Effects of the frequency of ostomy management reinforcement education on self-care knowledge,self-efficacy,and ability of stoma appliance change among Korean hospitalised ostomates

Patients who undergo stoma surgery experience difficulties in adapting physically and psychologically. The priority is to support them in learning self-care for successful rehabilitation and psychosocial adaption to a new life. In order to do this, it is important to provide ostomates with repetitive reinforcement education on self-care in a continuous and individual manner, not just to increase knowledge or perform related skills. This study aims to evaluate the effects of ostomy management reinforcement education (OMRE) in ostomates and to identify the optimal frequency of reinforcement education using an equivalent control group post-test design. Participants were 60 ostomates admitted to a university hospital after ostomy formation surgery, and they were randomly assigned to a control and two experimental groups of this study. The OMRE was given to the control group (n = 20), experimental group 1 (n = 20), and experimental group 2 (n = 20) once, twice, and three times, respectively. Participants' self-care knowledge, self-efficacy, and ability of stoma appliance change were evaluated before and after the OMRE. Major results of this study were as follows: the self-care knowledge score of post-test was higher than the pretest in the control, experimental 1, and experimental two groups (P < 0.001). The self-efficacy score of post-test was higher than the pretest in the control, experimental 1, and experimental 2 groups (P < 0.001). The self-care knowledge score according to the frequency of OMRE did not differ among the control, experimental 1, and experimental 2 groups (F = 1.921, P = 0.156). The self-efficacy score according to the frequency of OMRE was significantly different between the control and experimental groups (F = 8.616, P = 0.001), but there was no difference between the experimental 1 and experimental 2 groups (Scheffe's post-hoc analysis: a < b, c). The ability of stoma appliance change score according to the frequency of OMRE was significantly different between the control and experimental groups (F = 49.546, P < 0.001), but there was no difference between the experimental 1 and experimental 2 groups (Scheffe's post-hoc analysis: a < b, c). Results of this study suggested that the OMRE was effective for promoting hospitalised ostomates' self-care knowledge, self-efficacy, and ability of stoma appliance change, and two sessions of the OMRE was the most effective. Findings of this study may be useful in planning education programmes designed to improve self-care ability for hospitalised ostomates.     

Improving the quality of pressure ulcer management in a skilled nursing facility

Pressure ulcers (PUs) are a serious health care problem for nursing home residents and a key quality metric for regulators. Three initiatives were introduced at a 128‐bed facility to improve PU prevention. First, a Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement project and a Root Cause Analysis were conducted to improve the facility's wound care programme. Second, a digital wound care management solution was adopted to track wound management. Third, the role of skin integrity coordinator was created as a central point of accountability for wound care‐related activities and related performance metrics. Improvements in PU prevention were tracked using Centers of Medicare and Medicaid data, specifically (a) the percentage of long‐stay high‐risk residents with PUs and (b) the percentage of short‐stay residents with PUs that are new or have worsened. PU prevalence for long‐stay high‐risk residents was 12.99% (Q4 2016), and upon implementation of these initiatives, the facility saw continued reductions in PU prevalence to 2.9% (Q4 2017), while PUs for short‐stay residents were maintained at zero throughout this period. This study highlights the power of effective management combined with real‐time data analytics, as enabled by digital wound care management, to make significant improvements in health care delivery.     

基于零缺陷管理理论构建肝胆外科加速康复评价指标体系

目的构建适用于肝胆外科的加速康复评价指标体系,为加速康复外科实施效果提供评价工具。方法在零缺陷管理理论基础上,通过文献查阅、德尔菲专家咨询法构建肝胆外科加速康复评价指标体系。结果 2轮问卷回收率均为100%,专家权威系数分别为0.920、0.919。经过2轮专家咨询,最终构建的肝胆外科加速康复评价指标体系包括3个一级指标,8个二级指标,39个三级指标;指标重要性评分均4分,变异系数0～0.166;并确定各级指标权重。结论肝胆外科加速康复评价指标体系构建合理,有较好的可信度,经验证后可作为肝胆外科加速康复质量评价工具。     

Emergency cricothyroidotomy: an observational study to estimate optimal incision position and length

Background

A vertical incision is recommended for cricothyroidotomy when the anatomy is impalpable, but no evidence-based guideline exists regarding optimum site or length. The Difficult Airway Society guidelines, which are based on expert opinion, recommend an 80–100 mm vertical caudad to cephalad incision in the extended neck position. However, the guidelines do not advise the incision commencement point. We sought to determine the minimum incision length and commencement point above the suprasternal notch required to ensure that the cricothyroid membrane would be accessible within its margins.

Abdominal stab wound injury in children: Do we need a different approach?

Background

Penetrating stab wounds in children are relatively rare and no clear recommendations for the optimal evaluation have been devised. An acceptable traditional approach to the patient with an abdominal stab wound who does not require urgent surgery is selective nonoperative management and serial exams. The use of routine computed tomography remains an actively utilized investigation for these patients at many institutions.

Treatment consensus for management of polymyositis and dermatomyositis among rheumatologists,neurologists and dermatologists

Although rheumatologists, neurologists and dermatologists see patients with polymyositis (PM) and dermatomyositis (DM), their management appears to vary depending on the physician's specialty. The aim of the present study was to establish the treatment consensus among specialists of the three fields to standardize the patient care. We formed a research team supported by a grant from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, Japan. Clinical questions (CQ) on the management of PM and DM were raised. A published work search on CQ was performed primarily using PubMed. Using the nominal group technique, qualified studies and results in the published work were evaluated and discussed to reach consensus recommendations. They were sent out to the Japan College of Rheumatology, Japanese Society of Neurology and Japanese Dermatological Association for their approval. We reached a consensus in 23 CQ and made recommendations and a decision tree for management was proposed. They were officially approved by the three scientific societies. In conclusion, a multidisciplinary treatment consensus for the management of PM and DM was established for the first time.