Describing people with cognitive impairment and their complex treatment needs during routine care in the hospital - cross-sectional results of the intersec-CM study.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive impairment is an important determinant in health care. In the acute hospital setting cognition has a strong impact on treatment and care. Cognitive impairment can negatively affect diagnostics and treatment success. However, little is known about the individual situation and specific risks of people with cognitive impairments during hospital stays. The aim of the present research is to describe and analyze the treatment needs of people with cognitive impairments in acute hospital care. METHODS: The analyses use baseline data of the ongoing multisite, longitudinal, randomized controlled intervention trial intersec-CM (Supporting elderly people with cognitive impairment during and after hospital stays with Intersectoral Care Management), which recruited 402 participants at baseline. We assessed sociodemographic aspects, cognitive status, functional status, frailty, comorbidities, level of impairment, formal diagnosis of dementia, geriatric diagnoses, delirium, depression, pharmacological treatment, utilization of health care services and health care related needs. RESULTS: The sample under examination had been on average mildly cognitively impaired (MMSE M = 22.3) and had a mild to moderate functional impairment (Barthel Index M = 50.4; HABAM M = 19.1). The Edmonton Frail Scale showed a mean of 7.4 and half of the patients (52.3%) had been assigned a care level. About 46.9% had a geriatric diagnosis, 3.0% had a diagnosis of dementia. According to DSM-V 19.2% of the patients had at least one main symptom of depression. The mean number of regularly taken drugs per patient was 8.2. Utilization of health care services prior to the hospital stay was rather low. On average, the sample showed 4.38 care related needs in general, of which 0.60 needs were unaddressed at the time of assessment. CONCLUSIONS: Descriptive analyses highlight an in-depth insight into impairments and different care needs of people with cognitive impairments. The results emphasize the need for gender-specific analyses as well as an increased attention to the heterogeneity of needs of people with cognitive impairments related to specific wards, settings and regions where they are admitted. Our results indicate also that people with cognitive impairments represent a high proportion of older patients in acute hospital care. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The intersec-CM trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov ( NCT03359408 ).

[Discharge management in German hospitals for cognitively impaired, older people-a scoping review]. / Das Entlassmanagement deutscher Krankenhäuser für kognitiv beeinträchtigte, ältere Menschen ­ ein Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: In German hospitals approximately 40% of all patients over the age of 65 years are cognitively impaired (MmkB). After discharge from hospital it is particularly important for MmkB that the transition to domestic life is organized as seamlessly and as well-coordinated as possible. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine the existing evidence on discharge management (EM) in MmkB and people with dementia (MmD). Furthermore, the study examined the necessity of an intersectoral concept for MmkB. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Based on a scoping review a total of 102 publications were identified, of which 6 articles were finally used for the evaluation. RESULTS: The article provides an overview of the current care of MmkB in acute care hospitals in Germany. General information on EM in hospitals was given in three of the six publications included. Information on special discharge and care management for MmkB and MmD was contained in five out of six papers. DISCUSSION: The article illustrates significant gaps in the hospital care for older MmkB, in particular at the interface of discharge management and demonstrates the need for new care models. To what extent these new care models can be structurally, procedurally and systemically embedded in the standard care and financed, is an open and unexplored question.

Factors influencing GPs' perception of specialised palliative homecare (SPHC) importance - results of a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: General Practitioners (GPs) are the main providers of primary palliative care (PPC). At the same time they are the main initiators of specialised palliative homecare (SPHC). In Germany, little is known about factors which influence GPs in their involvement of SPHC. Aim of our study is to identify factors that drive GPs to give value to and involve SPHC. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was performed. In 2018, questionnaires were mailed to 6000 randomly selected GPs from eight German federal states, focusing on the extent of GPs' palliative care activities and their involvement of SPHC. RESULTS: With a response rate of 19.4% and exclusion of GPs working in SPHC-teams, n = 1026 questionnaires were appropriate for analysis. GPs valued SPHC support as the most "important/very important" for both "technical/invasive treatment measures" (95%) and availability outside practice opening hours (92%). The most relevant factor influencing perceived SPHC-importance was GPs' self-reported extent of engagement in palliative care (ß = - 0.283; CI 95% = - 0.384;-0.182), followed by the perceived quality of utilised SPHC (ß = 0.119; CI 95% = 0.048;0.190), involvement in treatment of palliative patients after SPHC initiation (ß = 0.088; CI 95% = 0.042;0.134), and conviction that palliative care should be a central part of GPs' work (ß = - 0.062; CI 95% = - 0.116;-0.008). Perceived SPHC-importance is also associated with SPHC-referrals (ß =0.138; p < 0.001). The lower the engagement of GPs in palliative care, the more they involve SPHC and vice versa. CONCLUSIONS: GPs with low reported activity in palliative care are more likely to initialise SPHC for palliative care activities they do not deliver themselves for various reasons, which might mean that the involvement of SPHC is substitutive instead of complementary to primary palliative care. This finding and its interpretation should be given more attention in the future policy framework for (specialised) palliative homecare. TRIAL REGISTRATION: German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00014726 , 14.05.2018.

[Development, Application and Evaluation of a Concept for Safe Patient Identification in Hospital - How can Knowledge Transfer Succeed?] / Entwicklung, Anwendung und Evaluation eines Konzeptes zur sicheren Patientenidentifikation im Krankenhaus ­ Wie kann der Wissenstransfer gelingen?

Aim of the Study: In order to minimise the risk of patient misidentification in clinical settings, the German Coalition for Patient Safety published recommendations for safety patient identification in 2008. The aim of this study was to develop, implement and evaluate a theoretical framework of knowledge transfer. The purpose of the framework was to enhance hospital staff's ability to apply the recommendations for safe patient identification in the daily routine of patient care. Method: A data bank-based research and literature review have been conducted. Research topics were: knowledge transfer, change management and implementation science. Within the application of the concept group interviews were held with hospital staff and the interview material was evaluated using content analysis. On this basis a tailored multifaceted implementation strategy has been developed and applied in 8 hospital wards of 4 hospitals belonging to a communal hospital concern. The evaluation of the developed knowledge transfer concept was conducted 4 weeks after the concept application with a written questionnaire. Results: The developed framework concept of knowledge translation consisted of 4 phases built on top of each other: initiation phase; analysis phase; implementation phase; evaluation phase. The multifaceted implementation strategy included 3 interventions: a poster, a computer-based training and a guideline for team meetings. The survey yielded responses from 56 individuals: 96% declared that they know about the existence of the recommendations for safe patient identification; 86% said that they know about the content of the recommendations; 91% have striven to apply the recommendations in the daily routine of patient care; 71% stated that the recommendations for safe patient identification have become integral part in the daily routine of patient care. To become aware of the recommendations and its content the respondents have used on average 2.3 interventions, however the effect of the CBS was relatively small. Conclusion: The developed theoretical framework concept for knowledge transfer provides a way to integrate the recommendations for safe patient identification in the daily routine of patient care and to counteract risk factors promoting misidentification. Therefore a multifaceted implementation strategy is promising.

[Aging Brain Care Program from Indianapolis: Transferability to the German healthcare system]. / "Aging Brain Care Program" aus Indianapolis: Übertragbarkeit auf den deutschen Versorgungskontext.

BACKGROUND: New and innovative concepts of care management have been developed to improve the health of older adults with dementia and depression. AIM: This article describes the American aging brain care (ABC) program and the possible transfer to the German healthcare system is discussed. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The ABC medical home model in Indianapolis incorporates a specialized geriatric healthcare center which is affiliated to the Eskenazi Hospital as well as a program involving home-based domestic visits by healthcare personnel to affected people. The diagnoses are made in the geriatric center where therapy and treatment are also planned. These stages are carried out in a multiprofessional team, which identifies the individual needs of the patients and relatives and discusses these in family conferences as well as in close consultation with the primary care center of the hospital. The care, diagnosis and therapy are coordinated using a self-developed software for the program and via predetermined pathways and procedural instructions on the approach in the healthcare center and in the domestic visit program. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: From the perspective of the authors the core elements of the program include not only the use of a home-based care model but also the selection and training of a new type of front-line care provider. Models like the program presented here show great promise for meeting the demands of a rapidly expanding population of vulnerable older adults.

[People with dementia between home and respite care: quality assurance for cross-over communication, a systematic review]. / Menschen mit Demenz zwischen Häuslichkeit und Kurzzeitpflege: Qualitätssicherung settingübergreifender Kommunikation, ein systematischer Review.

INTRODUCTION: To identify safety-relevant communication structures and processes considering the handover between home and respite care for people with dementia (PwD). METHOD: In a systematic review, MEDLINE, -EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, PsycINFO and GeroLit were searched for publications indexed until April 2011 including a search via Google and Google scholar. An update for publications indexed between May 2011 and December 2012 was added. OUTCOMES: A total of 1 832 search results were identified and one relevant publication of a project for PwD to improve the handover between settings was included. With regard to that project, additional literature was identified. CONCLUSION: The practice-based project identified through the literature search could be suitable to improve handover communication between home and respite care for PwD after further validation. A large gap in the evidence with regard to the research question was identified.

[Quality management in ambulatory care nursing and inpatient nursing in Germany. Specifics and current trends]. / Qualitätsmanagement in der ambulanten und stationären Pflege : Aktuelle Entwicklungen und Besonderheiten.

In principle, quality management in nursing care follows the concepts used in medicine. Occasionally, professionals develop quality requirements and pursue quality improvements by using various tools. Specific features in Germany's nursing care are related to the binding character of seven so-called expert standards and to mandatory, external quality assessments that began in 2009 and will be conducted and published yearly. Preliminary results of these assessments show that both home health agencies and nursing homes provide on average good quality nursing care. However, assessments also revealed a huge demand for improvements concerning the quality criteria and the procedures used to calculate the results. Currently, nursing scientists, providers of care, and long-term care insurance companies are controversially discussing that matter.

[Effect of written patient information on knowledge and function of patients with acute uncomplicated back pain (PIK Study)]. / Patienteninformationen und Kreuzschmerzen (PIK-Studie) - Einfluss von Patienteninformationen auf Wissen und Funktionskapazität von Patienten mit akuten, unkomplizierten Rückenschmerzen.

BACKGROUND: If patients return early in the course of acute, uncomplicated back pain to their normal activities, their symptoms improve more quickly. Written detailed patient information can have a positive effect on knowledge and can increase physical activity. In this study the effect of a short evidence-based back pain leaflet on knowledge, function and patients' beliefs was investigated. METHODS: A randomised controlled trial was carried out in 12 primary care practices. Patients with acute, uncomplicated back pain received either the back-pain specific information (intervention) or a leaflet without content regarding back pain (control). Participants' data were inquired before consultation of the general practitioner, as well as 1 week and 3 months later. Outcome measures were SF-36, FABQ-D, FFbH-R, knowledge concerning back pain, frequency of use of the leaflet, usefulness of the information and change of behaviour. RESULTS: The included patients totaled 174. The response rates were 74.7% (1 week) and 67% (3 months). Patients receiving the intervention leaflet showed better knowledge at 1 week and greater improvement in function scores at 3 months. There was no effect on patients' beliefs. Patients of the intervention group reported more activity in everyday life. CONCLUSION: Short written information may have small, in total possibly positive effects on knowledge, support of activity and function in patients with acute, uncomplicated back pain.

An e-learning platform for guideline implementation--evidence- and case-based knowledge translation via the Internet.

OBJECTIVES: Effective knowledge translation in medicine is an essential element of a modern health care system. Evidence-based clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) are considered relevant instruments for the transfer of knowledge into clinical practice. To improve this transfer we have created Internet-based continuing medical education (CME) modules and online case-based learning objects. METHODS: Building upon existing CPGs, an e-learning platform including a multi-step review process was developed to generate CME modules. These CME modules were presented through a modified content management system (CMS) that fulfils specific requirements of CME. An online questionnaire using a four-point Likert scale was designed to receive mandatory feedback from participating physicians. In the second step of development, case-based learning objects were added to the CMS. RESULTS: Existing clinical practice guidelines allowed a rapid development of CME modules specific to individual clinical indications. The modified CMS proved to be technically stable but also resource-intensive. 3105 physicians registered and used the platform between June 2003 and April 2005. 95% of the physicians expressed positive feedback in an evaluation questionnaire; only 35% of physicians actually used the corresponding CPGs in practice. Suggestions from the CME users led to the development of interactive medical case-based learning objects related to the main topics of the CPGs. CONCLUSIONS: To support the implementation of CPGs, an Internet platform for CME including case-based learning objects and examination tests was developed. An interactive online CME platform can support active learning and may establish an additional stimulus for knowledge translation into daily medical practice.

[Online continuing medical education based on national disease management guidelines. The e-learning platform leitlinien-wissen.de]. / Online-Fortbildung auf der Basis nationaler Versorgungsleitlinien : Die Fortbildungsplattform leitlinien-wissen.de.

Effective translation of relevant knowledge into clinical practice is essential for modern health care systems. National Disease Management Guidelines (NDMG) are considered relevant instruments to support this transfer. To implement NDMG Internet-based continuing medical education (CME), modules and online case-based learning objects were designed and published. To ensure high quality the contents are based on NDMG and subjected to multi-step review processes. Presentation on the web was realized through a modified content management system. To obtain a CME certificate, completing an online questionnaire using a four-point Likert scale was mandatory. Between June 2003 and April 2005, 3,105 physicians were registered and used the platform: 95% of the physicians expressed positive feedback in the evaluation questionnaire, and 35% actually used the corresponding NDMG in practice. This prompted the development of interactive medical case-based learning objects as a second learning pathway. An Internet platform for CME including case-based learning objects can be a helpful tool to assure the provision of scientific knowledge for patient care.

[Evidence-based guidelines as tools for medical knowledge transfer. The work mode of the Medical Knowledge Network evidence.de]. / Evidenzbasierte Leitlinien als Instrumente des Wissenstransfers in die Praxis. Die Arbeitsweise des medizinischen Wissensnetzwerks evidence.de.

The amount of medical knowledge is growing with increasing speed. Physicians are confronted with more and more--and often useless--information. However, the time lag between the creation of new knowledge and its implementation into daily medical practice is often exceeding a decade. In view of these challenges the knowledge network of the medical faculty of the University Witten/Herdecke is focusing on two different tasks: It provides evidence based medical guidelines in a format that is meant for easy access and use in daily practice. It scientifically explores different ways of presenting and transferring evidence based guidelines in order to develop better and easier ways of implementation. National and international guidelines and studies are screened, evaluated, updated and adapted for its use in the academic network by a team of five university based physicians. In addition, clinical specialists as well as primary care physicians provide expertise for detailed scientific adaptations and for adequate implementation strategies. The implementation process of the guidelines among the faculty based primary care physicians is continuously monitored and evaluated. The main goal of this concept is to create a learning environment for the complex process of medical knowledge transfer.

Learning with computerized guidelines in general practice?: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Evidence-based guidelines are seen as an important instrument to transfer scientifically generated knowledge into daily clinical practice and to ensure high standards of clinical care. Despite wide promulgation, clinical guidelines so far have a limited impact on individual professional learning and on changing daily medical practice. OBJECTIVES: Our aims were (i) to study a potential knowledge increase among German GPs after implementation of web- and evidence-based guidelines and (ii) to identify and analyse potential barriers to individual professional learning with computerized guidelines. METHODS: A prospective, randomized controlled trial was conducted including 72 GPs (21% female, 79% male). The intervention group (n = 38) had access to clinical guidelines via the Internet or CD-ROM, the control group had not (n = 34). Both groups received a standardized two-part questionnaire. An increase of knowledge was measured with 25 multiple choice questions related to four different medical topics. In addition, reasons for using or not using computerized guidelines were analysed after access to guidelines was open to all participating physicians. RESULTS: There was no significant knowledge increase in the intervention group (P = 0.69). Twenty-two (58%) GPs of the intervention group had used the guidelines. Unspecified curiosity (76%) and a specific medical question (38%) were predominant motives for usage among physicians who had used the guidelines. Among 'non-users', 78% stated 'lack of time' as the main reason for not using guidelines. CONCLUSION: An efficient knowledge transfer through computerized guidelines was not achieved. Usage, individual learning and potential implementation depend on adequate incentives and pragmatic aspects of clinical practice: easy and quick access.

[Acute otitis media in children: an evidence-based practice guideline]. / Akute Otitis media (AOM) bei Kindern (ICD: H66.0): eine evidenzbasierte Leitlinie -- Neue Perspektiven für Kinderärzte in Deutschland.

Acute Otitis media is one of the most common acute respiratory infections managed in primary care and the most common infection among in children. Diagnostic criteria, however, do not always correspond to scientific evidence. They often differ depending on individual preferences and competences. Treatment, also, is controversial. In Germany, most children attending their pediatrician or primary care physician will be prescribed antibiotics. Evidence from several randomized studies and systematic reviews suggests that routine usage of antibiotics provides only modest benefit. The benefit of prescribing antibiotics should not only be balanced against the increased likelihood of side effects such as diarrhoea but also against the potential to contribute to longterm antibiotic resistance.