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To explore why there is variation in implementation of multifactorial falls prevention practices that are recommended to reduce falls risks for older patients in hospital.
Mixed method, realist evaluation.
Three older persons and three orthopaedic wards in acute hospitals in England.
Healthcare professionals, including nurses, therapists and doctors (n=40), and patients aged 65 and over, and carers (n=31).
We examined mechanisms hypothesised to underpin the implementation of multifactorial falls risk assessment and multidomain, personalised prevention plans.
We developed an explanation detailing that how contextual factors supported or constrained implementation of recommended falls prevention practices.
Nurses led delivery of falls risk assessment and prevention planning using their organisation’s electronic health records (EHR) to guide and document these practices. Implementation of recommended practices was influenced by (1) organisational EHR systems that differed in falls risk assessment items they included, (2) competing priorities on nurse time that could reduce falls risk assessment to a tick box exercise, encourage ‘blanket’ rather than tailored interventions and that constrained nurse time with patients to personalise prevention plans and (3) established but not recommended falls prevention practices, such as risk screening, that focused multidisciplinary communication on patients screened as at high risk of falls and that emphasised nursing, rather than Multidisciplinary Team (MDT), responsibility for preventing falls through constant patient supervision.
To promote consistent delivery of multifactorial falls prevention practices, and to help ease the nursing burden, organisations should consider how electronic systems and established ward-based practices can be reconfigured to support greater multidisciplinary staff and patient and carer involvement in modification of individual falls risks.
To develop prediction models for short-term outcomes following a first acute myocardial infarction (AMI) event (index) or for past AMI events (prevalent) in a national primary care cohort.
Retrospective cohort study using logistic regression models to estimate 1-year and 5-year risks of all-cause mortality and composite cardiovascular outcomes.
Primary care practices in England contributing data to the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) Aurum and CPRD GOLD databases between 2006 and 2019.
Patients with an incident (index) or prevalent AMI event. Models were trained on a random 80% sample of CPRD Aurum (n=1018 practices), internally validated on the remaining 20% (n=255) and externally validated using CPRD GOLD (n=248).
Discrimination assessed using sensitivity, specificity and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Calibration assessed using calibration plots.
In the index (prevalent) cohorts, 94 241 (64 789) patients were included in the training and internal validation sets, and 16 832 (7479) in the external validation set. For the index cohort, AUCs for 1-year [5-year] all-cause mortality were 0.802 (95% CI 0.793 to 0.812) [0.847 (0.841 to 0.853)] internally and 0.800 (0.790 to 0.810) [0.841 (0.835 to 0.847)] externally. For the primary composite outcome (stroke, heart failure and all-cause death), AUCs were 0.763 (0.756 to 0.771) [0.824 (0.818 to 0.830)] internally and 0.748 (0.739 to 0.756) [0.808 (0.801 to 0.815)] externally. Discrimination was higher in the prevalent cohort, particularly for 1-year mortality (AUC: 0.896, 95% CI 0.887 to 0.904). Models excluding treatment variables showed slightly lower but comparable performance. Calibration was acceptable across models.
These models can support clinicians in identifying patients at increased risk of short-term adverse outcomes following AMI, whether newly diagnosed or with a prior history. This can inform monitoring strategies and secondary prevention and guide patient counselling on modifiable risk factors.
by F. N. U. Nahiduzzaman, Tasnim Zarin, Chandra Shaker Chouhan, Md. Zaminur Rahman, Mst. Minara Khatun, A. K. M. Anisur Rahman, Md. Ariful Islam, Md Azizul Haque
Foodborne infections, particularly from street-vended fresh-cut fruits, are a growing public health concern in urban settings of developing countries. This study evaluated the gastrointestinal effects of consuming street-vended fruits in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) in Mymensingh, Bangladesh. A total of 300 participants were recruited and randomized into Treatment (n = 150) and Control (n = 150) groups. Treatment participants consumed guava, pineapple, or watermelon purchased from street vendors, while Control participants avoided street-vended fruits. Microbial analysis of fruits included total viable count (TVC), S. aureus, and E. coli. Participants recorded GI symptoms for 4 days post-intervention, with a 10-day follow-up. At least one GI symptom occurred in 41 (27.3%) treatment participants compared with 15 (10%) controls. Nausea affected 20 (13.3%) versus 2 (1.3%) participants (RR = 10, 95% CI: 2.38–42.03, p E. coli (6–10% prevalence) showed the strongest correlations with abdominal cramps, weakness, and diarrhea (ρ = 0.69–0.78, p S. aureus (20–34%) correlated primarily with weakness and abdominal cramps (ρ = 0.44–0.47, pTo offer a student-focused critical evaluation of the content and use of a digital competencies discipline-specific toolkit that was co-designed with students, offering ideas for training and development across several digital skills areas, such as digital creation, research, communication, innovation, and wellbeing.
A cross-sectional empirical study.
The toolkit was evaluated based on clarity, level of comprehension, accessibility, perceived relevance, and future implementation through a survey, which collected quantitative and qualitative data from 339 undergraduate nursing students in a single school and university in Scotland. Original research data were collected in June 2023.
Students evaluated the toolkit positively for its clarity, comprehensive nature, and practical resources, but suggested improvements for neurodivergent learners. Most students recommended implementing the toolkit early in their course and emphasised its benefits in continuous use. The toolkit was found to be relevant for practice placements and career development. Despite study workload concerns, students were positive about upskilling, highlighting the utility of the toolkit.
Digital literacy is essential as healthcare increasingly relies on digital tools, behaviours and processes. This study employed co-design strategies, supporting students to act as co-producers, change agents, and partners in learning.
The study highlights the need for continuous education in digital skills with suggestions for incorporating advanced skills for future practice, such as data analytics and artificial intelligence, and discusses the value of digital skills development in higher education to enhance student learning and future practice.
The research offers insights of international relevance into the development of a digital competencies toolkit that proposes nursing-specific educational digital skills interventions. The work fosters inclusivity, continuous digital skills improvement, and professional readiness.
The work followed the Equator Standards for Quality Improvement Reporting Excellence in Education.
No patient or public contribution.
Bangladesh is highly prone to recurrent flooding that disrupts all four pillars of food security. This study aimed to explore the effect of household food insecurity on the underweight status of women in flood-affected areas of Bangladesh, which remains underexplored.
This is a cross-sectional analysis.
This study was conducted in eight sub-districts (upazilas) across eight districts in Bangladesh that experience severe to moderate river flooding, flash floods and substantial tidal surges.
A total of 532 women participated in the study. The inclusion criteria for participation were as follows: (1) being at least 18 years of age, (2) residing in the household for at least 1 year and (3) having experienced limited food access in the 4 weeks before data collection due to flood-related constraints.
Household food insecurity was measured using the U.S. Agency for International Development Household Food Insecurity Access Scale questionnaire. An underweight status was evaluated through anthropometric measurements of women. Adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) were estimated using robust log-linear models.
Moderate food insecurity was the most common (58.3%) among the participants. The prevalence of underweight was the highest (52.1%) in the severely food-insecure group and decreased significantly with improved food security. Severe household food insecurity was strongly associated with a higher prevalence of underweight individuals (aPR = 4.12; 95% CI, 1.60 to 10.60). An underweight status was also prevalent in women from moderately food-insecure households (aPR = 1.75; 95% CI, 0.68 to 4.55).
This study reveals a significant association between household food insecurity and underweight status, highlighting the major challenges faced by women living in flood-prone areas of Bangladesh. These findings emphasise the urgent need to address household food insecurity to improve nutritional outcomes for women in vulnerable communities.
To systematically summarise evidence related to the use of non-sterile gloves when preparing and administering intravenous antimicrobials.
Scoping review.
A rigorous scoping review was undertaken following Arksey and O'Malley's (2005) framework and the modified Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses extension for scoping review guidelines (2018). Five databases and grey literature were included in the search. Literature published between 2009 and 2024 was included.
Five databases (Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE, Scopus and Web of Science) and the grey literature were searched in February 2024.
Three studies were included; however, none directly addressed correct non-sterile glove use during intravenous antimicrobial preparation or administration in clinical practice.
We found no evidence to support the use of non-sterile gloves in intravenous antimicrobial preparation. There is an urgent need for rigorous research to inform the development of clear guidelines on non-sterile glove use to underpin evidence-based decision-making in nursing and other health professional education, improve patient outcomes, reduce healthcare costs and promote environmental sustainability in healthcare.
Inappropriate use of non-sterile gloves for preparing and administering intravenous antimicrobials hinders correct hand hygiene practices and increases healthcare-associated infections, healthcare costs and waste.
A critical gap in the existing evidence was a key finding of this review, highlighting the urgency for evidence-based guidelines to improve patient safety outcomes, reduce healthcare costs and promote environmental sustainability in healthcare.
This scoping review adhered to the relevant EQUATOR guidelines and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) reporting checklist.
This study did not include patient or public involvement in its design, conduct or reporting.
The protocol was registered on Open Science Framework (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/QY4J2).
Nipah virus (NiV) is a bat-transmitted paramyxovirus causing recurrent, high-mortality outbreaks in South and South-East Asia. As a WHO priority pathogen, efforts are underway to develop therapies like monoclonal antibodies and small-molecule antivirals, which require evaluation in clinical trials. However, trial design is challenging due to limited understanding of NiV’s clinical characteristics. Given the rarity of NiV infections, strategies targeting improved outcomes for the broader acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) patient population, including those with NiV, are essential for advancing therapeutic research. To address these gaps, we designed the Bangladesh AES cohort study to characterise the patient population, clinical features, treatment practices, common aetiologies and outcomes in patients presenting with AES, including NiV infection, as a clinical characterisation study to inform the design of clinical trials for NiV and AES more broadly.
This prospective cohort study will be conducted in Bangladesh, a NiV endemic country with annual outbreaks. In collaboration with the ongoing NiV surveillance programme in Bangladesh, we aim to enrol up to 2000 patients of all ages presenting with AES at three tertiary care hospitals within the Nipah belt. Patients who provide informed consent to participate will be monitored throughout their hospital stay until 90 days post enrolment. Data will be systematically collected through interviews and medical record reviews at several time points: on the day of enrolment, day 3, day 7, the day of critical care admission (if applicable), discharge day and 90 days post enrollment. Additionally, a portion of the cerebrospinal fluid collected under the concurrent NiV surveillance protocol will be tested for an array of viral and bacterial pathogens responsible for encephalitis at the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research Bangladesh (icddr,b) laboratory.
The study received ethical approval from the Oxford Tropical Research Ethics Committee, University of Oxford, UK (OxTREC Ref: 576–23) and the institutional review board of icddr,b, Bangladesh (icddr,b protocol number: 24016). By characterising the AES patient population, this study will generate essential evidence on key clinical parameters, which will be pivotal in optimising the design of clinical trials for potential interventions aimed at improving outcomes in patients with AES, including those with NiV disease. Findings will be shared with participating hospitals, patients and relevant government stakeholders. Results will also be disseminated through conference presentations and peer-reviewed publications.
Not applicable (this is an observational study).
To seek consensus among global experts on concepts, measures and approaches to guide national and global action to address HIV-related stigma and formulate a call to action. This outlines priorities to unite actors in more effectively responding to and resourcing efforts to address HIV-related stigma.
An adapted Delphi consensus-building process using two rounds of online questionnaires.
Online questionnaires sent to a global expert panel.
50 global experts on HIV-related stigma and discrimination representing sectors including civil society, people living with HIV and key populations, research and academia, clinical practice, law, non-profit organisations, the United Nations, and policy and donor organisations.
The panel reached consensus on 55 points relating to the 12 broad themes extracted from the evidence base. These comprised the importance of addressing HIV-related stigma at scale; HIV-related stigma terms and definitions; Frameworks; Programming and approaches; Community leadership in HIV-related stigma-reduction implementation; Intersectional stigma and discrimination; Stigma and discrimination measures and assessment scales; Monitoring and evaluation; Stakeholder and community participation in monitoring and evaluation; Knowledge gaps and research needs; Funding and Commitment calls. From these, a consensus statement and call to action were formulated on priorities for strong political and financial commitments by all countries to reduce and mitigate HIV-related stigma and achieve global HIV targets adopted in 2021.
This study illustrated that global experts across sectors consider that action is needed to support the three critical enablers of the HIV response—society, systems and services—to ensure that HIV services are non-discriminatory and person-centred. The importance of attention and action to reduce stigma is critical in the current geopolitical and funding crisis affecting HIV and global health.
To explore the nature of interactions that enable older inpatients with cognitive impairments to engage with hospital staff on falls prevention.
Ethnographic study.
Ethnographic observations on orthopaedic and older person wards in English hospitals (251.25 h) and semi-structured qualitative interviews with 50 staff, 28 patients and three carers. Findings were analysed using a framework approach.
Interactions were often informal and personalised. Staff qualities that supported engagement in falls prevention included the ability to empathise and negotiate, taking patient perspectives into account. Although registered nurses had limited time for this, families/carers and other staff, including engagement workers, did so and passed information to nurses.
Some older inpatients with cognitive impairments engaged with staff on falls prevention. Engagement enabled them to express their needs and collaborate, to an extent, on falls prevention activities. To support this, we recommend wider adoption in hospitals of engagement workers and developing the relational skills that underpin engagement in training programmes for patient-facing staff.
Interactions that support cognitively impaired inpatients to engage in falls prevention can involve not only nurses, but also families/carers and non-nursing staff, with potential to reduce pressures on busy nurses and improve patient safety.
The paper adheres to EQUATOR guidelines, Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research.
Patient/public contributors were involved in study design, evaluation and data analysis. They co-authored this manuscript.
FreshRSS 