Mechanisms of impact and contextual aspects of a dementia special care unit in long-term care: a process evaluation

Background In long-term care, persons with dementia are often cared for in specialised facilities, which are rather heterogeneous in regard to care concepts. Little information is available on how these facilities and care concepts bring about changes in the targeted outcomes. Such knowledge is needed to understand the effects of care concepts and to consciously shape further developments. This study aimed to explore the mechanisms of impact of a specific care concept from a dementia special care unit and the contextual aspects that influence its implementation or outcomes. Methods Using a qualitative approach to process evaluation of complex interventions, we conducted participating observations and focus groups with nurses and single interviews with ward and nursing home managers. Data were collected from two identical dementia special care units to enhance the contrasts in the analysis of two non-specialised nursing homes. We analysed the data thematically. We conducted 16 observations, three group interviews and eleven individual interviews. Results We identified seven themes in three domains related to mechanisms that lead to outcomes regarding residents’ and nurses’ behaviour and well-being. The themes include the development of nurses’ skills and knowledge, the promotion of a positive work climate, adjusted spatial structures, adjusted personnel deployment strategy “dedicated time for activities”, promotion of relaxation, of engagement in activities and of engagement in social interaction of residents. The implementation and outcomes of the care concept are influenced by contextual aspects relating to the (target) population and cultural, organisational and financial features. Conclusions The study found expected and unexpected mechanisms of impact and contextual aspects. The care concept of the dementia special care unit results in higher levels of relaxation, activities, and social interaction of residents. Its implementation highly depends on the shared understanding of nursing and the skills of the nursing team. Changes in residents’ characteristics result in altered effects of the concept. Trial registration DRKS00011513.

Incidence, associated risk factors, and the ideal mode of delivery following preterm labour between 24 to 28 weeks of gestation in a low resource setting

Background Preterm labour, between 24 to 28 weeks of gestation, remains prevalent in low resource settings. There is evidence of improved survival after 24 weeks though the ideal mode of delivery remains unclear. There are no clear management protocols to guide patient management. We sought to determine the incidence of preterm labour occurring between 24 to 28 weeks, its associated risk factors and the preferred mode of delivery in a low resource setting with the aim of streamlining patient care. Methods Between February 2020 and September 2020, we prospectively followed 392 women with preterm labour between 24 to 28 weeks of gestation and their newborns from admission to discharge at Kawempe National Referral hospital in Kampala, Uganda. The primary outcome was perinatal mortality associated with the different modes of delivery. Secondary outcomes included neonatal and maternal infections, admission to the Neonatal Special Care Unit (SCU), need for neonatal resuscitation, preterm birth and maternal death. Chi-square test was used to assess the association between perinatal mortality and categorical variables such as parity, mode of delivery, employment status, age, antepartum hemorrhage, digital vaginal examination, and admission to Special Care unit. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the association between comparative outcomes of the different modes of delivery and maternal and neonatal risk factors. Results The incidence of preterm labour among women who delivered preterm babies between 24 to 28 weeks was 68.9% 95% CI 64.2–73.4). Preterm deliveries between 24 to 28 weeks contributed 20% of the all preterm deliveries and 2.5% of the total hospital deliveries. Preterm labour was independently associated with gravidity (p-value = 0.038), whether labour was medically induced (p-value <0.001), number of digital examinations (p-value <0.001), history of vaginal bleeding prior to onset of labour (p-value < 0.001), whether tocolytics were given (p-value < 0.001), whether an obstetric ultrasound scan was done (p-value <0.001 and number of babies carried (p-value < 0.001). At multivariate analysis; multiple pregnancy OR 15.45 (2.00–119.53), p-value < 0.001, presence of fever prior to admission OR 4.03 (95% CI .23–13.23), p-value = 0.002 and duration of drainage of liquor OR 0.16 (0.03–0.87), p-value = 0.034 were independently associated with preterm labour. The perinatal mortality rate in our study was 778 per 1000 live births. Of the 392 participants, 359 (91.5%), had vaginal delivery, 29 (7.3%) underwent Caesarean delivery and 4 (1%) had assisted vaginal delivery. Caesarean delivery was protective against perinatal mortality compared to vaginal delivery OR = 0.36, 95% CI 0.14–0.82, p-value = 0.017). The other protective factors included receiving antenatal corticosteroids OR = 0.57, 95% CI 0.33–0.98, p-value = 0.040, Doing 3–4 digital exams per day, OR = 0.41, 95% 0.18–0.91, p-value = 0.028) and hospital stay of > 7 days, p value = 0.001. Vaginal delivery was associated with maternal infections, postpartum hemorrhage, and admission to the Special Care Unit. Conclusion Caesarean delivery is the preferred mode of delivery for preterm deliveries between 24 to 28 weeks of gestation especially when labour is not established in low resource settings. It is associated with lesser adverse pregnancy outcomes when compared to vaginal delivery for remote gestation ages.

Behaviour-directed Interventions for Problematic Person Transfer Situations in Two Dementia Care Dyads: A Single-case Design Study

Background:Persons with dementia living in nursing homes need assistance with moving and transfers; however, caregivers assisting persons with dementia in their daily person transfers report strain-related and complicated transfer-related behavioural problems. The reciprocity of complex dyadic transfer-related behaviours is affected by environmental factors, the health status of the person with dementia and the caregiver’s skills and knowledge. The aim of this study was to explore tailored interventions guided by a functional behaviour analysis for problematic person transfer situations in two dementia care dyads.Methods:This study was a quasi-experimental single-case study with an A-B design. Tailored interventions were developed in a five-step model for functional behavioural analysis. The study was conducted in a dementia special care unit at a nursing home, and the inclusion criteria were caregivers’ experiences of physical strain and/or resistiveness to care, which led to complex transfer-related behaviour. Two care dyads were included. Transfer situations were video-recorded and evaluated with the Dyadic Interaction in Dementia Transfer Assessment Scale, Pain Assessment in Advanced Dementia Scale, and Resistiveness to Care Scale for Dementia of the Alzheimer’s Type. The caregiver experience was evaluated with study-specific items addressing caregiver self-efficacy, catastrophizing thoughts, perceived control, and perceived physical strain. Scorings were graphically displayed. The graphs were inspected visually to identify changes in trend, level, latency, and variability. Nonoverlap of all pairs (NAP), including 90% confidence intervals (CIs), was calculated to complement the visual inspection.Results:Verbal and nonverbal discomfort decreased in care dyad 1, which mirrored the caregiver changes in adapting their actions to the needs of the person with dementia. High variability was seen in both the intervention and the baseline phases in care dyad 2. In both care dyads, caregiver transfer-related behaviour improved significantly.Conclusions:The results indicate that the transfer-related behaviours of the care dyad might be improved through a behaviour-directed intervention tailored to meet the care dyad´s needs. The study is a replication of a previous study in a new clinical setting, which in turn strengthens the generalizability for a functional behavioural analysis-guided intervention for problematic transfer situations in dementia care dyads.

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF MATERNALAND NEONATAL OUTCOME OF ELECTIVE INDUCTION OF LABOUR VS EXPECTANT MANAGEMENT AT 40- 40+6 WEEKS OF GESTATION

OBJECTIVES: To compare and analyse in each group- delivery complications like postpartum haemorrhage, obstetric anal sphincter injury at 40-40+6 Week of Gestation. To compare and analyse in each group- perinatal outcomes, mainly perinatal mortality and special care unit admission. METHODS: This prospective comparative observational study was conducted in the Department of Gynaecology & Obstetrics, R. G. Kar Medical College and Hospital. For my study I had taken a total of 276 mothers whom I had subdivided into 2 groups. Group Ahad 138 mothers who had induction of labour (I) by some method. Remaining 138 mothers were allocated to Group B who had only watchful expectancy with monitoring and labeed as expectant management group(EM). RESULT: In group-A (I), 5(3.6%) patients had instrumental delivery in comparison to group B(EM) which had 15(10.9%) of instrumental delivery. LSCS was also higher in group B i.e 36(26.1%) as compared to group A i.e 25(18.1%). 108(78.3%) mothers had vaginal delivery who were induced whereas 87(63.0%) had vaginal delivery in expectant management group. Therefore, induction group had better outcome in terms of mode of delivery.It was also statistically signicant (p=0.0098). The distribution on the basis of APGAR score at 5 minutes of babies in between two groups was signicant. CONCLUSION: Elective induction at 40+ weeks is associated with a lower rate of caesarean delivery and does not increase the risk of major complications for newborns and can be offered to mothers having low risk and crossed their expected date of delivery.The ACOG says elective induction at 40+ weeks is a reasonable option for healthy women. Induction of labour at 40+ weeks should not be routine for women but it is important to counsel them and let them decide whether they want to be induced and when.

Mechanisms Of Impact And Contextual Aspects of A Care Concept From A Dementia Special Care Unit In Long-Term Care: Process Evaluation As Part of A Theory-Driven Evaluation

Background: In long-term care, persons with dementia are often cared for in specialised facilities, which are rather heterogeneous in regard to their design and care concepts. Little information is available on how these facilities and care concepts bring about changes in the targeted outcomes. Such knowledge is needed to understand the effects of care concepts and to consciously shape further developments. This study aimed to explore the mechanisms of impact of a specific care concept from a dementia special care unit and the contextual aspects that influence its implementation or outcomes.Methods: Using a qualitative approach to process evaluation of complex interventions, we conducted participating observations and focus groups with nurses and single interviews with ward and nursing home managers. Data were collected from two identical dementia special care units to enhance the contrasts in the analysis of two non-specialised nursing homes. We analysed the data thematically. We conducted 16 observations, three group interviews and eleven individual interviews.Results: We identified seven themes in three domains related to mechanisms that lead to outcomes regarding residents’ and nurses’ behaviour and well-being. The development of nurses' skills and knowledge changes team-level competence and leads to an altered understanding of nursing. The promotion of a positive work climate reduces distress and promotes the long-term implementation of the care concept. Adjusted spatial structures and personnel strategies facilitate the implementation of interventions for residents and promote the fulfilment of their needs. Personalised psychosocial interventions promote residents' relaxation, engagement in activities and social interaction and thereby empower them to become part of the social community, to spend their time purposefully, to have positive experiences and to experience belonging and affection. The implementation and outcomes of the care concept are influenced by contextual aspects relating to the (target) population and cultural, organisational and financial features.Conclusions: The care concept of the dementia special care unit results in higher levels of relaxation, activities, and social interaction of residents. Its implementation highly depends on the shared understanding of nursing and the skills of the nursing team. Changes in residents’ characteristics result in altered effects of the concept.Trial registration: DRKS00011513

Limiting transmission of COVID-19 in an inpatient psychiatric hospital using a special care unit as a behavioral health model - Michigan, March 1-August 31, 2020

Approximately 53,000 patients/year are admitted to psychiatric hospitals in Michigan and treatment typically involves social gatherings and group therapies (SAMHSA 2017; Michigan DHS 2019). Often psychiatric inpatients are in close proximity placing them at high risk of infection and have comorbid medical conditions that predispose them to severe COVID-19 consequences. In March 2020, Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services, Grand Rapids, MI initiated protocols and precautions to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 between patients and health care personnel (HCP) based on emerging CDC guidelines. Multiple strategies [COVID-19 testing, masking of patients and HCP, restricting visitors, and creation of Special Care Unit (SCU) with negative pressure] were effectively implemented and limited transmission of COVID-19 within Pine Rest. Admission to the SCU totaled 25 adults (three Pine Rest patients who tested positive during or after admission, and 22 COVID-19 positive patients who were transferred from other facilities). Average age of SCU inpatients was 38.5 ± 16.6 years with the majority being male. Average hospitalization was 9 ± 4 days. Among the 21 COVID-19 positive HCP, 15 [71%] provided direct clinical care on various units, zero provided care on the SCU, and six had roles with no direct patient care. Average age among COVID-19 positive HCP providing direct patient care[n = 15] was 29.5 ± 13.5 years, majority were female, and 3 [20%] were admitted to local medical hospital for treatment. This report demonstrates that quality behavioral health care can be safely provided at inpatient psychiatric facilities and serve as a guideline that other psychiatric facilities can follow to decrease transmission in future epidemics.

Home phototherapy for neonatal jaundice in the UK: a single-centre retrospective service evaluation and parental survey

BackgroundIn the UK setting, where neonatal jaundice treatment is required, it is largely carried out in hospitals. However, it is possible to safely administer home phototherapy (HPT).ObjectiveTo report on our centre’s experience of HPT and its potential benefits.DesignRetrospective observational study performed as a service evaluation.PatientsInfants ≥35 weeks corrected gestational age with a weight of 2 kg and serum bilirubin ≤50 µmol/L above treatment thresholds. Controls were a matched group of infants who received inpatient phototherapy (IPT).SettingThe catchment area of two neonatal intensive care units, one special care unit and a birth centre at four different hospitals that is covered by a single neonatal community outreach nursing team in Birmingham, UK.InterventionHPT was started either in the community or as a continuation of IPT. Controls received IPT.Main outcome measuresThe rate of bilirubin reduction, hospital readmission rates and parental satisfaction.Results100 infants received HPT while 50 received IPT. No infant showed a progressive rise of serum bilirubin level while receiving HPT. The rate of bilirubin reduction was similar in both HPT and IPT groups (2.4±1.9 and 2.5±1.6 µmol/L/hour, respectively, MD=−0.1, 95% CI −0.74 to 0.53, p=0.74). Readmission rate was 3% in the HPT group. 97% of parents stated that the overall experience was good and 98% would choose HPT if they had their time all over again.ConclusionOur programme suggests that HPT for neonatal jaundice can be carried out in a select group of infants. It helps in providing holistic family-centred care and is viewed positively by families.

Care Model and Effectiveness of Dementia Special Care Units-- a Cross-sectional Survey in China

Background: Dementia special care unit (D-SCU) is a main care mode for the elderly with dementia, and has increased steadily internationally. However, little is known about the D-SCUs of China. The present study aimed to analyze and summarize the types and standards of D-SCUs in China, and evaluate the care efficiency of the D-SCU care model.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between June 2018 and July 2019 in 6 cities of China. Quantitative data about the basic information and the care satisfaction were collected from 25 care facilities in the 6 cities. Qualitative data about the care status of the elderly with dementia, the standards, the management and the operation of the D-SCUs were collected among the 25 care facilities and the 3 cities that had issued standards for setting D-SCUs. Grounded theory method was used to analyze the qualitative data, and data envelopment analysis (DEA) method was applied to evaluate the care efficiency of the D-SCU care model.Results: The technical efficiency, pure technical efficiency and scale efficiency of care facilities with D-SCUs were higher than those of care facilities without D-SCUs (P=0.016, P=0.022, and P=0.021, respectively). The types of D-SCUs could be divided into independent, semi- independent, semi-dependent and dependent according to the architecture, physical space, and management mode. The standards for the area, environment, beds, service items of the D-SCUs were various among the 3 cities that had issued standards for setting D-SCUs.Conclusions: The care model of D-SCUs is effective and professional, and can be further promoted in China. The exploration and standard research on the D-SCUs should be strengthened in future.