Electronic Medical Record System Research Articles

A nomogram to predict mortality in patients with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an acute infectious disease caused by a novel Bunyavirus infection with low population immunity and high mortality rate. Lacking specific therapies, the treatment measures vary with the severity of the disease, therefore, a case control study involved 394 SFTS patients was taken to determine risk factors for mortality. Comparative clinical data from the first 24 h after admission was collected through the electronic medical record system. Independent risk factors for death of SFTS were identified through univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression analyses. The results of the logistic regression were visualized using a nomogram which was created by downloading RMS package in the R program. In our study, four independent mortality risk factors were identified: advanced age(mean 70.45 ± 7.76 years), MODS, elevated APTT, and D-dimer. The AUC of the nomogram was 0.873 (0.832, 0.915), and the model passes the calibration test namely Unreliability test with P = 0.958, showing that the model's predictive ability is excellent. The nomogram to determine the risk of death in SFTS efficiently provide a basis for clinical decision-making for treatment.

Versatility of Single Port Retroperitoneal Low Anterior Access: Early Outcomes in Multiple Procedures.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess early outcomes of the single port (SP) robotic low anterior access (LAA) for all upper urinary tract surgeries. In addition, it aimed to explore the impact of clinical factors, notably Body Mass Index (BMI), on post-operative outcomes and length of hospital stay. Materials and Methods: Overall, 76 consecutive patients underwent SP robotic surgery with LAA involving all upper urinary tract pathologies, with data collected prospectively. Baseline characteristics, intra- and post-operative outcomes, pain levels, and opioid use were analyzed. Statistical methods, including logistic regression and locally weighted scatterplot smoothing analysis, were used to assess same-day discharge (SDD) predictors and the association between BMI and SDD probability. According to the Institutional Review Board (IRB) protocol, only data recorded in our electronic medical record system was included. Results: Ten different procedures were performed with LAA, with no need for conversion to open surgery and complication rates in line with the literature (30 days: 5%, 90 days: 6.6%). Notably, 77.6% of patients were discharged on the same day. A significant association was found between BMI and prolonged hospital stay, particularly in obese patients (BMI ≥30 kg/m2). Post-operative pain was generally low (median VAS: 4), with over 70% discharged without opioid prescriptions. Conclusions: The novel LAA is a versatile approach for various upper urinary tract surgeries, including in obese patients. While achieving satisfactory post-operative outcomes, increased BMI correlated with a reduced likelihood of SDD. Further studies, including larger cohorts and multicenter collaborations, are warranted to explore anesthesiologic management and validate these findings.

Outcomes of ticagrelor versus high dose clopidogrel in CYP2C19 intermediate metabolizer undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention for acute coronary syndromes

Guidelines on antiplatelet recommendation for CYP2C19 intermediate metabolizer (IM) has not come to an agreement. The current study was to evaluate the clinical benefit of ticagrelor when compared with high dose clopidogrel in CYP2C19 IM after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Patients were enrolled according to CYP2C19 genotype and individual antiplatelet therapy. Patient characteristics and clinical outcomes were collected via electronic medical record system. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular event (MACCE), namely a composite of death from cardiovascular causes, myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, stent thrombosis within 12 month. The secondary outcome was Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) scale bleeding events within 12 months. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was performed, with inverse probability treatment weighting (IPTW) adjusting for potential confounders. 532 CYP2C19 IM were enrolled in this retrospective single-center study. No statistically significant difference in incidence rate of MACCE was found between patients receiving ticagrelor versus clopidogrel (7.01 vs 9.52 per 100 patient-years; IPTW-adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 0.71; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.32-1.58; adjusted log-rank P=0.396), but the incidence rate of BARC type 2, 3 or 5 bleeding events was statistically higher in LOF-ticagrelor group than LOF-clopidogrel group (13.53 vs 6.16 per 100 patient-years; IPTW-adjusted HR: 2.29; 95% CI: 1.10-4.78; adjusted log-rank P=0.027). Ticagrelor treatment in CYP2C19 IM resulted in a statistically higher risk of bleeding compared with high dose clopidogrel, whereas a clear association between treatments and MACCE warrants further investigations.

Association of systemic chronic inflammation during pregnancy in different periods and its trajectories with preterm birth.

Systemic chronic inflammation (SCI) is a prevalent characteristic observed in various diseases originating from different tissues, while the association of SCI with preterm birth (PTB) remains uncertain. This study aimed to analyze the association between a nonspecific biomarker of SCI and PTB, while also exploring the trajectories of SCI in pregnant women at risk of PTB. The study used data from the Electronic Medical Record System (EMRS) of a hospital in Zhejiang, China and 9226 pregnant women were included. The duration of pregnancy was categorized into four distinct periods: the first, early-second, late-second, and third trimester. Latent class trajectory modeling (LCTM) was used to identify the trajectories of SCI during pregnancy. The elevated WBC counts in the late-second (OR=1.14, 95% CI: 1.06-1.23) and third (OR=1.16, 95% CI: 1.09-1.24) trimester were both positively associated with an evaluated risk of PTB. Moreover, significant dose-response relationships were observed. There were three distinct SCI trajectories found: progressing SCI (2.89%), high SCI (7.13%), and low SCI (89.98%). Pregnant women with progressive SCI had the highest risk of PTB (OR=3.03, 95% CI: 1.47-6.25). In conclusion, elevated SCI after 23weeks was a risk factor for PTB in healthy women, even if the SCI indicator was within normal range. Pregnant women with progressive SCI during pregnancy had the highest risk of PTB.

The Impact of National Health Insurance on the Cost of Auricular Reconstruction with Skin Expansion for Microtia in China: A Single-Center Retrospective Study Based on 1290 Surgeries

BackgroundCongenital microtia presents challenges encompassing physical disabilities and psychosocial distress. It’s reported that people with low income have a greater possibility of giving birth to a baby with a congenital malformation. At the end of June, 2023, auricular reconstruction was partially incorporated into national health insurance in our hospital. Methods1,290 surgeries, including stage-I and stage-II auricular reconstruction with skin expansion were performed in 2023, involving 779 patients. Patient’s data, including age, sex, length of stay, residence, and costs, were retrieved from the Electronic Medical Record System. The final cost before and after health insurance coverage, as well as medical insurance reimbursement ratio in each province and municipality were statistically analyzed. ResultsFollowing insurance coverage, a significant increase in surgeries was observed (514 (39.84%) versus 776 (60.16%), χ2= 45.99, p=0.000), with notable reductions in out-of-pocket costs for unilateral and bilateral stage-I and -II auricular reconstructions ($3915.01 versus $6645.28, p<0.05; $11546.80 versus $5198.08, p<0.05). Disparities in reimbursement rates across regions were evident, but showed no correlation to the local GDP per capita. There was a positive correlation between length of stay and inpatient cost. Patient’s age was not related to the inpatient cost, but to the length of stay. ConclusionThe health insurance coverage of microtia treatment significantly alleviated financial burdens for patients’ family and increased the number of auricular reconstruction surgeries. These findings underscored the critical role of insurance coverage in enhancing healthcare accessibility and affordability for patients with congenital microtia.

The real-world data on patients with cardiac stage IIIb AL amyloidosis

BackgroundMorbidity and mortality of patients with immunoglobulin light chain (AL) amyloidosis are strongly associated with the severity of cardiac involvement, especial in patients with cardiac stage IIIb, but the real-world data on these patients is still limited. Patients and MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on 77 patients diagnosed with cardiac stage IIIb AL amyloidosis at our center. We analyzed the clinical characteristics, treatment and outcome of the patients. ResultsThe median age of patients was 57 years and 49.4% were male. Median serum N-Terminal Pro-Brain Natriuretic Peptide (NT-proBNP) and cardiac troponin T (cTnT) were 13384 ng/L and 0.166 ug/L, and 42(54.5%) patients had heart failure at diagnosis. Fifty-seven (74.0%) patients received anti-plasma cell treatment, and the main treatment options include bortezomib or thalidomide combined with dexamethasone. The hematologic overall response rate was 70% (28/40), and at 6-month landmark analysis, patients with hematologic responses had a higher survival rate. Cardiac and renal responses were achieved in 14(37.8%) and 13(32.5%) patients, respectively. After a median follow-up of 10 months (range 1-115 months), median overall survival (OS) was 18 months, and the estimated survival rates at 3, 6, and 12 months were 79.9%, 75.6%, and 54.5%, respectively. In Cox regression models, age, hypotension and cTnT were independently predictive of mortality after adjusting for heart failure. ConclusionThe hematologic, cardiac and renal responses were relative lower in patients with cardiac stage IIIb AL amyloidosis. The overall prognosis of patients was poor, and age, hypotension, and cTnT can be used to predict mortality. Micro-abstractThe clinical characteristics, treatment modalities and outcomes of Chinese patients with cardiac stage IIIb AL amyloidosis have not been fully investigated. Through consulting the electronic medical record system and telephone follow-up, we documented hematologic and organ responses after treatment in 77 patients diagnosed at our center. The unsatisfactory prognosis of these patients suggests that a rapid-acting and safe therapy is needed for these patients.

Electronic medical record system for school dental hygienists: a preventive focus

Relevance. Clinical documentation remains a cornerstone of medical practice. Over the last decade, there has been a notable evolution in the standards for medical documentation and the speed of processing due to advancements in healthcare information technology, including electronic medical record systems. Despite the Ministry of Health of Russia endorsing specific documentation procedures for healthcare organizations, pediatric preventive care dental services have not yet been provided with an appropriate electronic documentation format.Materials and methods. The development of the electronic medical record system for dental hygienists employed Qt Creator software (http://www.qt.io/), using the C++ programming language framework (http://www.isocpp.org/). The system's efficacy was evaluated through testing across the Omsk region over the period 2020-2021.Results. The project resulted in the successful creation of an electronic medical record system designed for dental hygienists.Conclusion. The new electronic medical record system is set to greatly improve the effectiveness of primary preventive care for dental specialists.

Early changes in cardiac troponin T and NT-proBNP levels in neonates receiving ECMO support: a single-center experience

ObjectiveThis study aimed to examine the changes in absolute value and decline rate of early serum cardiac troponin T (cTnT) and N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in neonates who received veno-arterial (V-A) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support therapy within the first week of life.MethodsWe retrospectively collected clinical data and laboratory test results of 18 neonates who underwent V-A ECMO support within one week of birth, from July 2021 to June 2023, using the electronic medical record system. These patients were categorized into survival and death groups. Comparative analyses of the absolute values and decline rates of cTnT and NT-proBNP were made between the groups at baseline, and at 24, 48, and 72 h post-ECMO initiation.ResultsOut of the 18 neonates, 12 survived (survival rate: 66.7%), while 6 succumbed. The survival group exhibited significantly lower absolute values of cTnT and NT-proBNP than the death group, and their decline rates were significantly higher. Notably, all neonates without an early decline in cTnT and NT-proBNP levels were in the death group.ConclusionThe early changes in the absolute value and decline rate of serum cTnT and NT-proBNP in neonates undergoing V-A ECMO may serve as predictors of their prognosis.

Comparatively tested potential risk factors across survivors and non-survivors critically patients

Background: The risk factors associated with mortality in critically ill patients have been the subject of numerous studies. However, a considerable amount of variation is evident when one considers the dispersion of patients, the geographical spread, and the classification of healthcare establishments. Aim: The purpose of this study was to compare potential risk factors between Survivors and Non-Survivors, including demographics, anthropometrics, kidney and liver indices, complete blood counts, and biochemical assays. Patients whose condition is critical. Methods: An ICU retrospective investigation was conducted in Jordan, where critically ill patients with surgical and medical conditions were examined. Using the Electronic Medical Record System (Hakeem), the study analysed data and classified patients into two cohorts according to their survival status. Demographic information, clinical characteristics, insulin administration rate, blood glucose levels, dosing schedules for vasopressors, and the burden of comorbidities were all included in the data. The research was granted approval by the Institutional Review Board committee of the Royal Medical Services, Jordan. Results: The research examined the male-to-female ratios among COVID-19 patients and classified them into six distinct age groups. A significant proportion of critical patients, ranging in age from 50 to 60, exhibited elevated corrected sodium levels and a diminished normontraemia status. Higher albumin levels and mean arterial pressures were associated with survivors, whereas a greater proportion of non-survivors were underweight and had a low BMI. A normal temperature was observed in the majority of critically ill patients, whereas non-survivors exhibited elevated fractional blood glucose levels and estimated creatinine clearances. The research emphasises the significance of treatment outcomes and patient demographics. Conclusion: SI may be a more accurate prognostic indicator than non-septic patients due to the effect of norepinephrine, a vasopressor, on heart rate and systolic blood pressure, which may account for the difference in SI values between the two groups.

The Day the Electronic Medical Records System Went Down

This essay describes the author’s experience of improved patient care and collaboration the day the the electronic medical records system went down.

Virtual Reality in Digital Education: An Affordance Network Perspective on Effective Use Behavior

Virtual reality promises high potential as an immersive, hands-on learning tool for training 21st-century skills. However, previous research revealed that the mere use of digital tools in higher education does not automatically translate into learning outcomes. Instead, information systems studies emphasized the importance of effective use behavior to achieve technology usage goals. Applying the affordance network approach, we investigated what constitutes effective usage behavior regarding a virtual reality collaboration system in digital education. Therefore, we conducted 18 interviews with students and observations of six course sessions. The results uncover how affordance actualization contributed to the achievement of learning goals. A comparison with findings of previous studies on other information systems (i.e., electronic medical record systems, big data analytics, fitness wearables) allowed us to highlight system-specific differences in effective use behavior. We also demonstrated a clear distinction between concepts surrounding effective use theory facilitating the application of the affordance network approach in information systems research.

Development and validation of a nomogram for predicting poor operative visibility during FESS in Chinese adult patients with CRS

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study is to develop and evaluate a nomogram that is capable of predicting poor operative visibility during functional endoscopic sinus surgery.MethodTo identify potential risk factors, patients with chronic rhinosinusitis who underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) between January 2019 and December 2022 were selected from our hospital’s electronic medical record system. Data on general patient information, clinical manifestations, clotting-related test indices, Lund-Machay score of sinuses CT scanning, Lund-kennedy score of nasal endoscopies, anesthesia methods, intraoperative blood pressure and heart rate, and Boezaart bleeding score were collected. Minimum absolute convergence and selection operator (LASSO) regression, as well as multivariate logistic regression, were used to determine the risk factors. A nomogram was developed in order to predict poor operating visibility during FESS, and its performance was evaluated utilizing both the training and verification datasets via various measures including receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, area under the curve (AUC), Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test, calibration curve, and decision curve analysis.ResultsOf the 369 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 88 of them exhibited POV during FESS. By deploying LASSO and multivariate logistic regression analyses, six risk factors were identified and used to construct a nomogram for predicting POV during FESS. These factors include prothrombin time (PT), prothrombin activity (PTA), Lund-Mackay score (LMS), Lund-Kennedy score (LKS), anesthetic method, and intraoperative hypertension. The AUC of the training set was found to be 0.820 while that of the verification set was 0.852. The Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test and calibration curve analysis revealed good consistency between predicted and actual probabilities. Also, the decision curve demonstrated that the nomogram had a high degree of clinical usefulness and net benefit.ConclusionThe constructed nomogram has a strong ability to predict the poor intraoperative field in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis, which can help preoperative judgment of high-risk patients and provide evidence for perioperative management and preoperative plan formulation.

Genus Shewanella: A Potential Intestinal Colonizer Associated With Post-Operative Surgical Site Infections in Coastal Regions.

Background: This study aims to elucidate the clinical characteristics of Shewanella-related surgical site infections (SSIs) and assess the risk of mortality in patients by establishing a predictive model. Patients and Methods: A retrospective analysis of medical history and laboratory data of Shewanella-related SSI patients over the past decade was conducted via the electronic medical record (EMR) system. A predictive model for mortality risk in Shewanella-related SSI patients was established using plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels combined with the Howell-PIRO scoring system. Results: Over the past 10 years, 45 strains of Shewanella were isolated from specimens such as bile, drainage fluid, and whole blood in patients with digestive tract SSIs. Among them, 21 of 45 (46.67%) patients underwent malignant tumor resection of the digestive system, 14 of 45 (31.11%) underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) common bile duct exploration or the stone removal, and seven of 45 (15.56%) were trauma repair patients with fractures and abdominal injuries. Among the 45 Shewanella-related SSI patients, 10 died within 30 days of infection, six cases involved infections with more than two other types of bacteria. The combined use of IL-6 and Howell-PIRO scores for mortality risk assessment yielded an receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.9350, a positive predictive value of 92.71%, a negative predictive value of 94.58%, a diagnostic sensitivity of 95.35%, and a diagnostic specificity of 92.14%-all higher than the model using IL-6 or Howell-PIRO scores alone. Conclusions: We found that residents in coastal areas faced an increased risk of Shewanella-related SSI. Moreover, the higher the number of concurrent microbial infections occurring alongside Shewanella-related SSI, the greater the mortality rate among patients. The combined application of plasma IL-6 levels and the Howell-PIRO scoring system is beneficial for assessing patient mortality risk and guiding timely and proactive clinical interventions.

Integrating a Community-Based Health Information System with a Patient-Centered Medical Home to improve care of patients with hypertension: a longitudinal observational study protocol

BackgroundThe primary healthcare system in Pakistan focuses on providing episodic, disease-based care. Health care for low-middle income communities is largely through a fee-for-service model that ignores preventive and health-promotive services. The growing burden of cardiovascular illnesses requires restructuring of the primary health care system allowing a community-to-clinic model of care to improve patient- and community-level health indicators.MethodsWe propose a model that integrates a Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) with a Community-Based Health Information System (CBHIS) using hypertension (HTN) as an example. This protocol describes the integration and evaluation of the PCMH-CBHIS infrastructure through a population-based, observational, longitudinal study in a low-middle income, urban community in Pakistan. Participants are being enrolled in CBHIS and will be followed longitudinally over two years for HTN outcomes. A mixed-methods approach is adopted to evaluate the process of integrating PCMH with CBHIS. This involves building partnerships with the community through formal and informal meetings, focus group discussions, and a household health assessment survey (HAS). Community members identified with HTN are linked to PCMH for disease management. A customized electronic medical record system links community-level data with patient-level data to track changes in disease burden. The RE-AIM evaluation framework will be used to monitor community and individual-level metrics to guide implementation assessment, the potential for generalization, and the effectiveness of the PCMH in improving HTN-related health outcomes. Ethical clearance has been obtained from the Ethics Review Committee at Aga Khan University (2022-6723-20985).DiscussionThis study will evaluate the value of restructuring the primary care health system by ensuring systematic community engagement and measurement of health indicators at the patient- and community-level. While HTN is being used as a prototype to generate evidence for the effectiveness of this model, findings from this initiative will be leveraged towards strengthening the management of other acute and chronic conditions in primary care settings. If effective, the model can be used in Pakistan and other LMICs and resource-limited settings.

Lessons From the Design and Rollout of an Electronic Medical Record System for Cervical Cancer Screening in Rwanda.

In its commitment to delivering comprehensive women's cancer early detection services, the Rwanda Ministry of Health rolled out a new cervical cancer screening program. The paper-based medical record system that tracked clients at different points in the continuum of cervical cancer care had challenges with storing data, accessing client information for follow-up visits, and fragmenting information on individual clients. To support the rollout of the new cervical cancer screening program, a new electronic medical record system was designed and implemented to ensure clients were followed along the complete continuum of care. We document the development and implementation of the electronic medical record system and highlight challenges and lessons learned during implementation. Implementation took a participatory approach to ensure that the electronic medical record system was efficient in tracking clients along the continuum of care. At every stage, a wide range of stakeholders were engaged, including clinicians, program managers, and software developers. Health facility visits and conversations were conducted with health care providers and data managers to review the existing system and ensure that the design and development of the electronic record system were suitable for the context in which it would be used. Cervical cancer screening sites are currently using the electronic medical record system to document client information and track women along the continuum of care to reduce loss to follow-up. The system has been rolled out to all newly activated screening sites as part of national scale-up. Planning, collaboration, and adaptability were the key factors in this system's successful rollout and should be the foundation of future data systems development.

The effect of electronic medical records on medication errors, workload, and medical information availability among qualified nurses in Israel– a cross sectional study

BackgroundErrors in medication administration by qualified nursing staff in hospitals are a significant risk factor for patient safety. In recent decades, electronic medical records (EMR) systems have been implemented in hospitals, and it has been claimed that they contribute to reducing such errors. However, systematic research on the subject in Israel is scarce. This study examines the position of the qualified nursing staff regarding the impact of electronic medical records systems on factors related to patient safety, including errors in medication administration, workload, and availability of medical information.MethodsThis cross-sectional study examines three main variables: Medication errors, workload, and medical information availability, comparing two periods– before and after EMR implementation based on self-reports. A final sample of 591 Israeli nurses was recruited using online private social media groups to complete an online structured questionnaire. The questionnaires included items assessing workload (using the Expanding Nursing Stress Scale), medical information availability (the Carrington-Gephart Unintended Consequences of Electronic Health Record Questionnaire), and medical errors (the Medical Error Checklists). Items were assessed twice, once for the period before the introduction of electronic records and once after. In addition, participants answered open-ended questions that were qualitatively analyzed.ResultsNurses perceive the EMR as reducing the extent of errors in drug administration (mean difference = -0.92 ± 0.90SD, p < 0.001), as well as the workload (mean difference = -0.83 ± 1.03SD, p < 0.001) by ∼ 30% on average, each. Concurrently, the systems are perceived to require a longer documentation time at the expense of patients’ treatment time, and they may impair the availability of medical information by about 10% on average.ConclusionThe results point to nurses’ perceived importance of EMR systems in reducing medication errors and relieving the workload. Despite the overall positive attitudes toward EMR systems, nurses also report that they reduce information availability compared to the previous pen-and-paper approach. A need arises to improve the systems in terms of planning and adaptation to the field and provide appropriate technical and educational support to nurses using them.

Disease spectrum of torticollis in children and diagnostic flowchart: A retrospective, single-centre study.

To describe the disease spectrum of torticollis in Chinese children and to improve its diagnostic flowchart. A retrospective analysis was conducted at the Rehabilitation Department of Beijing Children's Hospital from 2017 to 2021. Patients were diagnosed and referred based on a diagnostic flowchart of torticollis. Detailed patient data were collected from the outpatient electronic medical record system. A total of 2047 patients met the inclusion criteria. The top five conditions were congenital muscular torticollis (CMT) (76.6%), cerebral palsy (5.1%), ocular torticollis (4.7%), brachial plexus injury (1.9%) and atlantoaxial rotary subluxation (1.3%). CMT was most common in 0-2 year olds, cerebral palsy in 3-5 year olds, and atlantoaxial rotary subluxation in 7-12 year olds. The top five referral departments were orthopaedics, ophthalmology, otolaryngology, head and neck surgery, neurology and neurosurgery. The disease spectrum of torticollis in children and the diagnostic flowchart provide important references for diagnosing torticollis, which necessitates multidisciplinary collaboration.

Clinical features of plastic bronchitis in children after congenital heart surgery

BackgroundPlastic bronchitis (PB) can occur in patients who have undergone congenital heart surgery (CHS). This study aimed to investigate the clinical features of PB in children after CHS.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study using the electronic medical record system. The study population consisted of children diagnosed with PB after bronchoscopy in the cardiac intensive care unit after CHS from May 2016 to October 2021.ResultsA total of 68 children after CHS were finally included in the study (32 in the airway abnormalities group and 36 in the right ventricular dysfunction group). All children were examined and treated with fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Pathogens were detected in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of 41 children, including 32 cases in the airway abnormalities group and 9 cases in the right ventricular dysfunction group. All patients were treated with antibiotics, corticosteroids (intravenous or oral), and budesonide inhalation suspension. Children with right ventricular dysfunction underwent pharmacological treatment such as reducing pulmonary arterial pressure. Clinical symptoms improved in 64 children, two of whom were treated with veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) due to recurrent PB and disease progression.ConclusionsChildren with airway abnormalities or right ventricular dysfunction after CHS should be alerted to the development of PB. Pharmacological treatment such as anti-infection, corticosteroids, or improvement of right ventricular function is the basis of PB treatment, while fiberoptic bronchoscopy is an essential tool for the diagnosis and treatment of PB. ECMO assistance is a vital salvage treatment for recurrent critically ill PB patients.

EHealth Data Security and Privacy: Perspectives from Diverse Stakeholders in Malawi

The development and adoption of eHealth in low- and middle-income countries has potential to advance the quality of care in healthcare settings that are challenged by weak infrastructure. Especially in the countries where HIV rates are high, there is need to implement electronic medical record systems to enhance care and improve treatment outcomes. Due to the sensitivity of HIV-related information, eHealth applications in HIV care necessitate the attention and prioritization of data security and privacy. We explored diverse stakeholders' views on data security and privacy in Malawi's public HIV care program to expand the understanding of gaps and opportunities in improving data protections. This work connects data security and privacy goals and practices with previous work on mobile device usage as well as global best practices for security and privacy in healthcare settings. A key finding articulated by stakeholders is the importance of establishing strong data security governance.

Development of a person-centred care approach for persons with chronic multimorbidity in general practice by means of participatory action research.

The management of persons with multimorbidity challenges healthcare systems tailored to individual diseases. A person-centred care approach is advocated, in particular for persons with multimorbidity. The aim of this study was to describe the co-creation and piloting of a proactive, person-centred chronic care approach for persons with multimorbidity in general practice, including facilitators and challenges for successful implementation. A participatory action research (PAR) approach was applied in 13 general practices employing four subsequent co-creation cycles between 2019 and 2021. The target population included adults with ≥3 chronic conditions. Participating actors were general practitioners (GPs), practice nurses (PNs), patients (target group), the affiliated care cooperation, representatives of a health insurer and researchers. Each cycle consisted of a try-out period in practice and a reflective evaluation through focus groups with healthcare providers, interviews with patients and analyses of routine care data. In each cycle, facilitators, challenges and follow-up actions for the next cycle were identified. Work satisfaction among GPs and PNs was measured pre and at the end of the final co-creation cycle. Identified essential steps in the person-centred chronic care approach include (1) appropriate patient selection for (2) an extended person-centred consultation, and (3) personalised goalsetting and follow-up. Key facilitators included improved therapeutic relationships, enhanced work satisfaction for care providers, and patient appreciation of extended time with their GP. Deliberate task division and collaboration between GPs and PNs based on patient, local setting, and care personnel is required. Challenges and facilitators for implementation encompassed a prioritisation tool to support GPs appropriately who to invite first for extended consultations, appropriate remuneration and time to conduct extended consultations, training in delivering person-centred chronic care available for all general practice care providers and an electronic medical record system accommodating comprehensive information registration. A person-centred chronic care approach targeting patients with multimorbidity in general practice was developed and piloted in co-creation with stakeholders. More consultation time facilitated better understanding of persons' situations, their functioning, priorities and dilemma's, and positively impacted work satisfaction of care providers. Challenges need to be tackled before widespread implementation. Future evaluation on the quadruple aims is recommended.