Evidence-based Clinical Protocols Research Articles

Sickle Cell Disease Electronic Health Record Population Management Approach to Support Delivery of High-Quality Care: Leaving Paper Lists behind

Children and young adults with sickle cell disease (SCD) require complex health care services to screen for early signs of disease-related complications and to initiate and monitor disease-modifying therapies. Care coordination is challenging as it involves multiple team members across multiple subspecialties. Evidence-based clinical protocols and quality metrics are essential for SCD programs to deliver high-quality care. Systems to track this care delivery are crucial to ensure equitable, accessible care is consistently provided. In 2016, the Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center (CSCC) and the Population Health Innovation Team at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) developed and implemented an electronic health record (EHR)-based system, the SCD patient registry and proactive care outreach tools, to facilitate processes needed to ensure patient service delivery in a timely fashion. We selected Transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasounds, hydroxyurea therapy initiation, and annual clinic visits to monitor stroke risk screening, disease-modification therapy, and general chronic illness care. Between January 2015 and June 2023, approximately 1400 patients with SCD were tracked across two CHOP outpatient clinics, the CHOP Philadelphia and CHOP Voorhees campuses. We tracked TCD completion, hydroxyurea prescriptions, and clinic visits per year for age-eligible patients with SS and SB0thal. Prior to implementation of the EHR-based tools and new workflows in October 2016, for age-eligible patients, on average 75% of patients had received annual TCD screening, 55% of patients had received hydroxyurea prescriptions within the prior 6 months, and 85% had attended outpatient hematology clinic at least twice within the year. As of June 2023, on average, completed TCD visits had increased to 91%, patients prescribed hydroxyurea had increased to 78%, and patients attending 2 clinic visits within a year had increased to 89%. These metrics remained consistent and improvement was sustained despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Table 1 describes the drivers influencing these improvements, which included various interventions involving social work, nursing, community health workers, registrars, care coordinators, and physicians. Figure 1 illustrates the changes achieved over time in rates of TCD completion, hydroxyurea prescriptions, and clinic visit attendance. This implementation of an SCD EHR-based population health tool and new care team workflows facilitated more efficient processes for various care team members and improved our ability to consistently provide timely services to children and young adults with SCD. This resulted in sustained improvement in all metrics and high-quality care for our patients.

Hyperacusis Diagnosis and Management in the United States: Clinical Audiology Practice Patterns.

Hyperacusis often leads to debilitating psychosocial consequences, but there is no standard protocol for its diagnosis and management in the United States. In this study, we surveyed U.S. clinical audiologists to understand their education and clinical practices surrounding the evaluation and treatment of hyperacusis. An online survey was distributed to clinical audiologists across the United States. Survey responses were quantified using descriptive statistics and inductive content analysis. Hyperacusis definitions and clinical practice patterns varied widely across the 102 respondents. Respondents cited a lack of education and training as the primary barrier to effective audiological diagnosis and management of hyperacusis, with most respondents reporting ≤ 5 hr of hyperacusis education. Other primary barriers to effective audiological management of hyperacusis included time constraints, reimbursement, poor sensitivity and specificity of available diagnostic tools, and poor efficacy of available treatments and management strategies. Most respondents (82.5%) agreed that audiologists are the primary professionals who are responsible for implementing hyperacusis interventions. However, 63.3% of respondents reported that their clinic does not have a hyperacusis management protocol, and 80.0% routinely recommend treatment that is outside their scope of practice to implement (cognitive behavioral therapy). Clinical audiologists in the United States do not receive uniform education on hyperacusis, and they report multiple barriers to its evidence-based diagnosis and management. Effective hyperacusis management necessitates a multidisciplinary approach. The information obtained via this survey will pave the way toward the refinement of interprofessional education programs and the development of systematic, evidence-based clinical protocols for hyperacusis. https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.24431188.

Integrating Spirituality in Group Psychotherapy with First Responders: Addressing Trauma and Substance Misuse

First responders (e.g., fire fighters, law enforcement, paramedics, corrections officers) are at disproportionately high risk of experiencing posttraumatic stress and engaging in substance misuse. Spirituality is a potential source of resilience and recovery in the context of trauma and substance misuse; however, evidence-based clinical protocols integrating spirituality into group psychotherapy with first responders are rare. This article describes the adaptation of an existing and previously examined spiritually integrated group psychotherapy clinical protocol to address substance misuse among first responders with posttraumatic stress. This brief (90-min) and stand-alone group psychotherapy intervention includes (a) psychoeducation about the co-occurrence of trauma syndromes and substance misuse among first responders, (b) discussion of the relevance of spirituality to both posttraumatic stress and substance misuse, and (c) the integration of spiritual beliefs and behaviors to cope with symptoms related to trauma exposures and substance misuse. We discuss relevant clinical theory behind the development of this intervention as well as the potential clinical application of this protocol.

Comparison of Procedures Performed and Costs between an Outsourced Dental Health Plan with Fee-For-Service Payment and an Evidence-Based, In-House Dental Health Service with Salaried Professionals

Aim: Evaluate the change in terms of levels and mixes of services rendered and costs resulting from the change from an outsourced dental health plan with fee-for-service payment to an in-house health service provided by salaried dentists. Method: We evaluated dental care services provided to almost 4,000 users (employees and their families) of a big company (Moinhos de Vento Hospital, Brazil). The analysis was divided into two periods of time: from January 2000 to December 2002, during which time the dental care provided to employees (and families) was outsourced to a dental plan which operates with an accredited network, and from March 2003 to June 2005, when the dental care was provided by an in-house dental care service with preventive and evidence-based dentistry guidelines. Economic data were collected, as well as the type and number of procedures performed. Results: There was a significant increase in the number of preventive and oral environment adequacy procedures performed by the in-house service in relation to the outsourced dental plan. There also was a significant decrease in the number of restorative procedures with the implementation of the in-house service. Expenses were reduced by 36%, while the number of procedures increased by 30% and customer satisfaction did not decrease with the adoption of the in-house service. Conclusion: An in-house service with evidence-based clinical protocols, as compared with an accredited network, decreased costs and also increased the number of procedures done, changed the profile of care for a less invasive dentistry and one more geared toward the causes of diseases, while still preserving the customers’ satisfaction.

APSO Standards: Implementing Hearing Aid Needs Assessments and Measuring Related Outcomes.

The proportion of individuals who pose to benefit from the use of hearing aids is much smaller than those who adopt them. Likewise, many adults who try hearing devices abandon using them after a short period of time. Most factors related to hearing aid use are unrelated to a patient's hearing loss severity. Hearing loss treatment requires more than the provision of hearing aids as a sole intervention. Adoption rates could be improved through the implementation of evidence-based clinical protocols which maximize patients' success. Recently, the Audiology Practice Standards Organization (APSO) released evidence-based, formal standards of practice addressing hearing aid selection, fitting, and rehabilitation for adult and geriatric patients. Notably, the standards acknowledge the importance of an amplification needs assessment, including hearing aid outcomes measurement. In this brief narrative, we describe Standards 3 and 14 ( Needs Assessment and Hearing Aid Outcomes Measurement ) and offer an example of the clinical implementation of a comprehensive needs assessment and hearing aid outcomes measurement currently being used in a multisite, longitudinal clinical trial.

Strategies for the implementation of an electronic fracture risk assessment tool in long term care: a qualitative study

BackgroundOlder adults in long-term care (LTC) homes experience high rates of fractures, which are detrimental to their quality of life. The purpose of this study is to identify and make recommendations on strategies to implementing an evidence-based Fracture Risk Clinical Assessment Protocol (CAP) in LTC.MethodsFollowing the Behaviour Change Wheel framework, we conducted six focus group interviews with a total of 32 LTC stakeholders (e.g. LTC physicians) to identify barriers and facilitators, suggest implementation strategies, and discuss whether the identified strategies were affordable, practicable, effective, acceptable, safe, and if they promote equity (APEASE). The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic content analysis.ResultsThemes of implementation strategies that met the APEASE criteria were minimizing any increase in workload, training on CAP usage, education for residents and families, and persuasion through stories. Other strategy themes identified were culture change, resident-centred care, physical restructuring, software features, modeling in training, education for staff, social rewards, material rewards, public benchmarking, and regulations.ConclusionsTo implement the Fracture Risk CAP in LTC, we recommend using implementation strategies centred around minimizing any increase in workload, training on CAP usage, providing education for residents and families, and persuading through stories. Through improving implementation of the fracture risk CAP, results from this work will improve identification and management of LTC residents at high fracture risk and could inform the implementation of guidelines for other conditions in LTC homes.

M34 Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Pathway for Cardiac Surgery: The First Australian Experience

The use of ERAS pathways has previously being proven to improve care in multiple surgical specialties. It is however a new concept in cardiac surgery where it can facilitate a patient centred and standardised perioperative care. Unfortunately, their applicability in real life clinical scenarios is impacted by multiple factors, including clinician/health staff adherence, changing knowledge and consensus differences of the multidisciplinary team. ERAS pathways are a combination of evidence-based guidelines, clinical protocols and best practice rules, design to reduce physiological and psychological stress in surgical patients as well as achieve a rapid recovery.

An Evidence-Based Care Protocol Improves Outcomes and Decreases Cost in Pediatric Appendicitis

BackgroundAppendicitis is a common indication for urgent abdominal surgery in the pediatric population. The postoperative management varies significantly in time to discharge and cost of care. The objective of this study was to investigate whether implementation of an evidence-based protocol after an appendectomy would lead to decreased length of stay and cost of care. MethodsIn 2014 at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, an initiative to develop an evidenced-based protocol to treat appendicitis was undertaken. A work group was formed of pediatric surgeons and other important personnel to determine best practices. Treatment pathways were created. Pathways differed with recommendation on postoperative antibiotic choice and duration, diet initiation, and discharge criteria. Data were prospectively gathered from all patients (ages 0-18 y) with acute appendicitis from January 2015 to December 2016. Primary outcomes were length of stay and cost of care. Secondary outcomes were surgical site infection, readmission rate, and duration of postoperative antibiotics. ResultsAmong the 1289 patients, 481 patients were in the preprotocol cohort and 808 patients were in the postprotocol cohort. 27% of patients had an intraoperative diagnosis of complicated appendicitis. There was a significantly shorter length of stay in the postprotocol cohort (P < 0.001). Median costs for the whole cohort decreased 0.6% and 24.6% for patients with complicated appendicitis after protocol initiation (P < 0.01). ConclusionsThis study has demonstrated that introduction of an evidence-based clinical care protocol for pediatric patients with appendicitis leads to shorter hospital stay and decreased hospital costs.

Usage Patterns of a Web-Based Palliative Care Content Platform (PalliCOVID) During the COVID-19 Pandemic

ContextThe COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the essential role of palliative care to support the delivery of compassionate, goal-concordant patient care. We created the Web-based application, PalliCOVID (https://pallicovid.app/), in April 2020 to provide all clinicians with convenient access to palliative care resources and support. PalliCOVID features evidence-based clinical guidelines, educational content, and institutional protocols related to palliative care for COVID-19 patients. It is a publicly available resource accessible from any mobile device or desktop computer that provides clinicians with access to palliative care guidance across a variety of care settings, including the emergency department, hospital ward, intensive care unit, and primary care practice. ObjectiveThe primary objective of this study was to evaluate usage patterns of PalliCOVID to understand user behavior in relation to this palliative care content platform during the period of the local peak of COVID-19 infection in Massachusetts. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed deidentified usage data collected by Google Analytics from the first day of PalliCOVID's launch on April 7, 2020, until May 1, 2020, the time period that encompassed the local peak of the COVID-19 surge in Massachusetts. User access data were collected and summarized by using Google Analytics software that had been integrated into the PalliCOVID Web application. ResultsA total of 2042 users accessed PalliCOVID and viewed 4637 pages from April 7 to May 1, 2020. Users spent an average of 2 minutes and 6 seconds per session. Eighty-one percent of users were first-time visitors, while the remaining 19% were return visitors. Most users accessed PalliCOVID from the United States (87%), with a large proportion of users coming from Boston and the surrounding cities (32% of overall users). ConclusionsPalliCOVID is one example of a scalable digital health solution that can bring palliative care resources to frontline clinicians. Analysis of PalliCOVID usage patterns has the potential to inform the improvement of the platform to better meet the needs of its user base and guide future dissemination strategies. The quantitative data presented here, although informative about user behavior, should be supplemented with future qualitative research to further define the impact of this tool and extend our ability to deliver clinical care that is compassionate, rational, and well-aligned with patients’ values and goals.

Electronic clinical decision support algorithms incorporating point-of-care diagnostic tests in low-resource settings: a target product profile

Health workers in low-resource settings often lack the support and tools to follow evidence-based clinical recommendations for diagnosing, treating and managing sick patients. Digital technologies, by combining patient health information...

Laser-assisted prevention of enamel caries: a 10-year review of the literature.

Since the invention of lasers in dentistry, investigations in caries prevention by the use of laser radiation have been proposed. There are several mechanisms stated for this purpose such as photothermal and/or photochemical interaction processes with the enamel. Alone or in conjugation with topical fluoride application, this treatment modality may improve enamel acid resistance in high-caries-risk populations. Data collection was done by searching the keywords caries, prevention, and laser in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar. Lasing protocols of the collected literature and their effectiveness as well as examination methods used to verify treatment outcomes have been evaluated. One hundred eighteen publications were found for the last 10years. The wavelengths investigated for caries prevention are mainly located in the near and the mid-infrared spectral range. In the evaluated period of time, investigations using CO2; Er:YAG; Er,Cr:YSGG; Er:YLF; fundamental, second, and third harmonic generations of Nd:YAG; diodes; and argon ion lasers were found in the databases. Accounting for 39% of the literature, CO2 laser was the most examined system for this purpose. Reviewing the literature in this narrative review showed that all laser systems presented a positive effect in varying degrees. Laser irradiation could be an alternative or synergistic to topical fluoridation for enamel caries prevention with longer lasting effect. Further research should be focused on selecting proper laser settings to avoid damage to enamel and developing effective evidence-based clinical protocols.

Actualización de las indicaciones del uso de la radioterapia de intensidad modulada en el Instituto Nacional de Cancerología. Protocolo clínico informado en la evidencia

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; Antecedentes: La radioterapia de intensidad modulada (IMRT) es una técnica avanzada que se usa ampliamente a nivel mundial; sin embargo, su uso adecuado en nuestro país requiere ser revisado.Objetivo: Actualizar un protocolo clínico (PC) basado en evidencia que contiene las indicaciones clínicas para la utilización de la técnica IMRT en el tratamiento de las patologías oncológicas tratadas más frecuentemente en el servicio de oncología radioterápica del Instituto Nacional de Cancerología (INC) – Colombia.&#x0D; Métodos: La elaboración de este documento fue realizada por un equipo multidisciplinario empleando un manual nacional para el desarrollo de PC. Se realizó una búsqueda sistemática de la literatura, seguido por la selección de los artículos relevantes y su evaluación utilizando las herramientas apropiadas. La evidencia fue resumida, contextualizada y empleada para generar las recomendaciones mediante un consenso formal tipo RAND/UCLA.&#x0D; Resultados: Se generaron indicaciones para el uso de la IMRT en pacientes con alguno de los siguientes tipos de cáncer: próstata y pene, cabeza y cuello, piel, sistema nervioso central, mama, sarcomas de tejidos blandos, pulmón, gastrointestinal, ginecológico y urgencias oncológicas.&#x0D; Conclusiones: En el periodo 2014 a 2017 ha surgido escasa evidencia sobre el impacto de la IMRT en desenlaces relacionados con la supervivencia y la calidad de vida y por tanto el uso de la IMRT sigue siendo en pacientes seleccionados.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

Deliveries at extreme prematurity: outcomes, approaches, institutional variation, and uncertainty.

Medical decision making and practices surrounding extremely premature birth remains challenging for parents and care providers alike. Recently, concerns have been raised regarding wide practice variation, selection bias, and the limitations of outcomes data in this population. The purpose of this review is to summarize the recent literature relevant to deliveries at extreme prematurity with a focus on outcomes, approaches, and institutional variation. Newer data suggest that evidence-based clinical guidelines and protocols for both pregnant women and infants at extreme prematurity are emerging and may improve care and outcomes at lower gestational ages. It has also been recently shown that wide practice variation, selection bias, and methodological limitations of outcomes data reporting with respect to deliveries at extreme prematurity exist. Counseling at extreme prematurity should prioritize eliciting parental values and preferences with the goal of personalized shared decision-making. Providers should recognize limitations in counseling families at extreme prematurity, including selection bias, institutional variation, outcomes inaccuracies, prognostic uncertainty, and implicit biases. Standardized reporting of perinatal outcomes should be developed to help alleviate current outcomes misrepresentations and improve counseling at extreme prematurity. Education for providers in advanced communication skills is needed when counseling at extreme prematurity.

Knowledge Translation of the PERC Rule for Suspected Pulmonary Embolism: A Blueprint for Reducing the Number of CT Pulmonary Angiograms.

IntroductionComputerized decision support decreases the number of computed tomography pulmonary angiograms (CTPA) for pulmonary embolism (PE) ordered in emergency departments, but it is not always well accepted by emergency physicians. We studied a department-endorsed, evidence-based clinical protocol that included the PE rule-out criteria (PERC) rule, multi-modal education using principles of knowledge translation (KT), and clinical decision support embedded in our order entry system, to decrease the number of unnecessary CTPA ordered.MethodsWe performed a historically controlled observational before-after study for one year pre- and post-implementation of a departmentally-endorsed protocol. We included patients > 18 in whom providers suspected PE and who did not have a contraindication to CTPA. Providers entered clinical information into a diagnostic pathway via computerized order entry. Prior to protocol implementation, we provided education to ordering providers. The primary outcome measure was the number of CTPA ordered per 1,000 visits one year before vs. after implementation.ResultsCTPA declined from 1,033 scans for 98,028 annual visits (10.53 per 1,000 patient visits (95% CI [9.9–11.2]) to 892 scans for 101,172 annual visits (8.81 per 1,000 patient visits (95% CI [8.3–9.4]) p<0.001. The absolute reduction in PACT ordered was 1.72 per 1,000 visits (a 16% reduction). Patient characteristics were similar for both periods.ConclusionKnowledge translation clinical decision support using the PERC rule significantly reduced the number of CTPA ordered.

Intuition in Clinical Decision Making: Differences Among Practicing Nurses.

To examine the relationships and differences in the use of intuition among three categories of practicing nurses from various clinical units at a medical center in the Midwest. Descriptive, correlational, cross-sectional, prospective design. Three categories of nurses were based on the clinical unit: medical/surgical nurses ( n = 42), step-down/progressive care nurses ( n = 32), and critical care nurses ( n = 24). Participants were e-mailed the Rew Intuitive Judgment Scale (RIJS) via their employee e-mail to measure intuition in clinical practice. Participants were also asked to rate themselves according to Benner's (novice to expert) proficiency levels. Nurses practicing at higher self-reported proficiency levels, as defined by Benner, scored higher on the RIJS. More years of clinical experience were associated with higher self-reported levels of nursing proficiency and higher scores on the RIJS. There were no differences in intuition scores among the three categories of nurses. Nurses have many options, such as the nursing process, evidence-based clinical decision-making pathways, protocols, and intuition to aid them in the clinical decision-making process. Nurse educators and development professionals have a responsibility to recognize and embrace the multiple thought processes used by the nurse to better the nursing profession and positively affect patient outcomes.

Telemedizin: Chancen in der Schmerztherapie

Pain is generally undertreated and there is a need to differentiate and improve access to appropriate pain care. The growing Field of telehealth offers a novel opportunity for pain care, exploiting mainly communicative and pharmacological therapeutic principles. Rationale for telemedicine for the management of chronic pain are the potential to overcome timely, economical, and structural barriers for the access to specialized pain care as well as the general open mindedness of physicians and patients towards this technology. The general usability and effectiveness of telemedicine in pain care has been described. The most prominent applications of telemedicine in pain care are store-and-forward applications and direct consultations. Smartphone applications are easily accessible and inexpensive. The quality and effectiveness of smartphone applications has not been evaluated thoroughly due to a lack of regulatory objectives. Estimations of the cost-effectiveness of telemedicine in pain care are limited due to a lack of data regarding long-term outcome and healthcare utilization after treatment. Telemedicine offers new approaches to improve pain care for the treatment of acute postoperative pain as well. Future challenges will be to start a collaborative effort between developers and health-care professionals to implement evidence-based clinical protocols into telemedicine applications and to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of existing telemedicine programmes.

The Efficacy of a Protocolized Nursing Care on Nasal Skin Breakdown in Preterm Neonates Receiving Nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure

Background: Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) is an effective method of ventilation in newborns with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Using an appropriate nasal skin care protocol is identical to prevention or reduction of nasal skin breakdown in those who receive NCPAP. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of an evidence-based clinical care protocol on nasal skin integrity in preterm newborns who receive NCPAP.Materials and Methods: A Randomized Controlled Trial was used to conduct the study. A cohort of 110 preterm newborns with a gestational age (GA) of 25 to 36 weeks, receiving nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) for RDS in the neonatal intensive care unit of a university teaching hospital were selected to perform the study. They were randomly assigned to a protocolized nasal skin care (group A) or to a group receiving the routine care (group B). Nasal skin integrity of the preterm neonates, were measured on a daily basis for 10 days using the Neonatal Skin Condition Scale (NSCS) 24 hours after placement of NCPAPs in both groups.Results: Each intervention and control group included 55 neonates. 65.50% of neonates in the control group and 47.30% of neonates in the intervention group were male. Repeated measures analysis showed thatNSCS scores were significantly lower in intervention group receiving nasal skin care in accordance with the protocol than the control group receiving the routine nasal skin care (P=0.000). Conclusion: In this study, the protocolized care reduced nasal skin breakdown in the preterm newborns receiving NCPAP. Therefore, it can be used as an effective method in nasal skin care in neonates who are treated by NCPAP.

요양병원 입원 노인을 위한 신체 억제대 프로토콜의 수용개작

요양병원 입원 노인을 위한 신체 억제대 프로토콜의 수용개작

Reaching Urban Poor Hypertensive Patients: A Novel Model of Chronic Disease Care Versus a Traditional Fee-for-Service Approach.

There is a significant disparity in hypertensive treatment rates between those with and without health insurance. If left untreated, hypertension leads to significant morbidity and mortality. The uninsured face numerous barriers to access chronic disease care. We developed the Community-based Chronic Disease Management (CCDM) clinics specifically for the uninsured with hypertension utilizing nurse-led teams, community-based locations, and evidence-based clinical protocols. All services, including laboratory and medications, are provided on-site and free of charge. In order to ascertain if the CCDM model of care was as effective as traditional models of care in achieving blood pressure goals, we compared CCDM clinics' hypertensive care outcomes with 2 traditional fee-for-service physician-led clinics. All the clinics are located near one another in poor urban neighborhoods of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Patients seen at the CCDM clinics and at 1 of the 2 traditional clinics showed a statistically significant improvement in reaching blood pressure goal at 6 months ( P < .001 and P < .05, respectively). Logistic regression analysis found no difference in attaining blood pressure goal at 6 months for either of the 2 fee-for-service clinics when compared with the CCDM clinics. The CCDM model of care is at least as effective in controlling hypertension as more traditional fee-for-service models caring for the same population. The CCDM model of care to treat hypertension may offer another approach for engaging the urban poor in chronic disease care.

Design of a Medical Triage Evidence-Based Clinical Management Protocol and Implementation of Medical Triage On-Line Training for Use by Mission of Mercy Volunteers

Evidence-based protocols in safety net settings can help standardize care practices, increase organizational workflow, and enhance quality outcomes for those receiving services. The purpose of this quality improvement project is two-fold: to design an evidence-based medical triage clinical management protocol, and, to influence adherence to that protocol by safety net medical triage volunteers through an on-line volunteer orientation. Leadership skills were required to help translate evidence-based practice recommendations into useful tools to assist in directing practice. Project outcomes included successful multidisciplinary practice change, significantly improved volunteer knowledge surrounding medical triage protocol parameters, increased organizational workflow, and enhanced quality client outcomes.