What Are the Ready-to-Use Endoscope Channels Hiding?: Unraveling the Risks of Safe Reuse.

Contamination due to failures or omissions in the reprocessing steps of gastrointestinal endoscopes is common in clinical practice. Ensuring the proper execution of each step is a challenge for reprocessing personnel. This cross-sectional study was conducted in an endoscopy setting between March and May 2021. We performed interviews about reprocessing practices, analyzed the life history of the equipment, and performed inspections through a borescope video of gastrointestinal endoscope channels that were stored and ready for use. A borescope is a complementary tool used to validate endoscope reprocessing, evaluate the internal visualization of channels, and identify changes that can compromise the safety of its use, which are often not detected in the leak test. Thirteen biopsy channels from stored gastrointestinal endoscopes were inspected. We found that 85% had stains and grooves, 69% contained moisture, and 46% had debris. There was at least one noncompliance issue in all of the channels inspected.

Criteria for the Use, Processing, and Disposal of Flexible Endoscope Cleaning Brushes.

Objectives: To ensure effectiveness in the endoscope channel cleaning process, using functional brushes that are in good condition is necessary. This study sought to identify the criteria for acquiring, using, and disposing of cleaning brushes at endoscopy facilities in Brazil. We further sought to evaluate the conditions of the cleaning brushes in use in the facilities. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between July 2021 and January 2022. Personnel responsible for processing endoscopes were interviewed regarding the use, processing, and disposal of flexible endoscope cleaning brushes. In addition, the brushes used to clean the equipment were inspected. Results: All participants interviewed reported the practice of brushing endoscope channels. Of them, 60% noted the use of disposable brushes, with 40% using reusable brushes. None of the facilities interviewed reported discarding disposable brushes after use. The protocols for disposal of brushes included disposing due to bristle wear (70%), disposal at the end of the day (20%), and an absence of disposal protocols (10%). In addition, 30% of facilities did not clean the bristles before reintroducing them into the channel/lumen, and no facility had an established routine for cleaning brushes between uses. Inspection of brushes revealed that only 20% of facilities had new brushes with no signs of wear or damage. Conclusion: The use of inappropriate brushes/sponges for cleaning endoscope channels and the lack of criteria for the reuse and disposal of brushes increases the risk of cross-contamination, internal damage to channels, and biofilm formation.

Mobilização passiva precoce aumenta a resposta de reatividade vascular em pacientes graves com sepse: um estudo quase-experimental / Early passive mobilization increases vascular reactivity response in critical patients with sepsis: a quasi-experimental study

RESUMO Objetivo: Investigar a influência de uma sessão de mobilização passiva na função endotelial de pacientes com sepse. Métodos: Este foi um estudo quase-experimental duplo-cego e de braço único com desenho pré e pós-intervenção. Participaram 25 pacientes com diagnóstico de sepse hospitalizados em unidade de terapia intensiva. Avaliou-se a função endotelial basal (pré-intervenção) e imediatamente pós-intervenção por meio de ultrassonografia da artéria braquial. Foram obtidas a dilatação mediada pelo fluxo, a velocidade pico de fluxo sanguíneo e a taxa de cisalhamento pico. A mobilização passiva consistiu na mobilização bilateral (tornozelos, joelhos, quadris, pulsos, cotovelos e ombros), com três séries de dez repetições cada, totalizando 15 minutos. Resultados: Após a mobilização, encontramos aumento da função de reatividade vascular em relação à pré-intervenção: dilatação mediada pelo fluxo absoluta (0,57mm ± 0,22 versus 0,17mm ± 0,31; p < 0,001) e dilatação mediada pelo fluxo relativa (17,1% ± 8,25 versus 5,08% ± 9,16; p < 0,001). O pico de fluxo sanguíneo na hiperemia (71,8cm/s ± 29,3 versus 95,3cm/s ± 32,2; p < 0,001) e a taxa de cisalhamento (211s ± 113 versus 288s ± 144; p < 0,001) também aumentaram. Conclusão: Uma sessão de mobilização passiva foi capaz de aumentar a função endotelial em pacientes graves com sepse. Estudos futuros são necessários para investigar se um programa de mobilização pode ser aplicado como intervenção benéfica para melhorar clinicamente a função endotelial em pacientes hospitalizados por sepse.

ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate the influence of a passive mobilization session on endothelial function in patients with sepsis. Methods: This was a quasi-experimental double-blind and single-arm study with a pre- and postintervention design. Twenty-five patients with a diagnosis of sepsis who were hospitalized in the intensive care unit were included. Endothelial function was assessed at baseline (preintervention) and immediately postintervention by brachial artery ultrasonography. Flow mediated dilatation, peak blood flow velocity and peak shear rate were obtained. Passive mobilization consisted of bilateral mobilization (ankles, knees, hips, wrists, elbows and shoulders), with three sets of ten repetitions each, totaling 15 minutes. Results: After mobilization, we found increased vascular reactivity function compared to preintervention: absolute flow-mediated dilatation (0.57mm ± 0.22 versus 0.17mm ± 0.31; p < 0.001) and relative flow-mediated dilatation (17.1% ± 8.25 versus 5.08% ± 9.16; p < 0.001). Reactive hyperemia peak flow (71.8cm/s ± 29.3 versus 95.3cm/s ± 32.2; p < 0.001) and shear rate (211s ± 113 versus 288s ± 144; p < 0.001) were also increased. Conclusion: A passive mobilization session increases endothelial function in critical patients with sepsis. Future studies should investigate whether a mobilization program can be applied as a beneficial intervention for clinical improvement of endothelial function in patients hospitalized due to sepsis.

Storage of gastrointestinal endoscopes: when is the safe time for re-use?

OBJECTIVES: to identify the safe storage time for the use of flexible gastrointestinal endoscopes after high-level disinfection, as well as the defining criteria for this time. METHODS: an integrative literature review was carried out in the Virtual Health Library, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, considering original articles published since 2000. RESULTS: eleven articles were selected, whose storage times ranged from 1 to 56 days, with a predominance of one to seven days (73%). Several criteria were used to define this time, predominantly the premise of efficient processing (100%), use of alcohol flush (64%), use of drying cabinets (18%), among others. CONCLUSIONS: the criteria for determining the storage time did not show a consensus for clinical practice. Expanding the discussion of this theme with the definition of the minimum necessary conditions is of fundamental importance for the reduction of risks and safety of the procedure and the patient.

Patterns of vascular response immediately after passive mobilization in patients with sepsis: an observational transversal study.

Sepsis is a serious organ dysfunction leading to endothelial damage in critical patients. Physiologically, there is an augment of vascular diameter in response to increased vascular blood flow and shear stress stimulus. However, the pattern of vascular response in face of passive mobilization (PM), an early mobilization physical strategy, has not yet been explored in patients with sepsis. To explore patterns of vascular response to PM and associations with clinical and cardiovascular profile in patients with sepsis. Cross-sectional, single-arm study. Thirty-two patients diagnosed with sepsis were enrolled. Vascular response was assessed by flow-mediated dilation (FMD) using brachial artery ultrasound, before and after PM. The PM (to assess the response pattern) and SR (shear rate) were also calculated. PM protocol consisted of knees, hips, wrists, elbows, shoulders, dorsiflexion/plantar flexion movements 3 × 10 repetitions each (15 min). Arterial stiffness was assessed by Sphygmocor®, by analyzing the morphology and pulse wave velocity. Cardiac autonomic modulation (CAM) was assessed by analyzing heart rate variability indexes (mean HR, RMSSD, LF, HF, ApEn, SampEn, DFA). Different vascular responses were observed after PM: (1) increased vascular diameter (responders) (n = 13, %FMD = 11.89 ± 5.64) and (2) reduced vascular diameter (non-responders) (n = 19, %FMD= -7.42 ± 6.44). Responders presented a higher non-linear DFA2 index (p = 0.02). There was a positive association between FMD and DFA (r = 0.529; p = 0.03); FMD and SampEn (r = 0.633; p < 0.01). A negative association was identified between FMD and LF (Hz) (r= -0.680; p < 0.01) and IL-6 (r= -0.469; p = 0.037) and SR and CRP (r= -0.427; p = 0.03).

Early passive mobilization increases vascular reactivity response in critical patients with sepsis: a quasi-experimental study. / Mobilização passiva precoce aumenta a resposta de reatividade vascular em pacientes graves com sepse: um estudo quase-experimental.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of a passive mobilization session on endothelial function in patients with sepsis. METHODS: This was a quasi-experimental double-blind and single-arm study with a pre- and postintervention design. Twenty-five patients with a diagnosis of sepsis who were hospitalized in the intensive care unit were included. Endothelial function was assessed at baseline (preintervention) and immediately postintervention by brachial artery ultrasonography. Flow mediated dilatation, peak blood flow velocity and peak shear rate were obtained. Passive mobilization consisted of bilateral mobilization (ankles, knees, hips, wrists, elbows and shoulders), with three sets of ten repetitions each, totaling 15 minutes. RESULTS: After mobilization, we found increased vascular reactivity function compared to preintervention: absolute flow-mediated dilatation (0.57mm ± 0.22 versus 0.17mm ± 0.31; p < 0.001) and relative flow-mediated dilatation (17.1% ± 8.25 versus 5.08% ± 9.16; p < 0.001). Reactive hyperemia peak flow (71.8cm/s ± 29.3 versus 95.3cm/s ± 32.2; p < 0.001) and shear rate (211s ± 113 versus 288s ± 144; p < 0.001) were also increased. CONCLUSION: A passive mobilization session increases endothelial function in critical patients with sepsis. Future studies should investigate whether a mobilization program can be applied as a beneficial intervention for clinical improvement of endothelial function in patients hospitalized due to sepsis.

OBJETIVO: Investigar a influência de uma sessão de mobilização passiva na função endotelial de pacientes com sepse. MÉTODOS: Este foi um estudo quase-experimental duplo-cego e de braço único com desenho pré e pós-intervenção. Participaram 25 pacientes com diagnóstico de sepse hospitalizados em unidade de terapia intensiva. Avaliou-se a função endotelial basal (pré-intervenção) e imediatamente pós-intervenção por meio de ultrassonografia da artéria braquial. Foram obtidas a dilatação mediada pelo fluxo, a velocidade pico de fluxo sanguíneo e a taxa de cisalhamento pico. A mobilização passiva consistiu na mobilização bilateral (tornozelos, joelhos, quadris, pulsos, cotovelos e ombros), com três séries de dez repetições cada, totalizando 15 minutos. RESULTADOS: Após a mobilização, encontramos aumento da função de reatividade vascular em relação à pré-intervenção: dilatação mediada pelo fluxo absoluta (0,57mm ± 0,22 versus 0,17mm ± 0,31; p < 0,001) e dilatação mediada pelo fluxo relativa (17,1% ± 8,25 versus 5,08% ± 9,16; p < 0,001). O pico de fluxo sanguíneo na hiperemia (71,8cm/s ± 29,3 versus 95,3cm/s ± 32,2; p < 0,001) e a taxa de cisalhamento (211s ± 113 versus 288s ± 144; p < 0,001) também aumentaram. CONCLUSÃO: Uma sessão de mobilização passiva foi capaz de aumentar a função endotelial em pacientes graves com sepse. Estudos futuros são necessários para investigar se um programa de mobilização pode ser aplicado como intervenção benéfica para melhorar clinicamente a função endotelial em pacientes hospitalizados por sepse.

Storage of gastrointestinal endoscopes: when is the safe time for re-use? / Almacenamiento de endoscopios gastrointestinales: ¿cuál el tiempo seguro para la reutilización? / Armazenamento de endoscópios gastrointestinais: qual o tempo seguro para o reúso?

ABSTRACT Objectives: to identify the safe storage time for the use of flexible gastrointestinal endoscopes after high-level disinfection, as well as the defining criteria for this time. Methods: an integrative literature review was carried out in the Virtual Health Library, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, considering original articles published since 2000. Results: eleven articles were selected, whose storage times ranged from 1 to 56 days, with a predominance of one to seven days (73%). Several criteria were used to define this time, predominantly the premise of efficient processing (100%), use of alcohol flush (64%), use of drying cabinets (18%), among others. Conclusions: the criteria for determining the storage time did not show a consensus for clinical practice. Expanding the discussion of this theme with the definition of the minimum necessary conditions is of fundamental importance for the reduction of risks and safety of the procedure and the patient.

RESUMEN Objetivos: identificar el tiempo de almacenamiento seguro para utilización de endoscopios flexibles gastrointestinales después de la desinfección de alto nivel, así como los criterios definidores de ese tiempo. Métodos: realizado una revisión integrativa de la literatura en la Biblioteca Virtual en Salud, PubMed, Scopus y Web of Science, considerando artículos originales publicados desde 2000. Resultados: fueron seleccionados 11 artículos, cuyos tiempos de almacenamiento variaron entre 1 y 56 días, con predominio de uno a siete días (73%). Utilizados diversos criterios para definición de ese tiempo, siendo predominantes la premisa del procesamiento eficiente (100%), uso de flush de alcohol (64%), armarios de secado (18%), entre otros. Conclusiones: los criterios para determinación del tiempo de almacenamiento no evidenciaron un consenso para práctica clínica. Ampliar la discusión de esa temática con definición de las condiciones mínimas necesarias es de fundamental importancia para la reducción de riesgos y seguridad del procedimiento y del paciente.

RESUMO Objetivos: identificar o tempo de armazenamento seguro para utilização de endoscópios flexíveis gastrointestinais após a desinfecção de alto nível, bem como os critérios definidores desse tempo. Métodos: realizou-se uma revisão integrativa da literatura na Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde, PubMed, Scopus e Web of Science, considerando artigos originais publicados desde 2000. Resultados: foram selecionados 11 artigos, cujos tempos de armazenamento variaram entre 1 e 56 dias, com predomínio de um a sete dias (73%). Utilizaram-se diversos critérios para definição desse tempo, sendo predominantes a premissa do processamento eficiente (100%), uso de flush de álcool (64%), uso de armários de secagem (18%), entre outros. Conclusões: os critérios para determinação do tempo de armazenamento não evidenciaram um consenso para prática clínica. Ampliar a discussão dessa temática com definição das condições mínimas necessárias é de fundamental importância para a redução de riscos e segurança do procedimento e do paciente.

Features of the Duckweed Lemna That Support Rapid Growth under Extremes of Light Intensity.

This study addresses the unique functional features of duckweed via comparison of Lemna gibba grown under controlled conditions of 50 versus 1000 µmol photons m-2 s-1 and of a L. minor population in a local pond with a nearby population of the biennial weed Malva neglecta. Principal component analysis of foliar pigment composition revealed that Malva was similar to fast-growing annuals, while Lemna was similar to slow-growing evergreens. Overall, Lemna exhibited traits reminiscent of those of its close relatives in the family Araceae, with a remarkable ability to acclimate to both deep shade and full sunlight. Specific features contributing to duckweed's shade tolerance included a foliar pigment composition indicative of large peripheral light-harvesting complexes. Conversely, features contributing to duckweed's tolerance of high light included the ability to convert a large fraction of the xanthophyll cycle pool to zeaxanthin and dissipate a large fraction of absorbed light non-photochemically. Overall, duckweed exhibited a combination of traits of fast-growing annuals and slow-growing evergreens with foliar pigment features that represented an exaggerated version of that of terrestrial perennials combined with an unusually high growth rate. Duckweed's ability to thrive under a wide range of light intensities can support success in a dynamic light environment with periodic cycles of rapid expansion.

Effectiveness of manual versus automated cleaning on Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilm removal from the surface of surgical instruments.

BACKGROUND: Biofilm removal is a challenge during surgical instrument processing. We analyzed the time required for Staphylococcus epidermidis to form biofilms on surgical instruments, and how cleaning methods removed them. METHODS: Different areas (ratchet, shank, and jaw) of straight crile forceps were contaminated by soaking in Tryptic Soy Broth containing 106 colony forming units (CFU)/mL of S epidermidis for 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 12 hours. S epidermidis adhesion and removal, after manual or automated ultrasonic cleaning, was evaluated by microbiological culture and scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: Microbial load increased with time (101-102 CFU/cm2 after 1 hour; 104 CFU/cm2 after 12 hours). Exopolysaccharide was detected after 2 hours and gradually increased thereafter. Bacterial load was reduced by 1-2 log10 after manual cleaning and 1-3 log10 after automated cleaning, but biofilms were not completely eliminated. In general, bacterial load was lower in shank fragments. This difference was significant at 6 hours. CONCLUSIONS: Rapid adhesion of S epidermidis and exopolysaccharide formation was observed on surgical instruments. Automated cleaning was more effective than manual cleaning, but neither method removed biofilms completely. The precleaning conditions and the forceps design are critical factors in processing quality.

COMFORT behaviour scale and skin conductance activity: what are they really measuring?

AIM: To assess how efficiently the COMFORT behaviour scale measures acute pain in neonates, in comparison with skin conductance activity, a validated measure of pain and stress. METHODS: Images of 36 newborns were analysed before, during and after painful heel pricks to measure glucose levels and compared with skin conductance activity variables. RESULTS: Scale indicators and skin conductance variables were sensitive to changes in the periods 'during-before' and 'during-after' (Wilcoxon's test, p < 0.01). Significant values were found between all scale indicators and number of waves for Kendall's coefficient (p < 0.05), although responses differed when it came to how long they took to increase and correlations varied from fair to moderate (r < 0.6). Facial tension was more closely related to 15 sec after the painful event, while crying and calmness were more closely related to the later intervals (30 and 180 sec). CONCLUSION: All scale indicators were related to skin conductance activity in all periods, indicating pain perception. Facial tension was the most efficient indicator, while others varied in performance after painful events and possibly indicated stress after trauma. These results are discussed from a phenomenological approach and in an anxiety paradigm.

Can semiology predict psychogenic nonepileptic seizures? A prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: Reducing health and economic burdens from diagnostic delay of psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) requires prompt referral for video electroencephalography (VEEG) monitoring, the diagnostic gold standard. Practitioners make VEEG referrals when semiology suggests PNES, although few semiological signs are supported by well-designed studies, and most VEEG studies neglect to concurrently measure how accurately seizure witnesses can ascertain semiology. In this study, we estimate the value of eyewitness-reported and video-documented semiology for predicting PNES, and we measure accuracy of eyewitness reports. METHODS: We prospectively interviewed eyewitnesses of seizures in patients referred for VEEG monitoring, to inquire about 48 putative PNES and ES signs. Multiple, EEG-blinded, epileptologists independently evaluated seizure videos and documented the presence/absence of signs. We used generalized estimating equations to identify reliable video-documented PNES and ES signs, and we compared eyewitness reports with video findings to assess how accurately signs are reported. We used logistic regression to determine whether eyewitness reports could predict VEEG-ascertained seizure type. RESULTS: We analyzed 120 seizures (36 PNES, 84 ES) from 35 consecutive subjects. Of 45 video-documented signs, only 3 PNES signs ("preserved awareness," "eye flutter," and "bystanders can intensify or alleviate") and 3 ES signs ("abrupt onset," "eye-opening/widening," and postictal "confusion/sleep") were significant and reliable indicators of seizure type. Eyewitness reports of these 6 signs were inaccurate and not statistically different from guessing. Consequentially, eyewitness reports of signs did not predict VEEG-ascertained diagnosis. We validated our findings in a second, prospective cohort of 36 consecutive subjects. INTERPRETATION: We identified 6 semiological signs that reliably distinguish PNES and ES, and found that eyewitness reports of these signs are unreliable. We offer suggestions to improve the accuracy of eyewitness reports.