Correlation between disease severity indices and quality of life measurement tools in atopic dermatitis patients / Correlación entre los índices de gravedad de la enfermedad y las herramientas de medición de la calidad de vida en pacientes con dermatitis atópica

INTRODUCTION: Reports regarding the correlation and effect size of change of the full spectrum of quality of life and disease severity measures applied in-person to patients with atopic dermatitis are scarce. OBJECTIVES: To assess quality-of-life with 3 different instruments and to evaluate disease severity indices and to determine their correlation and effect size of change between two measurements. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patient-level data were obtained through two in-person visits. Sociodemographic information and data related to disease distribution, severity (through the BSA, EASI, SCORAD, POEM, and itching scales), and the impact of atopic dermatitis on quality of life using the DLQI and Skindex-29, and EQ-5D, were assessed. The correlation between change in quality-of-life scores and disease severity scores in addition to the standardized effect size were also evaluated. RESULTS: Only 139 out of 212 patients completed the follow-up visit. BSA highly correlated with SCORAD and EASI, and the lowest correlation was found with POEM. The best correlation of pruritus VAS was found with sleep disturbance. The SCORAD score highly correlated with EASI, and the lowest correlation was found with POEM. The magnitude of the effect at initiation of the study vs follow-up was in average moderate to important. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with atopic dermatitis experience a substantial burden on quality of life. Disease activity correlates better with quality-of-life measurements when the disease is less severe after starting therapy. POEM and Skindex-29 seem to be optimal to determine disease severity and quality of life in adults with atopic dermatitis.

Introducción: La información publicada sobre la correlación entre la magnitud del efecto de todo el espectro de la calidad de vida y la gravedad de la enfermedad en pacientes con dermatitis atópica es escasa. Objetivos: Evaluar la calidad de vida con tres instrumentos diferentes y los índices de gravedad de la enfermedad en pacientes con dermatitis atópica para determinar su correlación y el tamaño del efecto del cambio. Materiales y métodos: Los datos de los pacientes se obtuvieron a partir de dos visitas. Se evaluó la información sociodemográfica y los datos relacionados con la distribución y la gravedad de la enfermedad (mediante de las escalas BSA, EASI, SCORAD, POEM, prurito) y el impacto de la dermatitis atópica en la calidad de vida utilizando el Dermatology Life Quality Index, Skindex-29 y EQ-5D. También se evaluó la correlación entre el cambio en las puntuaciones de calidad de vida y las de gravedad de la enfermedad, además del tamaño del efecto estandarizado. Resultados: Solo 139 de los 212 pacientes completaron la visita de seguimiento. El área de superficie corporal se correlacionó fuertemente con el SCORAD y el EASI, y la correlación más débil fue con el POEM. La mejor correlación del prurito medido con la escala visual análoga se halló con la alteración del sueño. El puntaje SCORAD se correlacionó altamente con el EASI mientras que la correlación más baja se encontró con el POEM. La magnitud del efecto al inicio del estudio respecto al seguimiento fue en promedio de moderada a importante. Conclusiones: Los pacientes con dermatitis atópica experimentan una carga sustancial en la calidad de vida. La actividad de la enfermedad se correlaciona mejor con las mediciones de calidad de vida cuando esta es menos grave, después de comenzar la terapia. Los índices POEM y Skindex-29 parecen ser óptimos para determinar la gravedad de la enfermedad y la calidad de vida en adultos con dermatitis atópica.

Complicaciones quirúrgicas: un tema complicado / Surgical complications: A complicated topic

Introducción. Las complicaciones quirúrgicas son un tema relevante, difícil de abordar e inmerso en una cultura punitiva y vergonzosa hacia el médico. La ausencia de una medición sistemática, confiable y socializada es un desafío para los servicios quirúrgicos. El desconocimiento de las medidas de frecuencia y el impacto de las complicaciones quirúrgicas en las instituciones, y a su vez, dentro de los servicios quirúrgicos, evidencia la necesidad de abordar el tema desde una perspectiva de mejoramiento continuo. Métodos. Se hizo un análisis crítico y reflexivo sobre la conceptualización de las complicaciones quirúrgicas, los avances en su proceso de evaluación y su utilidad como indicador de calidad en los servicios quirúrgicos. Se ilustraron las metodologías con ejemplos clínicos que facilitan su entendimiento y aplicabilidad. Resultados. El trabajo inicial de los doctores Clavien & Dindo se ha fortalecido al considerar integralmente el proceso de atención quirúrgica como un indicador de calidad de la atención en salud. El desarrollo del Índice Integral de Complicaciones (CCI), para los eventos en el período posoperatorio, representa un paso adicional en el abordaje del problema. Su potencialidad en el análisis de los eventos ofrece una oportunidad para la implementación y la investigación en el tema. Conclusiones. Las complicaciones quirúrgicas representan un indicador robusto que permite evaluar el desempeño individual y grupal en un servicio quirúrgico. Hay metodologías recientes que deben ser incorporadas en la actividad asistencial de los cirujanos. Representan un insumo en la educación médica a todo nivel e, igualmente, un elemento de crecimiento personal y académico para todo cirujano.

Introduction. Surgical complications are a relevant topic, difficult to address and immersed in a punitive and shameful culture towards the doctor. The absence of systematic, reliable, and socialized measurement is a challenge for surgical services. The lack of knowledge of frequency measurements and the impact of surgical complications in institutions, and in turn, within surgical services, shows the need to address the issue from a perspective of continuous improvement. Methods. A critical and reflective analysis was carried out on the conceptualization of surgical complications, the advances in their evaluation process and their usefulness as an indicator of quality in surgical services. The methodologies were illustrated with clinical examples that facilitate their understanding and applicability. Results. The initial work of doctors Clavien & Dindo has been strengthened by comprehensively considering the surgical care process as an indicator of quality of health care. The development of the Comprehensive Complication Index (CCI), for events in the postoperative period, represents an additional step in addressing the problem. Its potential in the analysis of events offers an opportunity for implementation and research on the topic. Conclusions. Surgical complications represent a robust indicator that allows evaluating individual and group performance in a surgical service. There are recent methodologies that must be incorporated into the care activity of surgeons. They represent an input in medical education at all levels and equally, an element of personal and academic growth for every surgeon.

Neonatal acuity tool-defined staffing ratios in a tertiary Australian neonatal intensive care unit.

AIMS: There is well-established data linking the adequacy of nurse staffing to patient outcomes. Evidence-based standards for staffing are therefore critical to drive improvements in clinical care. One such evidence-based approach is the use of patient acuity-based tools. The objective of this study is to determine the performance of a neonatal acuity tool in an Australian tertiary neonatal health-care setting, focusing on the classification of patient acuity and nursing:patient staffing ratios compared to current practice. METHODS: Acuity data were collected in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and special care baby unit (SCBU) over a 10-week period in 2023. Patient data were scored in the 16 domains at two time points (prior to morning and evening nursing shift changeover) for all admitted newborns. RESULTS: For ventilated newborns nursed with a nurse:patient staffing ratio of 1:1, 78% of scores were within the L4-high acuity (score ≥ 26) band, with the remaining scores within the L3-high acuity (18-25) band. For newborns on non-invasive respiratory support in NICU staffed 1:1, the proportion scoring within the L4 acuity band was higher in the nasal high-flow group compared to the nasal continuous positive airway pressure group (P = 0.032), an effect not seen for those nursed 1:2 in NICU or for those on nasal high-flow nursed in SCBU either 1:2 or 1:3. CONCLUSION: This study of how a neonatal acuity classification system compares with current nurse:patient staffing allocations in an Australian tertiary NICU, suggests refinements in staffing ratios for specific patient groups on respiratory support are possible.

Treatment options for patients with pilonidal sinus disease: PITSTOP, a mixed-methods evaluation.

Background: There is no consensus on optimal management of pilonidal disease. Surgical practice is varied, and existing literature is mainly single-centre cohort studies of varied disease severity, interventions and outcome assessments. Objectives: A prospective cohort study to determine: • disease severity and intervention relationship • most valued outcomes and treatment preference by patients • recommendations for policy and future research. Design: Observational cohort study with nested mixed-methods case study. Discrete choice experiment. Clinician survey. Three-stage Delphi survey for patients and clinicians. Inter-rater reliability of classification system. Setting: Thirty-one National Health Service trusts. Participants: Patients aged > 16 years referred for elective surgical treatment of pilonidal disease. Interventions: Surgery. Main outcome measures: Pain postoperative days 1 and 7, time to healing and return to normal activities, complications, recurrence. Outcomes compared between major and minor procedures using regression modelling, propensity score-based approaches and augmented inverse probability weighting to account for measured potential confounding features. Results: Clinician survey: There was significant heterogeneity in surgeon practice preference. Limited training opportunities may impede efforts to improve practice. Cohort study: Over half of patients (60%; N = 667) had a major procedure. For these procedures, pain was greater on day 1 and day 7 (mean difference day 1 pain 1.58 points, 95% confidence interval 1.14 to 2.01 points, n = 536; mean difference day 7 pain 1.53 points, 95% confidence interval 1.12 to 1.95 points, n = 512). There were higher complication rates (adjusted risk difference 17.5%, 95% confidence interval 9.1 to 25.9%, n = 579), lower recurrence (adjusted risk difference -10.1%, 95% confidence interval -18.1 to -2.1%, n = 575), and longer time to healing (>34 days estimated difference) and time to return to normal activities (difference 25.9 days, 95% confidence interval 18.4 to 33.4 days). Mixed-methods analysis: Patient decision-making was influenced by prior experience of disease and anticipated recovery time. The burden involved in wound care and the gap between expected and actual time for recovery were the principal reasons given for decision regret. Discrete choice experiment: The strongest predictors of patient treatment choice were risk of infection/persistence (attribute importance 70%), and shorter recovery time (attribute importance 30%). Patients were willing to trade off these attributes. Those aged over 30 years had a higher risk tolerance (22.35-34.67%) for treatment failure if they could experience rapid recovery. There was no strong evidence that younger patients were willing to accept higher risk of treatment failure in exchange for a faster recovery. Patients were uniform in rejecting excision-and-leave-open because of the protracted nursing care it entailed. Wysocki classification analysis: There was acceptable inter-rater agreement (κ = 0.52, 95% confidence interval 0.42 to 0.61). Consensus exercise: Five research and practice priorities were identified. The top research priority was that a comparative trial should broadly group interventions. The top practice priority was that any interventions should be less disruptive than the disease itself. Limitations: Incomplete recruitment and follow-up data were an issue, particularly given the multiple interventions. Assumptions were made regarding risk adjustment. Conclusions and future work: Results suggest the burden of pilonidal surgery is greater than reported previously. This can be mitigated with better selection of intervention according to disease type and patient desired goals. Results indicate a framework for future higher-quality trials that stratify disease and utilise broad groupings of common interventions with development of a patient-centred core outcome set. Trial registration: This trial is registered as ISRCTN95551898. Funding: This award was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme (NIHR award ref: 17/17/02) and is published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 28, No. 33. See the NIHR Funding and Awards website for further award information.

Pilonidal disease is caused by ingrowing hairs between the buttocks. It can cause pain and infection and may need surgery. We do not know which operation gives the best results, or who operations help. PITSTOP aimed to find out which operation is the best and what is important to patients when deciding on surgery, and to suggest ideas for better treatment and future research. We looked at what operations were done and their outcomes. We interviewed patients about their experiences. Some completed a survey to help us understand what operations they might prefer based on risks and outcomes. Surgeons completed a survey about their experiences, and we explored whether a new tool could help us tell the difference between 'mild' and 'bad' disease. We used findings from these studies to help patients and surgeons give priorities for future practice and research. Six hundred and sixty-seven patients joined PITSTOP. People who had a major operation had more pain and took longer to return to normal activities. Some were still affected 6 months after surgery. However, disease recurrence was lower than after a minor procedure. Patients based decisions about treatment on the likelihood of success and the time to recover. The study and the surgeons' survey both showed marked differences in practice. Surgeons tended to offer one or two operations learned during training. A classification tool put cases in similar groups, but this did not influence treatment choices. The consensus exercise identified five research priorities, the top one being to put types of surgery into two groups. Of the five practice priorities, the top one was that surgery should not make the patient worse than the disease. There is variation in the treatment of pilonidal disease. Wound issues and impact on daily living should be avoided. The highlighted research questions should be addressed to improve care.

Australian consensus: Treatment goals for moderate to severe psoriasis in the era of targeted therapies - Considerations for paediatric patients.

BACKGROUND: Treatment goals have been established in Australia to facilitate the management of adults with moderate to severe psoriasis. The Australasian College of Dermatologists sought to determine if and how these adult treatment goals could be modified to accommodate the needs of paediatric and adolescent patients. METHODS: A modified Delphi approach was used. Comprehensive literature review and guideline evaluation resulted in the development of statements and other questions to establish current clinical practices. Two rounds of anonymous voting were undertaken, with a collaborative meeting held in between to discuss areas of discordance. Overall, consensus was defined as achievement of ≥75% agreement in the range 7-9 on a 9-point scale (1 strongly disagree; 9 strongly agree). RESULTS: Consensus was achieved on 23/29 statements in round 1 and 17/18 statements in round 2. There was a high level of concordance with treatment criteria in the adult setting. The limitations of applying assessment tools developed for use in adult patients to the paediatric setting were highlighted. Treatment targets in the paediatric setting should include objective metrics for disease severity and psychological impact on the patients and their family, and be based on validated, age-appropriate tools. CONCLUSION: While the assessment, classification and management of moderate to severe psoriasis in paediatric patients aligns with metrics established for adults, it is vital that nuances in the transition from childhood to adolescence be taken into account. Future research should focus on psoriasis severity assessment scales specific to the paediatric setting.

Development and Implementation of a Pediatric Nursing Emergency Behavioral Health Assessment Tool.

INTRODUCTION: The national pediatric mental and behavioral health crisis dramatically increased emergency department mental and behavioral health visits and changed emergency nursing practice. Acuity assessment determines patient severity level and supports appropriate resources and interventions. There are no established nursing tools that assess pediatric mental or behavioral health acuity in the emergency department setting. Our goal was to develop and implement the novel pediatric emergency nurse Emergency Behavioral Health Acuity Assessment Tool. METHODS: This quality-improvement project used the plan, do, study, act model to design/refine the Emergency Behavioral Health Acuity Assessment Tool and a non-experimental descriptive design to assess outcomes. The setting was a 47-bed urban level 1 pediatric trauma center with more than 60,000 annual visits. The team designed the tool using published evidence, emergency nurse feedback, and expert opinion. The tool objectively captured patient acuity and suggested acuity-specific nursing interventions. Project outcomes included acuity, length-of-stay, restraint use, and patient/staff injuries. Analyses included descriptive statistics and correlations. RESULTS: With over 3000 annual mental/behavioral-related visits, the emergency department had an average daily census of 23 mental and behavioral health patients. Implementation occurred in August 2021. The Emergency Behavioral Health Acuity Assessment Tool dashboard provided the number of patients, patient location, and acuity. Length-of-stay did not change; however, patient restraint use and patient/staff injuries declined. Number of restraints positively correlated with moderate acuity levels (r = 0.472, P = 0.036). DISCUSSION: For emergency nurses, the Emergency Behavioral Health Acuity Assessment Tool provided an objective measure of patient acuity. Targeted interventions can improve the care of this population.

Caracterización del cáncer vesical en adultos según variables clínicas y epidemiológicas / Characterization of bladder cancer in adults according to clinical and epidemiological variables

Introducción: El cáncer de la vejiga es uno de los más frecuentes del tracto urinario y se manifiesta de dos formas: como tumor superficial de bajo grado o como neoplasia invasora de alto grado. Objetivo: Caracterizar el cáncer vesical en adultos, según variables clínicas, epidemiológicas y de servicio. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional descriptivo y retrospectivo, para caracterizar el cáncer vesical en adultos, según variables clínicas, epidemiológicas y de servicio de los pacientes atendidos en el servicio de Urología del Hospital Universitario Clínico-Quirúrgico «Arnaldo Milián Castro» en el periodo comprendido de octubre 2019 y 2022. Población del estudio: 242 pacientes diagnosticados con cáncer vesical. Resultados: La mayoría de los pacientes diagnosticados con cáncer vesical corresponden al año 2019 (45,86 %): masculinos (75,20 %); blancos (89,25 %); mayores de 70 o más años (64,46 %) y fumadores (95,45 %). La hematuria fue el síntoma principal (91,73 %), como expresión del carcinoma urotelial papilar de bajo grado (36,77 %). Tratamiento: la resección transuretral (88,01 %), sin metástasis a distancia (88,42 %). Conclusiones: La mayoría de los pacientes diagnosticados con cáncer vesical corresponden al año 2019, masculinos, blancos, mayores de 70 o más años, fumadores y con hematuria. Más frecuente: el carcinoma urotelial papilar de bajo grado. El tiempo trascurrido antes del diagnóstico de la enfermedad fue de 36-40 días, y un mes, el tiempo trascurrido antes del tratamiento de la enfermedad.

Introduction: bladder cancer is one of the most frequent cancers of the urinary tract and manifests itself in two ways: as a superficial low-grade tumor or as a high-grade invasive neoplasm. Objective: to characterize bladder cancer in adults according to clinical, epidemiological and service variables. Methods: a descriptive and retrospective observational study was carried out to characterize bladder cancer in adults according to clinical, epidemiological and service variables of patients treated in the Urology service at "Arnaldo Milián Castro" Clinical and Surgical University Hospital from October 2019 and 2022. The study population was 242 patients diagnosed with bladder cancer. Results: most of the patients diagnosed with bladder cancer correspond to the year 2019 (45.86%): male (75.20%); whites (89.25%); older than 70 or more years (64.46%) and smokers (95.45%). Hematuria was the main symptom (91.73%), as an expression of low-grade papillary urothelial carcinoma (36.77%). The treatment was transurethral resection (88.01%), without distant metastasis (88.42%). Conclusions: most of the patients diagnosed with bladder cancer correspond to the year 2019, male, whites, older than 70 years or older, smokers and with hematuria. Low-grade papillary urothelial carcinoma was the most frequent cancer. The time elapsed before the diagnosis of the disease was 36-40 days, and the time elapsed before the treatment of the disease was 1 month.

Severe COVID-19 in the context of a vaccinated population: Case-control study / COVID-19 grave no contexto de uma população vacinada: estudo caso-controle / COVID-19 grave en el contexto de una población vacunada: Estudio de casos y controles

Background and Objectives: Since its appearance in 2019, multiple risk factors have been identified for presenting a severe form of COVID-19 and different vaccines have also been developed to prevent severe manifestations. However, despite a vaccination history, some cases progress to complications or even death. The objective of this study was to determine the strength of the association between the severity of COVID-19 and the history of vaccination in patients treated at a public reference hospital in Mexico City. Methods: This was a non-experimental, retrospective, and analytical epidemiological study of cases and controls. The study population was people treated at a concentration hospital for COVID-19 care between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022, in Mexico City. Results: 132 participants (44 cases and 88 controls) were included in the study. The risk factors most strongly associated with COVID-19 severity were age greater than or equal to 60 years, presenting 22 breaths per minute at the first medical evaluation, systolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 140 millimeters of mercury, and a history of at least one chronic comorbidity. However, vaccination history was associated with 94% (OR 0.06) lower odds of developing severe COVID-19 compared to those without a history of vaccination, regardless of the presence of associated risk factors. Conclusion: Lacking a history of vaccination and presenting any of the identified risk factors confer higher odds of developing severe forms of the disease.(AU)

Justificativa e Objetivos: Desde o seu aparecimento em 2019, foram identificados múltiplos fatores de risco para a apresentação de uma forma grave de COVID-19 e foram desenvolvidas diferentes vacinas para prevenir o aparecimento de manifestações graves. No entanto, apesar de um histórico de vacinação, alguns casos podem evoluir para complicações ou mesmo para a morte. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a força de associação entre a gravidade da COVID-19 e o histórico de vacinação em pacientes atendidos em um hospital público de referência na Cidade do México. Métodos: Estudo epidemiológico não-experimental, retrospectivo e analítico, de casos e controles. A população do estudo foram indivíduos atendidos em um hospital de concentração para atendimento à COVID-19 entre 1 de julho de 2021 e 30 de junho de 2022, na Cidade do México. Resultados: 132 participantes (44 casos e 88 controles) foram incluídos no estudo. Os fatores de risco mais fortemente associados à gravidade da COVID-19 foram idade superior ou igual a 60 anos, apresentar 22 respirações por minuto na primeira avaliação médica, pressão arterial sistólica superior ou igual a 140 milímetros de mercúrio e histórico de pelo menos uma comorbidade crônica. No entanto, histórico de vacinação foi associado a uma probabilidade 94% (OR 0,06) menor de desenvolver COVID-19 grave em comparação com aqueles sem histórico de vacinação, independentemente da presença de fatores de risco associados. Conclusão: A ausência de histórico de vacinação e a presença de algum dos fatores de risco identificados conferem maiores probabilidades de desenvolver formas graves da doença.(AU)

Justificación y Objetivos: Desde su aparición en 2019, se han identificado múltiples factores de riesgo para presentar una forma grave de COVID-19 y también se han desarrollado distintas vacunas que previenen la aparición de manifestaciones de gravedad. Sin embargo, a pesar del antecedente de vacunación, algunos casos se complican o incluso fallecen. El objetivo del este estudio fue determinar la fuerza de asociación entre la gravedad de la COVID-19 con el antecedente de vacunación en pacientes atendidos en un hospital público de referencia de la Ciudad de México. Métodos: Estudio epidemiológico no experimental, retrospectivo y analítico, de casos y controles. La población de estudio fueron personas atendidas en un hospital de concentración para la atención de COVID-19 entre el 1 de julio de 2021 y el 30 de junio de 2022 en la Ciudad de México. Resultados: 132 participantes (44 casos y 88 controles) fueron incluidos en el estudio. Los factores de riesgo más fuertemente asociados con la gravedad de la COVID-19 fueron la edad mayor o igual a 60 años, presentar 22 respiraciones por minuto en la primera valoración médica, tensión arterial sistólica mayor o igual a 140 milímetros de mercurio y el antecedente de al menos una comorbilidad crónica. No obstante, el antecedente de vacunación se asoció con 94% (RM 0.06) menos posibilidades de desarrollar COVID-19 grave con respecto a aquellos sin antecedente vacunal, independientemente de la presencia de los factores de riesgo asociados. Conclusión: carecer del antecedente de vacunación y presentar alguno de los factores de riesgo identificados confieren las mayores posibilidades de presentar formas graves de la enfermedad.(AU)

Changes in the composition of molecular species of covalently bound and free ceramides [EOS], and their correlation with disease severity in atopic dermatitis.

Ceramides are major constituents of stratum corneum (SC) intercellular lipids involved in skin barrier function. The ratio of molecular species of ceramides and their correlation with disease severity was examined in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). Thirty-eight patients with AD and 32 healthy controls (HCs) were assessed for transepidermal water loss, SC collection and clinical assessment. The ceramide content of different molecular species in the samples was quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. Unsaturated acyl chains of both covalently bound and free ceramides [EOS] were higher in AD lesional skin than those in AD non-lesional or normal HC skin. The proportion of unsaturated acyl chains (C30:1, C32:1 and C34:1) was higher than other ceramide molecular species among covalently bound and free ceramides [EOS] in patients with AD. The proportion of unsaturated acyl chains in covalently bound ceramides was positively correlated with transepidermal water loss (r = 0.600) when considering the total number of non-lesional and lesional skin. Additionally, thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC) showed a positive correlation with unsaturated acyl chains proportion in AD non-lesional (r = 0.676) and lesional (r = 0.503) skin. Our study is the first to show the increase in unsaturated acyl chains of both covalently bound and free ceramides [EOS] in lesional and non-lesional skin in AD for each molecular species. This increase is associated with dryness and impaired barrier function, which correlates with TARC levels, a marker for the degree of type 2 inflammation. We speculate that type 2 inflammation exacerbation leads to abnormal epidermal lipid metabolism in the skin of patients with AD.

Determination of Nursing Care Times Based on the Perroca Patient Classification Instrument in the Inpatient Oncology Unit: A Mixed Method Study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the daily nursing care times of hospitalized inpatient oncology unit patients according to degree of acuity using the Perroca Patient Classification tool. DATA SOURCES: This study used a mixed method sequential explanatory design. The "Nursing Activity Record Form" and "Perroca Patient Classification Instrument" were used for quantitative data collection, and direct observation was performed for 175 hours via time-motion study. Descriptive statistics, between-group comparison, and correlation analysis were used for data analysis. Using a semistructured questionnaire, qualitative data were collected from individual in-depth interviews with seven nurses who participated in the quantitative part of the study. Qualitative data were analyzed by thematic analysis. The reporting of this study followed GRAMMS checklist. CONCLUSIONS: As a result of the integration of quantitative and qualitative data, daily nursing care duration was determined as 2 to 2.5 hours for Type 1 patients, 2.6 to 3.5 hours for Type 2 patients, 3.6 to 4.75 hours for Type 3 patients, and 4.76 to 5.5 hours for Type 4 patients. The findings showed that in an inpatient oncology unit, nursing care hours increased as patients' Perroca Patient Classification Instrument acuity grade increased; thus, the instrument was discriminative in determining patients' degree of acuity. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Nurse managers can utilize this study's results to plan daily assignments that are sensitive to patient care needs. The results can also help nurse managers to identify relationships between nurse staffing and patient outcomes at the unit level, as well as to develop ways to analyze such relationships.

Unit-Based Nurses' Development of a Couplet Care Acuity Scoring Tool.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate content validity (CV) and interrater reliability (IRR) of an acuity scoring tool developed for the couplet care/postpartum/nursery patient population and to determine if there was agreement between supervisor or director scoring and staff scoring. DESIGN: A scoring tool to assess the acuity of the couplet care/postpartum/nursery patients was developed. SETTING: Two hospitals: one Level 2 hospital, one Level 3 hospital. Unit-based patient care councils participated in the development, and all couplet care nurses participated in scoring patients for testing. MEASUREMENTS: The final tool was evaluated for CV and IRR using expert review, universal agreement scores, and discriminant content validation. RESULTS: Regarding CV for the Couplet Care Acuity Scoring Tool, the average of the number of experts in agreement divided by the total number of experts across all items was 1.00. Regarding IRR, the intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.85, indicating that the tool is valid and reliable for the study sample. CONCLUSION: The tool was reliable and valid in this study. Future testing is needed with larger samples and different health care facilities.

Relevance of comorbidities for main outcomes during different periods of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Throughout the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic, the severity of the disease has varied. The aim of this study was to determine how patients' comorbidities affected and were related to, different outcomes during this time. Methods: Retrospective cohort study of all patients testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection between March 1, 2020, and January 9, 2022. We extracted sociodemographic, basal comorbidities, prescribed treatments, COVID-19 vaccination data, and outcomes such as death and admission to hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) during the different periods of the pandemic. We used logistic regression to quantify the effect of each covariate in each outcome variable and a random forest algorithm to select the most relevant comorbidities. Results: Predictors of death included having dementia, heart failure, kidney disease, or cancer, while arterial hypertension, diabetes, ischemic heart, cerebrovascular, peripheral vascular diseases, and leukemia were also relevant. Heart failure, dementia, kidney disease, diabetes, and cancer were predictors of adverse evolution (death or ICU admission) with arterial hypertension, ischemic heart, cerebrovascular, peripheral vascular diseases, and leukemia also relevant. Arterial hypertension, heart failure, diabetes, kidney, ischemic heart diseases, and cancer were predictors of hospitalization, while dyslipidemia and respiratory, cerebrovascular, and peripheral vascular diseases were also relevant. Conclusions: Preexisting comorbidities such as dementia, cardiovascular and renal diseases, and cancers were those most related to adverse outcomes. Of particular note were the discrepancies between predictors of adverse outcomes and predictors of hospitalization and the fact that patients with dementia had a lower probability of being admitted in the first wave.

Desempenho do óxido nítrico na sepse: uma revisão de escopo / Desempeño del óxido nítrico en la sepsis: una revisión de alcance / Performance of nitric oxide in sepsis: a scoping review

Resumo Objetivo Mapear as evidências disponíveis sobre as ações do óxido nítrico na fisiopatologia da sepse e sua relação com a gravidade de pacientes sépticos. Método Revisão de escopo de acordo com a metodologia do Joanna Briggs Institute. Realizou-se busca por estudos que evidenciaram as ações do óxido nítrico na sepse e se o seu aumento está associado à gravidade de pacientes sépticos. Dois revisores independentes fizeram o mapeamento das informações utilizando um instrumento de extração de dados previamente elaborado. Os dados foram analisados quanto à sua relevância, sendo posteriormente extraídos e sintetizados. Resultados De 1342 estudos, 11 foram incluídos na revisão. O primeiro foi publicado em 2017 e o último, em 2022. A maioria foi desenvolvida nos Estados Unidos, na China e na Alemanha. Os estudos apresentaram informações referentes as ações do óxido nítrico, sintetizando sua biodisponibilidade e os inibidores endógenos relacionados a sua produção, além de abordarem a relação do óxido nítrico com a gravidade da sepse. Conclusão A produção de óxido nítrico fisiológico durante a sepse atua como protetor vascular, principalmente na microcirculação, porém, em altas concentrações, contribui para a disfunção vascular, que subverte a fisiologia da regulação da pressão arterial, causando profunda vasodilatação e hipotensão refratária e aumentando a gravidade de pacientes sépticos.

Resumen Objetivo Mapear las evidencias disponibles sobre las acciones del óxido nítrico en la fisiopatología de la sepsis y su relación con la gravedad de pacientes sépticos. Métodos Revisión de alcance de acuerdo con la metodología del Joanna Briggs Institute. Se realizó una búsqueda de estudios que evidenciaron las acciones del óxido nítrico en la sepsis y si su aumento estaba asociado a la gravedad de pacientes sépticos. Dos revisores independientes hicieron el mapeo de la información utilizando un instrumento de extracción de datos previamente elaborado. Los datos se analizaron respecto a su relevancia, para luego extraerlos y sintetizarlos. Resultados De 1342 estudios, se incluyeron 11 en la revisión. El primero fue publicado en 2017 y el último en 2022. La mayoría se realizó en Estados Unidos, China y Alemania. Los estudios presentaron información referente a las acciones del óxido nítrico, sintetizando su biodisponibilidad y los inhibidores endógenos relacionados con su producción, además de abordar la relación del óxido nítrico con la gravedad de la sepsis. Conclusión La producción de óxido nítrico fisiológico durante la sepsis actúa como protector vascular, principalmente en la microcirculación. Sin embargo, en altas concentraciones, contribuye a la disfunción vascular, que subvierte la fisiología de la regulación de la presión arterial, causa una profunda vasodilatación e hipotensión refractaria y aumenta la gravedad de pacientes sépticos. Registro da revisão de escopo no Open Science Framework: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/MXDK2

Abstract Objective Map the available evidence on the actions of nitric oxide in the pathophysiology of sepsis and its relationship with the severity of sepsis in patients. Method Scoping review following the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology. A search was carried out for studies that highlighted the actions of nitric oxide in sepsis, informing whether its increase is associated with the severity of sepsis in patients. Two independent reviewers mapped the information using a previously designed data extraction instrument. The data was analyzed for its relevance and then extracted and synthesized. Results Eleven of 1342 studies were included in the review. The first of them was published in 2017 and the last in 2022. Most of them were developed in the USA, China, and Germany. Studies have reported the actions and bioavailability of nitric oxide and endogenous inhibitors related to its production, and related nitric oxide to the severity of sepsis. Conclusion The physiological production of nitric oxide during sepsis acts as a vascular protector, mainly in the microcirculation but contributes to vascular dysfunction in high concentrations, subverting the regulation of blood pressure, causing deep vasodilation and refractory hypotension, and increasing the severity of sepsis in patients. Registration of the scoping review in the Open Science Framework: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/MXDK2

Lesão renal aguda em pacientes adultos com COVID-19: revisão integrativa / Lesión renal aguda en pacientes adultos con COVID-19: revisión integradora / Acute kidney injury in adult patients with COVID-19: an integrative review

Resumo Objetivo Identificar a frequência de lesão renal aguda (LRA) em pacientes hospitalizados com COVID-19, as características associadas, a mortalidade e a letalidade. Métodos Revisão realizada nas bases de dados CINAHL, Embase, LILACS, Livivo, PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science e, na literatura cinzenta (Google Acadêmico) em 12 de janeiro de 2022. Foram incluídos artigos em inglês, espanhol e português, publicados a partir de novembro 2019 até janeiro de 2022, em pacientes maiores de 18 anos com COVID-19 hospitalizados e LRA conforme critério Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO). Os estudos selecionados foram lidos na íntegra para extração, interpretação, síntese e categorização conforme nível de evidência. Resultados 699 artigos encontrados e 45 incluídos. A idade avançada, sexo masculino, hipertensão, doença renal crônica, ventilação mecânica, aumento da proteína C reativa, uso de drogas vasoativas e de determinadas classes de anti-hipertensivos foram associados a LRA. A LRA está relacionada à maior frequência de mortalidade. Em 30% dos pacientes hospitalizados com COVID-19 houve LRA. A taxa de mortalidade por LRA foi de 5% e a letalidade de 18%. Conclusão Estes resultados ressaltam a relevância da LRA como uma complicação significativa da COVID-19 e sugerem que um controle mais cuidadoso e precoce dos fatores associados poderia potencialmente reduzir a mortalidade e a letalidade. É crucial intensificar a pesquisa nesse campo para esclarecer melhor os mecanismos envolvidos na lesão renal em pacientes com COVID-19, bem como identificar estratégias terapêuticas mais efetivas para sua prevenção e tratamento nesse contexto.

Resumen Objetivo Identificar la frecuencia de lesión renal aguda (LRA) en pacientes hospitalizados con COVID-19, las características relacionadas, la mortalidad y la letalidad. Métodos Revisión realizada en las bases de datos CINAHL, Embase, LILACS, Livivo, PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science y en la literatura gris (Google Académico) el 12 de enero de 2022. Se incluyeron artículos en inglés, español y portugués, publicados a partir de noviembre de 2019 hasta enero de 2022, con pacientes mayores de 18 años con COVID-19 hospitalizados y LRA de acuerdo con el criterio Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO). Los estudios seleccionados fueron leídos en su totalidad para extracción, interpretación, síntesis y categorización según el nivel de evidencia. Resultados Se encontraron 699 artículos y se incluyeron 45. Los factores relacionados con la LRA fueron: edad avanzada, sexo masculino, hipertensión, enfermedad renal crónica, ventilación mecánica, aumento de la proteína C reactiva, uso de drogas vasoactivas y de determinadas clases de antihipertensivos. La LRA está relacionada con mayor frecuencia de mortalidad. En el 30 % de los pacientes hospitalizados con COVID-19 hubo LRA. La tasa de mortalidad por LRA fue de 5 % y la letalidad de 18 %. Conclusión Estos resultados resaltan la relevancia de la LRA como una complicación significativa de COVID-19 y sugieren que un control más cuidadoso y temprano de los factores asociados podría reducir potencialmente la mortalidad y la letalidad. Es crucial intensificar la investigación en este campo para explicar mejor los mecanismos relacionados con la lesión renal en pacientes con COVID-19, así como identificar estrategias terapéuticas más efectivas para su prevención y tratamiento en este contexto.

Abstract Objective To identify the frequency of acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients hospitalized with COVID-19, associated characteristics, mortality and lethality. Methods Integrative review carried out in the databases CINAHL, Embase, LILACS, Livivo, PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science and in the grey literature (Google Scholar) on January 12, 2022. Articles were included in English, Spanish and Portuguese, published from November 2019 to January 2022, in hospitalized patients over 18 years old with COVID-19 and AKI according to the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria. The selected studies were read in full for extraction, interpretation, synthesis and categorization according to the level of evidence. Results A total of 699 articles were found and 45 included. Older age, male gender, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, mechanical ventilation, increased C-reactive protein, use of vasoactive drugs and certain classes of antihypertensives were associated with AKI. AKI is related to a higher frequency of mortality. AKI occurred in 30% of patients hospitalized with COVID-19. The mortality rate from AKI was 5% and the case fatality rate was 18%. Conclusion These results highlight the relevance of AKI as a significant complication of COVID-19 and suggest that more careful and early control of associated factors could potentially reduce mortality and lethality. It is crucial to intensify research in this field to better clarify the mechanisms involved in kidney injury in COVID-19 patients, as well as to identify more effective therapeutic strategies for its prevention and treatment in this context.

Nursing workload and severity of COVID-19 patients in the Intensive Care Unit / Carga de trabajo de enfermería y gravedad de los pacientes con COVID-19 en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos / Carga de trabalho de Enfermagem e gravidade de pacientes com COVID-19 na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the workload and severity of patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with COVID-19. Method: Cross-sectional, analytical study carried out in the ICU of a private hospital. All patients over the age of 18 with a diagnosis of COVID-19 admitted from September 2020 to June 2021 were included. Workload assessed by the Nursing Activities Score (NAS), and severity by the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment. Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed. Results: 217 patients were included, mostly men, mean age 62.41 years, white, obese, non-smokers and sedentary. The average NAS was 84.79. Staffing was in line with legislation and NAS. NAS was not associated with severity. Severity was associated with higher age, gender, comorbidities, sedentary lifestyle, time on mechanical ventilation, hospitalization and death. Conclusion: Workload was high and not associated with severity or outcomes. Severity was associated with demographic and clinical conditions. This study shows the importance of staff sizing, with a view to promoting safety and quality of care.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Evaluar la carga de trabajo y la gravedad de los pacientes de la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI) con COVID-19. Método: Estudio transversal y analítico realizado en la UCI de un hospital privado. Se incluyeron todos los pacientes mayores de 18 años con diagnóstico de COVID-19 ingresados entre septiembre de 2020 y junio de 2021. Carga de trabajo evaluada mediante la Nursing Activities Score (NAS), y gravedad mediante la valoración secuencial de fallo orgánico. Se realizaron análisis descriptivos e inferenciales. Resultados: Se incluyeron 217 pacientes, en su mayoría hombres, edad media 62,41 años, raza blanca, obesos, no fumadores y sedentarios. El NAS medio era de 84,79. Los niveles de personal se ajustaban a la legislación y al NAS. El NAS no se asoció con la gravedad. La gravedad se asoció a mayor edad, sexo, comorbilidades, sedentarismo, tiempo de ventilación mecánica, hospitalización y muerte. Conclusión: La carga de trabajo fue elevada y no se asoció a la gravedad ni a los resultados. La gravedad se asoció a las condiciones demográficas y clínicas. Este estudio muestra la importancia del dimensionamiento del personal, con vistas a promover la seguridad y la calidad de los cuidados.

RESUMO Objetivos: Avaliar carga de trabalho e gravidade dos pacientes na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva (UTI) com COVID-19. Método: Estudo transversal, analítico realizado na UTI em hospital privado. Incluídos todos os pacientes maiores de 18 anos, com diagnóstico de COVID-19 admitidos de setembro de 2020 a junho de 2021. Carga de trabalho avaliado pelo Nursing Activities Score (NAS), e gravidade pelo Sequential Organ Failure Assessment. Realizado análises descritiva e inferencial. Resultados: Incluídos 217 pacientes, maioria homens, média de idade 62,41 anos, brancos, obesos, não tabagistas e sedentários. A média do NAS foi 84,79. O dimensionamento de pessoal estava em concordância com legislação e NAS. O NAS não foi associado a gravidade. Houve associação da gravidade com maior idade, sexo, comorbidades, sedentarismo, tempo de ventilação mecânica, internação e óbito. Conclusão: A carga de trabalho foi alta e não associada a gravidade e desfechos. A gravidade foi associada às condições demográficas e clínicas. Este estudo mostra a importância do dimensionamento de pessoal, com vistas à promoção da segurança e qualidade assistencial.

Identifying subgroup characteristics of adult ambulance users with nonurgent medical conditions in Japan: A population-based observational study.

Aim: In Japan, approximately 60% of adult ambulance users are diagnosed with minor injuries or diseases in the emergency department and thus do not require hospitalization. This study aimed to determine the distinct subgroup (segment) characteristics of adult ambulance users with nonurgent medical conditions by interpreting quantitatively derived segments through the segmentation approach. Methods: This population-based observational study used the ambulance transportation and request call records databases of the Higashihiroshima Fire Department, Japan, between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2020. The participants were ambulance users aged 18-64 years diagnosed with minor injuries or diseases in the emergency department (defined as adult ambulance users with nonurgent medical conditions). A soft clustering method was used to divide the participants based on 13 variables. Results: This analysis included 5,982 adult ambulance users. Six segments were obtained: (1) "users with neurological diseases or other injuries occurring late at night on weekdays"; (2) "users injured or involved in fire accidents, with increased on-scene time and multiple hospital inquiries"; (3) "users transferred between hospitals"; (4) "users with acute illnesses and transported from home"; (5) "users involved in motor vehicle accidents"; and (6) "users transferred to hospitals outside of the area during the daytime on weekdays." Conclusion: These findings indicate that adult ambulance users with nonurgent medical conditions can be divided into distinct segments using population-based ambulance records. Further research is warranted to address the ambulance user needs of each segment.

Exploring Missed Nursing Care in the NICU: Perspectives of NICU Nurses in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Health Cluster.

(1) Background: Missed nursing care, an omission error characterized by delayed or omitted nursing interventions, poses significant risks to patients' safety and quality of car.; (2) Methods: This is a quantitative cross-sectional study on 151 nurses who work in NICUs in three main networks in the Eastern Health Province, Saudi Arabia: Dammam (n = 84), Qatif (n = 53), and Jubail (n = 14). The study uses a self-reported questionnaire (MISSCARE) and applies the 5-point Likert Scale. Statistical analysis data were analyzed using SPSS version 23.0. (3) Results: The primary reasons for missed care were shortage of nursing staff and unbalanced patient assignments. Missed nursing care negatively affects job satisfaction and was positively correlated with nurses' intentions to quit their jobs. Inadequate equipment, supplies, and breakdowns in communication between nurses and other healthcare professionals were also significant factors contributing to missed care. (4) Conclusions: Missed nursing care is associated with overwork, nursing shortages, and lower job satisfaction, impacting the quality of care provided in the NICU. Improving working conditions, nurse staffing, and patient assignment planning should be prioritized to address this issue effectively.

Those who opt to leave: Comparison by triage acuity of emergency patients who leave prior to seeing a medical practitioner.

BACKGROUND: People who present to an emergency department but leave before seeing a medical practitioner (LWBS) pose a potential risk, especially those triaged with higher acuity care needs. OBJECTIVE: To describe and compare characteristics of emergency patients who LWBS by triage acuity. METHOD: Retrospective review of administrative data for a 1-year period. Chi-square and logistic regression analyses conducted to investigate differences in characteristics specific to individual and the timing of presentation between patients who LWBS and were triaged as higher acuity compared to those who left but were triaged as less- or non-urgent. RESULTS: During study period, 12.6 % of patients LWBS with 30.0 % of these cases triaged as higher acuity. Number triaged as higher acuity who LWBS tended to be higher during days with a higher volume of higher acuity cases. The likelihood of LWBS for those triaged as higher acuity was higher among older age groups and those with a primary care provider who presented on weekdays, during evening and night shifts, and in the winter months. CONCLUSIONS: Findings highlight differences in LWBS cases by triage acuity and raise questions about emergency nurses' professional responsibility to follow-up with those who LWBS if they have been triaged as higher acuity based on an assessment of their presenting complaint and risk for complications or deterioration. While continuing to work to reduce wait times and improve patient flow, it is important to identify factors affecting patients' decision to LWBS, especially for those triaged with higher acuity healthcare needs.

Implementation of a Patient Acuity Tool and Safe Staffing Model in an Outpatient Oncology Clinical Trials Unit.

Appropriate staffing in the outpatient oncology setting contributes to the delivery of quality care. Objective measures of acuity and nursing workload can assist with developing staffing models; however, measuring acuity in a.

Estimating the number of severe COVID-19 cases and COVID-19-related deaths averted by a nationwide vaccination campaign in Republic of Korea.

BACKGROUND: The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency promotes vaccination by regularly providing information on its benefits for reducing the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study aimed to analyze the number of averted severe COVID-19 cases and COVID-19-related deaths by age group and quantify the impact of Republic of Korea's nationwide vaccination campaign. METHODS: We analyzed an integrated database from the beginning of the vaccination campaign on February 26, 2021 to October 15, 2022. We estimated the cumulative number of severe cases and COVID-19-related deaths over time by comparing observed and estimated cases among unvaccinated and vaccinated groups using statistical modeling. We compared daily age-adjusted rates of severe cases and deaths in the unvaccinated group to those in the vaccinated group and calculated the susceptible population and proportion of vaccinated people by age. RESULTS: There were 23,793 severe cases and 25,441 deaths related to COVID-19. We estimated that 119,579 (95% confidence interval [CI], 118,901-120,257) severe COVID-19 cases and 137,636 (95% CI, 136,909-138,363) COVID-19-related deaths would have occurred if vaccination had not been performed. Therefore, 95,786 (95% CI, 94,659-96,913) severe cases and 112,195 (95% CI, 110,870-113,520) deaths were prevented as a result of the vaccination campaign. CONCLUSION: We found that, if the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination campaign had not been implemented, the number of severe cases and deaths would have been at least 4 times higher. These findings suggest that Republic of Korea's nationwide vaccination campaign reduced the number of severe cases and COVID-19 deaths.