Tag: statistics

J Patient Saf. 2021 Sep 9. doi: 10.1097/PTS.0000000000000879. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Inpatient falls are the most commonly reported safety incidents and are associated with serious injuries. This study aimed to use multifactorial interventions to reduce the delays to the diagnosis of serious injury in a time series analysis after serious incidents relating to falls within a central London Trust.

METHODS: A multiprofessional project team undertook process mapping to identify opportunities for improvement at different stages in the management of a fall. The interventions included an educational teaching session aimed at doctors, a lanyard card designed by doctors using the plan-do-study-act methodology, a falls-specific pager for radiographers, and a new system to refer to portering. Quantitative data were obtained using an serious incident database where serious injury occurred (SI data; n = 65) and routinely collected incident reporting database on falls regardless of injury (IR data; n = 178). Qualitative questionnaire data (n = 70) were also used to evaluate doctors’ confidence in falls assessment before and after interventions.

RESULTS: Results in the IR data demonstrated a significant reduction in the median (interquartile range) minutes delay in the time to review a patient after a fall from 81 (43-180) to 51 (26-112; P = 0.003) and the time to order imaging from 102 (45-370) to 50 (33-96; P = 0.04). Analysis of the SI database demonstrated a nonstatistically significant reduction in the overall time taken to detect serious injury after a fall from 348 (126-756) to 192 (108-384) minutes (P = 0.070). Furthermore, analysis using statistical process control charts showed evidence of special cause variation and a shift in the process in detecting serious harm after a fall. Junior doctors’ confidence in investigations improved from 53% to 76% (P = 0.04) after the intervention.

CONCLUSIONS: The cumulative application of multiple interventions with small individual effects resulted in a substantial positive effect on delays and variability in diagnosis of serious harm. Given a similar institutional context, the more effective interventions in our study could be adopted elsewhere.

PMID:34508042 | DOI:10.1097/PTS.0000000000000879

Comput Inform Nurs. 2021 Sep 10. doi: 10.1097/CIN.0000000000000829. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This research was conducted to determine the effect of computer-based discharge training on patients with lumbar disc surgery on self-care agency and independence in daily living activities. A randomized controlled study was conducted on 60 patients, 30 in the intervention group and 30 in the control group. Computer-based lumbar disc surgery discharge training and a CD containing the training content were given to the intervention group after the surgery, whereas the control group received routine discharge training in the ward. The data of the study were collected using a Patient Information Form, the modified Barthel Index, and the Exercise of Self-Care Agency Scale. The increase in the modified Barthel Index and Exercise of Self-Care Agency Scale scores after training in the intervention and control groups were statistically significant (P < .001). The increase in Exercise of Self-Care Agency Scale scores after the training was found to be higher in the intervention group than in the control group. There was no difference between the modified Barthel Index mean scores before and after the training between the groups (P > .05). Computer-based discharge training improved the participants’ independence in their daily living activities and increased the self-care power of the patients compared with the control group.

PMID:34508021 | DOI:10.1097/CIN.0000000000000829

J Cardiopulm Rehabil Prev. 2021 Sep 9. doi: 10.1097/HCR.0000000000000638. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is essential for treating cardiovascular disease, and modifying risk factor modification, including hypertension. Because the causes of hypertension and benefits of CR are faceted, we examined the influence of phase II CR on resting blood pressure (BP).

METHODS: Outcomes straddle the release of the updated BP guidelines, and study emphases included CR session number, sex, race/ethnicity, insurance provider, and referring diagnosis.

RESULTS: Patient files of 31 885 individuals uploaded to the Montana Outcomes Project registry indicated that lowered systolic and diastolic BP were further improved after the release of the revised BP guidelines. The CR session number was proportional to improvements in diastolic BP. Blood pressure improved independent of sex, although female patients exhibited lower diastolic BP before and after CR. Race/ethnicity analyses indicated that Asian and White patients experienced drops in systolic and diastolic BP, while diastolic BP was improved in Hispanic patients. Neither American Indian nor Black patients exhibited statistically altered BP. Medicare, Veterans Administration, and privately insured patients had lowered systolic and diastolic BP, while Medicaid patients had lower diastolic BP, and the uninsured had lower systolic BP. Blood pressure outcomes were generally improved independent of the primary referring diagnosis, while those with peripheral artery disease showed no improvements.

CONCLUSIONS: Findings demonstrate that phase II CR is highly effective in the control of BP, although improvements are not equally distributed to all individuals according to differences in sex, race/ethnicity, and access to insurance-funded health care.

PMID:34508034 | DOI:10.1097/HCR.0000000000000638

Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2021 Sep 10:CJN.04860421. doi: 10.2215/CJN.04860421. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Background: People receiving maintenance dialysis must often rely on family members and other close persons to make critical treatment decisions toward the end of life. Contemporary data on family members’ understanding of the end-of-life wishes of members of this population are lacking. Methods: Among 172 family members of people undergoing maintenance dialysis, we ascertained their level of involvement in the patient’s care and prior discussions about care preferences. We also compared patient and family member responses to questions about end-of-life care using percent agreement and the kappa statistic. Results: The mean (SD) age of the 172 enrolled family members was 55 (±17.0) years, 136 (79%) were women, and 43 (25%) were Black. Sixty-seven (39%) family members were spouses or partners of enrolled patients. A total of 137 (80%) family members had spoken with the patient about whom they would want to make medical decisions,108 (63%) about their treatment preferences, 47 (27%) about stopping dialysis and 56 (33%) about hospice. Agreement between patient and family member responses was highest (though still fair) for the question about whether or not the patient would want cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) (percent agreement 83%, kappa 0.31) and substantially lower for questions about a range of other aspects of end-of-life care including preference for mechanical ventilation (62%, 0.21), values around life prolongation versus comfort (45%, 0.13), preferred place of death (58%, 0.07), preferred decisional role (54%, 0.15) and prognostic expectations (38%, 0.15). Conclusions: Most surveyed family members reported they had spoken with the patient about their end-of-life wishes but not about stopping dialysis or hospice. While family members had a fair understanding of patients’ CPR preference, most lacked a detailed understanding of patients’ perspectives on other aspects of end-of-life care.

PMID:34507967 | DOI:10.2215/CJN.04860421

Ann Surg. 2021 Sep 9. doi: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000005114. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This paper aims to evaluate the pediatric surgery training pipeline vis-à-vis the pediatric surgery match and operative experience of pediatric surgery fellows.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Pediatric surgery remains a competitive surgical subspecialty. However, there is concern that operative experience for pediatric surgery fellows is changing. This paper examines the selectivity of the pediatric surgery match, along with the operative experience of pediatric surgery fellows to characterize the state of pediatric surgery training.

METHODS: The pediatric surgery fellowship match was analyzed from the National Resident Matching Program data from 2010 to 2019. Selectivity among fellowships was compared using ANOVA with Dunnett’s test. Operative log data for pediatric fellows was analyzed using the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education case logs from 2009 to 2019. Linear regression analysis was used to evaluate trends in operative volume over time.

RESULTS: Pediatric surgery had the highest proportion of unmatched applicants (47.2% ± 5.3%) and lowest proportion of unfilled positions (1.4% ± 1.6%) when compared to other NRMP surgical fellowships. ACGME case log analysis revealed a statistically significant decrease in cases for graduating fellows (-5.3 cases/year, p0.05). Total index cases decreased (-4.7 cases/year, p < 0.01, R2 = 0.83) such that graduates in 2019 completed 59 fewer index operations than graduates in 2009.

CONCLUSION: Although pediatric surgery fellowship remains highly selective there has been a decline in the operative experience for graduating fellows. This highlights the need for evaluation of training paradigms and operative exposure in pediatric surgery to ensure the training of competent pediatric surgeons.

PMID:34508011 | DOI:10.1097/SLA.0000000000005114

Am J Pharm Educ. 2021 Sep 10:8696. doi: 10.5688/ajpe8696. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Objective. The ability of pharmacy students to self-regulate and reflect on knowledge and skills is important as proficient self-assessment skills guide learning strategies and prompt students to bridge their knowledge gaps. The objective was to determine how well third-year pharmacy students self-assess, to explore the rationales behind their self-assessments and determine whether there is a correlation between self-assessment accuracy and academic performance. Methods. A quasi-experimental one-group pre-/post-test design was conducted with third-year pharmacy students. Examiner grades, student self-assessment grades, comparative reports and end-of-semester grades were collected. Students were categorised into tertiles based on academic performance for data analysis. Paired t-tests, Pearson’s r and percentage agreements were conducted to investigate self-assessment accuracy. Correlational statistical tests were implemented to examine the relationships between self-assessment accuracy and academic performance. Results. 162 third-year pharmacy students were included. On average, students demonstrated poor self-evaluation skills and underestimated themselves by 4.9%. Lower performing students were generally overconfident in evaluating their performance. There was no significant correlation between self-assessment accuracy and academic performance on the subsequent end-of-semester examination question. Conclusion. On average students tended to underestimate their academic performance. Further research on self-assessment can help understand how students think about their performance which may help to improve education methods such as inclusion of reflective practices after case-based activities.

PMID:34507958 | DOI:10.5688/ajpe8696

Am J Pharm Educ. 2021 Sep 10:8676. doi: 10.5688/ajpe8676. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Objective. The objective of this study was to assess factors impacting metacognition during the advanced pharmacy practice experience (APPE) year for student pharmacists at five different institutions. Methods. Student pharmacists completed a pre- and post-APPE year survey, which collected data on demographics, curricular and co-curricular experiences, and the 19-item modified metacognition assessment inventory (MAI). Additionally, the post-APPE survey collected data on learning activities completed during the APPE year. Matched survey responses were analyzed using paired t-tests and Spearman’s correlation to identify associations between change in MAI and individual experiences. Results. A total of 139 matched responses were analyzed. A statistically significant improvement in overall student pharmacist metacognition was seen in matched pre- versus post-APPE surveys. Several statistically significant, moderate to weak correlations were associated with a change in MAI over the APPE year. Conclusion. The APPE year resulted in a statistically significant change in student pharmacists’ metacognition at five institutions. This improvement was multifactorial as individual factors had minimal association with the change in metacognition.

PMID:34507955 | DOI:10.5688/ajpe8676

Radiography (Lond). 2021 Sep 7:S1078-8174(21)00060-2. doi: 10.1016/j.radi.2021.05.007. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: This study developed and piloted the first online training package to support implementation and delivery of brief smoking cessation interventions for therapeutic radiographers in four radiotherapy departments in England.

METHODS: A previously reported systematic literature review and data analysis from the previously reported pre-focus group questionnaire and focus groups enabled the development of an online training package. The questionnaire was repeated by the participating therapeutic radiographers following completion of the training resource (n = 31). The results of the comparative questions from the pre and post questionnaires were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Version 24).

RESULTS: In total, 43 therapeutic radiographer participants completed the pre-questionnaire and 31 participants continued to complete the post questionnaire, having completed the online training package. The previously conducted focus groups identified several barriers to the delivery of smoking cessation, that were addressed through the development of an online training package. Following the completion of the training; therapeutic radiographers had increased knowledge and confidence regarding smoking cessation, the number of therapeutic radiographers who believe that smoking cessation is part of their role increased and therapeutic radiographers more routinely have conversations about smoking cessation.

CONCLUSION: The training resource improved therapeutic radiographers’ knowledge and confidence and increased awareness of the role of the therapeutic radiographer in the provision of smoking cessation interventions. Challenges remain that continue to prevent some therapeutic radiographers from delivering smoking cessation interventions and strong leadership and implementation of strategy and guidance is essential to ensure wider implementation. Recording and measuring impact of interventions remains an area to be addressed, alongside cultural changes and reassurance around the therapeutic relationship.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: This training tool has proven to be effective in the sample within this study and should be disseminated and evaluated more widely across radiotherapy provision within the United Kingdom.

PMID:34507902 | DOI:10.1016/j.radi.2021.05.007

Int Orthod. 2021 Sep 7:S1761-7227(21)00112-1. doi: 10.1016/j.ortho.2021.08.005. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to evaluate craniofacial characteristics and upper airway morphology in adolescents with Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity (ADHD) compared to controls (CON).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Records from July 2014 to May 2018 of patients who were seeking orthodontic treatment at a single institute and had full pre-treatment orthodontic records including cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) were reviewed. Comprehensive cephalometric variables were measured to determine craniofacial morphology. Upper airway volume (UAV), minimum cross-sectional area (MCA), and linear measurements were calculated at multiple planes.

RESULTS: A total of 87 adolescents (ADHD, 29; CON, 58) were included in the study. Overall, UAV and MCA in ADHA group were smaller than CON. Statistical significance was evident in airway widths at planes A (P=0.002), C (P=0.042), and D (P<0.001), and airway area at plane D (lower hypopharynx) (P<0.001), with the ADHD group showing narrower widths and area compared to CON. The most common skeletal classification in the ADHD group was sequenced as Class II, Class I then Class III, with percentages of (58.6%), (31%) and (10.3%), respectively. No significant differences were found between the groups for any of the skeletal, dental, and soft tissue cephalometric variables.

CONCLUSIONS: ADHD affected adolescents have similar craniofacial characteristics, but narrower upper airway dimensions compared to controls. Further investigations with larger samples are warranted to further elucidate the relationship between SDB and ADHD.

PMID:34507915 | DOI:10.1016/j.ortho.2021.08.005

J Hand Surg Am. 2021 Sep 7:S0363-5023(21)00478-0. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2021.07.028. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The etiology of Kienböck disease remains unclear, although mechanical, vascular, and metabolic risk factors have been suggested. We aimed to investigate the association of the angle between the curvatures of the distal radius and the development of Kienböck disease.

METHODS: The lunate facet inclination (LFI), scaphoid facet inclination, and interfacet angle (IFA) values were measured using posteroanterior plain radiographs of 82 patients diagnosed with Kienböck disease. The results were compared with normative angular reference values published based on an analysis of 400 wrists of Caucasian patients aged between 20 and 45 years. The posteroanterior radiographs were divided into 3 categories: negative, neutral, and positive based on ulnar variance, and the relationship between ulnar variance and facet angles was evaluated.

RESULTS: The IFA value was significantly higher than the normative angular reference value in the patients with Kienböck disease. Conversely, the LFI values were significantly lower in the Kienböck patient group. There were no statistically significant differences in the IFA and LFI values among the ulnar variance groups.

CONCLUSIONS: Measuring IFA and LFI allows the evaluation of the bifacet curvature of the distal radius articular surface in the coronal plane. Steep IFA and shallow LFI are associated with Kienböck disease. Increased IFA may lead to abnormal load transmission to the intermediate column, which might eventually lead to increased stress on the lunate.

TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic IV.

PMID:34507867 | DOI:10.1016/j.jhsa.2021.07.028