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Effectiveness of computerised decision aids for patients with chronic diseases in shared decision‐making: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Abstract

Aims

To synthesise the composition and effectiveness of computer-based patient decision aid (PDAs) in interventions for patients with chronic diseases.

Design

A systematic review with meta-analysis.

Methods

Five databases were searched, and only randomised controlled trials (RCTs)were included. This review was conducted with the PRISMA guidelines. The JBI Appraisal Tools for randomised trials were used to assess the risk of bias. We used the random-effects model to conduct meta-analyses. Evidence from RCTs was synthesised using standardised mean differences or mean differences. The GRADE system was employed to assess the certainty of evidence and recommendations. This study was registered on PROSPERO (number: CRD42022369340).

Data Sources

PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL and Cochrane Library were searched for studies published before October 2022.

Results

The review included 22 studies, and most computer-based PDAs reported information on the disease, treatment options, pros and cons and risk comparison and value clarification. The use of computer-based PDAs showed a significant effect on decision conflict and knowledge, but not on decision regret, satisfaction, self-efficacy, anxiety and quality of life. The overall GRADE certainty of evidence was low.

Conclusion

Although the quality of evidence was low, however, using computer-based PDAs could reduce decision conflict and enhance knowledge when making medical decisions. More research is needed to support the contention above.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

Computer-based PDAs could assist health-care providers and patients in the shared decision-making process and improving the quality of decision-making.

Reporting Method

This study adhered to PRISMA guidelines.

No Patient or Public Contribution

Clinicians signal the need to improve competency in the care of patients who identify as LGBTQ+

Por: Ryan Schultz · T.

Commentary on: Kelleher ST, Barrett MJ, Durnin S, Fitzpatrick P, Higgins A, Hall D. Staff competence in caring for LGBTQ+ patients in the paediatric emergency department. Arch Dis Child. 2023 Jul;108(7):525–529. doi: 10.1136/archdischild-2022-325151. Epub 2023 Apr 24.

Implications for practice and research

  • Emergency department staff self-identified the need for training in the care of youth who identify as LGBTQ+ to close a gap in knowledge and clinical preparedness.

  • Intervention studies, using evidence-based science, are needed to improve competency and advance health equity for LGBTQ+ youth.

  • Context

    Individuals who identify as LGBTQ+ report discrimination in healthcare settings.1 Clinicians describe a lack of formal education in LGBTQ+ care needs.2 Adolescence is complex; adolescents who identify as LGBTQ+ are among our most vulnerable. International statistics illuminate that these youth are at exponentially higher risk for suicide.3 This study by Kelleher and...

    The impact of long‐term antihypertensive treatment on wound healing after major non‐cardiac surgery in patients with cardiovascular diseases: A meta‐analysis

    Abstract

    Hypertension is a prevalent condition that poses significant challenges in the perioperative management of patients undergoing major non-cardiac surgery, particularly concerning wound healing and scar formation. This meta-analysis assesses the impact of long-term antihypertensive treatment on postoperative wound healing, examining data from seven studies involving patients who received such treatments compared to untreated controls. Our findings reveal that long-term antihypertensive therapy is associated with significantly improved wound healing outcomes, as indicated by lower REEDA scores (I 2 = 96%, SMD = −25.71, 95% CI: [−33.71, −17.70], p < 0.01) 1 week post-surgery and reduced scar formation, demonstrated by lower Manchester Scar Scale scores (I 2 = 93%, SMD = −37.29, 95% CI: [−44.93, −29.64], p < 0.01) 2 months post-surgery. These results underscore the potential benefits of antihypertensive treatment in enhancing surgical recovery and offer insights into optimising perioperative care for hypertensive patients.

    Application of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in diabetic foot ulcers: A meta‐analysis

    Abstract

    Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been used in patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) for many years, but its clinical efficacy is still controversial. Therefore, this study explored the efficacy of HBOT applied to DFU by means of meta-analysis. PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, CNKI and Wanfang databases were searched, from database inception to October 2023, and published randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of HBOT in DFU were collected. Two investigators independently screened the collected literature, extracted relevant data and assessed the quality of the literature. Review Manager 5.4 software was applied for data analysis. Twenty-nine RCTs with 1764 patients were included. According to the combined results, when compared with conventional treatment, HBOT significantly increased the complete healing rate of DFUs (46.76% vs. 24.46%, odds ratio [OR]: 2.83, 95% CI: 2.29–3.51, p < 0.00001) and decreased the amputation rate (26.03% vs. 45.00%, OR: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.18–0.95, p = 0.04), but the incidence of adverse events was significantly higher in patients (17.37% vs. 8.27%, OR: 2.49, 95% CI: 1.35–4.57, p = 0.003), whereas there was no significant difference in the mortality (6.96% vs. 12.71%, OR: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.21–1.28, p = 0.16). Our results suggest that HBOT is effective in increasing the complete healing rate and decreasing the amputation rate in patients with DFUs, but increases the incidence of adverse events, while it has no significant effect on mortality.

    A study to untangle the puzzle of urinary incontinence and frailty co‐occurrence among older adults: The roles of depression and activity engagement

    Abstract

    Aims

    To explore the co-occurrence of urinary incontinence and frailty by testing the roles of depression and activity engagement guided by the mechanisms of common cause and interaction pathways.

    Design

    A secondary analysis of a 1-year three-wave panel data collected from older nursing home residents in China.

    Methods

    Changes in depression and activity engagement were regressed on urinary incontinence and frailty incidence underpinned by the common cause mechanism of chronic conditions co-occurrence, and these changes were also taken as mediators linking from frailty to urinary incontinence incidence supported by the interaction pathways' mechanism.

    Results

    A total of 348 older adults were included in this study, and 55.7% were women. The co-occurrence of urinary incontinence and frailty was found in 16.7% of the participants at baseline. Older adults with sole frailty at baseline had almost twice the rate of incident urinary incontinence (32.7%) compared with those without (16.7%) over a 1-year period. The subsample analyses showed that changes in depression and activity engagement failed to significantly predict the incidence of urinary incontinence and frailty. The mediating roles of these changes linking frailty to urinary incontinence incidence were also not statistically significant.

    Conclusion

    The co-occurrence of urinary incontinence and frailty is prevalent in older nursing home residents. Older adults with frailty at baseline are more likely to develop urinary incontinence a year later. The common cause and interaction pathways mechanisms for the co-occurrence of urinary incontinence and frailty were not verified with changes in depression and activity engagement.

    Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care

    The phenomenon of urinary incontinence and frailty co-occurrence should be given extreme emphasis. Although statistically significant findings on the roles of depression and activity engagement were not inferred, this study provides multiple possibilities for future studies to test and depict a clear picture of this co-occurrence.

    Impact

    What problem did the study address? This study was designed to test the roles of depression and activity engagement in predicting the incidence of urinary incontinence and frailty, and the mediating roles in linking frailty to urinary incontinence incidence. What were the main findings? Despite the methodological pitfalls in literature have been addressed, neither depression nor activity engagement would significantly predict the incidence of urinary incontinence and frailty in older adults. Their mediating roles in linking frailty to urinary incontinence incidence were also not significant. Where and on whom will the research have an impact? Our findings add important pieces of evidence to promote researchers‘ understanding and provide an important basis for untangling the puzzle of urinary incontinence and frailty co-occurrence.

    Reporting Method

    The report of this study followed the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) statement guidelines.

    Patient or Public Contribution

    No patient or public contribution.

    Depression and anxiety among nurses during the COVID‐19 pandemic: Longitudinal results over 2 years from the multicentre VOICE–EgePan study

    Abstract

    Aims

    To examine symptoms of depression and generalised anxiety among nurses over 2 years during the pandemic and compare them to the general population.

    Background

    The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant increase in mental stress among the population worldwide. Nursing staff have been identified as being under remarkable strain.

    Design

    A multicentre prospective longitudinal study.

    Methods

    Symptoms of depression and generalised anxiety in 507 nurses were examined at four different time points (T1: April–July 2020, T2: November 2020–January 2021, T3: May–July 2021, T4: February–May 2022). Results were compared with values of the German general population, presence of gender-specific differences was analysed and frequencies of clinically relevant levels of depression and anxiety were determined.

    Results

    Throughout the study (T1–T4), a significant increase in depressive and anxiety symptoms was observed. At all four measurement time points, nurses showed significantly higher prevalence for depression and anxiety compared to the German general population. No significant gender differences were found. Frequencies for probable depression and generalised anxiety disorder among nurses were: 21.6% and 18.5% (T1), 31.4% and 29.2% (T2), 29.5% and 26.2% (T3), 33.7% and 26.4% (T4).

    Conclusion

    During the pandemic, symptoms of depression and generalised anxiety among nurses increased significantly and remained elevated. Their symptom levels were permanently higher than in the general population. These findings strongly suggest that the circumstances of the pandemic severely affected nurses´ mental health.

    Relevance to Clinical Practice

    The COVID-19 pandemic caused a great mental strain on caregivers. This study was able to demonstrate the significant increase in depression and anxiety among nurses during the pandemic. It highlights the urgent need for prevention, screening and support systems in hospitals.

    Implications for the Profession

    Supportive programmes and preventive services should be developed, not least to prevent the growing shortage of nurses in the health care systems.

    Reporting Method

    The study adhered to relevant EQUATOR guidelines. The STROBE checklist for cohort study was used as the reporting method.

    Patient Contribution

    Five hundred and seven nurses completed the questionnaire and provided data for analysis.

    Trial and Protocol Registration

    The study was registered with the German Clinical Trials Register (https://drks.de/search/en) under the following ID: DRKS00021268.

    The effectiveness of brief reminiscence‐based psychosocial interventions for cancer patients: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

    Abstract

    Aim

    To determine the effectiveness of brief reminiscence-based psychosocial interventions in alleviating psychological distress in cancer patients.

    Background

    Cancer patients suffer tremendous psycho-spiritual pain, which affects their quality of life. Brief reminiscence-based psychosocial interventions have demonstrated positive effects on the mental health of cancer patients; however, the efficacy of these interventions has been inconsistent.

    Design

    A systematic review and meta-analysis.

    Methods

    This review was conducted and reported in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 checklist provided by the EQUATOR network. The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PsycINFO, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL and Scopus databases were systematically searched from inception to 27 November 2022 to identify randomised controlled trials (RCTs) published in English.

    Results

    Twenty studies involving 1744 cancer participants were included. The meta-analysis showed statistically significant effects of brief reminiscence-based psychosocial interventions on hope, anxiety and depression at post-intervention. A separate analysis revealed that brief reminiscence-based psychosocial interventions had a sustainable effect on hope, spiritual well-being, anxiety and depression at 1 month after the intervention. However, no statistically significant effect on quality of life was found in our study either immediately after the intervention or at 1 month.

    Conclusions

    Brief reminiscence-based psychosocial interventions can significantly reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms and improve hope and spiritual well-being in cancer patients.

    Relevance to Clinical Practice

    This study further supports that brief reminiscence-based psychosocial interventions should be incorporated into the routine care of cancer patients to address their psychosocial distress.

    Patient or Public Contribution

    All authors of this article contributed to the study conception and design. All authors of the included studies provided original data for this paper.

    Racial/ethnic disparities in sleep health among adolescents in South Korea: The role of substance use behaviours

    Abstract

    Aim

    To examine the relationship between racial/ethnic disparities and substance use behaviours (alcohol and tobacco use) and their impact on the sleep health of South Korean adolescents.

    Design

    Secondary analysis of cross-sectional study data from the 2021 Korea Youth Risk Behaviour Web-based Survey dataset.

    Methods

    Given that Korean society has historically linked its racial/ethnic identity to a shared bloodline, we categorized 2644 adolescents from the Korea Youth Risk Behaviour Web-based Survey based on their racial/ethnic status, determined by their parents' birthplaces. Using multiple linear regression, we investigated whether the impact of racial/ethnic disparities on sleep health (sleep duration, debt, and timing) varies depending on substance use behaviours (alcohol and tobacco use) after controlling for age, sex, household economic status, depressed mood, suicidal ideation, perceived excessive stress, and anxiety level.

    Results

    Despite no statistical differences in sleep health and the prevalence of substance use between racial/ethnic groups, racial/ethnic minority adolescents experienced greater sleep debt than racial/ethnic majority adolescents when consuming alcohol. Moreover, racial/ethnic minority adolescents were more likely to report psychosocial distress and had lower parental education level.

    Conclusion

    Racial/ethnic minority adolescents were more vulnerable to the detrimental effects of alcohol use on sleep health compared to racial/ethnic majority adolescents. This heightened vulnerability may be attributed to the more pronounced psychosocial challenges and the lower socioeconomic status of parents in the racial/ethnic minority group.

    Impact

    Racial/ethnic disparities are concerning in South Korea, particularly since the negative effects of substance use on sleep health are intensified among racial/ethnic minority adolescents. Nurses and other healthcare providers should recognize the importance of addressing the social disadvantages linked to racial/ethnic disparities. Beyond just advocating for the cessation of substance use, it is crucial to address these underlying issues to reduce sleep disparities among South Korean adolescents.

    Patient or Public Contribution

    No patient or public contribution.

    Kinesophobia and its related factors in patients after percutaneous coronary intervention: A cross‐sectional study

    Abstract

    Objectives

    To explore the postoperative kinesophobia of patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and its related factors.

    Background

    Percutaneous coronary intervention is an effective method to treat coronary heart disease (CHD), and cardiac rehabilitation is an important auxiliary method after PCI. However, the compliance of patients with cardiac rehabilitation after PCI is not good, among which kinesophobia is an important influencing factor.

    Design

    A descriptive cross-sectional design was implemented, and the high-quality reporting of the study adhered to the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology Statement.

    Methods

    In total, 351 inpatients who underwent PCI in three tertiary grade-A hospitals in China were selected by convenient sampling method. We use one-way ANOVA and multiple linear regression analysis to determine the relevant related factors.

    Results

    The kinesophobia of patients after PCI was negatively correlated with chronic illness resource utilization and sense of personal mastery, and positively correlated with illness perception. Education level, clinical classification of CHD, exercise habits, chronic illness resource utilization, illness perception and sense of personal mastery entered the regression equation, which could explain 78.1% of the total variation.

    Conclusion

    The level of kinesiophobia of patients after PCI is high. Education level, clinical classification of CHD, exercise habits, chronic illness resource utilization, illness perception and sense of personal mastery are the related factors of kinesiophobia of patients after PCI.

    Relevance to Clinical Practice

    By reducing the level of exercise fear of patients after PCI, patients are more likely to accept and adhere to the cardiac rehabilitation plan, thus improving their prognosis and improving their quality of life.

    Patient or Public Contribution

    The patient underwent PCI in the research hospital. Researchers screen them according to the inclusion criteria and invite them to participate in this study. If they meet the requirements, participants will answer the research questionnaire face to face after signing the informed consent form.

    Online survey exploring researcher experiences of research funding processes in the UK: the effort and burden of applying for funding and fulfilling reporting requirements

    Por: Fackrell · K. · Church · H. · Crane · K. · Recio-Saucedo · A. · Blatch-Jones · A. · Meadmore · K.
    Objective

    To explore researchers’ experiences of funding processes, the effort and burden involved in applying for funding, obtaining funding and/or fulfilling reporting requirements with a UK health and social care research funder.

    Design/Setting

    A cross-sectional online survey study with open (free-text) and closed questions (August to November 2021).

    Participants

    Researchers with experience of applying for/obtaining funding and/or experience of fulfilling reporting requirements for UK health and social care research funded between January 2018 and June 2021.

    Results

    The survey was completed by 182 researchers, of which 176 had experience with applying for/obtaining funding, and 143 had experience with fulfilling reporting requirements during the timeframe. The majority of the 176 respondents (58%) completed between 7 and 13 key processes in order to submit an application and 69% felt that it was critically important to undertake these key processes. Respondents (n=143) reported submitting an average of 17 reports as part of research monitoring to a range of organisations (eg, funders, Higher Education Institutions). However, only 33% of respondents felt it was critically important to provide the requested reporting information to the different organisations. Thematic analysis of free-text questions on application and reporting identified themes relating to process inefficiencies including streamlining and alignment of systems, lack of understanding of processes including a need for improved communication and feedback from organisations with clear explanations about what information is needed, when and why, the support required by respondents and the time, effort and impact on workload and well-being.

    Conclusions

    Through this study, we were able to identify funding processes that are considered by some to be effortful, but necessary, as well as those that were perceived as unnecessary, complex and repetitive, and may waste some researchers time and effort and impact on well-being. Possible solutions to increase efficiency and enhance value in these processes were identified.

    Patient characteristics, surgery outcomes, presumed aetiology and other characteristics of fistula surgeries and related procedures supported by Fistula Foundation from 2019 to 2021: a multicentre, retrospective observational study

    Por: Pollaczek · L. · Rajagopal · K. · Chu · J.
    Objectives

    Obstetric fistula is a devastating childbirth injury primarily caused by prolonged, obstructed labour. It leaves women incontinent, severely stigmatised and isolated. Fistula repair surgery can restore a woman’s health and well-being. Fistula Foundation, a non-profit organisation, works in partnership with local hospitals and community organisations in Africa and Asia to address key barriers to treatment and to increase the number of women receiving surgical care. This paper presents data on fistula and fistula repair surgery across a large global network of hospitals supported by Fistula Foundation. The data were collected between 2019 and 2021.

    Design

    Multicentre, retrospective, observational, descriptive study.

    Setting and participants

    The study analysed deidentified data from 24 568 surgical repairs supported by Fistula Foundation to treat women with obstetric fistula at 110 hospitals in 27 countries.

    Results

    The data highlight patient characteristics and key trends and outcomes from obstetric fistula repair surgeries and related procedures. Of those surgeries, 87% resulted in a successful outcome (fistula dry and closed) at the time of discharge, highlighting the effectiveness of fistula repair in restoring continence and improving quality of life. Over the period studied, the number of supported surgeries increased by 14%, but there remains an urgent need to strengthen local surgical capacity and improve access to treatment. Women suffered an average of 5.7 years before they received surgery and only 4% of women sought care independently. This underscores the importance of enhancing community awareness and strengthening referral networks.

    Conclusions

    This research provides essential insight from a vast, global network of hospitals providing highly effective fistula repair surgery. Further investment is needed to strengthen surgical capacity, increase awareness of fistula and remove financial barriers to treatment if stakeholders are to make significant progress towards the United Nations’ ambitious vision of ending fistula by 2030.

    The utility of the surprise question by nurses to identify hospitalised older patients nearing the end‐of‐life and promotion of advance care planning: An interventional study

    Abstract

    Aims and Objectives

    To assess the prognostic accuracy of the surprise question (SQ) when used by nurses working in hospital wards to determine 1-year mortality in acutely hospitalised older patients.

    Background

    The predictive accuracy of the SQ, when used by general nurses caring for older hospitalised patients, has not been comprehensively studied.

    Design

    A prospective cohort study.

    Methods

    This cohort study recruited consecutive 10,139 older patients (aged ≥65 years) who were admitted to Taipei City Hospital and were evaluated for the needs of palliative care in 2015. All patients were followed up for 12 months or until their death. The c-statistic value was calculated to indicate the predictive accuracy of the SQ and Palliative Care Screening Tool (PCST).

    Results

    Of all participants, 18.8% and 18.6% had a SQ response of ‘no’ and a PCST score ≥4, respectively. After controlling for other covariates, an SQ response of ‘no’ (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 2.05; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.83–2.31) and a PCST score ≥4 (AHR = 1.50; 95% CI: 1.29–1.75) were found to be the independent predictors for patients' 12-month mortality. The C-statistic values of the SQ and the PCST at recognising patients in their last year of life were .663 and .670, respectively. Moreover, there was moderate concordance (k = .44) between the SQ and the PCST in predicting 12-month mortality.

    Conclusions

    SQ response of ‘no’ and a PCST score ≥4 were independent predictors of 12-month mortality in older patients.

    Relevance to Clinical Practice

    The SQ, when used by nurses working in hospital wards, is effective in identifying older patients nearing the end of life, as well as in providing advance care planning for patients.

    Patient or Public Contribution

    Patients' palliative care needs at admission were assessed by general nurses using the SQ and PCST.

    Efficacy of auricular acupressure on lung function among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A meta‐analysis of randomised controlled trials

    Abstract

    Objectives

    To systematically evaluate the efficacy of auricular acupressure on lung function, sleep quality and quality of life in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.

    Background

    Auricular acupressure has been increasingly used in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients, such as lung function and sleep quality, but the efficacy has not yet been unified.

    Design

    A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

    Methods

    Randomised controlled trials comparing auricular acupressure intervention with non-auricular acupressure intervention in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients were included. We searched English databases and Chinese databases from the inception to 26 December 2022. The risk of bias was assessed by the Cochrane risk of bias tool. The PRISMA statement was used to report a meta-analysis.

    Results

    A total of 12 randomised controlled trials with 987 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients were included. The meta-analysis showed that auricular acupressure had significant differences in improving lung function, including FEV1 (MD = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.21 to 0.37, p < .0001), FVC (MD = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.14 to 0.34, p < .0001) and FEV1/FVC (MD = 4.70, 95% CI: 3.63 to 5.78, p < .0001). There was also a positive effect on sleep quality (MD = −0.71, 95% CI: −0.89 to −0.53, p < .0001) and quality of life (MD = −3.20, 95% CI: −3.92 to −2.49, p < .0001).

    Conclusions

    The results indicated auricular acupressure had a positive efficacy in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients to improve lung function, sleep quality and quality of life, but these results should be treated with caution due to the low quality of included studies. Future researchers need to conduct more high-quality randomised controlled trials to provide a solid basis to demonstrate the efficacy of auricular acupressure in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.

    Relevant to Clinical Practice

    Auricular acupressure has the advantages of being non-invasive, convenient and without significant side effects. This review suggested auricular acupressure could be considered a non-pharmacological intervention for patients. Clinical nurses can teach chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients to perform auricular acupressure to help self-manage complications.

    Patient or Public Contribution

    No Patient or Public Contribution.

    Ageism directed at older nurses in their workplace: A systematic review

    Abstract

    Aims

    To identify and synthesise evidence related to ageism in older regulated nurses' practice settings.

    Design

    A systematic review following Joanna Briggs Institute methodology.

    Methods

    The review included empirical studies that involved older nurses as the primary study population and studies that focused on ageism in older nurses' work environments, including strategies or interventions to address ageism within the workplace. Following the initial screening, all relevant studies were critically appraised by two reviewers to ensure they were appropriate to include in the review. A synthesis without meta-analysis reporting (SWiM) guideline was employed in the review.

    Data Sources

    Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval Systems Online, Scopus, Psychological Information Database and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature and Google Scholar were searched to identify empirical studies and a range of academic institutional websites were accessed for master's and doctoral dissertations and theses. The search covered the period from January 2022 to May 2022, and only publications in English from 2000 onwards were considered.

    Results

    Nineteen studies were included, ten qualitative studies, seven quantitative studies and two mixed methods secondary analyses. Our results revealed that negative perceptions and beliefs about older nurses' competencies and skills prevail in their practice settings, which influences older nurses' health and well-being as well as their continuation of practice. Further, older nurses' continuation of practice can be facilitated by having a positive personal outlook on ageing, meaningful relationships in their practice settings and working in an environment that is age-inclusive.

    Conclusion

    To combat ageism in older nurses' practice settings and support their continuation of practice, effective interventions should be organisational-led. The interventions should focus on fostering meaningful relationships between older nurses and their colleagues and managers. Further, healthcare institutions should implement initiatives to promote an age-inclusive work environment that supports an age-diverse nursing workforce.

    Implications for the profession and/or patient care

    The review findings offer insights for healthcare managers, policymakers and researchers, emphasising the need for anti-ageism policies in healthcare organisations. According to WHO (2021), educational activities such as role-playing and simulation during in-service training may also be effective interventions. Additionally, incorporating anti-ageism initiatives into staff meetings and mandating anti-ageism training could support the continuation of practice for older nurses while fostering a more age-diverse nursing workforce.

    Impact

    We found evidence on the presence of ageism in older nurses' workplace and the detrimental effects of ageism on older nurses' well-being and continuation of practice. Importantly, we identified a lack of organisational initiatives to address ageism and support older nurses. These findings should encourage healthcare organisations to address ageism in older nurses' practice settings and prompt policymakers to develop age-inclusive policies that support older nurses' continuation of practice.

    Reporting method

    The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses and Synthesis Without Meta-analysis checklists were used to report the screening process.

    Trial and Protocol Registration

    The PROSPERO registration number for the review was CRD42022320214 (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42022320214).

    No Patient or Public Contribution.

    Oral intake of solid medications in patients with post‐stroke dysphagia. A challenge for nurses?

    Abstract

    Aim

    To provide a comprehensive overview of how stroke nurses manage solid medication (SM) delivery to patients with post-stroke dysphagia.

    Design

    Cross-sectional study.

    Methods

    A self-administered online survey was carried out among nurses in German-speaking countries between September and December 2021.

    Results

    Out of a total of 754 responses, analysis was conducted on 195 nurses who reported working on a stroke unit. To identify swallowing difficulties in acute stroke care, 99 nurses indicated routinely administering standardised screenings, while 10 use unvalidated screenings, and 82 are waiting for a specialist evaluation. Regardless of whether screening methods are used or not, most preferred a non-oral route of medication administration for patients with suspected dysphagia. None of the respondents reported administering whole SMs orally to patients. If screening methods indicate dysphagia, approximately half of the respondents would modify SMs. Participants who stated to use the Gugging Swallowing Screen managed the SM intake guided by its severity levels. One-third of the group who awaited assessment by the dysphagia specialist provided modified medication before the consultation.

    Conclusion

    Most of the nurses on stroke units use swallowing screens and avoid the administration of whole SMs in post-stroke dysphagia. In addition to the non-oral administration, SMs are modified if dysphagia is suspected. Precise guidance on the administration of SM is needed, based on screening tests and prior to expert consultation.

    Trial and Protocol Registration

    ClinicalTrials.gov: Registration ID: NCT05173051/ Protocol ID: 11TS003721.

    Implications for the profession and/or patient care

    The present paper serves to alert nurses to the issue of patient safety when administering medication for acute stroke-induced dysphagia.

    Impact

    SM delivery after acute stroke-induced dysphagia is often neglected. While nurses are aware of the risk associated with dysphagia and would not give whole SMs to patients, the modification of tablets and their administration with semisolids are common.

    Reporting Method

    This study was reported according to the Checklist for Reporting of Survey Studies (CROSS).

    Early warning scores for sepsis identification and prediction of in‐hospital mortality in adults with sepsis: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

    Abstract

    Aim

    The early warning scores (EWS), quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) and systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria have been proposed as sepsis screening tools. This review aims to summarise and compare the performance of EWS with the qSOFA and SIRS criteria for predicting sepsis diagnosis and in-hospital mortality in patients with sepsis.

    Design

    A systematic review with meta-analysis.

    Review Methods

    Seven databases were searched from January 1, 2016 until March 10, 2022. Study quality was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 tool. Sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratios and diagnostic odd ratios were pooled by using the bivariate random effects model. Overall performance was summarised by using the hierarchical summary receiver–operating characteristics curve. This paper adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses of Diagnostic Test Accuracy Studies (PRISMA-DTA) guidelines.

    Results

    Ten studies involving 52,474 subjects were included in the review. For predicting sepsis diagnosis, the pooled sensitivity of EWS (65%, 95% CI: 55, 75) was similar to SIRS ≥2 (70%, 95% CI: 49, 85) and higher than qSOFA ≥2 (37%, 95% CI: 20, 59). The pooled specificity of EWS (77%, 95% CI: 64, 86) was higher than SIRS ≥2 (62%, 95% CI: 41, 80) but lower than qSOFA ≥2 (94%, 95% CI: 86, 98). Results were similar for the secondary outcome of in-hospital mortality.

    Conclusions

    Although no one scoring system had both high sensitivity and specificity, the EWS had at least equivalent values in most measures of diagnostic accuracy compared with SIRS or qSOFA.

    Implications for the profession

    Healthcare systems in which EWS is already in place should consider whether there is any clinical benefit in adopting qSOFA or SIRS.

    No patient or public contribution

    This systematic review did not directly involve patient or public contribution to the manuscript.

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