Churning the tides of care: when nurse turnover makes waves in patient access to primary care.

BACKGROUND: Team-based primary care (PC) enhances the quality of and access to health care. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) implements team-based care through Patient Aligned Care Teams (PACTs), consisting of four core members: a primary care provider, registered nurse (RN) care manager, licensed vocational nurse, and scheduling clerk. RNs play a central role: they coordinate patient care, manage operational needs, and serve as a patient point of contact. Currently, it is not known how varying levels of RN staffing on primary care teams impact patient outcomes. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to empirically assess how the stability of RN staffing within team-based primary care affects patient access to care. METHODS: A retrospective database review using clinical and administrative data from the VHA over 24 months. Participants included 5,897 PC PACTs across 152 VHA healthcare facilities in the United States and its territories. The stability of personnel in the RN role was categorized as: RN continuous churn, RN staffing instability and RN vacancy. All 3 categories were compared to teams with RN stability (i.e., same person in the role for the entire 24-month period). Access measures included: average third-next-available appointment, established patient average wait time in days, urgent care utilization, emergency room utilization, and total inbound-to-outbound PC secure messages ratio. RESULTS: RN continuous churn within PACTs had a significant impact on third-next-available appointment (b = 3.70, p < 0.01). However, RN staffing instability and vacancy had no significant relationship with any of the access measures. Several risk adjustment variables, including team full-time equivalency, team stability, relative team size, and average team size, were significantly associated with access to health care. CONCLUSIONS: Teams are impacted by churn on the team. Adequate staffing and team stability significantly predict patient access primary care services. Healthcare organizations should focus on personnel retention and strategies to mitigate the impact(s) of continuous RN turnover. Future research should examine the relative impact of turnover and stability of other roles (e.g., clerks) and how team members adapt to personnel changes.

The feasibility of academic detailing for acute oral pain management in outpatient dentistry: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Opioids are overprescribed in the outpatient dental setting. Therefore, opportunities exist for opioid stewardship. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this pilot study was to test the feasibility of an academic detailing (AD) intervention to promote appropriate prescribing of opioids in outpatient dentistry. METHODS: We implemented an AD intervention targeting management of acute oral pain in a Midwestern Veterans Affairs outpatient dental facility. The intervention targeted dentists who actively prescribed opioids at the time of the study. The pilot study tested feasibility, adoption, and acceptance of the AD campaign. Visit-based prescribing rates were obtained from the Veterans Health Administration's Corporate Data Warehouse for baseline and postintervention using difference-in-differences analyses to detect potential changes in health service outcomes. RESULTS: Results indicate moderate levels of feasibility through participation rates (n = 5, 55.5%) and high levels of organizational readiness for change (average of 88.6% agree to strongly agree). Furthermore, fidelity of the AD intervention was high. Adoption measures show moderate indication of motivation to change, and trends suggest that participating dentists decreased their visit-based opioid prescribing rates (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The intervention demonstrated feasibility with some indications of adoption of intervention techniques and decrease in opioid prescribing. We further recommend working closely with frontline providers to gather feedback and buy-in before scaling and implementing the AD campaign.

Analysis of shared cognitive tasks in the application of non-invasive ventilation to patients with COPD exacerbation.

Interprofessional teamwork plays a key role in the uptake of evidence-based interventions, such as noninvasive ventilation (NIV) for patients with exacerbated Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). We aimed to identify the shared cognitive tasks in interprofessional teams using NIV for patients with COPD exacerbation. We used a cognitive task analysis approach (CTA) to engage nurses, rapid response team members, respiratory therapists, and physicians involved in the use of NIV to treat patients with COPD exacerbation. Clinicians participated in a semi-structured interview (n = 21) that elicited cognitions needed to treat COPD exacerbation. Three shared cognitive tasks were identified: Complete a thorough assessment, Formulate a care plan, and Continuously monitor patient status. Findings attest to the importance of having access to up-to-date information and expertise necessary to make accurate clinical inferences for patient assessment. Shared understanding of the formulated care plan among all members of the care team was important to its execution. Continuous monitoring was crucial; however, this cognitive task relied on patient assessment skills and ongoing collaboration within the clinical care team. Application of NIV for patients with COPD exacerbation may require enhancing collaboration through nontechnical skills and interprofessional training.

Identifying themes to inform nursing decisions when caring for patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on noninvasive ventilation: A qualitative descriptive study.

Prior studies analyzing patient experience with noninvasive ventilation (NIV) found the most impactful interaction that patients remembered was with nurses, however a survey of nurses regarding the management of patients treated with NIV has shown that most nurses felt unprepared to care for these sick patients. Our qualitative descriptive study explored the current nursing experience using NIV as a treatment for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). Nine (n = 9) subject matter expert nurses practicing in a variety of clinical settings participated in semi-structured interviews. The COnsolidated criteria for REporting Qualitative research checklist was followed for interview development. Interview transcripts were subsequently analyzed using deductive thematic analysis. Themes identified from the interviews pertained to patient assessment, novice nurses' need for clinical support, team communication, and nursing education. Improving interprofessional team communication and collaboration skills, and implementing guidelines for NIV utilization were specified as essential components of NIV education for nurses. Even though the nursing role in the care of AECOPD NIV patient could be institution dependent, the themes presented in our study are useful in identifying opportunities for NIV nursing education and areas for further research. Patient or Public Contribution: Nurses served as interviewees for this study.

Prevalence of Effective Audit-and-Feedback Practices in Primary Care Settings: A Qualitative Examination Within Veterans Health Administration.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to uncover and catalog the various practices for delivering and disseminating clinical performance in various Veterans Affairs (VA) locations and to evaluate their quality against evidence-based models of effective feedback as reported in the literature. BACKGROUND: Feedback can enhance clinical performance in subsequent performance episodes. However, evidence is clear that the way in which feedback is delivered determines whether performance is harmed or improved. METHOD: We purposively sampled 16 geographically dispersed VA hospitals based on high, low, consistently moderate, and moderately average highly variable performance on a set of 17 outpatient clinical performance measures. We excluded four sites due to insufficient interview data. We interviewed four key personnel from each location (n = 48) to uncover effective and ineffective audit and feedback strategies. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed qualitatively using a framework-based content analysis approach to identify emergent themes. RESULTS: We identified 102 unique strategies used to deliver feedback. Of these strategies, 64 (62.74%) have been found to be ineffective according to the audit-and-feedback research literature. Comparing features common to effective (e.g., individually tailored, computerized feedback reports) versus ineffective (e.g., large staff meetings) strategies, most ineffective strategies delivered feedback in meetings, whereas strategies receiving the highest effectiveness scores delivered feedback via visually understood reports that did not occur in a group setting. CONCLUSIONS: Findings show that current practices are leveraging largely ineffective feedback strategies. Future research should seek to identify the longitudinal impact of current feedback and audit practices on clinical performance. APPLICATION: Feedback in primary care has little standardization and does not follow available evidence for effective feedback design. Future research in this area is warranted.

Associations between safety outcomes and communication practices among pediatric nurses in the United States.

PURPOSE: To gain a deeper understanding of RNs communication related to patient safety. RESEARCH AIMS: To determine: (1) the associations between the communication of registered nurses (RNs) within their health care teams and the frequency that they reported safety events; (2) the associations between RNs' communication within their health care teams and their perceptions of safety within the hospital unit; and (3) whether RNs' communication had improved from 2016 to 2018. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK AND METHODS: We used the United Kingdom's Safety Culture model as the theoretical framework for this study. Our secondary data analysis from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture included 2016 (n = 5298) and 2018 (n = 3476) using multiple regression models to determine associations between responses for Communication Openness and Feedback & Communication About Error, and outcome responses for Frequency of Events Reported and Overall Perceptions of Safety. RESULTS: Our findings were: 1). In both 2016 and 2018 datasets, Feedback About Error had a greater impact on Reporting Frequency than Open Communication; 2). Feedback About Error had a greater impact on Safety Perceptions than Open Communication; 3). Open Communication and Feedback About Error and their associations with Reporting Frequency and Safety Perceptions showed little change; and, 4). The proportion of variance was low, indicating factors other than Open Communication and Feedback About Error were involved with Reporting Frequency and Safety Perceptions. CONCLUSION: Pediatric RNs' communication, reporting, and perceptions of patient safety have not improved. (245 words).

Intention to Vaccinate Against the Novel 2019 Coronavirus Disease: The Role of Health Locus of Control and Religiosity.

The urgency to develop a vaccine against the 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19) has waxed stronger in speed, scale, and scope. However, wisdom dictates that we take a vantage position and start to examine the demographic predictors of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. The objective of this study was to examine the role of health locus of control (HLOC) in the relationship between religiosity and COVID-19 vaccination intention. In a cross-sectional survey (N = 501), we found a significantly negative association between religiosity and COVID-19 vaccination intention. This relationship was partially mediated by external HLOC. Collaborative efforts with religious institutions may influence COVID-19 vaccine uptake.

The Role of Work Environment in Training Sustainment: A Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this meta-analytic review is to examine the role of three work environment support variables (i.e., peer, supervisor, and organizational support) in training transfer and sustainment or long-term use of learned knowledge, skills, and attitudes (KSAs). BACKGROUND: Estimates demonstrate that little training is transferred to the job, wasting billions in organizational spending each year and resulting in significant loss to safety and individual and team performance. Prior research shows the importance of a supportive work environment to facilitating transfer; however, we know little of the relative importance of specific support variables. This study seeks to examine the unique roles of distinct support variables in training transfer. METHOD: A meta-analysis was conducted with multiple regressions to answer three primary research questions. RESULTS: All work environment support variables demonstrate moderate and positive correlations with transfer of training. Furthermore, multiple regressions demonstrate that each factor of the work environment explains unique variance as a predictor, with the model accounting for 32% of transfer and peer support accounting for most of R2. Motivation to transfer mediates the relationship between all three work environment support variables and transfer. Furthermore, three support variables are positively related to sustainment, with peer and supervisor support showing the strongest relationships. CONCLUSION: Findings illuminate the relative contribution of peer, supervisor, and organizational support to transfer and sustainment of training. As transfer continues to be an important yet understudied measure of the effectiveness of workplace training, these findings hold implications for both research and practice.

Cardiac Measures of Cognitive Workload: A Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to provide an assessment of the impact of workload manipulations on various cardiac measurements. We further sought to determine the most effective measurement approaches of cognitive workload as well as quantify the conditions under which these measures are most effective for interpretation. BACKGROUND: Cognitive workload affects human performance, particularly when load is relatively high (overload) or low (underload). Despite ongoing interest in assessing cognitive workload through cardiac measures, it is currently unclear which cardiac-based assessments best indicate cognitive workload. Although several quantitative studies and qualitative reviews have sought to provide guidance, no meta-analytic integration of cardiac assessment(s) of cognitive workload exists to date. METHOD: We used Morris and DeShon's meta-analytic procedures to quantify the changes in cardiac measures due to task load conditions. RESULTS: Sample-weighted Cohen's d values suggest that several metrics of cardiac activity demonstrate sensitivity in response to cognitive workload manipulations. Heart rate variability measures show sensitivity to task load, conditions of event rate, and task duration. Authors of future work should seek to quantify the utility of leveraging multiple metrics to understand workload. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that assessment of cognitive workload can be done using various cardiac activity indicators. Further, given the number of valid and reliable measures available, researchers and practitioners should base their selection of a psychophysiological measure on the experimental and practical concerns inherent to their task/protocol. APPLICATIONS: Findings bear implications for future assessment of cognitive workload within basic and applied settings. Future research should seek to validate conditions under which measurements are best interpreted, including but not limited to individual differences.

A Systematic Review of Team Training in Health Care: Ten Questions.

BACKGROUND: As a result of the recent proliferation of health care team training (HTT), there was a need to update previous systematic reviews examining the underlying structure driving team training initiatives. METHODS: This investigation was guided by 10 research questions. A literature search identified 197 empirical samples detailing the evaluation of team training programs within the health care context; 1,764 measures of HTT effectiveness were identified within these samples. Trained coders extracted information related to study design and training development, implementation, and evaluation to calculate percentages detailing the prevalence of certain training features. RESULTS: HTT was rarely informed by a training needs analysis (k = 47, 23.9%) and most commonly addressed communication strategies (k = 167, 84.8%). HTT programs that incorporated practice (k = 163, 82.7%) often employed high-fidelity patient simulators (k = 38, 25.2%) and provided participants with feedback opportunities (k = 107, 65.6%). Participants were typically practicing clinicians (k = 154, 78.2%) with a lower prevalence of health care students (k = 35, 17.8). Evaluations primarily relied on repeated measures designs (k = 123, 62.4%) and self-reported data (k = 1,257, 71.3%). Additional trends were identified and are discussed. CONCLUSIONS: Many trends in HTT practice and evaluation were identified. The results of this review suggested that, in the literature, HTT programs are more frequently following recommendations for training design and implementation (for example, providing feedback) in comparison to findings from previous reviews. However, there were still many areas in which improvement could be achieved to improve patient care.

Decision Making on the Labor and Delivery Unit: An Investigation of Influencing Factors.

Objective The aim of this study was to describe the relationship between negative affect (NA), decision-making style, time stress, and decision quality in health care. Background Health care providers must often make swift, high-stakes decisions. Influencing factors of the decision-making process in this context have been understudied. Method Within a sample of labor and delivery nurses, physicians, and allied personnel, we used self-report measures to examine the impact of trait factors, including NA, decision-making style, and perceived time stress, on decision quality in a situational judgment test (Study 1). In Study 2, we observed the influence of state NA, state decision-making style, state time stress, and their relationship with decision quality on real clinical decisions. Results In Study 1, we found that trait NA significantly predicted avoidant decision-making style. Furthermore, those who were higher on trait time stress and trait avoidant decision-making style exhibited poorer decisions. In Study 2, we observed associations between state NA with state avoidant and analytical decision-making styles. We also observed that these decision-making styles, when considered in tandem with time stress, were influential in predicting clinical decision quality. Conclusion NA predicts some decision-making styles, and decision-making style can affect decision quality under time stress. This is particularly true for state factors. Application Individual differences, such as affect and decision-making style, should be considered during selection. Training to reduce time stress perceptions should be provided.

Teammate Familiarity, Teamwork, and Risk of Workplace Injury in Emergency Medical Services Teams.

INTRODUCTION: Increased teammate familiarity in emergency medical services (EMS) promotes development of positive teamwork and protects against workplace injury. METHODS: Measures were collected using archival shift records, workplace injury data, and cross-sectional surveys from a nationally representative sample of 14 EMS agencies employing paramedics, prehospital nurses, and other EMS clinicians. One thousand EMS clinicians were selected at random to complete a teamwork survey for each of their recent partnerships and tested the hypothesized role of teamwork as a mediator in the relationship between teammate familiarity and injury with the PROCESS macro. RESULTS: We received 2566 completed surveys from 333 clinicians, of which 297 were retained. Mean participation was 40.5% (standard deviation [SD] = 20.5%) across EMS agencies. Survey respondents were primarily white (93.8%), male (67.3%), and ranged between 21-62 years of age (M = 37.4, SD = 9.7). Seventeen percent were prehospital nurses. Respondents worked a mean of 3 shifts with recent teammates in the 8 weeks preceding the survey (M = 3.06, SD = 4.4). We examined data at the team level, which suggest positive views of teamwork (M = 5.92, SD = 0.69). Our hypothesis that increased teammate familiarity protects against adverse safety outcomes through development of positive teamwork was not supported. Teamwork factor Partner Adaptability and Backup Behavior is a likely mediator (odds ratio = 1.03, P = .05). When dyad familiarity is high and there are high levels of backup behavior, the likelihood of injury is increased. DISCUSSION: The relationship between teammate familiarity and outcomes is complex. Teammate adaptation and backup behavior is a likely mediator of this relationship in EMS teams with greater familiarity.

Teammate familiarity and risk of injury in emergency medical services.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the association between teammate familiarity and workplace injury in the emergency medical services (EMS) setting. METHODS: From January 2011 to November 2013, we abstracted a mean of 29 months of shift records and Occupational Safety Health Administration injury logs from 14 EMS organisations with 37 total bases located in four US Census regions. Total teammate familiarity was calculated for each dyad as the total number of times a clinician dyad worked together over the study period. We used negative binomial regression to examine differences in injury incidence rate ratios (IRRs) by familiarity. RESULTS: We analysed 715 826 shift records, representing 4197 EMS clinicians and 60 701 unique dyads. We determined the mean shifts per dyad was (5.9, SD 19.7), and quartiles of familiarity were 1 shift worked together over the study period, 2-3 shifts, 4-9 shifts and ≥10 shifts worked together. More than half of all dyads worked one shift together (53.9%, n=32 739), 24.8% of dyads 2-3 shifts, 11.8% worked 4-9 shifts and 9.6% worked ≥10 shifts. The overall incidence rate of injury across all organisations was 17.5 per 100 full-time equivalent (FTE), range 4.7-85.6 per 100 FTE. The raw injury rate was 33.5 per 100 FTEs for dyads with one shift of total familiarity, 14.2 for 2-3 shifts, 8.3 for 4-9 shifts and 0.3 for ≥10 shifts. Negative binomial regression confirmed that dyads with ≥10 shifts had the lowest incidence of injury (IRR 0.03; 95% CI 0.02 to 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Familiarity between teammates varies in the EMS setting, and less familiarity is associated with greater incidence of workplace injury.

Mutation of A677 in histone methyltransferase EZH2 in human B-cell lymphoma promotes hypertrimethylation of histone H3 on lysine 27 (H3K27).

Trimethylation of histone H3 on lysine 27 (H3K27me3) is a repressive posttranslational modification mediated by the histone methyltransferase EZH2. EZH2 is a component of the polycomb repressive complex 2 and is overexpressed in many cancers. In B-cell lymphomas, its substrate preference is frequently altered through somatic mutation of the EZH2 Y641 residue. Herein, we identify mutation of EZH2 A677 to a glycine (A677G) among lymphoma cell lines and primary tumor specimens. Similar to Y641 mutant cell lines, an A677G mutant cell line revealed aberrantly elevated H3K27me3 and decreased monomethylated H3K27 (H3K27me1) and dimethylated H3K27 (H3K27me2). A677G EZH2 possessed catalytic activity with a substrate specificity that was distinct from those of both WT EZH2 and Y641 mutants. Whereas WT EZH2 displayed a preference for substrates with less methylation [unmethylated H3K27 (H3K27me0):me1:me2 k(cat)/K(m) ratio = 9:6:1] and Y641 mutants preferred substrates with greater methylation (H3K27me0:me1:me2 k(cat)/K(m) ratio = 1:2:13), the A677G EZH2 demonstrated nearly equal efficiency for all three substrates (H3K27me0:me1:me2 k(cat)/K(m) ratio = 1.1:0.6:1). When transiently expressed in cells, A677G EZH2, but not WT EZH2, increased global H3K27me3 and decreased H3K27me2. Structural modeling of WT and mutant EZH2 suggested that the A677G mutation acquires the ability to methylate H3K27me2 through enlargement of the lysine tunnel while preserving activity with H3K27me0/me1 substrates through retention of the Y641 residue that is crucial for orientation of these smaller substrates. This mutation highlights the interplay between Y641 and A677 residues in the substrate specificity of EZH2 and identifies another lymphoma patient population that harbors an activating mutation of EZH2.

Utilizing Telemedicine in the Trauma Intensive Care Unit: Does It Impact Teamwork?

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine the impact of a telemedical robot on trauma intensive care unit (TICU) clinician teamwork (i.e., team attitudes, behaviors, and cognitions) during patient rounds. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two healthcare providers who conduct rounds volunteered to take surveys assessing teamwork attitudes and cognitions at three time periods: (1) the onset of the study, (2) the end of the 30-day control period, and (3) the end of the 30-day experimental period, which immediately followed the control period. Rounds were recorded throughout the 30-day control period and 30-day experimental period to observe provider behaviors. For the initial 30 days, there was no access to telemedicine. For the final 30 days, the rounding healthcare providers had access to the RP-7 robot (Intouch Health Inc., Santa Barbara, CA), a telemedical tool that can facilitate patient rounds conducted away from bedside. RESULTS: Using a one-tailed, one-way repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) to compare trust at Times 1, 2, and 3, there was no significant effect on trust: F(2, 14)=1.20, p=0.16. When a one-tailed, one-way repeated-measures ANOVA to compare transactive memory systems (TMS) at Times 1, 2, and 3 was conducted, there was no significant effect on TMS: F(2, 15)=1.33, p=0.15. We conducted a one-tailed, one-way repeated-measures ANOVA to compare team psychological safety at Times 1, 2, and 3, and there was no significant effect on team psychological safety: F(2,15)=1.53, p=0.12. There was a significant difference in communication between rounds with and without telemedicine [t(25)=-1.76, p<0.05], such that there was more task-based communication during telerounds. Telemedicine increased task-based communication and did not negatively impact team trust, psychological safety, or TMS during rounds. CONCLUSIONS: Telemedicine may offer advantages for some teamwork competencies without sacrificing the efficacy of others and may be adopted by intact rounding teams without hindering teamwork.

Applying Noninvasive Ventilation in Treatment of Acute Exacerbation of COPD Using Evidence-Based Interprofessional Clinical Practice.

When administered as first-line intervention to patients admitted with acute hypercapnic respiratory failure secondary to COPD exacerbation in conjunction with guideline-recommended therapies, noninvasive ventilation (NIV) has been shown to reduce mortality and endotracheal intubation. Opportunities to increase uptake of NIV continue to exist despite inclusion of this therapy in clinical guidelines. Identifying patients appropriate for NIV, and subsequently providing close monitoring to determine an improvement in clinical condition involves a team consisting of physician, nurse, and respiratory therapist in institutions that successfully implement NIV. We describe to our knowledge the first known evidence-based algorithm speaking to initiation, titration, monitoring, and weaning of NIV in treatment of acute exacerbation of COPD that incorporates the necessary interprofessional collaboration among physicians, nurses, and respiratory therapists caring for these patients.

Infection preventionists' current and preferred training strategies and tools.

BACKGROUND: Educating health care staff on infection prevention and control (IPC) is an essential role of infection preventionists (IPs), but the COVID-19 pandemic diverted resources away from IPC education. METHODS: Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology members were invited to complete an online survey from spring 2023 to assess current and preferred approaches and tools for training health care personnel on IPC. Vendors, retirees, APIC staff, or those not working in health care or public health were excluded. RESULTS: In all, 2,432 IPs participated. IPs were more likely to report engaging in impromptu health care worker training (ie, just-in-time teaching and team huddles) versus planned educational activities (ie, learning modules, formal presentations, train-the-trainer, or simulation; Kruskal-Wallis = 288, P < .001). IPs' top preferred teaching methodologies included simulation or interactive activity, and their lowest preferred approach was independent learning modules. IPC training apps were frequently requested technology. DISCUSSION: IPs ranked simulation as their top preferred teaching method; however, simulation was one of the least frequently used approaches. IP education should include strategies for delivering effective impromptu training and how to develop and implement interactive simulation-based education. CONCLUSIONS: The expressed needs and preferences of IPs should be considered when developing IPC-related teaching and training tools.

Front-Line Health Care Workers' COVID-19 Infection Contamination Risks: A Human Factors and Risk Analysis Study of Personal Protective Equipment.

Infectious risks escalate with complex donning and doffing personal protective equipment (PPE) protocols. Recent studies suggest that PPE donning and doffing behaviors that deviate from protocol during PPE reuse compounded the risks of health care worker (HCW) self-contamination. This study quantified the occurrence of behaviors associated with known risks in PPE use and reuse. We conducted a prospective study of emergency department HCWs and video-recorded PPE donning and doffing 5 times in simulated patient encounters. Trained coders recorded HCW behaviors according to an evidence-based guide. All 28 participants deviated from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) sanctioned donning and doffing protocol order, and most were documented to have (92.85%) self-contaminated at least once during each simulated clinical encounter. Behaviors that compounded self-contamination due to PPE reuse were also observed. Wide variation in PPE donning and doffing behaviors was found among front-line, experienced HCWs. Future work is needed to determine which deviations put HCWs at increased risk for accidental self-contamination and what changes are needed to the CDC protocol for protecting HCW from infections.

Blood pressure measurement and blood pressure control in Veterans Affairs medical centers.

The Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers provide care for millions of Veterans at high risk of cardiovascular disease and accurate BP measurement in this population is vital for optimal BP control. Few studies have examined terminal digit preference (TDP), a marker of BP measurement bias, clinician perceptions of BP measurement, and BP control in VA medical centers. This mixed methods study examined BP measurements from Veterans aged 18 to 85 years with hypertension and a primary care visit within 8 VA medical centers. TDP for all clinic BP measurements was examined using a goodness of fit test assuming 10% frequency for each digit. Interviews were also conducted with clinicians from 3 VA medical centers to assess perceptions of BP measurement. The mean age of the 98,433 Veterans (93% male) was 68.5 years (SD 12.7). BP was controlled (<140/90 mmHg) in 76.5% and control rates ranged from 72.2% to 81.0% across the 8 VA medical centers. Frequency of terminal digits 0 through 9 differed significantly from 10% for both SBP and DBP within each center (P < .001) but level of TDP differed by center. The highest BP control rates were noted in centers with highest TDP for digits 0 and 8 for both SBP and DBP. Clinicians reported use of semi-automated oscillometric devices for clinic BP measurement, but elevated BP readings were often confirmed by auscultatory methods. Significant TDP exists for BP measurement in VA medical centers, which reflects continued use of auscultatory methods.

What can we learn from COVID-19?: examining the resilience of primary care teams.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic continues to place an unprecedented strain on the US healthcare system, and primary care is no exception. Primary care services have shifted toward a team-based approach for delivering care in the last decade. COVID-19 placed extraordinary stress on primary care teams at the forefront of the pandemic response efforts. The current work applies the science of effective teams to examine the impact of COVID-19-a crisis or adverse event-on primary care team resilience. Methods: Little empirical research has been done testing the theory of team resilience during an extremely adverse crisis event in an applied team setting. Therefore, we conducted an archival study by using large-scale national data from the Veterans Health Administration to understand the characteristics and performance of 7,023 Patient Aligned Care Teams (PACTs) during COVID-19. Results: Our study found that primary care teams maintained performance in the presence of adversity, indicating possible team resilience. Further, team coordination positively predicted team performance (B = 0.53) regardless of the level of adversity a team was experiencing. Discussion: These findings in turn attest to the need to preserve team coordination in the presence of adversity. Results carry implications for creating opportunities for teams to learn and adjust to an adverse event to maintain performance and optimize team-member well-being. Teamwork can act as a protective factor against high levels of workload, burnout, and turnover, and should be studied further for its role in promoting team resilience.