Outcomes of Incidental Lung Nodules With Structured Recommendations and Electronic Tracking

ObjectiveTo evaluate the impact of structured recommendations on follow-up completion for incidental lung nodules (ILNs).MethodsPatients with ILNs before and after implementation of structured Fleischner recommendations and electronic tracking were sampled randomly. The cohorts were compared for imaging follow-up. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess appropriate follow-up and loss to follow-up, with independent variables including use of structured recommendations or tracking, age, sex, race, ethnicity, setting of the index test (inpatient, outpatient, emergency department), smoking history, and nodule features.ResultsIn all, 1,301 patients met final inclusion criteria, including 255 patients before and 1,046 patients after structured recommendations or tracking. Baseline differences were found in the pre- and postintervention groups, with smaller ILNs and younger age after implementing structured recommendations. Comparing pre- versus postintervention outcomes, 40.0% (100 of 250) versus 29.5% (309 of 1,046) of patients had no follow-up despite Fleischner indications for imaging (P = .002), and among the remaining patients, 56.6% (82 of 145) versus 75.0% (553 of 737) followed up on time (P < .001). Delayed follow-up was more frequent before intervention. Differences postintervention were mostly accounted for by nodules ≤8 mm in the outpatient setting (P < .001). In multivariable analysis, younger age, White race, outpatient setting, and larger nodule size showed significant association with appropriate follow-up completion (P < .015), but structured recommendations did not. Similar results applied for loss to follow-up.DiscussionConsistent use of structured reporting is likely key to mitigate selection bias when benchmarking rates of appropriate follow-up of ILN. Emergency department patients and inpatients are at high risk of missed or delayed follow-up despite structured recommendations.     

Health professionals’ view on the role of hope and communication challenges with patients in palliative care: A systematic narrative review

ObjectiveTo identify health professionals' (HPs) perspectives on the role of hope and the main challenges faced when communicating with patients in palliative care (PC).MethodsSearch on PubMed, Scopus, SocIndex, Cochrane, and Web of Science using: palliat*, palliative care, palliative medicine, hospice care, terminal care, long term care, supportive care, end of life (EOL) care and hope*, followed by a thematic narrative analysis.ResultsThirty-five studies were included. HPs' views were grouped in: Bringing out hope and Taking down hope. HPs believe that hope is elicited through a personal patient-provider bond and exhibited through medical treatment delivery. HPs face difficulties when delivering prognosis, referring to hospice, and providing palliation.ConclusionHope is conveyed through verbal and non-verbal communication. HPs struggle to account for hope's shifting character, challenging the engagement in EOL discussions.Practical implicationsFindings show a patient-provider clash of perspectives, suggesting a gap in acknowledging the shifting nature of hope. An important question emerges: Are the existing theories of hope that are solely explained from a patient experience relevant for HPs' own interpretation? Investigating the HPs' attitudes gathered in collective experiences in PC, might contribute to answering the question in the context of building more constructive communication approaches.     

社区严重精神障碍患者规律面访情况及其影响因素研究

背景严重精神障碍患者因自知力欠缺及高复发性、高致残性等特点，对社会稳定造成严重威胁。做好社区面访管理工作意义重大，通过定期面访患者本人，可以更好地综合评估患者病情，以便及时采取措施，提高管理服务质量。目的了解社区严重精神障碍患者规律面访情况及其影响因素，为提高社区患者的面访服务管理质量提供参考依据。方法2020年10—12月，利用2019年底江苏省严重精神障碍管理系统中建档管理的无锡市严重精神障碍患者基础档案及随访管理信息，分析当年度无锡市社区严重精神障碍患者规律面访情况，采用Logistic回归分析规律面访的影响因素。结果共纳入27 778例研究对象，其规律面访率为81.08%（22 523/27 778）。Logistic回归分析结果显示，非本地户籍〔OR（95%CI）=0.704（0.640，0.775）〕、年龄≤44岁〔OR（95%CI）=0.522（0.472，0.578）〕、学历为高中及以上〔高中/中专OR（95%CI）=0.493（0.446，0.545），大专及以上OR（95%CI）=0.470（0.415，0.532）〕、目前有正式工作〔OR（95%CI）=0.715（0.668，0.766）〕、未婚〔OR（95%CI）=0.746（0.665，0.838）〕、经济状况为非贫困〔OR（95%CI）=0.587（0.517，0.666）〕、没有进行抗精神病药物治疗〔OR（95%CI）=0.491（0.440，0.548）〕、服药时长0~10年〔OR（95%CI）=0.881（0.778，0.998）〕、不是"以奖代补"监护补助对象〔OR（95%CI）=0.807（0.704，0.926）〕、不参加社区康复服务〔OR（95%CI）=0.844（0.716，0.996）〕是患者规律面访的消极影响因素（P<0.05）。结论无锡市社区严重精神障碍患者规律面访率尚需进一步提高，应重点关注非本地户籍、年龄≤44岁、高中及以上学历、目前有正式工作、未婚、经济非贫困、没有进行抗精神病药物治疗、服药时长0~10年、不是监护补助对象和不参加社区康复服务的社区严重精神障碍患者。可通过制定倾斜性政策、开展宣传教育、降低患者病耻感、改善患者疾病认知、加强患者社会支持等措施提高患者规律面访率。     

Patient and clinician experiences with cross-border reproductive care: A systematic review

ObjectivesThis review analyzes the experiences of patients and clinicians with regards to international cross-border reproductive care (CBRC) for the purpose of conception.MethodsElectronic databases PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched using ‘medical tourism’ AND ‘assisted reproductive technology’ from 1978 to 2020.ResultsPredominant patient motivators for CBRC were cost and legality of assisted reproduction technology (ART) in one's home country, followed by cultural factors like shared language, religion, and cultural familiarity. Clinicians suggested global laws for CBRC would reduce the potential for exploitation of vulnerable populations but believed the enactment of international regulations unlikely and, even if enacted, difficult to enforce.ConclusionsWhile patient and clinician experiences with CBRC varied, patients frequently cited financial and legal reasons for pursuing CBRC, while many providers had concern for the patient’s safety.Clinical practice implicationsThis review recommends clinicians involved in family planning counsel patients seeking treatment abroad by: (i) informing patients of the risks and benefits of treatment abroad, (ii) establishing guidelines and standards for clinicians on resuming patient care post-CBRC, and (iii) creating a directory of reputable CBRC clinicians and experts.     

Collaborating toward equity in Pennsylvania: The Age-Friendly Care,PA project

Objective

To collaboratively implement the age-friendly health systems framework, known as the 4Ms: What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility, at The Primary Health Network (PHN), a federally qualified health center.

Data Sources

Data were collected from PHN electronic medical records (EMRs) for individuals over age 65 from December 30, 2019 to December 24, 2021 and from Project ECHO© attendance and evaluation surveys.

Study Design

The telementoring educational program, Project ECHO©, was used to engage PHN health care professionals working in rural areas of Pennsylvania to incorporate the 4Ms into their practice starting with the annual wellness visit (AWV). Project ECHO© was launched at three primary care sites. After 18 months, it was then disseminated to an additional 18 sites creating pilot and comparison groups. Outcomes included codesigned patient process metrics using EMR data and project ECHO© participant data.

Data Collection Methods

EMR data were generated by system reports created by PHN's quality assurance program manager. Project ECHO© data were collected and managed using REDCap electronic data capture tools. Outcomes were aggregated, analyzed for trends over time, and compared between groups.

Principal Findings

All nine process outcomes increased from baseline to follow-up at the three initial sites, ranging from 4% to 43% g. At year two, the three initial sites had higher rates on AWVs (pilot 24%, comparison 12%; p < 0.0001), Advance Care Planning (New on file, pilot 8%, comparison 2%; Discussed with patient, pilot 18%, comparison 13%; Patient declined, pilot 0%, comparison 0%; p = 0.0001), Dementia Screening (pilot 24%, comparison 12%; p < 0.0001), Fall Risk Management (pilot 43%, comparison 10%; p < 0.0001), and Mobility Goal (pilot 19%, comparison 9%; p < 0.0001); and lower rates on High-Risk Medication Elimination (pilot 54%, comparison, 63%, p < 0.02).

Conclusions

Access to high-quality geriatric care for rural older adults can be improved by increasing health care professionals' knowledge of the 4Ms, beginning with its incorporation into the AWV.     

Bioimpedance as a measure of fluids in patients with septic shock. A prospective observational study

Background

Septic shock is often treated with aggressive fluid resuscitation leading to profound fluid overload. The assessment of fluid status relies on suboptimal measures making treatment difficult. Bioelectrical impedance analysis is an alternative but the validity is unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the validity of bioelectrical impedance analysis for fluid measures in patients with septic shock.

Methods

Single-center, prospective observational cohort study. We included adult ICU patients with septic shock. We evaluated the agreement between measures on the left and right side of the patient and measures 1 h apart by two bioelectrical impedance devices. Results are presented as Bland Altman plots with 95% Limits of Agreements (LoA) and as correlations between bioelectrical impedance analysis results and clinical markers of fluids.

Results

Forty-nine patients were included. The agreement between measures on the left and the right side of the patient and after 1 h was overall without bias, but with wide LoA's. Fluid overload 1 h apart showed the most narrow 95% LoA (−2.4–2.9 L). The same wide limits of agreements were observed when comparing devices. For example, total body water with 95% LoA of −14.8 –16.7 L. Correlations between bioelectrical impedance analysis and clinical measures were low but statistically significant.

Conclusions

In patients with septic shock bioelectrical impedance analysis had no systematic errors or bias, but wide limits of agreement, indicating that the devices have a large and uncorrectable random error. Fluid status by bioelectrical impedance analysis is not sufficiently accurate to guide treatment in this group of patients.