Empowering health care workers with personalized data-driven feedback to boost hand hygiene compliance.

BACKGROUND: Achieving high hand hygiene compliance among health care workers is a challenge, requiring effective interventions. This study investigated the impact of individualized feedback on hand hygiene compliance using an electronic monitoring system. METHODS: A quasi-experimental intervention design with pretest-post-test was conducted in an orthopedic surgical ward. Participants served as their own controls. A 3-month baseline was followed by a 3-month intervention period. Hand hygiene events were recorded through sensors on dispensers, name tags, and near patient beds. Health care workers received weekly email feedback reports comparing their compliance with colleagues. RESULTS: Nineteen health care workers (17 nurses, 2 doctors) were included. Hand hygiene compliance significantly improved by approximately 15% (P < .0001) across all rooms during the intervention. The most substantial improvement occurred in patient rooms (17%, P < .0001). Compliance in clean and contaminated rooms increased by 10% (P = .0068) and 5% (P = .0232). The average weekly email open rate for feedback reports was 46%. CONCLUSIONS: Individualized feedback via email led to significant improvements in hand hygiene compliance among health care workers. The self-directed approach proved effective, and continuous exposure to the intervention showed promising results.

Listen to Me! - A Mixed-Methods Study of Thoughts and Attitudes Towards Participation in Pulmonary Telerehabilitation Among People with Severe and Very Severe COPD Who Declined Participation in Pulmonary Rehabilitation.

Introduction: Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is a key standard treatment for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with documented effect on symptom relief, improved physical function, and quality of life. However, referral, uptake and adherence rates remain low. Pulmonary telerehabilitation (PTR) is a safe and effective alternative to conventional PR. This study explores associations, thoughts and attitudes towards PTR in patients with COPD who decline referral to outpatient hospital-based routine PR. Methods: A mixed-methods study with integration of survey data (n=84) and semi-structured interviews (n=9). Results: We found a significant association between belief of effect of PTR and willingness to participate. Increasing age was significantly associated with reduced odds of daily use of central processing unit (CPU) or tablet. One-third of the participants were undecided about potential participation in PTR. Qualitative findings highlight that participants perceived participating in PTR as more convenient and had preferences for individualized, supervised, and monitored rehabilitation. Conclusion: Those willing to participate in a PTR program believed in the benefits, were comfortable with technological devices, had preferences for exercising at home, and saw opportunities in the social setting. Future PTR programs should include monitoring, preferably managed by a familiar health care professional (HCP).

"It should not be that difficult to manage a condition that is so frequent": A qualitative study on hospital nurses' experience of delirium guidelines.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To explore hospital nurses' experiences of enablers and barriers to apply the recommendations of a hospital delirium guideline, focusing on identification and nonpharmacological prevention and treatment. BACKGROUND: Nurses' application of delirium guidelines is important as they have a pivotal role in identifying, preventing and managing delirium. Research is sparse concerning barriers and enablers to nurses´ application of guideline recommendations on nonpharmacological prevention and treatment of delirium. DESIGN: Qualitative design using focus group and individual interviews. METHODS: Twenty-three nurses, nurse supervisors and senior staff nurses from four departments in a Danish 530-bed university hospital participated in the study. The interview guide was based on the Theoretical Domains Framework. Data were analysed using inductive content analysis. The COREQ checklist was used preparing the manuscript. RESULTS: The analysis identified four main categories concerning barriers and enablers to applying the recommendations of a delirium guideline: factors relating to employing the guideline, the individual nurse, collaboration and the context. Lack of identification of delirium and lack of preventive actions were prominent, with inter-related barriers such as lack of knowledge, lack of meaningfulness, lack of priority, lack of resources and working conditions, causing frustration and discouragement in the nurses. CONCLUSIONS: The study identified a wide range of barriers and enablers experienced by hospital nurses to the application of a delirium guideline, showing the complexity of delirium care and applying guidelines. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Improving the identification, prevention and treatment for patients with delirium requires a determined and focused effort from all stakeholders, both clinicians, leaders and policymakers. Nurses, nurse leaders and educators must be aware of the barriers and enablers related to knowledge, attitudes and co-operation. Managers and policymakers must be aware of the organisational factors related to priority and working conditions.

Barriers and enablers of COPD telerehabilitation - a frontline staff perspective.

Background: Telerehabilitation (TR) aimed at patients with COPD has shown promising effects on symptoms, physical function, and quality of life, but little research has been conducted to understand the impact of implementation on frontline health professionals. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the barriers and enablers of health professionals to online exercise-based TR in patients with COPD, to support a successful implementation process. Methods: Semistructured individual and focus group interviews were conducted with 25 health professionals working with conventional COPD rehabilitation or TR. Interviews were audio-taped and transcribed verbatim. Investigator triangulation was applied during data generation. The Theoretical Domains Framework directed the interview guide and was used as a coding framework in the analysis. Results: We identified six predominant domains essential in understanding the enablers and barriers of TR from a staff perspective: 1) skills, 2) professional role and identity, 3) beliefs about capabilities, 4) beliefs about consequences, 5) environmental context and resources, and 6) social influences. We found that health professionals held both enablers and barriers important for the implementation process of TR. TR introduces new work tasks and new ways for the health professionals to communicate and exercise with the patients, which influence their professional role and self-perceived capability. Conclusion: Specific attention toward involvement of the health professionals in the decision process combined with sufficient education and skill training is highly essential to support a successful implementation of TR in clinical practice.

Home-based telehealth hospitalization for exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: findings from "the virtual hospital" trial.

BACKGROUND: Telehealth interventions for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have focused primarily on stable outpatients. Telehealth designed to handle the acute exacerbation that normally requires hospitalization could also be of interest. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of home-based telehealth hospitalization with conventional hospitalization for exacerbation in severe COPD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A two-center, noninferiority, randomized, controlled effectiveness trial was conducted between June 2010 and December 2011. Patients with severe COPD admitted because of exacerbation were randomized 1:1 either to home-based telehealth hospitalization or to continue standard treatment and care at the hospital. The primary outcome was treatment failure defined as re-admission due to exacerbation in COPD within 30 days after initial discharge. The noninferiority margin was set at 20% of the control group's risk of re-admission. Secondary outcomes were mortality, need for manual or mechanical ventilation or noninvasive ventilation, length of hospitalization, physiological parameters, health-related quality of life, user satisfaction, healthcare costs, and adverse events. RESULTS: In total, 57 patients were randomized: 29 participants in the telehealth group and 28 participants in the control group. Testing the incidence of re-admission within 30 days after discharge could not confirm noninferiority (lower 95% confidence limit [CL], -24.8%; p=0.35). Results were also nonsignificant at 90 days (lower 95% CL, -16.2%; p=0.33) and 180 days (lower 95% CL, -16.6%; p =0.33) after discharge. Superiority testing on secondary outcomes showed nonsignificant differences between groups. Healthcare costs have not yet been evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: Whether home-based telehealth hospitalization is noninferior to conventional hospitalization requires further investigation. The results indicate that a subgroup of patients with severe COPD can be treated for acute exacerbation at home using telehealth, without the physical presence of health professionals and with a proper organizational "back-up."

Telemedicine-based treatment versus hospitalization in patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and exacerbation: effect on cognitive function. A randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: Telemedicine is gaining ground in the treatment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Because telemedicine often requires both participation and engagement of the patients, it is important to take differences in cognitive ability into account, as there is evidence that cognitive dysfunction may be a limitation in patients with severe COPD. The aim of this study was to investigate whether cognitive performance is better after telemedicine-based treatment than after conventional hospitalization in patients with severe COPD and a mild to moderate exacerbation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This randomized study was a substudy of the "Virtual Hospital," a multicenter, randomized controlled trial. The primary outcome in this substudy was cognitive function, evaluated 3 days and 6 weeks after discharge using a neuropsychological test battery comprising four tests and seven variables. RESULTS: We included 44 patients consecutively. Baseline characteristics were as follows: mean age, 70 (standard deviation [SD] 10) years; mean forced expiratory volume in 1 s, 1.0 (SD 0.55) L (42% of predicted); mean hemoglobin oxygen saturation, 95 (SD 2.0) percent; and mean Mini Mental State Examination score, 27.5 (SD 1.6) points. The performance in all seven neuropsychological test variables tended to be better in the group allocated to virtual admission 3 days and 6 weeks after discharge, but the difference was not significant after Bonferroni's correction for multiple comparisons. CONCLUSIONS: There were no significant differences in cognitive performance between the telemedicine-based group and the conventional hospital group. Patients with severe COPD suffering from mild to moderate exacerbations were able to manage the telemedicine-based treatment despite the reduced cognitive function often seen in COPD patients.

The impact of virtual admission on self-efficacy in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - a randomised clinical trial.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To investigate how virtual admission during acute exacerbation influences self-efficacy in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, compared with conventional hospital admission. BACKGROUND: Telemedicine solutions have been highlighted as a possible way to increase self-efficacy in patients with chronic diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, little is known about how telemedicine-based virtual admission as a replacement of hospital admission during acute exacerbation affects chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients' self-efficacy. DESIGN: This study was a nonblinded, randomised clinical multicentre trial. The study was a substudy to The Virtual Hospital, investigating the feasibility and safety of telemedicine-based treatment at home for patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. METHODS: Participants were consecutively randomised to virtual admission or conventional hospital admission. Data from 50 patients were analysed. Self-efficacy was assessed at baseline, three days after discharge, and also six weeks and three months after discharge, using the Danish version of 'The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease self-efficacy scale'. RESULTS: Intergroup comparison showed no significant differences between the two groups at baseline, three days after discharge, six weeks after discharge or three months after discharge. Furthermore, intragroup comparison did not reveal significant differences in the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease self-efficacy scale mean sum score within the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study suggest that there is no difference between self-efficacy in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients undergoing virtual admission, compared with conventional hospital admission. However, the anticipated sample size could not be reached, which prompts caution regarding interpretation of the findings. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: This study provides new insight into how virtual admission affects chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients' self-efficacy. Clinicians should consider the timing, duration and the content in the design of telemedical interventions directed at improving chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients' self-efficacy, as telemedicine solutions alone may not be sufficient to enhance self-efficacy.

How virtual admission affects coping - telemedicine for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To describe what characterises chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients' coping of physical, emotional and social problems before, during and after virtual admission, in interaction with health professionals and relatives. BACKGROUND: Telemedicine for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is gaining ground. However, virtual admission using telemedicine in the patients' home as a replacement of hospital admission has received little attention. Furthermore, little is known about how telemedicine affects chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients' coping. DESIGN: Grounded Theory study using semi-structured interviews. METHODS: The study was a part of The Virtual Hospital study, exploring virtual admission for patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. During virtual admission, patients had access to medical equipment consisting of monitoring devices, medication, nebuliser and a touch screen with built-in videoconference system. Nine participants were interviewed after virtual admission. Open coding, axial coding and selective coding, using constant comparative analysis, were conducted. RESULTS: A substantive Grounded Theory was developed, containing the core category - struggling to be in control of life with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - related to four categories: complete powerlessness, dependency, pursuit of regaining autonomy and efforts to remain in control of problems related to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Virtual admission supported participants' autonomy. The involvement of health professionals was reduced as participants used the medical equipment to cope with disease-related problems. Participants' coping was closely linked to the presence of the equipment, making it difficult for them to apply their experiences after discharge from virtual admission. CONCLUSIONS: Virtual admission may support chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients' coping of physical and emotional problems. However, coping experiences made during virtual admission may not be directly applicable outside a telemedical setting. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Telemedicine may result in different roles for patients, relatives and health professionals. Clinicians should consider how they can support chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients' coping during telemedical interventions, focusing on how to ensure a sustained improvement that patients can benefit from outside the telemedical setting.

A randomised trial of telemedicine-based treatment versus conventional hospitalisation in patients with severe COPD and exacerbation - effect on self-reported outcome.

We investigated self-reported outcome in patients with COPD and exacerbation. Consecutive patients were randomised to an intervention group with home telemedicine and a control group who had conventional hospital admission. We assessed Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) using the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire, daily activity using Instrumental Activity of Daily Living, anxiety and depression using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and self-assessed cognitive decline using Subjective Cognitive Functioning. Data were collected at 3 days, 6 weeks and 3 months after discharge. There were 22 patients in each group. Their baseline characteristics were similar: a mean age of 70 years, FEV1 42% predicted and oxygen saturation 95%. After 6 weeks, FEV1 had improved in both groups, to 1.2 L in the intervention group and 1.0 L in the control group. Oxygen saturation had improved in the intervention group from 94% to 96%. Regarding HRQoL, there was a non-significant (P = 0.05) improvement in the symptom score in favour of the control group, but the improvement was not maintained after three months. However, there were no significant differences in self-reported outcomes in COPD patients with exacerbation treated at home via telemedicine versus conventionally in hospital.

Danish version of 'The COPD self-efficacy scale': translation and psychometric properties.

The aim of the study was to translate 'The COPD self-efficacy scale' (CSES) into Danish and to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Danish version (CSES-DK). CSES enables assessment of self-efficacy in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The scale consists of 34 items, describing situations which may cause dyspnoea in patients with COPD. The CSES was translated into Danish using a standard forward-backward translation procedure. To estimate the reliability, measurements of internal consistency and repeatability were applied. The validity of the Danish version was evaluated by examining the associations between the CSES-DK score and socio-demographic variables (age, gender, education, disease severity and self-rated health). Factor analysis was conducted to compare the internal structure of the Danish version and the American source version. The study included 151 patients with COPD, recruited from three outpatient clinics. Estimates of reliability were in accordance with the original version of CSES (Cronbach's α = 0.97, test-retest r = 0.82, p < 0.001). Significant correlations were obtained between the CSES-DK total score and vocational training and education (r = 0.27, p = 0.001), disease severity (r = -0.27, p = 0.001) and self-rated health (r = -0.41, p < 0.001), indicating construct validity. Five factors were extracted from both versions of CSES. However, in the CSES-DK, only one factor concerns emotions, whereas two factors describing emotions were obtained for the original scale. Furthermore, important discrepancies exist with respect to the direction of the scoring of CSES. In some studies, a high score indicates high self-efficacy, whereas it indicates low self-efficacy in other studies, which complicates the comparison of studies. The Danish version of CSES showed acceptable measurements of reliability and validity. Potential limitations of the scale were identified, and discrepancies exist between the factor structure of the original and Danish version. Consequently, more studies of the factor structure should be conducted on both the original CSES and the translated versions of the instrument.