Sleep disturbances are associated with greater healthcare utilization in children with autism spectrum disorder.

Background: Sleep disturbances are frequently reported in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and are associated with the severity of co-occurring symptoms. This study's aim was to examine the extent of healthcare utilization and clinical outcomes associated with sleep disturbances in children with ASD.

Study Design: A retrospective, cross-sectional study of 541 children with ASD from the Azrieli National Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment Research (ANCAN) whose parents completed the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ).

Large increase in ASD prevalence in Israel between 2017 and 2021.

Accurate estimation of annual changes in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) prevalence is critical for planning the expansion of diagnostic, education, and intervention services at an adequate rate. Previous studies from Israel have reported that ASD prevalence among 8-year-old children has increased from estimates of 0.3% in 2008 to 0.

Exogenous oxytocin administration during labor and autism spectrum disorder.

Background: Oxytocin is a neuropeptide hormone that plays a key role in social behavior, stress regulation, and mental health. Synthetic oxytocin administration is a common obstetrical practice, and importantly, previous research has suggested that intrapartum exposure may increase the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder.

Objective: This study aimed to examine the association between synthetic oxytocin exposure during labor and autism spectrum disorder diagnosis in the child.

Diagnostic Yield and Economic Implications of Whole-Exome Sequencing for ASD Diagnosis in Israel.

Whole-exome sequencing (WES) is an effective approach to identify the susceptibility of genetic variants of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The Israel Ministry of Health supports WES as an adjunct tool for ASD diagnosis, despite its unclear diagnostic yield and cost effectiveness. To address this knowledge gap, we applied WES to a population-based sample of 182 Bedouin and Jewish children with ASD from southern Israel, and assessed its yield in a gene panel of 205 genes robustly associated with ASD.

Association Between Antenatal Antimicrobial Therapy and Autism Spectrum Disorder-A Nested Case-Control Study.

Multiple prenatal factors have been associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) risk. However, current data about the association between antimicrobial use during pregnancy and ASD is limited. A nested matched case-control study of children with ASD (cases), and children without ASD or other psychiatric or genetic disorders (controls).

Exploring Generational Differences in Physicians' Perspectives on the Proliferation of Technology within the Medical Field: A Narrative Study.

Background: The development and advancement of information and communication technologies (ICTs), such as electronic libraries, electronic medical records and computerized physician order entry systems, have made learning and acquiring vast medical knowledge feasible. However, there are limited data pertaining to the navigation of such technologies among physicians of varying generational cohorts.

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore physician experiences and perspectives influencing the adoption of ICTs, with an emphasis on generational differences.

A Narrative Study on the Impact of Information and Communication Technology on the Relationship between Patients and Medical Learners.

Background: Current medical learners are immersed in an era of tremendous technological advancements. Consequently, the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) might impact entrustable professional activities (EPAs), such as interpersonal and communication skills between learners and patients.

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore medical learners' perspectives on ICTs and its impact on the relationship between them and their patients.

Smartphone Technology: Impact on Interprofessional Working Relations between Doctors and Nurses.

Background: For decades, the main communication technology in hospitals has been the paging system. In the era of digital communication, smartphones have been adopted by hospitals seeking to modernize processes and offer real-time, two-way communication to increase efficiency.

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore physicians' and nurses' perceptions of the impact of smartphones on communication and efficiency.

The Impact of a Real-Time Locating System within the Perioperative Environment on Physicians and Patients' Families.

Background: Humber River Hospital has implemented a real-time location system (RTLS) within the operating room in order to provide real-time information about patients' status and manage the many components involved during the perioperative journey.

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore both physicians' and family members' perceptions of the functionality and efficiency of the RTLS within the perioperative environment.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with physicians and patients' family members to elicit various perspectives regarding the use of RTLSs throughout the perioperative process.

Physician Experience with Electronic Order Sets.

Background: Electronic medical record (EMR) and electronic health record (EHR) are used interchangeably to describe a computerized medical information system that collects, stores and displays patient information (Boonstra and Broekhuis 2010). Blumenthal and Tavenner (2010) suggested that computerized medical implementation improves decision-making and patient management. As part of its EMR, Humber River Hospital has implemented electronic order sets (EOSs) by building them into the computerized physician order entry (CPOE) system.

Leveraging Digital Infrastructure for Data Analysis: An Example in Bariatric Surgery.

Background: The digitalization of healthcare information provides hospitals with the ability to gain insight into patterns and associations pertaining to disease and management. Using bariatric patient data as an example provided an opportunity to explore the potential of electronic medical record (EMR) data to generate insights.

Objective: The aim of this study was to extract EMR data pertaining to bariatric patient information as a means to explore predictive factors of weight loss post-bariatric surgery.

Assessment of nurses' competence to care for sexually assaulted trans persons: a survey of Ontario's Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centres.

Objective: Our primary objective was to examine the perceived level of competence and need for additional training among nurses engaged in the care of sexually assaulted trans persons. Among these nurses, a secondary objective was to examine the impact of prior trans-specific training on their perceived level of competence.

Setting: An online survey was distributed to nurses working within 35 hospital-based violence treatment centres in Ontario, Canada.

Optimizing Nursing Practice through Integration of Best Practice Guidelines into Electronic Medical Records.

A commitment to best practice guidelines (BPGs) is crucial for ensuring the safety of patients. Recognizing the power of information technology, Humber River Hospital has integrated BPGs into the electronic medical record (EMR) infrastructure. The large-scale implementation institutes a uniform standard of care and ensures adherence to BPGs through a forcing function designed to require nurses to complete and document the necessary assessments.

Generational Differences in Hospital Technology Adoption: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: The advancement of technological change within healthcare means that it is essential for nurses to have the necessary technological skills to deliver safe and efficient nursing care. Few studies have examined whether generational differences affect the adoption of technology within the healthcare system.

Aim: The primary purpose of this study was to explore predictors that influence the adoption of technology.

Experiences of Nurses Working in a Fully Digital Hospital: A Phenomenological Study.

Background: With the increasing development and integration of information and communication technology (ICT) into hospitals, there remains a lack of understanding of the impact of these technologies on the hospital's largest core users: nurses. Humber River Hospital (HRH), one of the first hospitals to completely integrate technology across all hospital systems and workflows, has sought to understand how ICTs have transformed the clinical working environment.

Objective: The aim of the study was to achieve a deeper understanding of the lived experiences of nurses practising in North America's first digital hospital.

Violence Prevention: Technology-Enabled Therapeutic Intervention.

Background: Nurses are disproportionately prone to experience incidents of violent victimization. Despite the vast literature on violence in healthcare settings, few studies have identified effective violence prevention interventions.

Aim: The aim of the study was to explore the experiences of nurses regarding the implementation of technology-based violence prevention interventions.

Patient Empowerment and Nursing Clinical Workflows Enhanced by Integrated Bedside Terminals.

Background: Integrated bedside terminals (IBTs) were implemented at Humber River Hospital with the goal of supporting patient independence and autonomy and improving nursing workflows. The IBTs provide access to a range of convenience and entertainment services as well as access to personal health information. Due to the novelty of the technology, there is a paucity of empirical data on patients' use of, satisfaction with and perceptions of bedside terminals.

Smartphone Technology: Enabling Prioritization of Patient Needs and Enhancing the Nurse-Patient Relationship.

Background: Mobile health (mHealth) is a rapidly growing field with the potential to transform healthcare delivery. Smartphone technologies have been developed and integrated into the patient call bell system for healthcare staff to receive calls; however, there is a lack of high-quality evidence to support the implementation and evaluate the effectiveness of these devices in a healthcare setting.

Aim: The aim of this study is to explore nurses' perceptions of smartphone technology devices in enhancing the nurse-patient relationship and improving nursing workflows.

Closed-Loop Medication System: Leveraging Technology to Elevate Safety.

Background: Healthcare organizations have long been dependent on the vigilance of nurses to identify and intercept medication errors before they can adversely affect patients. New technologies have been implemented in an effort to reduce medication errors; however, few studies have evaluated the long-term effects of technology-based interventions in reducing medication errors.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of barcode medication administration (BCMA) and the closed-loop medication system (CLMS) interventions on medication errors and adverse drug event (ADE) rates.

Development and evaluation of sexual assault training for emergency department staff in Ontario, Canada.

Objective: The purpose of this evaluation was to assess the efficacy of a training in improving competence to address sexual assault among Emergency Department (ED) staff, as well as to compare in-person and online training modalities.

Methods: A total of 1564 staff from 76 EDs in acute care hospitals across Ontario participated in either on-site (n = 828 staff) or online (n = 736 staff) training sessions, of whom 1366 (87%) completed both a pre- and post-training questionnaire. Mean pre- and post-training scores measuring perceived competence in responding to victims/survivors of sexual assault were compared using paired t-tests.

Determining the effectiveness of an Elder Abuse Nurse Examiner Curriculum: A pilot study.

Objectives: To pilot and evaluate a novel Elder Abuse Nurse Examiner Curriculum and its associated training materials for their efficacy in improving Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE)s' knowledge of elder abuse and competence in delivering care to abused older adults.

Methods: Pilot training was held with 18 SANEs from across Ontario, Canada. A 52-item pre- and post-training questionnaire was administered that assessed participants' self-reported knowledge and perceived skills-based competence related to elder abuse care.