Use of machine learning to predict medication adherence in individuals at risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Background: Medication nonadherence is a critical problem with severe implications in individuals at risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Many studies have attempted to predict medication adherence in this population, but few, if any, have been effective in prediction, sug-gesting that essential risk factors remain unidentified. Objective: This study's objective was to (1) establish an accurate prediction model of medi-cation adherence in individuals at risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and (2) identify significant contributing factors to the predictive accuracy of medication adherence. In particular, we aimed to use only the baseline questionnaire data to assess medication adherence prediction feasibility. Methods: A sample of 40 individuals at risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease was recruited for an eight-week feasibility study. After collecting baseline data, we recorded data from a pillbox that sent events to a cloud-based server. Health measures and medication use events were analyzed using machine learning algorithms to identify variables that best predict medication adherence. Results: Our adherence prediction model, based on only the ten most relevant variables, achieved an average error rate of 12.9%. Medication adherence was closely correlated with being encouraged to play an active role in their treatment, having confidence about what to do in an emergency, knowledge about their medications, and having a special person in their life. Conclusions: Our results showed the significance of clinical and psychosocial factors for predicting medication adherence in people at risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. Clini-cians and researchers can use these factors to stratify individuals to make evidence-based decisions to reduce the risks.

Codesign of a cardiovascular disease prevention text message bank for older adults.

OBJECTIVE: Develop and validate a text message bank to support healthier lifestyle behaviors in older adults at risk for cardiovascular disease utilizing a codesign approach. METHODS: Initially, the researchers, based on literature, developed a bank of 68 SMS text messages focusing on healthy eating (24 messages), physical activity (24 messages), and motivational feedback (20 messages), based on a scoping review of the literature on promoting behavioral change to engage in healthy lifestyle behaviors. In the next step, a panel of five experts analyzed every subset of SMS text messages. Further validation was conducted by nine older adults (≥ 60 years). The user demographics, telephone literacy, understanding, and appeal for every SMS text message were evaluated using a 31-item questionnaire. RESULTS: Participants provided an acceptable understanding of the critical concept found in the 49 SMS text message (physical activity M = 1.73 ± 0.18; diet M = 1.73 ± 0.26; motivation M = 1.85 ± 0.25; range 0-2). The average ratings for physical activity (i.e., likability), healthy eating, and motivation were 8.62 ± 0.64, 8.57 ± 0.76, and 8.40 ± 0.83, respectively (range 0-10). CONCLUSION: Co-designers were able to identify the technological and content requirements for each text message and infographic to enhance understanding and appeal. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: A feasibility study will need to be conducted as a next step to testing the effectiveness of text messages in a mobile-based intervention to promote healthy behaviors in older adults at high CVD risk.

Microbial Contamination Risk and Disinfection of Radiation Protective Garments.

ABSTRACT: Healthcare-associated infections are a major public health concern for both patients and medical personnel. This has taken on greater urgency during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Radiation Personal Protective Equipment (RPPE) may contribute to risks of microbial contamination. This possibility was tested in 61 personal or shared-use lead aprons and thyroid collars at Columbia Presbyterian Irving Medical Center. Fifty percent tested positive for either bacterial or fungal contamination, mostly around the neckline of lead vests and thyroid collars. Repeated testing of garments some weeks to months later confirmed continued presence of microbial contamination. The possibility that hospital-approved disinfection agents could degrade the radio-protective features of these garments was also examined. Samples of identical construction to garments in regular use were subjected to either daily or weekly wipes with hypochlorite or alcohol-based hospital-approved cleaning agents for 6 mo. A third group of samples was maintained in contact with the cleaning agents for 6 mo. All samples were fluoroscoped four times during the study. None demonstrated any degradation in radioprotection. All samples were photographed monthly. Physical degradation of the outer plastic covering by concentrated hypochlorite and limited mechanical damage around stitched seams of the samples cleaned daily with alcohol was noted. Based on the high prevalence of microbial contamination, regular cleaning and disinfection protocols should be implemented. Regular cleaning with medical-facility-approved cleaning and disinfecting agents is likely to be effective at reducing the microbial load and unlikely to result in significant reduction in radioprotective properties of these garments.

The Decolonization of Nursing Education.

In the era of COVID-19, coupled with a community in tune to Black lives, the call to action is now. It is now time to stop, listen, and be intentional in efforts to create sustainable policies and programs that shape the ability to deliver culturally competent care to diverse patients, families, professionals, and communities. Our recommendations for how faculty and academia can decolonize nursing education are delineated in this article. All nursing schools and departments should form a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) committee, if they have not already done so. DEI committees can help thread Social Determinants of Health throughout the curriculum, highlight and address microaggressions, and develop formal and informal mentorship programs. As nurses, we must continue the discussion of race with humility but without denial and defensiveness. Subtle racist biases may be unintentionally internalized, and it is our moral and ethical responsibility to recognize these and fight them so that they do not result in prejudicial policy, practice, research, and education. Faculty should celebrate diversity through an exchange of ideas and open communication despite differences in race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, social class, or disability.

Effect of diabetes self-management education on glycemic control in Latino adults with type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effectiveness of diabetes self-management education (DSME) in reducing glycosylated hemoglobin (A1C) levels in adult Latinos with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). METHODS: Five databases were searched for DSME randomized controlled trials or quasi-experimental trials published between January 1997 and March 2019. A random effects model was utilized to calculate combined effect sizes. Subgroup analyses were performed to explore possible sources of heterogeneity between studies. RESULTS: Twenty-three unique studies met criteria for this systematic review and of these, 18 were included in the meta-analysis. Pooled estimate effect of DSME on A1C from the random effect model was -0.240 (95% confidence interval = -0.345, -0.135, p <  0.001). There was moderate heterogeneity (Cochrane Q=30.977, P=0.020, I^2 = 45.121) between the studies. Subgroup analyses demonstrated greater A1C reductions in studies with intervention duration ≤6 months, initial A1C baseline values >8.0 [69 mmol/mol], and team-based approach. CONCLUSIONS: Meta-analysis results showed that culturally tailored DSME interventions significantly reduce AIC in Latinos with T2DM despite the heterogeneity across the studies. IMPLICATIONS: The heterogeneity in the study methodologies reinforce the need for additional studies to better understand DSME interventions to reduce disparities in Latino adults with T2DM.

Facilitators and barriers to research participation: perspectives of Latinos with type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Latinos constitute 17% of the US population and are one of the largest ethnic groups; however, only 7.6% participate in research studies. There is a disproportionately high number of Latinos living with type 2 diabetes mellitus and are at increased risk for cardiovascular events. Research to elicit facilitators and barriers for participation in research and effective recruitment strategies is limited. AIMS: This article reports the qualitative findings of a mixed-methods study examining perceived facilitators and barriers for research participation, and explores decision-making processes and ascertains ethnic values that influenced their decisions among Spanish-speaking Latinos with type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 participants (mean age 50.8 ± 9.4 years, 76% women and 28% employed). Participants were asked to elaborate on perceived facilitators and barriers to research participation. All interviews were conducted in Spanish. Transcribed interviews were analyzed through conventional content analysis. RESULTS: Three themes emerged from transcribed interviews: (a) lowering barriers to access health-related expertise; (b) language concordance; and (c) trusting relationships. Perceived barriers to research participation included work schedule, childcare, transportation and ethnic beliefs. CONCLUSION: Strategies to support learning, language concordance and establishing trusting relationships among Spanish-speaking Latinos may be key to increasing Latinos in research studies.