A tertiary hospital audit of the use of medical imaging in the 24 h preceding death

This study aims to investigate the number, modality and indication for imaging studies performed on acute hospital inpatients in the 24 h prior to death. Data were obtained from retrospective analysis of deceased patients from a university affiliated tertiary hospital over a 2‐year period and it was found that around one in five inpatients received medical imaging in the last 24 h of their life (364 of 1855, 19.6%).     

Chronic Pain,Functional Status,and Life Satisfaction Are Associated With Patients Living With HIV Discussing Advance Care Planning With Their Family or Friends

Context

In the era of effective antiretroviral therapy, persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) are living longer, transforming HIV from a universally fatal disease to a serious chronic illness, warranting discussions between patients and their loved ones about advance care planning (ACP). Evidence is needed on factors associated with patients' likelihood to discuss ACP with loved ones.

Current Status of Palliative and Terminal Care for Patients with Primary Malignant Brain Tumors in Japan

Palliative care and advance care planning (ACP) from the first diagnosis of glioblastoma are important. This questionnaire survey was conducted to understand the current status of palliative care for brain tumors in Japan. Representative characteristics of Japan in comparison with Western countries (P <0.01) are described below: (1) Gender ratio of male in physicians who treat brain tumors in Europe and the United States/Canada are about 70%, but 94% in Japan. (2) The specialty is predominantly neurosurgeon (93%) in Japan. The ratio of neurologists is predominantly 40% in Europe. In the United States/Canada, neurologist (27%) and neurosurgeon (29%) are main parts. (3) Years of medical experience over 15 in physicians is 73% in Japan. Proportions of those with over 15 years are 45% in Europe and 30% in the United States/Canada. (4) In practicing setting, the rate of academic medical centers is about 80% in Europe and the United States/Canada, and ~60% in Japan. Representative differences compared with past domestic data (2007) (P <0.01): (1) In glioblastoma, the rate of explaining about median survival time increases from 39% (2007) to 80% (2018). Explanation about medical conditions to the patient himself with his family increases from 20% (2007) to 39% (2018). (2) Place of death: The rate at hospital is decreasing from 96% (2007) to 79% (2018) and at home is increasing from 3% (2007) to 10% (2018) (3) The rate of ventilator in adult has decreased from 74% (2007) to 54% (2018), but nasal tube feeding has remained unchanged from 62% (2007) to 60% (2018). These results will be shared with physicians to make better care systems for patients with brain tumors.     

Advance Directives in Hospitalized Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study

The purpose of this study was to examine processes for advance directives (ADs) in hospitalized patients to inform improvements in practice and policy. This was a retrospective study examining electronic records of 5,330 inpatients admitted over a 3-month period. During admission, 63.5% of patients were queried, with 37.2% of patients having ADs and only 14.4% available in the record. Older age and Medicare insurance were associated with having ADs. Opportunities exist for nurse practitioners to change structure and processes related to ADs improving completion and availability.     

养老机构预立医疗照护计划研究进展

介绍预立医疗照护计划的概念内涵,综述养老机构开展预立医疗照护计划的必要性、实践现状（包括介入预立医疗照护计划讨论的时机、讨论牵涉人员及内容、干预策略及效果）、影响因素,以期为今后在我国养老机构中开展预立医疗照护计划提供参考。     

癌症患者预立医疗照护计划选择偏好的研究进展

在对预立医疗照护计划概念、选择偏好概念及评估方法综述的基础上,总结癌症患者在实施地点与环境、实施人员、讨论时机与决策内容4个方面的预立医疗照护计划选择偏好,并从患者、医疗、家庭支持以及制度与政策4个层面总结癌症患者预立医疗照护计划选择偏好的影响因素,指出存在的问题及研究方向,旨在为国内推进预立医疗照护计划的开展提供参考。     

A Multicenter Study to Identify Clinician Barriers to Participating in Goals of Care Discussions in Long-Term Care

ObjectivesLong-term care (LTC) is an important setting for goals of care (GoC) discussions. Understanding clinician barriers to GoC discussions could identify opportunities for LTC-specific interventions to improve quantity and quality of GoC discussions in the context of serious illness.DesignA multicenter, cross-sectional survey study.Setting and Participants1184 LTC clinicians from 34 Ontario LTC homes were invited to participate.MeasuresThe questionnaire assessed (1) clinician barriers related to the LTC resident power of attorney (POA), the health care provider, and the health care system; (2) willingness to engage in GoC discussions; and (3) suggestions to address identified barriers. Responses were rated on a 7-point scale (1 = extremely unimportant/unwilling, 7 = extremely important/willing). A linear mixed-effects model determined significance between mean importance ratings for each barrier and the willingness to engage in GoC discussion between physicians and nurses. A simple content analysis was performed on written suggestions to address GoC discussion barriers.ResultsThe overall response rate was 49% (581/1184). The top 3 rated barriers were (1) POA's difficulty accepting their loved one's poor prognosis, (2) POA's difficulty understanding the limitations and complications of life-sustaining therapies, and (3) lack of adequate documentation of prior discussions with LTC resident or POA. Barriers related to the health care provider, and the health care system, were deemed statistically more important by nurses. LTC physicians were more willing to exchange information, be a decision coach, and participate in the final decision than nurses. Suggestions to improve GoC discussions include a dedicated team to have these conversations in LTC, and updating policies to mandate and standardize these conversations at all family meetings.Conclusions and ImplicationsThis study has identified key LTC clinician–identified barriers to GoC discussions. Developing targeted interventions to these barriers could be the foundation for developing new interventions that support high-quality GoC discussions.     

唇腭裂病因学研究的新进展

先天性唇腭裂是一种常见的多基因遗传病,是遗传因素和环境因素综合作用的结果,随着人类基因组计划的完成,先天性唇腭裂易感基因的研究已成热点,国外许多学者已进行了大量的研究,并取得了初步的成果。本文回顾近年来在唇腭裂病因学研究方面的进展,包括易感基因定位、相关信号分子流行病学及动物模型等方面的研究。