Self-monitoring of Blood Pressure in Patients With Hypertension-Related Multi-morbidity: Systematic Review and Individual Patient Data Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that self-monitoring of blood pressure (BP) is effective when combined with co-interventions, but its efficacy varies in the presence of some co-morbidities. This study examined whether self-monitoring can reduce clinic BP in patients with hypertension-related co-morbidity. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted of articles published in Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Library up to January 2018. Randomized controlled trials of self-monitoring of BP were selected and individual patient data (IPD) were requested. Contributing studies were prospectively categorized by whether they examined a low/high-intensity co-intervention. Change in BP and likelihood of uncontrolled BP at 12 months were examined according to number and type of hypertension-related co-morbidity in a one-stage IPD meta-analysis. RESULTS: A total of 22 trials were eligible, 16 of which were able to provide IPD for the primary outcome, including 6,522 (89%) participants with follow-up data. Self-monitoring was associated with reduced clinic systolic BP compared to usual care at 12-month follow-up, regardless of the number of hypertension-related co-morbidities (-3.12 mm Hg, [95% confidence intervals -4.78, -1.46 mm Hg]; P value for interaction with number of morbidities = 0.260). Intense interventions were more effective than low-intensity interventions in patients with obesity (P < 0.001 for all outcomes), and possibly stroke (P < 0.004 for BP control outcome only), but this effect was not observed in patients with coronary heart disease, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease. CONCLUSIONS: Self-monitoring lowers BP regardless of the number of hypertension-related co-morbidities, but may only be effective in conditions such obesity or stroke when combined with high-intensity co-interventions.

A trial of nebulised heparin to limit lung injury following cardiac surgery.

Cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass triggers an acute inflammatory response in the lungs. This response gives rise to fibrin deposition in the microvasculature and alveoli of the lungs. Fibrin deposition in the microvasculature increases alveolar dead space, while fibrin deposition in alveoli causes shunting. We investigated whether prophylactic nebulised heparin could limit this form of lung injury. We undertook a single-centre double-blind randomised trial. Forty patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass were randomised to prophylactic nebulised heparin (50,000 U) or placebo. The primary endpoint was the change in arterial oxygen levels over the operative period. Secondary endpoints included end-tidal CO2, the alveolar dead space fraction and bleeding complications. We found nebulised heparin did not improve arterial oxygen levels. Nebulised heparin was, however, associated with a lower alveolar dead space fraction (P <0.05) and lower tidal volumes at the end of surgery (P <0.01). Nebulised heparin was not associated with bleeding complications. In conclusion, prophylactic nebulised heparin did not improve oxygenation, but was associated with evidence of better alveolar perfusion and CO2elimination at the end of surgery.

Are verbal orders a threat to patient safety?

BACKGROUND: The use of verbal orders has been identified as a potential contributor to poor quality and less safe care. As a result, many organisations have encouraged changing the verbal orders process and/or reducing/eliminating verbal orders altogether (Joint Commission (2005), Institute of Medicine (2001), Leapfrog organisation, Institute of Safe Medication Practices). Ironically there is a paucity of research evidence to support the widespread concern over verbal order. AIMS: This paper describes the very limited existing research on verbal orders, presents a model of verbal order use identifying potential error trigger points and suggests a verbal order research agenda in order to better understand the nature and extent of the potential patient care safety threat posed by verbal orders.

Are verbal orders a threat to patient safety?

BACKGROUND: The use of verbal orders has been identified as a potential contributor to poor quality and less safe care. As a result, many organisations have encouraged changing the verbal orders process and/or reducing/eliminating verbal orders altogether (Joint Commission (2005), Institute of Medicine (2001), Leapfrog organisation, Institute of Safe Medication Practices). Ironically there is a paucity of research evidence to support the widespread concern over verbal order. AIMS: This paper describes the very limited existing research on verbal orders, presents a model of verbal order use identifying potential error trigger points and suggests a verbal order research agenda in order to better understand the nature and extent of the potential patient care safety threat posed by verbal orders.

Relationship between peripheral intravenous catheter Dwell time and the development of phlebitis and infiltration.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether lengthening the dwell time of peripheral i.v. catheters from 72 hours to 144 hours resulted in increased rates of phlebitis and/or infiltration. The study was conducted in medical/surgical units at a 110-bed teaching hospital with an i.v. team. Kaplan-Meier estimates of the success and failure and conditional failure probabilities were calculated for phlebitis and infiltration scores. Log rank tests were used to test for an association between the covariates and the time until failure. Drug irritation was the most significant predictor of phlebitis and infiltration rates in this study. The total difference in the estimated failure rates for the catheter lasting 6 days versus a new catheter inserted for another 3 days is 1.3%. Because the conditional failure probability estimates for days 4, 5, and 6 are slightly higher than for days 1, 2, and 3, consideration may be given to extending the dwell time of a peripheral i.v. catheter beyond 72 hours under certain circumstances.

Organizational culture, continuous quality improvement, and medication administration error reporting.

This study explores the relationships among measures of nurses' perceptions of organizational culture, continuous quality improvement (CQI) implementation, and medication administration error (MAE) reporting. Hospital-based nurses were surveyed using measures of organizational culture and CQI implementation. These data were combined with previously collected data on perceptions of MAE reporting. A group-oriented culture had a significant positive correlation with CQI implementation, whereas hierarchical and rational culture types were negatively correlated with CQI implementation. Higher barriers to reporting MAE were associated with lower perceived reporting rates. A group-oriented culture and a greater extent of CQI implementation were positively (but not significantly) associated with the estimated overall percentage of MAEs reported. We conclude that health care organizations have implemented CQI programs, yet barriers remain relative to MAE reporting. There is a need to assess the reliability, validity, and completeness of key quality assessment and risk management data.

How accurate are chronic wound assessments using interactive video technology?

This project examined the accuracy of chronic wound assessments made using an interactive, video telecommunications system (Teledoc 5000, NEC America, Inc., Irving, TX) by comparing a nurse expert's in-person wound assessments with wound assessments made from taped Teledoc sessions. Wound assessments determined the absence or presence of nine wound characteristics instrumental in guiding treatment (e.g., tunneling, undermining, granulation tissue, necrotic tissue, epithelial tissue, purulent exudate, erythema, edema, induration). A sample of 13 paired wound observations was analyzed. The accuracy of the Teledoc technology was examined by calculating the amount of agreement between the in-person assessments and the taped Teledoc assessments for each of the nine characteristics. Agreement for eight of the nine wound characteristic exceeded 75%, suggesting this telehealth medium does not alter wound assessment data, which are essential in guiding treatment decisions. In addition to connecting the remotely based nurse with nursing expertise to improve patient care, telehealth technology seemed to increase the remotely-based nurses' knowledge of wound assessment and treatment as well.

A nursing application of telecommunications. Measurement of satisfaction for patients and providers.

Consumer and provider satisfaction is key to the continued use and expansion of telehealth technology. This pilot study compared satisfaction of providers and patients with wound consultations done in person with those done via real-time interactive video technology. Eleven telehealth consultations with a nurse expert were immediately followed by an in-person consultation with a second nurse expert. Satisfaction questionnaires were administered to patients, referring nurses, and the consultant nurse expert following both the in-person consultation and the telehealth consultation. The referring nurses (100%) were satisfied with both the telehealth and in-person consultations, noting the ability to provide better care for their patients. The patients (55%) were "very satisfied" with the telehealth consultations versus 40% satisfied with the in-person consultations. Difficulty in hearing for the patients was equal in both groups, which resulted in changes in the consultation process. The patients' difficulty in seeing the telehealth consultant was addressed through larger screens and strategic positioning to provide easier viewing for the patient and providers. The telehealth nurse consultant was satisfied overall but had some difficulty communicating. This pilot study helped provide useful information for both the telehealth and in-person consultations.

Evaluating the cost of one telehealth application connecting an acute and long-term care setting.

This article describes a study of the costs of a pilot telemedicine chronic wound consultation clinic. Cost minimization analysis is the technique used to examine the costs of the clinic. The components of cost analysis include the fixed costs of personnel and equipment and the indirect costs of circuit and line charges. Cost avoidance is also examined. Cost avoidance evaluates what costs were avoided by the use of the telemedicine clinic. Additionally, the cost perspectives of the consulting agency, the referring agency, and the patient are examined. The average cost of a chronic wound consultation was $136.16 (acute care perspective). Costs of a traditional face-to-face consultation, if the residents were transported to the acute care facility would be $246.28. Fifteen telehealth consultations per month were used to determine per consultation costs for line charges and depreciation/maintenance costs. In this pilot study, a cost savings was realized and patients benefited. Increased volume will help to offset the cost of the equipment depreciation and maintenance and make telehealth chronic wound consultations more cost effective.

Delirium in elderly patients: an overview of the state of the science.

Delirium is a common and potentially preventable and reversible cause of functional disability, morbidity, mortality, and increased health care use among elderly individuals. Much has been learned about delirium in the past decade. Highlighted in this article are recent advances in the diagnosis of delirium, delirium in long-term care, use of health care resources, outcomes of delirium, etiologies, and interventions to prevent and treat delirium. Suggestions for future research also are proposed.

Training of acute confusion resource nurses. Knowledge, perceived confidence, and role.

Most nurses function as generalists; however, some function in "expert" roles based on informal training as Resource Nurses. Training usually focuses on assessment and management of a specific problem, with the goal of creating a readily available "expert" for every unit. The primary activity of the Resource Nurse is to provide expert care, education, and consultation for patients, families, and staff. The Iowa-Veterans Affairs Nursing Research Consortium (IVANRC) addressed the need to manage acutely confused/delirious clients by training staff nurse volunteers (N = 129) from all units of the four Iowa Veterans Affairs facilities to act as unit-based acute confusion Resource Nurses (ACRNs). A day-long workshop included didactic content addressing etiology and presentation of acute confusion (AC), use of the IVANRC protocol to assess for AC, and basic information on treatment and management of AC. The nurses also participated in an efficacy-based experiential learning program on AC assessment that involved demonstrating assessment of AC and role enactment practice exercises in which ACRNs practiced the assessment. A test of knowledge of AC and perceived level of confidence in assessing acutely confused patients was administered before and after completion of the program. Paired t tests comparing pre- and posttest scores showed that knowledge and confidence significantly increased for the nurses as a result of their participation in the educational program. Eighteen months later, a second program was conducted to update current ACRNs and train additional RNs to enact this role. Pre- and posttest scores were obtained, with paired t tests showing a significant increase in knowledge for the participants. Twenty-four (49%) of the second program attendees had attended the first program. These participants had significantly higher scores on the second program pretest than those participants who had not attended the previous program, indicating a retention of knowledge from the first program.

Acute confusion in terminally ill hospitalized patients.

Knowledge about acute confusion (AC) has grown rapidly during the past decade, but very few studies have focused specifically on AC episodes associated with the end of life. Although experienced oncology clinicians accept that AC is common near the end of life, little is known about the frequency, nature, course, and timing of AC during this critical stage of life in patients with terminal cancer. Data suggest patients with advanced cancer have reversible causes of delirium, where appropriate treatment can result in improved outcomes. The data for this article are drawn from a larger study investigating the incidence, prevalence, behaviors, and outcomes of AC in acutely ill medical patients. The diagnosis of AC was ascertained using the NEECHAM Confusion Scale. Of the 117 participants included in the larger study, 16 developed delirium (cumulative incidence estimate, 14%) and 10 died within 1 year of the index hospitalization. These 10 cases were categorized in two groups: those with a cancer-related diagnosis (n = 6) and those without cancer (n = 4). To further describe the nature of AC near the end of life, two case studies are presented. Because all previous studies were conducted using samples consisting of patients with cancer, it is unknown whether the findings reported in previous studies hold for other terminal illnesses, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or heart failure. The data presented in this article suggest there are differences in baseline vulnerability (e.g., cognitive status) and the timing of AC in relation to death. These differences need to be explored in a larger sample of individuals both with and without a diagnosis of cancer. The severity and course of AC in the terminally ill population needs to be described to gain a better understanding of end-of-life AC phenomenology (e.g., signs, patterns, subtypes). Armed with this information, health care providers will then be able to develop and test AC-specific treatments of patients, as well as counsel and support family members of patients experiencing AC.

Improving medication administration error reporting systems. Why do errors occur?

Monitoring medication administration errors (MAE) is often included as part of the hospital's risk management program. While observation of actual medication administration is the most accurate way to identify errors, hospitals typically rely on voluntary incident reporting processes. Although incident reporting systems are more economical than other methods of error detection, incident reporting can also be a time-consuming process depending on the complexity or "user-friendliness" of the reporting system. Accurate incident reporting systems are also dependent on the ability of the practitioner to: 1) recognize an error has actually occurred; 2) believe the error is significant enough to warrant reporting; and 3) overcome the embarrassment of having committed a MAE and the fear of punishment for reporting a mistake (either one's own or another's mistake).

Acute confusion assessment instruments: clinical versus research usability.

Acute confusion (AC), also referred to as delirium (AC/delirium), is a common problem seen by health professionals who work in a variety of care settings. This is an evaluative report on the clinical usability of instruments to assess AC/delirium as a part of nursing practice. Specifically, five instruments [the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM), Delirium Rating Scale (DRS), Delirium Symptom Inventory (DSI), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and Neelon/Champagne (NEECHAM) Confusion Scale] are discussed. The work demonstrates how the cooperation of nurses in practice, education, and research can improve both patient and staff outcomes.

Understanding and comparing differences in reported medication administration error rates.

The prevention of medication administration errors (MAEs) represents a central focus of hospitals' quality improvement and risk management initiatives. Because the identification and reporting of MAEs is a nonautomated and voluntary process, it is essential to understand the extent to which errors may not be reported. This study reports the results of 2 multihospital surveys in which over 1300 staff nurses in each survey estimated the extent to which various types of nonintravenous (non-i.v.) and intravenous (i.v.)-related MAEs are actually being reported on their nursing units. Overall, respondents estimated that about 60% of MAEs are actually being reported. Considerable differences in estimated rates of MAE reporting were found between staff and supervisors working on the same patient care units. A simulation based on actual and perceived rates of MAE reporting is presented to estimate the range of errors not being reported. Implications regarding the reliability, validity, and completeness of MAEs actually being reported are discussed.

Understanding why medication administration errors may not be reported.

Because the identification and reporting of medication administration errors (MAE) is a nonautomated and voluntary process, it is important to understand potential barriers to MAE reporting. This paper describes and analyzes a survey instrument designed to assist in evaluating the relative importance of 15 different potential MAE-reporting barriers. Based on the responses of over 1300 nurses and a confirmatory LISREL analysis, the 15 potential barriers are combined into 4 subscales: Disagreement Over Error, Reporting Effort, Fear, and Administrative Response. The psychometric properties of this instrument and descriptive profiles are presented. Specific suggestions for enhancing MAE reporting are discussed.