BD MAX Enteric Bacterial, Bacterial Plus, and Virus Panels for Diagnosis of Acute Infectious Gastroenteritis: a Cost-Benefit Analysis.

Economic assessment is required to gauge the value of implementing PCR syndromic platforms in the microbiology laboratory for the diagnosis of community-acquired acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in pediatric and adult in- and outpatients. A cost-benefit analysis was conducted from a health care system perspective using BD MAX Enteric Bacterial, Bacterial Plus, and Virus panels. Two 6-month periods were selected, in which either conventional procedures (in 2017) or BD MAX PCR multiplex panels (in 2018) were used. We retrospectively reviewed medical records of all patients with positive results and a representative sample of negative ones. A Markov model was used to represent transition probabilities between different health care states from time of stool microbiological study until completion of AGE-episode-associated health care. A total of 1,336 medical records were reviewed (829 in 2018 and 507 in 2017), showing overall a significantly higher positivity rate in 2018 than in 2017 (26% versus 6%, P < 0.001). The total cost per individual associated with health care for AGE was €314 in 2018 and €341 in 2017; when we only considered the pediatric cohort, the figures were €271 and €456, respectively. Using Tornado sensitivity analyses, we found that the three variables that most influenced the model in descending order of weight were the probability of longer hospital stays, the probability of returning to the emergency room (ER), and the probability of hospitalization from the ER. Use of BD MAX enteric PCR platforms for the diagnosis of community-acquired AGE instead of a non-PCR-based conventional approach results in an incremental benefit from a health care perspective in the general population, particularly children. IMPORTANCE The implementation of multiplex molecular panels allows microbiological laboratories to quickly, sensitively, and accurately diagnose acute infectious gastroenteritis. This methodology therefore allows faster decisions regarding treatment and infection control measures. Economic evaluations are required to gauge the value of implementing these syndromic PCR platforms in a community-based acute gastroenteritis setting. We studied the potential clinical and cost benefits, in terms of both their impact on laboratory costs and the subsequent costs of managing patients.

Efectos de un programa de eliminación de sujeciones físicas sobre personas mayores con demencia en residencias / Effects of a physical restraint removal program on older people with dementia in residential care

Objetivo. Analizar los resultados de eliminar las sujeciones físicas en mayores con demencia que viven en residencias. Este objetivo se enmarca en un proceso más amplio de modificación del modelo de atención residencial. Método. Estudio cuasi experimental en dos residencias desde mayo de 2010 hasta mayo de 2012. Se recoge información en 7 momentos temporales y se efectúa un análisis longitudinal. Tras formar al personal se retiraron progresivamente las sujeciones físicas en el centro El Puig, mientras que en el centro Conarda se mantuvieron las sujeciones. Las variables principales medidas fueron: caídas, psicofármacos administrados, así como diversos indicadores de estado mental y funcional (Norton, NPI, Minimental, Tinetti, Barthel). Resultados. En el centro en el que se eliminan todas las sujeciones físicas (El Puig), se observa una ligera mejoría en el número de caídas y sus consecuencias mejoran levemente, aunque no son estadísticamente significativas. Los ANOVA mostraron mejoras significativas en el centro que ha eliminado las sujeciones respecto a la prescripción de psicofármacos, al deterioro cognitivo y a las alteraciones de conducta. Discusión. Se constata que retirar sujeciones físicas no repercute negativamente en las caídas y sin embargo mejora ciertos aspectos del bienestar y la autonomía de los mayores (alteraciones de conducta y deterioro mental). Además, se evidencia que este programa debe ser complementado con un programa de desatar químico (retirada de psicofármacos) (AU)

Objective. To analyse the results of removing physical restraints from elderly patients with dementia living in nursing homes. This objective is part of a wider process of change in residential care. Methods. Quasi-experimental study conducted in two residences from May 2010 to May 2012. Information was collected at 7 time points and longitudinal analyses were performed. After training staff, the physical restraints in El Puig centre were phased out, while in the Conarda centre, restraints were still applied to elderly people. The main variables studied were: falls, psychotropic medication prescriptions, different indicators of mental impairment, and degree of dependence (Norton, NPI, Mini-mental, Tinetti, Barthel). Results. In the El Puig centre all the physical restraints were removed. A slight improvement was seen in the number of falls, and their consequences. The ANOVA showed significant improvements in the centre that removed restraints in prescribing psychotropic medications, cognitive impairment, and behavioural changes. Discussion. It is shown that removing physical restraints do not cause negative effects as regards the number of falls, and also positively affects the welfare and independence of elderly people (through changes in behaviour and mental impairment). Furthermore, it is demonstrated that this program must be accompanied by the reduction and control of medicines (withdrawal of the number of psychotropic prescriptions) (AU)

[Effects of a physical restraint removal program on older people with dementia in residential care]. / Efectos de un programa de eliminación de sujeciones físicas sobre personas mayores con demencia en residencias.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the results of removing physical restraints from elderly patients with dementia living in nursing homes. This objective is part of a wider process of change in residential care. METHODS: Quasi-experimental study conducted in two residences from May 2010 to May 2012. Information was collected at 7 time points and longitudinal analyses were performed. After training staff, the physical restraints in El Puig centre were phased out, while in the Conarda centre, restraints were still applied to elderly people. The main variables studied were: falls, psychotropic medication prescriptions, different indicators of mental impairment, and degree of dependence (Norton, NPI, Mini-mental, Tinetti, Barthel). RESULTS: In the El Puig centre all the physical restraints were removed. A slight improvement was seen in the number of falls, and their consequences. The ANOVA showed significant improvements in the centre that removed restraints in prescribing psychotropic medications, cognitive impairment, and behavioural changes. DISCUSSION: It is shown that removing physical restraints do not cause negative effects as regards the number of falls, and also positively affects the welfare and independence of elderly people (through changes in behaviour and mental impairment). Furthermore, it is demonstrated that this program must be accompanied by the reduction and control of medicines (withdrawal of the number of psychotropic prescriptions).