No abstract

DESIGN/METHODS: Retrospective review of data collected from infants born < 37 weeks with RDS treated with surfactant replacement therapy between February 1, 2015 and March 1, 2016. Data were analysed to determine the timing of initial surfactant administration, length of time to wean to room air and number of doses required. Infants were sub grouped within gestational age stratum; 23 0 weeks to 27 6 weeks (extreme pretermgroup 1), 28 0 weeks to 31 6 weeks (very preterm-group 2) and 32 0 weeks to 36 6 weeks (group 3). RESULTS: Ninety eight premature infants with RDS were treated with surfactant during the study period. Twenty one infants were excluded due to incomplete data collection (16/21) and ongoing oxygen requirement prior to second dose of surfactant (5/21).Seventy seven infants were analysed; mean gestational age and birth weight were 28 6 weeks (SD 3.5) and 1250 grams (SD 602). Forty infants (52%) were in group 1, 21 (27%) in group 2 and 16 (21%) in group 3.The initial dose of surfactant in group 1 was given at a median time of 29 minutes (IQR=24) after birth compared to 150 minutes (IQR=595) in group 2 and 990 minutes (IQR=1973) in group 3 (c 2 =21.89, p<0.001). Median length of time to wean to room air was 14 minutes (IQR=51) in group 1, 10 minutes (IQR=48) in group 2, and 10 minutes (IQR=33) in group 3 (p=0.88). Only 6% of all infants required repeated doses of BLES, 4 infants in group 1 and 1 infant in group 3. CONCLUSION: Extreme preterm infants received their initial dose of BLES® earlier in their RDS management. Given the rapid response to BLES® in the entire patient population, careful monitoring of ventilator parameters should be made, allowing for rapid weaning and eventual extubation after surfactant administration.

Introduction: When presenting to the Emergency Department (ED), the care of elderly patients residing in Long Term Care (LTC) can be complicated by threats to patient safety created by ineffective transitions of care. Though standardized inpatient handover tools exist, there has yet to be a universal tool adopted for transfers to the ED. In this study, we surveyed relevant stakeholders and identified what information is essential in the transitions of care for this vulnerable population. Methods: We performed a descriptive, cross sectional electronic survey that was distributed to physicians and nurses in ED and LTC settings, paramedics, and patient advocates in two Canadian cities. The survey was kept open for a one month period with weekly formal reminders sent. Questions were generated after performing a literature review which sought to assess the current landscape of transitional care in this population. These were either multiple choice or free text entry questions aimed at identifying what information is essential in transitional periods. Results: A total of 191 health care providers (HCP) and 22 patient advocates (PA) responded to the survey. Within the HCPs, 38% were paramedics, 38% worked in the ED, and 24% were in LTC. In this group, only 41% of respondents were aware of existing handover protocols. Of the proposed informational items in transitional care, 100% of the respondents within both groups indicated that items including reason for transfer and advanced care directives were essential. Other areas identified as necessary were past medical history and baseline functional status. Furthermore, the majority of PAs identified that items such as primary language, bowel and bladder incontinence and spiritual beliefs should be included. Conclusion: This survey demonstrated that there is a need for an improved handover culture to be established when caring for LTC patients in the ED. Education needs to be provided surrounding existing protocols to ensure that health care providers are aware of their existence. Furthermore, we identified what information is essential to transitional care of these patients according to HCPs and PAs. These findings will be used to generate a simple, one page handover form. The next iteration of this project will pilot this handover form in an attempt to create safer transitions to the ED in this at-risk population.

IntroductionTransitions of care for elderly patients in long term care (LTC) to the emergency department (ED) is fraught with communication challenges. Information preferred during these transitions has not been agreed upon. We sought to understand our local handover culture and identify what information is preferred in the transitions of care of these patients.MethodsWe performed a cross-sectional electronic survey that was distributed to 1470 healthcare providers (HCPs) and 82 patient and family advocates (PFAs) in two Canadian cities. The HCP group consisted of physicians and nurses in ED and LTC settings as well as paramedics. The survey was open for a period of one month with formal reminders sent weekly.ResultsA total of 12.9% of HCPs and 26.8% of PFAs responded to the survey. Only 41.3% of HCP respondents were aware of existing handover protocols and 83.2% indicated a desire for a single page handover form. HCPs identified concerns over handover culture surrounding workplace inefficiencies and increased demands to their time. Several preferred items of information in the transitions of care for the institutionalized elderly patient were also identified across both HCP and PFA groups.ConclusionsOur study identified a need for improved local handover culture in transitions of care for the institutionalized elderly patient. We also identified the preferred elements of information during bilateral communication between LTC and the ED. Our results will be used to design a patient-centred handover form for future use in this population.