Characterizing the implementation of performance management interventions in a primary health care system: a case study of the Salud Mesoamerica Initiative in El Salvador.

Performance management (PM) reforms have been introduced in health systems worldwide to improve accountability, transparency and learning. However, gaps in evidence exist regarding the ways in which PM contributes to organizational-level outcomes. Between 2015 and 2017, the government of El Salvador and the Salud Mesoamerica Initiative (SMI) introduced team-based PM interventions in the country's primary health care (PHC) system including target setting, performance measurement, provision of feedback and in-kind incentives. The programme's evaluation showed widespread improvements in performance for community outreach and service timeliness, quality and utilization. The current study characterizes how the implementation of team-based PM interventions by SMI implementers contributed to PHC system performance improvements. We used a descriptive, single-case study design informed by a programme theory (PT). Data sources included qualitative in-depth interviews and SMI programme documents. We interviewed the members of four PHC teams (n = 13), Ministry of Health (MOH) decision makers (n = 8) and SMI officials (n = 6). Coded data were summarized, and thematic analysis was employed to identify broader categories and patterns. The outcomes chain in the PT was refined based on empirical findings that revealed the convergence of two processes: (1) increased social interactions and relationships among implementers that enhanced communication and created opportunities for social learning and (2) cyclical performance monitoring that generated novel flows of information. These processes contributed to emergent outcomes including the uptake of performance information, altruistic behaviours in service delivery and organizational learning. Through time, the cyclical nature of PM appears to have led to the spread of these behaviours beyond the teams studied here, thus contributing to system-wide effects. Findings illustrate the social nature of implementation processes and describe plausible pathways through which lower-order implementation programme effects can contribute to higher-order changes in system performance.

The Effect of Sodium-Glucose Co-Transporter 2 Inhibitors on Stroke and Atrial Fibrillation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The effect of Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors on the occurrence of AF and stroke remains unclear due to underpowered individual studies. We aim to conduct a meta-analysis including all studies that have evaluated the effects of SGLT2 inhibitors on the occurrence of AF and stroke. We queried electronic databases (PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL and ClinicalTrials.gov) for randomized controlled trials assessing the effect of SGLT2 inhibitors. Trials were selected if they reported 1 or both of the pre-specified outcomes of stroke and AF. Results were pooled using a random-effects model. Subgroup analysis was conducted to study patients with T2DM, HF, CVD and CKD. 56 trials comprising 111,773 patients were included. SGLT2 inhibitors significantly reduced the incidence of AF across all studies (RR:0.87; 95%CI, [0.76-0.99], P=0.03, I^2=0%) especially when used as monotherapy (RR:0.87; 95%CI, [0.77-0.99], P=0.04, I^2=0%) and among T2DM patients (RR:0.83; 95%CI, [0.72-0.97], P=0.02, I^2=0%). The risk of stroke was not reduced after treatment with SGLT2 inhibitors (RR:0.97; 95%CI, [0.89-1.07], P=0.56, I^2=0%) and this was consistent when given as monotherapy (RR:0.98; 95%CI, [0.89-1.07], P=0.62, I^2=0%) or combination therapy (RR:0.58; 95%CI, [0.17-1.95], P=0.38, I^2=0%). This result was consistent among the 3 subpopulations: T2DM, CVD and HF, however benefit was seen in patients with CKD (eGFR<90) (RR:0.85; 95%CI, [0.75-0.97], P=0.02, I^2=0%). SGLT2 inhibitors significantly reduce the incidence of atrial fibrillation, and this effect is primarily seen when given as monotherapy and in patients with T2DM. However, they have no significant effect on the incidence of stroke, except for in patients with Stage 2 CKD and beyond (eGFR<90).

Acceptability of Routine Point-of-Care Early Infant Diagnosis in Eight African Countries: Findings From a Qualitative Assessment of Clinical and Laboratory Personnel.

BACKGROUND: The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation introduced point-of-care (POC) testing for early infant diagnosis (EID) of HIV in 8 African countries. Understanding experiences and opinions of users can help facilitate introduction and sustainability. SETTING: Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Eswatini, Kenya, Lesotho, Mozambique, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe. METHODS: Structured interviews with health care workers (HCWs) providing EID services and semistructured interviews with national and regional laboratory managers or EID program managers were conducted before and after the implementation of POC EID. Survey responses were analyzed and compared; open-ended responses were analyzed by theme. RESULTS: In total, 234 and 175 interviews with HCWs and 28 and 14 interviews with laboratory or program managers were conducted before and after the introduction of POC EID, respectively. In preintervention interviews, challenges identified with laboratory-based EID testing included distance from patients' residence to the health facility, time-consuming sample transportation to central laboratories, stockout of testing kits, and long wait times for results. Postintervention data revealed that HCWs found POC EID easy to use and were very satisfied with the fast turnaround time and ability to initiate treatment for HIV-infected infants sooner. Laboratory managers were also supportive of scaling-up POC testing although cautious of the need for reliable infrastructure to operate platforms. The recommendation was that POC EID be integrated within the national diagnostic testing network. CONCLUSIONS: Support for POC EID from key stakeholders is essential for sustainability. Overall, participants supported the rollout of POC testing for EID, noting challenges and opportunities for scaling-up POC EID and recommending integration into the overall EID system.

Cardiovascular Outcomes With Surgical Left Atrial Appendage Exclusion in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Who Underwent Valvular Heart Surgery (from the National Inpatient Sample Database).

Left atrial appendage (LAA) exclusion is a commonly performed procedure to reduce the embolic events in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who underwent cardiac surgeries. Our study aimed to evaluate the in-hospital outcomes of LAA exclusion in patients with AF who underwent valvular heart surgeries. We queried the Nationwide Inpatient Sample Database from 1998 to 2013 for patients with the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Edition, Clinical Modification, diagnosis codes for AF and underwent any valvular heart surgery. We then performed a case-control matching based on the CHA2DS2VASc score for those who underwent LAA exclusion versus those who did not. Primary outcome was the incidence of in-hospital cerebrovascular events, whereas the secondary outcomes included all-cause mortality, length of hospital stay, and bleeding. Our analysis included 1,304 patients. Patients who underwent LAA exclusion had significantly less incidence of cerebrovascular events (2.5% vs 4.6%, p = 0.04), in-hospital death (1.5% vs 4.9%, p = 0.001), and shorter hospital stay (10.5 vs 12.9 days, p <0.01). The LAA exclusion cohort had more incidence of pericardial effusion (1.3% vs 0.5%, p = 0.04) but no difference in bleeding events (p = 0.55). In conclusion, in patients with AF who underwent valvular surgeries, LAA exclusion may be associated with lower in-hospital cerebrovascular events and mortality and shorter hospital stay.

Increased adolescent knowledge and behavior following a one-time educational intervention about tuberculosis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of a tuberculosis (TB) educational intervention (EI) on change in adolescent student knowledge and participation in a TB prevention program. METHODS: From 2/2013-5/2015, students from 2 high schools in Houston, TX participated. The 25-min EI discussed TB bacteriology, epidemiology, symptoms, and indications for TB testing/treatment. Students completed pre- and post-quizzes. Immediately after the EI, students were invited to participate in voluntary TB risk-factor screening, testing and treatment. At 6 months, focus groups were conducted. RESULTS: 895 students attended the EI. 827 students (92%) completed the EI quizzes. Knowledge improved by 12% (pre: 70%; post: 82%, p<0.001); 78% shared their TB knowledge. Following the EI, 671/827 (81%) enrolled in a TB prevention program. Focus groups indicated that the EI stimulated student learning about TB and increased their willingness to participate. CONCLUSION: A brief, one-time, TB EI is an effective method to encourage adolescents to learn about TB and motivate their uptake of TB risk-factor screening, testing and treatment. Similar EIs should accompany TB prevention programs targeting adolescents. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The study's procedures could be considered for incorporation into school-based TB prevention programs to improve the identification, testing and treatment of adolescents at risk for TB.

Effect of precut sphincterotomy on post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIM: To conduct a systemic review and meta-analysis to investigate the role of early precut technique. Multiple randomized controlled trails (RCTs) have reported conflicting results of the early precut sphincterotomy. METHODS: MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Database of Systematic Reviews, and recent abstracts from major conference proceedings were searched (June 2013). Randomized and non-randomized studies comparing early precut technique with prolonged standard methods were included. Pooled estimates of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis (PEP), cannulation and adverse events were analyzed by using odds ratio (OR). Random and fixed effects models were used as appropriate. Publication bias was assessed by funnel plots. Heterogeneity among studies was assessed by calculating I² measure of inconsistency. RESULTS: Seven randomized and seven non-randomized trials met inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis of RCTs showed a decrease trend for PEP with early precut sphincterotomy but was not statistically significant (OR = 0.58; 95%CI: 0.32-1.05; P = 0.07). No heterogeneity was noted among the studies with I² of 0%. CONCLUSION: Early precut technique for common bile duct cannulation decreases the trend of post-ERCP pancreatitis.