Conceptualising the quality experience for independent medical examinations: A narrative review.

Background: An independent medical examination is a unique healthcare assessment conducted by an expert health professional with the aim of providing impartial advice to key stakeholders in workers' compensation schemes regarding a worker's injury or illness. A range of dedicated guidelines provide for best practice at local and national levels, but concerns exist regarding the quality of these encounters for all involved.

Methods: A narrative review was conducted to explore quality principles underpinning practices and reporting of independent medical examinations.

Upregulation of inflammatory genes and pathways links obesity to severe COVID-19.

Obesity is a risk factor for developing severe COVID-19. However, the mechanism underlying obesity-accelerated COVID-19 remains unclear. Here, we report results from a study in which 2-3-month-old K18-hACE2 (K18) mice were fed a western high-fat diet (WD) or normal chow (NC) over 3 months before intranasal infection with a sublethal dose of SARS-CoV2 WA1 (a strain ancestral to the Wuhan variant).

Improving the pre-medical emergency team: the case for a behavioural theoretical lens.

There is mounting evidence that the pre-medical emergency team (pre-MET) of rapid response systems is underutilised in clinical practice due to suboptimal structures and processes and resource constraints. In this perspective article, we argue for examining the pre-MET through a 'Behaviour Change Wheel' lens to improve the pre-MET and maximise the associated patient safety benefits. Using pre-MET communication practices as an example, we illustrate the value of the COM-B model, where clinicians' 'capability', 'opportunity', and 'motivation' drive 'behaviour'.

Importance of specific vital signs in nurses' recognition and response to deteriorating patients: A scoping review.

Aim(s): To explore the published research related to nurses' documentation and use of vital signs in recognising and responding to deteriorating patients.

Design: Scoping review of international, peer-reviewed research studies.

Data Sources: Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature Complete, Medline Complete, American Psychological Association PsycInfo and Excerpta Medica were searched on 25 July 2023.

Effect of Intensive Nurse-Led Optimization of Heart Failure Medications in Patients With Heart Failure: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: Prescribing of recommended medications for heart failure (HF) is suboptimal, leaving patients at a high risk of death or rehospitalization post discharge. Nurse-led titration (NLT) clinics are one strategy that could potentially improve the prescription of these medications.

Objective: The aim of this article was to determine the effect of NLT clinics on all-cause mortality, all-cause or HF rehospitalizations, and adverse effects in patients with HF.

COVID-19 and influenza infections mediate distinct pulmonary cellular and transcriptomic changes.

SARS-CoV-2 infection can cause persistent respiratory sequelae. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here we report that sub-lethally infected K18-human ACE2 mice show patchy pneumonia associated with histiocytic inflammation and collagen deposition at 21 and 45 days post infection (DPI).

Nurses' perceptions of point-of-care ultrasound for haemodialysis access assessment and guided cannulation: A qualitative study.

Aim: To explore nurses' perceptions of using point-of-care ultrasound for assessment and guided cannulation in the haemodialysis setting.

Background: Cannulation of arteriovenous fistulae is necessary to perform haemodialysis. Damage to the arteriovenous fistula is a frequent complication, resulting in poor patient outcomes and increased healthcare costs.

Exploring interdisciplinary communication pathways for escalating pre-medical emergency team deterioration: a mixed-methods study.

Objective To explore clinicians' use and perceptions of interdisciplinary communication pathways for escalating care within the pre-medical emergency team (pre-MET) tier of rapid response systems. Method A sequential mixed-methods study was conducted using observations and interviews. Participants were clinicians (nurses, allied health, doctors) caring for orthopaedic and general medicine patients at one hospital.

Feasibility and acceptability of an online guided self-determination program to improve diabetes self-management in young adults.

Objective: Evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of an online guided self-determination (GSD) program to improve diabetes self-management skills among young adults with type 1 diabetes (YAD).

Methods: An online program comprising seven structured interactive conversations was designed. A pre- and post- interventional study used a sequential, two-phase multiple method design.

Clinicians' use and perceptions of the pre-medical emergency team tier of one rapid response system: A mixed-methods study.

Background: The pre-medical emergency team (pre-MET) tier of rapid response systems facilitates early recognition and treatment of deteriorating ward patients using ward-based clinicians before a MET review is needed. However, there is growing concern that the pre-MET tier is inconsistently used.

Objective: This study aimed to explore clinicians' use of the pre-MET tier.

The Impact of Community Health Information Exchange Usage on Time to Reutilization of Hospital Services.

Purpose: Few studies have determined whether clinician usage of a community health information exchange (HIE) directly improves patient care transitions. We hypothesized that lookup in the HIE by primary care physicians of patients recently released from the hospital would increase the time until hospital reuse.

Methods: We identified a retrospective cohort of 8,216 hospital inpatients aged over 18 years that were discharged from January 1, 2021 through November 30, 2021 using the Paso del Norte Health Information Exchange, in El Paso County, Texas.

The value of community-integrated health information exchanges: three recent examples from El Paso, Texas.

The foundational role of health information exchanges (HIEs) is to facilitate communication between clinical partners in real time. Once this infrastructure for the secure and immediate flow of patient information is built, however, HIEs can benefit community public health and clinical care in myriad other ways that are in line with their mission, goals, patient privacy, and funding structures. We encourage the development of community-integrated HIEs and list specific steps that can be taken toward community integration.

Development and Validation of the Medical Emergency Team-Risk Prediction Model for Clinical Deterioration in Acute Hospital Patients, at Time of an Emergency Admission.

Objectives: To develop and validate a prediction model to estimate the risk of Medical Emergency Team (MET) review, within 48 hours of an emergency admission, using information routinely available at the time of hospital admission.

Design: Development and validation of a multivariable risk model using prospectively collected data. Transparent Reporting of a multivariable model for Individual Prognosis Or Diagnosis recommendations were followed to develop and report the prediction model.

Effectiveness of 2, 3, and 4 COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine Doses Among Immunocompetent Adults During Periods when SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.1 and BA.2/BA.2.12.1 Sublineages Predominated - VISION Network, 10 States, December 2021-June 2022.

The Omicron variant (B.1.1.

C57BL/6J Mice Are Not Suitable for Modeling Severe SARS-CoV-2 Beta and Gamma Variant Infection.

SARS-CoV-2 variants, including B.1.1.

Point-of-care ultrasound-guided cannulation versus standard cannulation in hemodialysis vascular access: A controlled random order crossover pilot feasibility study.

Background: Standard cannulation practice for hemodialysis consists of inserting needles "blindly" through skin into an arteriovenous fistula (AVF), which is more likely to cause damage. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) guided cannulation has potential for less damage; however, efficacy of this technique has not been explored. Our purpose was to test the feasibility and effectiveness of POCUS guidance for cannulation of AVFs in hemodialysis patients.

Characteristics and outcomes of patients receiving review requests for pre-medical emergency team deterioration: a cohort study.

Objective The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiology of pre-medical emergency team (pre-MET) reviews, including patient characteristics, the frequency and nature of triggers and interventions and in-hospital outcomes. Methods An exploratory retrospective cohort study was performed using a medical record audit. Fifty orthopaedic and general medicine patients at a hospital in Melbourne, Australia, with requests for pre-MET reviews in 2016 were included.

Australian critical care nurses' knowledge, preparedness, and experiences of managing SARS-COV-2 and COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has again highlighted the crucial role of healthcare workers in case management, disease surveillance, policy development, and healthcare education and training. The ongoing pandemic demonstrates the importance of having an emergency response plan that accounts for the safety of frontline healthcare workers, including those working in critical care settings.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to explore Australian critical care nurses' knowledge, preparedness, and experiences of managing patients diagnosed with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection (SARS-CoV-2) and COVID-19.

Critical care nurses' perceptions of essential elements for an intensive care liaison or critical care outreach nurse curriculum.

Background: For over a decade, patients experiencing clinical deterioration have been attended to by specialised nurses, the most senior of which are intensive care unit liaison nurses (ICU LNs) or critical care outreach nurses. These roles have evolved without consistent and formal recognised educational preparation. To continue to advance patient safety, an understanding of the educational requirements for these vital roles is required.

Endothelial cell infection and dysfunction, immune activation in severe COVID-19.

: Pulmonary vascular endotheliitis, perivascular inflammation, and immune activation are observed in COVID-19 patients. While the initial SARS-CoV-2 infection mainly infects lung epithelial cells, whether it also infects endothelial cells (ECs) and to what extent SARS-CoV-2-mediated pulmonary vascular endotheliitis is associated with immune activation remain to be determined. : To address these questions, we studied SARS-CoV-2-infected () mice, a severe COVID-19 mouse model, as well as lung samples from SARS-CoV-2-infected nonhuman primates (NHP) and patient deceased from COVID-19.

Assessment Framework for Recognizing Clinical Deterioration in Patients With ACS Undergoing PCI.

Topic: Patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention are at risk of clinical deterioration that results in similar general signs and symptoms regardless of its cause. However, specific causes and forms of clinical deterioration are associated with key differences in assessment findings. Focused clinical assessments using a modified primary survey enable nurses to rapidly identify the cause and form of clinical deterioration, facilitating targeted treatment.

Specific Elements of Team-Based Learning Used in Nursing Education: A Scoping Review.

Background: Team-based learning (TBL) is an evidence-based, highly structured teaching strategy.

Purpose: The purpose of this review was to explore the specific TBL structure and process design elements reported in nursing education studies.

Methods: A scoping review was undertaken according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews.

Use of the pre-medical emergency team tier of rapid response systems: A scoping Review.

Objective: The aim of this review was to explore use of the pre-Medical Emergency Team (pre-MET) tier of Rapid Response Systems to recognise and respond to adult ward patients experiencing early clinical deterioration.

Methods: A scoping review of studies published in English reporting on use of a pre-MET tier in adult ward patients was conducted. Three databases were searched (Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE) for studies published between January 1995 and September 2020.