Use of health services and perceived need for information and follow-up after percutaneous coronary intervention.

OBJECTIVE: Few patients achieve full control of their coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factors. Follow-up, such as cardiac rehabilitation, is important to increase adherence to lifestyle changes and treatment, to improve the patient's risk profile, and to treat established complications of CAD clinical events. However, the type of follow-up patients receive varies. Therefore, the aim of this research note was to describe and compare patients' self-reported use of health services, the type of follow-up patients reported to prefer, and the type of information patients reported to be important, in two countries with different follow-up practices after PCI. RESULTS: We included 3417 patients in Norway and Denmark, countries with different follow-up strategies after PCI. The results showed large differences between the countries regarding health services used. In Denmark the most frequently used health services were consultations at outpatient clinics followed by visits to the general practitioner and visits to the fitness centre, whereas in Norway visits to the general practitioner were most common, followed by rehospitalisation and no follow-up used. However, patients found the same type of follow-up and information important in both countries. Patients' perceived need for follow-up and information decreased over time, suggesting a need for early follow-up when the patients are motivated. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT03810612 (18/01/2019).

eHealth literacy among hospital health care providers: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: eHealth literacy is a key concept in the implementation of eHealth resources. However, most eHealth literacy definitions and frameworks are designed from the perceptive of the individual receiving eHealth care, which do not include health care providers' eHealth literacy or acceptance of delivering eHealth resources. AIMS: To identify existing research on eHealth literacy domains and measurements and identify eHealth literacy scores and associated factors among hospital health care providers. METHODS: This systematic review was reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 checklist. A systematic literature search was conducted in MEDLINE, Cinahl, Embase, Scopus, PEDro, AMED and Web of Science. Quantitative studies assessing eHealth literacy with original research, targeting hospital health care providers were included. Three eHealth literacy domains based on the eHealth literacy framework were defined a priori; (1) Individual eHealth literacy, (2) Interaction with the eHealth system, and (3) Access to the system. Pairs of authors independently assessed eligibility, appraised methodological quality and extracted data. RESULTS: Fourteen publications, of which twelve publications were conducted in non-Western countries, were included. In total, 3,666 health care providers within eleven different professions were included, with nurses being the largest group. Nine of the included studies used the eHealth literacy scale (eHEALS) to measure eHealth literacy, representing the domain of individual eHealth literacy. A minority of the studies covered domains such as interaction with the eHealth system and access to the system. The mean eHEALS score in the studies ranged from 27.8 to 31.7 (8-40), indicating a higher eHealth literacy. One study reported desirable eHealth literacy based on the Digital Health Literacy Instrument. Another study reported a relatively high score on the Staff eHealth literacy questionnaire. eHealth literacy was associated with socio-demographic factors, experience of technology, health behaviour and work-related factors. CONCLUSIONS: Health care providers have good individual eHealth literacy. However, more research is needed on the eHealth literacy domains dependent on interaction with the eHealth system and access to the system. Furthermore, most studies were conducted in Eastern and Central-Africa, and more research is thus needed in a Western context. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42022363039).

The association of electronic health literacy with behavioural and psychological coronary artery disease risk factors in patients after percutaneous coronary intervention: a 12-month follow-up study.

Aims: Fundamental roadblocks, such as non-use and low electronic health (eHealth) literacy, prevent the implementation of eHealth resources. The aims were to study internet usage for health information and eHealth literacy in patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Further, we aimed to evaluate temporal changes and determine whether the use of the internet to find health information and eHealth literacy were associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factors at the index admission and 12-month follow-up of the same population. Methods and results: This prospective longitudinal study recruited 2924 adult patients with internet access treated by PCI in two Nordic countries. Assessments were made at baseline and 12-month follow-up, including a de novo question Have you used the internet to find information about health?, the eHealth literacy scale, and assessment of clinical, behavioural, and psychological CAD risk factors. Regression analyses were used. Patients' use of the internet for health information and their eHealth literacy were moderate at baseline but significantly lower at 12-month follow-up. Non-users of the internet for health information were more often smokers and had a lower burden of anxiety symptoms. Lower eHealth literacy was associated with a higher burden of depression symptoms at baseline and lower physical activity and being a smoker at baseline and at 12-month follow-up. Conclusion: Non-use of the internet and lower eHealth literacy need to be considered when implementing eHealth resources, as they are associated with behavioural and psychological CAD risk factors. eHealth should therefore be designed and implemented with high-risk CAD patients in mind. Clinical trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03810612 https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03810612.

Amiodarone-induced phlebitis: incidence and adherence to a clinical practice guideline.

AIMS: Intravenous amiodarone is an irritant of peripheral blood vessels with phlebitis as an adverse effect. The aims were to determine the incidence of intravenous amiodarone-induced phlebitis, to describe adherence to a clinical practice guideline, and to determine how characteristics were distributed between those with and without phlebitis. METHODS AND RESULTS: A prospective observational study was conducted. Adult patients treated with amiodarone through a peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) or a central venous catheter were included. PIVC characteristics were measured using the PIVC mini questionnaire. Patients with ≥two signs of phlebitis were categorized as having phlebitis. Adherence to the clinical practice guideline was registered on a standard abstract sheet. Data were collected from the amiodarone start-up to 2 days after the amiodarone was discontinued. In total, 124 patients with amiodarone infusions were observed, of which 69% were administered via a PIVC. The phlebitis rate was 44%. Fifty-three per cent developed amiodarone-induced phlebitis during the infusion phase, while 47% presented phlebitis during the post-infusion phase. The three most observed signs or symptoms of phlebitis were redness (87%), pain (81%), and swelling (71%). The most commonly used PIVC site was the elbow, and 35% of the PIVCs were large (18 gauge), which was the last preferred site and size according to the clinical practice guideline. CONCLUSION: A large proportion of the patients developed amiodarone-induced phlebitis. The adherence to the clinical practice guideline was not optimal according to the PIVC recommendations. Prevention of amiodarone-induced phlebitis should have high priority to reduce patient harm.

Health Literacy and Risk Factors for Coronary Artery Disease (From the CONCARDPCI Study).

In the setting of established coronary artery disease (CAD), lower health literacy is associated with poor outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine whether health literacy at the index admission was associated with established CAD risk factors and with changes in CAD risk factors from baseline until 6 months after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). A multicenter cohort study recruited 3,417 patients aged ≥18 years who were treated with PCI. Assessments were made at the index admission for PCI and at 6-month follow-up, including 4 of the 9 scales from the Health Literacy Questionnaire, an assessment of behavioral risk factors and psychologic risk factors for CAD. In this large study, key aspects of health literacy were associated with behavioral and psychologic risk factors for CAD. For each 1-unit higher score on the health literacy scales, weekly physical activity was 12 to 20 intensity-adjusted minutes higher, and the odds of being a nonsmoker were 24% to 72% higher. The risk factors for CAD improved from baseline to 6-month follow-up, although most were not significantly associated with health literacy. Still, patients with lower health literacy scores were more likely to report a greater reduction in depression symptoms from baseline to 6-month follow-up. In conclusion, the study provides evidence that several aspects of health literacy are associated with risk factors for CAD. These results serve as a reminder to healthcare teams to consider health literacy challenges in connection with secondary prevention care.

Psychometric Properties of the Norwegian Version of the Electronic Health Literacy Scale (eHEALS) Among Patients After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Cross-Sectional Validation Study.

BACKGROUND: Web-based technology has recently become an important source for sharing health information with patients after an acute cardiac event. Therefore, consideration of patients' perceived electronic health (eHealth) literacy skills is crucial for improving the delivery of patient-centered health information. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to translate and adapt the eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS) to conditions in Norway, and to determine its psychometric properties. More specifically, we set out to determine the reliability (internal consistency, test-retest) and construct validity (structural validity, hypotheses testing, and cross-cultural validity) of the eHEALS in self-report format administered to patients after percutaneous coronary intervention. METHODS: The original English version of the eHEALS was translated into Norwegian following a widely used cross-cultural adaptation process. Internal consistency was calculated using Cronbach α. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to assess the test-retest reliability. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed for a priori-specified 1-, 2-, and 3-factor models. Demographic, health-related internet use, health literacy, and health status information was collected to examine correlations with eHEALS scores. RESULTS: A total of 1695 patients after percutaneous coronary intervention were included in the validation analysis. The mean age was 66 years, and the majority of patients were men (1313, 77.46%). Cronbach α for the eHEALS was >.99. The corresponding Cronbach α for the 2-week retest was .94. The test-retest ICC for eHEALS was 0.605 (95% CI 0.419-0.743, P<.001). The CFA showed a modest model fit for the 1- and 2-factor models (root mean square error of approximation>0.06). After modifications in the 3-factor model, all of the goodness-of-fit indices indicated a good fit. There was a weak correlation with age (r=-0.206). Between-groups analysis of variance showed a difference according to educational groups and the eHEALS score, with a mean difference ranging from 2.24 (P=.002) to 4.61 (P<.001), and a higher eHEALS score was found for patients who were employed compared to those who were retired (mean difference 2.31, P<.001). The eHEALS score was also higher among patients who reported using the internet to find health information (95% CI -21.40 to -17.21, P<.001), and there was a moderate correlation with the patients' perceived usefulness (r=0.587) and importance (r=0.574) of using the internet for health information. There were also moderate correlations identified between the eHEALS score and the health literacy domains appraisal of health information (r=0.380) and ability to find good health information (r=0.561). Weak correlations with the mental health composite score (r=0.116) and physical health composite score (r=0.116) were identified. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides new information on the psychometric properties of the eHEALS for patients after percutaneous coronary intervention, suggesting a multidimensional rather than unidimensional construct. However, the study also indicated a redundancy of items, indicating the need for further validation studies. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03810612; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03810612.

Rethinking rehabilitation after percutaneous coronary intervention: a protocol of a multicentre cohort study on continuity of care, health literacy, adherence and costs at all care levels (the CONCARDPCI).

INTRODUCTION: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) aims to provide instant relief of symptoms, and improve functional capacity and prognosis in patients with coronary artery disease. Although patients may experience a quick recovery, continuity of care from hospital to home can be challenging. Within a short time span, patients must adjust their lifestyle, incorporate medications and acquire new support. Thus, CONCARDPCI will identify bottlenecks in the patient journey from a patient perspective to lay the groundwork for integrated, coherent pathways with innovative modes of healthcare delivery. The main objective of the CONCARDPCI is to investigate (1) continuity of care, (2) health literacy and self-management, (3) adherence to treatment, and (4) healthcare utilisation and costs, and to determine associations with future short and long-term health outcomes in patients after PCI. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This prospective multicentre cohort study organised in four thematic projects plans to include 3000 patients. All patients undergoing PCI at seven large PCI centres based in two Nordic countries are prospectively screened for eligibility and included in a cohort with a 1-year follow-up period including data collection of patient-reported outcomes (PRO) and a further 10-year follow-up for adverse events. In addition to PROs, data are collected from patient medical records and national compulsory registries. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Approval has been granted by the Norwegian Regional Committee for Ethics in Medical Research in Western Norway (REK 2015/57), and the Data Protection Agency in the Zealand region (REG-145-2017). Findings will be disseminated widely through peer-reviewed publications and to patients through patient organisations. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03810612.

Cardiovascular nurses' adherence to practice standards in in-hospital telemetry monitoring.

BACKGROUND: Correct electrode placement and proper skin preparation for cardiac telemetry monitoring of patients at risk for arrhythmias increase the quality of the arrhythmic surveillance. Inconsistent arrhythmia surveillance can compromise patient safety and care outcomes. An inspection of international literature demonstrates that nurses generally do not adhere to cardiac monitoring standards. AIM: The aims of this study were to determine cardiovascular nurses' knowledge of and adherence to practice standards for cardiac surveillance and whether their knowledge and practice improves over time. STUDY DESIGN: A comparative study design was applied, and data were obtained by survey methodology. METHODS: Nurse delegates at the Annual National Congress on Cardiovascular Nursing in Norway completed surveys in 2011 and 2017 (delegates from 44 and 38 hospitals, respectively). RESULTS: In total, 363 cardiac nurses (70%) responded to the questionnaires. Of these, 95% were female, with a mean age of 41 years. In 2011, 97% of participants were unaware of international practice standards. However, by 2017 unawareness decreased to 78% (P < .001). Despite their lack of knowledge of practice standards, 94% of participants often or always prepared patients' skin for telemetry; this improved from 2011 to 2017 (P = .001). Overall, 73% of nurses never or seldom scrubbed or washed the patients' skin before electrode placement, and 38% of the electrodes were misplaced. In 2011, 49% of nurses used protective telemetry covers; this increased to 80% in 2017 (P < .001). Overall, 64% always informed patients of the purpose of cardiac monitoring. CONCLUSION: A significant percentage of nurses fail to adhere to recommendations for electrode placement, skin preparation and providing patients with telemetry information. In order to raise the quality of arrhythmic surveillance, investment in educational programmes in cardiac telemetry monitoring is required. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Improved in-hospital telemetry practice is required to ensure patient safety and better care outcomes.

Modes of e-Health delivery in secondary prevention programmes for patients with coronary artery disease: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Electronic health (e-Health) interventions are emerging as an effective alternative model for improving secondary prevention of coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of this study was to describe the effectiveness of different modes of delivery and components in e-Health secondary prevention programmes on adherence to treatment, modifiable CAD risk factors and psychosocial outcomes for patients with CAD. METHOD: A systematic review was carried out based on articles found in MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Embase. Studies evaluating secondary prevention e-Health programmes provided through mobile-Health (m-Health), web-based technology or a combination of m-Health and web-based technology were eligible. The main outcomes measured were adherence to treatment, modifiable CAD risk factors and psychosocial outcomes. The quality appraisal of the studies included was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tool for RCT. The results were synthesised narratively. RESULT: A total of 4834 titles were identified and 1350 were screened for eligibility. After reviewing 123 articles in full, 24 RCTs including 3654 participants with CAD were included. Eight studies delivered secondary prevention programmes through m-Health, nine through web-based technology, and seven studies used a combination of m-Health and web-based technology. The majority of studies employed two or three secondary prevention components, of which health education was employed in 21 studies. The m-Health programmes reported positive effects on adherence to medication. Most studies evaluating web-based technology programmes alone or in combination with m-Health also utilised traditional CR, and reported improved modifiable CAD risk factors. The quality appraisal showed a moderate methodological quality of the studies. CONCLUSION: Evidence exists that supports the use of e-Health interventions for improving secondary prevention of CAD. However, a comparison across studies highlighted a wide variability of components and outcomes within the different modes of delivery. High quality trials are needed to define the most efficient mode of delivery and components capable of addressing a favourable outcome for patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not applicable.