Reductiline

Objective: We aimed to reduce our monthly antibiotic usage rate (AUR, days of treatment per 1,000 patient-days) in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) from a baseline of 330 (July 2015-April 2016) to 200 by December 2018. Study design: We identified three key drivers as follows: (1) engaging NICU charge nurses, (2) challenging the culture of culture-negative sepsis, and (3) reducing central-line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI). Our main outcome was AUR. The percentage of culture-negative sepsis that was treated with antibiotics for >48 hours and CLABSI was our process measure. We used hospital cost/duration of hospitalization and mortality as our balancing measures. Results: After testing several plan-do-study-act (PDSA) cycles, we saw a modest reduction in AUR from 330 in the year 2016 to 297 in the year 2017. However, we did not find a special-cause variation in AUR via statistical process control (SPC) analysis (u'-chart). Thereafter, we focused our efforts to reduce CLABSI in January 2018. As a result, our mean AUR fell to 217 by December 2018. Our continued efforts resulted in a sustained reduction in AUR beyond the goal period. Importantly, cost of hospitalization and mortality did not increase during the improvement period. Conclusion: Our sequential quality improvement (QI) efforts led to a reduction in AUR. We implemented processes to establish a robust antibiotic stewardship program that included antibiotic time-outs led by NICU charge nurses and a focus on preventing CLABSI that were sustained beyond the QI period. Key points: · This is a quality improvement project to reduce antibiotic usage in NICU.. · Charge nurses should take charge to reduce infections in NICU.. · Central line infections should be reduced to decrease antibiotic usage..

Clinical Scenario: Patellar tendinopathy is a common musculoskeletal disorder affecting the lower-extremities and a difficult condition to manage for athletes that are in season. To facilitate improvement in function and to decrease pain, initial treatment for patellar tendinopathy is typically conservative. Traditional interventions may include eccentric training, cryotherapy, patellar counterforce straps, oral anti-inflammatories, injectable agents, phonophoresis, iontophoresis, orthotics, therapeutic ultrasound, and extracorporeal shockwave. In addition, recent literature suggests that implementing isometric and isotonic contractions may be effective in reducing patellar tendon pain. Focused Clinical Question: How effective are isometric contractions compared with isotonic contractions in reducing pain for in-season athletes with patellar tendinopathy? Summary of Key Findings: Implementation of isometric and isotonic exercises statistically reduced pain levels in the short term of 4 weeks for in-season athletes; however, isometric contractions provided statistically greater pain relief immediately for up to 45 minutes postintervention compared with isotonic contractions. Clinical Bottom Line: Current evidence supports the use of isometric and isotonic contractions to reduce pain for in-season athletes with patellar tendinopathy. Based on the reviewed literature, clinicians should consider utilizing heavy loaded isometrics or progressive heavy loaded isotonic exercises, which showed reduction in pain levels immediately after intervention and at 4-week follow-up for both intervention groups. Isometric contractions appear to provide greater pain relief immediately after intervention. Strength of Recommendation: There is Grade B evidence from 2 level 2 randomized controlled trials and 1 level 3 randomized crossover study supporting the use of isometric and isotonic contractions to reduce patellar tendon pain for in-season athletes.

To study whether allowing adolescents and young adults (AYA) with chronic or oncologic diseases admitted to tertiary or intensive care units to share decisions in choosing the insertion site for central-venous catheters (CVC) implanted for intravenous therapies or parenteral nutrition reduces central-line-associated and catheter-related bloodstream infections (CLABSI and CRBSI). Following the PRISMA guidelines, we systematically reviewed the literature by searching MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, CENTRAL, SCOPUS, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science up to December 2019. According to our aims, the review identified no study that could be included. This empty systematic review on healthcare teams allowing AYA with chronic or oncologic diseases admitted in tertiary or intensive care units to share decisions in choosing the site for implanting CVC prompts further research on clinical pathways on this hot-topic. By considering purportedly risk-taking behaviors in youngsters thus reducing CLABSI and CRBSI, healthcare teams should test specific strategies by engaging AYA empathetically in sharing decisions on the site for implanting CVC to improve quality in health care bundles.