Anaesthetic nurses' perceptions of learning during interprofessional simulation education

Background The purpose of the study was to explore anaesthetic nurses' perceptions of learning during interprofessional simulation education (IPSE). IPSE has a focus on the reduction of error in the operating room (OR) through improved team performance. Method This qualitative study used purposive sampling to collect data from anaesthetic nurses (n = 9) during individual and group interviews. Results Data analysis revealed three central themes; “learning and skill development,” “interprofessional team communication,” and “focusing on the team.” IPSE provided safety in learning within a high performance team environment, improving participant confidence; however, participants experienced some frustration because of an imbalance in nurse and medical participant numbers. New learning was not fully transferred to clinical practice because of embedded routines and processes within the OR environment. Conclusion It is recommended that IPSE be provided to all OR health disciplines, and that the activity is conducted in a way that mirrors the normal balance of health disciplines within the OR environment

Assessing Hepatitis C Burden and Treatment Effectiveness through the British Columbia Hepatitis Testers Cohort (BC-HTC): Design and Characteristics of Linked and Unlinked Participants.

BACKGROUND:The British Columbia (BC) Hepatitis Testers Cohort (BC-HTC) was established to assess and monitor hepatitis C (HCV) epidemiology, cost of illness and treatment effectiveness in BC, Canada. In this paper, we describe the cohort construction, data linkage process, linkage yields, and comparison of the characteristics of linked and unlinked individuals. METHODS:The BC-HTC includes all individuals tested for HCV and/or HIV or reported as a case of HCV, hepatitis B (HBV), HIV or active tuberculosis (TB) in BC linked with the provincial health insurance client roster, medical visits, hospitalizations, drug prescriptions, the cancer registry and mortality data using unique personal health numbers. The cohort includes data since inception (1990/1992) of each database until 2012/2013 with plans for annual updates. We computed linkage rates by year and compared the characteristics of linked and unlinked individuals. RESULTS:Of 2,656,323 unique individuals available in the laboratory and surveillance data, 1,427,917(54%) were included in the final linked cohort, including about 1.15 million tested for HCV and about 1.02 million tested for HIV. The linkage rate was 86% for HCV tests, 89% for HCV cases, 95% for active TB cases, 48% for HIV tests and 36% for HIV cases. Linkage rates increased from 40% for HCV negatives and 70% for HCV positives in 1992 to ~90% after 2005. Linkage rates were lower for males, younger age at testing, and those with unknown residence location. Linkage rates for HCV testers co-infected with HIV, HBV or TB were very high (90-100%). CONCLUSION:Linkage rates increased over time related to improvements in completeness of identifiers in laboratory, surveillance, and registry databases. Linkage rates were higher for HCV than HIV testers, those testing positive, older individuals, and females. Data from the cohort provide essential information to support the development of prevention, care and treatment initiatives for those infected with HCV

Comparison of linked and unlinked HCV testers.

<p>Comparison of linked and unlinked HCV testers.</p

Flow diagram showing overall linkage yield.

<p>Flow diagram showing overall linkage yield.</p

Case definitions for HCV, HBV, HIV and active TB.

<p>Case definitions for HCV, HBV, HIV and active TB.</p

HCV laboratory data linkage rate by year 1992–2013.

<p>HCV laboratory data linkage rate by year 1992–2013.</p

Criteria and Data Sources for the BC Hepatitis Testers Cohort (BC-HTC).

<p>Criteria and Data Sources for the BC Hepatitis Testers Cohort (BC-HTC).</p