Factors impacting the pre-analytical quality of blood cultures-Analysis at a tertiary medical center.

BACKGROUND: Blood cultures (BC) are critical for the diagnosis of bloodstream infections, pathogen identification, and resistance testing. Guidelines recommend a blood volume of 8-10 mL per bottle as lower volumes result in decreased sensitivity. We aimed to evaluate factors for non-adherence to recommended volumes and assess the effects on diagnostic performance. METHODS: From February to April 2020, we measured collected blood volumes by weighing all BC containers from inpatient samples at the University Hospital Basel. Information on BC volumes was merged with clinical and microbiological data, as well as nursing staff schedules. We analyzed factors associated with (i) BC sampling volume, (ii) reaching recommended volumes (≥8 mL), (iii) BC positivity, and (iv) time to positivity using linear and generalized linear mixed effect models. RESULTS: We evaluated a total of 4'118 BC bottles collected from 686 patients. A total of 1'495 (36.3%) of all bottles contained the recommended filling volume of ≥8 mL. Using a central venous and arterial catheter for drawing blood resulted in an increase of filling volume by 0.26 mL (95% CI 0.10, 0.41) and 0.50 mL (95% CI 0.31, 0.69) compared to peripheral venipuncture, respectively. Each additional nursing staff working at the time of blood drawing was associated with 6% higher odds of achieving the recommended filling volume. We found no significant correlation between the filling volume and the positivity rate. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate critical pre-analytical quality markers linked to BC collection procedures to reach recommended collection volumes. No significant impact on the positivity rate was found.

Pathobiology of myomatosis uteri: the underlying knowledge to support our clinical practice.

INTRODUCTION: Uterine myomatosis, a benign condition, is the most common indication for hysterectomies worldwide, affecting the reproductive goals and quality of health of women. However, gynecologists have been provided with interesting insights on its pathobiology, which are the basis for uterine-preserving therapies. The aim of this paper is to discuss the latest evidence on these mechanisms and its importance in the clinical practice. METHOD: A comprehensive literature search was made in Pubmed, Medline, the Cochrane Library, Orbis plus and Google Scholar for articles related to the epidemiological, biological, and genetic bases. RESULTS: There is extensive evidence that genetic, epigenetic, hormonal, environmental, proinflamatory, angiogenetic, and growing factors are involved in the biology of myomatosis. Such factors are capable of activating and promoting inhibitory signaling pathways leading to initiation, development, and regression of myomata through changes in myometrial cells and myomata fibers, such as cellular proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and changes in the surrounding environment. CONCLUSION: A good understanding of the pathobiologic mechanisms of myomatosis gives reasons to physicians to elect conservative or combined therapies, and allow affected women to receive an individualized management, according to age, reproduction desire, and clinical condition.

[Caregiving interventions for non drug-based delirium treatments]. / Pflegerische Ansätze der nicht-medikamentösen Therapie des Deliriums.

The prevalence of deliria is increasing exponentially with cumulative age. At the University Hospital of Basel 16 % of patients in the 70-79 year age-group, 27 % in the 80-89 year age-group and 39 % of the over 90 year old are rated as confused and disoriented. Delirious patients suffer from functional decline and show a significant higher mortality and institutionalization rate after hospital discharge. Nurses have an important role in the multi-component delirium-management. In addition to the assessment of medication, laboratory parameters, oxygenation or urinary excretion, patient-oriented evaluations, pain and stress management, assessment of patient perception and communication are of particular importance. To meet these goals, nurses need knowledge, education and proof of clinical evidence.