Contact Precautions for Multidrug-Resistant Organisms

Abstract

scale scores. We described 3 primary outcomes in our study protocol (pain, global perceived effect, and functional status) and presented pain as the primary outcome in the article because the sample size calculation was based on this outcome. Global perceived effect and functional status were presented together with other secondary outcomes. In the study protocol, an MCID in pain was predefined as 2 or more points on the 11-point numeric rating scale. In light of the aim of the study, it is not the change but the difference that is important. All parties involved in this study (including the Dutch Society of Anesthesiology and the patient representatives) agreed with this outcome. We included post hoc analyses in which we compared the percentage of individual patients fulfilling the predefined improvement of 2 or more points or a 30% pain reduction in the intervention and control groups. Both analyses showed similar results as the primary analysis.Rimmalapudi and colleagues considered the control intervention impractical. Exercise therapy is recommended in the Dutch clinical guidelines for chronic low back pain and reflects usual care for this patient population.Rimmalapudi and colleagues are also critical about a possible conflict of interest. The study was funded by the Dutch health insurance companies, the Netherlands Organization for Health Research, and the Dutch Society for Anesthesiology. There was extensive communication throughout all stages of the study. Conflict of interest, if present, would be balanced among these parties. Furthermore, the health insurance companies had no involvement in the design, analysis, and interpretation of the study.