Reduction in Thrombolytic Usage in Hemodialysis Patients Following a Quality Assurance Review: A Research Letter.

Background: Catheter malfunction in hemodialysis (HD) is increasingly managed with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA, alteplase), though evidence of improved catheter function is lacking. Objective: To evaluate the effect of a standardized rt-PA administration protocol on rt-PA usage, catheter function, and adverse events. Design: Observational quality improvement study. Setting: Single, urban, community HD unit in Calgary, Alberta. Patients: Patients treated with maintenance in-center HD through central venous catheter. Outcomes: Incidence of rt-PA usage, catheter interventions, hospitalizations, and measures of dialysis efficacy. Methods: The rt-PA protocol was designed following a consultative and iterative design period with dialysis shareholders, which included focusing on standard objective criteria before use and targeting use to the problematic lumen. Protocol implementation occurred over a 6-month period in 2021. Patient and dialysis data were collected through our regional dialysis electronic health record. Results: Implementation of the rt-PA protocol resulted in decreased rt-PA use (standardized per 100 dialysis sessions) compared to the preprotocol period (incidence rate ratio [IRR] of 0.57, 95% confidence interval [CI]: [0.34, 0.94]). Line procedures were also less frequent (IRR = 0.42, 95% CI: [0.18, 0.89]). Hospitalization rates and measures of dialysis efficacy were similar in both periods. Limitations: Small sample size with single dialysis center and short duration of follow-up. Conclusions: Implementation of a multidisciplinary designed rt-PA administration protocol decreased incident rt-PA usage.

Contexte: L'activateur tissulaire du plasminogène recombinant (rt-PA, alteplase) est de plus en plus utilisé pour la prise en charge du dysfonctionnement du cathéter en hémodialyse, bien qu'on manque de preuves sur l'amélioration de la fonction du cathéter. Objectif: Évaluer l'effet d'un protocole normalisé d'administration de rt-PA sur l'utilization de rt-PA, la fonction du cathéter et les événements indésirables. Type d'étude: Étude observationnelle d'amélioration de la qualité. Cadre: L'unité d'hémodialyse communautaire d'un center urbain de Calgary (Alberta). Sujets: Patients traités en center par hémodialyse d'entretien avec cathéter veineux central. Résultats: Mesure de l'efficacité de la dialyze et incidence de l'utilization du rt-PA, des interventions par cathéter et des hospitalisations. Méthodologie: Le protocole rt-PA a été élaboré après une période de consultation et d'itération auprès des intervenants en dialyze qui consistait à mettre l'accent sur les critères objectifs normalisés avant son utilization et à cibler son utilization dans la lumière problématique du cathéter. La mise en œuvre du protocole s'est déroulée sur une période de 6 mois en 2021. Les données sur les patients et les séances de dialyze ont été recueillies par le biais du dossier médical électronique régional pour la dialyze. Résultats: La mise en œuvre du protocole rt-PA a entraîné une diminution de l'utilization de rt-PA (normalisée pour 100 séances de dialyze) par rapport à la période pré-protocole (rapport du taux d'incidence [RTI] de 0,57; intervalle de confiance à 95% [IC 95 %] de 0.34 à 0.94). Les interventions au niveau des cathéters ont également été moins fréquentes (RTI: 0.42; IC 95 %: 0.18-0.89). Les taux d'hospitalization et les mesures de l'efficacité de la dialyze étaient semblables pour les deux périodes. Limites: Étude menée dans un seul center de dialyze, sur un échantillon de petite taille, avec un suivi de courte durée. Conclusion: La mise en œuvre d'un protocole d'administration de rt-PA conçu de façon multidisciplinaire a diminué l'incidence de l'utilization de rt-PA.

The magnitude of anemia and preventive practices in mothers with children under five years of age in Dodi Papase, Volta region of Ghana.

BACKGROUND: Socio-demographic factors influence the magnitude of anemia in endemic areas. The purpose of this study is to establish the magnitude of anemia and to determine anemia preventive practices carried out by mothers with children under five years of age in the Kadjebi District of the Volta region of Ghana. METHODS: This purposive sampling study involved women of reproductive age with children less than five years of age from Saint Mary Theresa Hospital and nurses practicing in the pediatric ward of the hospital. A questionnaire and interview guide were administered respectively, and the data collected were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 21. RESULTS: A total of 150 participants were studied; among which analysis of anemia was carried out on 129 women whose children had their hemoglobin levels checked and recorded in the laboratory. Hemoglobin levels recorded for these children showed that 85.3% were anemic, even though 93.8% of the mothers had been given iron supplements during their pregnancy. Furthermore, anemia prevention practices comprised whether the child had been given any anti-malaria prophylaxis (98.4% denied), if the child had been dewormed in the last three months (89.9% denied), whether the child was given iron supplements in the last three months (59.7% denied), if the child had been given vitamin supplements in the last three months (24.0% denied). CONCLUSION: Most of the children in the study were anemic. Mothers practiced exclusive breastfeeding, iron, and vitamin supplementation, and ensured that children slept under insecticide-treated mosquito nets as a means of preventing malaria.

Comorbidity and its Impact on Patients with COVID-19.

A novel human coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Since then, the virus has made its way across the globe to affect over 180 countries. SARS-CoV-2 has infected humans in all age groups, of all ethnicities, both males and females while spreading through communities at an alarming rate. Given the nature of this virus, there is much still to be learned; however, we know that the clinical manifestations range from a common cold to more severe diseases such as bronchitis, pneumonia, severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), multi-organ failure, and even death. It is believed that COVID-19, in those with underlying health conditions or comorbidities, has an increasingly rapid and severe progression, often leading to death. This paper examined the comorbid conditions, the progression of the disease, and mortality rates in patients of all ages, infected with the ongoing COVID-19 disease. An electronic literature review search was performed, and applicable data was then collected from peer-reviewed articles published from January to April 20, 2020. From what is known at the moment, patients with COVID-19 disease who have comorbidities, such as hypertension or diabetes mellitus, are more likely to develop a more severe course and progression of the disease. Furthermore, older patients, especially those 65 years old and above who have comorbidities and are infected, have an increased admission rate into the intensive care unit (ICU) and mortality from the COVID-19 disease. Patients with comorbidities should take all necessary precautions to avoid getting infected with SARS CoV-2, as they usually have the worst prognosis.