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Background The literature emphasizes the importance of the intensive care unit (ICU) diary to fill the gaps and recover the delusional memories of patients admitted to ICU in order to build the history of their illness. The ICU diary is a measure originally intended to support the severely ill patient, but it would also seem to be useful for family members and carers. According to our analysis of the literature, this study is the first description of the contents of ICU diaries in the Italian context. Aim The aim of the study was to describe the contents of ICU patients' diaries filled in by their caregivers, in order to explore the experience and significance attributed to the diaries. Design A qualitative longitudinal narrative investigation was conducted at an ICU during the period from April 2016 to April 2017 with a sample composed of 32 families. Methods The participants were caregivers selected through purposive sampling. An ICU nurse explained the study to caregivers and offered the opportunity to participate. Results The sample included 32 diaries. Through the analysis we identified seven themes: future plans and memories; the people who care for the patient and the context; the love surrounding the patient; the clinical progression of the patient and the passage of time; what happens outside the patient's life; references to the usefulness/non-usefulness of the diary; communication/reflection on the likely death of the patient. Conclusions Some themes emerged that have never explored in the literature, and it would be necessary to understand whether the themes that emerged depend on cultural issues. Relevance to clinical practice The diaries could be adapted to the Italian context and this could make the diary a common practice in Italy as well.

Novel coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is a new respiratory disease that has spread widely throughout the world. On February 20, 2020, the first Italian case of COVID-19 was reported. The infection rapidly spread across the country, and by August 11, 2020, a total of 250 566 official cases with 32 205 deaths (12.8%) were reported in Italy, counting a total of 96 884 positive cases and 16 833 deaths (17.3%) in the Lombardy region only. A huge demand to handle the COVID-19 outbreak challenged both the health care providers and the ordinary work in the hospital. From the beginning of the crisis, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, a 1318-bed tertiary care university hospital located in Lombardy, Northern Italy, has played a major role in supporting the national health care system for the treatment of COVID-19 cases, and a significant reorganization of the hospital was immediately required. The reorganization was carried out both structurally and with regard to the distribution of medical and nonmedical staff. This article aims to highlight the management strategies for the health care staff subsequent to the pandemic intense workload in San Raffaele Scientific Institute.

Background: Delirium is a serious and common condition that needs an upgrade of the scientific and clinical attention. Aim: To assess the delirium prevalence in an Italian university hospital. Methods: The monocentric 1-day observational study cohort has been conducted on March 15, 2018; the population was composed of adult hospitalized patients. All the eligible patients have been evaluated for the presence of delirium with the 4AT. Results: We enrolled 596 patients. Twenty-nine Acute and 3 Rehabilitation Units were involved in the study. The median age of the sample was 60 (IQR 48–74) and 52% (n = 313) were male. Patients from medical units were 42% (n = 252), from surgery units 41% (n = 249), and from rehabilitation units 15% (n = 95). Results of 4AT showed that 5.4% (n = 32) had delirium (4AT = 4), 12% (n = 73) had cognitive impairment (4AT = 1–3), and 82% (n = 491) had no delirium or cognitive impairment (4AT = 0). We found association between delirium and age, BMI, mortality at 30days, and hospital mortality. Delirium was related with Barthel Index, dementia, and anticholinesterase inhibitors. About devices in use, we observed a correlation of delirium with central venous catheter, feeding tube, and urinary catheter. Physical restraints were also correlated to delirium. Conclusions: We confirmed the presence of delirium across the hospital units, more in medical than in surgical ones. We found associations of delirium with conditions that limit movement, such as dementia, physical restraints, or devices. The development of delirium initiates a cascade of events culminating in the loss of independence and increased morbidity.

The home management of children with congenital heart disease (CHD) in the postsurgical phase represents one of the most complex phases for their parents. To date, the information available in the scientific landscape regarding the experiences and difficulties faced by the parents of children with CHD during this phase is still lacking. Accordingly, the study aims to synthesize the available qualitative evidence on parents’ experience during the home care management of children with CHD after cardiac surgery. Two databases were systematically searched to identify qualitative studies relating to parental experience about the home care management of children with CHD after cardiac surgery. Studies were carried out using Noblit and Hare's meta-ethnographic approach. The search yielded 183 results. After applying the inclusion criteria, nine articles were included in the meta-synthesis. The included articles were analyzed following the meta-ethnography approach. Five main themes were identified: (a) psychological and emotional impact and daily challenges; (b) continuity of care; (c) loneliness, isolation, and the need for knowledge; (d) new parental role; (e) assistance and support. The role of parents in the postsurgical phase of children with CHD is essential. However, numerous psychological nuances and emotional contradictions emerged from the experience of parents involved in this phase. Further studies are needed to identify parenting health and psychosocial support improvement strategies at home.

Vasoactive therapy represents a pivotal yet debated topic in critically ill patients and in those with chronic heart failure. Levosimendan, a calcium sensitizer agent with inodilating properties, has been in the market for 27 years and new indications came out over time. The aim of the present review is to highlight what is actually proven and what is debated on the use of levosimendan in light of its pharmacologic features and the pathophysiological evidence. Levosimendan was firstly seen as an inodilator acting through calcium sensitization in myocytes both in the myocardium and in vascular smooth muscle. Over the years, its anti-inflammatory properties became clearer and a role in preconditioning and weaning from mechanical circulatory support was postulated. More recently, a possible action on other muscular fibers, namely, diaphragmatic myocytes, was observed, leading to a possible application in mechanical ventilation-related diaphragmatic dysfunction. Preliminary data showed promising effects of levosimendan in patients with sepsis-related and stress-related (Takotsubo) myocardial dysfunction, in those difficult-to-wean from mechanical circulatory support and in ventilator-associated diaphragmatic dysfunction. Moreover, its vasodilating, anti-oxidant, and neuroendocrine properties pave the way to a number of additional possible applications. Larger studies yielding to more conclusive results on these indications are under way or need to be planned in the future.

Prostate, kidney, and bladder cancer are the three most frequently diagnosed urological cancers. Educational programs could teach patients to become experts in disease management. The aim of this scoping review was to explore the literature to identify the educational requirements and strategies for improving and implementing educational processes for urological patients undergoing surgery. We searched several databases, including PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, Scopus, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Library. All adult patients undergoing urological educational interventions were included in the review. Of 3,197 initially identified articles, 42 were retained. Urological patients undergoing prostatectomy, cystectomy, and nephrectomy require cognitive, psychological, and functional support. For each level of support, several methods exist to provide support, including informational brochures, preoperative counseling, telephone support, online content, educational videos, support groups, individual stress management interventions, peer support, online interventions, partner support, and various educational programs that help the patient manage negative effects associated with the urological intervention.

Background: Since 1997, nursing ethics research has focused on solving ethical dilemmas, enhancing decision-making strategies, and introducing professional education. Few studies describe the triggers of ethical dilemmas among primary care nurses. The aim of this study was to explore the moral distress and ethical dilemmas among primary care nurses. Methods: A scoping review was performed following Arskey and O’Malley’s framework. PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Embase, and Scopus were searched systematically to retrieve relevant titles and abstracts. A temporal filter was applied to focus on the most recent literature (years of 2010–2020). The research was completed on 17 November 2020. Results: Of 184 articles retrieved, 15 were included in the review. Some (n = 7) studies had a qualitative design, and the most productive country was Brazil (n = 7). The total number of nurses involved in quantitative studies was 1137 (range: 36–433); the total number of nurses involved in qualitative studies was 144 (range: 7–73). Three main focus areas were identified: (a) frequent ethical conflicts and moral distress episodes among nurses working in primary care settings; (b) frequent moral distress measures here employed; (c) coping strategies here adopted to prevent or manage moral distress. Conclusion: Further research is needed to examine the differences between moral distress triggers and sources of ethical dilemmas among the different care environments, such as primary care and acute care settings.

Aim This study aimed to develop and validate a nursing self-efficacy scale for OAC management (SE-OAM). Background Oral anticoagulant therapy (OAC) requires specific nursing competencies. Given that self-efficacy acts as a proxy assessment of nursing competence, its measurement is pivotal for addressing educational programs to enhance nursing competence in managing OAC. Thus far, the measurement of self-efficacy in OAC is undermined by the unavailability of valid and reliable tools. Methods A multi-method and multi-phase design was adopted: Phase one was a methodological study encompassing developmental tasks for generating items. Phase two comprised the validation process for determining the content validity, construct and concurrent validity, and internal consistency through two cross-sectional data collections. Results In total, 190 nurses were enrolled for determining the psychometric structure of the SE-OAM through an exploratory approach, and 345 nurses were subsequently enrolled to corroborate its most plausible factor structure derived from the exploratory analysis. The SE-OAM showed evidence of face and content validity, adequate construct, concurrent validity, good internal consistency, and stability. The final version of the scale encompassed 21 items kept by five domains: clinical management, care management, education, clinical monitoring, and care monitoring. Conclusions The SE-OAM showed evidence of initial validity and reliability, fulfilling a current gap in the availability of tools for measuring nursing self-efficacy in managing OAC. SE-OAM could be strategic for performing research to improve the quality of OAC management by enhancing nursing self-efficacy.

Aims and objectives: To describe caregiver contribution (CC) to ostomy self-care and identify its associated variables among caregivers of ostomy patients. Background: Self-care is essential for ostomy patients, but it can be difficult to perform. In these cases, caregivers play a key role in promoting self-care behaviours. So far, the CC to ostomy self-care has not been investigated thoroughly. Design: This is a cross-sectional and multicentre study conducted at seven outpatient clinics of two Italian regions. Methods: We recruited 252 caregivers between February 2017–May 2018. The Caregiver Contribution to Ostomy Self-Care Index (CC-OSCI) was used to measure CC to ostomy self-care. Three multivariable linear regression models were fitted to identify variables associated with CC dimensions (maintenance, monitoring and management). The STROBE checklist was used to report the present study. Results: The sample (mean age=58.73, SD=13.98) was mostly female (80.60%), unemployed (58.70%) and resided with the patient (81.00%). Caregivers being employed and those declaring more hours of contribution per week were associated with a significantly lower contribution to self-care maintenance. Caregivers with lower levels of education and those residing with the patient were less likely to contribute to CC to self-care monitoring. Spousal caregivers and those with higher preparedness contributed significantly lower to CC to self-care management. Conclusions: We found a variety of sociodemographic factors associated with CC to ostomy self-care. Relevance to clinical practice: Sociodemographic variables associated with CC to ostomy self-care can help clinicians develop more tailored educational interventions for caregivers who find their contribution challenging.

Aim To describe the facilitators and barriers perceived by healthcare teams after the implementation of the Awakening, Breathing, Coordination, Delirium monitoring/management and Early mobility bundle in an intensive care unit in Italy. This multicomponent intervention strategy has been associated with lower probabilities of delirium, improved functional outcomes and shorter duration of mechanical ventilation. Methods A survey study conducted between June 2015 and May 2016 explored variables related to intensive care unit team members: perceptions of delirium; knowledge of the Awakening, Breathing, Coordination, Delirium monitoring/management and Early mobility bundle; teamwork perception and resource availability. Results Most of the participants affirmed having reasonable knowledge of delirium, outcomes of delirious episodes, Awakening, Breathing, Coordination, Delirium monitoring/management and Early mobility bundle components and their effectiveness. Low coordination between healthcare professionals was identified as a barrier. Overall, the time elapsing from the beginning of implementation of the bundle determined an increase in levels of awareness and confidence in the application of the bundle protocol and the Confusion Assessment Method Intensive Care Unit scale. Conclusion Issues with the Awakening, Breathing, Coordination, Delirium monitoring/management and Early mobility bundle relating to coordination, management and interdisciplinary ward rounds are critical and should be remedied and monitored. This study could provide the basis for improving bundle implementation strategies and surveying levels of progression in other intensive care units.

Aim To investigate the impact of smartphone distraction on the quality and safety of care provided by the nursing population during work. Background About 80% of nurses use the smartphone in the workplace both for personal purposes and as a useful support to improve the quality of care. Distraction from smartphones during care is a phenomenon that should be known and managed within each health service. Methods A systematic review of the literature was conducted using the PRISMA methodology. The sources included in the review study were subjected to a qualitative assessment using the GRADE method. Results Sixteen articles were included in the review. Studies included highlight the positive and negative consequences of using mobile devices during nursing practice. Findings identify the smartphone as a generator of stimuli capable of diverting the attention of the person from the priority activities and absorbing the cognitive resources useful for carrying out these activities. Some studies aimed to show the restriction policies and/or the strategies for reducing disruptions. This review highlights how the free and indiscriminate use of the smartphone can negatively affect patient safety and the nurse-patient relationship through the dehumanization and depersonalization of care. Conclusions Mobile technology can improve nurses' performance and the quality of care provided. However, the application of regulations and policies by healthcare facilities is desirable to avoid inappropriate use of these devices by nurses. The available data do not provide a precise estimate of the effect that distraction from smartphones has on the outcomes of nursing care.

Pandemic infection by COVID-19 could be changing the public image of the nursing profession in Italy. Recently, as in any western country, we were being registered with an increase in the number of violence against healthcare professionals. Nevertheless, due to pandemic in the social media, the nursing profession is remembered for competence, determination, courage, and humanity, and it is continually remercied by people, politicians, and journalists. In this paper, we will conduct a phenomenological argument that proposes both phenomena can be explained by Paul Ricoeur's courses of recognition. In cases of violence, patients and their family members reacting because they feel betrayed for a real or alleged injustice-primarily not to be listened to by health professionals. Nurses and other professionals are often unable to take the right grade of involvement for understanding patient's needs. On the other hand, during COVID-19 pandemic, patients and family members perceive the extraordinary daily work of caring, and they react thanking. The principle of the gift is implicated in both cases: the crisis of gift received or donated can be explaining violence; gratitude and thanks can be explaining by gratuitousness of care.

Background An increasing number of professionals are challenged by the evolution of modern healthcare and society, often characterized by more expectations with reduced resources. Moral distress is among the psychophysical conditions now most under investigation in order to improve the wellbeing of professionals, the sustainability of organizations and the quality of care. Over the last decades, several instruments have been developed to assess the frequency or intensity of moral distress in different studies. Yet, there has not been, so far, a systematic assessment of the qualitative properties of the various instruments measuring moral distress in healthcare workers based on a universally accepted standardized framework. Objective (1) To identify all instruments for the measurement of moral distress available in recent literature; (2) to evaluate the evidence regarding their measurement properties; (3) to facilitate the selection of the most appropriate instrument to be adopted in practice and research. Design Systematic literature review. Data sources PubMed, CINAHL, and PyscINFO. Review methods The COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments checklist was used to evaluate the methodological quality of the identified studies. The quality of measurement properties of each instrument was evaluated using Terwee's quality criteria. Results Among the 1268 studies found, 88 full-text articles evaluated moral distress adopting different tools. Thirty two of them had a methodological design. The measurement instruments assessed in this review are different in terms of targeted population and items. The instruments were then divided into two main categories: (1) Corley's instruments on moral distress (Moral distress scale and Moral Distress Scale – Revised) and (2) instruments not directly derived from Corley's moral distress theory (Moral Distress thermometer, Moral Distress Risk Scale, Ethical Stress Scale or Moral Distress in Dementia Care Survey). The first set is the most frequently studied and used in different clinical settings and healthcare populations. A variety of psychometric properties have been evaluated for each instrument, revealing different qualities in the methodology used. Conclusions Several instruments assessing moral distress in healthcare workers have been identified and evaluated in this systematic review. Based on the criteria used here, Corley's instruments on moral distress seems to be the most useful and most appropriate to the clinical setting for practice and research purposes. Tweetable abstract The aim of this systematic review was to identify the instruments measuring moral distress now available in the literature, in order to (1) assess the evidence about their measurement properties, (2) support the selection of the most appropriate instrument to be used in practice and research.

To describe self-care in ostomy patients, to identify socio-demographic and clinical variables associated with self-care and to identify the association between self-care self-efficacy and self-care over and above the variables associated with self-care.Longitudinal and multicentre study. Data were collected between February 2017-May 2018.In this study, 523 ostomy patients were enrolled at baseline (T0) and 362 were followed-up after 6 months (T1). The Ostomy Self-Care Index was used to measure self-care maintenance, monitoring, management, and self-efficacy. Correlations between self-care dimensions and patient socio-demographic and clinical characteristics were performed with Pearson's or Spearman's correlations. Three separate two-step hierarchical regression analyses were performed to identify variables associated with self-care maintenance, monitoring, and management.Participants' mean age was 69 years (SD 12.4); 63.9% were male and most had enterostomies (38.8% colostomies, 29.3% ileostomies) and permanent ostomies (72.5%). Patients had adequate self-care maintenance and monitoring at T0 and T1, while they had lower self-care management and self-efficacy at baseline. Significant variables associated with better self-care maintenance and self-care monitoring were female gender, more information received during hospitalization and better autonomy in stoma management, while a better level of education was an additional variable associated with self-care monitoring. Self-care self-efficacy produced a significant increase in the explained variance of self-care maintenance and self-care monitoring. None of the selected variables were significantly associated with self-care management.Middle-high levels of self-care maintenance, monitoring, management, and self-efficacy were found. The variables associated with ostomy self-care and the role of self-care self-efficacy identified in this study can help in developing tailored nursing interventions.This study found specific variables associated with ostomy self-care which could contribute to guiding future interventions aimed at improving self-care in ostomy patients.目标: 描述造口术患者的自我护理,识别与自我护理相关的社会人口统计学和临床变量,并确定自我护理自我效能感和自我护理之外与自我护理相关变量之间的关系。 设计: 纵向研究和多中心研究。数据收集时间为2017年2月至2018年5月。 方法: 在这项研究中,基线位置(T0)招募了523名造口术患者,之后6个月(T1)对362名患者进行随访。使用造口术的自我护理指数衡量自我护理的维持、监测、管理和自我效能感。采用皮尔逊或斯皮尔曼相关理论分析自我护理维度与患者社会人口统计学和临床特征之间的相关性。进行了三个独立的两步分层回归分析,确定与自我护理维护、监测和管理相关的变量。 结果: 受试者的平均年龄为69岁(标准差12.4);63.9%为男性,大多数接受过肠造口术(38.8%为结肠造口术,29.3%为回肠造口术)和永久造口术(72.5%)。患者在T0和T1位置进行了充分的自我护理维持和监测,但在基线位置时,其自我护理管理和自我效能感均偏低。与优质的自我护理维护和自我护理监测相关的重要变量是女性、在住院期间获得更多信息、在造口管理中拥有更好的自主权,并且受过更好的教育是与自我护理监测相关的另一个变量。自我护理的自我效能感显著提高了自我护理维护和自我护理监测的可释方差。选定变量均与自我护理管理无显著相关。 结论: 得出自我护理维护、监测、管理和自我效能感处于中高水准。本研究中确定的与造口术自我护理相关的变量和自我护理自我效能感的作用有助于制定定制化的护理干预措施。 影响: 该研究发现与造口术自我护理相关的具体变量有助于指导未来旨在改善造口术患者自我护理的干预措施。.

Stoma patients and their caregivers need to be autonomous in stoma care, but there are few instruments for measuring the level of self-care. This study aims to develop and test the psychometric properties of the Ostomy Self-Care Index (OSCI) and the Caregiver Contribution to Self-Care in Ostomy Patient Index (CC-OSCI), from a clinical, operative and psychosocial perspective. A multicentre validation study was conducted on a convenience sample of 468 ostomy patients and 227 caregivers. The signed informed consent forms were obtained before data collection. Tool validation was performed by testing content validity, construct validity, criterion and internal consistency. Two indexes were developed, building on the self-care theory of chronic illness. For the OSCI, 32 items were developed and grouped into four 5-point Likert scales: maintenance, monitoring, management and confidence. For the CC-OSCI, 22 items were developed and grouped into three 5-point Likert scales: maintenance, monitoring and management. The content validity indexes for the OSCI and CC-OSCI were 95% and 93%, respectively. Exploratory factor analysis showed appropriate factor loadings (OSCI: min 0.395 to max 0.852; CC-OSCI: min 0.442 to max 0.841). Criterion validity was established through significant correlation between levels of quality of life, complications, readmissions and self-care in patients and caregivers. Strong internal consistency was found for the overall index, and within the scales (OSCI: α = 0.975; CC-OSCI: α = 0.972). The OSCI and CC-OSCI are valid and reliable indexes. Further studies specifically aimed at predicting the level of self-care are especially recommended.

Nutritional status is considered a significant factor determining the post-operative outcomes after RC. The aim of this literature review is to describe the impact of early oral nutrition on functional outcomes in patients underwent cystectomy. Usually, these patients are not fed orally until the return of gastrointestinal function, because early oral nutrition is often perceived as detrimental for the anastomosis integrity and is believed to cause nausea and vomiting. This phase of nutritional deprivation may vary from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the return of bowel movements. In clinical practice, patients are fed on a substitutive nutritional support based on the use of total parenteral nutrition or enteral nutrition, which have not demonstrated positive effects on bowel function recovery time, infection complication rates or length of hospital stay. The early introduction of oral feeding seems to allow early mobilization and to lead to an improvement of post-operative outcomes: bowel functions, pain, complications, patient's comfort and length of hospital stay. The early implementation of oral diet after cystectomy is associated with an improvement of considered outcomes, allowing an early recovery of patient's general conditions and reducing length of hospital stay.

Does the postoperative use of chewing gum in patients undergoing radical cystectomy (RC) facilitate intestinal motility recovery, reduce intestinal recanalization times and decrease length of stay? Postoperative ileus is a temporary impairment of intestinal motility and a frequent complication after RC. It is characterized by abdominal distention and absence of bowel functions, with symptoms including nausea, vomiting, pain and cramps. This results in an increase in length of stay, patient discomfort and costs. Different studies investigated the efficacy of chewing gum use, as a form of simulated feeding, in accelerating the resolution of ileus after several abdominal surgical procedures. Considering the lack of specific studies, some other conducted in similar abdominal procedures were included in this literature review. Despite the diversity of type of surgery, all considered studies show for patients who received chewing gum, a significant reduction in the time of first flatus and faeces, a reduction in the time of first bowel movements; not all included studies instead have found a significant decreasing in morbidity and length of stay. The chewing gum use seems to be a simple and inexpensive way to enhance recovery of bowel function, although it is probably still a little known procedure. It is possible recommending the administration of chewing gum in patients after cystectomy, monitoring the effectiveness, upon the recognition of possible conditions that might contraindicate its use.

ObjectivePhase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (PC-MRI) is a non-invasive method used to compute blood flow velocity and volume. This systematic review aims to discuss the current status of renal PC-MRI and provide practical recommendations which could inform future clinical studies and its adoption in clinical practice.MethodologyA comprehensive search of all the PC-MRI studies in human healthy subjects or patients related to the kidneys was performed.ResultsA total of 39 studies were included in which PC-MRI was used to measure renal blood flow (RBF) alongside other derivative hemodynamic parameters. PC-MRI generally showed good correlation with gold standard methods of RBF measurement, both in vitro and in vivo, and good reproducibility. Despite PC-MRI not being routinely used in clinical practice, there are several clinical studies showing its potential to support diagnosis and monitoring of renal diseases, in particular renovascular disease, chronic kidney disease and autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.DiscussionRenal PC-MRI shows promise as a non-invasive technique to reliably measure RBF, both in healthy volunteers and in patients with renal disease. Future multicentric studies are needed to provide definitive normative ranges and to demonstrate the clinical potential of PC-MRI, likely as part of a multi-parametric renal MRI protocol.

PURPOSE: To evaluate chest computed tomography (CT) and pulmonary function test (PFT) findings in severe COVID-19 patients after discharge and correlate CT pulmonary involvement with PFT results. METHODS: COVID-19 patients admitted to our hospital between February 25 and May 2, 2020, were retrospectively included according to the following criteria: (a) COVID-19 defined as severe based on the WHO interim guidance (i.e., clinical signs of pneumonia plus respiratory rate > 30 breaths/min, severe respiratory distress, and/or SpO2 < 90 % on room air); (b) chest radiograph in the acute setting; (c) post-discharge unenhanced chest CT; and (d) post-discharge comprehensive PFT. Imaging findings were retrospectively evaluated in consensus by two readers, and volume of abnormal lung was measured on CT using 3D Slicer software. Differences between demographics, comorbidities, acute radiographic findings, PFT, and post-discharge clinical and laboratory data of patients with normal and abnormal CT findings were assessed by Mann-Whitney or Fisher tests, and the compromised lung volume-PFT association by Pearson correlation after removing possible outliers. RESULTS: At a median of 105 days from symptom onset, 74/91 (81 %) patients had CT abnormalities. The most common CT pattern was combined ground-glass opacity and reticular pattern (46/74, 62 %) along with architectural distortion (68/74, 92 %) and bronchial dilatation (66/74, 89 %). Compromised lung volume had a median value of 15 % [11-23], was higher in dyspneic patients, and negatively correlated with the percentage of predicted DLCO, VA, and FVC values (r = -0.39, -0.5, and -0.42, respectively). These PFT parameters were significantly lower in patients with CT abnormalities. Impairment of DLCO and KCO was found in 12 (13 %) cases, possibly implying an underlying pulmonary vasculopathy in this subgroup of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Most severe COVID-19 survivors still had physiologically relevant CT abnormalities about three months after the disease onset, with an impairment of diffusion capacity on PFT. A pulmonary vasculopathy was suggested in a minor proportion of patients.

Introduction ABO blood type A was reported to correlate with an increased risk of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in white patients with severe sepsis and major trauma compared with patients with other blood types. Information regarding ABO phenotypes and major outcomes in patients with ARDS is unavailable. The primary aim was to determine the relationship between ABO blood type A and intensive care unit (ICU) mortality in patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (AHRF). The secondary aim was to describe the association between ABO blood type A and ICU length of stay (LOS) in this study population. Methods In a multicenter, retrospective cohort study, we collected the clinical records of patients admitted from January 2012 to December 2014 in five ICUs of Northern Italy. We included adult white patients admitted to the ICU who were diagnosed with AHRF requiring mechanical ventilation. Results The electronic records of 1732 patients with AHRF were reviewed. The proportion of patients with ABO blood type A versus other blood types was 39.9% versus 60.1%. ICU mortality (25%) and ICU LOS (median [interquartile range], 5 [2–12] days) were not different when stratified by ABO blood type (ICU mortality, overall p value = 0.905; ICU LOS, overall p value = 0.609). SAPSII was a positive predictor of ICU mortality (odds ration [OR], 32.80; 95% confidence interval [CI], 18.80–57.24; p < 0.001) and ICU LOS (β coefficient, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.35–0.75; p < 0.001) at multivariate analyses, whereas ABO blood type did not predict ICU outcome when forced into the model. Conclusion ABO blood type did not correlate with ICU mortality and ICU LOS in adult patients with AHRF who were mechanically ventilated.

What are the dietary, fluid intake and lifestyle indications for the disease management and recurrences prevention in patients with urolithiasis? Despite the progress in urolithiasis diagnosis and treatment, its incidence has increased in the last decades and a high rate of recurrence is still a real problem. Dietary and lifestyle modifications represent the most effective preventive measures. Recommendations and evidence available in literature are not always accurate and consistent, negatively affecting patients’ education. A systematic review was conducted starting from a research in electronic databases; the study selection process was based on PRISMA indications. Methodological quality and risk of bias were assessed. Data were analysed in three phases: (1) critical review of articles; (2) data extraction; (3) evidence synthesis. Thirty-six studies were included: researchers used prevalently non-probabilistic sampling methods and data from several studies derived from small samples, mainly from Western countries. Despite these limitations, the below listed themes for urolithiasis prevention arose: (1) the importance of a prevalently vegetarian regime with a reduced intake of meats and fats, decreasing the risk of stones formation from the accumulation of uric acid; (2) water intake greater than two litres per day is proven to prevent recurrences and drinking beverages, such as decaffeinated coffee, tea, beer and wine, also seems to be associated with a decrease in risk; (3) being physically active and having a healthy lifestyle can help to prevent recurrences. Various dietary and lifestyle modifications have a potential to prevent urolithiasis and recurrences. Clinicians should advise patients to reduce animal proteins and fats, increase fruits and vegetables, and increase water intake, as well as having a healthy lifestyle. Further rigorous methodological studies are needed.

BACKGROUND: Quantification of patient effort during spontaneous breathing is important to tailor ventilatory assistance. Because a correlation between inspiratory muscle pressure (Pmus) and electrical activity of the diaphragm (EAdi) has been described, we aimed to assess the reliability of surface electromyography (EMG) of the respiratory muscles for monitoring diaphragm electrical activity and subject effort during assisted ventilation. METHODS: At a general ICU of a single university-affiliated hospital, we enrolled subjects who were intubated and on pressure support ventilation (PSV) and were on mechanical ventilation for > 48 h. The subjects were studied at 3 levels of pressure support. Airway flow and pressure; esophageal pressure; EAdi; and surface EMG of the diaphragm (surface EAdi), intercostal, and sternocleidomastoid muscles were recorded. Respiratory cycles were sampled for off-line analysis. The Pmus/EAdi index (PEI) was calculated by relying on EAdi and surface EAdi (surface PEI) from an airway pressure drop during end-expiratory occlusions performed every minute. RESULTS: surface EAdi well correlated with EAdi and Pmus, in particular, after averaging breaths into deciles (R = 0.92 and R = 0.84). When surface PEI was used with surface EAdi, it provided a reliable estimation of Pmus (R = 0.94 in comparison with measured Pmus). CONCLUSIONS: During assisted mechanical ventilation, EAdi can be reliably monitored by both EAdi and surface EMG. The measurement of Pmus based on the calibration of EAdi was also feasible by the use of surface EMG.

Aim To explore the experiences of self-care of patients with urostomy and to identify the influencing factors of self-care. Background The creation of a urostomy results in the loss of an important bodily function and an alteration of the body image and causes physical, psychological, and social changes in the lifestyle through the adjustment and management of the new condition. In literature, there are few studies that analyze the lifestyle of people with urostomy. Methods In this qualitative design, an interpretative phenomenological analysis was used. Eleven people living with urostomies took part in semi-structured interviews consisting of open-ended questions about their self-care experience. Data were collected between March and September 2016. Results Six themes and twelve subthemes emerged from the data analysis. The themes were: Surgery impact, body image, daily and social-life activities, stoma and sexuality, managing stoma education, family and friends' support. Conclusions This study highlights the impact a stoma has on people's lives. This impact should be absorbed with personalized education before the surgery with the eventual need of a continuous and planned educational course respecting the patients' needs. This study shows that a continuous and planned educational plan is crucial for patients living with urostomies. Therefore, nurses should provide patients an adequate support and a personalized education program to cope with ostomy.

Background\ud \ud Phase‐contrast (PC) MRI is a feasible and valid noninvasive technique to measure renal artery blood flow, showing potential to support diagnosis and monitoring of renal diseases. However, the variability in measured renal blood flow values across studies is large, most likely due to differences in PC‐MRI acquisition and processing. Standardized acquisition and processing protocols are therefore needed to minimize this variability and maximize the potential of renal PC‐MRI as a clinically useful tool.\ud \ud \ud \ud Purpose\ud \ud To build technical recommendations for the acquisition, processing, and analysis of renal 2D PC‐MRI data in human subjects to promote standardization of renal blood flow measurements and facilitate the comparability of results across scanners and in multicenter clinical studies.\ud \ud \ud \ud Study Type\ud \ud Systematic consensus process using a modified Delphi method.\ud \ud \ud \ud Population\ud \ud Not applicable.\ud \ud \ud \ud Sequence Field/Strength\ud \ud Renal fast gradient echo‐based 2D PC‐MRI.\ud \ud \ud \ud Assessment\ud \ud An international panel of 27 experts from Europe, the USA, Australia, and Japan with 6 (interquartile range 4–10) years of experience in 2D PC‐MRI formulated consensus statements on renal 2D PC‐MRI in two rounds of surveys. Starting from a recently published systematic review article, literature‐based and data‐driven statements regarding patient preparation, hardware, acquisition protocol, analysis steps, and data reporting were formulated.\ud \ud \ud \ud Statistical Tests\ud \ud Consensus was defined as ≥75% unanimity in response, and a clear preference was defined as 60–74% agreement among the experts.\ud \ud \ud \ud Results\ud \ud Among 60 statements, 57 (95%) achieved consensus after the second‐round survey, while the remaining three showed a clear preference. Consensus statements resulted in specific recommendations for subject preparation, 2D renal PC‐MRI data acquisition, processing, and reporting.\ud \ud \ud \ud Data Conclusion\ud \ud These recommendations might promote a widespread adoption of renal PC‐MRI, and may help foster the set‐up of multicenter studies aimed at defining reference values and building larger and more definitive evidence, and will facilitate clinical translation of PC‐MRI.\ud \ud \ud \ud Level of Evidence\ud \ud 1\ud \ud \ud \ud Technical Efficacy Stage\ud \ud 1