Parliament in action: Drug withdrawals and policy changes in the U.K.

Previous studies on changes in health policies theorize such changes either as crises responses, or as the outcome of longer-term stakeholder conflicts. In this paper, we propose that parliaments function as overlooked, intermediate actors that contribute to translating the interests of stakeholders into policy changes. We study the role of parliament connecting policy makers and stakeholders in the context of drug regulation. Based on three high-profile cases of drug withdrawals between 1991 and 2005 in the United Kingdom (triazolam, rofecoxib, and co-proxamol), we distinguish partisan-political, individual-idiosyncratic, and collective-institutional pathways of parliamentary action on drug withdrawals. Distinguishing direct and indirect actions, we argue that indirect courses of action, including advocacy and educational work, can be just as effective as regular legislative endeavours, under certain conditions.     

Immunizations at Wisconsin Pharmacies: Results of a statewide vaccine registry analysis and pharmacist survey

BackgroundThere is currently limited data in the United States on the proportion of immunization doses given at pharmacies outside the influenza vaccine. This study aims to obtain baseline information on the percentage of vaccine doses administered at pharmacies in Wisconsin and to understand the immunization barriers for Wisconsin pharmacists, to inform interventions to increase immunization access at pharmacies.MethodsAggregated data from the Wisconsin Immunization Registry (WIR) was obtained for all vaccines administered at pharmacies to patients over the age of six from July 2017 through June 2018. In addition, a survey on attitudes towards and barriers to vaccination was sent to 2000 Wisconsin pharmacists with 236 respondents yielding a 12% response rate.ResultsWIR data demonstrates that zoster and influenza vaccines have the highest proportion of doses administered at pharmacies (39% and 20%, respectively). Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines have the lowest proportion of doses at 0.2%. Pharmacy survey shows that 86% provide immunizations. Most stock influenza vaccines (84%), whereas much fewer stock HPV vaccines (21%). The greatest immunization barriers for the pharmacy respondents include billing and reimbursement challenges and competing demands for staff.ConclusionsDespite the barriers, community pharmacies have significant potential to address vaccination gaps. Physicians, patients, and legislative bodies are generally well-accepting of pharmacists as immunizers. Pharmacists, in order to be fully utilized as immunizers, must engage in active communication with patients and be willing to collaborate with physicians. Legislative policy and health insurance reimbursement reforms are also necessary to facilitate further pharmacist participation in immunization.     

Split liver transplantation is utilized infrequently and concentrated at few transplant centers in the United States

Split liver transplantation (SLT) is 1 strategy for maximizing the number of deceased donor liver transplants. Recent reports suggest that utilization of SLT in the United States remains low. We examined deceased donor offers that were ultimately split between 2010 and 2014. SLTs were categorized as “primary” and “secondary” transplants. We analyzed allocation patterns and used logistic regression to evaluate factors associated with secondary split discard. Four hundred eighteen livers were split: 54% from adult, 46% from pediatric donors. Of the 227 adult donor livers split, 61% met United Network for Organ Sharing “optimal” split criteria. A total of 770 recipients (418 primary and 352 secondary) were transplanted, indicating 16% discard. Ninety‐two percent of the 418 primary recipients were children, and 47% were accepted on the first offer. Eighty‐seven percent of the 352 secondary recipients were adults, and 7% were accepted on the first offer. Of the 352 pairs, 99% were transplanted in the same region, 36% at the same center. In logistic regression, shorter donor height was associated with secondary discard (odds ratio 0.97 per cm, 95% CI 0.94‐1.00, P = .02). SLT volume by center was not predictive of secondary discard. Current policy proposals that incentivize SLT in the United States could increase the number of transplants to children and adults.     

Recommendations for Welcoming Back Nursing Home Visitors During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results of a Delphi Panel

ObjectivesNursing homes became epicenters of COVID-19 in the spring of 2020. Due to the substantial case fatality rates within congregate settings, federal agencies recommended restrictions to family visits. Six months into the COVID-19 pandemic, these largely remain in place. The objective of this study was to generate consensus guidance statements focusing on essential family caregivers and visitors.DesignA modified 2-step Delphi process was used to generate consensus statements.Setting and ParticipantsThe Delphi panel consisted of 21 US and Canadian post-acute and long-term care experts in clinical medicine, administration, and patient care advocacy.MethodsState and federal reopening statements were collected in June 2020 and the panel voted on these using a 3-point Likert scale with consensus defined as ≥80% of panel members voting “Agree.” The consensus statements then informed development of the visitor guidance statements.ResultsThe Delphi process yielded 77 consensus statements. Regarding visitor guidance, the panel made 5 strong recommendations: (1) maintain strong infection prevention and control precautions, (2) facilitate indoor and outdoor visits, (3) allow limited physical contact with appropriate precautions, (4) assess individual residents' care preferences and level of risk tolerance, and (5) dedicate an essential caregiver and extend the definition of compassionate care visits to include care that promotes psychosocial well-being of residents.Conclusions and ImplicationsThe COVID-19 pandemic has seen substantial regulatory changes without strong consideration of the impact on residents. In the absence of timely and rigorous research, the involvement of clinicians and patient care advocates is important to help create the balance between individual resident preferences and the health of the collective. The results of this evidence-based Delphi process will help guide policy decisions as well as inform future research.     

Which one to follow? Service animal policy in the United States

BackgroundService animals are an invaluable resource to improving health among individuals with disabilities, and their use is steadily growing. Yet, United States’ current federal and state policies surrounding service animals are contradictory and burdensome, and often do not adequately protect the rights of service animal handlers.ObjectiveTo review each state’s service animal policies surrounding criminal interference, misrepresentation of a service animal, and public accessibility. To also identify inconsistencies among states’ individual policies, between state policies, and between state and federal policies, and discuss the implications of these inconsistencies.MethodsWestlaw legal research database was used to comprehensively review each state’s policies regarding the use of a service animal.Results26 states have one or more policies that are incongruous with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Further, 34 states have contradictions within their own policies and between other states. 31 states provide protections against fraudulent service animals, and there are variations in the degree of protection and ability to enforce these laws.ConclusionsBecause service animals are a vital resource to this particularly vulnerable population, it is imperative that our policies encourage their use and protect the rights of handlers. Yet, inconsistencies among current policies create confusion and ultimately deter individuals with disabilities from taking full advantage of their service animal. We are in need of clear, cohesive policy at all levels of government in order to improve health literacy and ensure that those with disabilities are able to benefit from the positive health impacts of a service animal.     

Exploring the impacts of organisational structure,policy and practice on the health inequalities of marginalised communities: Illustrative cases from the UK healthcare system

This paper explores how organisational structure, policies and practices in healthcare can inadvertently disadvantage marginalised populations (e.g. individuals from ethnic minority backgrounds) and reinforce health inequalities. We draw upon three diverse UK healthcare settings (long term care institutions, high security hospitals and community pharmacies) to illustrate how systemic injustices negatively impact on access to care, treatment and health outcomes. The first case study considers the care of older people within nursing homes; specifically the disempowering effects of this service structure and impacts of choice reduction upon health and their access to health provision. The second case study explores the impact of security restrictions upon patients within high security hospitals, focusing particularly on the maintenance of relationships and support networks outside of the hospital. The third and final case study, draws upon a national community pharmacy medicine management service to illustrate ways in which policies and guidelines inadvertently obstruct patients' engagement with the service within a community setting. We draw upon these settings to highlight inequalities within different contexts and to illustrate the ways in which well intended services can inadvertently disadvantage marginalised communities in multiple ways.     

Content analysis of media coverage of breastfeeding in Mexico

Media can be a powerful communication tool to promote breastfeeding programs, influence mother's breastfeeding behaviour, and generate support among stakeholders for breastfeeding. Yet, there is little information on how media coverage influences a country's breastfeeding enabling environment. This study addressed this gap by conducting a retrospective content analysis of documents published between January 1, 2017 and January 1, 2018 to analyse the media coverage related to breastfeeding in Mexico. Content analysis was based on the breastfeeding gear model and a strategic planning technique to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats for enabling the national breastfeeding environment. Media coverage of breastfeeding was more frequent in August (36% of all documents). The top three topics commonly covered by the media were advocacy events promoting breastfeeding, promotion campaigns, and changes in breastfeeding legislation and policy. In general, the media coverage focused on strengths of specific breastfeeding policies. There was limited news coverage of key factors that negatively influenced or threatened the breastfeeding environment. Findings support the need to design strategies to engage the media covering in more depth and breadth diverse aspects of breastfeeding protection, promotion, and support efforts in Mexico.     

罕见病患者社会支持与生命质量的关系研究

目的:利用2016年中国罕见病群体生存状况调查数据,通过分析罕见病患者生命质量各维度现状及其与社会支持的关系,为完善罕见病患者社会保障政策提供参考。方法:评价工具采用WHOQOL-BREF量表,运用滚雪球抽样调查方法,通过网络和电话调查方式收集数据,采用t检验分析与中国常模数据进行比较,并使用线性回归模型考察非正式、正式社会支持与罕见病患者生命质量的关系。结果:罕见病患者生命质量的各维度得分(生理、心理、社会、环境领域)均显著低于中国常模正常组和疾病组的生命质量评价得分,说明罕见病对居民的生命质量负面影响显著。非正式和正式社会支持与罕见病患者生命质量相关,非正式社会支持水平越高,患者各领域的生命质量越好;曾接受过社会帮扶的患者,心理领域和社会领域的生活质量水平高于未曾接受的患者。结论:改善患者的社会支持水平,完善罕见病的社会保障政策,对提高患者的生命福祉有一定的意义。