Endostatin predicts mortality in patients with acute dyspnea – A cohort study of patients seeking care in emergency departments

BackgroundIncreased levels of circulating endostatin predicts cardiovascular morbidity and impaired kidney function in the general population. The utility of endostatin as a risk marker for mortality in the emergency department (ED) has not been reported.AimOur main aim was to study the association between plasma endostatin and 90-day mortality in an unselected cohort of patients admitted to the ED for acute dyspnea.DesignCirculating endostatin was analyzed in plasma from 1710 adults and related to 90-day mortality in Cox proportional hazard models adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, body temperature, C-reactive protein, lactate, creatinine and medical priority according to the Medical Emergency Triage and Treatment System–Adult score (METTS-A). The predictive value of endostatin for mortality was evaluated with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and compared with the clinical triage scoring system and age.ResultsEach one standard deviation increment of endostatin was associated with a HR of 2.12 (95% CI 1.31–3.44 p < 0.01) for 90-day mortality after full adjustment. Levels of endostatin were significantly increased in the group of patients with highest METTS-A (p < 0.001). When tested for the outcome 90-day mortality, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.616 for METTS-A, 0.701 for endostatin, 0.708 for METTS -A and age and 0.738 for METTS-A, age and levels of endostatin.ConclusionsIn an unselected cohort of patients admitted to the ED with acute dyspnea, endostatin had a string association to 90-day mortality and improved prediction of 90-day mortality in the ED beyond the clinical triage scoring system and age with 3%.     

Families’ perspectives of participation in patient care in an adult intensive care unit: A qualitative study

BackgroundWhen a relative is admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), stress, anxiety, and failure to cope may place families, and the patient, at risk for adverse psychological outcomes. Family participation in patient care may improve patient and family outcomes. However, to date, little is known about how families perceive and participate in patient care in ICU, and there is limited research to guide clinicians about supporting family participation in this context.ObjectiveTo describe family perspectives of participation in patient care in adult ICU.MethodsUsing a qualitative design, observation and interview data were collected from a convenience sample of 30 family members in the ICU at two metropolitan hospitals in Melbourne, Australia. An independent third party was used to recruit potential participants. Naturalistic observations and semi-structured interviews explored families’ actions and perceptions of participation. Data were integrated and subject to thematic analyses.FindingsThe major theme Families as part of the healthcare team reflected family perspectives of their own significant contribution to supporting their relative’s recovery while they were in ICU. Families' perception of their participation in patient care was characterised by three sub-themes: 1) Motivators for family participation; 2) Family roles during recovery; and 3) Influences on family participation. Families' perceived reassurance and companionship as important contributions to patient care.ConclusionFamilies perceived their contribution to the patient's psychosocial and emotional well-being to be one of the most important aspects of participation. Nevertheless, their role in the healthcare team was influenced by several motivational factors. Results of this study can inform further research to test the effectiveness of clinical practice and educational interventions aligned with family preferences to promote participation and enhance patient and family-centered care in ICU.     

Critical care nurses’ lived experiences of interhospital intensive care unit-to-unit transfers: A phenomenological hermeneutical study

ObjectiveTo explore critical care nurses’ lived experiences of transferring intensive care patients between hospitals.MethodsA phenomenological hermeneutic approach using data generated through individual interviews with 11 critical care registered nurses.SettingTwo general intensive care units in Sweden.FindingsFive themes were identified: it depends on me; your care makes a difference; being exposed; depending on interprofessional relationships; and sensing professional growth. These themes were synthesised into a comprehensive understanding showing how transferring intensive care patients between hospitals meant being on an ambivalent journey together with the patient but also on a journey within yourself in your own development and growth, where you, as a nurse, constantly are torn between contradictory feelings and experiences.ConclusionInterhospital intensive care unit-to-unit transfers can be a challenging task for critical care nurses but also an important opportunity for professional growth. During the transfer, nurses become responsible for the patient, their colleagues and the entire transfer process. In a time of an increasing number of interhospital intensive care unit-to-unit transfers, this study illuminates the risk for missed nursing care, showing that the critical care nurse has an important role in protecting the patient from harm and safeguarding dignified care.     

What makes emergency department patients reduce their alcohol consumption? – A computer-based intervention study in Sweden

ObjectivesThis study investigates the effectiveness of a computerized emergency department intervention for alcohol consumption and identifies explanation factors associated with reduced alcohol consumption from risk to non-risk drinking.MethodsPatients aged 18–69 years registered at the ED triage answered alcohol-related questions on a touch-screen computer. Follow-up data were collected by means of a postal questionnaire that was mailed to the patients 6 months after their ED visit.ResultsThere were four independent explanations for reduced alcohol consumption: being motivated to reduce alcohol consumption at baseline, influenced by just visiting the emergency department, considering the alcohol-related feedback information and impact from a health care provider. 339 patients could be followed up and of these were 97 categorized as risk drinkers at baseline and 45 became non-risk drinker 6 month later.ConclusionsBeing motivated to reduce alcohol consumption at baseline, influenced by just visiting the emergency department, considering the alcohol-related feedback information and impact from a health care provider were predictors for change from risk to non-risk drinking 6 months later.     

Pre-hospital emergency nurse specialist’s experiences in caring for patients with non-specific chief complaints in the ambulance – A qualitative interview study

BackgroundPre-hospital emergency nurse (PEN) specialists are faced with patients presenting with non-specific chief complaints (NSC) to the emergency medical service (EMS) on a daily basis. These patients are often elderly and one in three has a serious condition and their acuity is not recognized.ObjectiveThe aim of the current study was to explore PEN specialists’ experiences in caring for patients presenting with non-specific chief complaints.DesignA qualitative study design with eleven individual interviews of PENs, between 2018 and 2020. Qualitative content analysis was used.ResultsThe analyses generated three categories including subcategories. The categories were “Unexplained suffering”. “Systematic approach and experience enhances medical safety”. “Organizational processes can be optimized”. The relation between the categories compiled as ́In-depth systematic assessment is perceived to reduce suffering and increases patient safetý.ConclusionThe PENs experiences in caring for patients presenting with non-specific chief complaints show that an in-depth systematic assessment may lead to a meaningful caring encounter which enables the identification of the cause of the chief complaint. Experience and a systematic approach were considered as essential to enhance medical safety. This could be strengthened through feedback on the nurse's care provided by care managers and employers. To optimize organizational processes, the development of the opportunity to convey the patient to different levels of care can be an important component.     

Families’ control preference for participation in patient care in adult intensive care

ObjectiveUnderstand families’ preferences and observed participation in patient care in an adult ICU.Research methodologyThe mixed-methods design used survey and naturalistic observation to collect data from a convenience sample of 30 family members of critically ill patients.SettingTwo public hospital intensive care units in Australia.Main outcome measures1) Families’ preferences for participation in decision-making and physical patient care activities in the adult intensive care unit, measured using a modified Control Preference Scale; 2) the type and frequency of family participation in patient care activities in the intensive care unit.ResultsAlmost half (47%) reported a preference to share in decision-making about care for their relative with healthcare professionals; 17% reported a preference for active participation in decision-making. Alternatively, most families preferred a passive (60%) role in the physical care of their relative ; 33% preferred shared participation with staff and very few (3%) preferred active participation with little involvement of staff. Of the 193 activities observed, family participation in physical care was the least frequent (24%).ConclusionDifferences emerged in family preferences for participation in physical care compared to their involvement in decision-making about care for their relative. The findings indicate a need for tailored interventions to support family participation aligned with their preferences.     

Characteristics of very elderly patients in the emergency department – A retrospective analysis

IntroductionElderly people, defined by age 65 years and older, made up 18.45% of the Swiss Population in 2018 and their number is projected to rise continuously. Data investigating specific characteristics of this patient subgroup, especially in the emergency setting, is scarce.MethodsDemographic data of admission records from all patients aged 65 years or older admitted to our emergency department (ED) between January 1st 2015 and December 31st 2018 were investigated. Retrospective chart reviews of patients admitted in 2018 were conducted. Comorbidity burden was assessed by Charlson Comorbidity Index. Risk factors for death, longer hospitalization and placement in a nursing facility were identified by multivariate regression.ResultsThe prevalence of elderly patients (≥65 years) admitted to the ED between 2015 and 2018 was rising from 33% in 2015 to 37.8% in 2018. In 2018 709 patients were 90 years and older (3.6%).Age above 90 years and high comorbidity burden were identified as independent risk factors for death. Polypharmacy, hyponatremia and high comorbidity burden were independent risk factors for longer hospitalizations. Advanced age and high comorbidity burden were independent risk factors for placement in a nursing facility.ConclusionThe number of elderly patients admitted to our ED is continuously rising. There was no difference in overall disease burden, number of medications and hospital length of stay between octogenarians and nonagenarians. We identified risk factors for mortality, long hospitalizations and need of placement in a nursing facility.     

Administrators’ perspectives on end-of-life care for cancer patients in Japanese long-term care facilities

Purpose  

The purpose of this study was to clarify administrators’ perspectives on availability of recommended strategies for end-of-life (EOL) care for cancer patients at long-term care (LTC) facilities in Japan.