Travel medicine updates for the NP.

ABSTRACT: This article provides an overview of the approach to preparing patients for travel, including travel counseling and risk mitigation through vaccination and chemoprophylaxis. Although some patients require referral for consultation with a travel medicine specialist, others can be managed by their primary care provider. In this article, traveler's diarrhea, updated travel-related immunizations, and malaria prophylaxis are discussed.

Clostridioides difficile nurse driven protocol: A cautionary tale.

In a 12-month study, a nurse driven protocol was implemented at a tertiary academic medical center. The purpose of the nurse driven protocol was to identify community-onset Clostridioides difficile infections, expeditiously isolate patients with presumed C difficile diarrheal illness, and prevent transmission while simultaneously decreasing the incidence of hospital-onset C difficile. The overall adherence to fidelity of the protocol was poor and failed to have a significant impact on infection rates.

Implementation of clinical decision support in young children with acute gastroenteritis: a randomized controlled trial at the emergency department.

Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) is one of the most frequent reasons for young children to visit emergency departments (EDs). We aimed to evaluate (1) feasibility of a nurse-guided clinical decision support system for rehydration treatment in children with AGE and (2) the impact on diagnostics, treatment, and costs compared with usual care by attending physician. A randomized controlled trial was performed in 222 children, aged 1 month to 5 years at the ED of the Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's hospital in The Netherlands ( 2010-2012). Outcome included (1) feasibility, measured by compliance of the nurses, and (2) length of stay (LOS) at the ED, the number of diagnostic tests, treatment, follow-up, and costs. Due to failure of post-ED weight measurement, we could not evaluate weight difference as measure for dehydration. Patient characteristics were comparable between the intervention (N = 113) and the usual care group (N = 109). Implementation of the clinical decision support system proved a high compliance rate. The standardized use of oral ORS (oral rehydration solution) significantly increased from 52 to 65%(RR2.2, 95%CI 1.09-4.31 p < 0.05). We observed no differences in other outcome measures. CONCLUSION: Implementation of nurse-guided clinical decision support system on rehydration treatment in children with AGE showed high compliance and increase standardized use of ORS, without differences in other outcome measures. What is Known: • Acute gastroenteritis is one of the most frequently encountered problems in pediatric emergency departments. • Guidelines advocate standardized oral treatment in children with mild to moderate dehydration, but appear to be applied infrequently in clinical practice. What is New: • Implementation of a nurse-guided clinical decision support system on treatment of AGE in young children showed good feasibility, resulting in a more standardized ORS use in children with mild to moderate dehydration, compared to usual care. • Given the challenges to perform research in emergency care setting, the ED should be experienced and adequately equipped, especially during peak times.

[Implementation of a nurse-driven educational program improves management of sorafenib's toxicities in hepatocellular carcinoma]. / Les infirmières cliniciennes améliorent la gestion des toxicités des patients traités par sorafénib pour carcinome hépatocellulaire.

BACKGROUND: Sorafenib is the standard treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Due to its peculiar toxicities, improving patient's tolerance may need close follow-up. Nurses can play a crucial role, by driving a patient education program (EP). We aimed to prove that adding EP to usual care (UC) improves patient's care. METHODS: Since 2011, oncologists referred patients treated by sorafenib to the EP, driven by clinical nurses. It consisted in a visit before first administration, weekly telephone calls and a visit before each oncologist consultation. We retrospectively compared patients followed by the EP to those followed by oncologist in usual care (UC) and patients included in a clinical trial (CT). RESULTS: Since 2005, 129 patients were treated with sorafenib for HCC, 31 (24%) in the EP, 22 (17%) in CT and 76 (59%) with UC. Seventy-one percent of patients in the EP had toxicities identified during a telephone call, which prompted symptomatic measures in 65% of patients, leading to treatment modification before the planned on-site visit in 29% of patients. EP patients required less dose reductions (39% vs. 61% for UC, P=0.04), and median time to first dose reduction was shorter with EP than with UC (25 days vs. 45 days, P=0.036). CONCLUSION: This study suggests a clinical benefit of EP, with a better toxicity's management of sorafenib, leading to less dose reduction. Different types of EP should be compared prospectively, focusing on quality of life.

Diarrhea in Multiple Myeloma: A Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND: One of the most common and inadequately managed symptoms that patients with multiple myeloma (MM) experience as a result of cancer treatment is diarrhea. Diarrhea in patients with MM often is severe enough to warrant dose reduction, delays, or discontinuation of chemotherapy. Short-term diarrhea can occur as a side effect of drugs, such as bortezomib (Velcade®) or panobinostat (Farydak®). Late-onset diarrhea from lenalidomide (Revlimid®) can occur 17-24 months after the start of therapy. Treatment of diarrhea is often by dose reduction and discontinuation of the offending drug. However, the symptom fails to entirely resolve with these interventions and dose reductions place the individual at risk for disease progression. Best practices for diarrhea management in MM are poorly understood, but diarrhea symptoms impede patient adherence and undermine quality of life. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this article is to review the etiology of the symptom of diarrhea in people with cancer, specifically MM. Management strategies also are discussed. METHODS: A comprehensive review of CINAHL®, MEDLINE®, and PubMed databases was performed using the search terms diarrhea, chemotherapy, multiple myeloma, and cancer. Research studies, guidelines, and papers from peer-reviewed publications were considered. FINDINGS: Although general guidelines from the American Society of Clinical Oncology and Oncology Nursing Society exist that suggest best practices in the management of chemotherapy-induced diarrhea, best practices to identify and manage diarrhea symptoms in patients with MM are lacking.

The burden of diarrhea in the intensive care unit (ICU-BD). A survey and observational study of the caregivers' opinions and workload.

BACKGROUND: Diarrhea as a common complication affects 14% patients in our intensive care unit. Risk factors for diarrhea and its clinical consequences for patients are well known, but the impact of diarrhea on caregivers' workload remains undocumented. OBJECTIVES: This study aims at establishing the impact of diarrhea on costs and human burden in intensive care unit caregivers. DESIGN: A survey and observational study. SETTINGS: A mixed 36-bed medical and surgical intensive care unit. PARTICIPANTS: All intensive care unit caregivers (nurses and nursing aides). METHODS: A questionnaire was designed by a multidisciplinary team and completed by intensive care unit caregivers analyzing the clinical and human impact of diarrhea on their workload. Time measurements for the management of liquid stools were performed. Human related costs of diarrhea were analyzed according to caregivers' years of clinical experience. RESULTS: Questionnaires were completed by 146 of 204 intensive care unit caregivers (75% nurses; 73% nursing aides). Dealing with diarrhea patients is a painful aspect of their work (69% nurses) with tiredness as main feeling and a source of conflict or misunderstanding among caregivers. The mean time measurement for managing one liquid stool in 50 diarrhea episodes was 17min and 33s, involving an average of 1.4 nurses and 0.8 nursing aides. Average human resources cost burden was 26.60 CHF per liquid stool. CONCLUSION: Dealing with diarrhea increases workload for intensive care unit caregivers with consequences on their well-being. Human related costs of diarrhea are substantial and highlight the economic burden of diarrhea episodes in the intensive care unit. A multidisciplinary approach and specific protocols could positively impact the burden of diarrhea in the intensive care unit. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials gov NCT01922570.

Best practice nursing care for ICU patients with incontinence-associated dermatitis and skin complications resulting from faecal incontinence and diarrhoea.

AIMS: Incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD), resulting from diarrhoea and/or faecal incontinence, is a common problem in intensive care, occurring in 7-50% of the patients, with an estimated 10 million dollars spent annually on continence skin care. This project aimed to evaluate and improve the staff knowledge on IAD and also improve practice in the identification, prevention and treatment of IAD in the ICU. METHODS: A pre/post-audit framework was used to implement the best practice recommendations between August 2013 and March 2014. Nursing staff were surveyed and a chart review was conducted to audit baselines of knowledge and nursing practice regarding IAD. Education and product standardization were used to implement the best practice recommendations and a post-audit was conducted to evaluate changes in knowledge and practice. RESULTS: Thirty-one (pre-implementation) and 27 (post-implementation) nurses were surveyed to evaluate knowledge on IAD identification, care and documentation practices. No IAD policy or IAD-specific skin assessment tool for use existed in the ICU. After implementation, there was a 40% increase in the ability of the staff to distinguish between IAD and pressure injuries, an increase from 87% to 100% in the use of skin-protectant and an improvement from 25 to 66% in the correct application of skin-protectants. An encouraging 70% of the nurses were using a single standard skin-protectant after implementation as opposed to audit 1, where 100% of the nurses were using multiple products before implementation. There was a 16% increase in the staff surveyed post-audit who said they reported on the perineal skin in patients with IAD. However, IAD documentation in both audit 1 and audit 2, as evidenced by chart review, remained poor. CONCLUSION: The project had created an awareness of IAD in the ICU. There was clear knowledge improvement and nursing staff were able to differentiate IAD from pressure injuries. The skin cleansing and protection regime is now more clear and consistent, and a single standardized product is being used to prevent and treat IAD. There was a small improvement in consistently documenting the condition of the perineal skin of patients with IAD; however, it was beyond the scope of this project to develop a policy and implement an IAD-specific skin assessment tool in the ICU, as this would have improved documentation of IAD in the ICU.

Management of Travel-Related Illness Acquired in Haiti.

Management of travel-related diseases acquired in Haiti begins with the identification of tropical diseases that are prevalent in the region. Knowledge of various tropical disease incubation periods and presenting symptoms is crucial to ensure rapid triage and management of care.

Travelers' diarrhea: Risk reduction and management.

Travelers' diarrhea is a common complaint for patients traveling abroad. Onset of illness, symptoms experienced, and the duration of symptoms are greatly impacted by the causative agent. This article explores the causes, prevention recommendations, and treatment methodologies recommended for this common condition.

Probiotics: A review for NPs.

While use of probiotics has increased, understanding when and how to use them can be confusing for patients. Nurse practitioners need to know the basics about the products, including which are evidence-based and most likely to provide a beneficial effect for a specific condition.

Management of gastroenteritis in children under five years.

This article explores the causes and management of gastroenteritis in children under five years. It considers in particular national guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. The importance of identifying and assessing dehydration is discussed, as well as its systematic management, carer education and infection prevention. Promoting carer competence, confidence and self-management is emphasised.

Factors associated with early introduction of formula and/or solid, semi-solid or soft foods in seven Francophone West African countries.

The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with early introduction of formula and/or solid, semi-solid or soft foods to infants aged three to five months in seven Francophone West African countries. The sources of data for the analyses were the most recent Demographic and Health Survey datasets of the seven countries, namely Benin (BDHS, 2012), Burkina Faso (BFDHS, 2010), Cote d'Ivoire (CIDHS, 2011-2012), Guinea (GDHS, 2012), Mali (MDHS, 2012-2013), Niger (NDHS, 2012) and Senegal (SDHS, 2010). The study used multiple logistic regression methods to analyse the factors associated with early introduction of complementary feeding using individual-, household- and community-level determinants. The sample was composed of 4158 infants aged between three and five months with: 671 from Benin, 811 from Burkina Faso, 362 from Cote d'Ivoire, 398 from Guinea, 519 from Mali, 767 from Niger and 630 from Senegal. Multiple analyses indicated that in three of the seven countries (Benin, Guinea and Senegal), infants who suffered illnesses, such as diarrhoea and acute respiratory infection, were significantly more likely to be introduced to formula and/or solid, semi-solid or soft foods between the age of three and five months. Other significant factors included infants who: were born in second to fourth position (Benin), whose mothers did not attend any antenatal clinics (Burkina Faso and Niger), were male (Cote d'Ivoire and Senegal), lived in an urban areas (Senegal), or were delivered by traditional birth attendants (Guinea, Niger and Senegal). Programmes to discourage early introduction of formula and/or solid, semi-solid or soft foods in these countries should target the most vulnerable segments of the population in order to improve exclusive breastfeeding practices and reduce infant mortality.

Assessment of inflammatory bowel disease patient's needs and problems from a nursing perspective.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we aimed at assessing Inflammatory Bowel Disease patients' needs and current nursing practice to investigate to what extent consensus statements (European Crohn's and Colitis Organization) on the nursing roles in caring for patients with IBD concur with local practice. METHODS: We used a mixed-method convergent design to combine quantitative data prospectively collected in the Swiss IBD cohort study and qualitative data from structured interviews with IBD healthcare experts. Symptoms, quality of life, and anxiety and depression scores were retrieved from physician charts and patient self-reported questionnaires. Descriptive analyses were performed based on quantitative and qualitative data. RESULTS: 230 patients of a single center were included, 60% of patients were males, and median age was 40 (range 18-85). The prevalence of abdominal pain was 42%. Self-reported data were obtained from 75 out of 230 patients. General health was perceived significantly lower compared with the general population (p < 0.001). Prevalence of tiredness was 73%; sleep problems, 78%; issues related to work, 20%; sexual constraints, 35%; diarrhea, 67%; being afraid of not finding a bathroom, 42%; depression, 11%; and anxiety symptoms, 23%. According to experts' interviews, the consensus statements are found mostly relevant with many recommendations that are not yet realized in clinical practice. CONCLUSION: Identified prevalence may help clinicians in detecting patients at risk and improve patient management.

Risk factors for diarrhea in children under five years of age residing in peri-urban communities in Cochabamba, Bolivia.

This study examined the relationship between childhood diarrhea prevalence and caregiver knowledge of the causes and prevention of diarrhea in a prospective cohort of 952 children < 5 years of age in Cochabamba, Bolivia. The survey of caregiver knowledge found that more than 80% of caregivers were unaware that hand washing with soap could prevent childhood diarrhea. Furthermore, when asked how to keep food safe for children to eat only 17% of caregivers reported hand washing before cooking and feeding a child. Lack of caregiver awareness of the importance of practices related to hygiene and sanitation for diarrhea prevention were significant risk factors for diarrheal disease in this cohort. The knowledge findings from this study suggest that health promotion in these communities should put further emphasis on increasing knowledge of how water treatment, hand washing with soap, proper disposal of child feces, and food preparation relate to childhood diarrhea prevention.

Prevalence, one week incidence and knowledge on causes of diarrhea: household survey of under-fives and adults in Mkuranga district, Tanzania.

BACKGROUND: Diarrhea is known to be the major cause of mortality in children aged less than five years old. Although mortality from diarrheal disease is decreasing globally, morbidity is not. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of diarrhea among under-fives and assess knowledge on causes of diarrhea among adults in Mkuranga district Tanzania. METHODS: Interviews with heads of households and observations were the methods of data collection employed by this study. RESULTS: The prevalence of diarrhea in children below the age of five years as reported by heads of households was 6.1% and most affected were children in age groups 12-17 and 18-23 months (11.6% and 15.8% respectively; p-value 0.001). The rate of diarrhea incidence was 1 episode per 10 children per week. The mean duration of diarrhea illness was 1.7 days. Most under-fives had diarrhea for one (38.1%) or two (24%) days. Respondents in the 4th least poor quintile were more likely to have comprehensive knowledge on causes of diarrhea compared to respondents in the 1st poorest quintile. Male respondents were two times more likely to have comprehensive knowledge than female respondents. Respondents with comprehensive knowledge on causes of diarrhea were less likely to have poor hand-washing practice and more likely to have received water, hygiene and sanitation education. Under-fives in age group 12-17 months and those from households with reported poor hand washing practice were more likely to experience diarrhea episodes. CONCLUSION: Although prevalence of diarrhea reported in this study is low, the one week incidence is moderately high but less severe. Majority of household respondents had inadequate knowledge on causes of diarrhea and poor hand-washing practice. There is a need to provide WASH education to improve their knowledge on causes of diarrhea and hand washing practice.

Stool management systems for preventing environmental spread of Clostridium difficile: a comparative trial.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare contamination of the immediate environment with Clostridium difficile spores and vegetative cells from 2 stool management systems over a period of 30 days in a controlled laboratory setting. DESIGN: In vitro, comparison trial. METHODS: Two stool management systems were compared over a 30-day period in a controlled laboratory setting. Sixteen systems were filled with sterile loose canine stool inoculated with 10 colony-forming units (CFUs) per milliliter of C difficile; specially prepared culture media were used to detect C difficile contamination on various surfaces of the device and in the immediate environment. Containment bags were changed daily and devices were refilled with inoculated stool to more closely imitate use in the clinical setting. A dichotomous outcome variable (growth vs no growth) was used to analyze contamination on a daily basis via the generalized estimating equation; devices were also compared on days 3, 10, 20, and 30 by measuring CFUs per device surface. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze growth over time. When observations showed no growth, the Cochran-Mantel Haenszel test was used to compare study devices. RESULTS: Analysis revealed that 20.8% of anterior surfaces of the collection bags for device 1 were contaminated versus 83.9% of collection bags for device 2 (P < .001). Comparison of the tubing/hub interface resulted in similar findings; 20.8% of device 1 group were contaminated versus 86.3% of device 2 group (P < .001). Analysis of an absorbent pad placed under the device during daily changes found that 0.5% of device 1 were contaminated versus 38.1% of pads placed under device 2 (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this in vitro study show that stool management systems can limit or prevent environmental contamination of C difficile. Results also reveal significant differences in the 2 systems tested; we hypothesize that these differences are attributable to the interface between the tubing and collection bag, the point at which these systems are most often disconnected as collection bags become filled with fecal material. Further clinical studies are required to confirm the clinical relevance of the data presented in this in vitro study.

Graft-versus-host disease in oncology nursing practice.

INTRODUCTION: Gastrointestinal graft-versus-host disease (GI-GvHD) is extremely debilitating and is multifactorial in its causative factors, management and treatment. It is an exaggeration of normal physiological mechanisms wherein the donor immune system attempts to rid itself of the host. The inflammatory process that follows has the benefit of providing an anti-tumour effect for many diseases, but unfortunately in patients undergoing human stem-cell transplantation, the nature of the inflammation can result in disability, wasting and death. AIM: The aim of this article is to discuss the pathophysiology of this often misunderstood or misdiagnosed condition, as well as its signs and symptoms, management and considerations for nursing care. Considerations for nursing practice: While the medical management is aimed at minimising GvHD through the reduction of T-cell production and proliferation and gastrointestinal decolonisation, the nursing care is often focused on the signs and symptoms that can have the most prominent impact on patients. CONCLUSION: GI-GvHD has serious life-threatening complications, namely wasting syndrome, diarrhoea and dehydration. The basis of signs and symptomology is easily recognisable owing to the stages of progression through the human stem-cell transplantation process. Oncology nurses are in a prime position to identify these serious risks, initiate treatment immediately and collaborate effectively within the multidisciplinary team to minimise GvHD onset and provide expert support to patients, family and caregivers.

Nuevos dispositivos de derivación y colección fecal: efectos adversos descritos en la bibliografía / New devices of fecal diversion and collection: Adverse effects described in the literature

Entre los productos para el manejo de heces en pacientes con diarrea o incontinencia fecal existen las nuevas sondas de derivación y colección fecal. El objetivo del presente trabajo es realizar una revisión de las complicaciones descritas en la bibliografía sobre estos dispositivos. MÉTODOS: Se realizó una búsqueda en las principales bases bibliográficas, recuperando publicaciones sobre los nuevos dispositivos. De entre las anteriores se seleccionaron los documentos relevantes, que eran aquellos en los que se describían complicaciones acontecidas y se procedió a la descripción de las mismas. RESULTADOS: Se recuperan 13 documentos relevantes. Tienen lugar 45 efectos adversos acontecidos en 36 pacientes. Las complicaciones de mayor prevalencia fueron: hemorragia rectal (10 pacientes) y distensión abdominal (6 pacientes). CONCLUSIÓN: Con el objetivo de ofrecer un mejor cuidado del paciente es fundamental conocer las posibles complicaciones para poder prevenirlas. Se considera necesario reevaluar los cuidados a estos pacientes

Among products for the management and control of faeces in patients with fecal incontinence, there are new devices that allow the diversion and collection of fecal matter. This study has aimed to know the complications related to these new devices described in theliterature. METHOD: A search was made in the main bibliographic databases, obtaining publications on the new devices. The relevant documents were selected, these being those that described complications. After these were described. RESULTS: A total of 13 relevant documents were recovered. There were 45 adverse events 36 patients. Those having the greatest incidence were rectal bleeding (10 patients) and abdominal distension (6 patients). CONCLUSION: In order to provide the best patient care, it is essential to know the possible complications in order to be able to prevent them. The cares given these patients need to be reevaluated

Description of a school nurse visit syndromic surveillance system and comparison to emergency department visits, New York City.

OBJECTIVES: We compared school nurse visit syndromic surveillance system data to emergency department (ED) visit data for monitoring illness in New York City schoolchildren. METHODS: School nurse visit data recorded in an electronic health record system are used to conduct daily surveillance of influenza-like illness, fever-flu, allergy, asthma, diarrhea, and vomiting syndromes. We calculated correlation coefficients to compare the percentage of syndrome visits to the school nurse and ED for children aged 5 to 14 years, from September 2006 to June 2011. RESULTS: Trends in influenza-like illness correlated significantly (correlation coefficient = 0.89; P < .001) and 72% of school signals occurred on days that ED signaled. Trends in allergy (correlation coefficient = 0.73; P < .001) and asthma (correlation coefficient = 0.56; P < .001) also correlated and school signals overlapped with ED signals on 95% and 51% of days, respectively. Substantial daily variation in diarrhea and vomiting visits limited our ability to make comparisons. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with ED syndromic surveillance, the school nurse system identified similar trends in influenza-like illness, allergy, and asthma syndromes. Public health practitioners without school-based surveillance may be able to use age-specific analyses of ED syndromic surveillance data to monitor illness in schoolchildren.

[New devices of fecal diversion and collection: adverse effects described in the literature]. / Nuevos dispositivos de derivación y colección fecal: efectos adversos descritos en la bibliografía.

UNLABELLED: Among products for the management and control of faeces in patients with fecal incontinence, there are new devices that allow the diversion and collection of fecal matter. This study has aimed to know the complications related to these new devices described in the literature. METHOD: A search was made in the main bibliographic databases, obtaining publications on the new devices. The relevant documents were selected, these being those that described complications. After these were described. RESULTS: A total of 13 relevant documents were recovered. There were 45 adverse events 36 patients. Those having the greatest incidence were rectal bleeding (10 patients) and abdominal distension (6 patients). CONCLUSION: In order to provide the best patient care, it is essential to know the possible complications in order to be able to prevent them. The cares given these patients need to be reevaluated.