Managing healthcare performance in analytical framework

Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to develop an integrated framework for performance management of healthcare services. Design/methodology/approach – This study develops a performance management framework for healthcare services using a combined analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and logical framework (LOGFRAME). The framework is then applied to the intensive care units of three different hospitals in developing nations. Numerous focus group discussions were undertaken, involving experts from the specific area under investigation. Findings – The study reveals that a combination of outcome, structure and process-based critical success factors and a combined AHP and LOGFRAME-based performance management framework helps manage performance of healthcare services. Practical implications – The proposed framework could be practiced in hospital-based healthcare services. Originality/value – The conventional approaches to healthcare performance management are either outcome-based or process-based, which cannot reveal improvement measures appropriately in order to assure superior performance. Additionally, they lack planning, implementing and evaluating improvement projects that are identified from performance measurement. This study presents an integrated approach to performance measurement and implementing framework of improvement projects.

Neonatal enteral feeding tubes as loci for colonisation by members of the Enterobacteriaceae

Background The objective of this study was to determine whether neonatal nasogastric enteral feeding tubes are colonised by the opportunistic pathogen Cronobacter spp. (Enterobacter sakazakii) and other Enterobacteriaceae, and whether their presence was influenced by the feeding regime. Methods One hundred and twenty-nine tubes were collected from two neonatal intensive care units (NICU). A questionnaire on feeding regime was completed with each sample. Enterobacteriaceae present in the tubes were identified using conventional and molecular methods, and their antibiograms determined. Results The neonates were fed breast milk (16%), fortified breast milk (28%), ready to feed formula (20%), reconstituted powdered infant formula (PIF, 6%), or a mixture of these (21%). Eight percent of tubes were received from neonates who were 'nil by mouth'. Organisms were isolated from 76% of enteral feeding tubes as a biofilm (up to 107 cfu/tube from neonates fed fortified breast milk and reconstituted PIF) and in the residual lumen liquid (up to 107 Enterobacteriaceae cfu/ml, average volume 250 µl). The most common isolates were Enterobacter cancerogenus (41%), Serratia marcescens (36%), E. hormaechei (33%), Escherichia coli (29%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (25%), Raoultella terrigena (10%), and S. liquefaciens (12%). Other organisms isolated included C. sakazakii (2%),Yersinia enterocolitica (1%),Citrobacter freundii (1%), E. vulneris (1%), Pseudomonas fluorescens (1%), and P. luteola (1%). The enteral feeding tubes were in place between < 6 h (22%) to > 48 h (13%). All the S. marcescens isolates from the enteral feeding tubes were resistant to amoxicillin and co-amoxiclav. Of additional importance was that a quarter of E. hormaechei isolates were resistant to the 3rd generation cephalosporins ceftazidime and cefotaxime. During the period of the study, K. pneumoniae and S. marcescens caused infections in the two NICUs. Conclusion This study shows that neonatal enteral feeding tubes, irrespective of feeding regime, act as loci for the bacterial attachment and multiplication of numerous opportunistic pathogens within the Enterobacteriaceae family. Subsequently, these organisms will enter the stomach as a bolus with each feed. Therefore, enteral feeding tubes are an important risk factor to consider with respect to neonatal infections.

UK epidemic strains of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in clinical samples from Malta

Since 1999, the European Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System (EARSS) has monitored the rise in infection due to a number of organisms, including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The EARSS reported that MRSA infections within intensive care units account for 25-50% of infections in many central and southern European countries, these included France, Spain, Great Britain, Malta, Greece and Italy. Each country has defined epidemic MRSA (EMRSA) strains; however, the method of spread of these strains from one country to another is unknown. In this current study, DNA profiles of 473 isolates of MRSA collected from the UK and Malta were determined by PFGE. Analysis of the data showed that two countries separated by a large geographical distance had a similar DNA profile pattern. Additionally it was demonstrated that strains of EMRSA normally found in the UK were also found in the Maltese cohort (EMRSA 15 and 16). A distinct DNA profile was found in the Maltese cohort, which may be a local EMRSA, and accounted for 14.4% of all Maltese isolates. The appearance of the same MRSA and EMRSA profiles in two separate countries suggests that MRSA can be transferred out of their country of origin and potentially establish in a new locality or country.

Extent and nature of unlicensed and off-label medicine use in hospitalised children in Palestine

Objective of the study To determine the extent and nature of unlicensed/off-label prescribing patterns in hospitalised children in Palestine. Setting Four paediatric wards in two public health system hospitals in Palestine [Caritas children’s hospital (Medical and neonatal intensive care units) and Rafidia general hospital (Medical and surgical units)]. Method A prospective survey of drugs administered to infants and children <18 years old was carried out over a five-week period in the four paediatric wards. Main outcome measure Drug-licensing status of all prescriptions was determined according to the Palestinian Registered Product List and the Physician’s Desk Reference. Results Overall, 917 drug prescriptions were administered to 387children. Of all drug prescriptions, 528 (57.5%) were licensed for use in children; 65 (7.1%) were unlicensed; and 324 (35.3%) were used off-label. Of all children, 49.6% received off-label prescriptions, 10.1% received unlicensed medications and 8.2% received both. Seventy-two percent of off-label drugs and 66% of unlicensed drugs were prescribed for children <2 years. Multivariate analysis showed that patients who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit and infants aged 0–1 years were most likely to receive a greater number of off-label or unlicensed medications (OR 1.80; 95% CI 1.03–3.59 and OR 1.99; 95% CI 0.88–3.73, respectively). Conclusion The present findings confirmed the elevated prevalence of unlicensed and off-label paediatric drugs use in Palestine and strongly support the need to perform well designed clinical studies in children.

Gasto com a internação de idosos em unidades de terapia intensiva

Introduction: Population aging in Brazil underscores the need to discuss the proper management of the budget allocated in health field, especially in the sectors of high complexity, where coexist costly procedures, limited resources and the need for cost containment. In the other hand, demand is growing in a way directly proportional to the increase in the number of elderly in country. Objective: In this way, this research had as main objective to analyze the costs resulting from the admission of elderly in intensive care units (ICU) and its associated factors. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach and featured as a descriptive and exploratory research. Data were collected from medical records of elderly hospitalized in ICU from a brazilian city called Natal-RN, between november first, 2013 and january, 31 of 2014. The variables collected relate to the socio demographic profile, morbidity framework and characterization of hospitalization. The dependent variable was categorized by quartile 75 in high and low expense of hospitalization and submitted to chi-square test with the independent variables of the survey. Associations with p value <0.20 in the bivariate analysis were submitted to the technique of multiple logistic regression. We opted for the construction of three regression models from the above algorithm: general regression model, composed by all 493 hospitalizations in the study, other made with 181 individuals admitted in health public system (SUS) and a third one related to 312 cases from private service in health area. Results: In the general regression model, the variables respiratory diseases, hospitalizations in the private system, disoriented patient and previous stroke were associated with greater probability of high spending in the ICU. In the other hand, in SUS kind of hospitalizations, this probability was associated with disoriented patient, 80 years old or more, sepsis and admission for clinical reason. In the cases from the private network health, the high expenditure was associated with respiratory disease, mechanical ventilation, hospitalization for clinical reason and disoriented patients. Conclusion: The increased expenditure on hospitalization of elderly in intensive care depends on the clinical conditions of individuals. This highlights the importance of avoiding hospitalizations due to diseases sensitive to primary care by health preventive actions and providing comprehensive care to the elderly. In addition, obtaining different explanatory models, according to kind hospital funding, demonstrates the importance of the organization in health services related to composition of costs of hospitalization among the elderly. Another question founded was the need that to improve the funding, we must use rationally the available resources by avoiding unnecessary hospitalizations of elderly people in the extremes of severity. On this kind of precarious funding, ICU hospitalization of elderly non-critical or in a terminal state can compromise the quality of services provided to those who really need intensive care.

Gravidade do olho seco em pacientes internados em unidade de terapia intensiva: análise de conceito e construção de definições

Dry eye syndrome is a multifactorial disease of the tear film, resulting from the instability of the lacrimal functional unit that produces volume change, up or tear distribution. In patients in intensive care the cause is enhanced due to various risk factors, such as mechanical ventilation, sedation, lagophthalmos, low temperatures, among others. The study's purpose is to build an assessment tool of Dry Eye Severity in patients in intensive care units based on the systematization of nursing care and their classification systems. The aim of this study is to build an assessment tool of Dry Eye Severity in hospitalized patients in Care Unit Intensiva.Trata is a methodological study conducted in three stages, namely: context analysis, concept analysis, construction of operational definitions and magnitudes of nursing outcome. For the first step we used the methodological framework for Hinds, Chaves and Cypress (1992). For the second step we used the model of Walker and Avant and an integrative review Whitemore seconds, Knalf (2005). This step enabled the identification of the concept of attributes, background and consequent ground and the construction of the settings for the result of nursing severity of dry eye. For the construction of settings and operational magnitudes, it was used Psicometria proposed by Pasquali (1999). As a result of context analysis, visualized from the reflection that the matter should be discussed and that nursing needs to pay attention to the problem of eye injury, so minimizing strategies are created this event with a high prevalence. With the integrative review were located from the crosses 19 853 titles, selected 215, and from the abstracts 96 articles were read in full. From reading 10 were excluded culminating in the sample of 86 articles that were used to analyze the concept and construction of settings. Selected articles were found in greater numbers in the Scopus database (55.82%), performed in the United States (39.53%), and published mainly in the last five years (48.82). Regarding the concept of analysis were identified as antecedents: age, lagophthalmos, environmental factors, medication use, systemic diseases, mechanical ventilation and ophthalmic surgery. As attributes: TBUT <10s, Schimer I test <5 mm in Schimer II test <10mm, reduced osmolarity. As consequential: the ocular surface damage, ocular discomfort, visual instability. The settings were built and added indicators such as: decreased blink mechanism and eyestrain.

Avaliação do cuidado de enfermagem na perspectiva da segurança do paciente em unidades de terapia intensiva: na visão de profissionais, pacientes e familiares

Technological advances combined with healthcare assistance bring increased risks related to patient safety, causing health institutions to be environments susceptible to losses in the provided care. Sectors of high complexity, such as Intensive Care Units have such characteristics highlighted due to being spaces designed for the care of patients in serious medical condition, when the use of advanced technological devices becomes a necessity. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess nursing care from the perspective of patient safety in intensive care units. This is an evaluative research, which combines various forms of data collection and analysis in order to conduct a deepened investigation. Data collection occurred in loco, from April to July 2014 in hospitals equipped with adult intensive care unit services. For this, a checklist instrument and semi-structured interviews conducted with patients, families, professionals were used in order to evaluate the structure-process-outcome triad. The instrument for nursing care assessment regarding Patient Safety included 97 questions related to structure and processes. Interviews provided data for outcome analysis. The selection of interviewees/participants was based on the willingness of potential participants. The following methods were used to collect data resulting from the instrument: statistical analysis of inter-rater reliability measure known as kappa (K); observations from judges resulting from the observation process; and added information obtained from the literature on the thematic. Data analysis from the interviews was carried out with IRAMUTEQ software, which used Descending Hierarchical Classification and Similarity analysis to aid in data interpretation. Research steps followed the ethical principles presented by Resolution No. 466 of December 12, 2012, and the results were presented in three manuscripts: 1) Evaluation of patient safety in Intensive Care Units: a focus on structure; 2) Health evaluation processes: a nursing care perspective on patient safety; 3) Patient safety in intensive care units: perception of nurses, family members and patients. The first article, related to the structure, refers to the use of 24 items of the employed instrument, showing that most of the findings were not aligned with the adequacy standards, which indicates poor conditions in structures offered in health services. The second article provides an analysis of the pillar of Processes, with the use of 73 items of the instrument, showing that 50 items did not meet the required standards for safe handling due to the absence of adequate scientific guidance and effective communication in nursing care process. For the third article, results indicate that intensive care units were safe places, yet urges for changes, especially in the physical structure and availability of materials and communication among professionals, patients and families. Therefore, our findings suggest that the nursing care being provided in the evaluated intensive care units contains troubling shortcomings with regards to patient safety, thereby evidencing an insecure setting for the assistance offered, in addition to a need for urgent measures to remedy the identified inadequacies with appropriate structures and implement protocols and care guidelines in order to consolidate an environment more favorable to patient safety.

Age, job characteristics and coronary health

Background: Workplace demographics are changing in many European countries with a higher proportion of older workers in employment. Research has shown that there is an association between job strain and cardiovascular disease, but this relationship is unclear for the older worker. Aims: To investigate the association between job strain and a coronary event comparing younger and older male workers. Methods: Cases with a first-time coronary event were recruited from four coronary/intensive care units (1999-2001). Matched controls were recruited from the case's general practitioner surgery. Physical measurements were taken and self-administered questionnaires completed with questions on job characteristics, job demands and control. Unconditional logistic regression was carried out adjusting for classical cardiovascular risk factors. Results: There were 227 cases and 277 matched controls. Age stratified analyses showed a clear difference between younger (= 50 years) workers with regard to the exposure of job strain (job demands and control) and the association between these factors and cardiovascular disease. Older workers who had a coronary event were four times as likely to have high job strain [OR = 4.09 (1.29-13.02)] and more likely to report low job control [ OR = 0.83 (0.72-0.95)]. Conclusions: Job control emerged as a potential protective factor for heart disease and this evidence was stronger in the older male worker. Nevertheless, they were significantly more likely to have job strain. These results suggest that older workers may be more susceptible to job strain.

The Antibiotic Resistance and Prescribing in European Children Project: A Neonatal and Pediatric Antimicrobial Web-based Point Prevalence Survey in 73 Hospitals Worldwide

BACKGROUND: The neonatal and pediatric antimicrobial point prevalence survey (PPS) of the Antibiotic Resistance and Prescribing in European Children project (http://www.arpecproject.eu/) aims to standardize a method for surveillance of antimicrobial use in children and neonates admitted to the hospital within Europe. This article describes the audit criteria used and reports overall country-specific proportions of antimicrobial use. An analytical review presents methodologies on antimicrobial use.

METHODS: A 1-day PPS on antimicrobial use in hospitalized children was organized in September 2011, using a previously validated and standardized method. The survey included all inpatient pediatric and neonatal beds and identified all children receiving an antimicrobial treatment on the day of survey. Mandatory data were age, gender, (birth) weight, underlying diagnosis, antimicrobial agent, dose and indication for treatment. Data were entered through a web-based system for data-entry and reporting, based on the WebPPS program developed for the European Surveillance of Antimicrobial Consumption project.

RESULTS: There were 2760 and 1565 pediatric versus 1154 and 589 neonatal inpatients reported among 50 European (n = 14 countries) and 23 non-European hospitals (n = 9 countries), respectively. Overall, antibiotic pediatric and neonatal use was significantly higher in non-European (43.8%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 41.3-46.3% and 39.4%; 95% CI: 35.5-43.4%) compared with that in European hospitals (35.4; 95% CI: 33.6-37.2% and 21.8%; 95% CI: 19.4-24.2%). Proportions of antibiotic use were highest in hematology/oncology wards (61.3%; 95% CI: 56.2-66.4%) and pediatric intensive care units (55.8%; 95% CI: 50.3-61.3%).

CONCLUSIONS: An Antibiotic Resistance and Prescribing in European Children standardized web-based method for a 1-day PPS was successfully developed and conducted in 73 hospitals worldwide. It offers a simple, feasible and sustainable way of data collection that can be used globally.

Fenômeno vivido por familiares de pacientes internados em unidade de terapia intensiva

COMASSETTO, Isabel, ENDERS, Bertha Cruz. Fenômeno vivido por familiares de pacientes internados em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva. Revista Gaúcha de Enfermagem., Porto Alegre(RS), v.30,n., p.46-53. Mar. 2009. Disponivel em: < http://www.seer.ufrgs.br/index.php/RevistaGauchadeEnfermagem/search/results>.

Comportamentos dos Enfermeiros Perante os Alarmes Clínicos em Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos: uma Revisão Integrativa

O presente estudo tem como propósito refletir sobre a prática de enfermagem no que concerne à temática da monitorização hemodinâmica. Pretendemos identificar a evidência empírica produzida sobre o comportamento dos enfermeiros perante os alarmes clínicos e, consequentemente, incentivar a adoção de estratégias que promovam um ambiente de cuidados intensivos menos ruidoso. Perspetivou-se um estudo de revisão sistemática da literatura. Selecionámos um conjunto de dezoito bases de dados eletrónicas, tendo recorrido a três idiomas. A colheita de informação decorreu entre dezembro de 2011 e janeiro de 2012 e, através de uma estratégia de cruzamento dos descritores selecionados, foram incluídos 5 artigos. Face a todo o corpo de discussão salientamos três categorias essenciais: opinião dos profissionais de saúde acerca dos alarmes clínicos; comportamento dos profissionais; estratégias promotoras de um ambiente menos ruidoso. Constatamos que os profissionais de saúde têm presente a bipolaridade dos alarmes clínicos e identificam limitações na sua gestão. Verificamos ainda que o comportamento dos profissionais nos estudos analisados não é linear, variando entre alterar os parâmetros no início de cada turno até ignorar uma grande maioria deles. Cientes desta realidade, os profissionais sugerem diversas estratégias passíveis de implementar, com vista a alarmes e comportamentos mais eficazes.

CURB-65 and Other Markers of Illness Severity in Community-Acquired Pneumonia Among HIV-Positive Patients

As the relative burden of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia among HIV-positive patients increases, adequate prediction of case severity on presentation is crucial. We sought to determine what characteristics measurable on presentation are predictive of worse outcomes. We studied all admissions for community-acquired bacterial pneumonia over one year at a tertiary centre. Patient demographics, comorbidities, HIV-specific markers and CURB-65 scores on Emergency Department presentation were reviewed. Outcomes of interest included mortality, bacteraemia, intensive care unit admission and orotracheal intubation. A total of 396 patients were included: 49 HIV-positive and 347 HIV-negative. Mean CURB-65 score was 1.3 for HIV-positive and 2.2 for HIV-negative patients (p < 0.0001), its predictive value for mortality being maintained in both groups (p = 0.03 and p < 0.001, respectively). Adjusting for CURB-65 scores, HIV infection by itself was only associated with bacteraemia (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 7.1, 95% CI [2.6-19.5]). Patients with < 200 CD4 cells/µL presented similar CURB-65 adjusted mortality (aOR 1.7, 95% CI [0.2-15.2]), but higher risk of intensive care unit admission (aOR 5.7, 95% CI [1.5-22.0]) and orotracheal intubation (aOR 9.1, 95% CI [2.2-37.1]), compared to HIV-negative patients. These two associations were not observed in the > 200 CD4 cells/µL subgroup (aOR 2.2, 95% CI [0.7-7.6] and aOR 0.8, 95% CI [0.1-6.5], respectively). Antiretroviral therapy and viral load suppression were not associated with different outcomes (p > 0.05). High CURB-65 scores and CD4 counts < 200 cells/µL were both associated with worse outcomes. Severity assessment scales and CD4 counts may both be helpful in predicting severity in HIV-positive patients presenting with community-acquired bacterial pneumonia.

Rutiner i omvårdnad på intensivvårdavdelning av hjärnskadade patienter : Intervjustudie

Bakgrund: Traumatisk hjärnskada (THS) orsakas av våld mot huvud i samband med fallolyckor eller trafikolyckor. Varje år söker 20 000 personer vård på grund av skallskador. Vården för traumatiskt hjärnskadade patienter i Sverige skiljer sig åt, mycket beroende på avstånden som finns till specialistsjukhus, tiden och rätta åtgärder är avgörande faktorer för denna patientgrupp. Syfte: Att undersöka vikten och intensivvårdssjuksköterskors behov av rutiner i samband med vård av patienter med hjärnskador på allmänintensivvårdsavdelningar och på neurointensivvårdavdelningar. Metod: Kvalitativ studie med fokusgruppsintervjuer av tio intensivvårdsjuksköterskor som arbetar på en allmänintensivvårdsavdelning (IVA) och specialistneurointensivvårdavdelningen (NIVA). Resultat: På NIVA finns väl inarbetade rutiner och tydliga riktlinjer nedskrivna. Sjuksköterskornas upplevelse var att det fanns tillräckligt med rutiner, men några rutiner kunde utvecklas. På IVA fanns det inga nedskrivna riktlinjer och inga tydliga rutiner för att vårda denna patientgrupp. Vården och kontrollerna ordinerades av läkare som är i tjänst. Slutsats: Vården kring hjärnskadade patienter är ytterst viktigt då man ständigt måste förebygga sekundära skador/insulter. Rutiner är väl inarbetade på specialistsjukhuset, men vården börjar först på hemsjukhuset på IVA där tydliga rutiner och riktlinjer saknas.

Comportamentos dos Enfermeiros Perante os Alarmes Clínicos em Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos: uma Revisão Integrativa

O presente estudo tem como propósito refletir sobre a prática de enfermagem no que concerne à temática da monitorização hemodinâmica. Pretendemos identificar a evidência empírica produzida sobre o comportamento dos enfermeiros perante os alarmes clínicos e, consequentemente, incentivar a adoção de estratégias que promovam um ambiente de cuidados intensivos menos ruidoso. Perspetivou-se um estudo de revisão sistemática da literatura. Selecionámos um conjunto de dezoito bases de dados eletrónicas, tendo recorrido a três idiomas. A colheita de informação decorreu entre dezembro de 2011 e janeiro de 2012 e, através de uma estratégia de cruzamento dos descritores selecionados, foram incluídos 5 artigos. Face a todo o corpo de discussão salientamos três categorias essenciais: opinião dos profissionais de saúde acerca dos alarmes clínicos; comportamento dos profissionais; estratégias promotoras de um ambiente menos ruidoso. Constatamos que os profissionais de saúde têm presente a bipolaridade dos alarmes clínicos e identificam limitações na sua gestão. Verificamos ainda que o comportamento dos profissionais nos estudos analisados não é linear, variando entre alterar os parâmetros no início de cada turno até ignorar uma grande maioria deles. Cientes desta realidade, os profissionais sugerem diversas estratégias passíveis de implementar, com vista a alarmes e comportamentos mais eficazes.