Defining ready for discharge from sub-acute care: a qualitative exploration from multiple stakeholder perspectives.

BACKGROUND: Planning discharges from subacute care facilities is becoming increasingly complex due to an ageing population and a high demand on services. The use of non-standardised assessments to determine a patient's readiness for discharge places a heavy reliance on a clinician's judgement which can be influenced by system pressures, past experiences and team dynamics. The current literature focusses heavily on discharge-readiness from clinicians' perspectives and in the acute care setting. This paper aimed to explore the perceptions of discharge-readiness from the perspectives of key stakeholders in subacute care: inpatients, family members, clinicians and managers. METHODS: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted, exploring the views of inpatients (n = 16), family members (n = 16), clinicians (n = 17) and managers (n = 12). Participants with cognitive deficits and those who did not speak English were excluded from this study. Semi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted and audio-recorded. Following transcription, inductive thematic analysis was completed. RESULTS: Participants identified that there are both patient-related and environmental factors that influence discharge-readiness. Patient-related factors discussed included continence, functional mobility, cognition, pain and medication management skills. Environmental factors centred around the discharge (home) environment, and were suggested to include a safe physical environment alongside a robust social environment which was suggested to assist to fill any gaps in functional capabilities (i.e. patient-related factors). CONCLUSIONS: These findings make a unique contribution to the literature by providing a thorough exploration of determining discharge-readiness as a combined narrative from the perspectives from key stakeholders. Findings from this qualitative study identified key personal and environmental factors influencing patients' discharge-readiness, which may allow health services to streamline the determination of discharge-readiness from subacute care. Understanding how these factors might be assessed within a discharge pathway warrants further attention.

Care transition of older adults from hospital to home

Objective: To analyze the quality of care transition of older adults who were discharged from hospital to home. Methods: This is a cross-sectional observational study, conducted with 156 older adults after public hospital admission, located in the municipality of Piracicaba, state of Sao Paulo. Data were collected in patients' electronic medical records and by telephone calls with older adults, their relatives and/or caregivers, up to four weeks after hospital discharge. We used a questionnaire with sociodemographic data and the Care Transitions Measure, version validated for Brazil. Results: The mean duration of the last hospitalization was 8.27 days, mostly caused (72.44%) by COVID-19 and 75% of older adults had between 1 and 3 comorbidities, with hypertension (57.7%) being the most frequent. The mean CTM-15 score was 68.6. Factor 1, Management preparation, obtained the highest score (70.5), and Factor 4, Care plan, the lowest (59.14). There was a positive correlation between the 4 factors of Care Transitions Measure, also among these factors is the number of drugs used to treat older adults, according to the Anatomical Chemical Therapeutic Classification. Conclusion: We evidenced the quality of the transition of care in the hospital close to the value considered satisfactory, with two of the four factors with a score greater than 70;however, there is a need to adopt strategies to improve the discharge process from hospital to home, especially with regard to preferences imported and care plan for older adults.

Upgrading of hospital discharge summary software to optimise COVID-19 documentation and safeguard infection prevention in the community

Aims: Early review of 50 discharge summaries at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital (SATH) in April 2020 revealed only 27% documented the patient's in-hospital COVID-19 test result and 2% outlined any recommended self-isolation advice following hospital discharge. This had potential adverse implications for community infection control as well as medico-legal sequalae for the Trust were the discharged patient to spread COVID-19 to other cohabitants. The urology team worked with SATH IT to amend the existing discharge summary software, to add two tabs to make COVID-19 test result and self-isolation documentation mandatory for successful sign-off. The aim of this quality improvement project was to evaluate the impact of updating the discharge summary software on documentation accuracy related to COVID-19 on discharge paperwork. Method: Following the implementation of the modified software, 50 consecutive discharge summaries for patients admitted under the urology team starting 1st October 2020 were retrospectively reviewed for documentation of COVID-19 result and self-isolation advice. Results: 90% of discharge summaries included COVID-19 test result and 100% included self-isolation advice for the patient, or alternatively confirmed that no self-isolation was required. Conclusions: This simple modification of an existing IT system greatly improved compliance with COVID-19 discharge summary documentation. We propose all hospitals consider adopting similar measures in the interest of infection prevention, public safety and potential medicolegal sequalae.

An Early Rigorous Mobilization Approach Did Not Increase Number of Days Out of the Hospital for Intubated Patients

The article discuses a randomized controlled trial aimed at evaluating the effects of early mobilization in mechanically ventilated adults. It is reported that the intervention group received daily physiotherapy, while the control group received usual care mobilization. It is further reported that the early, rigorous mobilization regimen did not result in improved outcomes and was associated with more adverse events.

Implementation of total laparoscopic hysterectomy as day case surgery.

Elective surgeries within the National Health Service are frequently cancelled due to shortages of inpatient beds due to acute emergency admissions, and more recently, the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this quality improvement project was to initiate a day case hysterectomy pathway, prospectively collecting data on a group of selected motivated patients to assess its feasibility and safety. Interventions to maximise the chance of same day discharge included preoperative education and hydration, alterations in anaesthetic and surgical techniques and collaborative working between surgeons and recovery nurses to safely discharge patients. In change cycle 1, 93% of patients were discharged on the same day as surgery. In change cycle 2, 100% of patients were discharged on the same day as surgery. In a patient questionnaire, 90% of patients would recommend a day case hysterectomy to their friends or family. Day case hysterectomy was safely introduced to our unit, through leaders actively encouraging contributions and feedback throughout the initiation of the pathway from different components of the multidisciplinary team, from conception to roll out of the guideline for use by other gynaecological surgical teams within the trust.

Incidence and Risk Factors for 28 Days Hospital Readmission: A Retrospective Study from Oman.

Objectives: We sought to evaluate the incidence of 28-day hospital readmission in a tertiary hospital in Oman and identify potential factors associated with increased risk of hospital readmission. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of all adult patients (≥ 18 years) admitted under the care of the General Internal Medicine unit from 1 June to 31 December 2020 at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital. Elective admissions and COVID-19 infection-related admission were excluded from the study. Results: There were 200 patients admitted during the study period. The mean age was 58.6±19.3 years, and 106 (53.0%) patients were males. Forty-eight (24.0%) patients had unplanned readmission within 28-days after discharge from the hospital. Patients with 28 days unplanned readmission were older (66.6 vs. 56.0 years, p < 0.001) and had a longer length of hospital stay (6.0 vs. 4.0 days, p < 0.001). Also, hypertension (77.1% vs. 55.3%, p =0.007), diabetes mellitus (64.6% vs. 48.0%, p =0.045), and comorbidity (≥ 3 comorbidities, [43.8% vs. 23.8%, p =0.005]) were more prevalent in the unplanned readmission group. Patients with poor functional status (43.7% vs. 26.3%, p < 0.001), requiring feeding tube (25.0% vs. 5.3%, p < 0.001), and with polypharmacy (75.0% vs. 50.0%, p =0.003) were at increased risk of readmission. Conclusions: 28-day hospital readmission is prevalent in our health care setting. Old age, polypharmacy, comorbidities, and poor functional status were associated with an increased risk of hospital readmission. Therefore, evidence-based interventions must be implemented in our health care system to minimize the risk of hospital readmission.

A telehealth nursing intervention to improve the transition from the neonatal intensive care unit to home for infants & caregivers: Preliminary evaluation.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this nurse-led telehealth intervention was to support caregivers and infants during the difficult period of transition from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to home. METHODS: The Baby Steps project was designed using quality improvement methodology, and was implemented in April 2020 at a stand-alone pediatric institution in South Florida. Using a nurse-led telehealth model, follow-up nursing care was provided in the home setting for two weeks after discharge. Any infant cared for in the NICU and discharged to a home setting in the state of Florida was eligible for services. Encounters included assessment, anticipatory guidance, connection with community resources, and general support. Caregiver satisfaction, unplanned emergency care use, and 30-day readmissions were assessed. RESULTS: Within the first 18 months of the program, a total of 378 infants were enrolled, and 74.6% received follow-up services in the home setting (n = 282). Caregivers reported high satisfaction with the program (100% strongly agree or agree). There was a 46% decrease in 30-day readmissions from baseline rates, and a substantial decrease in use of emergency care services within a month of discharge as compared to infants discharged during the same time period who did not receive services (30.9% vs.13.8%). DISCUSSION: This nurse-led intervention was found to be a feasible and highly satisfactory approach to improve NICU patient outcomes and support caregivers during transition from hospital to home. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Nurses can provide post-discharge telehealth support, which not only improves caregiver satisfaction but also decreases readmissions and emergency care use among NICU patients.

Implementing Virtual Nursing in Health Care: An evaluation of effectiveness and sustainability

As SARS-COV-2 or COVID-19 (COVID) increasingly spread across the world, nurses in the United States increasingly became at risk for contagion, as well as experiencing higher levels of anxiety and concerns related to safety in the workplace. The rise of COVID and the underlying desire to secure protections for healthcare workers created a higher demand for technology and online workspaces where clinicians can provide sustainable care for patients while also reinforcing the need for staff safety. To streamline the patient discharge process, increase patient safety, comprehension, and satisfaction, while simultaneously preventing undesirable readmission rates, a Virtual Nurse application, via remote monitoring and video capabilities, is expected to take over indirect patient tasks such as patient education, discharge instructions, pain monitoring, telemonitoring, communication with the primary nurse and others. By automation, the Virtual Nurse will alleviate repetitive and time-consuming tasks, thus, freeing up nurses to focus on direct patient care tasks and human-to-human quality interaction. This study strives to investigate the feasibility of the implementation of a Virtual Nurse role in the patient discharge process performed at a large healthcare system. This study will start by presenting a brief literature review focused on the technologies currently being employed in healthcare settings around the U.S. Our study aims to present the methodologies utilized in data acquisition and analysis, as well as population sample characteristics. © 2022 IEEE.

Clinical diagnosis and treatment management of suspected COVID-19): analysis in 55 cases

Objective: Retrospectively analyze the clinical data in patients with suspected COVID-19 for reference to differential diagnosis of this infection.

The Impact of a Text Messaging Service (Tonsil-Text-To-Me) on Pediatric Perioperative Tonsillectomy Outcomes: Cohort Study With a Historical Control Group.

BACKGROUND: Tonsillectomy is a common pediatric surgical procedure performed in North America. Caregivers experience complex challenges in preparing for their child's surgery and coordinating care at home and, consequently, could benefit from access to educational resources. A previous feasibility study of Tonsil-Text-To-Me, an automated SMS text messaging service that sends 15 time-sensitive activity reminders, links to nutrition and hydration tips, pain management strategies, and guidance on monitoring for complications, showed promising results, with high levels of caregiver satisfaction and engagement. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to pilot-test Tonsil-Text-To-Me in a real-world context to determine whether and how it might improve perioperative experiences and outcomes for caregivers and patients. METHODS: Caregivers of children aged 3 to 14 years undergoing tonsillectomy were included. Data from a historical control group and an intervention group with the same study parameters (eg, eligibility criteria and surgery team) were compared. Measures included the Parenting Self-Agency Measure, General Health Questionnaire-12, Parents' Postoperative Pain Measure, Client Satisfaction Questionnaire-8, and engagement analytics, as well as analgesic consumption, pain, child activity level, and health service use. Data were collected on the day before surgery, 3 days after surgery, and 14 days after surgery. Participants in the intervention group received texts starting 2 weeks before surgery up to the eighth day after surgery. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used. RESULTS: In total, 51 caregivers (n=32, 63% control; n=19, 37% intervention) who were predominately women (49/51, 96%), White (48/51, 94%), and employed (42/51, 82%) participated. Intervention group caregivers had a statistically significant positive difference in Parenting Self-Agency Measure scores (P=.001). The mean postoperative pain scores were higher for the control group (mean 10.0, SD 3.1) than for the intervention group (mean 8.5, SD 3.7), both of which were still above the 6/15 threshold for clinically significant pain; however, the difference was not statistically significant (t39=1.446; P=.16). Other positive but nonsignificant trends for the intervention group compared with the control group were observed for the highest level of pain (t39=0.882; P=.38), emergency department visits (χ22=1.3; P=.52; Cramer V=0.19), and other measures. Engagement with resources linked in the texts was moderate, with all but 1 being clicked on for viewing at least once by 79% (15/19) of the participants. Participants rated the intervention as highly satisfactory across all 8 dimensions of the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (mean 29.4, SD 3.2; out of a possible value of 32.0). CONCLUSIONS: This cohort study with a historical control group found that Tonsil-Text-To-Me had a positive impact on caregivers' perioperative care experience. The small sample size and unclear impacts of COVID-19 on the study design should be considered when interpreting the results. Controlled trials with larger sample sizes for evaluating SMS text messaging interventions aimed to support caregivers of children undergoing tonsillectomy surgery are warranted.

The role of the ICU liaison nurse services on anxiety in family caregivers of patients after ICU discharge during COVID-19 pandemic: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to maintain social distancing and changes in wards' structure, families no longer access the routine support they received during the hospitalization of their patients in the ICU. This study aimed to determine the effects of ICU liaison nurse services on the anxiety in patients' family caregivers after ICU discharge during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial was performed in western Iran from February 2020, to March 2021. Sixty subjects were selected from the family caregivers of the patients transferred from the ICU and were randomly assigned to the control (n = 30) and the intervention groups (n = 30). The control group received routine transfer care. In the intervention group, liaison nurse services were offered in 4 dimensions: patient support, family support, training, support of the ward's staff, and the evaluation of the destination ward. The participants' anxiety was measured using the Spielberger State Anxiety Inventory immediately after the patient transfer and 6 h after admission to the general ward. Data analyzed with SPSS V16, descriptive and inferential statistics, including Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney test, Wilcoxon test, and Generalized Linear Model with cumulative logit link function. Results were reported at a 0.05 significance level. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was observed in baseline anxiety levels (P = 0.035) and age group (P < 0.001) between the intervention and control groups. After moderating baseline anxiety levels, the age group, and marital status, the impact of the intervention was significant (X2 = 10.273, df = 1, P < 0.001), meaning that the intervention could reduce the relative chances of developing higher levels of anxiety by 92.1% (OR: 0.08, 95%CI: 0.017-0.373, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed the positive impact of nursing services on reducing anxiety in family caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is recommended to use these services, especially during the COVID-19 condition, to facilitate the patient transfer, support the patient's family, and reduce the health care gap between the ICU and the ward.

Eligibility for Posthospitalization Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis in Hospitalized Patients With COVID-19: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background A recent randomized trial, the MICHELLE trial, demonstrated improved posthospital outcomes with a 35-day course of prophylactic rivaroxaban for patients hospitalized with COVID-19 at high risk of venous thromboembolism. We explored how often these findings may apply to an unselected clinical population of patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Methods and Results Using a 35-hospital retrospective cohort of patients hospitalized between March 7, 2020, and January 23, 2021, with COVID-19 (MI-COVID19 database), we quantified the percentage of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 who would be eligible for rivaroxaban at discharge per MICHELLE trial criteria and report clinical event rates. The main clinical outcome was derived from the MICHELLE trial and included a composite of symptomatic venous thromboembolism, pulmonary embolus-related death, nonhemorrhagic stroke, and cardiovascular death at 35 days. Multiple sensitivity analyses tested different eligibility and exclusion criteria definitions to determine the effect on eligibility for postdischarge anticoagulation prophylaxis. Of 2016 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 who survived to discharge and did not have another indication for anticoagulation, 25.9% (n=523) would be eligible for postdischarge thromboprophylaxis per the MICHELLE trial criteria (range, 2.9%-39.4% on sensitivity analysis). Of the 416 who had discharge anticoagulant data collected, only 13.2% (55/416) were actually prescribed a new anticoagulant at discharge. Of patients eligible for rivaroxaban per the MICHELLE trial, the composite clinical outcome occurred in 1.2% (6/519); similar outcome rates were 5.7% and 0.63% in the MICHELLE trial's control (no anticoagulation) and intervention (rivaroxaban) groups, respectively. Symptomatic venous thromboembolism events and all-cause mortality were 6.2% (32/519) and 5.66% in the MI-COVID19 and MICHELLE trial control cohorts, respectively. Conclusions Across 35 hospitals in Michigan, ≈1 in 4 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 would qualify for posthospital thromboprophylaxis. With only 13% of patients actually receiving postdischarge prophylaxis, there is a potential opportunity for improvement in care.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Postdischarge Outcomes for Dialysis Patients in the United States: Evidence from Medicare Claims Data.

Background: Recent investigations have shown that, on average, patients hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have a poorer postdischarge prognosis than those hospitalized without COVID-19, but this effect remains unclear among patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) who are on dialysis. Methods: Leveraging a national ESKD patient claims database administered by the US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, we conducted a retrospective cohort study that characterized the effects of in-hospital COVID-19 on all-cause unplanned readmission and death within 30 days of discharge for patients on dialysis. Included in this study were 436,745 live acute-care hospital discharges of 222,154 Medicare beneficiaries on dialysis from 7871 Medicare-certified dialysis facilities between January 1 and October 31, 2020. Adjusting for patient demographics, clinical characteristics, and prevalent comorbidities, we fit facility-stratified Cox cause-specific hazard models with two interval-specific (1-7 and 8-30 days after hospital discharge) effects of in-hospital COVID-19 and effects of prehospitalization COVID-19. Results: The hazard ratios due to in-hospital COVID-19 over the first 7 days after discharge were 95% CI, 1.53 to 1.65 for readmission and 95% CI, 1.38 to 1.70 for death, both with P<0.001. For the remaining 23 days, the hazard ratios were 95% CI, 0.89 to 0.96 and 95% CI, 0.86 to 1.07, with P<0.001 and P=0.50, respectively. Effects of prehospitalization COVID-19 were mostly nonsignificant. Conclusions: In-hospital COVID-19 had an adverse effect on both postdischarge readmission and death over the first week. With the surviving patients having COVID-19 substantially selected from those hospitalized, in-hospital COVID-19 was associated with lower rates of readmission and death starting from the second week.

Mid-term pulmonary sequelae after hospitalisation for COVID-19: The French SISCOVID cohort.

BACKGROUND: Even though COVID-19 clinical features, pathogenesis, complications, and therapeutic options have been largely described in the literature, long-term consequences in patients remain poorly known. METHODS: The French, multicentre, non-interventional SISCOVID study evaluated lung impairment three (M3) and six months (M6) after hospital discharge in patients recovered from COVID-19. Evaluation was based on clinical examination, pulmonary function tests, and chest computed tomography (CT-scan). RESULTS: Of the 320 included patients (mean age: 61 years; men: 64.1%), 205 had had a severe form of COVID-19, being hospitalised in an intensive care unit (ICU), and requiring high flow nasal cannula, non-invasive ventilation, or invasive mechanical ventilation. At M6, 54.1% of included patients had persistent dyspnoea (mMRC score ≥1), 20.1% severe impairment in gas diffusing capacity (DLCO <60% pred.), 21.6% restrictive ventilatory pattern (total lung capacity <80% pred.), and 40% a fibrotic-like pattern at CT-scan. Fibrotic-like pattern and restrictive ventilatory pattern were significantly more frequent in patients recovered from severe than non-severe COVID-19. Improved functional and radiological outcomes were observed between M3 and M6. At M6, age was an independent risk factor for severe DLco impairment and fibrotic-like pattern and severe COVID-19 form was independent risk factor for restrictive ventilatory profile and fibrotic-like pattern. CONCLUSION: Six months after discharge, patients hospitalised for COVID-19, especially those recovered from a severe form of COVID-19, frequently presented persistent dyspnoea, lung function impairment, and persistent fibrotic-like pattern, confirming the need for long-term post-discharge follow-up in these patients and for further studies to better understand long-term COVID-19 lung impairment.

COVID-19 outbreak impact on discharge against medical advice from the ED: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected the habits of patients, as well as its negative effects on human health. The aim of this study is to investigate the factors associated with discharge against medical advice (DAMA) from the emergency department (ED) during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of the charts of DAMA cases (pandemic group) between May 1 and October 30, 2021 in a tertiary hospital in Istanbul, Turkey. Our data were compared with DAMA cases between May 1 and October 30, 2019 (pre-pandemic group-control group). RESULTS: During the pandemic period, DAMA cases increased by 24.5% in the ED compared to the previous period. Compared to the pre-COVID-19 period, among DAMA cases during the COVID-19 period, the rate of those arriving by ambulance (10.9 vs. 18.8%), those with one or more comorbid diseases (8.9 vs. 18.4%), those with a high triage level (4.0 vs. 7.4%), those with health tourism or refugee/asylum insurance (2.9 vs. 6.1%), those with trauma (11.5 vs. 19.9%) or alcohol/drug abuse (2.7 vs. 4.0%) increased significantly (p < 0.001). It was observed that DAMA cases' waiting times for total ED and from the door to doctor decreased during the pandemic period compared to the pre-pandemic period. CONCLUSION: During the COVID-19 pandemic period, it was observed that the rate of those with severe disease increased among DAMA cases. Necessary precautions should be taken for all patients, especially seriously ill patients, to feel safe in the hospital and to be treated, and the negative consequences that may develop should be prevented by addressing the concerns of the patients and their relatives.

Improving the quality and content of discharge summaries on acute medicine wards: a quality improvement project.

Discharge summaries are important medical documents that summarise a patient's hospital admission. The Royal College of Physicians provides standardised guidance on the content of discharge summaries, given their important role as a handover document to general practitioners (GPs). Our project started in June 2020 on an acute medical ward, where significant variation had been noted in the quality and content of discharge summaries. A multidisciplinary team (MDT) was formed including doctors, nurses and hospital/community pharmacists, as well as a patient representative, to ensure active patient co-design. The problem was scoped by asking GPs to provide feedback via surveys and process mapping. Our aim was to increase the compliance of discharge summaries with 10 core criteria from a baseline of 55% to 95% by June 2021. Change ideas were developed by the MDT and were tested using plan-do-study-act (PDSA) cycles that included additional pharmacy support, a discharge summary template and individualised feedback. The project reached its goal of 95% compliance in January 2021, 5 months ahead of the target date, and this improvement has been sustained since. The project expanded to a second acute medical unit ward in May 2021. The expanded project reached its goal of 90% compliance within 6 weeks and maintained sustained improvement with further PDSA cycles. A standard operating procedure has been created to help embed the changes on these wards. Our future aims are to redesign and improve the current electronic system and to help spread positive changes throughout the Trust.

Newborn in the Pediatric Emergency Department: A Reality During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Introduction: We aimed to characterize newborns admitted to the pediatric emergency department in the first months of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study regarding newborns who presented to the pediatric emergency department during the pandemic period in comparison with the same period of the previous year. Data gathered concerning the neonatal characteristics included the length of postpartum stay in the nursery, age at presentation to the pediatric emergency department, source of referral to the pediatric emergency department, presenting complaint, need for complementary exams, diagnosis, final destination, and hospital readmission. Results: The number of births was 591 in the pandemic period and 709 in the homologous period. We analyzed 72 pediatric emergency department admissions in the pandemic period and 123 pediatric emergency department admissions in the homologous period. During the pandemic period, there was a decreased rate of neonatal admissions to the pediatric emergency department, but not as pronounced as for the total number of children. We found an increased rate of patients visiting the pediatric emergency department and without disease during the first 2 weeks of life. There were higher referral rates to the pediatric emergency department and to an ambulatory pediatrics appointment. No differences were found concerning the presenting complaints, need for complementary exams, diagnoses, and admission rates. Discussion: Although there was a decreased rate of neonatal admissions during the pandemic period, it was not as pronounced as for the total number of children, denotating a greater need to attend to the pediatric emergency department compared to the other age categories. The reduced access to primary care during the pandemic period and the decreased time of parental education in the nursery might have contributed to these findings. © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) and Portuguese Journal of Pediatrics 2022.

Implementation of Home-Based KMC During SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic Through a Quality-Improvement Initiative

Aim: To implement postdischarge home-based kangaroo mother care (KMC) for low-birth-weight neonates during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic through a quality-improvement (QI) initiative Materials and Methods: Neonates with a discharge weight of < 1800 g and their mothers were enrolled. The potential barriers for home-based KMC during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic were evaluated using fishbone analysis, and a variety of measures were introduced in multiple Plan–Do–Study–Act (PDSA) cycles. Neonatal and maternal characteristics at the baseline and the implementation phases were compared using the Fisher’s exact test and unpaired t test. Data on implementation of home-based KMC and its duration (h/d) were analyzed using line charts or run charts. Results: A total of 29 eligible mother–neonate dyads were studied;the mean ± SD of the discharge weight and postmenstrual age of neonates was 1747 ± 187 g and 34.49 ± 2.07 weeks, respectively. After the implementation of 2 PDSA cycles, the percentage of home-based KMC increased from 37.5% (baseline) to 72.7%, and the median duration of KMC increased from 3 to 7 hours per day. Conclusion: Thorough evaluation of problems and proper QI measures helped in successfully implementing home-based KMC for the benefit of low-birth-weight neonates during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. © 2021, Himalaya Wellness Company. All rights reserved.

Persistence of Symptoms After Discharge of Patients Hospitalized Due to COVID-19.

Many patients who had coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) had at least one symptom that persisted after recovery from the acute phase. Our purpose was to review the empirical evidence on symptom prevalence, complications, and management of patients with long COVID. We systematically reviewed the literature on the clinical manifestations of long COVID-19, defined by the persistence of symptoms beyond the acute phase of infection. Bibliographic searches in PubMed and Google Scholar were conducted to retrieve relevant studies on confirmed patients with long COVID that were published prior to August 30, 2021. The most common persistent symptoms were fatigue, cough, dyspnea, chest pains, chest tightness, joint pain, muscle pain, loss of taste or smell, hair loss, sleep difficulties, anxiety, and depression. Some of the less common persistent symptoms were skin rash, decreased appetite, sweating, inability to concentrate, and memory lapses. In addition to these general symptoms, some patients experienced dysfunctions of specific organs, mainly the lungs, heart, kidneys, and nervous system. A comprehensive understanding of the persistent clinical manifestations of COVID-19 can improve and facilitate patient management and referrals. Prompt rehabilitative care and targeted interventions of these patients may improve their recovery from physical, immune, and mental health symptoms.