Health Professionals' Preferences for Next-Generation Sequencing in the Diagnosis of Suspected Genetic Disorders in the Paediatric Population.

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) can explain how genetics influence morbidity and mortality in children. However, it is unclear whether health providers will perceive and use such treatments. We conducted a discrete choice experiment (DCE) to understand Italian health professionals' preferences for NGS to improve the diagnosis of paediatric genetic diseases.

Determinants of Prolonged Hospitalization in Children and Adolescents: A Retrospective Observational Study.

Introduction: Ensuring an appropriate length of stay (LOS) is a primary goal for hospitals, as prolonged LOS poses clinical risks and organizational challenges. Children and adolescents are particularly susceptible to prolonged LOS due to frequent hospitalizations and unique vulnerabilities, including developmental disabilities that may necessitate additional care and monitoring. This study aims to describe the LOS of children and adolescent patients and identify the sociodemographic, organizational, clinical, and nursing care factors contributing to prolonged LOS in this population.

Effectiveness and safety of Ceftolozane/Tazobactam administered in continuous infusion through elastomeric pumps in OPAT regimen: a case series.

Purpose: This study aimed to present real-life data on the use, effectiveness, and safety of administering Ceftolozane/Tazobactam (C/T) through elastomeric pumps (EP) in the outpatient setting.

Methods: This case series study was conducted from January 2022 to July 2023 in a large University Hospital in Rome, Italy. Patients receiving continuous infusion of C/T EP were included up to a follow-up period of 90 days after the end of antibiotic therapy.

An ecological comparison to inspect the aftermath of post COVID-19 condition in Italy and the United States.

Post COVID-19 Condition (PCC) is a clinical syndrome following COVID-19 disease. PCC symptoms in adults entail significant productivity loss and reduced quality of life. This study aimed at estimating the epidemiological and economic burden of PCC among the working-age population of Italy and the US.

Outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy (OPAT) through elastomeric continuous infusion pumps in a real-life observational study: Characteristics, safety, and efficacy analysis.

Introduction: This study aimed to present real-life data on the use, efficacy, and safety of administering antibiotic therapy through portable elastomeric pumps (pEP) in the outpatient setting.

Methods: This retrospective observational cohort study was conducted from January 2020 to May 2023 in a large academic hospital in Rome, Italy. All patients receiving antibiotic therapy via pEP were included up to a follow-up period of 90 days after the end of antibiotic therapy.

Pediatric post COVID-19 condition: an umbrella review of the most common symptoms and associated factors.

Background: Although the long-term consequences of the Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic are yet to be fully comprehended, a syndrome symptomatically akin to the COVID-19 disease has been defined, for children and adolescents, in February 2023 by the World Health Organization (WHO) as 'post COVID-19 condition' (PCC). Potential consequences of COVID-19 that affect developmental milestones in children and adolescents should be comprehended in their magnitude and duration. The aim is to investigate the most common symptoms and predictors or risk factors for pediatric PCC.

Cost-Effectiveness of Whole-Genome vs Whole-Exome Sequencing Among Children With Suspected Genetic Disorders.

Importance: The diagnosis of rare diseases and other genetic conditions can be daunting due to vague or poorly defined clinical features that are not recognized even by experienced clinicians. Next-generation sequencing technologies, such as whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and whole-exome sequencing (WES), have greatly enhanced the diagnosis of genetic diseases by expanding the ability to sequence a large part of the genome, rendering a cost-effectiveness comparison between them necessary.

Objective: To assess the cost-effectiveness of WGS compared with WES and conventional testing in children with suspected genetic disorders.

Co-administration of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza vaccines in healthcare workers: Results of two vaccination campaigns in a large teaching hospital in Rome.

The concurrent administration of COVID-19 and influenza vaccines has arisen as a promising approach to bolster protection against respiratory pathogens and improve vaccination rates. However, there remains a lack of data regarding the prevalence of co-administration across several vaccination campaigns, especially among healthcare workers (HCWs). Therefore, this study aims to shed light on the acceptance of co-administration strategies among HCWs during the two campaigns following the introduction of the anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccine.

Bayesian cost-effectiveness analysis of Whole genome sequencing versus Whole exome sequencing in a pediatric population with suspected genetic disorders.

Genetic diseases are medical conditions caused by sequence or structural changes in an individual's genome. Whole exome sequencing (WES) and whole genome sequencing (WGS) are increasingly used for diagnosing suspected genetic conditions in children to reduce the diagnostic delay and accelerating the implementation of appropriate treatments. While more information is becoming available on clinical efficacy and economic sustainability of WES, the broad implementation of WGS is still hindered by higher complexity and economic issues.

Cost-utility of cardiac contractility modulation in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction in Italy.

Aims: Cardiac contractility modulation (CCM) is a device therapy for heart failure, based on the delivery of high-voltage biphasic impulses to the right ventricular septum during the myocardial absolute refractory period. This study evaluated the cost-effectiveness of CCM therapy plus optimal medical therapy (OMT) vs. OMT alone in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

Organizational Aspects of the Implementation and Use of Whole Genome Sequencing and Whole Exome Sequencing in the Pediatric Population in Italy: Results of a Survey.

This study explores the organizational aspects of whole genome sequencing (WGS) implementation for pediatric patients with suspected genetic disorders in Italy, comparing it with whole exome sequencing (WES). Health professionals' opinions were collected through an internet-based survey and analyzed using a qualitative summative content analysis methodology. Among the 16 respondents, most were clinical geneticists performing only WES, while 5 also used WGS.

Whole genome sequencing diagnostic yield for paediatric patients with suspected genetic disorders: systematic review, meta-analysis, and GRADE assessment.

Background: About 80% of the roughly 7,000 known rare diseases are single gene disorders, about 85% of which are ultra-rare, affecting less than one in one million individuals. NGS technologies, in particular whole genome sequencing (WGS) in paediatric patients suffering from severe disorders of likely genetic origin improve the diagnostic yield allowing targeted, effective care and management. The aim of this study is to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the effectiveness of WGS, with respect to whole exome sequencing (WES) and/or usual care, for the diagnosis of suspected genetic disorders among the paediatric population.

Potentiality of algorithms and artificial intelligence adoption to improve medication management in primary care: a systematic review.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of artificial intelligence (AI) and/or algorithms on drug management in primary care settings comparing AI and/or algorithms with standard clinical practice. Second, we evaluated what is the most frequently reported type of medication error and the most used AI machine type.

Methods: A systematic review of literature was conducted querying PubMed, Cochrane and ISI Web of Science until November 2021.

Incremental Net Benefit and Incremental Cost-Effectiveness Ratio of COVID-19 Vaccination Campaigns: Systematic Review of Cost-Effectiveness Evidence.

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination has been the most effective tool to prevent COVID-19, significantly reducing deaths and hospitalizations worldwide. Vaccination has played a huge role in bringing the COVID-19 pandemic under control, even as the inequitable distribution of vaccines still leaves several countries vulnerable. Therefore, organizing a mass vaccination campaign on a global scale is a priority to contain the virus spread.

Mortality after transvenous lead extraction: A risk prediction model for sustainable care delivery.

Background And Aims: Transvenous lead extraction (TLE) has become a pivotal part of a comprehensive lead management strategy, dealing with a continuously increasing demand. Nonetheless, the literature about the long-term impact of TLE on survivals is still lacking. Given these knowledge gaps, the aim of our study was to analyse very long-term mortality in patients undergoing TLE in public health perspective.

Nudging Interventions on Alcohol and Tobacco Consumption in Adults: A Scoping Review of the Literature.

The World Health Organization identified alcohol and tobacco consumption as the risk factors with a greater attributable burden and number of deaths related to non-communicable diseases. A promising technique aimed to modify behavioral risk factors by redesigning the elements influencing the choice of people is nudging. : A scoping review of the literature was performed to map the literature evidence investigating the use of nudging for tobacco and alcohol consumption prevention and/or control in adults.

Risk of Infection and Duration of Protection after the Booster Dose of the Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine BNT162b2 among Healthcare Workers in a Large Teaching Hospital in Italy: Results of an Observational Study.

The efficacy of the first schedule of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines has decreased after the surge of the Delta variant, posing the need to administer a booster dose to enhance the neutralising immune response. This study aims at evaluating the duration of protection given by the booster dose of Pfizer-BioNTech BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine in healthcare workers (HCWs) of a large teaching hospital in Rome and to analyse the factors associated with post-booster vaccination infections. Data about vaccinations of HCWs with the BNT162b2 vaccine and nasal swabs positive for SARS-CoV-2 were extracted from the digital archives of the hospital from 27 September 2021 to 31 May 2022.

Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) from an emergency model applied during the COVID-19 pandemic to standard of care: Preliminary lessons from our experience.

Objectives: We wish to report on our experience of OPAT during the first two years of the COVID19 outbreak.

Patients And Methods: We recorded data on all patients treated in the OPAT regimen in 2020 and 2021 and compared overall trends, use of carbapenems and saved days of hospitalization.

Results: The OPAT model enabled us to ensure the administration of first choice antibiotic therapy to 239 patients with an increase of 21.

Health technology assessment of whole genome sequencing in the diagnosis of genetic disorders: a scoping review of the literature.

Objective: The aim of this scoping review is to map the available evidence about the use of health technology assessment (HTA) in the assessment of whole genome sequencing (WGS).

Methods: A scoping review methodology was adopted. The population, concept, and context framework was used to build up the research question and to establish the eligibility criteria.

COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign among the Health Workers of Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS: A Cost-Benefit Analysis.

Vaccinations generate health, economic and social benefits in both vaccinated and unvaccinated populations. The aim of this study was to conduct a cost-benefit analysis to estimate the costs and benefits associated with the COVID-19 vaccination campaign for health workers in Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS (FPG). The analysis included 5152 healthcare workers who voluntarily received the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, divided into physicians, nurses and other health workers.

Flu and COVID-19 Vaccination: What Happens to the Flu Shot When the Campaigns Overlap? Experience from a Large Italian Research Hospital.

Influenza represents a threat to global health and health care workers (HCWs) have an increased risk of contracting the influenza virus in the workplace. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought back the importance of influenza vaccination, as the influenza virus can circulate together with SARS-CoV-2. The aim of this report is to describe the actual flu vaccination coverage among healthcare workers of a research hospital and the trend changes, with respect to the past flu vaccination campaigns, in light of the present pandemic and COVID-19 vaccination.

Assessing the potentiality of algorithms and artificial intelligence adoption to disrupt patient primary care with a safer and faster medication management: a systematic review protocol.

Introduction: In primary care, almost 75% of outpatient visits by family doctors and general practitioners involve continuation or initiation of drug therapy. Due to the enormous amount of drugs used by outpatients in unmonitored situations, the potential risk of adverse events due to an error in the use or prescription of drugs is much higher than in a hospital setting. Artificial intelligence (AI) application can help healthcare professionals to take charge of patient safety by improving error detection, patient stratification and drug management.

Cancers: What Are the Costs in Relation to Disability-Adjusted Life Years? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Cancers currently represent a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, and precisely estimating their burden is crucial for evidence-based decision-making. This study aimed at understanding the average costs of cancer-related disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and highlighting possible differences in economic estimates obtained with diverse approaches. We searched four scientific databases to identify all the primary literature simultaneously investigating cancer-related costs and DALYs.