The Adults and Older Adults Functional Assessment Inventory

[EN] Functional assessment methods are an important element in multidimensional neuropsychological evaluations, particularly in older adults. The Adults and Older Adults Functional Assessment Inventory is a new measure of basic and instrumental activities of daily living. Rasch model analyses were used to analyze the psychometric characteristics of the instrument in a sample of 803 participants. The original categories did not provide an optimal assessment of functional incapacity. The scale was dichotomized to achieve a better reliability score and item fit. The final 50 items revealed a moderately high variability in item difficulty, acceptable fits to items and persons, and a good Person Separation Reliability score. The scores were able to discriminate between normal controls and clinical patients. None of the items showed Differential Item Functioning associated with age, gender, or education. The instrument is able to achieve measures of functional incapacity with the useful properties of the Rasch model

Adaptation and validation of the WHOQOL-OLD for the Portuguese population: Results of focus groups implementation

No âmbito dos estudos de adaptação e validação do WHOQOL-OLD, foram implementados oito grupos focais, num total de 33 participantes, em amostra de conveniência: um com profissionais em formação (N=4), um com cuidadores (N=4) e seis grupos com adultos idosos (N=25; quatro com idosos da comunidade e dois com idosos institucionalizados). Os resultados corroboram a natureza multidimensional do constructo QdV. Foram evocados espontaneamente os seis domínios do WHOQOL-100 e todas as suas facetas (exceptuando Actividade sexual), bem como as seis facetas do WHOQOL-OLD. Com maior frequência, oadultos idosos destacam Qualidade de vida e saúde geral e dimensões de Relações sociais, Ambiente, Psicológico, Aspectos espirituais e Autonomia; os cuidadores referem dimensões de Autonomia, Saúde, Ambiente e Relações sociais; e os profissionais destacam Saúde, Nível de independência, Ambiente e Relações sociais. Por todos os grupos foi apontada a dimensão “Família/Vida familiar”, que poderá constituir-se como uma nova faceta do módulo WHOQOL-OLD português

Brief report on double-chamber syringes patents and implications for infusion therapy safety and efficiency

This review aimed to map the existing patents of double-chamber syringes that can be used for intravenous drug administration and catheter flush. A search was conducted in the Google patents database for records published prior to 28 October 2020, using several search terms related to double-chamber syringes (DCS). Study eligibility and data extraction were performed by two independent reviewers. Of the initial 26,110 patents found, 24 were included in this review. The 24 DCS that were found display two or more independent chambers that allow for the administration of multiple solutions. While some of the DCS have designated one of the chambers as the flushing chamber, most patents only allow for the sequential use of the flushing chamber after intravenous drug administration. Most DCS were developed for drug reconstitution, usually with a freeze-dried drug in one chamber. Some patents were designed for safety purposes, with a parallel post-injection safety sheath chamber for enclosing a sharpened needle tip. None of the DCS found allow for a preand post-intravenous drug administration flush. Given the current standards of care in infusion therapy, future devices must allow for the sequential use of the flushing chamber to promote a pre-administration patency assessment and a post-administration device flush.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Improving peripheral venous catheterization-related outcomes in oncology patients: an action research study in Portugal

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Tradução, adaptação cultural e validação do Inventário da Prática Centrada na Pessoa, profissionais de saúde (PCPI-S)

Aiming to translate, culturally adapt, and psychometrically evaluate the Person-centred Practice Inventory – Staff (PCPI-S) for Portuguese healthcare professionals, this methodological study was conducted sequentially in two phases. Phase I followed the 10-steps recommendations from the ISPOR taskforce for translation and cultural adaptation of patient reported outcome measures. Phase II comprised a quantitative cross-sectional virtual survey of the translated PCPI-S with healthcare professionals, who were reached through snowball sampling from both primary and specialized care settings. The psychometric properties of the PCPI-S were determined by assessing reliability and construct validity. A sample of 304 healthcare professionals participated in Phase II. Ceiling effects were found. The overall internal consistency was excellent (>0.9). The confirmatory factor analysis showed a good model fit after minor modifications, revealing construct validity, and supporting the theoretical framework. In conclusion, the three-factorial model of PCPI-S adjusted to the studied sample is a valid and reliable instrument to assess the perceptions of healthcare professionals on person-centred practice in various Portuguese clinical contexts. Considering the ceiling effects, the effect of social desirability should be explored.Com o objetivo de traduzir, adaptar culturalmente e avaliar psicometricamente o Inventário para a Prática Centrada na Pessoa para profissionais de saúde (PCPI-S) em diversos contextos de prestação de cuidados, este estudo metodológico realizou-se em duas fases sequenciais. A Fase I seguiu as recomendações de dez etapas da taskforce da ISPOR para tradução e adaptação cultural de medidas de resultados auto reportados. A Fase II incluiu um estudo cross-sectional do PCPI-S traduzido com profissionais de saúde, que foram alcançados por meio de amostragem snowball em contextos de cuidados primários e diferenciados. A psicometria do PCPI-S foi analisada pela avaliação da confiabilidade e validade de construto. Uma amostra de 304 profissionais de saúde participou da Fase II. Efeitos de teto foram encontrados. A consistência interna geral foi excelente (> 0,9). A análise fatorial confirmatória mostrou um bom ajuste do modelo e validade de construto, refletindo o referencial teórico. Concluindo, o modelo tri-fatorial do PCPI-S ajustado à amostra estudada é um instrumento válido e fiável para avaliar as percepções dos profissionais de saúde sobre a prática centrada na pessoa em vários contextos de cuidados portugueses. Considerando os efeitos teto, a desejabilidade social deve ser explorada.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Nurses' involvement in the development and usability assessment of an innovative peripheral intravenous catheterisation pack: a mix-method study

Guaranteeing peripheral venous access is one of the cornerstones of modern healthcare. Recent evidence shows that the lack of adequate clinical devices can result in the provision of substandard care to patients who require peripheral intravenous catheterization (PIVC). To address this challenge, we aimed to develop a PIVC pack for adult patients and assess the usability of this new device. Methods: Following a mix-method design, the PIVC pack development and usability assessment were performed in two phases with the involvement of its potential end-users (nurses). In phase one (concept and semi-functional prototype assessment), focus group rounds were conducted, and a usability assessment questionnaire was applied at each stage. In phase two (pre-clinical usability assessment), a two-arm crossover randomised controlled trial (PIVC pack versus traditional material) was conducted with nurses in a simulated setting. Final interviews were conducted to further explore the PIVC pack applicability in a real-life clinical setting. Results: High average usability scores were identified in each study phase. During the pre-clinical usability assessment, the PIVC pack significantly reduced procedural time (Z = −2.482, p = 0.013) and avoided omissions while preparing the required material (Z = −1.977, p = 0.048). The participating nurses emphasised the pack’s potential to standardise practices among professionals, improve adherence to infection control recommendations, and enhance stock management. Conclusions: The developed pack appears to be a promising device that can assist healthcare professionals in providing efficient and safe care to patients requiring a PIVC. Future studies in real clinical settings are warranted to test its cost-effectiveness.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Methodological considerations in assessing interlimb coordination on poststroke gait: a scoping review of biomechanical approaches and outcomes

To identify and summarize biomechanical assessment approaches in interlimb coordination on poststroke gait. Interlimb coordination involves complex neurophysiological mechanisms that can be expressed through the biomechanical output. The deepening of this concept would have a significant contribution in gait rehabilitation in patients with an asymmetric neurological impairment as poststroke adults. Poststroke adults (>19 years old), with assessment of interlimb coordination during gait, in an open context, according to the Population, Concept, Context framework. A literature search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science™, Scopus, and gray literature in Google Scholar™, according to the PRISMA-ScR recommendations. Studies written in Portuguese or English language and published between database inception and 14 November 2021 were included. Qualitative studies, conference proceedings, letters, and editorials were excluded. The main conceptual categories were “author/year”, “study design”, “participant’s characteristics”, “walking conditions”, “instruments” and “outcomes”. The search identified 827 potentially relevant studies, with a remaining seven fulfilling the established criteria. Interlimb coordination was assessed during walking in treadmill (n = 3), overground (n = 3) and both (n = 1). The instruments used monitored electromyography (n = 2), kinetics (n = 2), and kinematics (n = 4) to assess spatiotemporal parameters (n = 4), joint kinematics (n = 2), anteroposterior ground reaction forces (n = 2), and electromyography root mean square (n = 2) outcomes. These outcomes were mostly used to analyze symmetry indices or ratios, to calculate propulsive impulse and external mechanical power produced on the CoM, as well as antagonist coactivation. Assessment of interlimb coordination during gait is important for consideration of natural auto-selected overground walking, using kinematic, kinetic, and EMG instruments. These allow for the collection of the main biomechanical outcomes that could contribute to improve better knowledge of interlimb coordination assessment in poststroke patients.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Traducción, adaptación cultural y validación de la escala Venous International Assessment al portugués europeo

Background: A significant number of adult patients experience difficult peripheral intravenous ac-cess, leading to multiple puncture attempts and venous network depletion. The Venous International Assessment (VIA) Scale is referenced internationally as a reliable instrument that classifies patients’ peripheral intravenous accesses and determines the risk of related complications. Objectives: To translate, culturally adapt and validate the VIA Scale to European Portuguese. Methodology: Study of the translation, cultural adaptation, and evaluation of the psychometric prop-erties of the VIA Scale in a nonprobability sample with 100 patients in need of peripheral intravenous catheterization. Results: The Portuguese version of the VIA Scale (EARV) revealed moderate inter-rater reliability scores (k = 0.490; p < 0.0005). The criterion and construct validity of the EARV were assessed through predictive, convergent, and correlational analysis, with moderate to large magnitudes, and statistical significance. Conclusion: The EARV is a reliable and valid instrument that can assist Portuguese health professionals in determining and categorizing difficult peripheral intravenous access. Further studies are recommended to test the transversal applicability of the scale.Enquadramento: Um número significativo de pessoas adultas tem um acesso venoso periférico difícil, o que leva a múltiplas tentativas de punção e ao esgotamento da rede venosa. A escala Venous International Assessment (VIA) é considerada a nível internacional como um instrumento fiável que classifica as vias de acesso venoso periférico das pessoas e determina o risco de complicações associadas. Objetivos: Traduzir, adaptar culturalmente e validar a Escala VIA para português europeu. Metodologia: Estudo da tradução, adaptação cultural, e avaliação das propriedades psicométricas da escala VIA em amostra não probabilística de 100 pessoas doentes a precisar de cateterização venosa periférica. Resultados: A versão em português europeu da escala VIA (EARV) revelou valores moderados de fiabilidade inter-observadores (k = 0,490; p < 0,0005). As validades do critério e do constructo da EARV foram avaliadas através de análise preditiva, convergente e correlacional, com magnitudes moderadas a grandes e significância estatística. Conclusão: A EARV é um instrumento fiável e válido que pode ajudar os profissionais de saúde portugueses na determinação e categorização de acessos venosos periféricos difíceis. Contudo, recomenda-se a realização de mais estudos para testar a aplicabilidade transversal desta escala.Marco contextual: Un número significativo de adultos experimenta dificultades al ser sometido a un acceso venoso periférico, lo que provoca múltiples intentos de punción y el deterioro de la red venosa. La escala Venous International Assessment (VIA) está considerada internacionalmente como un instrumento fiable que clasifica los accesos venosos periféricos en las personas y determina el riesgo de complicaciones relacionadas. Objetivos: Traducir, adaptar culturalmente y validar la escala VIA al portugués europeo. Metodología: Estudio de traducción, adaptación cultural y evaluación de las propiedades psicométricas de la escala VIA en una muestra no probabilística con 100 personas que necesitan ser sometidos a un cateterismo venoso periférico. Resultados: La versión portuguesa desarrollada de la escala VIA (EARV) mostró puntuaciones de concordancia entre evaluadores moderadas (k = 0,490; p < 0,0005). La validez de criterio y de constructo de la EARV se evaluó mediante un análisis predictivo, convergente y correlacional, con magnitudes de moderadas a amplias y significación estadística. Conclusión: La EARV es un instrumento fiable y válido que puede ayudar a los profesionales sanitarios portugueses a determinar y categorizar la dificultad de un acceso venoso periférico. Se necesita realizar futuros estudios para comprobar la aplicabilidad transversal de la escala.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Implementation of a circular bioeconomy: obtaining cellulose fibers derived from portuguese vine pruning residues for heritage conservation, oxidized with TEMPO and ultrasonic treatment

Inspired by the principles of the circular economy, using vineyard pruning residues as a source of raw materials for producing nanocellulose is a promising approach to transforming vineyard resources into value-added products. This study aimed to obtain and characterize cellulose and cellulose nanofibers from such sources. The cellulose collected from different fractions of micronized stems (500, 300, 150 μm, and retain) of vines was submitted to autohydrolysis and finally bleached. Soon, it underwent treatment via (2,2,6,6-tetrametil-piperidi-1-nil)oxil (TEMPO) oxidation and ultrasonic to obtain nanocellulose fibers. The cellulose films were obtained at a microscale thickness of 0.05 ± 0.00; 0.37 ± 0.03; 0.06 ± 0.01 e 0.030 ± 0.01 mm, with the following particle size: 500 µm, 300 µm, 150 µm, and retain (<150 µm). The bleaching efficiency of the cellulose fibers of each particle size fraction was evaluated for color through a colorimeter. In addition, the extraction of cellulose fibers was assessed by infrared with Fourier transform, and size and shape were assessed by microscopy. Differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction were performed to confirm the thermal and crystalline properties. Combining autohydrolysis with a bleaching step proved to be a promising and ecological alternative to obtain white fractions rich in cellulose. It was possible to perform the extraction of cellulose to obtain nanocellulose fibers from vine pruning residues for the development of coatings for the conservation of heritage buildings from environmental conditions through an environmentally friendly process.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio