Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism in Long Term Care: Results of a Multicenter Educational Intervention Using Clinical Practice Guidelines: Part 2 of 2 (an AMDA Foundation Project)

2012 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 303-307 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.S. Dharmarajan ◽  
Aman Nanda ◽  
Bikash Agarwal ◽  
Parag Agnihotri ◽  
G.L. Doxsie ◽  
...  
2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (10) ◽  
pp. 469-473
Author(s):  
Shin J. Liau ◽  
J. Simon Bell

Frailty, dementia and complex multimorbidity are highly prevalent among residents of long-term care facilities (LTCFs). Prescribing for residents of LTCFs is often informed by disease-specific clinical practice guidelines based on research conducted among younger and more robust adults. However, frailty and cognitive impairment may modify medication benefits and risks. Residents with frailty and advanced dementia may be at increased susceptibility to adverse drug events (ADEs) and often have a lower likelihood of achieving long-term therapeutic benefit from chronic preventative medications. For this reason, there is a strong rationale for deprescribing, particularlyamong residents with high medication burdens, swallowing difficulties or limited dexterity. Conversely, frailty and dementia have also been associated with under-prescribing of clinically indicated medications. Unnecessarily withholding treatment based on assumed risk may deprive vulnerable population groups from receiving evidence-based care. There is a need for specific evidence regarding medication benefits and risks in LTCF residents with frailty and dementia. Observational studies conducted using routinely collected health data may complement evidence from randomized controlled trials that often exclude people living with dementia, frailty and in LTCFs. Balancing over- and under-prescribing requires consideration of each resident’s frailty and cognitive status, therapeutic goals, time-to-benefit, potential ADEs, and individual values or preferences. Incorporating frailty screening into medication review may also provide better alignment of medication regimens to changing goals of care. Timely identification of frail residents as part of treatment decision-making may assist with targeting interventions to minimize and monitor for ADEs. Shifting away from rigid application of conventional disease-specific clinical practice guidelines may provide an individualized and more holistic assessment of medication benefits and risks in the LTCF setting.


2006 ◽  
Vol 27 (10) ◽  
pp. 1088-1095 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan J. Zillich ◽  
Jason M. Sutherland ◽  
Stephen J. Wilson ◽  
Daniel J. Diekema ◽  
Erika J. Ernst ◽  
...  

Objective.Clinical practice guidelines and recommended practices to control use of antibiotics have been published, but the effect of these practices on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) rates in hospitals is unknown. The objective of this study was to examine relationships between antimicrobial use control strategies and AMR rates in a national sample of US hospitals.Design.Cross-sectional, stratified study of a nationally representative sample of US hospitals.Methods.A survey instrument was sent to the person responsible for infection control at a sample of 670 US hospitals. The outcome was current prevalences of 4 epidemiologically important, drug-resistant pathogens, considered concurrently: methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant enterococci, ceftazidime-resistant Klebsiella species, and quinolone (ciprofloxacin)-resistant Escherichia coli Five independent variables regarding hospital practices were selected from the survey: the extent to which hospitals (1) implement practices recommended in clinical practice guidelines and ensure best practices for antimicrobial use, (2) disseminate information on clinical practice guidelines for antimicrobial use, (3) use antimicrobial-related information technology, (4) use decision support tools, and (5) communicate to prescribers about antimicrobial use. Control variables included the hospitals' number of beds, teaching status, Veterans Affairs status, geographic region, and number of long-term care beds; and the presence of an intensive care unit, a burn unit, or transplant services. A generalized estimating equation modeled all resistance rates simultaneously to identify overall predictors of AMR levels at the facility.Results.Completed survey instruments were returned by 448 hospitals (67%). Four antimicrobial control measures were associated with higher prevalence of AMR. Implementation of recommended practices for antimicrobial use (P< .01) and optimization of the duration of empirical antibiotic prophylaxis (P<.01) were associated with a lower prevalence of AMR. Use of restrictive formularies (P = .05) and dissemination of clinical practice guideline information (P<.01) were associated with higher prevalence of AMR. Number of beds and Veterans Affairs status were also associated with higher AMR rates overall.Conclusions.Implementation of guideline-recommended practices to control antimicrobial use and optimize the duration of empirical therapy appears to help control AMR rates in US hospitals. A longitudinal study would confirm the results of this cross-sectional study. These results highlight the need for systems interventions and reengineering to ensure more-consistent application of guideline-recommended measures for antimicrobial use.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliana Abboud ◽  
Abir Abdel Rahman ◽  
Niaz Shaikh ◽  
Martin Dempster ◽  
Pauline Adair

Abstract Background This study used the Theoretical Domains Framework to explore the beliefs and perceptions of physicians to influence the uptake of Venous Thromboembolism prevention guidelines.Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a stratified purposive sample of internal medicine physicians in an acute hospital. The interview topic guide was developed using the Theoretical Domains Framework to identify the factors perceived to influence practice. Two researchers coded the interview transcripts using thematic content analysis. Emerging relevant themes were mapped to TDF domains.Results A total of sixteen medical physicians were interviewed over a six-month period. Nine theoretical domains derived from thirty-three belief statements were identified as relevant to the target behaviour; knowledge (education about the importance of VTE guidelines); beliefs about capabilities (with practice VTE tool easier to implement); beliefs about consequences ( positive consequences in reducing the development of VTE, length of stay, financial burden and support physician decision) and (negative consequence risk of bleeding); reinforcement (recognition and continuous reminders); goals (patient safety goal); environmental context and resources (workload and availability of medications were barriers, VTE coordinator and electronic medical record were enablers); social influences (senior physicians and patient/family influence the VTE practice); behavioural regulation (monitoring and mandatory hospital policy); and nature of the behaviour.Conclusions Using the Theoretical Domains Framework, factors thought to influence the implementation of VTE clinical practice guidelines in the internal medicine department were identified. These factors present theoretically based targets for future interventions.


Author(s):  
Constance M. Dahlin

The National Consensus Project for Quality Palliative Care’s Clinical Practice Guidelines for Quality Care is a significant resource that offers the nurse a framework for quality care in all settings. The Clinical Practice Guidelines are appropriate to a range of populations from neonates to children to adults and older adults; a range of chronic progressive and serious life-threatening illnesses, injuries, and trauma; and a range of vulnerable and underresourced populations. The Clinical Practice Guidelines are appropriate for any setting because they facilitate partnerships for caring for patients with debilitating and life-limiting illnesses and offer support for the nurse in delivering the care, particularly for long-term patients.


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