbito do curso de Mestrado em Enfermagem Médico- Cirúrgica e pretende evidenciar as experiências e atividades desenvolvidas no sentido de adquirir e desenvolver competências especializadas. A estrutura do relatório teve como linha orientadora os domínios de competências definidas para o Enfermeiro Especialista pela Ordem dos Enfermeiros, enquadradas nos domínios académicos preconizados pela Instituição de Ensino. O perfil de conhecimentos e competências do Enfermeiro Especialista na área da pessoa em situação crítica deve responder de forma competente à frágil e complexa situação clínica, sendo o seu papel suportado por um quadro de competências diferenciadas enquadradas no respeito pelo Ser Humano e pelos seus direitos inalienáveis. Focados no crescimento e desenvolvimento de competências especificas na área da pessoa em situação crítica, bem como no contributo da visão diferenciada do Enfermeiro Especialista na melhoria da qualidade dos cuidados, procuramos dar resposta aos problemas encontrados na prática clínica. Das atividades desenvolvidas destacamos a criação de um fluxograma de apoio ao enfermeiro triador no encaminhamento interno dos doentes e de um protocolo terapêutico de atuação no adulto com febre na triagem de manchester. Evidenciamos também, o investimento resiliente no desenvolvimento e implementação de um protocolo complexo, no âmbito da prestação de cuidados em contexto de urgência, ao doente em estado de agitação/agressividade que visa mitigar um problema recorrente. No domínio académico da investigação desenvolvemos um estudo qualitativo com recurso à técnica de Focus Group, com o objetivo de construir um modelo de documentação padronizado, simplificado e facilitador do registo de enfermagem que documente a atuação do enfermeiro na avaliação e intervenção ao doente, durante o transporte inter-hospitalar. As conclusões deste estudo de investigação validaram um modelo de registo sustentado numa mnemónica, uniformizadora e facilitadora dos registos de enfermagem durante o transporte inter-hospitalar do doente crítico. Consideramos que as experiências que decorreram deste estágio foram fundamentais e permitiram o desenvolvimento das competências inerentes ao Enfermeiro Especialista.

This internship report appears within the scope of the Master's degree in Medical-Surgical Nursing and aims to highlight the experiences and activities developed in order to acquire and develop specialized skills. The structure of the report was guided by the domains of competences defined for the Specialist Nurse by the Order of Nurses, framed in the academic domains recommended by the Educational Institution. The profile of knowledge and skills of the Specialist Nurse in terms of people in critical situations must respond competently to the fragile and complex clinical situation, with their role supported by a framework of differentiated skills framed in respect for the Human Being and their inalienable rights . Focused on the growth and development of specific skills in the area of people in critical situations, as well as the contribution of the Specialized Nurse's differentiated vision to improving the quality of care, we seek to respond to problems encountered in clinical practice. The activities developed highlight the creation of a flowchart to support the triage nurse in the internal referral of patients and a therapeutic protocol for working with adults with fever in the manchester triage. We also highlight the resilient investment in the development and implementation of a complex protocol, within the scope of providing care in an emergency context, to patients in an agitated/aggressive state that aims to mitigate a recurring problem. In the academic domain of research, we developed a qualitative study using the Focus Group technique, with the objective of building a standardized, simplified documentation model that facilitates the nursing record that documents the nurse's role in evaluating and intervening with the patient, during the inter-hospital transport. The conclusions of this research study validated a recording model based on a mnemonic, standardizing and facilitating nursing records during the inter-hospital transport of critically ill patients. We consider that the experiences that took place during this internship were fundamental and allowed the development of skills inherent to Specialist Nurses.

Comparison of antiangiogenic agents (ranibizumab, aflibercept, bevacizumab and ziv-aflibercept) in the therapeutic response to the exudative form of age-related macular degeneration according to the treat-and-extend protocol- true head-to-head study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the structural and functional changes in eyes with neovascular age related macular degeneration (nAMD) in a real-world setting, using Treat and Extend protocol (T&E), comparing four antiangiogenic agents. METHODS: Prospective, observational, case series study performed in 131 patients with the exudative form of nAMD. Patients were randomly assigned into four groups according to the antiangiogenic agent. During the first year, all eyes received at least 3 monthly intravitreal injections of antiangiogenic agents, and afterwards, were submitted to the T&E. RESULTS: There was statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) between pre- and post-treatment in the best corrected visual acuity measurements by drug used. Patients who used aflibercept had significantly fewer injections than patients using the other drugs (mean = 9.03). No significant difference was observed between the drugs bevacizumab, ranibizumab and ziv-aflibercept. With regard to biomarkers, patients who used aflibercept and had lower baseline central retinal thickness, absence of hyperreflective foci and no subretinal hyperreflective material had the lowest number of injections. CONCLUSION: Results indicate that over 2 years, Intravitreal aflibercept on T&E provided better visual and anatomical improvements when compared to other drugs used in this study with significantly fewer injections.

Inadequate prophylaxis in patients with trauma: anti-Xa-guided enoxaparin dosing management in critically ill patients with trauma.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) causes significant morbidity in patients with trauma despite advances in pharmacologic therapy. Prior literature suggests standard enoxaparin dosing may not achieve target prophylactic anti-Xa levels. We hypothesize that a new weight-based enoxaparin protocol with anti-Xa monitoring for dose titration in critically injured patients is safe and easily implemented. Methods: This prospective observational study included patients with trauma admitted to the trauma intensive care unit (ICU) from January 2021 to September 2022. Enoxaparin dosing was adjusted based on anti-Xa levels as standard of care via a performance improvement initiative. The primary outcome was the proportion of subtarget anti-Xa levels (<0.2 IU/mL) on 30 mg two times per day dosing of enoxaparin. Secondary outcomes included the dosing modifications to attain goal anti-Xa levels, VTE and bleeding events, and hospital and ICU lengths of stay. Results: A total of 282 consecutive patients were included. Baseline demographics revealed a median age of 36 (26-55) years, and 44.7% with penetrating injuries. Of these, 119 (42.7%) achieved a target anti-Xa level on a starting dose of 30 mg two times per day. Dose modifications for subtarget anti-Xa levels were required in 163 patients (57.8%). Of those, 120 underwent at least one dose modification, which resulted in 78 patients (47.8%) who achieved a target level prior to hospital discharge on a higher dose of enoxaparin. Overall, only 69.1% of patients achieved goal anti-Xa level prior to hospital discharge. VTE occurred in 25 patients (8.8%) and major bleeding in 3 (1.1%) patients. Conclusion: A majority of critically injured patients do not meet target anti-Xa levels with 30 mg two times per day enoxaparin dosing. This study highlights the need for anti-Xa-based dose modification and efficacy of a pharmacy-driven protocol. Further optimization is warranted to mitigate VTE events. Level of evidence: Therapeutic/care management, level III.