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Abstract Background Worsening mental health of students in higher education is a public policy concern and the impact of measures to reduce transmission of COVID-19 has heightened awareness of this issue. Preventing poor mental health and supporting positive mental wellbeing needs to be based on an evidence informed understanding what factors influence the mental health of students. Objectives To identify factors associated with mental health of students in higher education. Methods We undertook a systematic review of observational studies that measured factors associated with student mental wellbeing and poor mental health. Extensive searches were undertaken across five databases. We included studies undertaken in the UK and published within the last decade (2010–2020). Due to heterogeneity of factors, and diversity of outcomes used to measure wellbeing and poor mental health the findings were analysed and described narratively. Findings We included 31 studies, most of which were cross sectional in design. Those factors most strongly and consistently associated with increased risk of developing poor mental health included students with experiences of trauma in childhood, those that identify as LGBTQ and students with autism. Factors that promote wellbeing include developing strong and supportive social networks. Students who are prepared and able to adjust to the changes that moving into higher education presents also experience better mental health. Some behaviours that are associated with poor mental health include lack of engagement both with learning and leisure activities and poor mental health literacy. Conclusion Improved knowledge of factors associated with poor mental health and also those that increase mental wellbeing can provide a foundation for designing strategies and specific interventions that can prevent poor mental health and ensuring targeted support is available for students at increased risk.

Objective Digital devices have demonstrated benefits to patients with chronic and neurodegenerative diseases. But when patients use medical devices in their homes, the technologies have to fit into their lives. We investigated the technology acceptance of seven digital devices for home use. Methods We conducted 60 semi-structured interviews with participants of a larger device study on their views on the acceptability of seven devices. Transcriptions were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results Based on the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology, we evaluated effort, facilitating conditions, performance expectancy and social influence of each device. In the effort category, five themes emerged: (a) the hassle to use the device; (b) its usability; (c) comfort; (d) disturbance to daily life; and (e) problems during usage. Facilitating conditions consisted of five themes: (a) expectations regarding a device; (b) quality of the instructions; (c) insecurities with usage; (d) possibilities of optimization; and (e) possibilities to use the device longer. Regarding performance expectancy, we identified three themes: (a) insecurities with the performance of a device; (b) feedback; and (c) motivation for using a device. In the social influence category, three themes emerged: (a) reactions of peers; (b) concerns with the visibility of a device; and (c) concerns regarding data privacy. Conclusions We identify key factors that determine the acceptability of medical devices for home use from the participants’ perspective. These include low effort of use, minor disruptions to their daily lives and good support from the study team.

Introduction: Infection at the pin site connecting an external fixator to the limb is a common and potentially serious complication of frame treatment. Impacted by many patient and injury factors, further variables exist in terms of the way in which pin sites are cared for. Timing and techniques used to clean pin sites vary substantially and are an attractive domain in which to intervene to decrease infection due to the extent of the associated complications and number of patients involved. Through this review, we explore the impact of cleaning techniques and solutions on pin site infection. Methodology: A systematic literature review was conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (1996–2022), and EMBASE (1974–2022) were searched in January 2022. Results: Thirty-two articles were identified and following eligibility criteria application 14 studies were analyzed. Nine hundred and fourteen adult and child patients undergoing external fixation treatment 2003–2021 in 12 countries were included. Nine studies used an outcome measure and of these, five different outcome measures were used. The literature was graded as having either some or high concerns of bias. No pooling of data was enabled. Discussion: The literature investigating variables impacting on pin site care in terms of solutions used, technique, and timing of care is poor. Variance in methodology, populations compared, interventions, and outcomes preclude meaningful analysis or conclusions. In particular, the lack of consensus on diagnosis and classification compromises studies relating to this question. Conclusions: Pin site infection is a significant issue in patients undergoing external fixation. The available literature cannot be used to guide care. We strongly recommend a consensus is derived on methodology for studies investigating pin site care. A well-designed randomized controlled trial would carry huge value due to the numbers of patients whose care could be improved through a reduction in pin site infection. Objective: To estimate the impact of pin site cleaning techniques and solutions in preventing pin site infection in patients treated with external fixation. The question which this systematic review address is: “Does pin site cleaning techniques and solutions affect pin site infection rate in external fixation?”

Introduction: Patients with hip fractures can become cold during the perioperative period despite measures applied to maintain warmth. Poor temperature control is linked with increasing complications and poorer functional outcomes. There is generic evidence for the benefits of maintaining normothermia, however this is sparse where specifically concerning hip fracture. We provide the first comprehensive review in this population. Significance: Large studies have revealed dramatic impact on wound infection, transfusion rates, increased morbidity and mortality. With very few studies relating to hip fracture patients, this review aimed to capture an overview of available literature regarding hypothermia and its impact on outcomes. Results: Increased mortality, readmission rates and surgical site infections are all associated with poor temperature control. This is more profound, and more common, in older frail patients. Increasing age and lower BMI were recognized as demographic factors that increase risk of hypothermia, which was routinely identified within modern day practice despite the use of active warming. Conclusion: There is a gap in research related to fragility fractures and how hypothermia impacts outcomes. Inadvertent intraoperative hypothermia still occurs routinely, even when active warming and cotton blankets are applied. No studies documented temperature readings postoperatively once patients had been returned to the ward. This is a point in the timeline where patients could be hypothermic. More studies need to be performed relating to this area of surgery.

Introduction: Malnutrition is common in older people, is known to interact with frailty, and is a risk factor for wound complications and poor functional outcomes postoperatively. Sustaining a hip fracture is a significant life event, often resulting in a decline in mobility and functional ability. A poor nutritional state may further impede recovery and rehabilitation, so strategies to improve perioperative nutrition are of considerable importance. We provide a review of nutritional supplement practices in this vulnerable and growing population. Method: Systematic review of preoperative oral nutritional supplementation (ONS) in hip fracture patients. Results: We identified 12 articles pertaining to this important area of perioperative care. The findings suggest postoperative ONS can improve postoperative outcomes in hip fracture patients, especially in terms of increasing total serum protein, improving nutritional status to near-optimum levels, and decreasing postoperative complications. Discussion: There is an absence of evidence specific to preoperative ONS in patients admitted following hip fracture. Literature relating to other populations is encouraging but is yet to be robustly studied. It is unclear whether these results are generalizable to the frailer hip fracture population. There is a need for studies clearly defining outcome measurement and complication assessment pertaining to preoperative ONS. The potential benefit is considerable, and this review will provide a means to inform the construction of meaningful trials in preoperative ONS of patients sustaining hip fracture. Conclusion: Oral nutritional supplementation in hip fracture patients may decrease postoperative complications while increasing elderly patient’s nutritional state to a near-optimum level. This is extrapolated from postoperative literature, however with a clear gap in research pertaining specifically to preoperative care. The need for well-constructed studies focused on the impact and assessment of early ONS in this population is transparent.

Introduction: Patients with hip fractures pose a significant burden on health services. Malnutrition, frailty, and cognitive impairment are common, and key to addressing the needs of this vulnerable patient group is nutrition optimization, including reduction in arbitrary nil by mouth (NBM) perioperative regimens. In order to understand current practices, we characterize preoperative nutrition in a regional hip fracture population. Methods: Prospective data were submitted to the National Hip Fracture Database by 6 hospitals in the north east of England over a 6-month period. Patients were stratified by preoperative nutritional intake, frailty, and cognitive function. Results: In all, 24.2% (n = 205) patients received no oral intake at all preoperatively; 15.3% of NBM patients were at risk of malnutrition; and 6.9% were malnourished at the time of assessment. Median time to surgery for NBM patients was 16.75 hours, and 6.34% of patients were fasted with no intake for >36 hours. In all, 6.5% (n = 44) of patients with an Abbreviated Mental Test Score (AMTS) of 8 or above were deemed to be at risk of malnutrition at admission, compared to 11.3% (n = 50) of patients with an AMTS of 7 or below. The NBM patients had similar mean Rockwood (4.97) and AMTS (6.51) scores to patients given oral nutrition. Conclusion: We have demonstrated contemporary preoperative nutritional practices in the management of over 800 hip fracture patients. Contrary to perception, nutrition practices vary little when stratified for age, cognition frailty, or comorbid burden. We have identified widespread prolonged NBM fasting and undersupplementation in patients sustaining hip fracture across a region. This work suggests a need to focus less on patient factors and more on systematic practices.

Introduction: As the number of patients sustaining hip fractures increases, interventions aimed at improving patient comfort and reducing complication burden acquire increased importance. Frailty, cognitive impairment, and difficulty in assessing pain control characterize this population. In order to inform future care, a review of pain assessment and the use of preoperative intravenous paracetamol (IVP) is presented. Materials and Methods: Systematic review of preoperative IVP administration in patients presenting with a hip fracture. Results: Intravenous paracetamol is effective in the early management of pain control in the hip fracture population. There is a considerable decrease in use of breakthrough pain medications when compared with other pain relief modalities. Additionally, IVP reduces the incidence of opioid-induced complications, reduces length of stay, and lowers mean pain scores. Another significant finding of this study is the poor administration of all analgesics to patients with hip fracture with up to 72% receiving no prehospital analgesia. Discussion: The potential benefits of IVP as routine in the early management of hip fracture-related pain are clear. Studies of direct comparison between analgesia regimes to inform optimum bundles of analgesic care are sparse. This study highlights the need for properly constructed pathway-driven comparator studies of contemporary analgesia regimes, with IVP as a central feature to optimize pain control and minimize analgesia-related morbidity in this vulnerable population.