THE D.A.M.A. PROJECT AT TERNI HOSPITAL, ITALY

Experience shows how difficult it is for a person with disabilities to cope with the reality of a hospital, especially if he or she has an intellectual disability. The difficulty in carrying out even simple diagnostic and therapeutic manoeuvres, the complexity of the pathologies, the difficulty in relating to the patient all make it a real risk that many medical problems of patients with disa bilities are overlooked or denied altogether. The person with a disability has the right to all care, not only that related to his or her pa rticular pathology, but also that required for other specialist or general pathologies. The UN Convention clearly states the rights of p ersons with disabilities. The Italian Republic has implemented the UN\u27s declaration with Law 18/2009. The rights enshrined in Article 25 of the UN Convention are also concretely applied in the European Charter of Patients\u27 Rights. The right of people with disabilities to be treated on an equal and non-discriminatory basis is also recalled by His Holiness Pope Francis in his latest encyclical. The DA MA (Disabled Advanced Medical Assistance) Hospital project was created to guarantee the right to health and care of people with disabilities, always, by remodelling its diagnostic and care procedures. The CAD/DAMA Service of the Terni Hospital since 2018 has adopted the DAMA project and also since 2018 has been collaborating with the Seraficio Institute of Assisi. The aim of the CAD/DAMA Service is also to promote and implement research in this area of care and training for healthcare professionals on disability and related issues

Impact of antimicrobial stewardship interventions on appropriateness of surgical antibiotic prophylaxis. How to improve

Background and Objectives: Surgical Site Infections (SSIs) are the most common healthcare-associated infections and represent a major clinical problem in terms of mortality, morbidity, length of stay and overall costs. The appropriateness of Surgical Antibiotic Prophylaxis (SAP) is a key component to reduce the SSIs while the inappropriateness is a major cause of some emerging infections and selection of antibiotic resistance, therefore increasing healthcare costs. For this reasons international and national guidelines have been developed to guide clinicians in the optimal use of SAP. The The overall compliance to these guidelines is poor, with a high heterogeneity and as a consequence there is no universally recognized intervention to improve the appropriateness of SAP. The antimicrobial stewardship program is a systematic approach to improve appropriateness of antimicrobial use, to optimize the treatment of infections and to minimize the adverse effects associated with antibiotic use, like antimicrobial resistance, toxicity and costs. We describe a successfully Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) intervention on SAP appropriateness. Material and Methods: The prospective study was conducted at “Santa Maria” tertiary hospital in Terni, Umbria, in 12 main surgical units and was organized in three subsequent phases . The hospital defined evidence-based guidelines for optimal use of SAP, approved a new workflow to optimize the process of ordering, dispensing, administering and documenting SAP and created a satellite pharmacy in the operative block . Phase 1: we analysed 2059 elective surgical cases from January to June 2018 for 3 SAP parameters of appropriateness: indication, choice, dose. Phase 2: in July 2018 an audit was performed to analyse the result ; we reviewed 1781 elective surgical procedures from July to December 2018 looking for the same 3 SAP parameters of appropriateness. Results: The comparative analysis between phase 1 and 2 has demonstrated that the correct indication has a significant improvement (p-value 0.00128), moving from 73.63% in phase 1 to 77.82% in phase 2. The choice of antibiotic has not shown any significant improvement (p-value 0.4863) . The correct dose significantly improved (p-value< 2.2 1016 ), rising from 71.75% in phase 1 to 86.19% in phase 2. The overall compliance had a significant improvement (p-value <5.6 1012) passing from 40.21% in tphase 1 to 51.15% in phase 2. Conclusions: Our prospective study demonstrated a model of succesfully antimicrobial stewardship intervention that improves appropriateness of SAP

Dermatome mapping test in the analysis of anatomo-clinical correlations after inguinal hernia repair

Abstract Background: Nerve identification is recommended in inguinal hernia repair to reduce or avoid postoperative pain. The aim of this prospective observational study was to identify nerve prevalence and find a correlation between neuroanatomy and chronic neuropathic postoperative inguinal pain (CPIP) after 6 months. Material: A total of 115 patients, who underwent inguinal hernia mesh repair (Lichtenstein tension-free mesh repair) between July 2018 and January 2019, were included in this prospective observational study. The mean age and BMI respectively resulted 64 years and 25.8 with minimal inverse distribution of BMI with respect to age. Most of the hernias were direct (59.1%) and of medium dimension (47.8%). Furthermore, these patients were undergoing Dermatome Mapping Test in preoperatively and postoperatively 6 months evaluation. Results: Identification rates of the iliohypogastric (IH), ilioinguinal (II) and genitofemoral (GF) nerves were 72.2%, 82.6% and 48.7% respectively. In the analysis of nerve prevalence according to BMI, the IH was statistically significant higher in patients with BMI < 25 than BMI ≥ 25 P (< 0.05). After inguinal hernia mesh repair, 8 patients (6.9%) had chronic postoperative neuropathic inguinal pain after 6 months. The CPIP prevailed at II/GF dermatome. The relation between the identification/neurectomy of the II nerve and chronic postoperative inguinal pain after 6 months was not significant (P = 0.542). Conclusion: The anatomy of inguinal nerve is very heterogeneous and for this reason an accurate knowledge of these variations is needed during the open mesh repair of inguinal hernias. The new results of our analysis is the statistically significant higher IH nerve prevalence in patients with BMI < 25; probably the identification of inguinal nerve is more complex in obese patients. In the chronic postoperative inguinal pain, the II nerve may have a predominant role in determining postoperative long-term symptoms. Dermatome Mapping Test in an easy and safe method for preoperative and postoperative 6 months evaluation of groin pain. The most important evidence of our analysis is that the prevalence of chronic pain is higher when the nerves were not identified. Keywords: Inguinal hernia, Inguinal nerves, Nerve identification, Pain, Follow-up © Th

DERMATOME MAPPING TEST IN THE ANALYSIS OF ANATOMO- CLINICAL CORRELATIONS AFTER INGUINAL HERNIA REPAIR

Background: Nerve identification is recommended in inguinal hernia repair to reduce or avoid postoperative pain. The aim of this prospective observational study was to identify nerve prevalence and find a correlation between neuroanatomy and chronic postoperative inguinal pain (CPIP) after 6 months Material: A total of 115 patients, who underwent inguinal hernia mesh repair between July 2018 and January 2019, were included in this prospective observational study. The mean Age and BMI respectively resulted 64 years and 25.8 with minimal inverse distribution of BMI with respect to age. Most of the hernias were direct (59.1%) and of medium dimension (47.8%). These patients were undergoing Dermatome Mapping Test in preoperatively and postoperatively 6 months evaluation. Results: Identification rates of the Iliohypogastric (IH), Ilioinguinal (II) And Genitofemoral (GF) nerves were 72.2%, 82.6% and 48.7% respectively. In the analysis of nerve prevalence according to BMI, the IH was statistically significant higher in patients with BMI<25 than BMI ≥25 P (<0.05). After inguinal hernia mesh repair, eighteen patients (17.47%) had chronic postoperative inguinal pain after 6 months. The CPIP prevailed at II/GF dermatome (14 patients, 13.59%). In eight patients’ pain was probably of neuropathic origin (33%). In the other ten patients (67%) pain was probably of neuropathic origin. The relation between the identification/neurectomy of the II nerve and chronic postoperative inguinal pain after 6 months was not significant (p=0.542). Conclusion:The anatomy of inguinal nerve is very heterogeneous and for this reason an accurate knowledge of these variations is needed during the open mesh repair of inguinal hernias. The new results of our analysis is the statistically significant higher IH nerve prevalence in patients with BMI<25; probably the identification of inguinal nerve is more complex in obese patients. In the chronic postoperative inguinal pain, the II nerve may have a predominant role in determining postoperative long-term symptoms. Dermatome Mapping Test in an easy and safe method for preoperative and postoperative 6 months evaluation of groin pain. The most important evidence of our analysis is that the prevalence of chronic pain is higher when the nerves were not identified

Postoperative Pulmonary Function in Open versus Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Meta-Analysis of the Tiffenau Index

Background: Available scientific literature about open cholecystectomy (OC) and laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) does not show univocal results in terms of postoperative pulmonary function. A meta-analysis was carried out to evaluate the postoperative pulmonary function after OC and LC focusing on the Tiffenau index. Methods: Electronic databases were consulted (Cochrane Library, Embase and Pubmed). Standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% CI was calculated for the Tiffenau Index. The kappa test was performed to evaluate agreement between the reviewers regarding the quality of the selected studies. A sensitivity analysis was carried out to assess the robustness of our study. Heterogeneity among studies was tested by using a χ2 test at 0.05 significance level. A random effects model meta-analysis was performed. Results: Meta-analysis of the 13 articles included, resulted in a SMD of 53% (95% CI 0.04, 1.02) for the Tiffenau Index in favor of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The χ2 test analysis showed the presence of heterogeneity among studies (Tiffenau index χ2 = 99.97, p = 0.03). The sensitivity analysis confirms the validity of our results. Conclusions: Postoperative pulmonary function is better preserved after laparoscopic cholecystectomy than open cholecystectomy

THE D.A.M.A. PROJECT AT TERNI HOSPITAL, ITALY

Experience shows how difficult it is for a person with disabilities to cope with the reality of a hospital, especially if he or she has an intellectual disability. The difficulty in carrying out even simple diagnostic and therapeutic manoeuvres, the complexity of the pathologies, the difficulty in relating to the patient all make it a real risk that many medical problems of patients with disa bilities are overlooked or denied altogether. The person with a disability has the right to all care, not only that related to his or her pa rticular pathology, but also that required for other specialist or general pathologies. The UN Convention clearly states the rights of p ersons with disabilities. The Italian Republic has implemented the UN\u27s declaration with Law 18/2009. The rights enshrined in Article 25 of the UN Convention are also concretely applied in the European Charter of Patients\u27 Rights. The right of people with disabilities to be treated on an equal and non-discriminatory basis is also recalled by His Holiness Pope Francis in his latest encyclical. The DA MA (Disabled Advanced Medical Assistance) Hospital project was created to guarantee the right to health and care of people with disabilities, always, by remodelling its diagnostic and care procedures. The CAD/DAMA Service of the Terni Hospital since 2018 has adopted the DAMA project and also since 2018 has been collaborating with the Seraficio Institute of Assisi. The aim of the CAD/DAMA Service is also to promote and implement research in this area of care and training for healthcare professionals on disability and related issues

Postoperative pulmonary function in open versus laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a meta-analysis of the Tiffenau index

BACKGROUND: Available scientific literature about open cholecystectomy (OC) and laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) does not show univocal results in terms of postoperative pulmonary function. A meta-analysis was carried out to evaluate the postoperative pulmonary function after OC and LC focusing on the Tiffenau index. METHODS: Electronic databases were consulted (Cochrane Library, Embase and Pubmed). Standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% CI was calculated for the Tiffenau Index. The kappa test was performed to evaluate agreement between the reviewers regarding the quality of the selected studies. A sensitivity analysis was carried out to assess the robustness of our study. Heterogeneity among studies was tested by using a chi(2) test at 0.05 significance level. A random effects model meta-analysis was performed. RESULTS: Meta-analysis of the 13 articles included, resulted in a SMD of 53% (95% CI 0.04, 1.02) for the Tiffenau Index in favor of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The chi(2) test analysis showed the presence of heterogeneity among studies (Tiffenau index chi(2) = 99.97, p = 0.03). The sensitivity analysis confirms the validity of our results. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative pulmonary function is better preserved after laparoscopic cholecystectomy than open cholecystectomy

Antimicrobial Stewardship Program, COVID-19, and Infection Control: Spread of Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella Pneumoniae Colonization in ICU COVID-19 Patients. What Did Not Work?

The Italian burden of disease associated with infections due to antibiotic-resistant bacteria has been very high, largely attributed to Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CR-Kp). The implementation of infection control measures and antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASP) has been shown to reduce healthcare-related infections caused by multidrug resistance (MDR) germs. Since 2016, in our teaching hospital of Terni, an ASP has been implemented in an intensive care unit (ICU) setting, with the “daily-ICU round strategy” and particular attention to infection control measures. We performed active surveillance for search patients colonized by Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE). In March 2020, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) arrived and the same ICU was reserved only for COVID-19 patients. In our retrospective observational study, we analyzed the bimonthly incidence of CRE colonization patients and the incidence of CRE acquisition in our ICU during the period of January 2019 to June 2020. In consideration of the great attention and training of all staff on infection control measures in the COVID-19 era, we would have expected a clear reduction in CRE acquisition, but this did not happen. In fact, the incidence of CRE acquisition went from 6.7% in 2019 to 50% in March–April 2020. We noted that 67% of patients that had been changed in posture with prone position were colonized by CRE, while only 37% of patients that had not been changed in posture were colonized by CRE. In our opinion, the high intensity of care, the prone position requiring 4–5 healthcare workers (HCWs), equipped with personal protective equipment (PPE) in a high risk area, with extended and prolonged contact with the patient, and the presence of 32 new HCWs from other departments and without work experience in the ICU setting, contributed to the spread of CR-Kp in our ICU, determining an increase in CRE acquisition colonization

Impact of Antimicrobial Stewardship Interventions on Appropriateness of Surgical Antibiotic Prophylaxis: How to Improve

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are the most common healthcare-associated infections. The appropriate use of Surgical Antibiotic Prophylaxis (SAP) is a key component to reduce SSIs, while its inappropriate application is a major cause of some emerging infections and selects for antibiotic resistance. We describe an Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) intervention on SAP appropriateness. The prospective study was conducted in an Italian hospital, in 12 main surgical units, and was organized in three subsequent phases, as follows. Phase 0: Definition of hospital evidence-based guidelines and a new workflow to optimize the process of ordering, dispensing, administering and documenting the SAP. Phase 1: We analysed 2059 elective surgical cases from January to June 2018 for three SAP parameters of appropriateness: indication, choice and dose. Phase 2: In July 2018, an audit was performed to analyse the results; we reviewed 1781 elective surgical procedures from July to December 2018 looking for the same three SAP appropriateness parameters. The comparative analysis between phases 1 and 2 demonstrated that the correct indication, the correct dose and the overall compliance significantly improved (p-value 0.00128, p-value < 2.2·1016 and p-value < 5.6·1012 respectively). Our prospective study demonstrates a model of successful antimicrobial stewardship intervention that improves appropriateness on SAP