Research and applications: Impact of an electronic medication management system on hospital doctors’ and nurses’ work: a controlled pre–post,time and motion study

Objective

To quantify and compare the time doctors and nurses spent on direct patient care, medication-related tasks, and interactions before and after electronic medication management system (eMMS) introduction.

Methods

Controlled pre–post, time and motion study of 129 doctors and nurses for 633.2 h on four wards in a 400-bed hospital in Sydney, Australia. We measured changes in proportions of time on tasks and interactions by period, intervention/control group, and profession.

Results

eMMS was associated with no significant change in proportions of time spent on direct care or medication-related tasks relative to control wards. In the post-period control ward, doctors spent 19.7% (2 h/10 h shift) of their time on direct care and 7.4% (44.4 min/10 h shift) on medication tasks, compared to intervention ward doctors (25.7% (2.6 h/shift; p=0.08) and 8.5% (51 min/shift; p=0.40), respectively). Control ward nurses in the post-period spent 22.1% (1.9 h/8.5 h shift) of their time on direct care and 23.7% on medication tasks compared to intervention ward nurses (26.1% (2.2 h/shift; p=0.23) and 22.6% (1.9 h/shift; p=0.28), respectively). We found intervention ward doctors spent less time alone (p=0.0003) and more time with other doctors (p=0.003) and patients (p=0.009). Nurses on the intervention wards spent less time with doctors following eMMS introduction (p=0.0001).

Conclusions

eMMS introduction did not result in redistribution of time away from direct care or towards medication tasks. Work patterns observed on these intervention wards were associated with previously reported significant reductions in prescribing error rates relative to the control wards.     

A case for more year-long internships outside metropolitan areas?

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether medical graduates who spent their intern year at a non-metropolitan hospital were more likely to practise outside metropolitan areas on completion of training than were interns in metropolitan hospitals. DESIGN: Retrospective follow-up of doctors who held year-long internships at a non-metropolitan hospital and interns from metropolitan hospitals. SETTING: Ballarat Base Hospital (BBH) (Rural, Remote and Metropolitan Area [RRMA] rural zone) and hospitals in Melbourne and Geelong (RRMA metropolitan zone). PARTICIPANTS: 57/63 (90%) Victorian medical graduates completing internships at BBH between 1989 and 1997 and 126/126 (100%) sex-matched metropolitan interns, chosen at random. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Practice location in 2002. RESULTS: More BBH interns were practising as GPs outside metropolitan areas (44%) than metropolitan interns (13%) (difference, 31%; 95% CI, 17%-45%). The proportion of interns in specialist practice outside metropolitan areas was small for both groups - zero and 3%, respectively (difference, - 3%; 95% CI, - 6% to 0). None of the specialist training posts held by interns were outside metropolitan areas. Of BBH interns entering general practice, 41% (95% CI, 24%-58%) did so in the local health region. CONCLUSIONS: Regional interns are a good source of non-metropolitan GPs, especially locally. Prospective studies to determine the precise influence of regional internships on eventual practice location, and whether more such posts would lead to more graduates entering non-metropolitan practice, would be worthwhile.     

Working with registrars: a qualitative study of interns' perceptions and experiences

OBJECTIVE: To identify and explore behavioural characteristics of registrars that interns find helpful in their working relationships and workplace learning. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Semistructured interviews with 18 interns at Nepean Hospital, Penrith, NSW, at the end of their first working year as doctors. The survey was conducted between December 2003 and February 2004. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Desirable and undesirable behavioural characteristics in registrars, as reported by interns. RESULTS: Overall, interns' opinions of registrars were positive. Desirable characteristics in registrars included approachability, availability, good communication skills, and a willingness to teach. Undesirable characteristics included an unwillingness to listen, unreasonably high expectations, a condescending attitude, apathy and rudeness. CONCLUSION: The behavioural characteristics of registrars that interns find helpful are identifiable, and there is significant room for improvement in the quality of clinical mentoring by registrars. The next step is to facilitate regular feedback from interns on registrars' performance, and to develop ways to encourage desirable behaviours in registrars while actively discouraging undesirable behaviours.     

Impact of a chest-pain guideline on clinical decision-making

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of a chest-pain guideline on clinical decision-making and medium-term outcomes of patients presenting to a hospital emergency department (ED) with non-traumatic chest pain. DESIGN: Before-and-after guideline implementation study. SETTING: Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital, Sydney, NSW (454-bed metropolitan teaching hospital), in the six-month periods before and after guideline implementation in February 2001. PARTICIPANTS: Patients presenting to the ED with non-traumatic chest pain who had chest-pain assessment forms completed by ED doctors, comprising 422/768 (54.9%) of those presenting before and 461/691 (66.7%) after guideline implementation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Appropriateness of admission/discharge decisions compared with decision of senior cardiologist based on guideline; death, recurrent chest pain, ED re-presentation and hospital readmission in the ensuing three months. RESULTS: After guideline implementation, appropriate admission/discharge decisions increased significantly from 180/265 (68%) to 261/324 (81%) (difference, 13%; 95% CI, 6%-20%). The largest increase was for patients at moderate risk of death or acute myocardial infarction within six months, from 39/96 (38%) to 57/103 (55%) (difference, 18%; 95% CI, 4%-31%). Increases were seen for both junior doctors (interns and resident medical officers) (18%; 95% CI, 7%-30%) and senior doctors (11%; 95% CI, 2%-19%). Logistic regression showed that implementation of the guideline, seniority of assessing doctor and patient history of coronary disease were independent predictors of appropriate decisions. There was a significant decline in re-presentations to ED with recurrent chest pain in patients previously presenting with cardiac or possibly cardiac pain, from 46/201 (23%) before implementation to 32/247 (13%) after (difference, 210%; 95% CI, 217% to 23%). CONCLUSIONS: The chest-pain guideline resulted in a significant improvement in clinical decision-making in the ED and reduced re-presentations with cardiac/possibly cardiac chest pain.     

Interns' compliance with accreditation council for graduate medical education work-hour limits

Context  Sleep deprivation is associated with increased risk of serious medical errors and motor vehicle crashes among interns. The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) introduced duty-hour standards in 2003 to reduce work hours. Objective  To estimate compliance with the ACGME duty-hour standards among interns. Design, Setting, and Participants  National prospective cohort study with monthly Web-based survey assessment of intern work and sleep hours using a validated instrument, conducted preimplementation (July 2002 through May 2003) and postimplementation (July 2003 through May 2004) of ACGME standards. Participants were 4015 of the approximately 37 253 interns in US residency programs in all specialties during this time; they completed 29 477 reports of their work and sleep hours. Main Outcome Measure  Overall and monthly rates of compliance with the ACGME standards. Results  Postimplementation, 1068 (83.6%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 81.4%-85.5%) of 1278 of interns reported work hours in violation of the standards during 1 or more months. Working shifts greater than 30 consecutive hours was reported by 67.4% (95% CI, 64.8%-70.0%). Averaged over 4 weeks, 43.0% (95% CI, 40.3%-45.7%) reported working more than 80 hours weekly, and 43.7% (95% CI, 41.0%-46.5%) reported not having 1 day in 7 off work duties. Violations were reported during 3765 (44.0%; 95% CI, 43.0%-45.1%) of the 8553 intern-months assessed postimplementation (including vacation and ambulatory rotations), and during 2660 (61.5%; 95% CI, 60.0%-62.9%) of 4327 intern-months during which interns worked exclusively in inpatient settings. Postimplementation, 29.0% (95% CI, 28.7%-29.7%) of reported work weeks were more than 80 hours per week, 12.1% (95% CI, 11.8%-12.6%) were 90 or more hours per week, and 3.9% (95% CI, 3.7%-4.2%) were 100 or more hours per week. Comparing preimplementation to postimplementation responses, reported mean work duration decreased 5.8% from 70.7 (95% CI, 70.5-70.9) hours to 66.6 (95% CI, 66.3-66.9) hours per week (P<.001), and reported mean sleep duration increased 6.1% (22 minutes) from 5.91 (95% CI, 5.88-5.94) hours to 6.27 (95% CI, 6.23-6.31) hours per night (P<.001). However, reported mean sleep during extended shifts decreased 4.5%, from 2.69 (95% CI, 2.66-2.73) hours to 2.57 (95% CI, 2.52-2.62) hours (P<.001). Conclusion  In the first year following implementation of the ACGME duty-hour standards, interns commonly reported noncompliance with these requirements.      

Hospitalised patients' views on doctors and white coats

OBJECTIVES: To determine hospitalised patients' feelings, perceptions and attitudes towards doctors and how these are affected by whether or not doctors wear a white coat. DESIGN: Cross-sectional questionnaire survey. SETTING: The medical and surgical wards of two Sydney teaching hospitals, on one day in January 1999. PATIENTS: 154 of 200 consecutive patients (77%). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The effects of white-coat-wearing on patients' feelings and ability to communicate and on their perceptions of the doctor; why patients think doctors wear white coats and their preferences for the wearing of white coats and doctors' attire in general; and patients' rating of the importance of these effects and preferences. RESULTS: Patients reported that white-coat-wearing improved all aspects of the patient-doctor interaction, and that when doctors wore white coats they seemed more hygienic, professional, authoritative and scientific. The more important that patients considered an aspect, the greater the positive effect associated with wearing a white coat. From a list of doctors' reasons for wearing white coats, patients thought that doctors wore white coats because it made them seem more professional, hygienic, authoritative, scientific, competent, knowledgeable and approachable. 36% of the patients preferred doctors to wear white coats, 19% preferred them not to wear white coats and 45% did not mind. CONCLUSIONS: Patients reported feeling more confident and better able to communicate with doctors who wore white coats. The recognition, symbolism and formality afforded by a white coat may enhance communication and facilitate the doctor-patient relationship.     

Diagnosing skin cancer in primary care: how do mainstream general practitioners compare with primary care skin cancer clinic doctors?

OBJECTIVE: To measure and compare the casemix and diagnostic accuracy of excised or biopsied skin lesions managed by mainstream general practitioners and doctors within primary care skin cancer clinics. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Prospective comparative study of 104 GPs and 50 skin cancer clinic doctors in south-eastern Queensland, involving 28 755 patient encounters. The study was conducted in 2005. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of each type of skin lesion; sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) for the clinical diagnosis against histology; number needed to excise or biopsy (NNE) for a diagnosis of skin cancer. RESULTS: GPs excised or biopsied 3175 skin lesions (mean 2.5/week) including 743 basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) (23.4%), 704 squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) (22.2%) and 49 melanomas (1.5%). Skin cancer clinic doctors excised or biopsied 7941 skin lesions (mean 34/week), including 2701 BCCs (34.0%), 1274 SCCs (16.0%) and 103 melanomas (1.3%). Overall, sensitivity for diagnosing any skin cancer was similar for skin cancer clinic doctors (0.94) and GPs (0.91), although higher for skin cancer clinic doctors for BCC (0.89 v 0.79; P < 0.01) and melanoma (0.60 v 0.29; P < 0.01). The overall NNE was similar for skin cancer clinic doctors (1.9; 95% CI, 1.8%-2.1%) and GPs (2.1; 95% CI, 1.9%-2.3%). This did not change after adjusting for years of clinical experience. CONCLUSIONS: GPs and skin cancer clinic doctors in Queensland treat large numbers of skin cancers and diagnose these with overall high sensitivity. The two groups diagnosed skin cancer with similar accuracy.     

Methadone maintenance in primary care: a randomized controlled trial

CONTEXT: Methadone maintenance is an effective treatment for opioid dependence, yet its use is restricted to federally licensed narcotic treatment programs (NTPs). Office-based care of stabilized methadone maintenance patients is a promising alternative but no data are available from controlled trials regarding this type of program. OBJECTIVE: To determine the feasibility and efficacy of office-based methadone maintenance by primary care physicians vs in an NTP for stable opioid-dependent patients. DESIGN: Six-month, randomized controlled open clinical trial conducted February 1999-March 2000. SETTING: Offices of 6 primary care internists and an NTP. PATIENTS: Forty-seven opioid-dependent patients who had been receiving methadone maintenance therapy in an NTP without evidence of illicit drug use for 1 year and without significant untreated psychiatric comorbidity were randomized; 1 patient refused to participate after treatment assignment to NTP. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomly assigned to receive office-based methadone maintenance from primary care physicians, who received specialized training in the care of opioid-dependent patients (n = 22), or usual care at an NTP (n = 24). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Illicit drug use, clinical instability (persistent drug use), patient and clinician satisfaction, functional status, and use of health, legal, and social services, compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: Eleven of 22 (50%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 29%-71%) patients in office-based care compared with 9 of 24 (38%; 95% CI, 21%-57%) of NTP patients had a self-report or urine toxicology test result indicating illicit opiate use (P =.39). Hair toxicology testing detected an additional 2 patients in each treatment group with evidence of illicit drug use, but this did not change the overall findings. Ongoing illicit drug use meeting criteria for clinical instability occurred in 4 of 22 (18%; 95% CI, 7%-39%) patients in office-based care compared with 5 of 24 (21%; 95% CI, 9%-41%) NTP patients (P =.82). Sixteen of the 22 (73%; 95% CI, 54%-92%) office-based patients compared with 3 of the 24 (13%; 95% CI, 0%-26%) NTP patients thought the quality of care was excellent (P =.001). There were no differences over time within or between groups in functional status or use of health, legal, or social services. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the feasibility and efficacy of transferring stable opioid-dependent patients receiving methadone maintenance to primary care physicians' offices for continuing treatment and suggest guidelines for identifying patients and clinical monitoring.     

Analysis of complaints lodged by patients attending Victorian hospitals, 1997-2001

OBJECTIVE: To describe complaints by patients and compare rates of complaint in demographic subgroups of patients and hospital departments. DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective analysis of complaints made by patients attending 67 hospitals (metropolitan, 25; rural, 42) in Victoria, and lodged with the Victorian Health Complaint Information Program (January 1997 - December 2001). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Demographic characteristics of patients lodging complaints and the hospital department involved; nature and outcome of complaints. RESULTS: From a total of over 13 million patients presenting to hospital during the study period, 19 156 patients or their representatives (mostly their parents, children or spouses) lodged 26 785 "issues" of complaint (overall complaint rate, 1.42 complaints/1000 patients). Significantly more complaints (P < 0.001) were lodged by (or on behalf of) female patients (complaint rate ratio, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.2-1.3), public patients (rate ratio, 2.1; 95% CI, 2.0-2.2) and Australian-born patients (rate ratio, 8.9; 95% CI, 8.3-9.6). The complaint rate for general wards was 6.2/1000 patients (95% CI, 6.1-6.3). Intensive care units had a similar rate of 5.9/1000 (95% CI, 5.4-6.5), but aged-care departments had a significantly higher rate of 45.2/1000 (95% CI, 39.5-51.7), while emergency departments (1.9/1000; 95% CI, 1.8-2.0), operating theatres (1.0/1000; 95% CI, 1.0-1.1), day-procedure units (0.5/1000; 95% CI, 0.5-0.6) and outpatient departments (0.4/1000; 95% CI, 0.4-0.4) had significantly lower rates. Complaints relating to communication (poor attention, discourtesy, rudeness), access to healthcare (no/inadequate service, treatment delays) and treatment (inadequate treatment and nursing care) accounted for 29.2%, 28.5% and 22.5% of complaints, respectively. Most (84.5%) complaints were resolved. Apologies or explanations resolved 27.8% and 27.5% of complaints, respectively. CONCLUSION: Interventions to decrease the number of complaints in the areas of communication and access to healthcare need to be implemented. The active use of complaint data for quality-improvement activities is recommended.     

Racial disparity in influenza vaccination: does managed care narrow the gap between African Americans and whites?

CONTEXT: Substantial racial disparities exist in use of some health services. Whether managed care could reduce racial disparities in the use of preventive services is not known. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the magnitude of racial disparity in influenza vaccination is smaller among managed care enrollees than among those with fee-for-service insurance. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: The 1996 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey of a US cohort of 13 674 African American and white Medicare beneficiaries with managed care and fee-for-service insurance. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Percentage of respondents (adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics, clinical comorbid conditions, and care-seeking attitudes) who received influenza vaccination and magnitude of racial disparity in influenza vaccination, compared among those with managed care and fee-for-service insurance. RESULTS: Eight percent of the beneficiaries were African American and 11% were enrolled in managed care. Overall, 65.8% received influenza vaccination. Whites were substantially more likely to be vaccinated than African Americans (67.7% vs 46.1%; absolute disparity, 21.6%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 18.2%-25.0%). Managed care enrollees were more likely than those with fee-for-service insurance to receive influenza vaccination (71.2% vs 65.4%; difference, 5.8%; 95% CI, 3.6%-8.3%). The adjusted racial disparity in fee-for-service was 24.9% (95% CI, 19.6%-30.1%) and in managed care was 18.6% (95% CI, 9.8%-27.4%). These adjusted racial disparities were both statistically significant, but the absolute percentage point difference in racial disparity between the 2 insurance groups (6.3%; 95% CI, -4.6% to 17.2%) was not. CONCLUSION: Managed care is associated with higher rates of influenza vaccination for both whites and African Americans, but racial disparity in vaccination is not reduced in managed care. Our results suggest that additional efforts are needed to adequately address this disparity.     

Using checklists and reminders in clinical pathways to improve hospital inpatient care

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether the quality of hospital inpatient care can be improved by using checklists and reminders in clinical pathways. DESIGN: Comparison of key indicators before and after the introduction of clinical pathways incorporating daily checklists and reminders of best practice integrated into patient medical records. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: The study, at Wimmera Base Hospital in Horsham, Victoria, included patients admitted between 1 January 1999 and 31 December 2002 with ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and patients admitted between 31 July 1999 and 31 December 2002 with stroke. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Compliance with key process measures determined as best practice for each clinical pathway. RESULTS: 116 patients with AMI and 123 patients with stroke were included in the study. ST-elevation AMI. After introducing the clinical pathway program, percentage-point increases for treatment compliance were 21.4% (95% CI, 7.3%-32.7%) for patients receiving aspirin in the emergency department; 42.7% (95% CI, 26.3%-59.0%) for eligible patients receiving beta-blockers within 24 h of admission; 48.1% (95% CI, 31.4%-64.8%) for eligible patients being prescribed beta-blockers on discharge; 43.7% (95% CI, 28.4%-59.1%) for patients having fasting lipid levels measured; and 41.2% (95% CI, 19.0%-63.5%) for eligible patients having lipid therapy. Stroke. After introducing the clinical pathway program, percentage-point increases for treatment compliance were 40.7% (95% CI, 21.0%-60.2%) for dysphagia screening within 24 h of admission; 55.4% (95% CI, 32.9%-77.9%) for patients with ischaemic stroke receiving aspirin or clopidogrel within 24 h of admission; and 52.4% (95% CI, 33.8%-70.9%) for patients having regular neurological observations during the first 48 h after a stroke. There was a fall of 1.0 percentage point (ie, a difference of -1% [95% CI, -4.7% to 10.0%]) in the proportion of patients having a computed tomography brain scan within 24 h of admission. CONCLUSION: Significant improvements in the quality of patient care can be achieved by incorporating checklists and reminders into clinical pathways.     

基于湖南省第1次卫生服务调查分析孕产期妇女产前检查和#br# 产后访视情况及其影响因素

目的：利用湖南省第1次卫生服务调查数据,评价湖南省2008年至2013年孕产期妇女产前检查和产后访视情况并分析其影响因素。方法：采用2013年湖南省第1次卫生服务调查中孕产期妇女产前检查和产后访视的数据,根据2009年国家基本公共卫生服务规范中孕产期妇女须进行5次及以上产前检查和2次及以上产后访视的要求,计算产前检查和产后访视未达标率,采用率和构成比描述产前检查和产后访视情况,利用logistic回归模型,分析影响产前检查和产后访视未达标率的因素。结果：本研究共纳入1 035名妇女,其中产前检查未达标率为40.12%(95% CI：24.91%~55.33%),产后访视未达标率为64.88%(95% CI：39.70%~90.06%)。调整其他因素后,相较于最低收入家庭,中等、较高收入家庭妇女产前检查未达标率较低,其优势比分别为0.41和0.39;相较于初产妇,经产妇的产前检查未达标率较高,优势比为1.54;相较于15~24岁妇女,25~34,35~64岁组妇女的产后访视未达标率较低,其优势比分别为0.45和0.37;相较于最低收入家庭,较低、中等、较高收入家庭妇女产后访视未达标率较低,其优势比分别为0.50,0.46和0.54;相较于初产妇,经产妇的产后访视未达标率较高,优势比为2.30。结论：湖南省孕产期妇女产前检查和产后访视未达标率较高,当地政府部门可对低收入家庭、低年龄组、经产妇人群等采取措施,以降低未达标的 比例。     

After-hours discharges from intensive care are associated with increased mortality

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the change in pattern of discharge of patients from an intensive care unit (ICU) to hospital wards and to determine the impact of discharge time on subsequent hospital mortality. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: A retrospective cohort study of 10 903 patients discharged alive from a single ICU between 1 January 1992 and 31 December 2002. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: In-hospital mortality. RESULTS: Of the 10 903 patients discharged alive from the ICU, 486 (4.5%) died in hospital wards. When discharge times were categorised according to nursing shift (morning, 07:00-14:59; afternoon, 15:00-21:59; and night, 22:00-06:59), patients were more likely to be discharged on an afternoon shift (odds ratio, 3.63; 95% CI, 3.05-4.30) or night shift (4.52; 95% CI, 3.15-6.64) in 2000-2002 compared with 1992-1994. In a multiple logistic model, hospital mortality after discharge from the ICU was increased by higher APACHE II score (1.14; 95% CI, 1.12-1.16); admission to ICU from the operating room (1.47; 95% CI, 1.11-1.95) and from the general ward (1.75; 95% CI, 1.37-2.23); and discharge during the afternoon (1.36; 95% CI, 1.08-1.70) and night shifts (1.63; 95% CI, 1.03-2.57). CONCLUSION: Over an 11-year period, more patients are being discharged from the ICU in the afternoon and night suggesting increasing pressure on ICU beds. Patients discharged on these shifts have an increased risk of death.     

中国2004—2010艾滋病母婴传播率及母婴阻断药物应用状况的系统评价

目的:了解我国2004-2010年艾滋病母婴传播及母婴阻断药物应用状况。方法：全面检索CBM和Pubmed等中英文数据库,检索时间均从建库到2013年5月。对纳入的文献采用参照AHRQ横断面研究评价标准和STROBE声明拟定的四条标准进行质量评价。并将样本量、监测地点和监测年份作为主要异质性来源进行meta回归分析。采用Comprehensive Meta-Analysis V2.0 software 进行meta分析。结果：共检索到文献2356篇,最终纳入51篇进行分析。2004-2010年我国艾滋病母婴传播率依次分别为12.90%（95% CI: 7.48 %- 21.36%）,16.35%（95% CI: 10.41%- 24.73%）,6.45%（95% CI: 3.73 %- 10.93%）,6.25%（95% CI: 2.39%- 15.36%）,5.56%（95% CI: 2.79 %- 10.76%）,3.10%（95% CI: 1.59 %- 5.97%）,2.29%（95% CI: 1.36 %- 3.83%）。2004-2010年,我国艾滋病孕产妇中阻断药物应用率依次分别为70.39%（95% CI: 24.42%-94.59%）,71.99%（95% CI: 61.49%-80.54%）,78.79%（95% CI: 70.19%-85.43%）,86.84%（95% CI: 79.24%-91.94%）,82.71%（95% CI: 76.62%-87.48%）,81.85%（95% CI: 75.55%-86.80%）,86.16%（95% CI: 53.20%-97.15%）。2005-2010年婴儿阻断药物应用率依次分别为80.72%（95%CI: 72.89%-86.70%）,81.84%（95% CI:71.55%-88.98%）,85.43%（95% CI:80.99%-88.97%）,89.75%（95% CI: 81.82%-94.45%）,92.39%（95% CI: 84.97%-96.31%）,90.34%（95% CI: 85.50%-93.68%）。 结论：近年来我国艾滋病母婴传播率呈下降趋势,孕产妇及婴儿阻断药物应用率都有所升高。     

Doctors' and nurses' attitudes towards and experiences of voluntary euthanasia: survey of members of the Japanese Association of Palliative Medicine

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate Japanese doctors' and nurses' attitudes towards and practices of voluntary euthanasia (VE) and to compare their attitudes and practices in this regard. DESIGN: Postal survey, conducted between October and December 1999, using a self-administered questionnaire. PARTCIPANTS: All doctor members and nurse members of the Japanese Association of Palliative Medicine. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Doctors' and nurses' attitude towards and practices of VE. RESULTS: We received 366 completed questionnaires from 642 doctors surveyed (response rate, 58%) and 145 from 217 nurses surveyed (68%). A total of 54% (95% confidence interval (CI): 49-59) of the responding doctors and 53% (CI: 45-61) of the responding nurses had been asked by patients to hasten death, of whom 5% (CI: 2-8) of the former and none of the latter had taken active steps to bring about death. Although 88% (CI: 83-92) of the doctors and 85% (CI: 77-93) of the nurses answered that a patient's request to hasten death can sometimes be rational, only 33% (CI: 28-38) and 23% (CI: 16-30) respectively regarded VE as ethically right and 22% (CI: 18-36) and 15% (CI: 8-20) respectively would practise VE if it were legal. Logistic regression model analysis showed that the respondents' profession was not a statistically independent factor predicting his or her response to any question regarding attitudes towards VE. CONCLUSIONS: A minority of responding doctors and nurses thought VE was ethically or legally acceptable. There seems no significant difference in attitudes towards VE between the doctors and nurses. However, only doctors had practised VE.     

An observational study of emergency department intern activities

OBJECTIVES: To describe how intern time is spent, and the frequency of activities performed by interns during emergency department (ED) rotations. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective observational study of 42 ED interns from three Melbourne city teaching hospitals during 5 months in 2006. Direct observations were made by a single researcher for 390.8 hours, sampling all days of the week and all hours of the day. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Proportion of time spent on tasks and number of procedures performed or observed by interns. RESULTS: Direct patient-related tasks accounted for 86.6% of total intern time, including 43.9% spent on liaising and documentation, 17.5% obtaining patient histories, 9.3% on physical examinations, 5.6% on procedures, 4.8% ordering or interpreting investigations, 3.0% on handover and 4.9% on other clinical activities. Intern time spent on non-clinical activities included 4.2% on breaks, 3.7% on downtime, 1.7% on education, and 1.3% on teaching others. Adjusted for an 8-week term, the ED intern would take 253 patient histories, consult more senior ED staff on 683 occasions, perform 237 intravenous cannulations/phlebotomies, 39 arterial punctures, 12 wound repairs and apply 16 plasters. They would perform chest compressions under supervision on seven occasions, observe defibrillation twice and intubation once, but may not see a thoracostomy. CONCLUSIONS: The ED exposes interns to a broad range of activities. With the anticipated increase in intern numbers, dilution of the emergency medicine experience may occur, and requirements for supervision may increase. Substitution of ED rotations may deprive interns of a valuable learning experience.     

Physical abuse of women before, during, and after pregnancy

CONTEXT: Clinicians who care for new mothers and infants need information concerning postpartum physical abuse of women as a foundation on which to develop appropriate clinical screening and intervention procedures. However, no previous population-based studies have been conducted of postpartum physical abuse. OBJECTIVES: To examine patterns of physical abuse before, during, and after pregnancy in a representative statewide sample of North Carolina women. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Survey of participants in the North Carolina Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (NC PRAMS). Of the 3542 women invited to participate in NC PRAMS between July 1, 1997, and December 31, 1998, 75% (n = 2648) responded. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of physical abuse during the 12 months before pregnancy, during pregnancy, and after infant delivery; injuries and medical interventions resulting from postpartum abuse; and patterns of abuse over time in relation to sociodemographic characteristics and use of well-baby care. RESULTS: The prevalence of abuse before pregnancy was 6.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.6%-8.2%) compared with 6.1% (95% CI, 4.8%-7.4%) during pregnancy and 3.2% (95% CI, 2.3%-4.1%) during a mean postpartum period of 3.6 months. Abuse during a previous period was strongly predictive of later abuse. Most women who were abused after pregnancy (77%) were injured, but only 23% received medical treatment for their injuries. Virtually all abused and nonabused women used well-baby care; private physicians were the most common source of care. The mean number of well-baby care visits did not differ significantly by maternal patterns of abuse. CONCLUSION: Since well-baby care use is similar for abused and nonabused mothers, pediatric practices may be important settings for screening women for violence.     

实习医师医患沟通能力的培养

医学教学的目的是将学生培养成为能独立从事临床工作的合格医师,由于医学院校涉及医患沟通培养的课程较少,致使部分医师专业能力扎实,但缺乏医患沟通意识与技巧,常会引起患者的误解和不满。因而加强医学生沟通能力的培养,促使其树立较强的沟通意识已不容忽视。教师应在医学生临床实习的关键时期,以沟通实践为载体,对学生的医患沟通能力进行有针对性的培养,并建立完善的评价体系,以培训具备良好的医患沟通技巧的临床医师,满足新时期临床工作的需要。     

Comparing survival outcomes for patients with colorectal cancer treated in public and private hospitals

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether treatment in a private versus public hospital was an independent predictor of survival outcomes in patients with colorectal cancer. DESIGN: Retrospective, population-based study. SETTING: Tertiary care hospitals. PARTICIPANTS: All patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer in Western Australia between 1993 and 2003. INTERVENTIONS: Management in private versus public hospitals. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Overall survival and cancer-specific survival rates. RESULTS: 5809 patients were treated for colorectal cancer. Of these, 1523 (26%) were managed in private hospitals. The 5-year overall survival rates for private and public hospital patients were 59.4% (95% CI, 56.9%-61.9%) and 48.6% (95% CI, 47.0%-50.2%), respectively. Significant independent predictors of overall survival were: treatment in a private hospital (P = 0.0001; relative risk [RR], 0.764; 95% CI, 0.696-0.839); younger age (P = 0.0001; RR, 1.032; 95% CI, 1.029-1.036); male sex (P = 0.001; RR, 1.148; 95% CI, 1.068-1.234); and cancer stage (eg, Stage II: P = 0.0001; RR, 1.508; 95% CI, 1.316-1.729). CONCLUSIONS: Treatment in a private hospital was a significant independent predictor of survival outcomes. Further validation of these results would have a significant bearing on how we approach health care delivery for patients with colorectal cancer.     

Communication loads on clinical staff in the emergency department

OBJECTIVE: To measure communication loads on clinical staff in an acute clinical setting, and to describe the pattern of informal and formal communication events, Australia. DESIGN: Observational study. SETTING: Two emergency departments, one rural and one urban, in New South Wales hospitals, between June and July 1999. PARTICIPANTS: Twelve clinical staff members, comprising six nurses and six doctors. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Time involved in communication; number of communication events, interruptions, and overlapping communications; choice of communication channel; purpose of communication. RESULTS: 35 hours and 13 minutes were observed, and 1286 distinct communication events were identified, representing 36.5 events per person per hour (95% CI, 34.5-38.5). A third of communication events (30.6%) were classified as interruptions, giving a rate of 11.15 interruptions per hour for all subjects; 10% of communication time involved two or more concurrent conversations; and 12.7% of all events involved formal information sources such as patients' medical records. Face-to-face conversation accounted for 82%. While medical staff asked for information slightly less frequently than nursing staff (25.4% v 30.9%), they received information much less frequently (6.6% v 16.2%). CONCLUSION: Our results support the need for communication training in emergency departments and other similar workplaces. The combination of interruptions and multiple concurrent tasks may produce clinical errors by disrupting memory processes. About 90% of the information transactions observed involved interpersonal exchanges rather than interaction with formal information sources. This may put a low upper limit on the potential for improving information processes by introducing electronic medical records.