Time-action and patient experience analyses of locally advanced cervical cancer brachytherapy

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Although MRI-based image guided adaptive brachytherapy (IGABT) for locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) has resulted in favorable outcomes, it can be logistically complex and time consuming compared to 2D image-based brachytherapy, and both physically and emotionally intensive for patients. This prospective study aims to perform time-action and patient experience analyses during IGABT to guide further improvements. MATERIALS AND METHODS: LACC patients treated with IGABT were included for the time-action (56 patients) and patient experience (29 patients) analyses. Times per treatment step were reported on a standardized form. For the patient experience analysis, a baseline health status was established with the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire and the perceived pain, anxiety and duration for each treatment step were assessed with the NRS-11. RESULTS: The median total procedure time from arrival until discharge was 530 (IQR: 480–565) minutes. Treatment planning (delineation, reconstruction, optimization) required the most time and took 175 (IQR: 145–195) minutes. Highest perceived pain was reported during applicator removal and treatment planning, anxiety during applicator removal, and duration during image acquisition and treatment planning. Perceived pain, anxiety and duration were correlated. Higher pre-treatment pain and anxiety scores were associated with higher perceived pain, anxiety and duration. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the complexity, duration and impact on patient experience of the current IGABT workflow. Patient reported pre-treatment pain and anxiety can help identify patients that may benefit from additional support. Research and implementation of measures aiming at shortening the overall procedure duration, which may include logistical, staffing and technological aspects, should be prioritized.</p

Time-action and patient experience analyses of locally advanced cervical cancer brachytherapy

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Although MRI-based image guided adaptive brachytherapy (IGABT) for locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) has resulted in favorable outcomes, it can be logistically complex and time consuming compared to 2D image-based brachytherapy, and both physically and emotionally intensive for patients. This prospective study aims to perform time-action and patient experience analyses during IGABT to guide further improvements. MATERIALS AND METHODS: LACC patients treated with IGABT were included for the time-action (56 patients) and patient experience (29 patients) analyses. Times per treatment step were reported on a standardized form. For the patient experience analysis, a baseline health status was established with the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire and the perceived pain, anxiety and duration for each treatment step were assessed with the NRS-11. RESULTS: The median total procedure time from arrival until discharge was 530 (IQR: 480–565) minutes. Treatment planning (delineation, reconstruction, optimization) required the most time and took 175 (IQR: 145–195) minutes. Highest perceived pain was reported during applicator removal and treatment planning, anxiety during applicator removal, and duration during image acquisition and treatment planning. Perceived pain, anxiety and duration were correlated. Higher pre-treatment pain and anxiety scores were associated with higher perceived pain, anxiety and duration. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the complexity, duration and impact on patient experience of the current IGABT workflow. Patient reported pre-treatment pain and anxiety can help identify patients that may benefit from additional support. Research and implementation of measures aiming at shortening the overall procedure duration, which may include logistical, staffing and technological aspects, should be prioritized.</p

Fluid hydration to prevent post-ERCP pancreatitis in average- to high-risk patients receiving prophylactic rectal NSAIDs (FLUYT trial): Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background: Post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis (PEP) is the most common complication of ERCP and may run a severe course. Evidence suggests that vigorous periprocedural hydration can prevent PEP, but studies to date have significant methodological drawbacks. Importantly, evidence for its added value in patients already receiving prophylactic rectal non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is lacking and the cost-effectiveness of the approach has not been investigated. We hypothesize that combination therapy of rectal NSAIDs and periprocedural hydration would significantly lower the incidence of post-ERCP pancreatitis compared to rectal NSAIDs alone in moderate- to high-risk patients undergoing ERCP. Methods: The FLUYT trial is a multicenter, parallel group, open label, superiority randomized controlled trial. A total of 826 moderate- to high-risk patients undergoing ERCP that receive prophylactic rectal NSAIDs will be randomized to a control group (no fluids or normal saline with a maximum of 1.5 mL/kg/h and 3 L/24 h) or intervention group (lactated Ringer's solution with 20 mL/kg over 60 min at start of ERCP, followed by 3 mL/kg/h for 8 h thereafter). The primary endpoint is the incidence of post-ERCP pancreatitis. Secondary endpoints include PEP severity, hydration-related complications, and cost-effectiveness. Discussion: The FLUYT trial design, including hydration schedule, fluid type, and sample size, maximize its power of identifying a potential difference in post-ERCP pancreatitis incidence in patients receiving prophylactic rectal NSAIDs

The influence of system delay on 30-day and on long-term mortality in patients with anterior versus non-anterior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: a cohort study

Contains fulltext : 154209.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)AIM: To evaluate the relationship between system delay and 30-day and long-term mortality in patients with anterior versus non-anterior ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). METHODS: We conducted a prospective observational cohort study. Patients with STEMI who were transported to the Isala Hospital, Zwolle, and underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) from 2005 until 2010 were included. These patients were divided into quartiles of system delay (time from first medical contact until reperfusion therapy): Q1-Q4. RESULTS: In total, 3041 patients were included in our study. 41% (n=1253) of the patients had an anterior myocardial infarction (MI) and 59% of the patients (n=1788) had a non-anterior MI. Only in patients with an anterior MI, prolonged system delay was associated with a higher mortality (30-day Q1: 2.6%, Q2: 3.1%, Q3: 6.8%, Q4: 7.4%, p=0.001; long-term Q1: 12.8%, Q2: 13.7%, Q3: 24.1%, Q4: 22.6%, p<0.001). After multivariable adjustment, prolonged system delay was associated with a higher 30-day and long-term mortality in patients with an anterior MI (30 day Q2: HR 1.18, 95% CI (0.46 to 3.00), Q3: HR 2.45, 95% CI (1.07 to 5.63), Q4: HR 2.25, 95% CI (0.97 to 5.25)); long-term Q2: HR 1.09, 95% CI (0.71 to 1.68), Q3: HR 1.68, 95% CI (1.13 to 2.49), Q4: HR 1.55, 95% CI (1.03 to 2.33)), but not in patients with a non-anterior MI. CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged system delay significantly increased short-term as well as long-term mortality in patients with an anterior MI. This effect was not demonstrated in patients with a non-anterior MI. Therefore, it is of the greatest importance to minimise system delay in patients who present with an anterior MI

Monitoring Cerebral perfusion using near infrared spectroscopy and laser doppler flowmetry

This paper describes the simultaneous use of two, noninvasive, near-infrared\ud techniques near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and a continuous wave NIR laser\ud Doppler flow system (LDF) to measure changes in the blood oxygenation,\ud blood concentration and blood flow velocity in the brain. A piglet was used\ud as animal model. A controlled change in the arterial CO2 pressure (PaCO2)\ud was applied for achieving changes in the listed cerebrovascular parameters.\ud The time courses of blood concentration parameters (NIRS) and RMS blood\ud flow velocity (LDF) were found to correspond closely with those of carotid\ud blood flow and arterial carbon dioxide pressure (PaCO2). This result shows\ud the additional value of LDF when combined with NIRS, preferably in one\ud instrument. Development of pulsed LDF for regional blood flow measurement\ud is indicated

High-temperature liquid chromatography coupled on-line to a continuous-flow biochemical screening assay with electrospray ionization mass spectrometric detection

The potential of high-temperature liquid chromatography (HTLC) was investigated in an on-line combination with a screening system for bioactive compounds against the enzyme cathepsin B. Samples were separated by HTLC and subsequently analyzed by an on-line continuous-flow enzymatic assay. Detection was performed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, revealing both the bioactivity and the molecular mass of the bioactive compounds. Compared to conventional reversed-phase liquid chromatography, the amount of methanol necessary for separation could be decreased to only 10%, which improved the compatibility of LC with a biochemical assay. Sufficient preheating of the mobile phase prior to the separation and postcolumn cooling to prevent deactivation of the enzyme, even at column temperatures as high as 208°C, was achieved as indicated by the reliable peak shapes obtained. The sensitivity was comparable with previously described systems operating at ambient temperatures as similar I

Adherence to three different strategies to prevent early onset GBS infection in newborns

Problem: Despite the introduction of preventive guidelines, no decrease in the incidence of early onset infection was observed. Background: Early onset group B streptococcal (EOGBS) infection is an important cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Aim: Our study was conducted to determine adherence to three guideline-based group B streptococcus (GBS) preventive strategies. Methods: A prospective experimental study clustered by obstetric collaboration region was performed between March 2013 and August 2014 among midwives, obstetricians and paediatricians in the Netherlands. At baseline, the three regions operated according to the Dutch preventive strategy (founded on the risk-based strategy) in order to prevent EOGBS infection, whereas in the study period they followed either the risk-based, the combination or the Dutch strategy. Adherence was measured prospectively per pregnant woman, using predefined core elements of each preventive strategy: identification of risk factors, maternal GBS screening, application of intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis and observation of the child. Data about adherence to the core elements were collected from medical records, maternal questionnaires and laboratory test results. Findings: In the three regions, a total of 121 care providers and 1562 women participated. We found an overall adherence of 90% to the risk-based strategy, 57% to the combination strategy and 89% to the Dutch strategy. Adherence to a strategy in case women had EOGBS risk factors was below 20% in all strategies. Discussion: The majority of women with EOGBS risk factors did not receive the care prescribed by any of three preventive strategies and were not treated optimally. Conclusion: The risk-based and the Dutch strategy are the recommended strategies for implementation