Sleep disturbances and restless legs syndrome in postmenopausal women with early breast cancer given adjuvant aromatase inhibitor therapy

IntroductionWhether adjuvant therapy with aromatase inhibitors (AIs) causes sleep disturbances or not in postmenopausal women with early breast cancer (EBC) is still a controversial issue.MethodsBetween March 2014 and November 2017, validated questionnaires for assessing insomnia, anxiety, depression, quality of life (QoL) and restless legs syndrome (RLS) were administered to 160 EBC patients at baseline and after 3, 6, 12, and 24 months of AI therapy.ResultsAI therapy significantly decreased the patients’ QoL, but did not influence insomnia, anxiety or depression. However, it significantly increased the frequency and severity of RLS. Patients with RLS at baseline (19%) or who developed RLS during AI therapy (26.3%) reported statistically lower quality of sleep, higher anxiety and depression, and worse QoL compared to patients who never reported RLS (54.7%).ConclusionAlthough AI therapy does not affect sleep quality, it may increase RLS frequency. The presence of RLS could identify a group of EBC patients who may benefit from psychological support.     

Population-based study on practice variation regarding preoperative systemic chemotherapy in patients with colorectal liver metastases and impact on short-term outcomes

IntroductionDefinitions regarding resectability and hence indications for preoperative chemotherapy vary. Use of preoperative chemotherapy may influence postoperative outcomes. This study aimed to assess the variation in use of preoperative chemotherapy for CRLM and related postoperative outcomes in the Netherlands.Materials and methodsAll patients who underwent liver resection for CRLM in the Netherlands between 2014 and 2018 were included from a national database. Case-mix factors contributing to the use of preoperative chemotherapy, hospital variation and postoperative outcomes were assessed using multivariable logistic regression. Postoperative outcomes were postoperative complicated course (PCC), 30-day morbidity and 30-day mortality.ResultsIn total, 4469 patients were included of whom 1314 patients received preoperative chemotherapy and 3155 patients did not. Patients receiving chemotherapy were significantly younger (mean age (+SD) 66.3 (10.4) versus 63.2 (10.2) p < 0.001) and had less comorbidity (Charlson scores 2+ (24% versus 29%, p = 0.010). Unadjusted hospital variation concerning administration of preoperative chemotherapy ranged between 2% and 55%. After adjusting for case-mix factors, three hospitals administered significantly more preoperative chemotherapy than expected and six administered significantly less preoperative chemotherapy than expected. PCC was 12.1%, 30-day morbidity was 8.8% and 30-day mortality was 1.5%. No association between preoperative chemotherapy and PCC (OR 1.24, 0.98–1.55, p = 0.065), 30-day morbidity (OR 1.05, 0.81–1.39, p = 0.703) or with 30-day mortality (OR 1.22, 0.75–2.09, p = 0.467) was found.ConclusionSignificant hospital variation in the use of preoperative chemotherapy for CRLM was present in the Netherlands. No association between postoperative outcomes and use of preoperative chemotherapy was found.     

The effectiveness of medication reconciliation to prevent medication error: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundThe impact of medication reconciliation (MR) in low-middle-income countries, including Thailand, may differ from other developed countries.ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of medication reconciliation (MR) on the reduction of medication error in Thailand.MethodsA systematic search was conducted in the following databases: PubMed, CENTRAL, CINAHL, Scopus, Thai Journals Online, Thai index Medicus, Thai Medical Index, and Health Science Journal in Thailand from inception to January 2018. Studies that evaluated the effect of MR compared to usual care within hospitals in Thailand and reported the occurrence of medication error were included. Meta-analyses were performed using random-effects model.ResultsOf the 107 articles retrieved, 7 articles involving 1581 patients were included in quantitative synthesis. Three of the included studies were randomized controlled trials (RCT). Overall, the risk of medication error in patients who received MR in all transitions of care was 75% lower than those receiving usual care (RR 0.25; 95%CI 0.15–0.43). The effect on the reduction of medication error appeared higher when MR was provided to ambulatory patients (RR 0.17 [95%CI 0.04–0.80] compared with hospitalized patients during admission (RR 0.37 [95%CI 0.20–0.65]) and discharge (RR 0.27 [95%CI 0.17–0.43]). Effects on reducing medication error was greater when MR was provided in secondary care hospitals compared with primary care hospitals both during admission (RR 0.49 [95%CI, 0.34–0.69] vs RR 0.25 [95%CI, 0.05–1.26]), and discharge transition (RR 0.19 [95%CI, 0.09–0.39] vs RR 0.30 [95%CI, 0.12–0.79]).ConclusionOverall, current evidence indicates that the provision of MR in Thailand is effective in reducing medication errors in all transitions of care. However, to promote patient safety, appropriate strategies should be developed to support MR in specific transition of care and hospital setting so patients can benefit most from this service.     

Comparing a patient positioning system to an overhead LIFT with pillows for impact on turning effectiveness

BackgroundFrequent patient handling activities present numerous challenges to healthcare workers. A variety of products are available to assist with in-bed positioning but few comparative studies have been completed to ascertain turning effectiveness.MethodsThe purpose of this study was to compare two turning devices (air-powered positioning system with wedges versus ceiling lift with pillows) for in-bed repositioning and turning effectiveness. The study took place at a large community hospital in the Midwestern USA and used a prospective, four-group crossover study design to compare devices.ResultsThe two turning groups were not significantly different for any of the demographic variables. The use of an air-powered positioning system with wedges achieved a greater degree of turn and maintained that turn after an hour better than the lift device with pillows. There were no hospital acquired pressure injuries in either group.ConclusionThe devices used demonstrated significant differences in turn angle achieved and ability to maintain the turn at one hour. Future studies need to further delineate the ideal method for turning and compare devices to identify best practice and equipment. An effective turning method would integrate ease of use with the ability to achieve an optimal degree of turn in order to prevent hospital acquired pressure injuries while also decreasing caregiver injuries.     

2012-2018年北京市抗结核药物使用趋势分析

目的分析北京市2012-2018年抗结核药物的使用情况与变化趋势,为北京市进一步规范及修改结核药物的使用策略提供数据参考。方法对2012-2018年北京市46家医院J04A类抗结核药物的销售金额、用药频度(Defined daily doses,DDDs)、药品限定日费用(Defined daily cost,DDC)等指标进行统计分析与评价。采用SPSS 22.0线性回归分析,判断变化趋势。结果 2012-2018年抗结核药销售金额逐年上升,而销售量在2016年到达高峰后缓慢下降;2012年和2018年相比抗结核的药物种类构成变动不大,各类药物销售金额构成变化较大;抗结核药物以一线、口服为主,二线、注射为辅,且二线用药的销售金额、DDDs和注射用药的销售金额有上升的趋势(P均<0.05);抗生素销售单价以注射类经济负担最重,且2018年较2012年,大部分种类药物都有不同程度的价格增长。结论抗结核药物的DDDs在2012-2018年间保持平稳,但大部分种类抗结核药物的DDC均出现上升趋势,患者经济负担增大,且抗结核药物使用存在用药集中的现象,带来的耐药风险不容忽视。     

基于校医院视角的医院感染管理方法

该文立足于校医院,探讨控制医院感染的管理方法。管理方法包括建立健全的医院感染管理体系,制定并完善医院感染管理制度,严格规范医院感染监测,加强细节管理力度,保障医疗安全。严格执行以上管理方法可以提高校医院医务人员对医院感染管理的认识,实施各项医院感染管理制度,控制医院感染的发生。要做好校医院的医院感染的管理工作,必须加强组织领导,加强监测,各部门明确职责,共同协作,严格遵守管理制度。     

3种现代医院图书馆服务平台功能比较

探讨目前流行的3种网络信息交流工具——博客、微博和微信,比较分析其在医院图书馆发展中的作用及其特征。指出医院图书馆应根据自身需要应用这些交流工具开展相应服务,为用户搭建互动交流平台,促进服务质量的提高。     

Hospital managers’ need for information in decision-making – An interview study in nine European countries

Assessments of new health technologies in Europe are often made at the hospital level. However, the guidelines for health technology assessment (HTA), e.g. the EUnetHTA Core Model, are produced by national HTA organizations and focus on decision-making at the national level. This paper describes the results of an interview study with European hospital managers about their need for information when deciding about investments in new treatments. The study is part of the AdHopHTA project. Face-to-face, structured interviews were conducted with 53 hospital managers from nine European countries. The hospital managers identified the clinical, economic, safety and organizational aspects of new treatments as being the most relevant for decision-making. With regard to economic aspects, the hospital managers typically had a narrower focus on budget impact and reimbursement. In addition to the information included in traditional HTAs, hospital managers sometimes needed information on the political and strategic aspects of new treatments, in particular the relationship between the treatment and the strategic goals of the hospital. If further studies are able to verify our results, guidelines for hospital-based HTA should be altered to reflect the information needs of hospital managers when deciding about investments in new treatments.