Capturing the value of vaccination within health technology assessment and health economics: Country analysis and priority value concepts

BackgroundA value of vaccination framework for economic evaluation (EE) identified unique value concepts for the broad benefits vaccination provides to individuals, society, healthcare systems and national economies. The objectives of this paper were to work with experts in developed countries to objectively identify three priority concepts to extend current EE.MethodsThe previously developed classification of value concepts in vaccination distinguished 18 concepts, categorised as conventional payer and societal perspective concepts and novel broader societal concepts. Their inclusion in current EE guidelines was assessed. Experts identified eight criteria relevant to decision-making and measurement feasibility, which were weighted and used to score each concept. The relative ranking of concepts by importance and the gaps in guidelines were used to identify three priority concepts on which to focus immediate efforts to extend EE.ResultsThe EE guidelines review highlighted differences across countries and between guidelines and practice. Conventional payer perspective concepts (e.g., individual and societal health gains and medical costs) were generally included, while gaps were evident for conventional societal perspective concepts (e.g., family/caregiver health and economic gains). Few novel broader societal benefits were considered, and only in ad hoc cases. The top-three concepts for near-term consideration: macroeconomic gains (e.g., benefiting the economy, tourism), social equity and ethics (e.g., equal distribution of health outcomes, reduced health/financial equity gaps) and health systems strengthening, resilience and security (e.g., efficiency gains, reduced disruption, increased capacity).ConclusionsGaps, inconsistencies and limited assessment of vaccination value in EE can lead to differences in policy and vaccination access. The three priority concepts identified provide a feasible approach for capturing VoV more broadly in the near-term. Robust methods for measuring and valuing these concepts in future assessments will help strengthen the evidence used to inform decisions, improving access to vaccines that are demonstrably good value for money from society’s point of view.     

Fluorescence ureteral navigation during laparoscopic surgery for clinically suspected stage T4 colorectal cancer: A cohort study

BackgroundApproximately 15% of patients with colorectal cancer present with locally advanced tumors (T4 stage). Laparoscopic surgery for stage T4 disease has not yet been established.The near-infrared ray catheter fluorescent ureteral catheter (NIRFUC) is a new device that uses near-infrared fluorescence resin.We examined the utility of fluorescence ureteral navigation (FUN) with the NIRFUC during laparoscopic surgery for stage T4 colorectal cancer.Materials and methodsPatients with stage T4 colorectal cancer (n = 143, from January 2017 to March 2021) were divided into a T4FUN + group, in which the NIRFUC was used (n = 21), and a T4FUN- group, in which the NIRFUC was not used (n = 122). Short-term outcomes were compared between the groups.Next, the laparoscopic surgery rate and incidence of ureteral injury from January 2017 to March 2021 were compared between the T4FUN- group and the non-stage T4FUN- group (n = 434, from January 2017 to March 2021), in which fluorescence ureter navigation was not used.ResultsRectal cancer, stage T4b disease, and invasion into the urinary tract were observed more often in the T4FUN + group than in the T4FUN- group.In the comparisons of the T4FUN + versus T4FUN- groups, the operative time was 398 (161–1090) vs. 256 (93–839) minutes, the blood loss was 10 (1–710) vs. 25 (0–1360) ml, and the ratio of laparoscopic surgery to open surgery was 21:0 vs. 79:43. Postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo grade ≥ III) were present in 2 (10%; 0 ureteral injury) patients in the T4FUN + group and 13 (11%; 2 ureteral injury) patients in the T4FUN- group.In the T4FUN + group, the operative time was longer (p < 0.0001), but the laparoscopic ratio was higher (p = 0.0002), and the blood loss volume and incidence of ureteral injury tended to be lower.In the comparisons of the T4FUN- versus non-stage T4FUN- groups, the ratio of laparoscopic surgery to open surgery was 79:43 vs. 384:50, the incidence of open conversion was 8 (6.6%) vs. 15 (3.5%), and the incidence of ureteral injury was 2 (1.6%) vs. 0 (0%). In the T4FUN- group, the open surgery rate (<0.0001), open conversion rate (p = 0.0205) and incidence of ureteral injury (p = 0.0478) were high, with a significant difference observed between the groups.ConclusionPatients with stage T4 disease have an increased risk of ureteral injury and are more likely to be converted to open surgery.FUN can help to safely increase the laparoscopic surgery rate while safely visualizing the ureter. FUN is recommended for laparoscopic surgery in patients with stage T4 colorectal cancer.Clinical trial registrationExamination of fluorescence navigation for laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery; Research Ethics Committee of the Kawaguchi Municipal Medical Center (Saitama, Japan) approval number: 2020-3. https://kawaguchi-mmc.org/wp-content/uploads/clinical research-r02.pdf;     

Adherence to a Mediterranean Lifestyle and Changes in Frequency,Severity, and Localization of Pain in Older Adults

ObjectiveTo assess the association between adherence to a Mediterranean lifestyle and changes in pain, and its characteristics over time in older adults.Patients and MethodsWe analyzed data from 864 and 862 community-dwelling individuals aged 65+ years from the Study on Cardiovascular Health, Nutrition and Frailty in Older Adults in Spain (Seniors-ENRICA) Seniors-ENRICA-1 (2008–2010 to 2012) and Seniors-ENRICA-2 (2015–2017 to 2019) cohorts, with a median follow-up of 2.8 and 2.4 years, respectively. Adherence to a Mediterranean lifestyle was assessed at baseline with the 27-item Mediterranean lifestyle (MEDLIFE) index. Pain changes over time were calculated with a pain scale that assessed the frequency, severity, and the number of pain locations both at baseline and follow-up. Multivariable-adjusted relative risk ratios (RRRs) were obtained using multinomial logistic regression.ResultsIn the pooled cohorts, after a median follow-up of 2.6 years, pain worsened for 697 participants, improved for 734, and did not change for 295. Compared with the lowest category of MEDLIFE adherence, those in the highest category showed an RRR of improvement vs worsening of overall pain of 1.85 (95% CI, 1.28 to 2.67; P-trend<.001). MEDLIFE adherence was also linked to improvement in pain frequency (RRR, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.31 to 3.01; P-trend=.001), pain severity (RRR, 2.00; 95% CI, 1.33 to 3.00; P-trend=.001), and a reduction in the number of pain locations (RRR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.13 to 2.50; P-trend=.004). Limitations of this study are the use of self-reported lifestyle data.ConclusionA Mediterranean lifestyle was associated with improvement of pain characteristics in older adults. Experimental studies should assess the efficacy of an integral lifestyle approach for the management of pain in older adults.     

护士应用体外膜肺氧合技术核心能力评价指标的构建

目的 构建一套科学、系统的护士应用体外膜肺氧合（extracorporeal membrane oxygenation,ECMO）技术的核心能力评价指标,为护士的培养、考核和能力评价提供参考依据。 方法 通过文献回顾、半结构式访谈形成护士应用ECMO技术核心能力评价指标初稿,2021年2月—4月,采用德尔菲法对6个省份的25名专家进行问卷函询,运用层次分析法确定各级指标权重。 结果 共开展2轮函询,问卷有效回收率分别为90.00%、92.59%,第2轮函询专家的权威系数为0.886,肯德尔和谐系数为0.205（P<0.001）。最终构建的评价指标包括临床专业知识、临床实践技能、评判性思维能力、专业发展能力、沟通协调能力、管理能力、个人特质7个一级指标、19个二级指标、70个三级指标。 结论 构建的护士应用ECMO技术核心能力评价指标具有较高的科学性和可靠性,对护士的培养、考核和能力评价具有指导意义。     

Donor lungs cold preservation at 10 °C offers a potential logistic advantage in lung transplantation

Donor lung preservation at 10 °C appears to be an innovative and promising method that may improve transplant logistics by extending the cold ischemia time with excellent outcomes. We report the case of two lung transplants from two different donors involving the use of two different preservation methods, highlighting the benefits of using 10 °C lung storage.     

安徽省4所综合医院临床护士营养护理能力现状及影响因素分析

目的 调查安徽省4所综合医院临床护士的营养护理能力,并分析其影响因素,为提高临床护士营养护理能力提供理论依据。方法 采用便利抽样法,2021年1月—2月应用一般资料问卷、临床护士营养护理能力量表对安徽省北部、中部、南部4所综合性医院的863名临床护士进行横断面调查。通过多元线性逐步回归分析临床护士营养护理能力的影响因素。结果 共回收有效问卷762份,临床护士营养护理能力总分为（235.16±44.02）分,条目得分为（3.73±0.70）分,其中营养专业知识维度和临床营养评估能力维度得分较低。多元线性逐步回归分析结果显示,工作年限、科室、定期接受营养护理督查、在校学习营养课、参加营养学习班、定期参加营养业务学习是临床护士营养护理能力的影响因素（P<0.05）。 结论 临床护士营养护理能力有待提高,护理管理者应重视对临床护士进行营养相关教育及培训,强化营养专业知识和临床营养评估能力,完善定期检查与考核机制,以提高临床护士的营养护理能力。