Toxic Shock Syndrome: An Opportunity for Nursing Intervention

Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) is a potentially fatal illness caused by a particular strain of Staphylococcus aureus. The clinical presentation is similar to that of septic shock. The incidence of TSS peaked in the late 1970s and early 1980s, probably as a result of availability of super absorbent tampons. Although most commonly associated with menstruation, the overall incidence of menstrual and nonmenstrual TSS in men and women ranges from 1 to 3 per 100,000. There are almost equal numbers of menstrual and nonmenstrual cases of TSS identified annually. S. aureus, the causative microorganism in cases of TSS, has been isolated from many body tissues. Toxic shock syndrome presents as a flu-like illness with high fever, vomiting, diarrhea, general malaise, and muscle weakness. Nursing and medical management focus on controlling or preventing potentially serious complications, such as adult respiratory distress syndrome, renal failure, electrolyte imbalances, disseminated intravascular coagulation, encephalopathy, and cardiomyopathy. Judicious use of tampons and barrier contraceptive devices may decrease the risk of developing TSS.     

Management Guidelines for Obstetric Patients and Neonates Born to Mothers With Suspected or Probable Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)

ObjectiveThis document summarizes the limited experience of SARS in pregnancy and suggests guidelines for management.OutcomesCases reported from Asia suggest that maternal and fetal outcomes are worsened by SARS during pregnancy.EvidenceMedline was searched for relevant articles published in English from 2000 to 2007. Case reports were reviewed and expert opinion sought.ValuesRecommendations were made according to the guidelines developed by the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care.SponsorsThe Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada.Recommendations

• 1.All hospitals should have infection control systems in place to ensure that alerts regarding changes in exposure risk factors for SARS or other potentially serious communicable diseases are conveyed promptly to clinical units, including the labour and delivery unit. (III-C)
• 2.At times of SARS outbreaks, all pregnant patients being assessed or admitted to the hospital should be screened for symptoms of and risk factors for SARS. (III-C)
• 3.Upon arrival in the labour triage unit, pregnant patients with suspected and probable SARS should be placed in a negative pressure isolation room with at least 6 air exchanges per hour. All labour and delivery units caring for suspected and probable SARS should have available at least one room in which patients can safely labour and deliver while in need of airborne isolation. (III-C)
• 4.If possible, labour and delivery (including operative delivery or Caesarean section) should be managed in a designated negative pressure isolation room, by designated personnel with specialized infection control preparation and protective gear. (III-C)
• 5.Either regional or general anaesthesia may be appropriate for delivery of patients with SARS. (III-C)
• 6.Neonates of mothers with SARS should be isolated in a designated unit until the infant has been well for 10 days, or until the mother’s period of isolation is complete. The mother should not breastfeed during this period. (III-C)
• 7.A multidisciplinary team, consisting of obstetricians, nurses, pediatricians, infection control specialists, respiratory therapists, and anaesthesiologists, should be identified in each unit and be responsible for the unit organization and implementation of SARS management protocols. (III-C)
• 8.Staff caring for pregnant SARS patients should not care for other pregnant patients. Staff caring for pregnant SARS patients should be actively monitored for fever and other symptoms of SARS. Such individuals should not work in the presence of any SARS symptoms within 10 days of exposure to a SARS patient. (III-C)
• 9.All health care personnel, trainees, and support staff should be trained in infection control management and containment to prevent spread of the SARS virus. (III-A)
• 10.Regional health authorities in conjunction with hospital staff should consider designating specific facilities or health care units, including primary, secondary, or tertiary health care centres, to care for patients with SARS or similar illnesses. (III-A)

     

A Descriptive Study of Women Presenting to an Obstetric Triage Unit With No Prenatal Care

ObjectiveTo describe women presenting to an obstetric triage unit with no prenatal care (PNC), to identify gaps in care, and to compare care provided to World Health Organization (WHO) standards.MethodsWe reviewed the charts of women who gave birth at Women’s Hospital in Winnipeg and were discharged between April 1, 2008, and March 31, 2011, and identified those whose charts were coded with ICD-10 code Z35.3 (inadequate PNC) or who had fewer than 2 PNC visits. Three hundred eighty-two charts were identified, and sociodemographic characteristics, PNC history, investigations, and pregnancy outcomes were recorded. The care provided was compared with WHO guidelines.ResultsOne hundred nine women presented to the obstetric triage unit with no PNC; 96 (88.1%) were in the third trimester. Only 39 women (35.8%) received subsequent PNC, with care falling short of WHO standards. Gaps in PNC included missing time-sensitive screening tests, mid-stream urine culture, and Chlamydia and gonorrhea testing. The mean maternal age was 26.1 years, and 93 women (85.3%) were multigravidas. More than one half of the women (51.4%) were involved with Child and Family Services, 64.2% smoked, 33.0% drank alcohol, and 32.1% used illicit drugs during pregnancy. Two thirds of the women (66.2%) lived in inner-city Winnipeg. Only 63.0% of neonates showed growth appropriate for gestational age. Two pregnancies ended in stillbirth; there was one neonatal death, and over one third of the births were preterm.ConclusionMost women who present with no PNC do so late in pregnancy, proceed to deliver with little or no additional PNC, and have high rates of adverse outcomes. Thus, efforts to improve PNC must focus on facilitating earlier entry into care. This would also improve compliance with WHO guidelines for continuing care. Treatment protocols could improve gaps in obtaining urine culture and in Chlamydia and gonorrhea testing.     

Transvaginal Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Uterosacral Ligament Hysteropexy: An Innovative Approach for Treatment of Uterine Prolapse

Study ObjectiveTransvaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (vNOTES) was previously described as a feasible approach to perform several procedures including hysterectomy followed by uterosacral ligament suspension [1,2]. Approaching the cul-de-sac with vNOTES while the uterus is intact allowing access to the uterosacral ligaments. This enables attainment of apical support by placing sutures on the ligaments, shortening them, and reinforcing their attachment to the cervix. The objective of this video is to demonstrate a surgical technique for vNOTES uterosacral ligament hysteropexy (ULH).DesignStepwise demonstration of the technique with narrated video footage. This video report is part of an institutional, investigational review board–approved study.SettingAcademic tertiary referral center.InterventionsThis video presents our team's vNOTES technique for ULH in a woman aged 37 years (gravida 3 para 3) who presented with pelvic organ prolapse quantification stage 3 symptomatic uterine prolapse. The patient requested uterine prolapse repair surgery while retaining the uterus. After performing a posterior colpotomy and entering the posterior cul-de-sac, the alexis and then the GelPOINT V-path transvaginal access platform (Applied Medical, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA) were placed into the vagina. Three trocars were inserted into the port. We used a 10-mm scope with a 30°-angle view. The instruments included a needle driver and a clinch grasper. The next step was to identify the uterosacral ligamentous structures. Once identified, 2 absorbable vicryl sutures and 1 nonabsorbable Ti-cron suture were placed on each ligament and then secured with large bites into the junctional portion of the uterosacral ligament with the posterior aspect of the cervix. The GelPOINT was then extracted, and the sutures locked in place to shorten the uterosacral ligaments and reinforce their attachment to the cervix. After all the suspensory sutures were tied, cystoscopy was performed to assess ureteral patency. The vaginal incision was then reapproximated in a horizontal manner, using continuous absorbable suture.ConclusionvNOTES ULH appears to be feasible in women with uterine prolapse when uterus conservative treatment is desired. Advantages of this technique include good exposure of the ureter, lowering the risk of ureteric injury. In addition, the absence of incisions on the abdomen eliminates the risk of abdominal wound infection and incisional pain and yields a better cosmetic outcome. Further studies are needed to appraise the long-term outcomes and demonstrate the ultimate use of this modality.     

Laparoscopic Modified Sacral Hysteropexy: Initial Experience With an Original Surgical Approach to Uterovaginal Prolapse

Study ObjectiveTo evaluate the feasibility of a modified laparoscopic approach to correct uterovaginal prolapse using cervical cerclage tape to attach the uterine isthmus to the sacral promontory.DesignRetrospective study (Canadian Task Force classification III).SettingTertiary referral center.PatientsFrom January 2011 to February 2013, 33 patients underwent laparoscopic modified sacral hysteropexy with use of cervical cerclage tape at West China Second University Hospital. All patients had stage 2 to 4 uterovaginal prolapse according to the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification System.Measurements and Main ResultsThe outcome was assessed via preoperative and postoperative pelvic examinations, and the surgical results were evaluated. The mean operative time was 90.0 minutes, and blood loss was 80.5 mL. No intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred. At the minimum 6-month follow up, all patients had prolapse of stage I or lower.ConclusionsAfter larger trials are performed to assess the safety and efficacy of this modified laparoscopic sacral hysteropexy, this novel approach might be considered as an alternative treatment option in patients with uterovaginal prolapse.     

Office Hysteroscopy. An operative gold standard technique and an important contribution to Patient Safety

According to World Health Organization (WHO), about 1 out of 10 hospitalized patients suffers an adverse event, in developed countries, being an adverse event an injury related to medical management, in contrast to complications of disease. These events cause both unnecessary suffering and huge cost to health systems. This issue is so important that WHO has defined it as a global health problem and in 2004 launched the World Alliance for Patient Safety, with the aim to coordinate, disseminate and accelerate improvements in Patient Safety. Office Hysteroscopy (OH), as an independent technique of the hospital circuit, has the ideal conditions to be qualified as the gold standard technique for the surgical treatment of intracavitary uterine pathology. It does not require the use of an operating room, hospital admission and general or locoregional anaesthesia. The appropriate surgical techniques, allied to pain control, allow OH to resolve much more than 90 % of the surgical needs of the intracavitary uterine pathology, thus being an important contribution for Patient Safety.     

An Evidence-Based Approach to Breastfeeding Neonates at Risk for Hypoglycemia

The revised standard of care for breastfeeding infants at risk of developing hypoglycemia during transitioning to extrauterine life was developed using the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) 2011 hypoglycemia guidelines, the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine protocol, and staff input. A pre/postimplementation chart audit indicated support of infant safety by glucose stabilization, breastfeeding within the first hour of life, and breastfeeding frequency without an increase in blood sampling, formula use, or admissions to the special care nursery.     

Innovative Approaches to Cervical Cancer Screening for Sex Trade Workers: An International Scoping Review

ObjectiveFemale sex trade workers are among those at highest risk for developing and dying of cervical cancer, and yet many—particularly the most marginalized—are less likely than other women to be screened.This review summarizes global findings on innovative approaches to cervical cancer screening for female sex trade workers, highlights current gaps in the delivery of cervical cancer screening for female sex trade workers globally, and suggests areas for future research and policy development.Data SourcesA scoping review of peer-reviewed publications and grey literature was conducted. Medline (OVID), PubMed, EMBASE, and SCOPUS were searched for relevant studies written in English. There were no limitations placed on dates. Grey literature was identified by hand searching and through discussion with health care providers and community outreach workers currently working with sex trade workers.Study SelectionTwenty-five articles were deemed suitable for review. Articles detailing innovative ways for female sex trade workers to access cervical cancer screening were included. Articles about screening for sexually transmitted infections were also included if the findings could be generalized to screening for cervical cancer. Articles limited to exploring risk factors, knowledge, awareness, education, prevalence, and incidence of cervical cancer among sex trade workers were excluded from the review.Data Extraction and SynthesisSuccessful screening initiatives identified in the studies reviewed had unconventional hours of operation, understood the difference between street-based and venue-based sex trade workers, and/or used peers for outreach.ConclusionTwo significant gaps in health care service delivery were highlighted in this review: the limited use of unorthodox hours and the nearly exclusive practice of providing sexually transmitted infection screening for female sex trade workers without cervical cancer screening. In addition, although street-based (as opposed to venue-based) sex trade workers are likely at higher risk for developing cervical cancer, they are much less likely than other eligible women to participate in screening programs, meaning traditional outreach methods are unlikely to be successful.     

Canadian Pregnant Women's Preferences Regarding NIPT for Down Syndrome: The Information They Want,How They Want to Get It,and With Whom They Want to Discuss It

ObjectiveThis study sought to assess Canadian pregnant women's and their partners’ preferences for information about non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT).MethodsPregnant women and their partners across Canada were surveyed as part of the Personalized Genomics for prenatal Aneuploidy Screening Using maternal blood (PEGASUS) study.ResultsA total of 882 pregnant women and 395 partners participated. Women preferred being informed by a physician (77.2%). They preferred getting information ahead of time, except for information about resources for families with Down syndrome, which they preferred getting with test results. More than half thought that written consent is important (63.7%) and could decide whether to do NIPT on the day they received the information (54.9%). Women preferred to be informed of results by telephone (43.7%) or in person (28%), but they preferred in person if they were considered at high risk for Down syndrome on the basis of the results (76%). The partner was the person whose input was considered most important (62.6%). Partners’ preferences were similar, except that partners tended to want information later (at the time of the test or with the results) and felt that their opinion was not considered as highly by health professionals.ConclusionCanadian women want information about NIPT early, in person, by a knowledgeable physician. Partners also want to be informed and involved in the decision-making process.