Long-Term Care Facilities (LTCFs) During the COVID-19 Pandemic—Lessons From the Asian Approach: A Narrative Review

ObjectivesThe COVID-19 pandemic put into question the organizational skills of LTCF. The containment measures implemented in several Asian countries avoided heavy death tolls in LTCF in contrast to other countries across the globe. The aim of this review is therefore to investigate and illustrate the measures that were undertaken in Asia to contain and prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in LTCF.DesignNarrative review.Setting and ParticipantsAsian older subjects institutionalized in LTCF.MethodsBroad literature research from July 2020–April 2021. The following search terms were used: “COVID-19 Nursing homes” AND the country of interest or “contact tracing.” Eligible categories for inclusion comprise editorials, reviews, government guidelines, letters to the editor, and perspectives. The COVID-19 measures were then subdivided into different sections and compiled into an evidence table.ResultsPrompt measures were put into action since the beginning of the pandemic that avoided the spread of COVID-19 in LTCF. Examples range from simple acts of proper hand hygiene and environmental disinfection, swab testing, social distancing, preventive measures on health care workers, organizational measures such as quarantine, outbreak control, visitor restrictions, relationship with acute hospitals, and admission policy. Technology also played a fundamental role in promoting social distancing by using specific robots and in managing contact tracing.Conclusions and ImplicationsThe Asian preventive control guidelines are similar to those recommended elsewhere. Difference in timing and past experience with prior outbreaks such as SARS and MERS might have favored the Asian response. Furthermore, sociocultural values toward older persons by protecting and making sure that LTCF are part of the health care system could have also played a role.     

Deficiency Citations on Inappropriate Psychotropics Use Related to Care for Behavioral Symptoms of Dementia

ObjectivesThe Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) initiated the National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care in Nursing Homes in 2012, which helped decrease antipsychotics use. However, inappropriate use of antipsychotics and other psychotropic medications to control behavioral symptoms associated with dementia persists. Nursing homes (NHs) can be flagged for inappropriate psychotropics use as a deficiency of care citation (F-758 tag). The purpose of this study was to comprehensively explore inappropriate psychotropic medication use deficiency, F-758 citations, in caring for NH residents with dementia.DesignA mixed-methods study was performed.Setting and ParticipantsDuring the first quarter of 2018 (January–March), 3526 NHs were surveyed, of which 642 received F-758 tags. Of the 642, the sample was confined to the 444 NHs that received the citation for the care of residents with dementia. Information on deficiencies was obtained from 2018 Certification and Survey Provider Enhanced Reporting data. Inspection reports for deficiencies were obtained from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Nursing Home Compare and ProPublica.MethodsQuantitative analysis was used to examine the frequency of involved psychotropic medications, scope/severity of F-758 deficiency citations, and reasons for the citations. Reasons for F-758 citations by psychotropic medication categories and scope/severity of the citations were also examined using χ² tests. Qualitative data analysis was conducted using content analysis with an inductive coding approach to summarize the inspection reports.ResultsAntipsychotics were the most involved drug category for F-758 tag citations. The 3 most common reasons for F-758 citations included failure to identify and/or monitor behavioral symptoms (178 NHs), attempt gradual drug reduction (131 NHs), and maintain 14-day limitations on Pro Re Nata (PRN) psychotropic orders (121 NHs). Compared with those with no involvement of antipsychotic drugs, facilities with antipsychotics-related F-758 tags had higher rates of failure to identify/monitor behavioral symptoms (P < .001), attempt gradual drug reduction (P < .001), and provide adequate indications for psychotropics use (P < .001). NHs with F-758 tags related to inappropriate antianxiety medication use had a higher prevalence of failure to maintain 14-day limitation on PRN orders (P < .001) and provide nonpharmacologic interventions (P < .001).Conclusions and ImplicationsThis study suggests areas for improvement that could potentially reduce inappropriate psychotropics use. Supporting quality of dementia care workforce and improving cooperation within healthcare staff and professionals are recommended to ensure proper nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic interventions.     

介入联合手术治疗膀胱癌32例疗效分析

目的观察髂内动脉灌注化疗联合手术治疗膀胱癌的疗效。方法对32例中晚期膀胱癌先行介入治疗,再手术切除。结果32例膀胱癌完全缓解(CR)率为71．9％。结论介入治疗中晚期膀胱的手术提供了良好基础,对一部分原本行扩大切除术甚至全切的患实行单纯部分切除术,从而保留了膀胱生理功能,有助于提高患生活质量,延长生命。     

胎盘滞留96例临床分析

目的 积极预防和正确处理胎盘滞留,减少产后出血及产褥感染。方法 产后胎盘滞留时间较短的可以行人工剥离胎盘术。如用手剥离过程中发现宫壁与胎盘之间没有分界线或有草根样条索状连接时,可能有胎盘植入,需停止剥离,根据情况决策保守治疗或行子宫切除术。若产后胎盘滞留时间较长,有明显感染,再行清宫术。结果 96例产后胎盘滞留患,均痊愈出院。结论 落实好避孕措施,减少流产次数;提高引产,流产技术操作水平;正确处理第三产程等可有效预防胎盘滞留的发生。对于胎盘滞留,应根据不同情况给予相应的处理,可减少产后出血及产褥感染。     

Epistaxis

Epistaxis is a common problem that can affect the whole population. The majority of cases are self-limiting and do not require any medical intervention, but epistaxis can be associated with morbidity and even death in very rare circumstances. If epistaxis does not resolve with first aid measures, or episodes are frequent, patients may require specialist assessment and treatment by ENT, either in the outpatient clinic or via an unscheduled (emergency) admission to the hospital. Here, we provide an overview of the management of epistaxis in the outpatient setting and during an emergency admission in both paediatric and adult patients. We highlight the key considerations in the history and management, covering the common and rare conditions that are associated with epistaxis. This article provides an update from our previous article published in 2018 to include the more recent literature and a useful learning resource for examinations.     

Clinical manifestations and outcomes of coronavirus disease-19 in heart transplant recipients: a multicentre case series with a systematic review and meta-analysis

Available data on clinical presentation and mortality of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) in heart transplant (HT) recipients remain limited. We report a case series of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 in 39 HT recipients from 3 French heart transplant centres (mean age 54.4 ± 14.8 years; 66.7% males). Hospital admission was required for 35 (89.7%) cases including 14/39 (35.9%) cases being admitted in intensive care unit. Immunosuppressive medications were reduced or discontinued in 74.4% of the patients. After a median follow-up of 54 (19–80) days, death and death or need for mechanical ventilation occurred in 25.6% and 33.3% of patients, respectively. Elevated C-reactive protein and lung involvement ≥50% on chest computed tomography (CT) at admission were associated with an increased risk of death or need for mechanical ventilation. Mortality rate from March to June in the entire 3-centre HT recipient cohort was 56% higher in 2020 compared to the time-matched 2019 cohort (2% vs. 1.28%, P = 0.15). In a meta-analysis including 4 studies, pre-existing diabetes mellitus (OR 3.60, 95% CI 1.43–9.06, I² = 0%, P = 0.006) and chronic kidney disease stage III or higher (OR 3.79, 95% CI 1.39–10.31, I² = 0%, P = 0.009) were associated with increased mortality. These findings highlight the aggressive clinical course of COVID-19 in HT recipients.     

基于“药辅合一”理念的Pickering乳技术提升儿科用药羚珠散中石菖蒲挥发油热稳定性的研究

目的 在“药辅合一”理念下导入Pickering乳技术,提升儿科用药羚珠散中石菖蒲挥发油的稳定性。方法 对羚珠散各饮片粉末进行初步表征,确定稳定剂。通过成乳量、包油量和乳剂形态筛选出最佳稳定剂质量浓度、油水比和制备方法。并使用近红外光谱（nearinfraredspectroscopy,NIRS）分析石菖蒲油在Pickering乳中的包裹状态。比较不同时间下各组别挥发油的保有量、丙二醛和过氧化物的含量。再通过GC-MS分析其中成分的变化趋势。结果 筛选出珍珠粉作为Pickering乳的稳定剂,珍珠粉质量浓度为65 mg/mL,油水比9∶11为最优成乳条件,高压均质法为最优的制备方法,NIRS分析可知石菖蒲挥发油被珍珠粉包裹,Pickering乳液中没有形成新的化学键。对比各组在不同时间段下石菖蒲油的保有率和其中丙二醛和过氧化物含量,可知40℃放置1、3、8 h的Pickering乳剂相比于石菖蒲挥发油组有更高的保有率和更低的氧化程度。GC-MS分析结果表明,相比于石菖蒲挥发油组,Pickering乳组挥发性成分的稳定性显著提高。结论 在“药辅合一”理念下Pickering乳可用于含油固...     

基于Apriori算法的含丹参-当归药对的方剂用药特点与规律分析

目的 通过挖掘整理含丹参-当归的方剂,利用统计软件系统分析其用药规律。方法 检索筛选《中医方剂大辞典》中含丹参-当归药对的方剂,利用Excel软件分析中药使用频次、频率及丹参-当归配伍特征和主治中医病证频次,运用SPSS Modeler 18.0软件关联规则Apriori算法进行数据挖掘。结果 通过统计共筛选出含丹参-当归药对的方剂390首,频次统计分析发现涉及中药504味,使用频次≥60的中药共22味,除丹参、当归外,核心高频药物为川芎、甘草、白芍、肉桂、地黄、牛膝6味。通过组方规律分析得到常用中药组合有丹参-当归-川芎、丹参-当归-甘草、丹参-当归-白芍。主治病证涉及105种,频次≥10的中医病证10种,以瘀血疼痛病症、妇科病症为主。通过网络可视化得到治疗月经病的核心中药组合为丹参-当归-川芎-白芍-香附,治疗痹证的核心中药组合为丹参-当归-川芎-肉桂,治疗虚劳病核心中药组合为丹参-当归-牛膝-肉桂-防风。结论 与丹参-当归配伍的高频中药为白芍、川芎、肉桂等,优势病证为月经病、痹证和虚劳病,揭示了丹参-当归药对的用药规律,为该药对在临床合理用药及深入研究与开发提供科学依据。     

北京地区老年髋部脆性骨折患者术后抗骨质疏松症药物治疗现状及影响因素分析

目的 评估北京地区老年髋部脆性骨折患者术后抗骨质疏松症药物（AOM）治疗现状并探讨其影响因素。方法 横断面研究。纳入2018年11月—2019年11月北京积水潭医院、北京医院、北京安贞医院、北京市昌平区医院、北京市顺义区医院、北京市房山区良乡医院收治的髋部脆性骨折患者1 963例,总结其人口学特征,并收集患者入院后30、120、365 d的临床资料,AOM治疗及健康基本补充剂使用情况。通过单因素和多因素logistic回归分析AOM治疗的影响因素。结果 1 963例老年髋部脆性骨折患者,住院时年龄65~102（79.3±7.2）岁,≥80岁患者占56.7%（1 113/1 963）;男性患者占30.8%（604/1 963）,女性患者占69.2%（1 359/1 963）;股骨颈骨折846例,股骨粗隆间骨折1 077例,股骨粗隆下骨折40例。综合3个时间点,在髋部骨折后1年内,33.0%（648/1 963）的患者接受过AOM治疗,71.0%（1 394/1 963）的患者使用过健康基本补充剂。入院后30、120、365 d患者AOM治疗率分别为23.0%（451/1 963）、17.9%（353/1 963）、21.0%（412/1 963）,健康基本补充剂使用率分别为59.0%（1 158/1 963）、45.0%（883/1 963）、38.0%（746/1 963）。单因素分析结果显示,年龄≥80岁[粗比值比（OR）=0.645,95%可信区间（CI） 0.495~0.840]、男性（粗OR=0.760,95% CI 0.581~0.996）、共管模式（粗OR=3.025,95% CI 0.973~9.405）、居住地农村（粗OR=0.523,95% CI 0.388~0.704）、AOM服用史（粗OR=7.612,95% CI 2.227~26.020）、既往骨质疏松症史（粗OR=5.065,95% CI 3.149~8.147）、骨质疏松评估（粗OR=1.379,95% CI 1.105~2.451）是AOM治疗的影响因素。多因素分析结果显示,年龄≥80岁（调整后OR=0.618,95% CI 0.488~0.781）、男性（调整后OR=0.716,95% CI 0.565~0.908）、居住地农村（调整后OR=0.492,95% CI 0.375~0.645）是AOM治疗的危险因素;共管模式（调整后OR=2.632,95% CI 1.004~6.897）、AOM服用史（调整后OR=4.870,95% CI 2.080~11.402）、既往骨质疏松症史（调整后OR=4.804,95% CI 3.253~7.096）、骨质疏松评估（调整后OR=1.393,95% CI 1.041~1.862）是AOM治疗的保护因素。结论 北京地区老年髋部脆性骨折患者的AOM治疗率偏低。年龄≥80岁、男性、在农村居住的髋部脆性骨折患者治疗率较低,可采取共管模式,术前进行骨质疏松诊断与评估,提高骨质疏松治疗率。