Publications by authors named "R C Fernandez"
Aim: This paper aims to explore the significance of umbrella reviews as a methodological advancement in evidence synthesis, emphasizing their role in aggregating data from multiple systematic reviews and their impact on evidence-based practice and policy-making.
Methods And Results: The paper examines the evolution of systematic reviews and meta-analyses, highlighting the emergence of umbrella reviews as a comprehensive synthesis method. It details the key steps involved in conducting an umbrella review, including literature searches, study selection, quality appraisal, and data synthesis.
Background: The Association for the Advancement of Blood and Biotherapies guidelines recommend the use of high-titer COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) for patients with SARS-CoV-2 at high risk of disease progression, including those who are immunocompromised. We hypothesized that conventional plasma units have comparable neutralizing antibody levels to CCP.
Study Design And Methods: Conventional plasma and CCP units were obtained from blood suppliers.
Objective: Current QI reports within the literature frequently fail to provide enough information regarding interventions, and a significant number of publications do not mention the utilization of a guiding model or framework. The objective of this scoping review was to synthesize the characteristics of hospital-based QI interventions and assess their alignment with recommended quality goals.
Methods: This scoping review followed the JBI methodology for scoping reviews to synthesize existing literature on hospital-based QI interventions and reporting using the PRISMA Extension for scoping reviews.
Background: Despite the use of Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) as the gold standard for the diagnosis of rare diseases, its clinical implementation has been challenging, limiting the cost-effectiveness of NGS and the understanding, control and safety essential for decision-making in clinical applications. Here, we describe a personalized NGS-based strategy integrating precision medicine into a public healthcare system and its implementation in the routine diagnosis process during a five-year pilot program.
Methods: Our approach involved customized probe designs, the generation of virtual panels and the development of a personalized medicine module (PMM) for variant prioritization.
Importance: The emergency department (ED) offers an opportunity to initiate palliative care for older adults with serious, life-limiting illness.
Objective: To assess the effect of a multicomponent intervention to initiate palliative care in the ED on hospital admission, subsequent health care use, and survival in older adults with serious, life-limiting illness.
Design, Setting, And Participants: Cluster randomized, stepped-wedge, clinical trial including patients aged 66 years or older who visited 1 of 29 EDs across the US between May 1, 2018, and December 31, 2022, had 12 months of prior Medicare enrollment, and a Gagne comorbidity score greater than 6, representing a risk of short-term mortality greater than 30%.