Inpatient Wards Research Articles

Development and evaluation of a personalised sleep care plan on child and adolescent in-patient mental health wards.

The study evaluated a package of measures to improve sleep on psychiatric wards admitting patients from children and young people's services (CYPS). Sleep disturbance has significant impact on adolescent mental health, and in-patient wards can directly cause sleep disturbance, independent of the problem that led to admission. We developed a CYPS-specific package (TeenSleepWell) that promoted a better sleep environment, enhanced staff education about sleep, screened for sleep disorders, and raised awareness of benefits and side-effects of hypnotics. This included personalised sleep care plans that allowed a protected 8 h sleep period when safe. Evaluation over 2 years showed enhanced in-patient care: 57% of patients were able to have a protected sleep period. There was no increase in adverse events and there was a decrease in hypnotics issued. Improving sleep during in-patient CYPS admissions is possible and personalised sleep care plan should be a care standard.

Contributors to fatigue among nurses working in critical care units: A qualitative study.

Fatigue is a growing concern among nurses who provide care to unstable and critically ill patients in critical care wards. It has various negative consequences for both nurses and patients. To explore and describe contributors to fatigue among nurses working in critical care units. A qualitative content analysis. Participants were 21 nurses chosen using purposeful sampling. They were working in different critical care units at different hospitals in nine urban areas of Iran. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data, and conventional content analysis was used to develop categories and subcategories. The analysis of data on the nurses' perspectives and experiences led to developing nine categories as contributors to fatigue: 'compassion fatigue', 'extensive network of interactions', 'sound and alarm fatigue', 'psychological tensions', 'managerial and organizational tensions', 'lack of motivation and incentives', 'individual characteristics of nurses', 'physical and mental pressure', and requirements of special care and situational complexity'. Understanding the factors that influence the experience of fatigue among nurses working in critical care units is essential for maintaining a reliable and high-quality health care environment within health care facilities. The experience of fatigue by critical care nurses can increase the possibility of practice errors, reduce patient safety and quality of care, and enhance staff burnout and turnover. Proactive policies should be formulated to assess nurses' fatigue levels and implement strategies for effective fatigue management. This approach aims to enhance both patient safety and job satisfaction in the workplace.

Design and Development of Robotic Vehicle to Assist Patients in Isolation Ward

Design and Development of Robotic Vehicle to Assist Patients in Isolation Ward

A pilot exploration of staff and service-user perceptions of a novel digital health technology (Virtual Engagement Rehabilitation Assistant) in complex inpatient rehabilitation

Purpose Digital health technologies have the potential to advance rehabilitation. The Virtual Engagement Rehabilitation Assistant (VERA) is a digital technology, co-designed to increase service-user engagement and promote self-management. This qualitative study explored staff and service-user perceptions of implementing VERA on a UK complex inpatient rehabilitation ward. Methods Purposively sampled service-users were allocated to VERA for up to six weeks. The Non-adoption, Abandonment, Scale-up, Spread and Sustainability (NASSS) framework underpinned service-user post-intervention interviews and staff focus groups, and structured analysis of the data. Seven service-users were interviewed. Nine staff contributed to focus groups. Results A framework analysis identified themes (and subthemes) structured by the NASSS framework domains: 1. Nature of Clinical Condition, 2. Technology (Ease of Use, Holding Information/Resources in a single Digital Location, Appointments), 3. Value Proposition (Structuring Time, Feedback, Unexpected Benefits) 4. Adopters (Confidence in using Technology, Usefulness), 5. Wider Organisation. Ease of use and storage of key information in a single location were beneficial. Reliability, and provision of accurate and timely feedback to staff and service-users, were identified as essential. Conclusions A blended approach is required to meet staff and service-user needs. The potential for VERA in a community setting was identified and requires further investigation. Learning from VERA will support development of other digital technologies and their implementation.

Lowering the Acquisition of Multidrug-Resistant Organisms (MDROs) With Pulsed-xenon (LAMP) Study: A Cluster-Randomized, Controlled, Double-Blinded, Interventional Crossover Trial.

Environmental disinfection is essential for reducing spread of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Previous studies report conflicting results regarding the effects of ultraviolet (UV) light in reducing infections. This trial evaluated the impact of adding pulsed-xenon UV (PX-UV) to standard terminal cleaning in reducing environmentally implicated HAIs (eiHAIs). The Lowering the Acquisition of MDROs with Pulsed-xenon (LAMP) trial was conducted in 2 hospitals (15 inpatient wards) utilizing a cluster-randomized, controlled, double-blinded, interventional crossover trial comparing standard terminal cleaning followed by either PX-UV (intervention arm) or sham (control arm) disinfection. The primary outcome was incidence of eiHAIs from clinical microbiology tests on the fourth day of stay or later or within 3 days after discharge from the study unit. EiHAIs included clinical cultures positive for vancomycin-resistant enterococci, extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli or Klebsiella pneumonia, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and Acinetobacter baumannii, and stool polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positive for Clostridiodes difficile. Between 18 May 2017 and 7 January 2020, 25 732 patients were included, with an incidence of 601 eiHAIs and 180 954 patient-days. There was no difference in the rate of eiHAIs in the intervention and sham arms (3.49 vs 3.17 infections/1000 patient-days, respectively; RR, 1.10; 95% CI, .94-1.29; P = .23). Study results were similar when stratified by eiHAI type, hospital, and unit type. The LAMP study failed to demonstrate an effect of the addition of UV light disinfection following terminal cleaning on reductions in rates of eiHAIs. Further investigations targeting hospital environmental surfaces and the role of no-touch technology to reduce HAIs are needed. Clinical Trials Registration. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03349268; R01HS024709.

Clostridioides difficile infection in patients with and without COVID-19 during the pandemic: A retrospective cohort study from a tertiary referral hospital

ObjectivesThis study aims to detect the prevalence and specific characteristics of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) during the COVID-19 pandemic. MethodsIn this retrospective observational study, conducted in a tertiary hospital in Greece between May 2021 and October 2022, patients with CDI from COVID-19 and Internal Medicine wards were enrolled and compared based on epidemiological and disease-associated data. ResultsIn total, 4322 patients were admitted, and 435 samples for CDI were analyzed, with 104/435 (23.9 %) sample positivity and 2.4 % prevalence. We observed an increased prevalence of CDI compared to the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic (prevalence = 1.7 %, p = 0.003). 35.6 % of the CDI patients were hospitalized in the COVID-19 ward and 64.4 % in the Internal Medicine ward. COVID-19 patients were younger (p = 0.02) with a lower Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) compared to the Internal Medicine ward patients (p < 0.001). With regards to the origin of CDI cases, in the Internal Medicine ward, 68.7 % presented with Hospital-Onset CDI, 17.9 % with Community Onset-Healthcare Associated CDI and 13.4 % with Community Associated CDI, while in the COVID-19 ward, the respective percentages were 86.5 %, 5.4 % and 8.1 %. Finally, there was an increased CDI-related CFR (Case Fatality Ratio) in the Internal Medicine ward compared to the COVID-19 ward (28.4 % vs. 5.4 %, p = 0.001). ConclusionsIncreased CDI prevalence and testing were observed compared to the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Lower CDI-related CFR was observed in patients with COVID-19, which may be credited to the patients’ significantly lower median age and CCI, as well as to the majority of deaths being due to respiratory failure.

Ward atmosphere for inpatients with intellectual disability and mental illness: family members’ perceptions and experience

Inpatient admission may be necessary and effective in treatment of mental illness in people with intellectual disabilities. Although risk of mental illness is increased in this population, adaptations of inpatient treatment and ward atmosphere for this population remain sparsely described. For the current qualitative study, family members were interviewed about their experiences of ward atmosphere and mental health nursing in a specialised inpatient ward for adults with intellectual disabilities. Using thematic analysis, four themes were identified. Two concerned participants’ perceptions of the patient’s experience (patients’ therapeutic relationships with staff members, and staff attitudes and specific expertise in working with people with intellectual disabilities), while two concerned the patients’ own experiences (feeling safe and involved, and gaining new knowledge and understanding). These findings indicate that trust in staff is important for family members to feel safe, and that extra effort may be necessary to build such trust among the families of inpatients with intellectual disabilities. Developing good 1:1 therapeutic relationships with the patient, helping the patient feel safe and understood, demonstrating specific experience and skills relating to mental health care for this specific population, family involvement, and understanding inpatient treatment as a collaborative effort, may all contribute to facilitating this trust.

Optimizing Antibiotic Treatment for Diabetic Foot Infections: A Study From a Tertiary Public Healthcare Center in Puducherry, South India.

Diabetic foot infections (DFIs) represent a significant complication of diabetes mellitus, contributing to increased morbidity and mortality. Understanding antibiotic prescribing patterns and microbial susceptibility is crucial for effective management. This study aimed to assess antibiotic prescribing trends and microbial susceptibility patterns in DFIs in a tertiary care center in Puducherry. A prospective observational study was conducted over two months, involving patients with DFIs attending surgery OPD and admitted inpatient wards. Data on demographics, comorbidities, ulcer characteristics, antibiotic prescriptions, and microbial culture results were collected. Descriptive statistics and appropriate statistical tests were used for analysis. Of 110 patients included, most were males (80, 72.7%) aged 51-60 years (43, 39.1%). Common risk factors included poor glycemic control (85, 77.3%), barefoot walking (29, 26.4%), and a family history of diabetes (46, 41.8%). Gram-negative organisms (78, 70.9%) predominated, with Escherichia coli(17, 15.5%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (12, 10.9%), and Staphylococcus aureus (10, 9.1%) being common isolates. Polypharmacy was observed, with (63) 57.3% receiving multiple antibiotics, mainly via the parenteral route (16, 64.5%). Ceftriaxone (31, 28.2%) and cefotaxime (21, 19.1%) were frequently prescribed. Antibiotic resistance varied among isolates. This study underscores the predominance of gram-negative organisms in DFIs and highlights the need for rational antibiotic prescribing. Cephalosporins were commonly used, emphasizing the importance of empirical therapy. Understanding local microbial patterns and susceptibility is crucial for guiding antibiotic selection and optimizing clinical outcomes. In addition, addressing modifiable risk factors is imperative for preventing DFIs and reducing associated complications. This study provides valuable insights for strengthening antimicrobial stewardship programs and improving patient care in diabetic foot management. Furthermore, the present study highlights the importance of essentially deprescribing the prescriptions both from the patient, their primary carer, and the treating physician/surgeon's perspective.

The silent threat: investigating sleep disturbances in hospitalized patients.

Sleep disruptions in the hospital setting can have adverse effects on patient safety and well-being, leading to complications like delirium and prolonged recovery. This study aimed to comprehensively assess the factors influencing sleep disturbances in hospital wards, with a comparison of the sleep quality of patients staying in single rooms to those in shared rooms. A mixed-methods approach was used to examine patient-reported sleep quality and sleep disruption factors, in conjunction with objective noise measurements, across seven inpatient wards at an acute tertiary public hospital in Sydney, Australia. The most disruptive factor to sleep in the hospital was noise, ranked as 'very disruptive' by 20% of patients, followed by acute health conditions (11%) and nursing interventions (10%). Patients in shared rooms experienced the most disturbed sleep, with 51% reporting 'poor' or 'very poor' sleep quality. In contrast, only 17% of the patients in single rooms reported the same. Notably, sound levels in shared rooms surpassed 100dB, highlighting the potential for significant sleep disturbances in shared patient accommodation settings. The results of this study provide a comprehensive overview of the sleep-related challenges faced by patients in hospital, particularly those staying in shared rooms. The insights from this study offer guidance for targeted healthcare improvements to minimize disruptions and enhance the quality of sleep for hospitalized patients.

Speaking Up: Exploring Mental Health Care Workers' Patient Safety Concerns.

To explore the perspectives and experiences of mental health care workers (MHCWs) when speaking up about patient safety concerns. A qualitative study was performed at Farshchian (Sina) Hospital in Iran, involving the purposive sampling of MHCWs from three inpatient psychiatric wards. From July to October 2022, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 23 participants. Data were analyzed using conventional content analysis. Three major patient safety themes were identified: (a) Voicing Concerns for Daily Safety (subthemes: daily safety check-ins and speaking up to prevent patient harm); (b) Speaking Up to Save Future Lives (subthemes: whistleblowing, leadership, and being open to communication); and (c) Hesitating to Speak Up (sub-themes: ineffectiveness of raising one's voice and whispering). MHCWs have various concerns about speaking up or staying silent. Failure to communicate can result in adverse events and missed opportunities to address patient safety. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, xx(x), xx-xx.].

Sequential administration of peripheral nerve blocks andonabotulinumtoxinA for the treatment of chronic migraine andother headache disorders-A retrospective tolerability and safety study.

To determine the tolerability and safety of concurrent peripheral nerve blocks and onabotulinumtoxinA treatment during a single outpatient clinic procedure visit. Procedural interventions are available for the treatment of headache disorders. OnabotulinumtoxinA and peripheral nerve blocks are used as alternatives or in addition to oral therapies to reduce the frequency and intensity of migraine attacks. There is currently a lack of safety data focusing on the sequential administration of local anesthetic via peripheral nerve blocks and onabotulinumtoxinA during a single clinical encounter for the treatment of headache. The primary aim of the study was to determine the safety and tolerability of concurrent peripheral nerve blockade and onabotulinumtoxinA injections during a single outpatient clinic procedure visit. We hypothesized that the dual intervention would be safe and well tolerated by patients with chronic migraine and other headache disorders. A retrospective chart review was performed using clinical data from patients seen by multiple providers over a 16-month timeframe at one outpatient headache clinic. Patients were identified by procedure codes and those receiving peripheral nerve block(s) and onabotulinumtoxinA injections during a single encounter within the study period were eligible for inclusion. Inclusion criteria were (1) patients 18 years and older who were (2) receiving both peripheral nerve blocks and onabotulinumtoxinA injections for the treatment of chronic migraine. Patients were excluded if they were under age 18, received their procedure outside of the clinic (emergency room, inpatient ward), or were receiving sphenopalatine ganglion blocks. Age- and sex-matched patients who received one procedure, either peripheral nerve blocks or onabotulinumtoxinA, were used for control. The primary outcome of this safety study was the number of adverse events that occurred in the dual intervention group compared to the single intervention control arms. Information regarding adverse events was gathered via retrospective chart review. If an adverse event was recorded, it was then graded by the reviewer utilizing the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events ranging from Grade 1 Mild Event to Grade 5 Death. Additionally, it was noted whether the adverse event led to treatment discontinuation. In total, 375 patients were considered eligible for inclusion in the study. After age and sex matching of controls, 131 patients receiving dual intervention were able to be compared to 131 patients receiving onabotulinumtoxinA alone and 104 patients receiving dual intervention were able to be compared to 104 patients receiving peripheral nerve block(s) alone. The primary endpoint analysis showed no significant difference in total adverse events between dual intervention compared to nerve blocks alone or onabotulinumtoxinA alone. The number of adverse events that led to treatment discontinuation approached but did not reach statistical significance for those receiving dual intervention versus onabotulinumtoxinA alone in the number of adverse events that led to treatment termination (4.6%, 6/131 vs. 0.8%, 1/131, p = 0.065); however, the number of patients who discontinued therapy was not significantly different between those groups (2.3%, 3/131 vs. 0.8%, 1/131; p = 0.314; odds ratio 0.3 [0-3.2]; p = 0.338). In this retrospective chart review, there was no significant difference in adverse events or therapy discontinuation between patients receiving sequential peripheral nerve block(s) and onabotulinumtoxinA injections versus those receiving either peripheral nerve block(s) or onabotulinumtoxinA injections alone. As a result, we concluded that the combination procedure is likely safe and well tolerated in routine clinical practice.

Association of Psoas Muscle Mass at Intensive Care Unit Admission With Physical Function and Post-discharge Destination in Survivors of Critical Illness.

Survivors of critical illness may have physical impairments, known as post-intensive care syndrome (PICS). Early screening for the risk of PICS is recommended to prevent PICS. Skeletal muscle mass is a clinically important indicator associated with various outcomes. This study aimed to examine the association of psoas muscle mass at intensive care unit (ICU) admission with the destination and physical function at hospital discharge. In this single-center retrospective cohort study, we reviewed the medical records of adult patients who had required emergency ICU admission and who had been intubated and mechanically ventilated. Psoas major muscle was measured as an indicator of skeletal muscle mass from abdominal computed tomography images at ICU admission. Physical function was assessed using the functional status score for the ICU and ICU mobility scale at hospital discharge. Multinomial logistic and multivariable linear regression were used to analyze the associations of the psoas muscle mass with the discharge destination and physical function at discharge. We enrolled 124 patients (79 men and 45 women) with a median (interquartile range) age of 72.0 (62.0-80.0) years; 39 (31.5%) were discharged to home, 50 (40.3%) were transferred to rehabilitation wards, and 35 (28.2%) were transferred to long-term care settings.The psoas muscle area and volume were 16.9 (11.3-20.6) cm2 and228.3 (180.2-282.0) cm3in home discharge patients, 17.5 (11.5-21.5) cm2 and248.4 (162.0-311.4) cm3in rehabilitation ward patients, and 15.9 (10.3-19.5) cm2 and184.0 (137.0-251.1) cm3in long-term care patients. The areas and volumes of the psoas muscle were not significantly different in the three groups. Furthermore, psoas muscle mass was not significantly associated with the discharge destination and physical function. Discharge destination and physical function at hospital discharge were not significantly associated with psoas muscle mass at ICU admission.

Integrating Routine Hematological and Extended Inflammatory Parameters as a Novel Approach for Timely Diagnosis and Prognosis in Sepsis Management.

Sepsis is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in hospitals, especially in low- and middle-income countries, and represents a challenge to health care providers to carry out early detection, and accurate diagnosis and prognosis with cost-effective diagnostic tools. An observational prospective study was conducted from December 2021 to December 2022 to investigate the extended inflammatory parameters (EIPs) for sepsis management and analyze the survival of septic patients in the emergency unit, intensive care unit (ICU) and inpatient ward. Patients suspected of having sepsis underwent a sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) evaluation and had blood drawn for complete blood counts (CBCs). Significant changes were observed in various CBC parameters and EIPs, and the sepsis group was followed up with for 30-day mortality. The study highlighted a significant difference yet strong discriminatory power to differentiate sepsis with an AUC of 0.924 against the non-sepsis group and an AUC of 0.991 against the healthy control group using combination of white blood cells and EIPs. Furthermore, the study showed good predictive ability for 30-day mortality with a hazard ratio of 2.311. In summary, this study provides evidence that the utilization of EIPs may be valuable in diagnosing and predicting patient outcomes, and thus will be beneficial for sepsis management in the hospital.

Virtual mental health inpatient wards: from inception to implementation

Shane Kirwan and colleagues describe the virtual mental health inpatient wards implemented in Ireland in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and discuss the continuing development of this model of care delivery.

Implementing Safewards on Children and Young People’s Wards: A Process and Outcomes Evaluation

Safewards reduces conflict and containment on adult inpatient wards but there is limited research exploring the model in Children and Young People (CYP) mental health services. We investigated whether Safewards can be successfully implemented on twenty CYP wards across England. A process and outcomes evaluation was employed, utilizing the Integrated Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Sciences (i-PARiHS) framework. Existing knowledge and use of Safewards was recorded via a self-report benchmarking exercise, verified during visits. Implementation of the 10 Safewards components on each ward was recorded using the Safewards Organizational Fidelity measure. Data from 11 surveys and 17 interviews with ward staff and four interviews with project workers were subject to thematic analysis and mapped against the four i-PARiHS constructs. Twelve of the 20 wards implemented at least half of the Safewards interventions in 12 months, with two wards delivering all 10 interventions. Facilitators and barriers are described. Results demonstrated Safewards is acceptable to a range of CYP services. Whilst implementation was hindered by difficulties outlined, wards with capacity were able and willing to implement the interventions. Results support the commissioning of a study to evaluate the implementation and outcomes of Safewards in CYP units.

Assessment and management of constipation in post-operative patients in the spinal surgery ward: a best practice implementation project.

Constipation is a common complication following spinal surgery that can result in distension, abdominal pain, infection, and even intestinal perforation. This study reports on an evidence-based implementation project to reduce the incidence of constipation in spinal surgery wards. The project was conducted in the spinal surgery ward of a general tertiary hospital in Changsha City, China, from March to August 2022. We used the JBI Implementation Framework and the JBI Model of Evidence-Based Healthcare for audits and feedback. Data were collected and analyzed using JBI's Practical Application of Clinical Evidence System (PACES) software. Seven audit criteria were developed based on the best practice recommendations summarized by JBI. A baseline audit was conducted with 20 nurses and 50 patients in the spinal surgery ward, and a follow-up audit was conducted using the same sample size and setting. The baseline audit revealed compliance below 46% for five of the seven criteria. Strategies developed to address poor compliance included educating nurses and patients, developing a post-operative constipation risk assessment sheet, organizing stakeholder focus group meetings, establishing a constipation management routine, and effective empowerment of nurses. The follow-up audit showed positive compliance results, with the highest rate for Criterion 7 (100%) and the greatest increase for Criterion 2 (from 0% to 78%). Furthermore, the incidence of post-operative constipation decreased from 48% to 16%. The project improved compliance with audit criteria, reduced the incidence of constipation, and enhanced the efficiency of quality management in the spinal surgery ward. http://links.lww.com/IJEBH/A186.

EXERCISE INTERVENTIONS ON THE ACUTE MEDICAL WARD: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS

INTRODUCTION &amp; AIMS An acute hospital stay is associated with high proportions of sedentary time, and bed rest, with low physical activity participation for the stay duration. Exercise prescription on the acute inpatient medical ward can prevent decline, or at least maintain, physical outcomes in the adult population. The purpose of this systematic review with meta-analyses was to evaluate the effectiveness of exercise intervention on the acute inpatient medical ward on physical outcomes of muscle strength, aerobic capacity and balance in adults, compared with usual care. METHODS Medline, CINAHL and EMBASE were searched from inception to 20th April 2023. Randomised controlled trials in English, which reported muscle strength, aerobic capacity or balance outcomes for adults who received an exercise intervention on an acute medical ward were included. Studies were excluded if they did not have a control group receiving usual care. Study quality was assessed using the PEDro and TESTEX scales. The GRADE rating assessed quality of evidence to evaluate certainty of effect. Where studies with continuous data used different measures of assessment, and reported post-test outcomes, standardised mean differences with a random effects model was used. For studies with continuous data that used different measures of assessment, and reported change from baseline scores, a weighted mean difference with a random effects model was used. Significance was set at p&amp;lt;0.05. RESULTS Twelve studies were included, with 1,273 unique participants, which compared exercise intervention with usual care. Low quality evidence demonstrated a significant difference between groups for aerobic capacity (p=0.02) and maximum isometric strength (p=0.001). A meta-analysis of balance outcomes could not be performed. CONCLUSION Exercise prescribed during an acute medical ward stay may improve participants’ aerobic capacity and maximum isometric strength.

Relationship Between Hypertension and Hearing Loss: Analysis of the Related Factors.

The impact of hypertension extends to hearing loss, aging, and mental Health. The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of hearing loss and hearing thresholds at different frequencies in individuals with hypertension. Through a comprehensive analysis, in the present study, it aimed to uncover the contributing factors that underlie hearing loss in this patient cohort, shedding light on the complex relationship between hypertension and auditory impairment. This was a single-center population-based observational study, and clinical, biological, and hospital data were collected from the inpatient ward. In the present study, 517 patients (1034 ears) with or without hypertension were included, and the proportion of patients with hearing loss, mean pure-tone average hearing threshold, low-frequency pure-tone average hearing threshold (LFPTA), medium-frequency pure-tone average hearing threshold (MFPTA) and high-frequency pure-tone average hearing threshold (HFPTA) were evaluated. Risk factors related to hearing loss and hearing threshold were also estimated at different frequencies. The proportion of patients with hearing loss was higher in the hypertensive group than in the nonhypertensive group (P<0.05). After including risk factors for cardiovascular disease that can have an impact on the parameters of hearing and ambulatory blood pressure in the regression model, factors related to hearing loss included the albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) and the standard deviation of the 24-hour systolic blood pressure (24h-SSD). ACR, 24h-SSD, and day systolic blood pressure (Day SBP) were associated with the mean pure-tone average hearing threshold, LFPTA, MFPTA, and HFPTA. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of ACR + 24h-SSD for hearing loss was 0.873, with a sensitivity of 86.73%, specificity of 90.52%, and a 95% confidence interval of 0.821-0.914. Hypertension is correlated with hearing loss, and the combination of ACR and 24h-SSD demonstrates an improved predictive capacity for hearing loss in hypertensive patients.

Drug Utilization Pattern in Preoperative and Postoperative Patients In Surgical Ward of a Tertiary Care Hospital- A Prospective Observational Study

Drug Utilization Pattern in Preoperative and Postoperative Patients In Surgical Ward of a Tertiary Care Hospital- A Prospective Observational Study

Dysphagia screening among stroke patients in a tertiary hospital: a best practice implementation project.

The study aimed to promote nurses' compliance with best practices for dysphagia screening in patients with stroke. Dysphagia can significantly increase the risk of complications, especially aspiration pneumonia, leading to increased risk of disability, death, and high medical expenses. Dysphagia screening can reduce aspiration risk and is recommended as a crucial step in dysphagia management; however, not all patients with stroke undergo dysphagia screening in the neurology ward. The JBI Evidence Implementation Framework was used in this study. A baseline audit was conducted by interviewing 22 nurses and reviewing 48 medical records to evaluate current practice against best practice recommendations. The JBI Getting Research into Practice (GRiP) tool was used to identify barriers and strategies for practice change. A follow-up audit of 19 nurses and 48 medical records was conducted after implementation of improvement strategies. The follow-up audit results showed improvement in three criteria compared with the baseline audit: for Criterion 1, compliance increased by 27.3%, rising from 72.7% to 100%; for Criteria 3 and 4, compliance increased by 77.1%, rising from 20.8% to 97.9%. The difference in nurses' knowledge, attitude, and behavior scores for dysphagia screening between the baseline and follow-up audits was statistically significant (all p < 0.05). The project showed improvements in evidence-based practice in the dysphagia screening of stroke patients in a neurology ward. However, more work needs to be done to ensure the sustainability of best practices, such as regular training for nurses, supervision from managers, and regular audits of dysphagia screening.