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Existing Guidelines (existing + guideline)
Selected AbstractsManagement of new onset atrial fibrillation in previously well patients less than 60 years of ageEMERGENCY MEDICINE AUSTRALASIA, Issue 1 2005David McD Taylor Abstract Objective:, This study reviewed the ED management of new onset atrial fibrillation (AF) in previously well patients aged less than 60 years. Methods:, We undertook a retrospective review of ED patients from 1998 to 2002 inclusive. The main outcome measures were approaches to rate or rhythm control and anticoagulation, the use of echocardiography, the value of diagnostic testing and the frequency of hospital admission. Results:, Fifty-two patients were identified. In general, all patients were haemodynamically stable. One patient had mild cardiac failure and one was clinically thyrotoxic. Serum potassium was measured in 51 (98%) patients, magnesium in 23 (44%) and cardiac enzymes in 30 (58%); results were generally unhelpful. Thyroid function tests were carried out in 40 (77%) patients; results were unremarkable except for the clinically thyrotoxic patient. No patient had echocardiography in the ED; however, 6 patients (12%) were later found to have major cardiac abnormalities. Forty-four (85%) patients received a variety of medications; 37 (71%) received an anti-arrhythmic and 24 (46%) an antithrombotic. Overall, 17 (33%) patients received theoretically effective therapy for conversion to sinus rhythm. Twenty-two (42%) patients were admitted to hospital. Conclusions:, This study reveals variation in the management of acute AF in previously well, haemodynamically stable, young patients. Pathology testing was frequently carried out with a low yield. There were high rates of attempts to cardiovert, use of antithrombotics and of admission to hospital. Although cardioversion attempts appeared to be contrary to existing guidelines, decisions may have been based primarily on patient symptoms. Echocardiography should be considered prior to anti-arrhythmic therapy. [source] Achieving long-term compliance with colonoscopic surveillance guidelines for patients at increased risk of colorectal cancer in AustraliaINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PRACTICE, Issue 3 2007P. A. Bampton Summary We have previously demonstrated that we could improve colonoscopic surveillance practice for patients at increased risk of colorectal cancer by the adoption of guidelines, facilitated by a nurse co-ordinator. This study was to determine whether we could sustain this improvement over a longer period (4 years). All colonoscopic surveillance decisions made by the co-ordinated colorectal screening programme of our hospital between 2000 and April 2004 were reviewed. Reasons for variance were recorded, and surveillance decisions made in the last 4 months of the study time were compared with decisions made 4 years previously, both before and after the introduction of the co-ordinated programme. Between 2000 and 2004, 1794 surveillance decisions were made with variance occurring in 100. In the last 4 months of the period of study, 98% of decisions matched guidelines, suggesting that the improvement made following the adoption of the guidelines (45,96% p < 0.05) could be maintained. Reasons for variance from guidelines included a belief that the particular clinical scenario was not covered in the guidelines, disagreement with the guidelines or patient anxiety. Adherence to evidence based medicine guidelines for colonoscopy surveillance can be maintained over time at a high level. A number of clinical scenarios are not covered adequately by the existing guidelines and continue to generate disagreement amongst clinicians. [source] Prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis with pharmacological therapy: practice and possibilitiesJOURNAL OF INTERNAL MEDICINE, Issue 6 2004J.-Y. Reginster Abstract. Postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO) is a common disease that will become more prevalent in the future, with costly implications for public health. Prevention of the disease and its consequences, namely fractures, is therefore, important for both the individual and society. This review discusses: the goals of PMO prevention; the identification of women at risk, including the use of bone mineral density and bone turnover markers; the relevance in the prevention setting of various current guidelines for PMO management; recent data on therapeutic options for the treatment and prevention of PMO, in particular bisphosphonates, hormone replacement therapy and several other new pharmacological agents. It concludes that it is crucial for PMO prevention to start before disease onset and that, in the light of recent evidence, the existing guidelines need updating if they are to continue to be relevant. [source] Predictive genetic testing in young people: When is it appropriate?JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRICS AND CHILD HEALTH, Issue 11 2004RE Duncan Abstract: Predictive genetic testing is currently offered to adults for a range of conditions, even when there is no possibility of prophylaxis or treatment. However, similar testing in children and adolescents is advised against in international guidelines. Despite this, several authors have argued against the existing guidelines. Given the lack of empirical evidence, it is important that clinicians are aware not only of the guidelines, but also of the arguments in favour of such testing. [source] Urinary catheter care in the intensive care unitNURSING IN CRITICAL CARE, Issue 1 2004Anna Marklew Summary ,,Urinary catheters are associated with a number of complications, and nurses are ideally suited to minimize the associated risks by utilizing the available research in their practice ,,Urine tract infections caused by urine catheters are associated with increased mortality; however, urine catheter care is a nursing procedure, the importance of which is sometimes overlooked ,,This study reviews recommended guidelines on urine catheter care and current published literature on the subject ,,The aim of the study was to identify recommended practice and compare it with the current research and literature to conclude best practice ,,Conclusions made from this study are that existing guidelines correspond to the recommendations and findings in recent research and literature. However, more detailed guidelines and further research on how to prevent catheter-associated urine tract infections and other complications may be of benefit [source] Attitudes to evidence-based practice in urology: Results of a surveyANZ JOURNAL OF SURGERY, Issue 5 2001Alan M. F. Stapleton Background: The advantages of promoting evidence-based care through implementation of clinical guidelines are well established. Clinical practice guidelines have been developed for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and prostate cancer screening. Aspects of the delivery of care by urologists or specialist registrars relevant to the guidelines were assessed. Methods: A questionnaire was distributed at the 1999 meeting of the Urological Society of Australasia, which was attended by 187 Australasian and 33 foreign delegates. Questions addressed access to resources for evidence-based medicine; perceived need; preferred sources of information; and then presented four clinical scenarios. These were: (i) treatment recommendations in early stage prostate cancer; (ii) the same scenario if the respondent was the patient; (iii) treatment recommendations after radical prostatectomy when there was a positive resection margin; and (iv) clinical investigations for mild to moderate LUTS. Results: Of 220 possible responses, 132 were received, a response rate of 60%. Urologists overwhelmingly (100%) endorsed the need for access to evidence-based reviews, although 28% claimed such access was non-existent to poor. Clinical guidelines were the preferred source of evidence-based information. For early stage prostate cancer in a 55-year-old man, radical prostatectomy was recommended by 93.2% of respondents, but this dropped to 83% when the respondent was the patient (P < 0.05), and a wider range of treatments was recommended. Pelvic radiotherapy and hormone therapy were equally recommended for biochemical progression following radical prostatectomy where there was a positive surgical margin. Investigations for LUTS included serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing (78.0%) and voided flow studies (77.3%). Conclusions: Urologists express a need for evidence-based practice resources, in particular clinical guidelines. Nevertheless their clinical approach is not necessarily consistent with existing guidelines, particularly for LUTS. An alteration in the recommendation when the respondent is the patient of interest and endorses the recommendation that patients with prostate cancer should be involved in treatment decisions. [source] Physical activity recommendations for older AustraliansAUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL ON AGEING, Issue 2 2010Jane Sims Aim:, The aim of this research was to produce evidence-based recommendations on physical activity designed to improve and maintain the health of older Australians. Methods:, The authors reviewed existing guidelines and consensus statements, systematic reviews, meta-analyses and research articles. Draft recommendations were circulated to stakeholder agencies and to an expert advisory group. Final recommendations were then forwarded to the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing for Ministerial approval. Results:, The physical activity recommendations for older Australians complement the current National Physical Activity Guidelines for adults and the American College of Sports Medicine and American Heart Association recommendations for older adults. The recommendations provide advice developed specifically for older Australians. Conclusion:, Although the recommendations may be manifested in different ways, according to specific populations or settings, they apply to older people across all levels of health and have application to community dwelling people and those in residential care accommodation. [source] The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Community-Acquired Pneumonia Core Measures Lead to Unnecessary Antibiotic Administration by Emergency PhysiciansACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 2 2009Bret A. Nicks MD Abstract Objectives:, The objectives were to assess emergency physician (EP) understanding of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) core measures for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) guidelines and to determine their self-reported effect on antibiotic prescribing patterns. Methods:, A convenience sample of EPs from five medical centers in North Carolina was anonymously surveyed via a Web-based instrument. Participants indicated their level of understanding of the CMS CAP guidelines and the effects on their prescribing patterns for antibiotics. Results:, A total of 121 EPs completed the study instrument (81%). All respondents were aware of the CMS CAP guidelines. Of these, 95% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 92% to 98%) correctly understood the time-based guidelines for antibiotic administration, although 24% (95% CI = 17% to 31%) incorrectly identified the onset of this time period. Nearly all physicians (96%; 95% CI = 93% to 99%) reported institutional commitment to meet these core measures, and 84% (95% CI = 78% to 90%) stated that they had a department-based CAP protocol. More than half of the respondents (55%; 95% CI = 47% to 70%) reported prescribing antibiotics to patients they did not believe had pneumonia in an effort to comply with the CMS guidelines, and 42% (95% CI = 34% to 50%) of these stated that they did so more than three times per month. Only 40% (95% CI = 32% to 48%) of respondents indicated a belief that the guidelines improve patient care. Of those, this was believed to occur by increasing pneumonia awareness (60%; 95% CI = 52% to 68%) and improving hospital processes when pneumonia is suspected (86%; 95% CI = 80% to 92%). Conclusions:, Emergency physicians demonstrate awareness of the current CMS CAP guidelines. Most physicians surveyed reported the presence of institutional protocols to increase compliance. More than half of EPs reported that they feel the guidelines led to unnecessary antibiotic usage for patients who are not suspected to have pneumonia. Only 40% of EPs believe that CAP awareness and expedient care resulting from these guidelines has improved overall pneumonia-related patient care. Outcome-based data for non,intensive care unit CAP patients are lacking, and EPs report that they prescribe antibiotics when they may not be necessary to comply with existing guidelines. [source] Clinical practice guidelines for the psychosocial care of cancer survivors,,§CANCER, Issue S18 2009Current status, future prospects Abstract Upon completion of their primary treatment, many cancer survivors become "lost in transition," and receive inadequate or, at best, poorly coordinated follow-up care. Unmet psychosocial and educational needs figure prominently among the concerns identified by survivors of adult-onset cancers in the post-treatment period. This article focuses on the role clinical practice guidelines could play in improving the quality of psychosocial care provided to these post-treatment survivors. After defining clinical practice guidelines and describing their development, the article provides an overview of existing clinical practice guidelines for the psychosocial care of cancer patients and identifies their strengths and weaknesses. A major weakness relevant to this article is that none of the existing guidelines focus on the post-treatment period. Two recent efforts in the field of cancer survivorship are identified that should stimulate and inform the development of guidelines for psychosocial care in the post-treatment period. One effort is the growing movement to implement survivorship care planning at the end of primary treatment. Assessing and addressing unmet and anticipated psychosocial needs have been identified as major components of survivorship care planning. The other effort is the release by the Children's Oncology Group of Long-term Follow-up Guidelines for Survivors of Childhood, Adolescent, and Young Adult Cancers. These guidelines provide a useful model of how guidelines for the psychosocial care of survivors of adult-onset cancers might be developed, organized, and implemented. Cancer 2009;115(18 suppl):4419,29. © 2009 American Cancer Society. [source] TOWARD CASE-BASED REASONING FOR DIABETES MANAGEMENT: A PRELIMINARY CLINICAL STUDY AND DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM PROTOTYPECOMPUTATIONAL INTELLIGENCE, Issue 3 2009Cindy Marling This paper presents a case-based decision support system prototype to assist patients with Type 1 diabetes on insulin pump therapy. These patients must vigilantly maintain blood glucose levels within prescribed target ranges to prevent serious disease complications, including blindness, neuropathy, and heart failure. Case-based reasoning (CBR) was selected for this domain because (a) existing guidelines for managing diabetes are general and must be tailored to individual patient needs; (b) physical and lifestyle factors combine to influence blood glucose levels; and (c) CBR has been successfully applied to the management of other long-term medical conditions. An institutional review board (IRB) approved preliminary clinical study, involving 20 patients, was conducted to assess the feasibility of providing case-based decision support for these patients. Fifty cases were compiled in a case library, situation assessment routines were encoded to detect common problems in blood glucose control, and retrieval metrics were developed to find the most relevant past cases for solving current problems. Preliminary results encourage continued research and work toward development of a practical tool for patients. [source] | ||||||||||