Equine-assisted service's effect on cartilage and skeletal biomarkers for adults and older adults with arthritis: A pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: The object of this study was to determine the effect of EAS (Equine-Assisted Services) on arthritis conditions, as measured by the sTnT (Skeletal troponin) and COMP (cartilage oligomeric matrix proteins) biomarkers, compared to an exercise attention control intervention. DESIGN: This was a secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial comparing equine-assisted therapy to exercise education attention-control on cartilage and skeletal biomarkers in adults with arthritis. Twenty-one adults (Mage = 64 years) with arthritis who attended rheumatology clinics in the midwestern United States participated. RESULTS: No changes were found in sTnT from baseline to week six within either intervention nor were there differences in changes between the two groups (p = 0.91). COMP increased from baseline to week six for both conditions, suggesting increased deterioration of cartilage and joints. Although the attention-control condition demonstrated larger increases in cartilage oligomeric matrix proteins level, compared to the EAS condition, these differences were not statistically (p = 0.58) or clinically significant (i.e., trivial effect, d = -0.16). When 3 outliers were removed, the differences in changes between EAT and attention-control group could be arguably of clinical significance (d = - 0.33), suggesting that the attention-control group demonstrated larger increases in levels of COMP than those in the EAS condition, though this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.28). CONCLUSION: Although equine-assisted therapy may reduce pain and improve quality of life for adults with arthritis, findings here are not fully corroborated with biomarkers.

Trust in the Transplant Team Associated With the Level of Chronic Illness Management-A Secondary Data Analysis of the International BRIGHT Study.

A trustful relationship between transplant patients and their transplant team (interpersonal trust) is essential in order to achieve positive health outcomes and behaviors. We aimed to 1) explore variability of trust in transplant teams; 2) explore the association between the level of chronic illness management and trust; 3) investigate the relationship of trust on behavioral outcomes. A secondary data analysis of the BRIGHT study (ID: NCT01608477; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01608477?id=NCT01608477&rank=1) was conducted, including multicenter data from 36 heart transplant centers from 11 countries across four different continents. A total of 1,397 heart transplant recipients and 100 clinicians were enrolled. Trust significantly varied among the transplant centers. Higher levels of chronic illness management were significantly associated with greater trust in the transplant team (patients: AOR= 1.85, 95% CI = 1.47-2.33, p < 0.001; clinicians: AOR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.07-1.71, p = 0.012). Consultation time significantly moderated the relationship between chronic illness management levels and trust only when clinicians spent ≥30 min with patients. Trust was significantly associated with better diet adherence (OR = 1.34, 95%CI = 1.01-1.77, p = 0.040). Findings indicate the relevance of trust and chronic illness management in the transplant ecosystem to achieve improved transplant outcomes. Thus, further investment in re-engineering of transplant follow-up toward chronic illness management, and sufficient time for consultations is required.

A Descriptive, Correlational Study of Perceptions of Adult Kidney Transplant Recipients and Those Waiting for a Kidney Transplant About Managing Their Medications During a Pandemic.

Introduction: Little is known about COVID-19 impact on patient medication management. Research Question: The aim was to describe medication management, healthcare team interactions, and adherence during the COVID-19 pandemic in kidney transplant patients and those on the kidney transplant wait list. Design: Using a descriptive, correlational design 340 adults from a midwestern US transplant program were recruited. The Managing Medications in the Midst of a Pandemic Survey measured healthcare team encounters and medication management. The Basel assessment of adherence to medications scale measured medication adherence. Results: The response rate was 35% (119/340). During the pandemic, 88% had practiced/were currently practicing socially distancing, 85% had worn/were currently wearing a face mask in public, 18% had been/were currently diagnosed with COVID-19 and 82% received the vaccine. Medication management: 76% planned and organized their own medications. Healthcare team interactions: 89% met in the office, 20% via phone, 12% telehealth, and 13% delayed seeing a healthcare provider because of COVID-19 concerns. Pharmacy interactions: 11% changed their method of obtaining medications from pharmacy due to social distancing. Medication adherence implementation was problematic with 19% missing a dose; results from the binary logistic regression suggested that those with higher levels of education were more likely to report missing a dose. Conclusions: Patients acted to prevent COVID-19 but some still contracted the virus. The pandemic changed healthcare team medication management interactions. Adherence implementation problems were nearly 20%. Findings are relevant to the transplant healthcare team to understand the impact of a pandemic on patient/team interactions and medication adherence.

A concept analysis of routines for improving health behaviors.

Objective: Chronic disease patients often have unhealthy routines, especially when away from health care professionals. These patients need clear guidance about establishing and maintaining routines. This study aimed to synthesize a definition of the concept of routines for improving health behaviors based on its uses in the literature. Methods: We searched CINAHL, Medline, Scopus, and Google Scholar from January to May, 2022 for articles that included definitions of routines in the context of improving health behavior. We applied no date restriction. The systematic analytic method and Rodgers' evolutionary concept analysis method were used. We charted the attributes, antecedents, and consequences of routines for improving health behaviors, analyzed their uses in the literature, and synthesized the results in a definition of the concept. Result: At total of 24 articles were included. Attributes of the concept were repeated patterns, controllable by the patient, goal-oriented health, and integration into an overarching lifestyle. Antecedents were individual characteristics and environmental factors. Consequences were psychological, physical, and social well-being at individual and environmental levels. Conclusion: This clarified definition of routines for improving health behaviors will provide a starting point for future research and, eventually, a basis for clinical nursing interventions to support patients in developing and maintaining healthy routines to promote better patient outcomes.

Prevalence and Patient-Level Correlates of Intentional Non-Adherence to Immunosuppressive Medication After Heart-Transplantation-Findings From the International BRIGHT Study.

After heart transplantation (HTx), non-adherence to immunosuppressants (IS) is associated with poor outcomes; however, intentional non-adherence (INA) is poorly understood regarding its international variability in prevalence, contributing factors and impact on outcomes. We investigated (1) the prevalence and international variability of INA, (2) patient-level correlates of INA, and (3) relation of INA with clinical outcomes. Secondary analysis of data from the BRIGHT study-an international multi-center, cross-sectional survey examining multi-level factors of adherence in 1,397 adult HTx recipients. INA during the implementation phase, i.e., drug holiday and dose alteration, was measured using the Basel Assessment of Adherence to Immunosuppressive Medications Scale© (BAASIS©). Descriptive and inferential analysis was performed with data retrieved through patient interview, patient self-report and in clinical records. INA prevalence was 3.3% (n = 46/1,397)-drug holidays: 1.7% (n = 24); dose alteration: 1.4% (n = 20); both: 0.1% (n = 2). University-level education (OR = 2.46, CI = 1.04-5.83), insurance not covering IS costs (OR = 2.21, CI = 1.01-4.87) and barriers (OR = 4.90, CI = 2.73-8.80) were significantly associated with INA; however, clinical outcomes were not. Compared to other single-center studies, this sample's INA prevalence was low. More than accessibility or financial concerns, our analyses identified patient-level barriers as INA drivers. Addressing patients' IS-related barriers, should decrease INA.

Managing Medications and Medication Adherence Among US Adults During the Early Phase of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Purpose: Before the COVID-19 pandemic and the disruptions it brought, medication adherence was already a challenging and complex health behavior. The purpose of this study was to describe patients' interactions in clinic, pharmacy, and home contexts and associated medication management and adherence during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients and Methods: A survey questionnaire was developed using the Medication Adherence Context and Outcomes framework and distributed via social media between May and July 2020 targeting adults taking a daily prescribed medication. Survey questions assessed sociodemographics, interactions with healthcare providers, clinics, pharmacies, medication management experiences, habit strength, and life chaos perceptions during the pandemic. Medication adherence was assessed by the self-report BAASIS© scale to measure implementation, discontinuation, and overall nonadherence. Results: A total of 134 adults from the United States, mean age 50.0 (SD 16.1) years were included in this analysis. Respondents took a median of 3.50 (interquartile range 4) daily medications. Delays in seeing a provider were reported by 47 (35.1%). Pharmacy encounters were impacted; 25 (18.7%) indicated their method for obtaining medication changed. Medication nonadherence was reported among 62 (46.3%) and was significantly greater among those who delayed prescription refills (p=0.032), pillbox users (p=0.047), and those who experienced greater life chaos (p=0.040) and lower habit strength (p<0.001) in the early phase of the pandemic. Conclusion: Although the early phase of the pandemic affected access to care for nearly one-third of the sample, distance-accessible care options and strategies to obtain needed services without being in-person supported respondents medication management. Helpful strategies included provider accessibility, telehealth, home delivery/mail-order, drive-thru's, 90-day supplies, and online/automatic refills. Methods to develop and reestablish habits are critical. Care providers in clinic and pharmacy settings can educate and remind patients about services like distance-accessible technologies and online ordering of medications and establishing routines to support medication adherence.

Implementing a Care Plan System in a Community Hospital Electronic Health Record.

Nursing care plans, the result of the nursing process, are important because they guide quality patient care, define the nurse's role in patient treatment, and support patient specific nursing interventions. Nurse leaders at a community hospital identified that 70% of hospitalized patients shared the same three nursing problems and three-day resolution target dates. This quality improvement project involved the implementation of a nursing care plan system within the organization's existing electronic health record platform that supported the development of individualized plans. The implementation included a) integration of care plan activities into the nursing workflow, b) adoption of a standardized nursing language to provide structure nursing care plan data capture and reporting, c) configuration of the electronic health record to recommend patient data-driven care plan problems based on nursing assessment documentation; and d) trended care plan data to identify problem patterns within the patient population. A postimplementation audit indicated a 130% improvement in achieving individualized care plans within 24 hours of admission.

Determinants of Length of Stay after Neonatal Cardiac Surgery Using Path Analysis.

After neonatal cardiac surgery, families, and the health care team strive for exclusive oral feedings before hospital discharge. With the hypothesis that exclusive oral feedings would reduce the length of stay (LOS), a multidimensional path analysis was used to examine a cross-section of 280 neonates from 2009 to 2013. Buttigieg, Abela, and Pace's theoretical framework of structural and process-related determinants of LOS was modeled with hypothesis-driven correlation and directionality. The recursive path model had a good global and local fit with outcome variances of 26% for exclusive oral feeding and LOS. In the full cohort and model groups (single and biventricular), when controlling for covariances: sepsis, birth distance, necrotizing enterocolitis, genetic differences, specialty consults, the age at which neonatal cardiac surgery occurred (ß = .23, p ≤ .001) and the duration of postoperative intubation (ß = .47, p ≤ .001) more significantly influenced the LOS than intermediate mediation of exclusive oral feedings at discharge.

Frequency of Medication Administration Timing Error in Hospitals: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Medication administration timing error (MATE) leads to poor medication efficacy, harm, and death. Frequency of MATE is understudied. PURPOSE: To determine MATE frequency, and characteristics and quality of reporting studies. METHODS: A systematic review of articles between 1999 and 2021 was conducted using the Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, ProQuest, and PubMed databases. Articles were scored for quality using the STROBE (Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology) checklist. RESULTS: Initially, 494 articles were screened; 23 were included in this review. MATE was defined as administration beyond 60 minutes before or after the scheduled time in 13 (57%) of the included studies. Measurement procedures included data abstraction, self-report, and observation. Frequency of MATE was 1% to 72.6%. Moderate study quality was found in 78% of articles. CONCLUSION: Research on MATE is characterized by inconsistent definitions, measurements procedures, and calculation techniques. High-quality studies are lacking. Many research improvement opportunities exist.

Multi-level correlates of received social support among heart transplant recipients in the international BRIGHT Study: a secondary analysis.

AIMS: Social support is critical in follow-up of patients after heart transplant (HTx) and positively influences well-being and clinical outcomes such as medication adherence. The purpose of this study was to (i) explore received social support variation (emotional and practical) in HTx recipients at country and centre level and (ii) to assess multi-level correlates. METHODS AND RESULTS: Secondary data analysis of the multi-level cross-sectional BRIGHT study was conducted in 36 HTx centres in 11 countries. Received social support related to medication adherence was measured with emotional and practical sub-scales. The Conceptual Model of Social Networks and Health guided selection of patient, micro (interpersonal and psychosocial), meso (HTx centre) and macro-level (country health system) factors. Descriptive statistics, intraclass correlations, and sequential multiple ordinal mixed logistic regression analysis were used. A total of 1379 adult HTx recipients were included. Patient level correlates (female sex, living alone, and fewer depressive symptoms) and micro-level correlates (higher level of chronic disease management and trust in the healthcare team) were associated with better emotional social support. Similarly, patient level (living alone, younger age, and male sex), micro-level and meso-level (patient and clinician-rated higher level of chronic disease management) were associated with better practical social support. Social support varied at country and centre levels for emotional and practical dimensions. CONCLUSIONS: Social support in HTx recipients varies by country, centre, and was associated with multi-level correlates. Qualitative and longitudinal studies are needed to understand influencing factors of social support for intervention development, improvement of social support, and clinical outcomes.

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis: Personal Systems Approach in Improving Medication Adherence in Adult Kidney Transplant Patients.

ABSTRACT: Interventions to improve medication nonadherence in transplantation have recently moved from a focus on motivation and intention, to a focus on person-level quality improvement strategies. These strategies link adherence to established daily routines, environmental cues, and supportive people. The objective of this evaluation was to estimate the cost of implementation and the cost-effectiveness of a person-level intervention shown to increase medication adherence. To estimate the intervention costs, a direct measure microcosting approach was used after key informant interviews with project champions and a review of implementation expenditures. Cost-effectiveness was calculated by comparing the incremental implementation costs and healthcare costs associated with nonadherence to the incremental percent adherent, defined as the percent of patients who took greater or equal to 85% of their medication doses, for each pairwise comparison. The intervention was low-resource to implement, costing approximately $520 to implement per patient, and was associated with significant improvements in medication adherence. These implementation costs were more than outweighed by the expected healthcare savings associated with improvements in adherence. This person-level intervention is a low-cost, efficacious intervention associated with significant statistical and clinical improvements in medication adherence in adult kidney transplant recipients.

Health Facts Medication Adherence in Transplantation (H-MAT) Study: A Secondary Analysis of Determinants and Outcomes of Medication Nonadherence in Adult Kidney Transplant Recipients.

Aims: To explore the relationship between determinants and posttransplant medication nonadherence (MNA) in adult kidney transplant recipients, and to examine the relationship between posttransplant MNA and clinical outcomes. Methods: Using the World Health Organization's model, this retrospective, multicenter, correlational study examined the relationship between determinants, posttransplant MNA, and clinical outcomes in 16,671 adult kidney transplant recipients from the Cerner Health Facts national data warehouse. Results: With 12% MNA, those who were nonadherent were more likely to have the social/economic factors of being younger, single, Caucasian versus Hispanic race, have the condition-related factor of mental health/substance use disorder, and have the healthcare system-related factor of government/health maintenance organization/managed care insurance (p's < 0.05). Bivariate correlations indicated both age (OR = 1.006, p=0.01) and mental health or substance use disorder diagnosis (OR = 1.26, p=0.04) were significant predictors of MNA. Patients were 0.6% more likely to be medication adherent for each year they increased in age and 26% more likely to be MNA if they were diagnosed with a mental health/substance use disorder. Nonadherent patients were less likely to be readmitted, but more likely to have complications after transplant and medication side effects (p's < 0.01). Conclusions: Using one of the largest samples of adult kidney transplant patients, our findings support the WHO model and move the body of medication adherence intervention research forward by clarifying the importance of focusing interventions not only on the patient but on multilevel determinants. Consistent with previous studies, MNA negatively impacts transplant outcomes.

Cross-sectional study of the relationship between experiences of incivility from staff nurses and undergraduate nursing students' sense of belonging to the nursing profession.

AIM: This study examined the frequency of incivility for undergraduate nursing students and the relationship between staff nurse incivility and nursing students' sense of belonging. Factors between program semester and students' body mass index (BMI) to staff nurse incivility and students' sense of belonging were assessed. BACKGROUND: Sense of belonging enhances belonging development to the profession. However, no studies address the relationship between incivility and nursing students' sense of belonging. METHODS: A cross-sectional design assessed the relationship between staff nurse incivility and undergraduate nursing students' sense of belonging to the nursing profession. An online survey was administered to 123 pre-licensure junior and senior undergraduate nursing students from February 1, 2021, to May 5, 2021. Correlation coefficient, descriptive statistics, Fisher r-to-z transformation, 95% confidence intervals were calculated. RESULTS: Staff nurse incivility inversely correlated with undergraduate nursing students' sense of belonging (rs=-.358; p <.001). American Indian or Alaskan Native students reported the highest mean frequency of incivility (1.25 ± .421). There were no significant differences in correlations based on semester or BMI. CONCLUSION: Staff nurse incivility is inversely associated with sense of belonging in students. Further research is needed to test interventions mitigating the effects of incivility on belonging.

Improving Lung Cancer Screening Rates Through an Evidence-Based Electronic Health Record Smoking History.

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is prevalent worldwide, with 2.1 million new cases and 1.8 million deaths in 2020. In the United States, an estimated 131 880 lung cancer deaths are expected to occur in 2021, with most detected in later stages. Smokers are 15 to 30 times more likely to develop or die from lung cancer. LOCAL PROBLEM: Our community residents were more likely to be diagnosed with lung cancer in later stages (62%) compared with 56% nationally, resulting in an increased community mortality rate. INTERVENTION: Evidence-based changes in an electronic health record system supported identification and referral of high-risk patients for low-dose computer tomography to improve early lung cancer detection rates. RESULTS: Early-stage lung cancer detection increased 24%. CONCLUSIONS: Interprofessional teams used technology to adopt evidence-based practice and improve health outcomes in their communities.

The feasibility and acceptability of assessing and managing sarcopenia and frailty among older people with upper limb fracture.

BACKGROUND: sarcopenia and frailty are associated with increased risk of falls and fractures. This study evaluated the feasibility of assessing sarcopenia and frailty among older people attending fracture clinics. METHODS: patients aged 65+ years with an arm fracture attending fracture clinics in one UK city were recruited. Sarcopenia was assessed using gait speed, grip strength, skeletal muscle mass index SMI, SARC-F questionnaire and the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) I and II criteria. Frailty was assessed using Fried Frailty Phenotype (FFP), FRAIL scale, PRISMA-7, electronic Frailty Index (e-FI), Clinical Frailty Score (CFS) and Study of Osteoporotic Fracture. The sensitivity and specificity of each tool was calculated against the EWGSOP II criteria (sarcopenia) and FFP (frailty). Patients identified to have either condition were referred for Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA). Interviews with 13 patients and nine staff explored the acceptability of this process. RESULTS: hundred patients (Mean age 75 years) were recruited. Most sarcopenia and frailty assessments were quick with complete data collection and were acceptable to patients and staff. Sarcopenia was identified among 4-39% participants depending on the tool and frailty among 9-25%. Both conditions were more common among men than women with all tools. The SARC-F and PRISMA-7 had the best sensitivity (100 and 93%, respectively) and specificity (96 and 87%). CGA among 80% of referred participants led to three interventions per participant (e.g. medication changes and investigations). CONCLUSION: SARC-F and PRISMA-7 are recommended for use in fracture clinics to screen for sarcopenia and frailty.

Is degree of chronic illness management in heart transplant centers associated with better patient survival? Findings from the intercontinental BRIGHT study.

PURPOSE: To explore the association between the degree of Chronic illness management and survival rates at 1-, 3-, 5-years post heart transplantation. METHODS: Exploratory secondary analysis of a cross-sectional, international study (Building Research Initiative Group study). Latent profile analysis was performed to classify 36 heart transplant centers according to the degree of chronic illness management. RESULTS: The analysis resulted in 2 classes with 29 centers classified as "low-degree chronic illness management" and 7 centers as "high-degree chronic illness management". After 1-year posttransplantation, the high-degree chronic illness management class had a significantly greater mean survival rate compared to the low-degree chronic illness management class (88.4% vs 84.2%, p = 0.045) and the difference had a medium effect size (η2 = .06). No difference in survival for the other time points was observed. Patients in high-degree chronic illness management centers had 52% lower odds of moderate to severe drinking (95% confidence interval .30-.78, p = 0.003). No significant associations between degree of chronic illness management and the other recommended health behaviors were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The findings from this exploratory study offer preliminary insight into a system-level pathway (chronic illness management) for improving outcomes for heart transplant recipients. The signals observed in our data support further investigation into the effectiveness of chronic illness management-based interventions in heart transplant follow-up care.

Women's Reports of Barriers to and Facilitators of Oral Medication Adherence During Ovarian Stimulation: A Mixed Methods Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Adherence to lifestyle modification recommendations remains problematic for women undergoing fertility treatment, raising concerns about the extent to which women adhere to prescribed medication regimens. Limited data have shown suboptimal oral medication adherence rates of 19% to 74%. The objective of this study was to explore what women perceive as barriers to and facilitators of oral medication adherence during fertility treatment cycles. METHODS: An exploratory mixed methods pilot study was conducted among a sample of 30 women who were actively taking one to two cycles of letrozole or clomiphene citrate for ovarian stimulation in conjunction with intrauterine insemination cycles. Medication adherence barriers were measured using a 20-item survey. Medication adherence facilitators and personal experiences with fertility treatment were assessed with structured interviews. Medication adherence was assessed with electronic event monitoring. RESULTS: The overall medication adherence median was 0.97 with a range of 0.75 to 1.00, and nine women (50%) demonstrated perfect adherence. The most commonly reported barriers were recently feeling sad, down, or blue (53%), and taking medication more than once per day (40%). Women with higher barrier scores had significantly lower medication adherence scores (p=0.02) compared to women with lower total barrier scores. Facilitators included using physical aides as reminders (60%) and establishing a daily routine (50%). No significant correlation was found between medication adherence scores and facilitators. CONCLUSION: The dynamic interplay between perceived barriers and facilitators and women's medication-taking patterns could influence whether or not medication regimens are followed correctly.

SystemCHANGE™ Solutions to Improve Medication Adherence in Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Secondary Data Analysis.

The SystemCHANGE™ intervention has led to great improvements in medication adherence, which is a challenge for nearly one-third of kidney transplant recipients. This secondary data analysis sought to measure the frequency of individual solutions utilized by participants in a previously conducted randomized controlled trial of the SystemCHANGE™ intervention and to determine which classes of solutions had greatest impact on improved medication adherence. Solutions that were significant predictors of improving medication adherence to the 85% or higher level included alarm cues (p ≤ 0.0001), time cues (p = 0.006), restructuring the physical environment (p = 0.048), and social support (p = 0.023). Alarm and time cues, restructuring the environment, and social support were successful solutions largely influenced by personal routine and environment consideration that might be prioritized in future studies when implementing SystemCHANGE™.

Critical Care Nurses' Physical and Mental Health, Worksite Wellness Support, and Medical Errors.

BACKGROUND: Critical care nurses experience higher rates of mental distress and poor health than other nurses, adversely affecting health care quality and safety. It is not known, however, how critical care nurses' overall health affects the occurrence of medical errors. OBJECTIVE: To examine the associations among critical care nurses' physical and mental health, perception of workplace wellness support, and self-reported medical errors. METHODS: This survey-based study used a cross-sectional, descriptive correlational design. A random sample of 2500 members of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses was recruited to participate in the study. The outcomes of interest were level of overall health, symptoms of depression and anxiety, stress, burnout, perceived worksite wellness support, and medical errors. RESULTS: A total of 771 critical care nurses participated in the study. Nurses in poor physical and mental health reported significantly more medical errors than nurses in better health (odds ratio [95% CI]: 1.31 [0.96-1.78] for physical health, 1.62 [1.17-2.29] for depressive symptoms). Nurses who perceived that their worksite was very supportive of their well-being were twice as likely to have better physical health (odds ratio [95% CI], 2.16 [1.33-3.52]; 55.8%). CONCLUSION: Hospital leaders and health care systems need to prioritize the health of their nurses by resolving system issues, building wellness cultures, and providing evidence-based wellness support and programming, which will ultimately increase the quality of patient care and reduce the incidence of preventable medical errors.