Hospital Library Research Articles

Systematic review and need assessment of pediatric trauma outcome benchmarking tools for low-resource settings.

Trauma is a leading cause of mortality and disability in children worldwide. The World Health Organization reports that 95% of all childhood injury deaths occur in Low-Middle-Income Countries (LMIC). Injury scores have been developed to facilitate risk stratification, clinical decision making, and research. Trauma registries in LMIC depend on adapted trauma scores that do not rely on investigations that require unavailable material or human resources. We sought to review and assess the existing trauma scores used in pediatric patients. Our objective is to determine their wideness of use, validity, setting of use, outcome measures, and criticisms. We believe that there is a need for an adapted trauma score developed specifically for pediatric patients in low-resource settings. A systematic review of the literature was conducted to identify and compare existing injury scores used in pediatric patients. We constructed a search strategy in collaboration with a senior hospital librarian. Multiple databases were searched, including Embase, Medline, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Articles were selected based on predefined inclusion criteria by two reviewers and underwent qualitative analysis. The scores identified are suboptimal for use in pediatric patients in low-resource settings due to various factors, including reliance on precise anatomic diagnosis, physiologic parameters maladapted to pediatric patients, or laboratory data with inconsistent accessibility in LMIC. An important gap exists in our ability to simply and reliably estimate injury severity in pediatric patients and predict their associated probability of outcomes in settings, where resources are limited. An ideal score should be easy to calculate using point-of-care data that are readily available in LMIC, and can be easily adapted to the specific physiologic variations of different age groups.

Practice and review of the construction of standardized medical resident training bases for the first batch of residents in Xinjiang

Objective Through investigating the current situation of first national Standardized Medical Resident Training Bases construction in Xinjiang to provide the basis for the administrative department of public health to improve their resident training bases. Methods Selecting standardized training related personnel 133 people of 20 base hospital to conduct a questionnaire survey, and selecting the base hospital leaders, the management staff of functional departments, teachers and residents, a total of 254 people were given in-depth interviews. We conducted data collection mainly around the basic situation of the base hospitals and departments, to understand the basic situation, difficulties and problems of the standardized training of resident doctors in the base hospitals, and suggestions and opinions on the training work. We used χ2 test, Wilcoxon rank test to make statistical analysis. Results Basic conditions of the hospital was not balanced, 70% of the base hospital library number was 10 thousand ~5 million, 75% of the base hospital computer had a volume of less than or equal to 30. There was statistical significance in the difference of the rate of operation between the cases and the skills in the southern/northern region teaching/non pro-fessional teaching base hospital. Teacher level was not balanced, and only 5 hospital teacher training rate was greater than or equal to 80%, which met the national requirements. Enrollment of each department had a rising trend, including the department of pediatrics, psychiatry and other major shortage of profes-sional year by year, the increase in the proportion of 1~2 times. National financial aid was implemented, but lacked local financial input. Conclusion The balanced development of base construction, the continuous improvement of system construction and organization management, the improvement of the teachers' teach-ing and training quality, the improvement of the resident treatment and striving for more national and local financial allocation will be the focus of the construction and development of Xinjiang resident standardized training base. Key words: Resident training; Training base; Survey

Creating and Implementing a Book Talk Series to Promote Hospital Library Awareness Among Hospital Associates

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this project was to introduce a new hospital library manager and revitalize library services to associates after a five-month hiring gap between library managers. The new library manager’s goals were to establish the hospital library as an associate gathering place, create current awareness, introduce herself to a diverse group of associates, and foster the hospital’s value of development in personal and professional growth for staff members.

Hospital Library Support of Precision Medicine

ABSTRACTMedical therapy is no longer a one-size-fits-all solution to health care. Personalized care–precision medicine, tailored to each individual, is on the horizon if not already here. The National Institutes of Health and several other government agencies are supporting research to produce new knowledge that will more effectively treat disease and prolong health. The hospital librarian needs to be aware of the multiple resources available to support the Precision Medicine Initiative and be ready to contribute to improving health care.

A Case for Interaction between Hospital Librarians and Administration

ABSTRACTScholarly publishing of hospital personnel is a way of highlighting research and clinical work. It is a result of intense clinical practice and it includes data evaluated by the scientific community. Usually, bibliographic data are used to assist information extraction, information dissemination as well as scientific excellence. In this study we use bibliographic data to provide useful info to other parts of the hospital community, such as administration or patients. Data extracted from MEDLINE/PubMed bibliographic database of scientific publications are edited and used to answer some sample questions.

Creating a library holding group: an approach to large system integration.

Faced with resource constraints, many hospital libraries have considered joint operations. This case study describes how Providence Health & Services created a single group to provide library services. Using a holding group model, staff worked to unify more than 6,100 nonlibrary subscriptions and 14 internal library sites. Our library services grew by unifying 2,138 nonlibrary subscriptions and 11 library sites and hiring more library staff. We expanded access to 26,018 more patrons. A model with built-in flexibility allowed successful library expansion. Although challenges remain, this success points to a viable model of unified operations.

The Hospital Library—Extinct Dinosaur or Phoenix Rising?

The Hospital Library—Extinct Dinosaur or Phoenix Rising?

Research Progress on the Subject Service of Domestic Libraries and its Significance on Medical Scientific Research Management

Taking the papers in core journals of 'CNKI’ academic journal network publishing database as data sources, the paper conducts statistical analysis on papers about subject services by the end of 2014, including analysis on publishing years, periodical distribution, author distribution, subject distribution and so on. The paper summarizes current situation and characteristics of the research of domestic subject service so as to provide some references for hospital libraries and thinks over its significance on medical scientific research management. Key words: Subject service; Literature metrological analysis; Hospital library; Medical scientific research management

Out of the Library and on to the Floors: Librarian Participation in Nursing Rounds

ABSTRACTPhysicians, nurses, residents, pharmacists and social workers are commonly thought to be part of the healthcare team. Incorporating medical librarians as part of this team is beneficial not only to the library patrons, but to the library as well. Nurses are often asked to respond immediately to clinical care questions. However, they do not always have the time or resources available. This article describes the successful implementation of a collaborative librarian rounding service provided by two librarians from separate institutions; an academic medical center library and a hospital library.

Expanding Library Services and Instruction Through LibGuides

ABSTRACTBeginning in 2012, the Charles R. Drew University (CDU) Health Sciences Library used LibGuides in a number of innovative ways. Librarians constructed e-book databases, in-depth tutorials on technology-related topics, and web pages highlighting special events. To assess similar LibGuides innovation, CDU librarians developed an eight-question survey distributed to health sciences and hospital libraries throughout Southern California and Arizona. Results showed that libraries used LibGuides primarily to deliver access to online resources and to provide supplementary materials supporting instruction. Responses also revealed that many libraries had not yet adopted LibGuides. These findings were analyzed and compared to past and current LibGuides design at CDU.

Solos and the Reinvention Process

On January 28, 2014, an announcement of another hospital library closure was announced on the medical librarians’ listserv, MEDLIB-L. This notice provoked almost 70 responses over two days that inc...

Health sciences librarians off the radar.

The library environment has undergone tremendous change through the years and with that change, the profession has had to adapt. These seemingly simple phrases written more than forty years ago continue to be as meaningful and applicable today as they were when written: “like everything else, libraries and library methods are changing at an increasing rate,” and “‘new things' have been and are happening in your field, and, indeed, some of these new trends seem to have come upon us quickly and, in some instances, have become drastic enough to threaten the very existence of the relatively small, professionally-supported medical library” [1]. Many health sciences libraries have adapted to accelerated technological advancements, fragmented collection acquisition models, altered space allocations, and modified user viewpoints. Particularly, health sciences libraries in hospitals have been profoundly impacted with library closures, bringing forth new thoughts related to value, adaptation, and change. In essence, this seemingly new trend of closures experienced today may not be so new after all, and the question that must be asked is, how has the health sciences hospital library continued to survive through the years?

South Australian hospital libraries 1956–1980: an incomplete history

This review of the early history of South Australia’s hospital libraries describes the social, educational and administrative factors that produced an unprecedented growth in the number and role of libraries in the state’s public hospitals between 1956 and 1980. It also identifies some of the individuals who played a leading part in the development of hospital libraries during this period.

Re-booting the Library: Adapting to Graduate Medical Education’s New Accreditation System (NAS)

Graduate medical education is undergoing changes in accreditation requirements. These revisions involve each residency’s curriculum and clinical competencies. Hospital libraries need to be aware of...

A Pediatric Hospital Library Outpatient Outreach: Promoting Library Services to Outpatient Visitors and Evaluating Effectiveness

The libraries at a Texas-based pediatric hospital already had outreach methods in place for patients admitted to the hospital and their families. However, they lacked a method to reach out to famil...

Research survey suggests opportunities.

Six hundred twenty-four members of the Medical Library Association (MLA) took the time to respond to a survey about what they did and thought in their own research lives. Results are reported in this issue [1]. This impressive research presentation deserves some comment. First, we have to consider who filled out the survey. The response rate was less than 20%, meaning that 4 out of 5 MLA members did not respond. Who are these nonresponders? We can only speculate. My guess is they compose 2 groups: some too busy to take the relatively short survey (34 questions) and the rest just not interested in surveys about research. My estimate is the second was the larger group. They are probably younger, too. Most of those who did respond were more than 10 years out from their library degrees. Which means that interest in research and barriers to research that the survey found may not represent MLA membership in general. The other four out of five members may have totally different viewpoints. And opinions may have changed since the survey was done five years ago. Caution in interpretation of surveys is always wise. Still, there were some interesting findings. The researchers divided results into two groups, academics versus hospital librarians. An “Other” group was included but was too diverse to categorize. Most respondents read research literature at least between once a week and once a month. They generally felt that research had benefits for library decision making, to guide collections and improve or initiate new services. They also agreed that research can demonstrate library value to funding authorities. Because the academic environment is generally more supportive of research, it was no surprise that academics were more likely than hospital librarians to conduct research, present posters or papers at professional meetings, and apply for grants. Barriers to doing research were similar, except hospital librarians were much more likely to be restricted by lack of time.

Research engagement of health sciences librarians: a survey of research-related activities and attitudes.

The extent to which health sciences librarians are engaged in research is a little-studied question. This study assesses the research activities and attitudes of Medical Library Association (MLA) members, including the influence of work affiliation. An online survey was designed using a combination of multiple-choice and open-ended questions and distributed to MLA members. Responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics, content analysis, and significance testing. The authors used statistical tools and categorized open-ended question topics by the constant comparative method, also applying the broad subject categories used in a prior study. Pearson's chi-square analysis was performed on responses to determine significant differences among respondents employed in three different institutional environments. Analysis showed that 79% of respondents read research articles at least once a month; 58% applied published research studies to practice; 44% had conducted research; 62% reported acting on research had enhanced their libraries; 38% had presented findings; and 34% had authored research articles. Hospital librarians were significantly less likely than academic librarians to have participated in research activities. Highly ranked research benefits, barriers, and competencies of health sciences librarians are described. Findings indicate that health sciences librarians are actively engaged in research activities. Practice implications for practitioners, publishers, and stakeholders are discussed. Results suggest that practitioners can use published research results and results from their own research to affect practice decisions and improve services. Future studies are needed to confirm and extend these findings, including the need for intervention studies to increase research and writing productivity.

Becoming Business Minded for Librarians in This Changing World

It is probably safe to declare that with all the changes in hospital environments, hospital librarians are already becoming business minded. It is also safe to declare that more business knowledge ...

Apps to Benefit the Health of the Hospital Librarian

Apps to Benefit the Health of the Hospital Librarian

Views From the Pacific – Military Base Hospital Libraries in Hawaii and Guam

ABSTRACTHospital libraries serving military bases offer a different perspective on library services. Two libraries located on islands in the Pacific Ocean provide services to active duty service men and women, including those deployed to other regions of the world. In addition, these hospital libraries serve service members’ families living on the base, and often citizens from the surrounding communities.