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Implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programs: A study of prescribers’ perspective of facilitators and barriers

by Emelda E. Chukwu, Dennis Abuh, Ifeoma E. Idigbe, Kazeem A. Osuolale, Vivian Chuka-Ebene, Oluwatoyin Awoderu, Rosemary A. Audu, Folasade T. Ogunsola

Background

Despite promising signs of the benefits associated with Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs (ASPs), there remains limited knowledge on how to implement ASPs in peculiar settings for a more elaborate impact. This study explored prescriber experiences and perceptions of the usefulness, and feasibility of strategies employed for the implementation of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) interventions as well as challenges encountered.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional mixed-method survey of prescribers’ perspective of the facilitators and barriers of implementing ASP. The quantitative approach comprised of a semi-structured questionnaire and data collected were analyzed using SPSS version 26 while the qualitative approach used focus group discussions followed by content analysis.

Results

Out of the thirty people that participated in the workshop, twenty-five completed the questionnaires which were analyzed. The respondents included 15 (60.0%) medical doctors and 10 (40.0%) pharmacists. The mean age of the respondents was 36.39±7.23 years with mean year of practice of 9.48±6.01 years. Majority of them (84.0%) were in a position to provide input on the implementation of AMS in their facilities, although their managements had the final decision. The pharmacists (100%) were more likely to agree that antibiotic resistance was a problem for their practice than the medical doctors (78.6%) while equal number (80.0%) of respondents (pharmacists and medical doctors) believed that inappropriate prescribing was a problem. Having a specialized and dedicated team with effective monitoring was recognized as crucial for effective ASP while inadequate personnel was identified as a major barrier. We identified stakeholder’s engagement, policies and regulation, as well as education as themes for improving AMS in the country.

Conclusion

The results gave insight into the prescribers’ perspective on the facilitators and barriers to antimicrobial stewardship; challenges and possible solutions to implementing ASPs in health facilities in Lagos State. We further identified pertinent contextual factors that need to be addressed when developing ASPs in healthcare facilities in a resource-poor setting.

Living with multimorbidity: A qualitative exploration of shared experiences of patients, family caregivers, and healthcare professionals in managing symptoms in the United States

Abstract

Aims

To elicit experiences of patients, family caregivers, and healthcare professionals in intermediate care units (IMCUs) in an academic medical centre in Baltimore, MD related to the challenges and intricacies of multimorbidity management to inform development of a multimorbidity symptom management toolkit.

Design

Experience-based co-design.

Methods

Between July and October 2021, patients aged 55 years and older with multimorbidity admitted to IMCUs at an academic medical centre in Baltimore, Maryland, USA were recruited and interviewed in person. Interdisciplinary healthcare professionals working in the IMCU were interviewed virtually. Participants were asked questions about their role in recognizing and treating symptoms, factors affecting the quality of life, symptom burden and trajectory over time, and strategies that have and have not worked for managing symptoms. An inductive thematic analysis approach was used for analysis.

Results

Twenty-three interviews were conducted: 9 patients, 2 family caregivers, and 12 healthcare professionals. Patients' mean age was 67.5 (±6.5) years, over half (n = 5) were Black or Hispanic, and the average number of comorbidities was 3.67. Five major themes that affect symptom management emerged: (1) the patient–provider relationship; (2) open and honest communication; (3) accessibility of resources during hospitalization and at discharge; (4) caregiver support, training, and education; and (5) care coordination and follow-up care.

Conclusion

Patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals often have similar goals but different priorities for multimorbidity management. It is imperative to identify shared priorities and target holistic interventions that consider patient and caregiver experiences to improve outcomes.

Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care and Impact

This paper addresses the paucity of research related to the shared experience of disease trajectory and symptom management for people living with multimorbidity. We found that patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals often have similar goals but different care and communication priorities. Understanding differing priorities will help better design interventions to support symptom management so people with multimorbidity can have the best possible quality of life.

Reporting Method

We have adhered to the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Studies (COREQ) guidelines in our reporting.

Patient or Public Contribution

This study has been designed and implemented with patient and public involvement throughout the process, including community advisory board engagement in the project proposal phase and interview guide development, and member checking in the data collection and analysis phases. The method we chose, experience-based co-design, emphasizes the importance of engaging members of a community to act as experts in their own life challenges. In the coming phases of the study, the public will be involved in developing and testing a new intervention, informed by these qualitative interviews and co-design events, to support symptom management for people with multimorbidity.

Study protocol for Care cOORDInatioN And sympTom managEment (COORDINATE) programme: a feasibility study

Por: Koirala · B. · Badawi · S. · Frost · S. · Ferguson · C. · Hager · D. N. · Street · L. · Perrin · N. · Dennison Himmelfarb · C. · Davidson · P.
Introduction

Sustainable approaches to support care coordination and symptom management needs of critically ill adults living with multimorbidity are needed to combat the challenges and complexity that multimorbidity presents. The study aims to test the feasibility of the Care cOORDInatioN And sympTom managEment (COORDINATE) intervention to improve health outcomes of adults living with multimorbidity.

Methods and analysis

A multicomponent nurse-driven intervention was developed using experience-based co-design and human-centred design. Inclusion criteria include (1) age 55 years and older, (2) admitted to an intermediate care unit, (3) presence of two or more chronic health conditions and (4) signed informed consent. Data collection will occur at baseline (time of recruitment predischarge) and 6 weeks and 3 months following hospital discharge. Outcome of interest from this feasibility study is to evaluate the financial, technical and logistic feasibility of a full-scale study including data collection and protocol adherence. Additionally, Cohen’s d effect sizes for the change in outcomes over time will be computed to establish power calculations required for a full-scale study. The protocol was prepared in accordance with Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials (SPIRIT) checklist.

Ethics and dissemination

The study has been reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board of Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions. Given the success of this feasibility study, the potential for the COORDINATE intervention to decrease the symptom burden and improve participant quality of life among critically ill people with multimorbidity will be tested in a full-scale study, and findings will be actively disseminated.

Trial registration number

NCT05985044.

An examination of factorial invariance of the Asthma Control Questionnaire among adults with severe asthma

by Ronald McDowell, Liam Heaney, Thomas Brown, Brendan Bunting, Hassan Burhan, Rekha Chaudhuri, Paddy Dennison, Shoaib Faruqi, Robin Gore, David J. Jackson, Andrew Menzies-Gow, Thomas Pantin, Mitesh Patel, Paul Pfeffer, Salman Siddiqui, John Busby, on behalf of the UK Severe Asthma Registry

Background

The Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ) is used to assess asthma symptom control. The relationship between the questionnaire items and symptom control has not been fully studied in severe asthmatic patients, and its validity for making comparisons between subgroups of patients is unknown.

Methods

Data was obtained from patients in the United Kingdom Severe Asthma Registry whose symptom control was assessed using the five-item ACQ (ACQ5) (n = 2,951). Confirmatory factor analysis determined whether a latent factor for asthma symptom control, as measured by the ACQ5, was consistent with the data. Measurement invariance was examined in relation to ethnicity, sex and age; this included testing for approximate measurement invariance using Bayesian Structural Equation Modelling (BSEM). The fitted models were used to estimate the internal consistency reliability of the ACQ5. Invariance of factor means across subgroups was assessed.

Results

A one-factor construct with residual correlations for the ACQ5 was an excellent fit to the data in all subgroups (Root Mean Square Error Approximation 0.03 [90%CI 0.02,0.05], p-close fit 0.93, Comparative Fit Index 1.00, Tucker Lewis Index 1.00}. Expected item responses were consistent for Caucasian and non-Caucasian patients with the same absolute level of symptom control. There was some evidence that females and younger adults reported wakening more frequently during the night than males and older adults respectively with the same absolute level of symptom control (p Conclusion

The ACQ5 is informative in comparing levels of symptom control between severe asthmatic patients of different ethnicities, sexes and ages. It is important that analyses are replicated in other severe asthma registries to determine whether measurement invariance is observed.

A multicenter, randomized controlled clinical trial evaluating the effects of a novel autologous heterogeneous skin construct in the treatment of Wagner one diabetic foot ulcers: Final analysis

Abstract

A novel autologous heterogeneous skin construct (AHSC) was previously shown to be effective versus standard of care (SOC) treatment in facilitating complete wound healing of Wagner 1 diabetic foot ulcers in an interim analysis of 50 patients previously published. We now report the final analysis of 100 patients (50 per group), which further supports the interim analysis findings. Forty-five subjects in the AHSC treatment group received only one application of the autologous heterogeneous skin construct, and five received two applications. For the primary endpoint at 12 weeks, there were significantly more diabetic wounds closed in the AHSC treatment group (35/50, 70%) than in the SOC control group (17/50, 34%) (p = 0.00032). A significant difference in percentage area reduction between groups was also demonstrated over 8 weeks (p = 0.009). Forty-nine subjects experienced 148 adverse events: 66 occurred in 21 subjects (42%) in the AHSC treatment group versus 82 in 28 SOC control group subjects (56.0%). Eight subjects were withdrawn due to serious adverse events. Autologous heterogeneous skin construct was shown to be an effective adjunctive therapy for healing Wagner 1 diabetic foot ulcers.

Healthcare professionals’ views on the most important outcomes for non-infectious uveitis of the posterior segment: A qualitative study

by Mohammad O. Tallouzi, David J. Moore, Nicholas Bucknall, Philip I. Murray, Melanie J. Calvert, Alastair K. Denniston, Jonathan Mathers

Background

Uveitis comprises a range of conditions that result in intraocular inflammation. Most sight-threatening uveitis falls into the broad category known as Non-infectious Posterior Segment-Involving Uveitis (PSIU). To evaluate treatments, trialists and clinicians must select outcome measures. The aim of this study was to understand healthcare professionals’ perspectives on what outcomes are important to adult patients with PSIU and their carers.

Methods

Twelve semi-structured telephone interviews were undertaken to understand the perspectives of healthcare professionals. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and thematically analysed. Findings were compared with the views of patients and carers and outcomes abstracted from a previously published systematic review.

Results

Eleven core domains were identified as important to healthcare professionals: (1) visual function, (2) symptoms, (3) functional ability, (4) impact on relationships, (5) financial impact, (6) psychological morbidity and emotional well-being (7) psychosocial adjustment to uveitis, (8) doctor / patient / interprofessional relationships and access to health care, (9) treatment burden, (10) treatment side effects, (11) disease control. Healthcare professionals recognised a similar range of domains to patients and carers but placed more emphasis on certain outcomes, particularly in the disease control domain. In contrast the range of outcomes identified via the systematic review was limited.

Conclusion

Healthcare professionals recognise all of the published outcome domains as patients/carers in the previous publication but with subtly differing emphasis within some domains and with a priority for certain types of measures. Healthcare professionals discussed the disease control and side effects/complications to a greater degree than patients and carers in the focus groups

Development, psychometric assessment, and predictive validity of the comprehensive breastfeeding knowledge scale

To develop a breastfeeding knowledge scale that aligns with the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative and psychometrically test it among expectant parents.
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