In-hospital mortality in COVID-19 vs. pre-COVID-19 era in the Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic marked 2020 with numerous consequences for the health of the population. Therefore, this study aimed to explore whether the COVID-19 pandemic affected in-hospital mortality. Methods We employed a cross-sectional comparative study using two different time periods, pre-COVID-19 (2019 year) and COVID-19 era (2020 year) to explore possibilities of COVID-19 influences in-hospital mortality in Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia. The research used data from the national information system on hospitalizations from the Clinical Hospital Center Split, University Hospital Split. The indicators were statistically analyzed. The z-score test for two population proportions is used. Results In 2020, there was a significantly higher in-hospital mortality compared to 2019 (z = 9.0827; p < 0.00001), which was supported by a significant increase in mortality from respiratory diseases according to the comparison of disease categories of International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10) (z = 9.0427; p < 0.00001). Within hospital departments, significantly higher mortality was in the Intensive Care Unit (z = 5.2763; p < 0.00001) and the Infectious Diseases Department (z = 9.6982; p < 0.00001). Among deaths in 2020 with confirmed COVID-19, there were significantly more positive among deaths from respiratory diseases (z=-17.4462; p < 0.00001). There was no difference in mortality rates between 2020 and 2019 by age. Conclusions The results of the study indicate that COVID-19 has a contribution to hospital mortality. Given that the pandemic has not yet completed additional research, it will be necessary to obtain a more complete picture of the impact of COVID-19 on hospital mortality in Split-Dalmatia County, as well as in other regions and countries. Key messages The results of the study indicate that COVID-19 has a contribution to hospital mortality. Given that the pandemic has not yet completed additional research, it will be necessary to obtain a more complete picture of the impact of COVID-19 on hospital mortality.

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Impact of Safety-Net Burden on In-Hospital Mortality and Hospitalization Costs Among Patients with Alcoholic Hepatitis and Alcoholic Cirrhosis

Alcohol and Alcoholism ◽

10.1093/alcalc/agaa081 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Sanah Ladhani ◽

Grishma Hirode ◽

Ashwani K Singal ◽

Robert J Wong

Keyword(s):

African American ◽

Hospital Mortality ◽

Alcoholic Hepatitis ◽

Alcoholic Cirrhosis ◽

Safety Net ◽

Linear Regression Models ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Hospitalization Costs ◽

The Usa ◽

The Impact

Abstract Aims Alcoholic hepatitis (AH) and alcoholic cirrhosis disproportionately affect ethnic minority and safety-net populations. We evaluate the impact of a hospital’s safety net burden (SNB) on in-hospital mortality and costs among patients with AH and alcoholic cirrhosis. Methods We performed a cross-sectional analysis of 2012–2016 National Inpatient Sample. SNB was calculated as percentage of hospitalizations with Medicaid or uninsured payer status. Associations between hospital SNB and in-hospital mortality and costs were evaluated with adjusted multivariable logistic regression and linear regression models. Results Among 21,898 AH-related hospitalizations, compared to low SNB hospitals (LBH), patients hospitalized in high SNB hospitals (HBH) were younger (44.4 y vs. 47.4 y, P < 0.001) and more likely to be African American (11.3% vs. 7.7%, P < 0.001) or Hispanic (15.4% vs. 8.4%, P < 0.001). AH-related hospitalizations in HBH had a non-significant trend towards higher odds of mortality (OR 1.27, 95% CI 0.98–1.65, P = 0.07) and higher mean hospitalizations costs. Among 108,669 alcoholic cirrhosis-related hospitalizations, patients in HBH were younger (53.3 y vs. 55.8 y, P < 0.001) and more likely to be African American (8.2% vs. 7.3%, P < 0.001) or Hispanic (24.4% vs. 12.0%, P < 0.001) compared to LBH. Compared to alcoholic cirrhosis-related hospitalizations in LBH, mortality was higher among medium SNB (OR 1.10, 95% CI 1.03–1.17, P = 0.007) and HBH (OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.00–1.15, P = 0.05). Mean hospitalization costs were not different by SNB status. Conclusions HBH hospitals predominantly serve ethnic minorities and underinsured/uninsured populations. The higher in-hospital mortality associated HBH particularly for alcoholic cirrhosis patients is alarming given its increasing burden in the USA.

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Women's birth beliefs and associated factors in an obstetrics clinic in the Southeastern Anatolian Region of Turkey

Journal of Health Research ◽

10.1108/jhr-07-2019-0166 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 34 (4) ◽

pp. 345-351

Author(s):

Figen Alp Yilmaz ◽

Yeter Durgun Ozan

Keyword(s):

Associated Factors ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

University Hospital ◽

Healthcare Personnel ◽

Delivery Mode ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Content Type ◽

Pregnancy And Delivery ◽

Consultation Services ◽

The Impact

PurposeThe impact of birth beliefs on pregnancy and delivery are universally recognized, but the factors that affect birth beliefs vary across regions depending on individual and cultural characteristics. This study aimed to determine women's birth beliefs and examine their associated factors.Design/methodology/approachThis cross-sectional study was conducted with 548 primiparas in the obstetrics clinic of a university hospital located in the Southeastern Anatolian Region of Turkey from February to June 2019. Descriptive characteristics, form and the Birth Beliefs Scale were used in data collection. To analyze the data, descriptive statistics, T-tests and ANOVA analyses were used.FindingsIt was determined that factors such as age group, income level, any problems during pregnancy and preferred delivery mode statistically affected women's birth beliefs.Originality/valueBased on the findings from this study, healthcare personnel should provide training and consultation services to pregnant women starting from the prenatal period to help ensure a positive labor experience.

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Quality of Life in Patients with Psoriasis Seen in the Department of Dermatology, Antananarivo, Madagascar

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2020/9292163 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-5

Author(s):

Fandresena Arilala Sendrasoa ◽

Naina Harinjara Razanakoto ◽

Volatantely Ratovonjanahary ◽

Onivola Raharolahy ◽

Irina Mamisoa Ranaivo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Young Patients ◽

The Body ◽

University Hospital ◽

Medical Decision ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Difference ◽

The Impact

Background. Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory, and multifactorial dermatosis that impairs quality of life (QoL). Health-related QoL has become an important element in medical decision-making along with the effectiveness and the harmlessness of the treatments. Objective. To assess the impact of psoriasis in the QoL of patients with psoriasis by using the DLQI scales. Methods. A cross-sectional study from January to June 2018 was conducted in the Department of Dermatology of the University Hospital Joseph Raseta Befelatanana, Antananarivo, Madagascar, including patients more than 18 years old with mild to severe psoriasis. The severity of psoriasis was assessed using the “Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI)”. QoL of patients with psoriasis was evaluated by using the DLQI scales. Results. 80 patients were included, their mean age was 36.5 years, and the male to female was 1.5 : 1. The mean DLQI score was 13.8. Symptoms, feelings, and psychic were the most altered dimensions. QoL was impaired in young patients, single, having medium level education. Even though patients with disease duration more than 5 years had higher DLQI score than other patients, the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.36). Furthermore, the clinical presentation of psoriasis did not influence the patient’s QoL (p=0.73). Patients with nail involvement had QoL impaired but the difference with another localization was not statistically significant (p=0.2). The quality of life was influenced by body area involved. The higher the body surface area involved, the more QoL is impaired (p=0.002). Furthermore, the higher the PASI, the more QoL is altered (p=0.002). Conclusion. Psoriasis has a negative impact in the quality of life in Malagasy patients with psoriasis, especially in younger and single patients. Worse quality of life is correlated to severity of psoriasis.

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Quality of life in swallowing of the elderly patients affected by stroke

Arquivos de Gastroenterologia ◽

10.1590/s0004-2803.2017v54n1-05 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 54 (1) ◽

pp. 27-32 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Émerson Soares PONTES ◽

Ana Karênina de Freitas Jordão do AMARAL ◽

Flávia Luiza Costa do RÊGO ◽

Elma Heitmann Mares AZEVEDO ◽

Priscila Oliveira Costa SILVA

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Life Quality ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

The Elderly ◽

University Hospital ◽

Feeding Time ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Significance Level ◽

The Impact

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND The elderly population faces many difficulties as a result of the aging process. Conceptualize and evaluate their life quality is a challenge, being hard to characterize the impact on daily activities and on functional capacity. The stroke is one of the most disabling neurological diseases, becoming a public health problem. As an aggravating result, there is dysphagia, a disorder that compromises the progression of the food from the mouth to the stomach, causing clinical complications to the individual. OBJECTIVE Characterize the life quality of the elderly swallowing affected by stroke. METHODS Cross-sectional study conducted at the University Hospital, attended by 35 elderly with stroke, being 19 women and 16 men, with age between 60 and 90 years old, that self-reported satisfactory overall clinical picture. It was applied the Quality of Life Swallowing protocol. The data were statistically analyzed, by means of ANOVA tests, Spearman correlation, t test, with significance level of 5%. RESULTS The mean age was 69.5 years; as for the scores obtained by the 35 participants in the 11 domains of the protocol, it was observed a change in score indicating severe to moderate impact in quality of life related to self-reported swallowing (31.8% to 59.5%); the domain that most interfered was the feeding time (31.8%). CONCLUSION Elderly affected by stroke that present dysphagia has low scores in quality of life related to swallowing.

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Varying impact of co-morbid conditions on self-harm resulting in mortality in Australia

Health Information Management Journal ◽

10.1177/1833358316686799 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 47 (1) ◽

pp. 28-37 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Kate Churruca ◽

Brian Draper ◽

Rebecca Mitchell

Keyword(s):

Chronic Conditions ◽

Mortality Data ◽

Free Text ◽

Classification Of Diseases ◽

Icd 10 ◽

International Statistical Classification ◽

Self Harm ◽

Australian Bureau Of Statistics ◽

The Impact ◽

Morbid Conditions

Background: Research has associated some chronic conditions with self-harm and suicide. Quantifying such a relationship in mortality data relies on accurate death records and adequate techniques for identifying these conditions. Objective: This study aimed to quantify the impact of identification methods for co-morbid conditions on suicides in individuals aged 30 years and older in Australia and examined differences by gender. Method: A retrospective examination of mortality records in the National Coronial Information System (NCIS) was conducted. Two different methods for identifying co-morbidities were compared: International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Revision (ICD-10) coded data, which are provided to the NCIS by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, and free-text searches of Medical Cause of Death fields. Descriptive statistics and χ2 tests were used to compare the methods for identifying co-morbidities and look at differences by gender. Results: Results showed inconsistencies between ICD-10 coded and coronial reports in the identification of suicide and chronic conditions, particularly by type (physical or mental). There were also significant differences in the proportion of co-morbid conditions by gender. Conclusion: While ICD-10 coded mortality data more comprehensively identified co-morbidities, discrepancies in the identification of suicide and co-morbid conditions in both systems require further investigation to determine their nature (linkage errors, human subjectivity) and address them. Furthermore, due to the prescriptive coding procedures, the extent to which medico-legal databases may be used to explore potential and previously unrecognised associations between chronic conditions and self-harm deaths remains limited.

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Nursing Perception of the Impact of Medication Carts on Patient Safety and Ergonomics in a Teaching Health Care Center

Journal of Pharmacy Practice ◽

10.1177/0897190012451908 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 26 (2) ◽

pp. 131-137 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Élise Rochais ◽

Suzanne Atkinson ◽

Jean-François Bussières

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Patient Safety ◽

Focus Group ◽

Point Of Care ◽

Care Center ◽

Drug Distribution ◽

University Hospital ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Health Care Center ◽

The Impact

Objectives: In our Quebec (Canada) University Hospital Center, 68 medication carts have been implemented as part of a nationally funded project on drug distribution technologies. There are limited data published about the impact of medication carts in point-of-care units. Our main objective was to assess nursing staff’s perception and satisfaction of medication carts on patient safety and ergonomics. Method: Quantitative and qualitative cross-sectional study. Data were gathered from a printed questionnaire administered to nurses and an organized focus group composed of nurses and pharmacists. Results: A total of 195 nurses completed the questionnaire. Eighty percent of the nurses agreed that medication carts made health care staff’s work easier and 64% agreed that it helped to reduce medication incidents/accidents. Only 27% and 43% agreed that carts’ location reduces the risk of patients’ interruptions and colleagues’ interruptions, respectively. A total of 17 suggestions were extracted from the focus group (n = 7 nurses; n = 3 pharmacist) and will be implemented in the next year. Conclusions: This descriptive study confirms the positive perception and satisfaction of nurses exposed to medication carts. However, interruptions are a major concern and source of dissatisfaction. The focus group has revealed many issues which will be improved.

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Mental health of nursing in coping with COVID-19 at a regional university hospital

Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem ◽

10.1590/0034-7167-2020-0434 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 73 (suppl 2) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Eduardo Bassani Dal’Bosco ◽

Lara Simone Messias Floriano ◽

Suellen Vienscoski Skupien ◽

Guilherme Arcaro ◽

Alessandra Rodrigues Martins ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Depression Scale ◽

University Hospital ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Graduate Degree ◽

Public Servants ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Mental Health Nursing ◽

Nursing Professionals ◽

The Impact

ABSTRACT Objective: to identify prevalence and factors associated with anxiety and depression in nursing professionals who work to cope with COVID-19 at a university hospital. Methods: a cross-sectional observational study using a sociodemographic questionnaire and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, with 88 nursing professionals. Data were analyzed using absolute and relative frequency and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Results: there was prevalence of anxiety (48.9%) and depression (25%). The majority of the sample consisted of women over 40 years old, married or in a common-law marriage, white, with higher education or graduate degree, with an income above 3,000.00 reais, public servants, working 40 hours a week and working in the hospital from 1 to 5 years. Conclusion: we must consider the impact on mental health nursing caused by COVID-19 and intervene with coping strategies to minimize the suffering of professionals.

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COVID-19 Pandemic in University Hospital: Impact on Medical Training of Medical Interns

10.1101/2020.10.01.20204255 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

WeiHonn Lim ◽

Li Ying Teoh ◽

Kanesh Kumaran A/L Seevalingam ◽

Shanggar Kuppusamy

Keyword(s):

Online Teaching ◽

Industrial Development ◽

Professional Training ◽

Medical Training ◽

Clinical Skills ◽

University Hospital ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Ordinal Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Medical Interns ◽

The Impact

AbstractIntroductionCoronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) has strike all nations hard since the end of year 2019, Malaysia unable to escape the fate as well. Healthcare system, financial growth, industrial development and educational programme are stunted. Inevitably, professional training and education are affected which include the medical training of medical interns.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional, pilot study to determine the impact of the pandemic on University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) medical interns. A survey which comprises 37-items was used. Data are analysed by Ordinal Logistic Regression Analysis.ResultsMedical interns feel that they lack clinical skills (p = 0.005) and need more exposure in surgical operations (p =0.029). Some are satisfied with the introduction of triage (p = 0.024), online teaching (p = 0.005) and bedside teaching (p=0.023). Most of them think they are fit and ready to handle the pandemic (p = 0.012 and 0.025 respectively) except first year medical interns (p = 0.029). Some feel like their time are wasted (p <0.05) as they are involved in many non-clinical activities (p = 0.003).ConclusionIn summary, COVID-19 has a great impact on medical training amongst medical interns. Alternative measures should be taken to minimize the interruption in training of our future leaders in medical field.

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Use of Electronic Entertainment and Communication Devices Among a Saudi Pediatric Population: Cross-Sectional Study (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.9103 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Sami Omar Amawi ◽

Ahmed Hussein Subki ◽

Hazim Abdulkarim Khatib ◽

Omer Sameer Alkhateeb ◽

Rida Hashim Fida ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Behavioral Problems ◽

Electronic Devices ◽

Care Facility ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

University Hospital ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Communication Devices ◽

The Impact

BACKGROUND Excessive use of various electronic entertainment and communication devices, particularly among children, has been associated with increased behavioral problems. Despite children’s escalating use of these devices, parents’ awareness about the impact thereof is still lacking. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to assess the use of electronic entertainment and communication devices among children attending a health care facility in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, as well as the parental impression regarding the impact of electronic devices use on the behavior of their child. METHODS A focused 15-item questionnaire was designed for this cross-sectional study involving mothers of children attending the Well Baby Clinic of King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia from July 1, 2016 to November 30, 2016. RESULTS This study included 190 mothers. The mean ages of the children, mothers, and fathers were 7.3 (SD 3.5), 35 (SD 6.5), and 43 (SD 8.3) years, respectively. Most children were of Saudi Arabian nationality (106/190, 55.8%). The most used device in this study was television (154/190, 81.0%), followed by mobile phones (134/190, 70.5%), and tablets (116/190, 61.0%). Computers were the least used device in this study (59/190, 31.0%). In total, 24.7% (47/190) of children in this study used electronic entertainment and communication devices for more than 4 hours per day. Most mothers (129/190, 67.9%) felt that their child spends too much time on electronic devices. Hyperactivity or behavioral problems were reported by 20.0% (38/190) of mothers in this study. Children spending longer hours on electronic devices were much more likely to be perceived to suffer from hyperactivity or behavioral problems (P=.01). CONCLUSIONS Parental awareness is necessary to counteract the harmful effects of using electronic devices for a prolonged period. Parents require help to cope with this problem effectively.

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The impact of diabetes on outcomes, length of stay and costs in acute kidney injury patients: a cross-sectional multicenter study in China

10.21203/rs.3.rs-16071/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Lishan Tan ◽

Li Chen ◽

Lingyan Li ◽

Jinwei Wang ◽

Xiaoyan Huang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Acute Kidney Injury ◽

Length Of Stay ◽

Hospital Mortality ◽

Hospital Stay ◽

Kidney Injury ◽

Renal Recovery ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Patients With Diabetes ◽

The Impact ◽

Physician Diagnosis

Abstract Background : With the increasing worldwide prevalence and disease burden of diabetic mellitus, data on the impact of diabetes on acute kidney injury (AKI) patients in China are limited.Methods: A nationwide cross-sectional and retrospective study was conducted in China, which included 2,223,230 hospitalized adult patients and covered 82% of the country’s population. Diabetes was identified according to blood glucose, hemoglobin A1c levels, physician diagnosis and drug use. In total, 7604 AKI patients were identified, and 1404 and 6200 cases were defined as diabetic and non-diabetic respectively. Clinical characteristics, outcome, in-hospital stay, and costs of AKI patients with and without diabetes were compared. Multivariable logistic and linear regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the association of diabetes with mortality and renal recovery in the admitted AKI patients.Results: In this survey, AKI patients with diabetes were older, male-dominated (61.9%), with more comorbidities, and higher serum creatinine levels. Compared to patients without diabetes, a significant upswing in all-cause in-hospital mortality, hospital stay, and costs were found in those with diabetes ( p <0.05). After adjusted for relevant covariables, diabetes was independently associated with failed renal recovery (OR=1.13, p =0.04), rather than all-cause in-hospital mortality (OR=1.09, p =0.39). Also, diabetic status was positively associated with length of stay ( β =0.04, p =0.04) and costs ( β =0.09, p <0.01) in hospital after adjusted for possible confounders. Conclusions: Failed renal recovery, rather than all-cause in-hospital mortality, is independently associated with diabetes in hospitalized AKI patients. Moreover, diabetes is significantly correlated with in-hospital stay and expenditures in AKI.

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