A Technology Intervention for Nurses Engaged in Preventing Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections.

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections account for 40% of healthcare-acquired infections. This study explored the addition of cloud-based software technology to an established nursing quality improvement program to reduce catheter-associated urinary tract infections. Unit-based nurse champions evaluated peers' evidence-based catheter-associated urinary tract infection prevention practices using manual, paper-based feedback. That process achieved reduced rates of catheter-associated urinary tract infection over 18 months. However, it was resource intensive. Cloud-based software technology was introduced to replace the paper. Nurse champions' satisfaction, catheter-associated urinary tract infection and indwelling urinary catheter utilization, and prevention practices were compared before and after the technology intervention. Compliance with the provision of a chlorhexidine bath demonstrated improvement (P = .003), while other practice measures did not significantly change. The indwelling urinary catheter utilization ratio was lower (P = .01), yet the intervention yielded no change in catheter-associated urinary tract infection rates. The short time interval of the intervention was potentially a contributing factor in no significant rate change. Nurse champions (N = 14) were more satisfied with the cloud-based technology (P = .004), the clarity of improvement targets (P = .004), and the speed of sharing data (P = .001). Their time to share data decreased from 4 days or more to 1 hour or less. Nurse champions readily adopted the cloud-based technology. These findings suggest additional research on technology innovations for nursing quality improvement is needed.

Standardization of care: impact of an enhanced recovery protocol on length of stay, complications, and direct costs after colorectal surgery.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal surgery is associated with considerable morbidity and prolonged length of stay (LOS). Recognizing the need for improvement, we implemented an enhanced recovery (ER) protocol for all patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery at an academic institution. STUDY DESIGN: A multidisciplinary team implemented an ER protocol based on: preoperative counseling with active patient participation, carbohydrate loading, multimodal analgesia with avoidance of intravenous opioids, intraoperative goal-directed fluid resuscitation, immediate postoperative feeding, and ambulation. Discharge requirements remained identical throughout. A before and after study design was undertaken comparing patients before (August 2012 to February 2013) and after implementation of an ER protocol (August 2013 to February 2014). Risk stratification was performed using the NSQIP risk calculator to calculate the predicted LOS for each patient based on 23 variables. RESULTS: One hundred and nine consecutive patients underwent surgery within the ER protocol compared with 98 consecutive historical controls (conventional). The risk-adjusted predicted LOS was similar for each group at 5.1 and 5.2 days. Substantial reductions were seen in LOS, morphine equivalents, intravenous fluids, return of bowel function, and overall complications with the ER group. There was a $7,129/patient reduction in direct cost, corresponding to a cost savings of $777,061 in the ER group. Patient satisfaction as measured by Press Ganey improved considerably during the study period. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of an ER protocol led to improved patient satisfaction and substantial reduction in LOS, complication rates, and costs for patients undergoing both open and laparoscopic colorectal surgery. These data demonstrate that small investments in the perioperative environment can lead to large returns.

Sleep hygiene and melatonin treatment for children and adolescents with ADHD and initial insomnia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of sleep hygiene and melatonin treatment for initial insomnia in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). METHOD: Twenty-seven stimulant-treated children (6-14 years of age) with ADHD and initial insomnia (>60 minutes) received sleep hygiene intervention. Nonresponders were randomized to a 30-day double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial of 5-mg pharmaceutical-grade melatonin provided by the study's sponsor. RESULTS: Sleep hygiene reduced initial insomnia to <60 minutes in 5 cases, with an overall effect size in the group as a whole of 0.67. Analysis of the trial data able to be evaluated showed a significant reduction in initial insomnia of 16 minutes with melatonin relative to placebo, with an effect size of 0.6. Adverse events were generally mild and not different from those recorded with placebo treatment. The effect size of the combined sleep hygiene and melatonin intervention from baseline to 90 days' posttrial was 1.7, with a mean decrease in initial insomnia of 60 minutes. Improved sleep had no demonstrable effect on ADHD symptoms. CONCLUSION: Combined sleep hygiene and melatonin was a safe and effective treatment for initial insomnia in children with ADHD taking stimulant medication.