The development and validation of the Score for the Prediction of Postoperative Respiratory Complications (SPORC-2) to predict the requirement for early postoperative tracheal re-intubation: a hospital registry study

Postoperative pulmonary complications are associated with an increase in mortality, morbidity and healthcare utilisation. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality recommends risk assessment for postoperative respiratory complications in patients undergoing surgery. In this hospital registry study of adult patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery between 2005 and 2017 at two independent healthcare networks, a prediction instrument for early postoperative tracheal re-intubation was developed and externally validated. This was based on the development of the Score for Prediction Of Postoperative Respiratory Complications. For predictor selection, stepwise backward logistic regression and bootstrap resampling were applied. Development and validation cohorts were represented by 90,893 patients at Partners Healthcare and 67,046 patients at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, of whom 699 (0.8%) and 587 (0.9%) patients, respectively, had their tracheas re-intubated. In addition to five pre-operative predictors identified in the Score for Prediction Of Postoperative Respiratory Complications, the final model included seven additional intra-operative predictors: early post-tracheal intubation desaturation; prolonged duration of surgery; high fraction of inspired oxygen; high vasopressor dose; blood transfusion; the absence of volatile anaesthetic use; and the absence of lung-protective ventilation. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the new score was significantly greater than that of the original Score for Prediction Of Postoperative Respiratory Complications (0.84 [95%CI 0.82–0.85] vs. 0.76 [95%CI 0.75–0.78], respectively; p < 0.001). This may allow clinicians to develop and implement strategies to decrease the risk of early postoperative tracheal re-intubation.     

肌萎缩侧索硬化案

肌萎缩侧索硬化症(ALS)是一种常见的上、下运动神经元同时损害的一种疾病,临床常见肢体无力、肌肉萎缩等症状。属中医学“痿证”范畴,本例验案患者双上肢及左下肢活动无力伴肌肉萎缩2年余,加重半年,伴随肌张力增高、反射亢进等症状,辨证属肝肾亏虚型痿证,临床以针刺治疗为主,配合静脉注射、穴位注射以补益肝肾,养血柔筋,疗效显著。     

“扎根理论”于温病学科建设的研究思路及理论价值探析

分析温病学术理论发展与温病学教学、临床应用现状,认为有关温病文献研究可从深度与广度进行再拓展、再挖掘。介绍"扎根理论"研究方法,结合温病学科学术性质及特点,探讨"扎根理论"在该学科学术理论建设中可行的研究模式与研究思路,剖析该研究对于温病学科学术建设的理论价值及应用前景。同时,基于"扎根理论"研究难点,提出研究过程中需注意的问题。     

A process evaluation of implementing a vocational enablement protocol for employees with hearing difficulties in clinical practice

Objective: A multidisciplinary vocational rehabilitation programme, the Vocational Enablement Protocol (VEP) was developed to address the specific needs of employees with hearing difficulties. In the current study we evaluated the process of implementing the VEP in audiologic care among employees with hearing impairment. Design: In conjunction with a randomized controlled trial, we collected and analysed data on seven process parameters: recruitment, reach, fidelity, dose delivered, dose received and implemented, satisfaction, and perceived benefit. Study sample: Sixty-six employees with hearing impairment participated in the VEP. The multidisciplinary team providing the VEP comprised six professionals. Results: The professionals performed the VEP according to the protocol. Of the recommendations delivered by the professionals, 31% were perceived as implemented by the employees. Compliance rate was highest for hearing-aid uptake (51%). Both employees and professionals were highly satisfied with the VEP. Participants rated good perceived benefit from it. Conclusions: Our results indicate that the VEP could be a useful treatment for employees with hearing difficulties from a process evaluation perspective. Implementation research in the audiological setting should be encouraged in order to further provide insight into parameters facilitating or hindering successful implementation of an intervention and to improve its quality and efficacy.     

The effect of Benson’s relaxation response on sleep quality and anorexia in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy: A randomized controlled trial

Background and objectivesPatients with cancer experience many side effects due to its nature and usual treatments. Sleep disorders and anorexia are the most commonly reported symptoms in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of Benson's Relaxation Response (BRR) on sleep quality and anorexia in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.Methodology and participantsIn the present clinical trial, a total of 84 patients were enrolled and randomly divided into two groups of experimental and control. Benson's relaxation response was administered to the experimental group twice a day over 5 consecutive days. Data was collected using St. Mary's Hospital Sleep Questionnaire (SMHSQ) and anorexia questionnaire with Visual Analog Scale (VAS).ResultsThe results of our study showed a significant improvement in the sleep quality in the experimental group at 24 (p = 0.02) and 48 (p = 0.001) hours after the intervention compared to the control group. Benson's relaxation response (BRR) also had a significant effect on the anorexia in the experimental group at 24 (7.5 ± 1.6) and 48 (6.9 ± 2.1) hours after the intervention compared to the control group. No side effects were reported during the study and follow-up period.ConclusionBenson's relaxation response as a complementary method may improve sleep quality and anorexia in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Further studies with greater sample size and longer follow-up period are needed to confirm the current findings.     

针药并用治疗双心疾病的应用

随着对于双心疾病研究的加深,西医疗法的弊端也开始显现。而中医因其理论架构中早就有对于“心主血脉”和“心主神明”的认识,因此在双心疾病的治疗上有着先天的优势。同时近些年中医疗法的结合应用也取得不错的成绩,本文通过对于双心疾病的病例分析,来研讨这种治疗手段的合理性和先进性。