Tomasz Brzostek

Patient safety, satisfaction, and quality of hospital care: cross sectional surveys of nurses and patients in 12 countries in Europe and the United States

Objective To determine whether hospitals with a good organisation of care (such as improved nurse staffing and work environments) can affect patient care and nurse workforce stability in European countries. Design Cross sectional surveys of patients and nurses. Setting Nurses were surveyed in general acute care hospitals (488 in 12 European countries; 617 in the United States); patients were surveyed in 210 European hospitals and 430 US hospitals. Participants 33 659 nurses and 11 318 patients in Europe; 27 509 nurses and more than 120 000 patients in the US. Main outcome measures Nurse outcomes (hospital staffing, work environments, burnout, dissatisfaction, intention to leave job in the next year, patient safety, quality of care), patient outcomes (satisfaction overall and with nursing care, willingness to recommend hospitals). Results The percentage of nurses reporting poor or fair quality of patient care varied substantially by country (from 11% (Ireland) to 47% (Greece)), as did rates for nurses who gave their hospital a poor or failing safety grade (4% (Switzerland) to 18% (Poland)). We found high rates of nurse burnout (10% (Netherlands) to 78% (Greece)), job dissatisfaction (11% (Netherlands) to 56% (Greece)), and intention to leave (14% (US) to 49% (Finland, Greece)). Patients’ high ratings of their hospitals also varied considerably (35% (Spain) to 61% (Finland, Ireland)), as did rates of patients willing to recommend their hospital (53% (Greece) to 78% (Switzerland)). Improved work environments and reduced ratios of patients to nurses were associated with increased care quality and patient satisfaction. In European hospitals, after adjusting for hospital and nurse characteristics, nurses with better work environments were half as likely to report poor or fair care quality (adjusted odds ratio 0.56, 95% confidence interval 0.51 to 0.61) and give their hospitals poor or failing grades on patient safety (0.50, 0.44 to 0.56). Each additional patient per nurse increased the odds of nurses reporting poor or fair quality care (1.11, 1.07 to 1.15) and poor or failing safety grades (1.10, 1.05 to 1.16). Patients in hospitals with better work environments were more likely to rate their hospital highly (1.16, 1.03 to 1.32) and recommend their hospitals (1.20, 1.05 to 1.37), whereas those with higher ratios of patients to nurses were less likely to rate them highly (0.94, 0.91 to 0.97) or recommend them (0.95, 0.91 to 0.98). Results were similar in the US. Nurses and patients agreed on which hospitals provided good care and could be recommended. Conclusions Deficits in hospital care quality were common in all countries. Improvement of hospital work environments might be a relatively low cost strategy to improve safety and quality in hospital care and to increase patient satisfaction.

Nurse forecasting in Europe (RN4CAST): Rationale, design and methodology

BackgroundCurrent human resources planning models in nursing are unreliable and ineffective as they consider volumes, but ignore effects on quality in patient care. The project RN4CAST aims innovative forecasting methods by addressing not only volumes, but quality of nursing staff as well as quality of patient care.Methods/DesignA multi-country, multilevel cross-sectional design is used to obtain important unmeasured factors in forecasting models including how features of hospital work environments impact on nurse recruitment, retention and patient outcomes. In each of the 12 participating European countries, at least 30 general acute hospitals were sampled. Data are gathered via four data sources (nurse, patient and organizational surveys and via routinely collected hospital discharge data). All staff nurses of a random selection of medical and surgical units (at least 2 per hospital) were surveyed. The nurse survey has the purpose to measure the experiences of nurses on their job (e.g. job satisfaction, burnout) as well as to allow the creation of aggregated hospital level measures of staffing and working conditions. The patient survey is organized in a sub-sample of countries and hospitals using a one-day census approach to measure the patient experiences with medical and nursing care. In addition to conducting a patient survey, hospital discharge abstract datasets will be used to calculate additional patient outcomes like in-hospital mortality and failure-to-rescue. Via the organizational survey, information about the organizational profile (e.g. bed size, types of technology available, teaching status) is collected to control the analyses for institutional differences.This information will be linked via common identifiers and the relationships between different aspects of the nursing work environment and patient and nurse outcomes will be studied by using multilevel regression type analyses. These results will be used to simulate the impact of changing different aspects of the nursing work environment on quality of care and satisfaction of the nursing workforce.DiscussionRN4CAST is one of the largest nurse workforce studies ever conducted in Europe, will add to accuracy of forecasting models and generate new approaches to more effective management of nursing resources in Europe.

A systematic survey instrument translation process for multi-country, comparative health workforce studies

BACKGROUND As health services research (HSR) expands across the globe, researchers will adopt health services and health worker evaluation instruments developed in one country for use in another. This paper explores the cross-cultural methodological challenges involved in translating HSR in the language and context of different health systems. OBJECTIVES To describe the pre-data collection systematic translation process used in a twelve country, eleven language nursing workforce survey. DESIGN AND SETTINGS We illustrate the potential advantages of Content Validity Indexing (CVI) techniques to validate a nursing workforce survey developed for RN4CAST, a twelve country (Belgium, England, Finland, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland), eleven language (with modifications for regional dialects, including Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Italian, Norwegian, Polish, Spanish, and Swedish), comparative nursing workforce study in Europe. PARTICIPANTS Expert review panels comprised of practicing nurses from twelve European countries who evaluated cross-cultural relevance, including translation, of a nursing workforce survey instrument developed by experts in the field. METHODS The method described in this paper used Content Validity Indexing (CVI) techniques with chance correction and provides researchers with a systematic approach for standardizing language translation processes while simultaneously evaluating the cross-cultural applicability of a survey instrument in the new context. RESULTS The cross-cultural evaluation process produced CVI scores for the instrument ranging from .61 to .95. The process successfully identified potentially problematic survey items and errors with translation. CONCLUSIONS The translation approach described here may help researchers reduce threats to data validity and improve instrument reliability in multinational health services research studies involving comparisons across health systems and language translation.

Methodological considerations when translating "burnout"

No study has systematically examined how researchers address cross-cultural adaptation of burnout. We conducted an integrative review to examine how researchers had adapted the instruments to the different contexts. We reviewed the Content Validity Indexing scores for the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey from the 12-country comparative nursing workforce study, RN4CAST. In the integrative review, multiple issues related to translation were found in existing studies. In the cross-cultural instrument analysis, 7 out of 22 items on the instrument received an extremely low kappa score. Investigators may need to employ more rigorous cross-cultural adaptation methods when attempting to measure burnout.

Efficacy and safety of ustekinumab in the induction therapy of TNF-α-refractory Crohn's disease patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

AIM The aim of the systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the efficacy and safety of ustekinumab in the induction therapy of anti-TNF-α failure patients with Crohns disease. METHODS A systematic literature search was conducted in Medline (PubMed), EMBASE, Cochrane Library until 30 December 2016. We included randomized controlled trials that compared efficacy (clinical response and remission) and safety profile of ustekinumab in TNF-α failure Crohns disease patients; primary and secondary TNF-α nonresponders or intolerant patients were also assessed. Included studies were critically appraised according to the PRISMA statement protocol; data aggregation with a RevMan® software was performed. RESULTS Three randomized controlled trials were revealed in the systematic review but only two of them (CERTIFI and UNITI-1) were homogenous to be included in the meta-analysis; aggregation of data only for induction phase of therapy was possible. Clinical response was significantly higher for patients who received ustekinumab compared with placebo patients in a group of TNF-α antagonist failure patients (relative benefit [RB] = 1.62; 95% CI: 1.28-2.04) and in the following subgroups: secondary nonresponders (RB = 1.98; 95% CI: 1.49-2.63), intolerant patients (RB = 1.47; 95% CI: 1.01-2.13) and patients who failed at least two TNF-α antagonists (RB = 2.19; 95% CI: 1.53-3.14) but in case of primary nonresponders it occurred insignificant (RB = 1.22; 95% CI: 0.76-1.98). The clinical remission in TNF-α antagonist failure population was significantly higher for patients who received ustekinumab compared with placebo (RB = 1.72; 95% CI: 1.17-2.53). Pooled analysis revealed that risk of adverse events in induction phase of therapy was not significantly different (risk ratio = 0.96; 95% CI: 0.86-1.06) between ustekinumab and placebo groups. CONCLUSION The clinical response was significantly higher for TNF-α antagonist failure patients who received ustekinumab as well as in subgroups of secondary nonresponders or intolerant patients but not in case of primary nonresponders. Ustekinumab occurred as safe as placebo in the induction as well as in a maintenance phase of therapy.

Lenvatinib for the treatment of radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid carcinoma: a systematic review and indirect comparison with sorafenib

ABSTRACT Introduction: Thyroid carcinoma is the most prevalent endocrine malignancy, with an increasing incidence over the past decades. Treatment of differentiated thyroid cancer consists of surgery followed by radioactive iodine (RAI) ablation of the thyroid remnant, and TSH suppression. Among new therapeutic solutions for patients with advanced RR-DTC stage, the most promising seem to be sorafenib and lenvatinib, up to now considered to be orphan drugs. Areas covered: We performed a systematic review of medical databases to collect all eligible clinical trials referring to the topic of our analysis. Due to the lack of direct clinical trials comparing the drugs we used an adjusted indirect comparison of efficacy and safety of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) by Bucher method. Expert commentary: Lenvatinib and sorafenib are drugs with strong evidence on efficacy in treatment of RR-DTC. Based on the currently available clinical data lenvatinib occurred more efficacious then sorafenib in RR-DTC therapy. Safety profile of the drugs was acceptable and comparative. Kinase inhibitors constitute a substantial progress in treatment of advanced thyroid cancer, have achieved long-lasting response and have improved survival without progress of the disease. In the near future we will deal with a range of therapeutic options for patients.

European perspective on the management of rheumatoid arthritis: clinical utility of tofacitinib

Xeljanz® (tofacitinib) is an oral small-molecule inhibitor that reversibly inhibits Janus-activated kinase (JAK)-dependent cytokine signaling, thus reducing inflammation. As a result of these mechanisms, effects on the immune system such as a moderate decrease in the total lymphocyte count, a dose-dependent decrease in natural killer (NK) cell count, and an increase in B-cell count have been observed. Therefore, tofacitinib provides an innovative approach to modulating the immune and inflammatory responses in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which is especially important in individuals who do not respond to tumor necrosis factor inhibitors or show a loss of response over time. The aim of this article was to review studies on the pharmacology, mode of action, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety of tofacitinib in patients with RA. Tofacitinib has been shown to reduce symptoms of RA and improve the quality of life in the analyzed groups of patients. Moreover, it showed high efficacy and an acceptable safety profile in Phase III randomized clinical trials on RA and was the first JAK inhibitor approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) in the RA therapy, thus providing a useful alternative treatment strategy. Randomized controlled studies revealed a significant benefit over placebo in efficacy outcomes (American College of Rheumatology [ACR] 20 and ACR50 response rates); accordingly, clinically meaningful improvements in patient-related outcomes compared with placebo have been reported. The safety profile seems acceptable, although some severe adverse effects have been observed, including serious infections, opportunistic infections (including tuberculosis and herpes zoster), malignancies, and cardiovascular events, which require strict monitoring irrespective of the duration of tofacitinib administration. As an oral drug, tofacitinib offers an alternative to subcutaneous or intravenous biologic drugs and should be recognized as a more convenient way of drug administration.

Research lessons from implementing a national nursing workforce study

BACKGROUND National nursing workforce studies are important for evidence-based policymaking to improve nursing human resources globally. Survey instrument translation and contextual adaptation along with level of experience of the research team are key factors that will influence study implementation and results in countries new to health workforce studies. AIM This studys aim was to describe the pre-data collection instrument adaptation challenges when designing the first national nursing workforce study in Poland while participating in the Nurse Forecasting: Human Resources Planning in Nursing project. METHODS A descriptive analysis of the pre-data collection phase of the study. Instrument adaptation was conducted through a two-phase content validity indexing process and pilot testing from 2009 to September 2010 in preparation for primary study implementation in December 2010. Means of both content validation phases were compared with pilot study results to assess for significant patterns in the data. RESULTS The initial review demonstrated that the instrument had poor level of cross-cultural relevance and multiple translation issues. After revising the translation and re-evaluating using the same process, instrument scores improved significantly. Pilot study results showed floor and ceiling effects on relevance score correlations in each phase of the study. LIMITATIONS The cross-cultural adaptation process was developed specifically for this study and is, therefore, new. It may require additional replication to further enhance the method. CONCLUSIONS The approach used by the Polish team helped identify potential problems early in the study. The critical step improved the rigour of the results and improved comparability for between countries analyses, conserving both money and resources. This approach is advised for cross-cultural adaptation of instruments to be used in national nursing workforce studies. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING AND HEALTH POLICY Countries seeking to conduct national nursing workforce surveys to improve nursing human resources policies may find the insights provided by this paper useful to guide national level nursing workforce study implementation.

The Functional Condition and Physical Mobility among Patients Provided with Long-Term Institutional Care

Introduction:The increase of dysfunction in the functional condition and a decrease in physical mobility lead to independence limitation and increased demand for health care services. Aim of the study: The aim of the research was to evaluate the association between functional condition and physical mobility and selected demographic variables of patients provided with long-term institutional care. Material and Methods:The study group consisted of persons provided with long-term institutional care. The following standardized research tools were used in this study: the Cognitive Assessment Scale, the Edmonton Functional Assessment Tool and the Barthel Index. Results:Studies have shown that with increasing dysfunction of the functional condition of mobility decreases patients. The analysis showed no significant correlation of functional condition with age and gender of the respondents. Conclusions:The results indicate a need systematic assessment of the functional condition of patients, which determines adjustment of care to the capabilities and needs of the patients.

Wybrane czynniki psychospołeczne a zachowania zdrowotne młodzieży licealnej. Część III. Poczucie umiejscowienia kontroli zdrowia a prezentowane zachowania profilaktyczne.

Introduction. Personal health locus control is related to health behavior presented by adult people. Persons with the internal health locus control, take greater responsibility for maintaining and improving their own health in comparison with people with the external health locus control pattern. It is anticipated that the internal health locus control might influence older adolescents to perform pro- health behaviors as well. Goal. To verify if there is a correlation between the health locus control and selected preventive behavior patterns presented by high school students. Materials and methods. The study was conducted in a group of 1036 students (688 girls and 348 boys) aged 16-19 years. The Multidimensional Health Locus Control Scale (MHLC) and the Health Behavior Inventory (Preventive Behaviors) were used. Results.In the study group, the mean value of the internal health locus control (24.51 points) was higher than two others: 18.18 points for the influence of other people and 17.94 points for the impact of the event. The influence of other people was stronger among 16 year olds (18.61 points) than in older student groups. In the group of 17-year-old students the importance of internal control (26.69 points) was the strongest. Concerning presented preventive behavior patterns the studied group of adolescents received an average score of 18.36 points; the value for women (18.62 points) was statistically higher than for men (17.85 points), p=0.023. The linear regression analysis proved a significant correlation between student preventive behaviors and the internal health locus control (p = 0.000000, r2 = 0.20), as well as with the influence of other people (p = 0.000000; r2 = 0.26). Conclusions.1 /. In high school students the internal health locus control and the influence of others (especially among 16-year-olds) are correlated with health behaviors presented by young people. 2 / These results indicate a need for targeted interventions aiming to increase the internal health locus control in assuming the increasing responsibility of high school students for their own health behavior.