Not eating enough in hospital: risk factors are the same all over the world

Vienna: For the first time in the world, an accurate analysis has been made of the eating habits of around 92,000 hospitalised patients in 56 different countries: the most serious risk factors for "not eating enough in hospital", and hence for increased mortality and morbidity, are the same everywhere – no matter whether in Europe or the USA. That was the central finding of a study conducted by researchers from MedUni Vienna’s Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, the Department of Medicine III and the Center for Medical Statistics, Informatics and Intelligent Systems.

Computer Simulation Predicts Development, Progress of Pressure Sores

Pittsburgh: Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have devised a computational model that could enhance understanding, diagnosis and treatment of pressure ulcers related to spinal cord injury. In a report published online in PLOS Computational Biology, the team also described results of virtual clinical trials that showed that for effective treatment of the lesions, anti-inflammatory measures had to be applied well before the earliest clinical signs of ulcer formation.

Risk score developed for life expectancy of hospital patients

Vienna: Researchers at the MedUni Vienna's University Department of Anaesthetics, General Intensive Care Medicine and Pain Therapy, the University Department of Internal Medicine III and the Centre for Medical Statistics, Information Technology and Intelligent Systems have developed the world's first prognosis scoring system (PANDORA score) for hospital patients and their life expectancy within the next 30 days. This is the first specific undertaking from the "nutritionDay worldwide" project, launched ten years ago by Michael Hiesmayr, Head of the Clinical Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, in collaboration with Karin Schindler at the MedUni Vienna.

New technology could help reduce bedsores in hospitals

Calgary: W21C researchers conduct trial of mattress overlay system that provides visual, easy-to-understand pressure images. Researchers at the University of Calgary’s Ward of the 21^st Century (W21C) are conducting a trial of a new technology designed to help reduce the risk of pressure ulcers — also known as bedsores — in hospital patients.

The randomized controlled trial, conducted at Foothills Medical Centre, will examine the effectiveness of XSENSOR’s ForeSite PT Patient Turn System, a thin flexible mattress overlay that goes underneath the sheet on a patient’s bed. The device monitors, records, and analyzes persistent body surface pressures — a key factor in the risk of developing pressure ulcers — and provides this information on a display above the bedside.

End of life care alters medical student attitudes to practice

Adelaide: Earlier exposure to palliative care can enhance junior doctors' professionalism, focus on and communication with all patients, and other important aspects of care, according to a study from the University of Adelaide. Palliative care is the provision of support for patients with life-threatening illnesses who are approaching the end of their lives.

Partnering With Patients and Families is Key to Safer, More Compassionate Care

KP: The importance of the relationship between health care providers, patients and their families in ensuring safe care is the focal point for Patient Safety Awareness Week, March 8-14, 2015. This year’s theme, “United in Safety,” reflects the fact that everyone has a role to play in assuring safe care and by sharing that common goal, we can make a make a difference.

Researchers Find New Patient-Centered Hospital Design Has Little Effect on Patient Satisfaction

Johns Hopkins. US: Contrary to previous reports, a study led by Johns Hopkins researchers found that patients’ satisfaction scores only modestly improved based on the newly remodeled design of a hospital.

In one of the largest pre- and post-evaluation studies, published in the March 2015 issue of the Journal of Hospital Medicine, Zishan Siddiqui, M.D., assistant professor of medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Daniel Brotman, M.D., professor of medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and colleagues analyzed patient satisfaction results to see what role hospital renovations play in patient satisfaction.

Competition Among Physicians and Retail Clinics Drive Higher Antiobiotic Prescribing Rate, Particularly in Wealthy Zip Codes

Johns Hopkins. US: Competition among doctors’ offices, urgent care centers and retail medical clinics in wealthy areas of the U.S. often leads to an increase in the number of antibiotic prescriptions written per person, a team led by Johns Hopkins researchers has found.

Effects of interventions to reduce waiting times for non-urgent health procedures

Cochrane: Long waiting times for non-urgent procedures are common in public healthcare systems, where care is provided free of charge and supply is limited by budget constraints. This may cause distress among patients as well as adverse health consequences.

Short hospital stay linked to increased risk of death following hip fracture

BMJ: Older patients are more likely to die following a short hospital stay for a hip fracture, finds research published in The BMJ today.

Patients may have been infected by a “superbug” bacteria during complex endoscopic procedures in UCLA Medical Center

UCLA. US: The UCLA Health System notified 179 patients on Feb. 18 that they may have been exposed last fall to the carbapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae (CRE) bacteria during an endoscopic procedure to diagnose and treat diseases of the liver, bile ducts and pancreas at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. A total of seven patients were infected; the infection was a contributing factor in the death of two patients.

Do clothes make the doctor? U-M researchers report on patient perceptions of physicians based on attire

University of Michigan. US: What should doctors wear? And how does something as simple as their choice of a suit, scrubs or slacks influence how patients view them?

Surgical Metrics Do Not Provide a Clear Path to Improvement

Mayo Clinic. US: While surgical outcomes have improved nationally over time, surgical outcome reporting does not necessarily lead to better outcomes, according to a Mayo Clinic study published this week in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Systems that capture, analyze, and report surgical outcomes are an increasingly important part of the quality improvement movement in health care in the United States.  Within the U.S., the most widely used surgical outcomes reporting system is the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP), which is coordinated through the American College of Surgeons.

Just knowing isn't enough: Issuing hospital "report cards" had no impact on surgical outcomes

University of Michigan. US: JAMA study shows death, complication, readmission and costs are no lower at hospitals in ACS-NSQIP, a prominent quality-reporting program. If you’re an older person having a major operation these days, it is very likely that your hospital is receiving a “report card” on their performance. These reports are designed to prompt hospitals to improve in areas where they perform poorly. That’s the good news.

Can Lean Management improve hospitals?

Monash University. Australia: Waiting times in hospital emergency departments could be cut with the introduction of Lean Management and Six Sigma (LSS) techniques according to new research.

New Report Identifies Transparency as a Means to Improve Patient Safety

UCSF. US: Open communication and a free flow of information represent the “magic pill” needed to improve many of the issues in health care related to safety, according to a new report released by the National Patient Safety Foundation’s Lucian Leape Institute. Shining a Light: Safer Health Care Through Transparency defines transparency as “the free, uninhibited flow of information that is open to the scrutiny of others,” and calls for sweeping action within and across organizations, between clinicians and patients, and in public reporting.

Happy hospitals better for patients, research shows

Birmingham University. UK: Hospital patients experience better outcomes when NHS staff are happier in their jobs, according to new research. A longitudinal study comparing NHS staff surveys with other measures between 2009 and 2012 found a ‘clear’ link between staff satisfaction and organisational performance.

Complaints procedures faced by doctors risk harming patients, study suggests

Imperial College. UK: Doctors who go through complaints procedures experience high rates of serious depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts, according to a new study. Four out of five doctors also reported changing the way they treat their patients as a result of either complaints against themselves, or observing a colleague go through a complaints process.

Discharge letter for patients increases understanding of hospitalisation

Sidney University. Australia: A simply-worded letter that is directed at the patient and given to them prior to discharge from hospital can immediately improve their knowledge and understanding of their in-hospital tests and post-discharge recommendations, University of Sydney research reveals.

When used effectively, discharge summaries reduce hospital readmissions

Yale. US: For heart failure patients making the transition from hospital to home, a discharge summary that gets to their primary doctors quickly and contains detailed and useful information can mean the difference between recovering quickly or returning to the hospital, according to new research from Yale School of Medicine researchers.