Journal of evaluation in clinical practice
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The COVID-19 pandemic represents one of the most stressful events of recent times. Among the population, healthcare professionals who treat COVID-19 patients are most likely to develop psychological distress and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). The present study thus aimed to investigate the psychological impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on Italian healthcare workers. ⋯ The current findings suggest that specific predisposing factors could identify healthcare workers who are at high risk of developing mental health symptoms when faced with COVID-19 patients.
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Some drugs can only be dispensed in multiple-dose containers. Multiple-dose packaging may pose a problem for hospitals in terms of drug wastage and cost. Oral inhalers, such as fluticasone propionate and salmeterol combination inhalers, are only available as multiple-dose formats in Canada. ⋯ The use of drugs that are only available in multiple-dose formats results in significant drug wastage and unnecessary health care expenditure. To minimize wastage of drug product, procedures could be implemented to ensure that drugs are properly transferred with the patient when a patient transfers locations in the hospital. As well, a review of wardstock inventory may minimize waste. Further assessment of multiple-dose drug product waste and evaluations of methods to mitigate waste are encouraged.
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Patient-centred care (PCC) has been increasingly recognized as the standard in current health care, especially when it comes to health communication between patients and health care professionals. The evidence suggests that PCC could potentially improve medication-related outcomes such as medication adherence, disease self-management, and patient-provider relationships. Pharmacists are strategically positioned in the health care system to provide medication management to patients. However, there is a paucity of research regarding PCC in pharmacist-patient consultations. This study aimed to explore the views and experiences of pharmacists and patients on the important aspects of a PCC consultation. ⋯ Comparison of pharmacists' and patients' views provided insight towards important aspects of PCC in pharmacist-patient consultations. It was suggested that PCC is not a one-sided approach but rather a patient-provider collaboration to optimize the consultation. Further research can be done to improve the integration of PCC in the local health care context, including pharmacist consultations.
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Aspiration is a common sequela post stroke as a result of oropharyngeal dysphagia. It is primarily managed using the poorly empirically supported intervention of thickened liquids. Where evidence is limited, clinicians may rely on clinical practice guidelines to support decision making. The purpose of this systematic review and narrative synthesis was to evaluate the evidentiary bases of recommendations made by stroke clinical practice guidelines regarding the thickened liquids intervention. ⋯ Despite the limited evidence base for the thickened liquid intervention, there was consensus among stroke guidelines in recommending it. This is despite limited empirical support. Furthermore, much of the evidence used to support recommendations was not appropriate, suggesting less than satisfactory evidence-based practices in formulating recommendations. In this case, clinical guidelines may not be reliable decision-support tools for facilitating clinical decision making.
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Multicenter Study
Prevalence of pressure ulcers in hospitalized adult patients in Bursa, Turkey: A multicentre, point prevalence study.
Pressure ulcers (PUs), which are preventable complications, increase the cost of health care and the risk of prolonged hospital stay, as well as morbidity and mortality. In this study, we aimed to describe the prevalence, clinical features, and risk factors for PUs among hospitalized patients. ⋯ The prevalence of PU is related to the age and severity of patient clinical status, as predicted by the Braden Scale score and APACHE II score, and length of hospital and ICU stay. Low albumin level is also related to development of PUs in ICU patients.