Moral Distress and Burnout in NICU Nurses

The objectives of this study were to factor analyze the Moral Distress Scale–Revised (MDS-R) in NICU nurses and to evaluate the relationships among dimensions of the MDS-R and the demoralization, exhaustion, and loss of motive dimensions of the Burnout Measure (BM). A total of 142 NICU nurses completed modified pen-and-paper versions of the MDS-R and BM. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses showed that the MDS-R-14 was a relatively good fit for the data. The compromised care dimension predicted BM demoralization (β = 0.24) and exhaustion (β = 0.22), the futile care dimension predicted BM exhaustion (β = 0.18), and the untruthful care dimension predicted BM demoralization (β = .25). Strategies to mitigate moral distress and resulting burnout in NICU nurses should address futile care, compromised care, and untruthful care.     

Glycaemic control for patients with severe acute brain injury: Protocol for a systematic review

Background

Hyperglycaemia is common in patients with acute brain injury admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU). Many studies have found associations between development of hyperglycaemia and increased mortality in hospitalised patients. However, the optimal target for blood glucose control is unknown. We want to conduct a systematic review with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis to explore the beneficial and harmful effects of restrictive versus liberal glucose control on patient outcomes in adults with severe acute brain injury.

Methods

We will systematically search medical databases including CENTRAL, Embase, MEDLINE and trial registries. We will search the following websites for ongoing or unpublished trials: http://www.controlled-trials.com/ , http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ , www.eudraCT.com , http://centerwatch.com/ , The Cochrane Library's CENTRAL, PubMed, EMBASE, Science Citation Index Expanded and CINAHL. Two authors will independently review and select trials and extract data. We will include randomised trials comparing levels of glucose control in our analyses and observational studies will be included to address potential harms. The primary outcomes are defined as all-cause mortality, functional outcome and health-related quality of life. Secondary outcomes include serious adverse events including hypoglycaemia, length of ICU stay and duration of mechanical ventilation, and explorative outcomes including intracranial pressure and infection. Trial Sequential Analysis will be used to investigate the risk of type I error due to repetitive testing and to further explore imprecision. Quality of trials will be evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool, and quality of evidence will be assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) approach.

Discussion

The results of the systematic review will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publication. With the review, we hope to inform future randomised clinical trials and improve clinical practice.     

Predefined vs data-guided training prescription based on autonomic nervous system variation: A systematic review

Monitoring variations in the functioning of the autonomic nervous system may help personalize training of runners and provide more pronounced physiological adaptations and performance improvements. We systematically reviewed the scientific literature comparing physiological adaptations and/or improvements in performance following training based on responses of the autonomic nervous system (ie, changes in heart rate variability) and predefined training. PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science were searched systematically in July 2019. Keywords related to endurance, running, autonomic nervous system, and training. Studies were included if they (a) involved interventions consisting predominantly of running training; (b) lasted at least 3 weeks; (c) reported pre- and post-intervention assessment of running performance and/or physiological parameters; (d) included an experimental group performing training adjusted continuously on the basis of alterations in HRV and a control group; and (e) involved healthy runners. Five studies involving six interventions and 166 participants fulfilled our inclusion criteria. Four HRV-based interventions reduced the amount of moderate- and/or high-intensity training significantly. In five interventions, improvements in performance parameters (3000 m, 5000 m, Loadmax, Tlim) were more pronounced following HRV-based training. Peak oxygen uptake () and submaximal running parameters (eg, LT1, LT2) improved following both HRV-based and predefined training, with no clear difference in the extent of improvement in . Submaximal running parameters tended to improve more following HRV-based training. Research findings to date have been limited and inconsistent. Both HRV-based and predefined training improve running performance and certain submaximal physiological adaptations, with effects of the former training tending to be greater.     

单孔加一孔联合ERAS在高位直肠及乙状结肠癌中的应用

目的 探讨单孔加一孔腹腔镜手术联合 ERAS 治疗高位直肠及乙状结肠癌的近期疗效。方法 回顾性分析 2017 年 11 月至2018 年 10 月在福建省肿瘤医院胃肠肿瘤外科进行加速康复外科干预的 92 例高位直肠及乙状结肠癌患者资料，根 据手术方式的不同，分为单孔加一孔手术联合快速康复外科组39 例及常规腹腔镜手术联合ERAS 组 53 例，对比两组围术 期情况。结果 两组患者基线资料无明显统计学差异（P ＞ 0.05），且在手术时间、出血量、上下切缘、清扫淋巴结数量及 并发症方面无明显统计学差异（P ＞ 0.05）。但单孔加一孔手术联合ERAS 组较常规手术联合ERAS 组，总切口长度更短 [（6.7±1.1）cm 比（8.5±1.3）cm，P=0.000]，术后首次下床时间更早 [（22.2±5.2）h 比（27.1±7.9）h，P=0.001]，首次排便 时间更早[（70.2±19.8）h比（83.1±20.4）h，P=0.005]，术后第一天C反应蛋白值更低[（43.5±28.6）mg/L比（57.2±33.2） mg/L，P=0.038]，术后住院时间更短 [（7.0±1.7）d 比（8.1±2.1）d，P=0.010]，且术后 2~4 天疼痛评分更低（P ＜ 0.05）。 结论 经验丰富的腔镜医师采用单孔加一孔手术治疗高位直肠及乙状结肠癌并联合 ERAS 干预是安全可行的，且单孔加一孔 手术可减低操作难度，具有疼痛轻、术后恢复快等优势，值得临床推广。     

Is routine extubation overnight safe in cardiac surgery patients?

Objectives

Expedient extubation after cardiac surgery has been associated with improved outcomes, leading to postoperative extubation frequently during overnight hours. However, recent evidence in a mixed medical-surgical intensive care unit population demonstrated worse outcomes with overnight extubation. This study investigated the impact of overnight extubation in a statewide, multicenter Society of Thoracic Surgeons database.

Effectiveness of cognitive rehabilitation for people with multiple sclerosis: a meta-synthesis of patient perspectives

While previous randomised controlled trials and meta-analyses offer only limited evidence for the effectiveness of cognitive rehabilitation, qualitative studies examining patient perspectives report more positive outcomes. This meta-synthesis of qualitative studies examined patient perspectives of cognitive rehabilitation for memory, attention, and executive function problems in people with multiple sclerosis. Using set eligibility criteria, we screened electronic databases, reference lists, and academic networks for relevant papers. Seven papers (195 participants) were selected. Two independent researchers conducted quality appraisals of papers. Data analysis, guided by the thematic synthesis approach, yielded six main themes. These suggested that patients benefitted from the group environment in rehabilitation. Cognitive rehabilitation facilitated the participants’ reflection and awareness of their cognitive deficits, and was associated with increased knowledge and understanding of their illness. Increased strategy use was reported and associated with improvements in cognitive functioning and greater confidence and perseverance. Participants reported emotional and social improvements, and felt more optimistic. Overall, these changes had a positive impact on participants’ quality of life. This synthesis of qualitative studies indicates that people with multiple sclerosis who experience cognitive deficits benefit from cognitive rehabilitation programmes. This finding must, however, be viewed in light of the limitations of this meta-synthesis. The meta-synthesis was registered in the PROSPERO database under CRD42017040148.     

Improving Surgical Training

Improving Surgical Training is a programme piloting an innovative, evidence-based approach to training. It was developed in response to the Shape of Training report which reviewed postgraduate training and recommended changes in medical education to meet the demands of the modern NHS. A series of initiatives have been developed to enhance the experience for surgical trainees not only to encourage a more focussed and supported method, but also to improve their job satisfaction. The initiatives have combined a greater emphasis on time for training provided by trainers with allocated time for training with multidisciplinary teamworking and the use of technology enhanced learning with simulation of both technical and non-technical skills. The pilot started in 2018 with core training in general surgery and has been expanded to include vascular surgery, urology and trauma and orthopaedics over the last 2 years. Initial feedback from both trainees, trainers and schools of surgery have identified different challenges to aid implementation. The programme is being very carefully evaluated by an independent company as well as careful oversight by the General Medical Council which are paramount to its success.