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Previous studies suggested that surgeon sex is associated with differential patient outcomes. Whether this also applies to anaesthesia providers is unclear. We hypothesised that female sex of the primary anaesthesia provider is associated with lower risk of perioperative complications. The first case for all adult patients undergoing anaesthesia care between 2008 and 2022 at two academic healthcare networks in the USA was included in this retrospective cohort study. The primary exposure was the sex of the anaesthesia provider who spent the most time in the operating theatre during the case. The primary outcome was intraoperative complications, defined as hypotension (mean arterial blood pressure <55 mm Hg for ≥5 cumulative minutes) or hypoxaemia (oxygen saturation <90% for >2 consecutive minutes). The co-primary outcome was 30-day adverse postoperative events (including complications, readmission, and mortality). Analyses were adjusted for a priori defined confounders. Among 364,429 included patients, 57,550 (15.8%) experienced intraoperative complications and 55,168 (15.1%) experienced adverse postoperative events. Care by female compared with male anaesthesia providers was associated with lower risk of intraoperative complications (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.95, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.94–0.97, P <0.001), which was magnified among non-trainees (aOR 0.84, 95% CI 0.82–0.87, P -for-interaction<0.001). Anaesthesia provider sex was not associated with the composite of adverse postoperative events (aOR 1.00, 95% CI 0.98–1.02, P =0.88). Care by a female anaesthesia provider was associated with a lower risk of intraoperative complications, which was magnified among non-trainees. Future studies should investigate underlying mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Educating patients regarding surgery is an important aspect of the preoperative process. It helps individuals answer their queries, reduce anxiety, and improve overall satisfaction with the surgical experience. Objective: To compare patients' expectations with their real-perioperative surgical experiences. Also, to evaluate the effectiveness of preoperative education and, thus, improve the doctor-patient relationship. Methodology: Through consecutive sampling, 65 adult patients were selected from the ENT department of Khyber Teaching Hospital. Preoperative education was provided to all the subjects using a 25-point pro-forma, and their queries were addressed. Postoperatively, all participants were interviewed regarding their expectations and real perioperative surgical experiences. The gaps were noted, and participants were asked about their preferences for addressing such gaps in future interactions. Postoperatively, patients were asked to give comments on how a certain part of preoperative education could have been better delivered. Results: Among the 65 patients, 28 (43.1%) were male, and 37 (56.9%) were female. The majority (38.5%) had a primary/secondary school education. Eight (12.3%) patients had ear surgery, 19 (29.2%) had nose surgery, and 38 (58.5%) had throat surgery. Almost 39 (60%) patients had preoperative fear/anxiety. After preoperative education, 17 (26.2%) patients experienced perioperative fear/anxiety, which was a significant reduction (p = 0.001). Preoperative anxiety was greater in females (M: F = 8:13, p = 0.00), while perioperative anxiety was comparable among both genders after patient education (M: F = 5:12, p = 0.18). The greatest dissatisfaction was noted regarding the surgical schedule (33.8%), range of motion (16.9%), deep breathing exercises (13.8%), and preoperative fasting (12.3%). Most importantly, patients' comments were noted, when they were asked to suggest a better way to educate preoperatively in their respective area of dissatisfaction. Patients appreciated detailed explanations with practical demonstrations for range of motion exercises. One patient complained about no clear instructions on postoperative resumption of snuff. Conclusion: Preoperative patient education should be a two-way process involving active participation and continuous feedback. By educating patients properly through a multidisciplinary approach, healthcare providers can further enhance patient satisfaction, alleviate anxiety, and improve the overall quality of care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hypertension, a chronic medical condition affecting millions of people worldwide, is a leading cause of cardiovascular diseases. A multidisciplinary approach is needed to reduce the burden of the disease, with general practitioners playing a vital role. Therefore, it is crucial that GPs provide high-quality care that is standardized and based on the most recent European guidelines. Quality indicators (QIs) can be used to assess the performance, outcomes, or processes of healthcare delivery and are critical in helping healthcare professionals identify areas of improvement and measure progress towards achieving desired health outcomes. However, QIs to evaluate the care of patients with hypertension in general practice have been studied to a limited extent. The aim of our study is to define quality indicators for hypertension in general practice that are extractable from the electronic health record (EHR) and can be used to evaluate and improve the quality of care for hypertensive patients in the general practice setting. Methods: We used a Rand-modified Delphi procedure. We extracted recommendations from European guidelines and assembled them into an online questionnaire. An initial scoring based on the SMART principle and extractability from the EHR was performed by panel members, these results were analyzed using a Median Likert score, prioritization and degree of consensus. A consensus meeting was set up in which all the recommendations were discussed, followed by a final validation round. Results: Our study extracted 115 recommendations. After analysis of the online questionnaire round and a consensus meeting round, 37 recommendations were accepted and 75 were excluded. Of these 37 recommendations, 9 were slightly modified and 4 were combined into 2 recommendations, resulting in a list of 35 recommendations. All recommendations of the final set were translated to QIs, made up of 7 QIs on screening, 6 QIs on diagnosis, 11 QIs on treatment, 5 QIs on outcome and 6 QIs on follow-up. Conclusions: Our study resulted in a set of 35 QIs for hypertension in general practice. These QIs, tailored to the Belgian EHR, provide a robust foundation for automated audit and feedback and could substantially benefit other countries if adapted to their systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Empathy plays an important role in nursing so that the patients are provided with quality care and are satisfied with the services provided. Saudi Arabian patient interactions, including initial exploring, tend not to be formulaically initiated as in other countries. In this current study, the researcher aimed to highlight the critical role of nurse introductions in creating a desirable patient experience in the inpatient centers of Ministry Of Health hospitals in Saudi Arabia. This study was a cross-sectional secondary data analysis using the National Health Links/Presses Ganey surveys for every quint between the period 2021 and 2022. The methodology comprised an in-depth analysis of the Patient Experience Management Program (PXMP) survey that was involved as the uniform survey concluded by the Health Links/PressGaney. During the analysis, however, the results were found to have significant differences as 71.3% of the patients had a very good impression of their overall patient experience. This was specifically designed to address specific issues such as personal characteristics. The results of this study contribute to the understanding of what drives the nurses-patient interactions and forge the need for enhancing the way nurses are introduced to their patients to increase the average level of satisfaction of patients in the Ministry Of Health hospitals in Saudi Arabia. This study recommends that Saudi nurses should be trained to establish rapport in their interactions with patients as this promotes patient-centeredness and subsequently patients' experiences and care outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractUsing cell phones by nurses can affect the quality of care. This study aimed to explore the consequences of using cell phones by nurses in hospitals. A qualitative approach was used. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. Nursing staff, patients, and their relatives participated in this study. Categories of “emotionless care,” “neglect in care,” “impaired professional behavior” and a main theme of “Personal cell phone is a barrier to effective nursing care” extracted. Using cell phone during work could jeopardize patients’ safety and ruins the nursing profession image. It is necessary to formulate guidelines on how to use cell phones in hospitals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Amidst the challenges posed by Covid-19, assessing healthcare quality in India is crucial, particularly through patient satisfaction levels. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey of 277 participants in Jammu and Kashmir was conducted, utilizing a semi-structured questionnaire and PSQ-18. Data analysis was performed using SPSS (v25) including Chi-Square tests and Descriptive analysis. Results: Out of 277 participants, 70.8% expressed high satisfaction with medical care. Majority (70%) agreed that doctors explained medical tests well. Additionally, 70% strongly agreed that their doctor's office was well-equipped. Dissatisfaction factors were notably low. Significant associations were found between age and alcohol use (p = 0.041), gender and alcohol use (p = 0.007), gender and tobacco use (p = 0.032), and education level and vaccination (p = 0.001). Conclusion: The study highlights high patient satisfaction during the pandemic. Improving accessibility and quality of primary healthcare and community centres is essential to meet patient needs effectively. Aims and objectives: This study aims to comprehensively assess patient satisfaction with healthcare services in Jammu & Kashmir during the Covid-19 pandemic. Specifically, the goals of the study are to: • Evaluate patient satisfaction levels with medical care received during the pandemic, encompassing various aspects such as communication with healthcare providers, access to services, and overall care quality. • Identify factors influencing patient satisfaction and dissatisfaction with healthcare services, including demographic characteristics, healthcare utilization patterns, and perceptions of healthcare delivery. • Investigate the association between socio-demographic factors and health-related behaviors, such as alcohol and tobacco use, vaccination uptake, and healthcare seeking behaviors, to understand their impact on patient satisfaction and healthcare outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose A comprehensive medication history can contribute to safe therapy. Many approaches aiming to improve medication history taking require significant human resources. To design an efficient process that delivers high-quality medication histories, the individual requirements and resources of a given setting need to be considered. We aimed to provide an overview of existing approaches to medication history taking and their performance in different settings to potentially support the selection of an appropriate procedure. Methods We searched 3 literature databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO) for publications on approaches to medication history taking and analyzed them with regard to their key components as well as the setting, patient population, assessed outcomes, and efficacy. Results In total, 65 publications were included and analyzed. The majority of the reported approaches relied on involvement of dedicated staff (n = 43), followed by process-oriented interventions (eg, checklists; n = 15) and information technology (IT)–guided interventions (n = 11). A mean (SD) of 6 (2.9) outcomes were described in each study. Medication discrepancies were reported in 89% of all studies, yet about 75 different descriptions of this outcome were used, making it difficult to compare study results. Only 11 studies applied a sample size calculation and statistical tests. Of those, 10 reported a positive effect of their respective intervention on the quality of medication histories. Conclusion Most approaches focused on pharmacy staff, which are associated with considerable cost and resources. Therefore, IT-based approaches and patient engagement should be investigated as cost-effective alternatives and tested for superiority in the same setting. Reporting guidelines and standardized methodology are needed to improve the comparability of such studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Design Data Sources Review Method Results Conclusion Implications Impact Reporting Method Patient or Public Contribution To critically evaluate missed care measurement approaches and their application in long‐term aged care (LTAC) settings.Systematic review using Tawfik's guideline.PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL and ProQuest were searched. Supplemental searching was from reference lists of retrieved records, first authors' ORCID homepages and Google advanced search for grey literature. Search limitations were English language, published between 1 January 2001 and 31 December 2022.COVIDENCE was utilized for screening, data extraction and quality appraisal. JBI Critical Appraisal Tools and COSMIN Risk of Bias Tool were used for quality appraisal. Data were summarized and synthesized using narrative analysis.Twenty‐four publications across 11 regions were included, with two principal methods of missed care measurement: modified standard scales and tailored specific approaches. They were applied inconsistently and generated diverse measurement outcomes. There were challenges even with the most commonly used tool, the BERNCA‐NH, including absence of high‐quality verification through comparative analysis against an established ‘gold standard’, reliance on self‐administration, incomplete assessment of constructs and inadequate exploration of psychometric properties.Globally, there are deficiencies in the effectiveness and comprehensiveness of the instruments measuring missed care in LTAC settings. Further research on theoretical and practical perspectives is required.Findings highlighted a critical need to establish a standardized, validated approach to measure missed care in LTAC settings. This review calls for collaborative efforts by researchers, clinical staff and policymakers to develop and implement evidence‐based practices as a way of safeguarding the well‐being of older clients living in LTAC settings.Measurements of missed care in LTAC settings rely on adapting acute care tools. There is a critical gap in measuring missed care in LTAC settings. Developing a new tool could improve care quality and safety in LTAC settings globally.Adhered to PRISMA guideline.No patient or public contribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study is to assess cost-effectiveness of general practitioner (GP) versus surgeon-led colon cancer survivorship care from a societal perspective. Methods: We performed an economic evaluation alongside the I CARE study, which included 303 cancer patients (stages I–III) who were randomised to survivorship care by a GP or surgeon. Questionnaires were administered at baseline, 3-, 6-, 12-, 24- and 36-months. Costs included healthcare costs (measured by iMTA MCQ) and lost productivity costs (SF-HLQ). Disease-specific quality of life (QoL) was measured using EORTC QLQ-C30 summary score and general QoL using EQ-5D-3L quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). Missing data were imputed. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were calculated to relate costs to effects on QoL. Statistical uncertainty was estimated using bootstrapping. Results: Total societal costs of GP-led care were significantly lower compared to surgeon-led care (mean difference of − €3895; 95% CI − €6113; − €1712). Lost productivity was the main contributor to the difference in societal costs (− €3305; 95% CI − €5028; − €1739). The difference in QLQ-C30 summary score over time between groups was 1.33 (95% CI − 0.049; 3.15). The ICER for QLQ-C30 was − 2073, indicating that GP-led care is dominant over surgeon-led care. The difference in QALYs was − 0.021 (95% CI − 0.083; 0.040) resulting in an ICER of 129,164. Conclusions: GP-led care is likely to be cost-effective for disease-specific QoL, but not for general QoL. Implications for cancer survivors: With a growing number of cancer survivors, GP-led survivorship care could help to alleviate some of the burden on more expensive secondary healthcare services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Methods Results Conclusions To profile the initial 6‐month experience at the Victorian Heart Hospital (VHH) cardiac emergency (CE). The primary objective was to describe VHH CE patient characteristics, including presenting complaint, final diagnosis and disposition. Secondary objectives were to report on patient numbers, patient source and quality indicator performance including ambulance off‐load by 40 min, waiting time and length of stay (LOS).A retrospective review included all patients who presented to the VHH CE from 9 March 2023 to 8 September 2023. Patient reports containing the relevant clinical information were generated from the CE electronic medical record system. Diagnoses of MI were checked for accuracy by full record review.There were 3303 CE presentations in the first 6 months of operation, of which 6% were transferred from other sites. Median age was 65 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 53–77), 56% were males; the most common presenting complaints were presumed cardiac chest pain (67%) and arrhythmia (17%). The admission, discharge and transfer rates were 38%, 54% and 8%, respectively. In total, 15% were diagnosed with MI. The most common diagnoses for discharged and admitted patients were non‐specific chest pain (57%) and ST‐elevation MI (22%), respectively. Ambulance off‐load by 40 min was met for 96%. Median waiting time was 6 min (IQR: 3–10). Median CE LOS for discharged and admitted patients was 3.2 h (IQR: 2.5–4.0) and 3.7 h (IQR: 1.8–6.0), with 75% and 56% being <4 h, respectively.The population predominantly had cardiovascular disease as expected. Some performance indicators, including ED LOS, were identified as requiring intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Teledermoscopy supports and enhances the early detection of skin lesions by general practitioners in primary practice through remote consultation with dermatologists. Teledermoscopy has been a regular health service in Dutch primary care since February 2009. Teledermoscopy quality and performance outcomes on Dutch general practitioner primary care 11 years after its implementation were assessed. Methods: Dutch primary care teledermoscopy consultation data was retrospectively analysed on timestamps and responses on non-mandatory evaluation questions posed to the general practitioner and teledermatologist during the teledermoscopy consultation process. Anonymized data (February 2009–February 2020) was extracted from a Dutch teledermoscopy service database. The timestamps and evaluation questions data were subject to the teledermoscopy quality and performance outcomes. A limited cost evaluation was performed. Results: A total of 18,738 teledermoscopy consultations were sent by 1341 general practitioners (February 2009–February 2020). For 3908 (31.9%) teledermoscopy consultations, the general practitioner requested second opinion advice which led to 712 (18.2%) extra teledermoscopy referrals of patients who would not have been referred without teledermoscopy, including skin cancer teledermoscopy diagnoses. The general practitioner followed the teledermatologists' advice on patient referral for 8813 (88.5%) patients, reported 97.3% of the teledermoscopy consultations as helpful and 95.1% as instructive, referred 68.0% less patients with teledermoscopy availability, referred overall 59.4% less patients, and needed 5.4 minutes (median) for sending a teledermoscopy consultation. Teledermatologist's median answer and response time was 2 minutes and 2.4 hours, respectively. The estimated cost reduction was €144.18 ($164.65) (50.2%) per teledermoscopy patient. Discussion: Teledermoscopy is a useful service in general practitioner practice for requesting dermatologist advice in primary care settings to support the detection of skin lesion at an early stage and at lower costs. Teledermoscopy could also decrease the burden of secondary dermatology care since general practitioners reported that they did not refer the majority of patients to a dermatologist after the teledermoscopy consultation compared to their initial referral decision. General practitioners reported the teledermoscopy system as helpful and instructive which could contribute to enhancement of their dermatological knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To analyze, using data from Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición (Ensanut) 2018 and Ensanut Continua 2022, the quality of care provided at different stages of life in the Mexican health system. Materials and methods. The health system was classified into three subsystems, two public and one private. Weighted percentages were estimated from each survey for selected indicators of care at different stages of life. Results. In the three subsystems, deficiencies in the care process persist in prenatal care, delivery resolution, vaccination at birth, use of antibiotics for acute respiratory infections in children, and screening for risk factors and complications, and underprescribed insulin in adults with diabetes, despite the increase in the length of medical visits. The preference for care in private services was due to proximity and promptness of care. Conclusions. The low quality of care in Mexico's health care system requires innovative strategies aimed at providing comprehensive care throughout the life course. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is a leading cause of maternity mortality in the United States. The Code Crimson project aimed to enhance PPH management by implementing a standardized intervention bundle to mitigate morbidity and mortality associated with PPH. Local Problem: At a large Philadelphia tertiary hospital, health disparities existed for severe maternal morbidity and mortality, and PPH was a significant factor. Methods: A quality improvement design, using Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles and interrupted time series analysis, was undertaken. Interventions: The Code Crimson project implemented a standardized bundle to manage PPH, including blood product administration and massive transfusion protocol activation. Results: After implementing the Code Crimson bundle, there was a significant decrease in blood product use (P < .001), with minor reductions in packed red blood cell administration over 4 units and mean blood loss. Conclusions: The Code Crimson bundle effectively reduced blood product utilization for PPH treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Educating patients regarding surgery is an important aspect of the preoperative process. It helps individuals answer their queries, reduce anxiety, and improve overall satisfaction with the surgical experience. Objective To compare patients’ expectations with their real-perioperative surgical experiences. Also, to evaluate the effectiveness of preoperative education and, thus, improve the doctor-patient relationship. Methodology Through consecutive sampling, 65 adult patients were selected from the ENT department of Khyber Teaching Hospital. Preoperative education was provided to all the subjects using a 25-point pro-forma, and their queries were addressed. Postoperatively, all participants were interviewed regarding their expectations and real perioperative surgical experiences. The gaps were noted, and participants were asked about their preferences for addressing such gaps in future interactions. Postoperatively, patients were asked to give comments on how a certain part of preoperative education could have been better delivered. Results Among the 65 patients, 28 (43.1%) were male, and 37 (56.9%) were female. The majority (38.5%) had a primary/secondary school education. Eight (12.3%) patients had ear surgery, 19 (29.2%) had nose surgery, and 38 (58.5%) had throat surgery. Almost 39 (60%) patients had preoperative fear/anxiety. After preoperative education, 17 (26.2%) patients experienced perioperative fear/anxiety, which was a significant reduction (p = 0.001). Preoperative anxiety was greater in females (M: F = 8:13, p = 0.00), while perioperative anxiety was comparable among both genders after patient education (M: F = 5:12, p = 0.18). The greatest dissatisfaction was noted regarding the surgical schedule (33.8%), range of motion (16.9%), deep breathing exercises (13.8%), and preoperative fasting (12.3%). Most importantly, patients’ comments were noted, when they were asked to suggest a better way to educate preoperatively in their respective area of dissatisfaction. Patients appreciated detailed explanations with practical demonstrations for range of motion exercises. One patient complained about no clear instructions on postoperative resumption of snuff. Conclusion Preoperative patient education should be a two-way process involving active participation and continuous feedback. By educating patients properly through a multidisciplinary approach, healthcare providers can further enhance patient satisfaction, alleviate anxiety, and improve the overall quality of care.

Abstract Introduction Amidst the challenges posed by Covid-19, assessing healthcare quality in India is crucial, particularly through patient satisfaction levels. Methodology A cross-sectional survey of 277 participants in Jammu and Kashmir was conducted, utilizing a semi-structured questionnaire and PSQ-18. Data analysis was performed using SPSS (v25) including Chi-Square tests and Descriptive analysis. Results Out of 277 participants, 70.8% expressed high satisfaction with medical care. Majority (70%) agreed that doctors explained medical tests well. Additionally, 70% strongly agreed that their doctor’s office was well-equipped. Dissatisfaction factors were notably low. Significant associations were found between age and alcohol use (p = 0.041), gender and alcohol use (p = 0.007), gender and tobacco use (p = 0.032), and education level and vaccination (p = 0.001). Conclusion The study highlights high patient satisfaction during the pandemic. Improving accessibility and quality of primary healthcare and community centres is essential to meet patient needs effectively.

Background: Ultrasonography (USG) is used extensively across countries to diagnose and manage diseases. However, the existing USG services must be utilised rationally and effectively. Aim: Understanding the pattern of USG prescriptions and findings is important for improving the quality of healthcare services delivered by any healthcare system. Patients and Methods: A mixed methods study was conducted at a rural sub-district hospital in northern India to assess the pattern and completeness of prescriptions and USG findings and explore the patient and doctor-related factors influencing the USG prescription practices. Results: Of the 505 patients studied, 324 (64.2%) were females. The median age was 32 years (interquartile range: 24–45 years). The availability of complete medical history and clinical examination recording was 471 (85.7%) and 145 (28.7%), respectively. The indication for USG was mentioned in 436 (86.3%) prescriptions. Of the total, 251 (49.7%) had abnormal ultrasound findings. The abnormal finding was significantly high amongst patients (a) aged 45–59 years (P = 0.015) and (b) referred from surgery, paediatrics and other outpatient departments (P = 0.001) after adjustment to other factors. Patient-related factors such as non-harmfulness, free availability, reassurance of normality and health system/provider-level factors such as absence or low awareness of guidelines and changed clinical practice were the reasons for the current pattern of USG prescriptions. Conclusion: Although the medical history is better recorded, the incomplete recording of clinical examination needs improvement. Placing a guideline for prescribing USG, imposing nominal user fees and patient education and counselling can be tested for effectively utilising the USG services. Further, tracking the change in clinical management following the USG in Indian setting is the need of the hour.

Abstract Background Moral courage and team work are the most important aspects of professional competence in clinical nurses; nurses with moral courage and team work are thought to be able to deliver safe nursing care to patients. The present study aimed to investigate whether moral courage and teamwork correlate with safe nursing care among clinical nurses. Methods This descriptive cross-sectional multicenter study was carried out from December 2023 to February 2024. A total of 375 nurses who were practicing in four hospitals in the south of Iran were enrolled in this study using convenience sampling. The data collection tools used consisted of a demographics survey, Moral Courage Questionnaire (MCQ), Team STEPPS Team Perception Questionnaire (T-TPQ), and the Assessment of Safe Nursing Care Questionnaire (ASNCQ). The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, chi-square, multiple regression analysis, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. SPSS version 22 was used to analyze the data. Results The participants’ mean age was 32.66 ± 6.63 years, and their work experience was 8.56 ± 6.22 years. The total mean scores for moral courage, teamwork, and safe care were 422.37 ± 52.92, 144.09 ± 18.43, 315.84 ± 41.95, respectively. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between teamwork and safe care (r = 0.57, p

Abstract Background Intensive Care Unit (ICU) capacity management is essential to provide high-quality healthcare for critically ill patients. Yet, consensus on the most favorable ICU design is lacking, especially whether ICUs should deliver dedicated or non-dedicated care. The decision for dedicated or non-dedicated ICU design considers a trade-off in the degree of specialization for individual patient care and efficient use of resources for society. We aim to share insights of a model simulating capacity effects for different ICU designs. Upon request, this simulation model is available for other ICUs. Methods A discrete event simulation model was developed and used, to study the hypothetical performance of a large University Hospital ICU on occupancy, rejection, and rescheduling rates for a dedicated and non-dedicated ICU design in four different scenarios. These scenarios either simulate the base-case situation of the local ICU, varying bed capacity levels, potential effects of reduced length of stay for a dedicated design and unexpected increased inflow of unplanned patients. Results The simulation model provided insights to foresee effects of capacity choices that should be made. The non-dedicated ICU design outperformed the dedicated ICU design in terms of efficient use of scarce resources. Conclusions The choice to use dedicated ICUs does not only affect the clinical outcome, but also rejection- rescheduling and occupancy rates. Our analysis of a large university hospital demonstrates how such a model can support decision making on ICU design, in conjunction with other operation characteristics such as staffing and quality management.

The department of critical care medicine has a high prevalence of hospital acquired infections, which are closely associated with prognosis of critically ill patients. With hospital acquired infections as the axis, the treatment of critically ill patients can be divided into three phases: management of the primary disease and support of organ function, treatment of various complications resulting from the primary disease, and control of further damage and new complications. The cycle of the last two phases may put the patient in a state of Persistent inflammation, Immunosuppression, and Catabolism Syndrome (PICS), which ultimately leads to a poor prognosis. Fine control of the above three stages to reduce the risk of hospital acquired infections is a non-negligible component of the critical care process. Therefore, how to understand, prevent and treat hospital acquired infections is a top priority in the current development of critical care medicine. This review provides a comprehensive overview of strategies for the prevention and management of hospital acquired infections in critical care, covering five areas: changing the perception of hospital acquired infections, standardizing specific prevention interventions, consolidating the theoretical basis, recognizing that hospital acquired infection prevention are treatments, and integrating treatment to quality assurance. The aim is to develop the concept of severe treatment based on the prevention and control of severe patients, reduce the risk of hospital acquired infections of severe patients and improve the quality of critical care.

Abstract Background This study aims to propose a semi-automatic method for monitoring the waiting times of follow-up examinations within the National Health System (NHS) in Italy, which is currently not possible to due the absence of the necessary structured information in the official databases. Methods A Natural Language Processing (NLP) based pipeline has been developed to extract the waiting time information from the text of referrals for follow-up examinations in the Lombardy Region. A manually annotated dataset of 10 000 referrals has been used to develop the pipeline and another manually annotated dataset of 10 000 referrals has been used to test its performance. Subsequently, the pipeline has been used to analyze all 12 million referrals prescribed in 2021 and performed by May 2022 in the Lombardy Region. Results The NLP-based pipeline exhibited high precision (0.999) and recall (0.973) in identifying waiting time information from referrals’ texts, with high accuracy in normalization (0.948-0.998). The overall reporting of timing indications in referrals’ texts for follow-up examinations was low (2%), showing notable variations across medical disciplines and types of prescribing physicians. Among the referrals reporting waiting times, 16% experienced delays (average delay = 19 days, standard deviation = 34 days), with significant differences observed across medical disciplines and geographical areas. Conclusions The use of NLP proved to be a valuable tool for assessing waiting times in follow-up examinations, which are particularly critical for the NHS due to the significant impact of chronic diseases, where follow-up exams are pivotal. Health authorities can exploit this tool to monitor the quality of NHS services and optimize resource allocation.

Abstract Background Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs) are a variety of conditions that affect different parts of the temporomandibular joints (TMJ) and can cause orofacial pain and functional impairment. This study aims to investigate dental practitioners’ knowledge and management of Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMDs), particularly their knowledge of the role physical therapy plays in TMD treatment. Methods A mixed-methods approach was adopted to provide a comprehensive view of current knowledge, management practices, and attitudes toward collaboration among dental practitioners in treating TMD. Data were collected from a convenience sample of 335 dentists in Karachi using a detailed questionnaire to assess their knowledge of the role of physical therapy in the treatment of TMD. Twenty dentists were chosen for face-to-face, in-depth interviews to explore their experiences and challenges in managing TMDs based on their responses to the administered questionnaire. Results The cumulative quantitative and qualitative findings of the study revealed a landscape marked by individualized approaches to referral practices and significant gaps in interdisciplinary collaboration. Most practitioners holding a bachelor’s degree predominantly used medication (65.2%) and cause-specific treatment (65.3%) for TMD treatment. Thematic analysis of clinical efficacy and practitioner challenges in managing TMD revealed significant issues faced by dental professionals. Conclusions The study successfully validated a questionnaire to understand dental practitioners’ knowledge regarding physical therapy in TMD treatment. The study identified significant gaps in knowledge and a lack of collaboration between dentists and physiotherapists. The limited referral practices highlighted in the study, along with insights from dentist interviews, emphasize the need for improved interdisciplinary approaches to managing TMDs within dental practice.

Abstract Background Foot ulcers in people with diabetes are a serious complication requiring a complex management and have a high societal impact. Quality monitoring systems to optimize diabetic foot care exist, but a formal and more evidence-based approach to develop quality indicators (QIs) is lacking. We aimed to identify a set of candidate indicators for diabetic foot care by adopting an evidence-based methodology. Methods A systematic search was conducted across four academic databases: PubMed, Embase CINAHL and Cochrane Library. Studies that reported evidence-based interventions related to organization or delivery of diabetic foot care were searched. Data from the eligible studies were summarized and used to formulate process and structure indicators. The evidence for each candidate QI was described in a methodical and transparent manner. The review process was reported according to the “Preferred Reported Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis” (PRISMA) statements and its extension for scoping reviews. Results In total, 981 full-text articles were screened, and 322 clinical studies were used to formulate 42 candidate QIs. Conclusions An evidence-based approach could be used to select candidate indicators for diabetic foot ulcer care, relating to the following domains: wound healing interventions, peripheral artery disease, offloading, secondary prevention, and interventions related to organization of care. In a further step, the feasibility of the identified set of indicators will be assessed by a multidisciplinary panel of diabetic foot care stakeholders.

Background: Moral courage and team work are the most important aspects of professional competence in clinical nurses; nurses with moral courage and team work are thought to be able to deliver safe nursing care to patients. The present study aimed to investigate whether moral courage and teamwork correlate with safe nursing care among clinical nurses. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional multicenter study was carried out from December 2023 to February 2024. A total of 375 nurses who were practicing in four hospitals in the south of Iran were enrolled in this study using convenience sampling. The data collection tools used consisted of a demographics survey, Moral Courage Questionnaire (MCQ), Team STEPPS Team Perception Questionnaire (T-TPQ), and the Assessment of Safe Nursing Care Questionnaire (ASNCQ). The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, chi-square, multiple regression analysis, and Pearson's correlation coefficient. SPSS version 22 was used to analyze the data. Results: The participants' mean age was 32.66 ± 6.63 years, and their work experience was 8.56 ± 6.22 years. The total mean scores for moral courage, teamwork, and safe care were 422.37 ± 52.92, 144.09 ± 18.43, 315.84 ± 41.95, respectively. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between teamwork and safe care (r = 0.57, p < 0.001), teamwork and moral courage (r = 0.49, p = 0.002), and moral courage and safe nursing care (r = 0.59 p < 0.001). According to the results, work experience, moral courage, and teamwork explained 44.4% of the variance in safe nursing care (R2 = 0.44, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The results indicated that the moral courage and teamwork of nurses were positively and significantly correlated with the participants' safe nursing care. Accordingly, since moral courage and teamwork are the qualities that can contribute to improving the quality of care and ensuring safe nursing care, it is recommended that nursing managers pay special attention to these factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Intensive Care Unit (ICU) capacity management is essential to provide high-quality healthcare for critically ill patients. Yet, consensus on the most favorable ICU design is lacking, especially whether ICUs should deliver dedicated or non-dedicated care. The decision for dedicated or non-dedicated ICU design considers a trade-off in the degree of specialization for individual patient care and efficient use of resources for society. We aim to share insights of a model simulating capacity effects for different ICU designs. Upon request, this simulation model is available for other ICUs. Methods: A discrete event simulation model was developed and used, to study the hypothetical performance of a large University Hospital ICU on occupancy, rejection, and rescheduling rates for a dedicated and non-dedicated ICU design in four different scenarios. These scenarios either simulate the base-case situation of the local ICU, varying bed capacity levels, potential effects of reduced length of stay for a dedicated design and unexpected increased inflow of unplanned patients. Results: The simulation model provided insights to foresee effects of capacity choices that should be made. The non-dedicated ICU design outperformed the dedicated ICU design in terms of efficient use of scarce resources. Conclusions: The choice to use dedicated ICUs does not only affect the clinical outcome, but also rejection- rescheduling and occupancy rates. Our analysis of a large university hospital demonstrates how such a model can support decision making on ICU design, in conjunction with other operation characteristics such as staffing and quality management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Loneliness is a global issue, and primary care physicians play an important role in assessing and intervening with loneliness. This study aimed to examine the association between having a usual source of care (USC) or a good quality of primary care, and loneliness. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in Japan in 2022. A total of 6,000 residents were randomly sampled from the general population, aged 20–74 years. The outcome was the total score of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) 3-item loneliness scale. The exposure included USC and the Person-Centered Primary Care Measure (PCPCM), which assesses the quality of primary care. We conducted a linear regression analysis to adjust for age, sex, educational status, annual household income, self-rated health, living status (whether alone or not), and the existence of physical health problems. Results Of the 6,000 residents, 1,277 responded to the survey. The median score of the UCLA 3-item loneliness scale was 6.0 and the mean total score of the PCPCM was 2.62. Of the 1,277 individuals, 713 (55.8%) had USC. Having USC was significantly associated with lower scores on the UCLA 3-item loneliness scale; the coefficient was −0.34 (95% confidence interval (CI): −0.57 to −0.12). Also, the total PCPCM score was significantly associated with lower loneliness scores; the coefficient was −0.56 (P < 0.001, 95% CI: −0.78 to −0.35). Conclusions Having USC and a better quality primary care were associated with a lower loneliness score. The quality of primary care could be a factor to mitigate patient loneliness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior authorization review (PAR), in the United States, is a process that was initially intended to focus on hospital admissions and costly high-acuity care. Over time, payors have broadened the scope of PAR to include imaging studies, prescriptions, and routine treatment. The potential detrimental effect of PAR on health care has recently been brought into the limelight, but its impact on orthopedic subspecialty care remains unclear. This study investigated the denial rate, the duration of care delay, and the administrative burden of PAR on orthopedic subspecialty care. A prospective, multicenter study was performed analyzing the PAR process. Orthopedic shoulder and/or sports subspecialty practices from 6 states monitored payor-mandated PAR during the course of providing routine patient care. The insurance carrier (traditional Medicare, managed Medicare, Medicaid, commercial, worker's compensation, or government payor [ie, Tricare, Veterans Affairs]), location of service, rate of approval or denial, time to approval or denial, and administrative time required to complete process were all recorded and evaluated. Of 1065 total PAR requests, we found a 1.5% (16/1065) overall denial rate for advanced imaging or surgery when recommended by an orthopedic subspecialist. Commercial and Medicaid insurance resulted in a small but statistically significantly higher rate of denial compared to traditional Medicare, managed Medicare, worker's compensation, or governmental insurance (P <.001). The average administrative time spent on a single PAR was 19.5 minutes, and patients waited an average of 2.2 days to receive initial approval. Managed Medicare, commercial insurance, worker's compensation, and Medicaid required approximately 3-4 times more administrative time to process a PAR than to traditional Medicare or other governmental insurance (P <.001). After controlling for the payor, we identified a significant difference in approval or denial based on geographic location (P <.001). An appeal resulted in a relatively low rate of subsequent denial (20%). However, approximately a third of all appeals remained in limbo for 30 days or more after the initial request. This is the largest prospective analysis to date of the impact of PAR on orthopedic subspecialty care in the United States. Nearly all PAR requests are eventually approved when recommended by orthopedic subspecialists, despite requiring significant resource use and delaying care. Current PAR practices constitute an unnecessary process that increases administrative burden and negatively impacts access to orthopedic subspecialty care. As health care shifts to value-based care, PAR should be called into question, as it does not seem to add value but potentially negatively impacts cost and timeliness of care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective communication between patients and healthcare providers is essential for a positive patient experience (PE), and improving patient-centered care (PCC) involves many factors. This study aimed to (1) identify the factors that affect PE improvement, (2) reflect patients and healthcare providers' perspectives on the factors' importance, and (3) present a structural model for improving PCC. A systematic review of empirical studies that specified PE factors was conducted. Studies that did not reflect users' perspectives and non-empirical studies were excluded. The literature was searched using Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, and the Taylor and Francis online journal. The MMAT 2018 checklist was used to assess bias in the included studies, and frequency, content, and thematic analyses were employed to synthesize the results, yielding 25 articles. The 80 PE factors identified from the analyses were categorized into six categories: Practice, Physical Needs, Psychological Needs, Social Needs, Practical Needs, and Information Needs. From a user perspective, patients emphasized professional, continuous, and comprehensive service delivery, whereas healthcare providers stressed efficient system improvements and positive provider–patient relationships. We propose a structured model for PCC improvement using a service blueprint and system map. The PCC model provides an overview of the interactions and the roles of all stakeholders regarding quality of care to improve healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: Measuring nurses' perceptions of the activities contributing to the quality of care needs to be emphasized, providing visibility to professional practice and their contributions to achieving health quality. This study aimed to translate, validate, and culturally adapt the "Perception of Nursing Activities that Contribute to the Quality of Care" scale to provide a reliable instrument to assist nurse managers in measuring nurses' perceptions of their activities in French reality. Methods: A quantitative, descriptive, and cross-sectional study, in two phases, was conducted: first, by translation and cultural adaptation, and second, through the validation of the scale. Results: The factor structure of the final version was reduced to 22 items. Content and construct validity and reliability were supported by internal consistency (coefficient alpha =.913). Conclusions: The results show that the final version is a reliable and valid instrument, showing a high potential to be used in research and clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Children and adolescents have the right to participate in decisions concerning their health and express their views, also regarding hospital experiences. Patient-reported experience measures (PREMs) are valuable tools for systematically incorporating patient voices into healthcare systems. New developments have focused on PREMs for children and adolescents, though they are more commonly used in adults. A recent systematic review mapping their use for children and adolescents indicates a growing interest in this area. However, most PREMs are completed by proxy, in this case parents, so they do not necessarily reflect children's experiences or align with their rights. Innovation is required to support and engage children and adolescents in responding to these types of questionnaires. Methods: Collaborating with children and adolescents (4–17 years), the primary aim of this study is to develop and validate the tool MyHospitalVoice containing digital and developmentally appropriate PREMs. The secondary aim is to document and evaluate the approaches used to involve children and adolescents and to assess the impact of their involvement. Based on the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer framework, we will divide its development and validation into four phases. First, we will discuss PREM items with children and adolescents, who will select and prioritise what they perceive as most important. Second, we will create items targeting different age groups (4–7, 8–12, and 13–17 years) and design a responsive digital interface with child and youth friendly ways of responding to the questionnaires. Third, we will explore how children and adolescents perceive MyHospitalVoice using cognitive interviewing techniques and other age-appropriate methods. Last, we will pilot test MyHospitalVoice to explore patient experiences and response rates. In each phase, children and adolescents will play an active role. We will involve young adults as peer researchers in the project group to ensure that their perspectives are part of the decision-making process. Discussion: This project will contribute to research on co-creating with children and adolescents and enhance our understanding of their patient experiences. A validated tool like MyHospitalVoice can help improve quality of care by translating the needs and preferences of children and adolescents into clinical practice. Plain English summary: We will collaborate with children and adolescents (4–17 years) to develop a digital tool called MyHospitalVoice. We believe that we can improve the quality of children and adolescents' healthcare encounters by using MyHospitalVoice to incorporate their needs and preferences into clinical practice. Children and adolescents have the right to be involved in decisions about their health, also when in hospital. Being in hospital can be tough for children and adolescents and adults may not always pay enough attention to what children and adolescents experience. Giving children and adolescents an easy way to share their needs and preferences may protect their rights and ensure that healthcare professionals consider them more. One way to let patients share their hospital experience is by using questionnaires called patient-reported experience measures (PREMs). While similar tools are used for adults, there is a growing recognition of the need for them specifically tailored to the perspectives of children and adolescents. This project will develop a digital tool called MyHospitalVoice, which consists of PREMs designed for and with children and adolescents. We will follow a four-phase process based on established guidelines. We will gather existing PREMs and let children and adolescents decide which questions are most important to them. Next, we will create questions that are suitable for different age groups (4–7, 8–12, and 13–17 years) and design a user-friendly digital interface with playful features to make the questionnaire more engaging. Finally, we will assess how children and adolescents perceive MyHospitalVoice and end by doing a pilot test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Patient safety culture (PSC) encompasses the values, attitudes, norms, beliefs, practices, perceptions, competencies, policies, and behaviours of professionals that determine organisational commitment to quality and patient safety. Few studies use mixed methods to analyse patient safety culture, and none offer the richness of using a mixed methodology to develop their theoretical model. This study aims to identify the factors nurses believe contextualise and influence PSC in relation to existing theoretical frameworks. (2) Methods: This study employed a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design combined with the Pillar Integration Process for data integration. (3) Results: In the final data integration process, 26 factors affecting nurses' PSC were identified. Factors nurses related to PSC not being assessed with the tool used in phase 1 were notification system, flow of patients, patient involvement, resources and infrastructure, and service characteristics. (4) Conclusions: This mixed-methods study provides an opportunity to identify the weaknesses and strengths of currently developed theoretical frameworks related to PSC and offers content for its improvement. Even though multiple studies aim to assess PSC using existing quantitative method tools, the development of this study offers a glimpse of some aspects relevant to nurses' PSC not included in the theoretical framework of the said tools, such as patient involvement, the flow of patients, and service infrastructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs) are a variety of conditions that affect different parts of the temporomandibular joints (TMJ) and can cause orofacial pain and functional impairment. This study aims to investigate dental practitioners' knowledge and management of Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMDs), particularly their knowledge of the role physical therapy plays in TMD treatment. Methods: A mixed-methods approach was adopted to provide a comprehensive view of current knowledge, management practices, and attitudes toward collaboration among dental practitioners in treating TMD. Data were collected from a convenience sample of 335 dentists in Karachi using a detailed questionnaire to assess their knowledge of the role of physical therapy in the treatment of TMD. Twenty dentists were chosen for face-to-face, in-depth interviews to explore their experiences and challenges in managing TMDs based on their responses to the administered questionnaire. Results: The cumulative quantitative and qualitative findings of the study revealed a landscape marked by individualized approaches to referral practices and significant gaps in interdisciplinary collaboration. Most practitioners holding a bachelor's degree predominantly used medication (65.2%) and cause-specific treatment (65.3%) for TMD treatment. Thematic analysis of clinical efficacy and practitioner challenges in managing TMD revealed significant issues faced by dental professionals. Conclusions: The study successfully validated a questionnaire to understand dental practitioners' knowledge regarding physical therapy in TMD treatment. The study identified significant gaps in knowledge and a lack of collaboration between dentists and physiotherapists. The limited referral practices highlighted in the study, along with insights from dentist interviews, emphasize the need for improved interdisciplinary approaches to managing TMDs within dental practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aims to propose a semi-automatic method for monitoring the waiting times of follow-up examinations within the National Health System (NHS) in Italy, which is currently not possible to due the absence of the necessary structured information in the official databases. Methods: A Natural Language Processing (NLP) based pipeline has been developed to extract the waiting time information from the text of referrals for follow-up examinations in the Lombardy Region. A manually annotated dataset of 10 000 referrals has been used to develop the pipeline and another manually annotated dataset of 10 000 referrals has been used to test its performance. Subsequently, the pipeline has been used to analyze all 12 million referrals prescribed in 2021 and performed by May 2022 in the Lombardy Region. Results: The NLP-based pipeline exhibited high precision (0.999) and recall (0.973) in identifying waiting time information from referrals' texts, with high accuracy in normalization (0.948-0.998). The overall reporting of timing indications in referrals' texts for follow-up examinations was low (2%), showing notable variations across medical disciplines and types of prescribing physicians. Among the referrals reporting waiting times, 16% experienced delays (average delay = 19 days, standard deviation = 34 days), with significant differences observed across medical disciplines and geographical areas. Conclusions: The use of NLP proved to be a valuable tool for assessing waiting times in follow-up examinations, which are particularly critical for the NHS due to the significant impact of chronic diseases, where follow-up exams are pivotal. Health authorities can exploit this tool to monitor the quality of NHS services and optimize resource allocation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Foot ulcers in people with diabetes are a serious complication requiring a complex management and have a high societal impact. Quality monitoring systems to optimize diabetic foot care exist, but a formal and more evidence-based approach to develop quality indicators (QIs) is lacking. We aimed to identify a set of candidate indicators for diabetic foot care by adopting an evidence-based methodology. Methods: A systematic search was conducted across four academic databases: PubMed, Embase CINAHL and Cochrane Library. Studies that reported evidence-based interventions related to organization or delivery of diabetic foot care were searched. Data from the eligible studies were summarized and used to formulate process and structure indicators. The evidence for each candidate QI was described in a methodical and transparent manner. The review process was reported according to the "Preferred Reported Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis" (PRISMA) statements and its extension for scoping reviews. Results: In total, 981 full-text articles were screened, and 322 clinical studies were used to formulate 42 candidate QIs. Conclusions: An evidence-based approach could be used to select candidate indicators for diabetic foot ulcer care, relating to the following domains: wound healing interventions, peripheral artery disease, offloading, secondary prevention, and interventions related to organization of care. In a further step, the feasibility of the identified set of indicators will be assessed by a multidisciplinary panel of diabetic foot care stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Goals-of-care discussions, by promoting mutual understanding between patients and clinicians, supporting decision making and facilitating care planning, have been found to reduce acute care use and cost of care downstream. However, it is not known if goals-of-care discussions have an immediate impact on the cost of the same hospital stay. In this real-world study, we examined the hospitalization cost before and after the implementation of a goals-of-care program. We found that the overall cost in unselected medical patients did not differ significantly before and after program implementation; however, the cost of hospitalization decreased significantly among ICU patients by 17% after program implementation. This study highlights the potential value-based benefit of goals-of-care programs for patients who have serious illnesses. The impact of goals-of-care programs on acute hospitalization costs is unclear. We compared the hospitalization cost in an 8-month period before implementation of a multimodal interdisciplinary goals-of-care program (1 May 2019 to 31 December 2019) to an 8-month period after program implementation (1 May 2020 to 31 December 2020). Propensity score weighting was used to adjust for differences in potential covariates. The primary outcome was total direct cost during the hospital stay for each index hospitalization. This analysis included 6977 patients in 2019 and 5964 patients in 2020. The total direct cost decreased by 3% in 2020 but was not statistically significant (ratio 0.97, 95% CI 0.92, 1.03). Under individual categories, there was a significant decrease in medical oncology (ratio 0.58, 95% CI 0.50, 0.68) and pharmacy costs (ratio 0.86, 95% CI 0.79, 0.96), and an increase in room and board (ratio 1.06, 95% CI 1.01, 1.10). In subgroup analysis, ICU patients had a significant reduction in total direct cost after program implementation (ratio 0.83, 95% CI 0.72, 0.94). After accounting for the length of ICU admission, we found that the total direct cost per hospital day was no longer different between 2019 and 2020 (ratio 0.986, 95% CI 0.92, 1.05), suggesting that shorter ICU admissions likely explained much of the observed cost savings. This study provides real-world data on how "in-the-moment" GOC conversations may contribute to reduced hospitalization costs among ICU patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Palliative care (PC) contributes to improved end-of-life care for patients with hematologic malignancies (HM) and solid tumors (ST) by addressing physical and psychological symptoms and spiritual needs. Research on PC in HM vs. ST patients is fragmented and suggests less use. Methods: We analyzed claims data of all deceased members of a large German health insurance provider for the year before death. First, we analyzed the frequency and the beginning of different types of PC and compared patients with HM vs. ST. Second, we analyzed the adjusted impact of PC use on several end-of-life quality outcomes in patients with HM vs. ST. We performed simple and multiple (logistic) regression analysis, adjusted for relevant covariates, and standardized for age and sex. Results: Of the 222,493 deceased cancer patients from 2016 to 2020, we included 209,321 in the first analysis and 165,020 in the second analysis. Patients with HM vs. ST received PC less often (40.4 vs. 55.6%) and later (34 vs. 50 days before death). PC use significantly improved all six quality indicators for good end-of-life care. HM patients had worse rates in five of the six indicators compared with ST patients. Interaction terms revealed that patients with ST derived greater benefit from PC in five of six quality indicators than those with HM. Conclusion: The data highlight the need to integrate PC more often, earlier, and more effectively into the care of patients with HM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Objectives: to assess patient safety culture during the COVID-19 pandemic and identify the dimensions that need to be improved in hospital settings and which sector, open or closed, direct or indirect care, exhibits a higher level of safety culture. Methods: a descriptive and cross-sectional study. The validated version for Brazil of the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture instrument was applied to assess patient safety culture. Those dimensions with 75% positive responses were considered strengthened. Results: all dimensions presented results lower than 75% of positive responses. Closed sectors showed a stronger safety culture compared to open ones. Indirect care sectors had a low general perception of patient safety when compared to direct care sectors. Conclusions: with the pandemic, points of weakness became even more evident, requiring attention and incisive interventions from the institution’s leaders.

Unravelling the impact of the sex of the anaesthesia provider on the outcomes of patients requires careful statistical analysis and the validity of many assumptions. A recent study in the British Journal of Anaesthesia investigates the effect of anaesthesia provider sex on patient outcomes, using data from two academic healthcare networks in the USA. The authors show that female provider sex was associated with a lower risk of intraoperative complications. They also show that there was no meaningful difference between male and female providers with respect to postoperative outcomes. There have been several recent studies considering the effect of healthcare provider sex on outcomes. We will discuss the interpretation of these results and the validity of the underlying assumptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Coronary heart diseases (CHDs) have experienced the largest increase worldwide as a cause of death, accounting for 16% of all deaths. In Saxony-Anhalt, a federal state in Germany, both CHD morbidity and acute myocardial infarction mortality rates are particularly high. Several risk factors associated with CHDs have been studied in Saxony-Anhalt, but sex differences in service use and medication have not been investigated. This study therefore aimed to investigate sex differences in the quality and quantity of cardiological care provided to adults with CHD. Methods This study used health claims data from 2018 to 2020 to analyse the utilisation of healthcare services and adherence to medication-related guideline recommendations in primary and specialist care. The sample included 133,661 individuals with CHD from a major statutory health insurance company (Germany). Results Almost all CHD patients (> 99%) received continuous primary care. Continuous cardiologist utilisation was lower for females than for males, with 15.0% and 22.2%, respectively, and sporadic utilisation showed greater differences, with 33.5% of females and 43.4% of males seeking sporadic cardiologist consultations. Additionally, 43.1% of the identified CHD patients participated in disease management programmes (DMPs). The study also examined the impact of DMP participation and cardiologist care on medication uptake and revealed that sex differences in medication uptake, except for statin use, were mitigated by these factors. Statins were prescribed to 42.9% of the CHD patients eligible for statin prescription in accordance with the QiSA indicator for statin prescription eligibility. However, there were significant sex differences in statin utilisation. Female CHD patients were less likely to use statins (35.2%) than male CHD patients were (50.1%). The difference in statin utilisation persisted after adjustment for DMP participation and cardiologist consultation. Conclusions This study highlights sex differences in the utilisation of cardiological healthcare services for patients with CHD in the Saxony-Anhalt cohort. These findings underscore the continuing need for interventions to reduce sex inequalities in accessing healthcare and providing health care for patients with CHD. Factors at the health care system, patient, and physician levels should be further investigated to eventually improve statin prescription in people with CHD, especially women.

Healthcare systems collect little information about the experiences and outcomes of care from the perspectives of patients. Patient Reported Indicator Surveys (PaRIS) is an OECD initiative to measure the outcomes and experiences of people living with chronic conditions, who are managed in primary care.

Background: Patient experiences have not been documented at all India level among older adults for inpatient and outpatient services. We provide all-India and sub national estimates on six domains of patient experience, namely: waiting time, respectful treatment, clarity of explanation provided, privacy during consultation, treated by provider of choice, and cleanliness of facility. Methods: Unit records of adults aged 45 years and above for their inpatient (n = 4330) or outpatient (n = 33,724) service use were assessed from the Longitudinal Ageing Survey of India (LASI), conducted in 2017-18. We identified patient experience as negative if the respondent rated it as either “Bad” or “Very Bad” on a five-point Likert scale. We computed proportion of negative experience by socio-economic status, geographic location, and type of healthcare facilities. We used binary logistic regression to estimate predictors of negative patient experience, and a three-level logistic regression model to partition the total geographic variation of patient experiences. Findings: Most individuals rated their experience in all six domains as “Good”. Negative experiences were higher among patients who used public facilities, specifically for waiting time and cleanliness of facility. Among inpatients, the higher-than-average negative experience was noted in the north and northwest, while among outpatients, it was higher in the northeast. The largest geographic variation in negative patient experience was attributable to the villages/CEBs for all domains in outpatient services and three domains of inpatient services, whereas states accounted for the other three inpatient domains. Interpretation: Majority of older adults rated their experience of healthcare use positively, but less for public health facilities.

Background Coronary heart diseases (CHDs) have experienced the largest increase worldwide as a cause of death, accounting for 16% of all deaths. In Saxony-Anhalt, a federal state in Germany, both CHD morbidity and acute myocardial infarction mortality rates are particularly high. Several risk factors associated with CHDs have been studied in Saxony-Anhalt, but sex differences in service use and medication have not been investigated. This study therefore aimed to investigate sex differences in the quality and quantity of cardiological care provided to adults with CHD. Methods This study used health claims data from 2018 to 2020 to analyse the utilisation of healthcare services and adherence to medication-related guideline recommendations in primary and specialist care. The sample included 133,661 individuals with CHD from a major statutory health insurance company (Germany). Results Almost all CHD patients (>99%) received continuous primary care. Continuous cardiologist utilisation was lower for females than for males, with 15.0% and 22.2%, respectively, and sporadic utilisation showed greater differences, with 33.5% of females and 43.4% of males seeking sporadic cardiologist consultations. Additionally, 43.1% of the identified CHD patients participated in disease management programmes (DMPs). The study also examined the impact of DMP participation and cardiologist care on medication uptake and revealed that sex differences in medication uptake, except for statin use, were mitigated by these factors. Statins were prescribed to 42.9% of the CHD patients eligible for statin prescription in accordance with the QiSA indicator for statin prescription eligibility. However, there were significant sex differences in statin utilisation. Female CHD patients were less likely to use statins (35.2%) than male CHD patients were (50.1%). The difference in statin utilisation persisted after adjustment for DMP participation and cardiologist consultation. Conclusions This study highlights sex differences in the utilisation of cardiological healthcare services for patients with CHD in the Saxony-Anhalt cohort. These findings underscore the continuing need for interventions to reduce sex inequalities in accessing healthcare and providing health care for patients with CHD. Factors at the health care system, patient, and physician levels should be further investigated to eventually improve statin prescription in people with CHD, especially women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Patients are the center and focus of care delivery, but frequently, their perceptions are overlooked. Patients are vital to promoting optimal oncology nursing care and should be considered in order to provide patient-centered holistic care. The Quality of Oncology Nursing Care Scale was translated and validated cross-culturally for the Portuguese context. In Portugal, there is no instrument that evaluates the quality of nursing care provided to cancer patients, so our study fills this major gap in the scientific evidence. This scale should be used by nurses, nurse managers, and researchers that strive to improve patient, nurse, and organizational outcomes. Background: Quality assessment in oncology nursing care has been a growing topic in the literature, gaining relevance as oncological nursing care becomes more complex as the science progresses. However, there are no instruments that assess the perception of the quality of oncology nursing care from the point of view of patients for the Portuguese population. Thus, the cross-cultural translation and validation of the Quality of Oncology Nursing Care Scale (QONCS) was performed for the Portuguese context. This instrument allows nurses to assess patients' self-perception of the quality of nursing care provided in an oncological setting. It also allows researchers to compare the results obtained internationally with the application of this scale. Methods: This is a methodological study, with two distinct phases: the first corresponded to the translation and cultural adaptation of the scale to the Portuguese context, and the second consisted of the psychometric validation of the QONCS, which included factor analysis and the evaluation of the psychometric properties of the instrument. We obtained responses from 402 patients from a Portuguese oncology hospital. Results: The Portuguese version of the Quality of Oncology Nursing Care Scale (QONCS_PT) consists of 34 items inserted into a tetra-factorial model, which explains a total variance of the instrument of 69.8%. A Cronbach's alpha of 0.93 was obtained for the complete instrument. Conclusions: QONCS_PT has a competent and reliable structure. The scale's validity was assured and can be used in the Portuguese population, as it is useful for direct care provision but also for researchers and managers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We compared low‐risk cesarean birth rates for Black and White women across hospitals serving increasing proportions of Black women and identified hospitals where Black women had low‐risk cesarean rates less than or equal to White women. Methods: In this cross‐sectional analysis of secondary data from four states, we categorized hospitals by their proportion of Black women giving birth from "low" to "high". We analyzed the odds of low‐risk cesarean for Black and White women across hospital categories. Results: Our sample comprised 493 hospitals and the 65,524 Black and 251,426 White women at low risk for cesarean who birthed in them. The mean low‐risk cesarean rate was significantly higher for Black, compared with White, women in the low (20.1% vs. 15.9%) and medium (18.1% vs. 16.9%) hospital categories. In regression models, no hospital structural characteristics were significantly associated with the odds of a Black woman having a low‐risk cesarean. For White women, birthing in a hospital serving the highest proportion of Black women was associated with a 21% (95% CI: 1.01–1.44) increase in the odds of having a low‐risk cesarean. Discussion: Black women had higher odds of a low‐risk cesarean than White women and were more likely to access care in hospitals with higher low‐risk cesarean rates. The existence of hospitals where low‐risk cesarean rates for Black women were less than or equal to those of White women was notable, given a predominant focus on hospitals where Black women have poorer outcomes. Efforts to decrease the low‐risk cesarean rate should focus on (1) improving intrapartum care for Black women and (2) identifying differentiating organizational factors in hospitals where cesarean birth rates are optimally low and equivalent among racial groups as a basis for system‐level policy efforts to improve equity and reduce cesarean birth rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many people on both sides of the debate to legalise physician-hastened death are motivated by compassion and a desire to provide better end of life care for others. Assisted dying may include euthanasia and/or assisted suicide (EAS). It is legal in some jurisdictions and under debate in others including Ireland. EAS is a complex, sensitive and can be an emotive issue; detailed and nuanced examination of the subject is needed. To enhance this discussion, we examine EAS through the lens of quality. In examining EAS from this stance, we consider the action, along with the outcomes, the impact of the outcomes from other jurisdictions with legalised EAS, alongside the risks and the balancing measures used, in addition to considering the intervention itself. Progressive expansion of eligibility for EAS has occurred over time in the Netherlands, Belgium and Canada. Given the complexity of assessing coercion, the risks to persons in vulnerable groups (including older persons, persons with mental health conditions and persons with disabilities), the progressive expansion of eligibility for EAS, the lack of safety and the undermining of suicide prevention strategies, the current law is most protective of persons in vulnerable groups in the interest of social justice. Person-centred and compassionate care needs be prioritised with greater access and equitable access to primary and specialist palliative care and mental health care for persons with incurable and terminal illnesses and support for caregivers allowing patients to die naturally with optimised symptom control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social and healthcare professionals often feel ill equipped to effectively engage in difficult conversations with patients, and poor proficiency negatively affects the quality of patient care. Printed educational resources (PERs) that provide guidance on sustaining complex clinical communication may be a source of support if thoughtfully designed. This study aimed to describe the key features of PERs in order to improve the quality of clinical communication according to the perspective of meaningful stakeholders. This was a descriptive secondary analysis of data collected by three remote focus group discussions that involved 15 stakeholders in the context of developing an educational booklet to support professionals in complex communication scenarios. Focus groups were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim, and an inductive thematic analysis was performed. Three key features of PERs that aim toward quality improvement in clinical communication were identified: (1) having the potential to provide benefits in clinical practice; (2) facilitating, encouraging, and enticing reading; and (3) meeting the need of professionals to improve or update their knowledge. These findings suggest that PERs relevant to professionals' clinical priorities and learning needs may make their efforts to apply learning in practice more likely and consequently result in improved healthcare quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The etiology of fibromyalgia (FM) is disputed, and there is no established cure. Quantitative data on how this may affect patients' healthcare experiences are scarce. The present study aims to investigate FM patients' pain-related healthcare experiences and explore factors associated with high satisfaction and pain relief. Methods: An anonymous, online, and patient-administered survey was developed and distributed to members of the Norwegian Fibromyalgia Association. It addressed their pain-related healthcare experiences from both primary and specialist care. Odds ratios for healthcare satisfaction and pain relief were estimated by binary logistic regression. Directed acyclic graphs guided the multivariable analyses. Results: The patients (n = 1,626, mean age: 51 years) were primarily women (95%) with a 21.8-year mean pain duration and 12.7 years in pain before diagnosis. One-third did not understand why they had pain, and 56.6% did not know how to get better. More than half had not received satisfactory information on their pain cause from a physician, and guidance on how to improve was reported below medium. Patients regretted a lack of medical specialized competence on muscle pain and reported many unmet needs, including regular follow-up and pain assessment. Physician-mediated pain relief was low, and guideline adherence was deficient. Only 14.8% were satisfied with non-physician health providers evaluating and treating their pain, and 21.5% were satisfied (46.9% dissatisfied) with their global pain-related healthcare. Patients' knowledge of their condition, physicians' pain competence and provision of information and guidance, agreement in explanations and advice, and the absence of unmet needs significantly increased the odds of both healthcare satisfaction and pain relief. Conclusions: Our survey describes deficiencies in FM patients' pain-related healthcare and suggests areas for improvement to increase healthcare satisfaction and pain relief. (REC# 2019/845, 09.05.19). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increased family physician workloads have strained primary care. The objective of this study was to describe the frequency and types of quality concerns identified among Saskatchewan's family physicians, changes in these concerns over time, associated physician characteristics, and recommendations made for improvement. In this repeated cross-sectional study (1997–2020), we examined family physician assessment reports from the Saskatchewan Practice Enhancement Program, a mandatory practice review strategy, for quality concerns on three outcomes: care, medical record, and facility. We recorded demographic and practice characteristics, the presence or absence of quality concerns, and the type of recommendations made. Concern incidence was calculated both overall and across subperiods, and three outcome-specific multiple logistic regression models were developed. Recommendations made were quantified, and their nature was evaluated using thematic analysis. Among 824 assessments, 20.8% identified concerns, with a statistically significant increase in 2015–20 over earlier years (14.2% versus 43.4%, P  < .001). Corresponding proportions also significantly increased within each quality outcome (6.0%–37.1%, P  < .001 for care concerns; 12.7%–19.6%, P  = .03 for medical record concerns; 3.9%–21.0%, P  < .001 for facility concerns). We found statistically significant adjusted associations between care concerns and both urban location [odds ratio (OR): 2.2; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.30, 3.8] and international medical training (OR: 2.4; 95% CI: 1.34, 4.2); facility concerns and solo practice (OR: 2.5 95% CI: 1.10, 5.7); and medical record concerns and male gender (OR: 1.88; 95% CI: 1.09, 3.3), solo practice (OR: 1.67; 95% CI: 1.01, 2.7), and increased age. Reflecting a statistically significant interaction found between age as a continuous covariate and time period, older physicians were more likely to have a medical record concern in later years (OR: 1.072; 95% CI: 1.026, 1.120) compared to earlier ones (OR: 1.021; 95% CI: 1.001, 1.043). Among physicians where a concern was identified, recommendations most frequently pertained to documentation (91.2%), chronic disease management (78.2%), cumulative patient profiles (62.9%), laboratory investigations (53.5%), medications (51.8%), and emergency preparedness (51.2%). A concerning and increasing proportion of family physicians have quality gaps, with identifiable factors and recurring recommendations. These findings provide direction for strategic support development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we consider the human body and the healthcare system as two complex networks and use theories regarding entropy, requisite variety, and network centrality metrics with resilience to assess and quantify the strengths and weaknesses of healthcare systems. Entropy is used to quantify the uncertainty and variety regarding a patient's health state. The extent of the entropy defines the requisite variety a healthcare system should contain to be able to treat a patient safely and correctly. We use network centrality metrics to visualize and quantify the healthcare system as a network and assign the strengths and weaknesses of the network and of individual agents in the network. We apply organization design theories to formulate improvements and explain how a healthcare system should adjust to create a more robust and resilient healthcare system that is able to continuously deal with variations and uncertainties regarding a patient's health, despite possible stressors and disturbances at the healthcare system. In this article, these concepts and theories are explained and applied to a fictive and a real-life example. We conclude that entropy and network science can be used as tools to quantify the resilience of healthcare systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Does adding an interactive clinical supervision training program to self-education improve the effectiveness of clinical supervision of physiotherapists, reduce burnout, decrease intention to leave and increase participation in clinical supervision? Randomised controlled trial with concealed allocation, assessor blinding and intention-to-treat analysis. Physiotherapists (n = 58) working at a publicly funded health service. Participants in both groups received a self-education clinical supervision training package. In addition, participants in the experimental group received interactive clinical supervision training consisting of three 90-minute workshops. The primary outcome measure was effectiveness of clinical supervision 4 months after training measured using the Manchester Clinical Supervision Scale (MCSS-26). Secondary outcomes were the Maslach Burnout Inventory, the Intention to Leave Scale, and participation in supervision. Focus groups were also used to gauge impressions of the intervention. The addition of interactive clinical supervision training slightly improved effectiveness of clinical supervision, with a between-group mean difference of 6.3 units (95% CI 0.3 to 12.3) on the MCSS-26. The estimate of the effect on the proportion of physiotherapists reporting effective clinical supervision (ie, MSCC-26 score ≥ 73) was unclear (OR 1.97, 95% CI 0.50 to 7.81). Physiotherapists in the experimental group reported slightly lower levels of depersonalisation (MD –3.0 units, 95% CI –4.6 to –1.3). There were negligible or uncertain effects on the other burnout domains, intention to leave and participation in clinical supervision. Qualitatively, participants reported that the workshops made them realise that supervisees could take greater ownership of where supervision focused. Adding interactive clinical supervision training to self-education leads to small improvements in the effectiveness of clinical supervision of physiotherapists. osf.io/yz3kx. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]