Piloting an external quality assurance program (QAP) for COVID-19 antigen rapid diagnostic tests (Ag-RDTs): findings and lessons learned from Cambodia.

Rapid antigen diagnostic tests (Ag-RDTs) that quickly and accurately identify SARS-CoV-2 are an essential part of the COVID-19 response, but multiple factors can affect the validity of Ag-RDTs results. In Cambodia, several commercial Ag-RDTs have become available since the COVID-19 outbreak, but quality control (QC) and external quality assurance (EQA) of these rapid tests have yet to be fully and systematically implemented. We collaborated with laboratory experts in Australia and piloted an EQA programme of the commonly used COVID-19 Ag-RDTs at the University of Health Sciences' MERIEUX Laboratory (Tier 1 site-responsible for the in-country receipt and distribution of QA material) and four other participating laboratories (Tier 2-healthcare facility based) between November 2021 and November 2022.

Risk of adverse birth outcomes and birth defects among women living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy and HIV-negative women in Uganda, 2015-2021.

Introduction: We assessed the risk of adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes and birth defects among women living with HIV (WLHIV) on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and HIV-negative women.

Methods: We analyzed data on live births, stillbirths, and spontaneous abortions during 2015-2021 from a hospital-based birth defects surveillance system in Kampala, Uganda. ART regimens were recorded from hospital records and maternal self-reports.

Impact of vitamin C on the reduction of opioid consumption for acute musculoskeletal pain: A double-blind randomized control pilot study.

Introduction: Recent evidence has shown that vitamin C has analgesic and opioid sparing properties in immediate postoperative context. However, this has never been studied for acute musculoskeletal (MSK) emergency department (ED) injuries. The aim of this pilot study is to evaluate the feasibility of conducting a randomized placebo-controlled study to determine the opioid sparing and analgesic effect of vitamin C compared to placebo, in acute MSK injured ED patients.

Vitamin D and/or calcium to prevent fractures and falls: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Previous systematic reviews on fracture and fall prevention have generally shown no efficacy with calcium or vitamin D alone and conflicting findings with that of vitamin D combined with calcium. Despite these findings, increases in vitamin D and calcium prescriptions have been reported in many countries, as many clinicians, guidelines and regulatory agencies still largely recommend universal supplementation to adults.

Methods And Analysis: We will conduct a systematic review of randomised controlled trials on the efficacy of vitamin D and/or calcium in fracture and fall prevention.

Challenges of Faith Community Nursing in a Midwestern Healthcare System.

Faith community nurses are positioned to play a vital role in addressing whole person health in multiple settings. A steady decline of nurses completing faith community nurse (FCN) training in a midwestern healthcare system sparked the system's hospital leadership to re-evaluate the FCN training and outreach program. To inform future education programs, an online needs assessment survey was deployed to FCNs.