Reconceptualizing Acute Pain Management in the 21st Century.

Acute pain can have many etiologies that include surgical procedures, trauma (motor vehicle accident), musculoskeletal injuries (rib fracture) and, burns among others. Valuable components of a multimodal approach to acute pain management include both opioid and non-opioid medications, procedure specific regional anesthesia techniques (peripheral nerve blocks and neuraxial approaches), and interventional approaches (eg, peripheral nerve stimulation and cryo-neurolysis). Overall, successful acute perioperative pain management requires a multimodal, multidisciplinary approach that involves a coordinated effort between the surgical team, the anesthesia team, nursing, and pharmacy staff using Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols.

Impact of Inspiratory Muscle Training on Weaning Parameters in Prolonged Ventilator-Dependent Patients: A Preliminary Study.

Introduction: Patients require prolonged mechanical ventilation to overcome respiratory failure in the chronic respiratory care ward; however, how to facilitate ventilator weaning using a nurse-led strategy is limited. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the impact of adjusting ventilator trigger sensitivity as inspiratory muscle training on weaning parameters in patients with prolonged ventilator dependence. Methods: Multiple pre-test-post-test with a non-equivalent control group design was conducted at a chronic respiratory care ward in southern Taiwan. A convenience sampling method was used to recruit patients who received prolonged mechanical ventilation for more than 21 days into control (n = 20) and intervention groups (n = 22). Adjustment of ventilator trigger sensitivity started from 10% of the initial maximum inspiratory pressure and increased to 40% after a training period of six weeks. The weaning parameters were collected for pre-test and multiple post-tests, and statistical analysis of treatment effects was performed using the generalized estimating equation. Results: Magnitude of weaning parameters was significantly higher in the intervention group after the six-week training, including maximum inspiratory pressure, rapid shallow breathing index, tidal volume, and ratio of arterial-to-inspired oxygen. Conclusion: Adjustment of ventilator trigger sensitivity as inspiratory muscle training can help prolonged ventilator-dependent patients improve their respiratory muscle strength, breathing patterns, and oxygenation.

Prevalence of caregiver burden syndrome in formal caregivers of institutionalised patients with psychiatric illness.

INTRODUCTION: Caregiver burden syndrome has been highlighted as a neglected problem, in which a dependent person's caregiver must change their lifestyle while facing a range of stressors which they cannot always overcome. This leads to a state of physical and mental exhaustion, hindering the caregiver's performance at their work environment. OBJECTIVE: To define the caregiver burden syndrome prevalence among formal caregivers of mentally-ill dependent patients at Clínica del Oriente in the period 2016 II (July-December) and 2017 I (January-June). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional observational study was carried out in a population of formal caregivers of with mental illness institutionalised at either of the two facilities of Clínica del Oriente, La Ceja and El Carmen de Viboral. We used a survey with sociodemographic, clinical and work-related variables, and the Zarit Burden Interview. RESULTS: 53 caregivers were analysed; 11 had the syndrome (20.8%), 17% had mild burden and 3.8% severe burden. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of caregiver burden syndrome in formal caregivers was lower than found in studies on informal caregivers.

Prevalencia del Síndrome de Carga del Cuidador en cuidadores formales de pacientes con enfermedad psiquiátrica institucionalizados / Prevalence of caregiver burden syndrome in formal caregivers of institutionalised patients with psychiatric illness

RESUMEN Introducción: El síndrome de carga del cuidador se ha destacado a través del tiempo como una problemática ignorada, en la que el cuidador de una persona dependiente debe permutar su estilo de vida y enfrentarse a diferentes factores estresores que, en ocasiones, no alcanza a controlar, lo que desencadena un estado de agotamiento físico y mental, obstaculizando su desenvolvimiento en el entorno laboral. Objetivo: Definir la prevalencia de síndrome de carga del cuidador en cuidadores formales de paciente dependiente con enfermedad psiquiátrica en la Clínica del Oriente para el semestre 2016 II (julio-diciembre) y 2017 I (enero-junio). Materiales y métodos: Se ejecutó un estudio observacional descriptivo de corte transversal en una población de cuidadores formales de pacientes con enfermedad psiquiátrica institucionalizados en la Clínica del Oriente, la cual tiene 2 sedes, ubicadas en La Ceja y en El Carmen de Viboral. La investigación se realizó por medio de una encuesta con variables sociodemográficas, clínicas y laborales, y la escala de sobrecarga de Zarit y Zarit. Resultados: Se analizó a 53 cuidadores, 11 cuidadores presentaron el síndrome (20,8%), el 17% presentaba sobrecarga leve y el 3,8% sobrecarga intensa. Conclusión: La prevalencia del síndrome de carga del cuidador en cuidadores formales fue menor a lo encontrado en estudios sobre cuidadores informales.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Caregiver burden syndrome has been highlighted as a neglected problem, in which a dependent person's caregiver must change their lifestyle while facing a range of stressors which they cannot always overcome. This leads to a state of physical and mental exhaustion, hindering the caregiver's performance at their work environment. Objective: To define the caregiver burden syndrome prevalence among formal caregivers of mentally-ill dependent patients at Clínica del Oriente in the period 2016 II (July-December) and 2017 I (January-June). Materials and methods: A descriptive cross-sectional observational study was carried out in a population of formal caregivers of with mental illness institutionalised at either of the two facilities of Clínica del Oriente, La Ceja and El Carmen de Viboral. We used a survey with sociodemographic, clinical and work-related variables, and the Zarit Burden Interview. Results: 53 caregivers were analysed; 11 had the syndrome (20.8%), 17% had mild burden and 3.8% severe burden. Conclusion: The prevalence of caregiver burden syndrome in formal caregivers was lower than found in studies on informal caregivers.

Prevalence of caregiver burden syndrome in formal caregivers of institutionalised patients with psychiatric illness. / Prevalencia del Síndrome de Carga del Cuidador en cuidadores formales de pacientes con enfermedad psiquiátrica institucionalizados.

INTRODUCTION: Caregiver burden syndrome has been highlighted as a neglected problem, in which a dependent person's caregiver must change their lifestyle while facing a range of stressors which they cannot always overcome. This leads to a state of physical and mental exhaustion, hindering the caregiver's performance at their work environment. OBJECTIVE: To define the caregiver burden syndrome prevalence among formal caregivers of mentally-ill dependent patients at Clínica del Oriente in the period 2016 II (July-December) and 2017 I (January-June). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional observational study was carried out in a population of formal caregivers of with mental illness institutionalised at either of the two facilities of Clínica del Oriente, La Ceja and El Carmen de Viboral. We used a survey with sociodemographic, clinical and work-related variables, and the Zarit Burden Interview. RESULTS: 53 caregivers were analysed; 11 had the syndrome (20.8%), 17% had mild burden and 3.8% severe burden. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of caregiver burden syndrome in formal caregivers was lower than found in studies on informal caregivers.

Poor results of functional treatment of Garden-1 femoral neck fracture in dependent patients.

INTRODUCTION: Variable results are reported after functional treatment for Garden-1 femoral neck fracture, with no definite factors for failure, particularly in the absence of selection for risk. It seems well indicated in frail and/or dependent patients with comorbidities, but this has not been specifically assessed, and failure is frequent in this target population. We therefore performed a retrospective study to: (1) assess results of functional treatment for Garden-1 impacted femoral neck fracture in dependent patients, and (2) analyze survival in terms of complications and death, and related factors. HYPOTHESIS: Functional treatment for Garden-1 fracture in dependent patients gives poor results, with a high rate of surgical revision. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was made of Garden-1 femoral neck fracture in dependent patients (Parker score≤5), with a minimum 2 years' follow-up. One hundred and forty-six patients were included: mean age, 81.3±8.7 years (range, 55.7-99.6 years). The endpoint was survival in terms of complications requiring surgery, secondary displacement requiring surgery, excessive pain requiring surgery, non-union or femoral head osteonecrosis. Secondary endpoints were overall mortality and mortality related to complications. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 4.2±2.6 years (range, 2.0-10.3 years). Ninety-one of the 146 patients (62.3%) required secondary surgery: 79 (54.1%) early (<3 months post-fracture), with 77 (52.7%) secondary displacements and 2 cases (1.4%) of excessive pain; and 12 (8.2%) late (162.2±132.3 days; range, 90-454 days), with 8 (5.4%) non-unions and 4 (2.7%) osteonecroses. Mean time to onset of secondary displacement was 13.6±11.8 days (range, 0-67.0 days). Two-year survival in terms of revision surgery was 34.1% [95% CI: 26.0-42.4]. At last follow-up, 91 patients (62.3%) had died; 2-year survival in terms of death was 69.9% [95% CI: 62.4-77.3]. Survival analysis in terms of complications revealed greater mortality in absence of complications: 42 of the 55 patients (76.3%) without complications requiring surgery died, versus 49 of the 91 (53.8%) with complications requiring surgery (p=0.012); relative risk of death in absence of complications requiring surgery was 1.42 [95% CI: 1.33-5.77]. DISCUSSION: Functional treatment for Garden-1 fracture in dependent patients gave poor short- and medium-term results. Surgery is therefore recommended in this specific population; the present findings should improve survival. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, retrospective study.

The ethics of caring for hospital-dependent patients.

BACKGROUND: Hospital-dependent patients are individuals who are repeatedly readmitted to the hospital because their acute medical needs cannot be met elsewhere. Unlike the chronically critically ill, these patients do not have a continuous need for life-sustaining equipment and can experience periods of relative stability where they have a good quality of life. However, some end up spending months or even years in the hospital receiving resource-intensive care because they are unable to be safely discharged, despite an initial optimistic prognosis. It is hard to reliably identify these patients on admission and more research is needed to better understand the unique medical needs of this population. But the inability to safely discharge these patients to their home or to a skilled nursing facility without rapid readmissions also creates ethical implications for the physicians who care for them. The aim of this paper is to clarify some of the ethical considerations involved in caring for hospital-dependent patients. MAIN BODY: Among physicians, the care of hospital-dependent patients is likely to disproportionately affect hospitalists and intensivists, whose care is often evaluated in terms of reducing patient length of stay and readmissions. Because hospital-dependent patients' medical needs thwart the traditional goal of safe discharge, both clinical ethics and physicians' professional obligations are implicated by their care. The inability to reliably identify these patients early can complicate discussions about treatment goals and informed consent. Similarly, the tremendous dedication of limited resources to these patients without safe discharge back to the community may raise concerns about the just allocation of healthcare resources. CONCLUSION: Our current acute care hospitals are not designed to provide long-term care for hospital-dependent patients. Unfortunately, safe discharge options remain elusive for these patients. Further research and support of this population is needed to more reliably identify hospital-dependent patients on admission, better inform the discussions of short- and long-term treatment goals, and more wisely allocate resources both within our acute care hospitals and larger healthcare system.

Estado de salud oral y calidad de vida en pacientes dependientes moderados y severos, CESFAM Boca Sur, Chile / Oral health status and quality of life in moderate and severe dependent patients, CESFAM Boca Sur, Chile

Introducción: los adultos mayores dependientes presentan una mayor prevalencia y severidad de patologías bucales que el resto de la población, estas pueden influir negativamente en su calidad de vida. Objetivo: caracterizar el estado de salud oral y la calidad de vida relacionada en pacientes adultos mayores dependientes moderados y severos inscritos en el CESFAM Boca Sur, Chile. Materiales y Métodos: se realizó un estudio de corte transversal, la población en estudio fueron adultos mayores dependientes moderados y severos usuarios del CESFAM Boca Sur, Chile. Previo consentimiento informado de los pacientes y sus cuidadores, se les aplicó un cuestionario con variable sociodemográficas a pacientes y cuidadores. Se registraron enfermedad principal, índice COPD, estado periodontal, índice de higiene oral, portador o necesidad de prótesis removible y calidad de vida asociada a salud oral a través del cuestionario OHIP-14Sp validado en población adulta mayor chilena. La tabulación se realizó en Microsoft Excel y el análisis estadístico se hizo en STATA/MP 13.0. Resultados: se incluyeron 47 pacientes, 91,5% de los pacientes requerían algún tipo de tratamiento odontológico. 24 pacientes presentaron estado cognitivo normal. El OHIP-14Sp fue de 11,3±11,7 en pacientes con dependencia moderada, 12,1±9,9 en severa y 11,8±10,4 para la muestra total, las correlaciones del OHIP-14Sp con dientes cariados, perdidos e higiene oral fueron todas menores a 0,2. Conclusiones: la mayoría de los pacientes dependientes moderados y severos inscritos en el CASFAM Boca Sur presentan un mal estado de salud oral y mala calidad de vida relacionada a esta (AU).

Introduction: dependent older adults have a higher prevalence and severity of oral diseases that other populations, they can adversely affect their quality of life Objective: to characterize the state of oral health and related quality of life in moderate and severe dependents elderly patients enrolled in the CESFAM Boca Sur, Chile. Materials and Methods: a cross-sectional study was conducted, the study population were moderate and severe dependents elderly patients enrolled in the CESFAM Boca Sur, Chile. After the informed consent of patients and their caregivers was obtained, were applied a sociodemographic questionnaire. Chief disease, COPD index, periodontal status, oral hygiene index, carrier or need removable prosthesis and quality of life associated with oral health through OHIP-14Sp questionnaire validated in Chilean adult population were registered. Tabulation was done in Microsoft Excel and statistical analysis was done in STATA / MP 13.0. Results: forty-seven patients were included, 91.5% of patients required some type of dental treatment. Twenty-four patients had normal cognitive status. The OHIP-14Sp was 11.3 ± 11.7 in patients with moderate dependence, 12.1 ± 9.9 in severe dependence and 11.8 ± 10.4 for the total sample, the correlations of OHIP-14Sp with decayed teeth , lost and oral hygiene were all less than 0.2. Conclusions: most of the moderate and severe dependent patients enrolled in the CASFAM Boca Sur have a poor oral health and poor quality of life related to it (AU).

Estado de salud oral y calidad de vida en pacientes dependientes moderados y severos, CESFAM Boca Sur, Chile / Oral health status and quality of life in moderate and severe dependent patients, CESFAM Boca Sur, Chile

Introducción: los adultos mayores dependientes presentan una mayor prevalencia y severidad de patologías bucales que el resto de la población, estas pueden influir negativamente en su calidad de vida. Objetivo: caracterizar el estado de salud oral y la calidad de vida relacionada en pacientes adultos mayores dependientes moderados y severos inscritos en el CESFAM Boca Sur, Chile. Materiales y Métodos: se realizó un estudio de corte transversal, la población en estudio fueron adultos mayores dependientes moderados y severos usuarios del CESFAM Boca Sur, Chile. Previo consentimiento informado de los pacientes y sus cuidadores, se les aplicó un cuestionario con variable sociodemográficas a pacientes y cuidadores. Se registraron enfermedad principal, índice COPD, estado periodontal, índice de higiene oral, portador o necesidad de prótesis removible y calidad de vida asociada a salud oral a través del cuestionario OHIP-14Sp validado en población adulta mayor chilena. La tabulación se realizó en Microsoft Excel y el análisis estadístico se hizo en STATA/MP 13.0. Resultados: se incluyeron 47 pacientes, 91,5% de los pacientes requerían algún tipo de tratamiento odontológico. 24 pacientes presentaron estado cognitivo normal. El OHIP-14Sp fue de 11,3±11,7 en pacientes con dependencia moderada, 12,1±9,9 en severa y 11,8±10,4 para la muestra total, las correlaciones del OHIP-14Sp con dientes cariados, perdidos e higiene oral fueron todas menores a 0,2. Conclusiones: la mayoría de los pacientes dependientes moderados y severos inscritos en el CASFAM Boca Sur presentan un mal estado de salud oral y mala calidad de vida relacionada a esta (AU).

Introduction: dependent older adults have a higher prevalence and severity of oral diseases that other populations, they can adversely affect their quality of life Objective: to characterize the state of oral health and related quality of life in moderate and severe dependents elderly patients enrolled in the CESFAM Boca Sur, Chile. Materials and Methods: a cross-sectional study was conducted, the study population were moderate and severe dependents elderly patients enrolled in the CESFAM Boca Sur, Chile. After the informed consent of patients and their caregivers was obtained, were applied a sociodemographic questionnaire. Chief disease, COPD index, periodontal status, oral hygiene index, carrier or need removable prosthesis and quality of life associated with oral health through OHIP-14Sp questionnaire validated in Chilean adult population were registered. Tabulation was done in Microsoft Excel and statistical analysis was done in STATA / MP 13.0. Results: forty-seven patients were included, 91.5% of patients required some type of dental treatment. Twenty-four patients had normal cognitive status. The OHIP-14Sp was 11.3 ± 11.7 in patients with moderate dependence, 12.1 ± 9.9 in severe dependence and 11.8 ± 10.4 for the total sample, the correlations of OHIP-14Sp with decayed teeth , lost and oral hygiene were all less than 0.2. Conclusions: most of the moderate and severe dependent patients enrolled in the CASFAM Boca Sur have a poor oral health and poor quality of life related to it (AU).

A novel organizational model to face the challenge of multimorbid elderly patients in an internal medicine setting: a case study from Parma Hospital, Italy.

Continuous increase of elderly patients with multimorbidity and Emergency Department (ED) overcrowding are great challenges for modern medicine. Traditional hospital organizations are often too rigid to solve them without consistently rising healthcare costs. In this paper we present a new organizational model achieved at Internal Medicine and Critical Subacute Care Unit of Parma University Hospital, Italy, a 106-bed internal medicine area organized by intensity of care and specifically dedicated to such patients. The unit is partitioned into smaller wards, each with a specific intensity level of care, including a rapid-turnover ward (mean length of stay <4 days) admitting acutely ill patients from the ED, a subacute care ward for chronic critically ill subjects and a nurse-managed ward for stable patients who have socio-economic trouble preventing discharge. A very-rapid-turnover ("come'n'go") ward has also been instituted to manage sudden ED overflows. Continuity, effectiveness, safety and appropriateness of care are guaranteed by an innovative figure called "flow manager," with skilled clinical experience and managerial attitude, and by elaboration of an early personalized discharge plan anticipating every patient's needs according to lean methodology principles. In 2012-2014, this organizational model, compared with other peer units of the hospital and of other teaching hospitals of the region, showed a better performance, efficacy and effectiveness indexes calculated on Regional Hospital Discharge Records database system, allowing a capacity to face a massive (+22 %) rise in medical admissions from the ED. Further studies are needed to validate this model from a patient outcome point of view.

Caracterización del cuidado informal de pacientes dependientes en el policlínico Héroes de Girón en el 2009 / Characterization of informal care of dependent patients at the polyclinic Héroes de Girón in 2009

Introducción: con el progresivo envejecimiento de la población y la mayor supervivencia de pacientes con enfermedades crónicas y discapacidades, no solo aumenta el número de personas que necesitan cuidados, sino que además existe una mayor exigencia en la prestación de servicios. Objetivo: caracterizar el cuidado informal de pacientes dependientes en el policlínico Héroes de Girón, en el 2009. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo, transversal. Se aplicó una encuesta que incluye la entrevista de carga del cuidador. La muestra estuvo constituida por 42 cuidadores informales de pacientes dependientes del policlínico Héroes de Girón, del municipio Cerro, que corresponde con el total de cuidadores informales del área de salud en el momento del estudio. Resultados: el sexo femenino predominó en los pacientes dependientes 30 (71,43 porciento) y en los cuidadores 35 (83,33 porciento), 18 (42,86 porciento) de los cuidadores eran esposas, su edad media era de 52 años, fueron amas de casa 17 (40,48 porciento), y 29 (69,05 porciento) le dedicaba al cuidado más de 12 horas al día. La sobrecarga se presentó en 22 cuidadores (52,38 porciento). Conclusiones: menos de la mitad de los cuidadores presentó sobrecarga; predominaron las mujeres de 60 años de edad o más (amas de casa, hijas o esposas) que dedicaban 12 horas diarias o más ese cuidado. Más del 90 porciento no ha participado en ningún programa educativo

Introduction: with an aging population and increased survival of patients with chronic diseases and disabilities, the number of people needing care not only increases, but also the provision of services increases in demand. Objective: to characterize the informal care of dependent patients at the polyclinic Héroes de Girón, in 2009. Methods: we conducted a cross-sectional study. We used a survey including the caregiver burden interview. The sample consisted of 42 caregivers of dependent patients at the polyclinic Héroes de Girón, Cerro municipality; they correspond to the total of informal caregivers in the health area at the time of this study. Results: most of the dependent patients 30 (71.43 percent) and caregivers 35 (83.33 percent) were females, out of them 18 (42.86 percent) were wives, the average age is 52 years, 17 (40.48 percent) were housewives and 29 (69.05 percent) devoted more than 12 hours a day to this care. The overload was present in 22 caregivers (52.38 percent). Conclusions: less than half of caregivers presented overload; most of them were women aged 60 and over. They were housewives, daughters, or wives. They devoted more than 12 hours a day to this care. Over 90 percent have not participated in any educational program

Caracterización del cuidado informal de pacientes dependientes en el policlínico Héroes de Girón en el 2009 / Characterization of informal care of dependent patients at the polyclinic Héroes de Girón in 2009

Introducción: con el progresivo envejecimiento de la población y la mayor supervivencia de pacientes con enfermedades crónicas y discapacidades, no solo aumenta el número de personas que necesitan cuidados, sino que además existe una mayor exigencia en la prestación de servicios. Objetivo: caracterizar el cuidado informal de pacientes dependientes en el policlínico Héroes de Girón, en el 2009. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo, transversal. Se aplicó una encuesta que incluye la entrevista de carga del cuidador. La muestra estuvo constituida por 42 cuidadores informales de pacientes dependientes del policlínico Héroes de Girón, del municipio Cerro, que corresponde con el total de cuidadores informales del área de salud en el momento del estudio. Resultados: el sexo femenino predominó en los pacientes dependientes 30 (71,43 porciento) y en los cuidadores 35 (83,33 porciento), 18 (42,86 porciento) de los cuidadores eran esposas, su edad media era de 52 años, fueron amas de casa 17 (40,48 porciento), y 29 (69,05 porciento) le dedicaba al cuidado más de 12 horas al día. La sobrecarga se presentó en 22 cuidadores (52,38 porciento). Conclusiones: menos de la mitad de los cuidadores presentó sobrecarga; predominaron las mujeres de 60 años de edad o más (amas de casa, hijas o esposas) que dedicaban 12 horas diarias o más ese cuidado. Más del 90 porciento no ha participado en ningún programa educativo(AU)

Introduction: with an aging population and increased survival of patients with chronic diseases and disabilities, the number of people needing care not only increases, but also the provision of services increases in demand. Objective: to characterize the informal care of dependent patients at the polyclinic Héroes de Girón, in 2009. Methods: we conducted a cross-sectional study. We used a survey including the caregiver burden interview. The sample consisted of 42 caregivers of dependent patients at the polyclinic Héroes de Girón, Cerro municipality; they correspond to the total of informal caregivers in the health area at the time of this study. Results: most of the dependent patients 30 (71.43 percent) and caregivers 35 (83.33 percent) were females, out of them 18 (42.86 percent) were wives, the average age is 52 years, 17 (40.48 percent) were housewives and 29 (69.05 percent) devoted more than 12 hours a day to this care. The overload was present in 22 caregivers (52.38 percent). Conclusions: less than half of caregivers presented overload; most of them were women aged 60 and over. They were housewives, daughters, or wives. They devoted more than 12 hours a day to this care. Over 90 percent have not participated in any educational program(AU)