Maaike Langelaan

Changes in adverse event rates in hospitals over time: a longitudinal retrospective patient record review study

Objective To determine the change in adverse event (AE) rates and preventable AE rates over time, identify certain patient risk groups and discuss factors influencing the outcome. Design Longitudinal retrospective patient record review study. Setting and participants A random sample of 21 hospitals in The Netherlands in 2004, and 20 hospitals in 2008. In each hospital, 400 patient admissions were included in 2004, and 200 in 2008. Main outcome measures AEs and preventable AEs. Results Multilevel analyses of 11 883 patient records (7.887 in 2004, 3.996 in 2008) showed that the rate of patients experiencing an AE increased from 4.1% (95% CI 3.3% to 5.1%) in 2004 to 6.2% (95% CI 5.0% to 7.6%) in 2008. The preventable AE rate remained relatively stable at 1.8% (95% CI 1.3% to 2.4%) in 2004 and 1.6% (95% CI 1.2% to 2.3%) in 2008. The risk of experiencing a preventable AE was increasingly higher for patients admitted to a surgical unit (OR 1.54 (95% CI 1.10 to 2.16) in 2004 and 3.32 (95% CI 2.17 to 5.07)) in 2008. More than 50% of all AEs were related to surgery. Indications were found that differences in the risk of experiencing a preventable AE between hospital departments were larger in 2008 than in 2004, while differences between hospitals themselves were smaller. Conclusions Patient harm related to healthcare is a persistent problem that is hard to influence. Measuring AEs over time stresses the continuing urgency, and also identifies possible areas for improvement.

Guideline adherence for identification and hydration of high-risk hospital patients for contrast-induced nephropathy.

BackgroundContrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is a common cause of acute renal failure in hospital patients. To prevent CIN, identification and hydration of high-risk patients is important. Prevention of CIN by hydration of high-risk patients was one of the themes to be implemented in the Dutch Hospital Patient Safety Program. This study investigates to what extent high-risk patients are identified and hydrated before contrast administration. Hospital-related and admission-related factors associated with the hydration of high-risk patients are identified.MethodsThe adherence to the guideline concerning identification and hydration of high-risk patients for CIN was evaluated retrospectively in 4297 patient records between November 2011 and December 2012. A multilevel logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the association between hospital-related and patient-related factors and hydration.ResultsThe mean percentage patients with a known estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate before contrast administration was 96.4%. The mean percentage high-risk patients for CIN was 14.6%. The mean percentage high-risk patients hydrated before contrast administration was 68.5% and was constant over time. Differences between individual hospitals explained 19% of the variation in hydration. The estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate value and admission department were statistically significantly associated with the execution of hydration.ConclusionThe identification of high-risk patients was almost 100%, but the subsequent step in the prevention of CIN is less performed, as only two third of the high-risk patients were hydrated before contrast administration. Large variation between individual hospitals confirmed the difference in hospitals in correctly applying the guideline for preventing CIN.

How effective are patient safety initiatives? A retrospective patient record review study of changes to patient safety over time

Objectives To assess whether, compared with previous years, hospital care became safer in 2011/2012, expressing itself in a fall in preventable adverse event (AE) rates alongside patient safety initiatives. Design Retrospective patient record review at three points in time. Setting In three national AE studies, patient records of 2004, 2008 and 2011/2012 were reviewed in, respectively, 21 hospitals in 2004, 20 hospitals in 2008 and 20 hospitals in 2011/2012. In each hospital, 400, 200 and 200 patient records were sampled, respectively. Participants In total, 15 997 patient admissions were included in the study, 7926 patient admissions from 2004, 4023 from 2008 and 4048 from 2011/2012. Interventions The main patient safety initiatives in hospital care at a national level between 2004 and 2012 have been small as well as large-scale multifaceted programmes. Main outcome measures Rates of both AEs and preventable AEs. Results Uncorrected crude overall AE rates showed no change in 2011/2012 in comparison with 2008, whereas preventable AE rates showed a reduction of 45%. After multilevel corrections, the decrease in preventable AE rate in 2011/2012 was still clearly visible with a decrease of 30% in comparison to 2008 (p=0.10). In 2011/2012, fewer preventable AEs were found in older age groups, or related to the surgical process, in comparison with 2008. Conclusions Our study shows some improvements in preventable AEs in the areas that were addressed during the comprehensive national safety programme. There are signs that such a programme has a positive impact on patient safety.

Evidence-based guidelines on the referral of visually impaired persons to low vision services

Purpose One to two percent of the population in the Western world is visually impaired or blind. For most of these people there is no curative therapy. Therefore, the Dutch Ophthalmic Society has taken the initiative to develop an evidence-based guideline for the referral of visually impaired persons to low vision services. Methods A systematic literature search was performed in the Embase (1991–2001) and Medline (1966–2003) databases. Literature was searched for definitions of visual impairment, for physician-patient communication, and for outcome of interventions for visually impaired persons. Results of the articles that were selected were summarized and rated according to the level of evidence. Other considerations such as the current organization of rehabilitation for visually impaired persons in the Netherlands were also taken into account. Results The World Health Organization criteria were slightly adapted in order to include all people who experience problems with reading and other daily life activities due to visual impairment. A large number of recommendations were devised. Among these is that the complete diagnosis should be communicated to the patient and that a second appointment should be offered in which the diagnosis and potential treatment options are discussed again. Another recommendation is that in general visually impaired adults eligible for referral should be referred for the provision of low vision aids and that patients with complex problems or extensive rehabilitative demand should be referred to a rehabilitation center. Conclusions This article presents a summary of the first European evidence-based guideline for the referral of visually impaired persons.

Applying multilevel item response theory to vision-related quality of life in Dutch visually impaired elderly.

Purpose. Instead of applying the usual longitudinal methods to assess the outcome of low-vision rehabilitation services in terms of vision-related quality of life, a three-level Item Response Theory (IRT) method was proposed. Methods. The translated Vision-Related Quality of Life Core Measure (VCM1) and Low Vision Quality Of Life (LVQOL) questionnaires were used in a nonrandomized follow-up study among elderly patients (n = 296) referred to two different low-vision rehabilitation services in the Netherlands. Factor analysis was performed on the matrix of polychoric correlations to investigate (uni-)dimensionality and to prepare both questionnaires for the multilevel IRT analyses. A statistical model, which was characterized by a graded response model for rating scales, was developed. Threshold and item difficulty parameters and group by time-specific mean fixed effects were estimated. Random individual effects were predicted. Measurement invariance across occasions was tested. Results. The VCM1 and the LVQOL “reading and fine work” dimension showed item parameter drift. In the multidisciplinary rehabilitation center patients, deterioration was found on the “mobility” dimension after 1 year and improvement was found on “adjustment” and “visual (motor) skills” after 5 months (p < 0.05). Patients in both low-vision services showed improvement on the “reading small print” subscale at both follow-up time points (p < 0.05). Conclusions. Except for improvement in “reading small print,” low-vision rehabilitation services did not seem to contribute substantially to any other dimensions of vision-related quality of life. The results showed a change in only a limited number of individual patients. However, with regard to the field of low-vision rehabilitation, the proposed IRT method seemed to be successful in the follow-up of individuals. IRT specific software was unnecessary. The data did not have to be complete and the use of cumulative logits made the proposed IRT method an economical and efficient approach. Because of item parameter drift, the VCM1 was difficult to interpret. The use of multilevel IRT models with longitudinal data and dependent observations is recommended.

Can an e-learning course improve nursing care for older people at risk of delirium: a stepped wedge cluster randomised trial

BackgroundDelirium occurs frequently in older hospitalised patients and is associated with several adverse outcomes. Ignorance among healthcare professionals and a failure to recognise patients suffering from delirium have been identified as the possible causes of poor care. The objective of the study was to determine whether e-learning can be an effective means of improving implementation of a quality improvement project in delirium care. This project aims primarily at improving the early recognition of older patients who are at risk of delirium.MethodsIn a stepped wedge cluster randomised trial an e-learning course on delirium was introduced, aimed at nursing staff. The trial was conducted on general medical and surgical wards from 18 Dutch hospitals. The primary outcome measure was the delirium risk screening conducted by nursing staff, measured through monthly patient record reviews. Patient records from patients aged 70 and over admitted onto wards participating in the study were used for data collection. Data was also collected on the level of delirium knowledge of these wards’ nursing staff.ResultsRecords from 1,862 older patients were included during the control phase and from 1,411 patients during the intervention phase. The e-learning course on delirium had a significant positive effect on the risk screening of older patients by nursing staff (OR 1.8, p-value <0.01), as well as on other aspects of delirium care. The number of patients diagnosed with delirium was reduced from 11.2% in the control phase to 8.7% in the intervention phase (p = 0.04). The e-learning course also showed a significant positive effect on nurses’ knowledge of delirium.ConclusionsNurses who undertook a delirium e-learning course showed a greater adherence to the quality improvement project in delirium care. This improved the recognition of patients at risk and demonstrated that e-learning can be a valuable instrument for hospitals when implementing improvements in delirium care.Trial registrationThe Netherlands National Trial Register (NTR). Trial number: NTR2885.

Visual Functioning Questionnaire: reevaluation of psychometric properties for a group of working-age adults

Purpose. The Visual Functioning Questionnaire (VFQ-25) is one of the most widely used measures of vision-related quality of life. However, the questionnaire does not meet some psychometric quality criteria. The objectives of this study were first to obtain the factor structure of the VFQ-25, and second, to obtain interval scales by Rasch analysis. Methods. The questionnaire was administered to 129 visually impaired adults (mean age 42.1 years; range 21 to 67 years). First, the items of the VFQ-25 were subjected to an exploratory factor analysis with Promax rotation. Next, we performed a separate Rasch analysis on each factor. We examined step thresholds and goodness of fit statistics of the items. Finally, we examined differential item functioning. Results. Factor analysis indicated four factors: Near Activities, Distance Activities and Mobility, Mental Health and Dependency, and Pain and Discomfort. They accounted for 46.37% of the total variance. Most items showed some degree of disordering. After collapsing response categories, all items showed ordered thresholds. The Near Activities domain showed excellent fit, whereas the Distance Activities and Mobility domain, the Mental Health and Dependency domain, and the Pain and Discomfort domain had an unsatisfactory fit. There were two items showing uniform differential item functioning. Conclusions. The four-factor structure of the VFQ-25 largely confirms the structure of the questionnaire. However, the results of this study suggest that modifications of the original VFQ-25 structure are necessary.

The effect of a complementary e-learning course on implementation of a quality improvement project regarding care for elderly patients: a stepped wedge trial.

BackgroundDelirium occurs frequently in elderly hospitalised patients and is associated with higher mortality, increased length of hospital stay, functional decline, and admission to long-term care. Healthcare professionals frequently do not recognise delirium, indicating that education can play an important role in improving delirium care for hospitalised elderly. Previous studies have indicated that e-learning can provide an effective way of educating healthcare professionals and improving quality of care, though results are inconsistent.Methods and designThis stepped wedge cluster randomised trial will assess the effects of a complementary delirium e-learning course on the implementation of quality improvement initiative, which aims to enhance the recognition and management of delirium in elderly patients. The trial will be conducted in 18 Dutch hospitals and last 11 months. Measurements will be taken in all participating wards using monthly record reviews, in order to monitor delivered care. These measurements will include the percentage of elderly patients who were screened for the risk of developing delirium, use of the Delirium Observation Screening scale, use of nursing or medical interventions, and the percentage of elderly patients who were diagnosed with delirium. Data regarding the e-learning course will be gathered as well. These data will include user characteristics, information regarding use of the course, delirium knowledge before and after using the course, and the attitude and intentions of nurses concerning delirium care.SettingThe study will be conducted in internal medicine and surgical wards of eighteen hospitals that are at the beginning stages of implementing the Frail Elderly Project in the Netherlands.DiscussionBetter recognition of elderly patients at risk for delirium and subsequent care is expected from the introduction of an e-learning course for nurses that is complementary to an existing quality improvement project. This trial has the potential to demonstrate that e-learning can be a vital part of the implementation process, especially for quality improvement projects aimed at complex health issues such as delirium. The study will contribute to a growing body of knowledge concerning e-learning and the effects it can have on knowledge as well as delivered care.Trial registrationNetherlands Trial Register (NTR): NTR2885

The effect of an e-learning course on nursing staff's knowledge of delirium: a before-and-after study.

BackgroundDelirium is a common condition in hospitalized patients, associated with adverse outcomes such as longer hospital stay, functional decline and higher mortality, as well as higher rates of nursing home placement. Nurses often fail to recognize delirium in hospitalized patients, which might be due to a lack of knowledge of delirium diagnosis and treatment. The objective of the study was to test the effectiveness of an e-learning course on nurses’ delirium knowledge, describe nursing staff’s baseline knowledge about delirium, and describe demographic factors associated with baseline delirium knowledge and the effectiveness of the e-learning course.MethodsA before-and-after study design, using an e-learning course on delirium. The course was introduced to all nursing staff of internal medicine and surgical wards of 17 Dutch hospitals.Results1,196 invitations for the e-learning course were sent to nursing staff, which included nurses, nursing students and healthcare assistants. Test scores on the final knowledge test (mean 87.4, 95% CI 86.7 to 88.2) were significantly higher than those on baseline (mean 79.3, 95% CI 78.5 to 80.1). At baseline, nursing staff had the most difficulty with questions related to the definition of delirium: what are its symptoms, course, consequences and which patients are at risk. The mean score for this category was 74.3 (95% CI 73.1 to 75.5).ConclusionsThe e-learning course significantly improved nursing staffs knowledge of delirium in all subgroups of participants and for all question categories. Contrary to other studies, the baseline knowledge assessment showed that, overall, nursing staff was relatively knowledgeable regarding delirium.Trial registrationThe Netherlands National Trial Register (NTR). Trial number: NTR 2885, 19 April 2011.

Improving Patient Safety Culture in Primary Care: A Systematic Review.

Background Patient safety culture, described as shared values, attitudes and behavior of staff in a health-care organization, gained attention as a subject of study as it is believed to be related to the impact of patient safety improvements. However, in primary care, it is yet unknown, which effect interventions have on the safety culture. Objectives To review literature on the use of interventions that effect patient safety culture in primary care. Methods Searches were performed in PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, and PsychINFO on March 4, 2013. Terms defining safety culture were combined with terms identifying intervention and terms indicating primary care. Inclusion followed if the intervention effected patient safety culture, and effect measures were reported. Results The search yielded 214 articles from which two were eligible for inclusion. Both studies were heterogeneous in their interventions and outcome; we present a qualitative summary. One study described the implementation of an electronic medical record system in general practices as part of patient safety improvements. The other study facilitated 2 workshops for general practices, one on risk management and another on significant event audit. Results showed signs of improvement, but the level of evidence was low because of the design and methodological problems. Conclusions These studies in general practice provide a first understanding of improvement strategies and their effect in primary care. As the level of evidence was low, no clear preference can be determined. Further research is needed to help practices make an informed choice for an intervention.