Communication issues contributing to medication incidents: Mixed method analysis of hospitals´ incident reports using indicator phrases based on literature

Abstract Aim To identify the types and frequencies of communication issues (communication pairs, person related, institutional, structural, process, and prescription-related issues) detected in medication incident reports and to compare communication issues that caused moderate or serious harm to patients. Background Communication issues have been found to be amongst the main contributing factors of medication incidents, thus necessitating communication enhancement. Design A sequential exploratory mixed-method design. Methods Medication incident reports from Finland (n=500) for the year 2015 in which communication was marked as a contributing factor were used as the data source. Indicator phrases were used for searching communication issues from free texts of incident reports. The detected issues were analysed statistically, qualitatively, and considering the harm caused to the patient. Citations from free texts were extracted as evidence of issues and were classified following main categories of indicator phrases. The EQUATOR?s SRQR checklist was followed in reporting. Results Twenty-eight communication pairs were identified, with nurse-nurse (68.2%; n=341), nurse-physician (41.6%; n=208), and nurse-patient (9.6%; n=48) pairs being the most frequent. Communication issues existed mostly within unit (76.6%, n=383). The most commonly identified issues were digital communication (68.2%; n=341), lack of communication within a team (39.6%; n=198), false assumptions about work processes (25.6%; n=128) and being unaware of guidelines (25.0%; n=125). Collegial feedback, and communication from patients and relatives were the preventing issues. Moderate harm cases were often linked with lack of communication within the unit, digital communication and not following guidelines. Conclusions The interventions should be prioritized to (a) enhancing communication about work-processes, (b) verbal communication about digital prescriptions between professionals, (c) feedback among professionals, and (f) encouraging patients to communicate about medication. Relevance to clinical practice Upon identifying the most harmful and frequent communication issues, interventions to strengthen medication safety can be implemented.Peer reviewe

Enhancing the quality of oral nutrition support for hospitalised patients: a mixed-methods knowledge translation study. (The EQONS study)

Aim - To report a multi-faceted knowledge translation intervention to facilitate use of the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool and innovation in nutritional care for patients at risk of malnutrition. Background - Malnutrition among hospitalised patients is a widespread problem leading to adverse health outcomes. Despite evidence of the benefits of malnutrition screening and recommendations for achieving good nutrition, shortfalls in practice continue. Design - A mixed-method integrated knowledge translation study. Methods - The knowledge translation intervention comprised nutrition champions supported by knowledge translation facilitators and an action planning process. Data collection was undertaken over 18 months between 2011-2012 in a hospital in England. Data comprised observation of mealtimes, audit of patient records, survey of nurses and semi-structured interviews with nutrition champions, knowledge translation facilitators, senior ward nurses and nurse managers. Findings - Statistically significant differences (Chi Square) were observed in self-reported confidence of nurses a) to assess patients using the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool, b) to teach colleagues how to use the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool and c) to ensure that patients were assessed within 24 hours of admission. Ward-based nutrition champions facilitated successful innovation in nutrition support. Contextual factors operating at micro (ward), meso (organisation) and macro (healthcare system) levels acted as barriers and enablers for change. Conclusion - Nutrition champions were successful in increasing the timely assessment of patients at risk of malnutrition and promoting innovation in nutritional care. Support from knowledge translation facilitators helped nutrition champions develop their role and work collaboratively with senior ward nurses to implement action plans for improving nutrition

Awareness and understanding of dementia in South Asians: A synthesis of qualitative evidence

Hossain, M., Crossland, J., Stores, R., Dewey, A., & Hakak, Y. (2020). Awareness and understanding of dementia in South Asians: A synthesis of qualitative evidence. Dementia, 19(5), 1441–1473. Copyright © [2020] (The Author) DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177%2F147130121880064

Potential for non-combustible nicotine products to reduce socioeconomic inequalities in smoking: a systematic review and synthesis of best available evidence

While some experts have emphasised the potential for e-cigarettes to facilitate cessation among smokers with low socioeconomic status (SES), there is limited evidence of their likely equity impact. We assessed the potential for electronic cigarettes and other non-combustible nicotine-containing products (NCNPs) to reduce inequalities in smoking by systematically reviewing evidence on their use by SES in countries at stage IV of the cigarette epidemic

Robust image analysis with sparse representation on quantized visual features

10.1109/TIP.2012.2219543IEEE Transactions on Image Processing223860-871IIPR

Investigation of the Effect of Initial Biomass on Nitrate and Phosphate Removal from Synthetic Wastewater by Selected Bacteria Isolates

Although nitrogen and phosphorus are important nutrients to the existence of living organisms, their presence in excessive amounts in wastewater could have detrimental effects to humans and other living organisms. The present investigation was aimed at ascertaining the effect of initial biomass concentration on the nutrient removal efficiency of four bacterial species in synthetic wastewater under shaking flasks conditions. Four different initial biomasses [2.91 x 108 cfu/mL, 5.82 x 108 cfu/mL, 8.73 x 108 cfu/mL and 1.16 x 109 cfu/mL (Klebsiella sp.); 6.31 x 108 cfu/mL, 1.26 x 109 cfu/mL, 1.89 x 109 cfu/mL and 2.52 x 109 cfu/mL (Pseudomonas sp.); 1.75 x 108 cfu/mL, 3.49 x 108 cfu/mL, 5.24 x 108 cfu/mL and 6.98 x 108 cfu/mL (Lysinibacillus sp.), and 7.1 x 108 cfu/mL, 1.42 x 109 cfu/mL, 2.13 x 109 cfu/mL and 2.84 x 109 cfu/mL (Staphylococcus sp.)] were used for the study. For nutrient removal studies, the respective initial biomasses of the test isolates were inoculated into flasks containing the wastewater media. Aliquot samples were taken at the beginning of the study and every 24 h for 96 h for the estimation of growth rate, pH, phosphate and nitrate concentrations in the wastewater, using standard methods. The results revealed only slight phosphate decreases in the wastewater after the expiration of incubation. All the test isolates showed significant nitrate removal ability except the Lysinibacillus sp. After 96 h incubation 68.36 to 90.67 %, 91.80 to 95.29 %, 3.20 to 11.48 % and 86.77 to 94.33 % of nitrate was removed in the presence of the Klebsiella sp., Pseudomonas sp., Lysinibacillus sp. and Staphylococcus sp., respectively. The study was able to reveal the phosphate and nitrate removal ability of the isolates at the different initial biomasses used for the investigation. Keywords: Bacteria, wastewater, nutrient removal, phosphate, nitrat

Incidence of entomopathogenic Bacillus spp. in some plantations in Ibadan, Nigeria

Soil samples from some agricultural research plantations (IITA, CRIN, IAR&T, NIHORT and FRIN) in Ibadan metropolis, Nigeria were screened for the presence of entomopathogenic strains of Bacillus species. The loamy-sand and sandy-loam soil types were typical soil texture of these locations with soil pH ranging between 4.9 and 6.1. The loamy-sand soil type recorded the highest number of Bacillus spp. and the history of pesticides applied on the sampling locations did not seem to affect the distribution of Bacillus thuringensis and other entomopathogenic Bacillus spp. in the different soils. Eighty-two strains of Bacillus spp. were isolated with only seven of these being entomopathogenic. The seven strains of Bacillus spp. were toxic to Anopheles mosquito larvae exhibiting between 5% and 15% mortality within 72h

LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SERVICES FOR THE ATTAINMENT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

ABSTRACT The greatest problem of any society is lack of authentic, efficient and right information to function effectively. No society can function without proper information, as such, this paper tends to examine the roles of the library in providing information services for the attainment of sustainable development goals, three research objectives were set to put the paper in the right perspective. It also emphasized the roles libraries plays in the society which are educational, informational, research, conservational, cultural and reference roles. The paper focused on eight of the seventeen points Sustainable development goals. The challenges libraries and librarian may face while providing information services for SDGs were also discussed and recommendations was made on how the challenges can be handled