Pattern of Referral of Obstetric Patients at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Southern Nigeria

Background: Health challenges that are difficult to manage at primary health centres should be referred to secondary health facilities, and if untreated, to the tertiary hospitals. A good referral should include the patient’s biography, such as age, gender, tribe, religion, occupation, medical history, the reason for the referral, treatments received, and clinical diagnosis. Objectives: To evaluate the referral patterns, indications for referrals, and feto-maternal outcomes for obstetric patients who were referred to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. Materials and Methods: A prospective study of patients admitted to the Obstetric unit from January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2022. Data was collected from patients while on admission or clinic visits and recorded in an excel spread sheet. Data was analyzed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. Results: Of the 3469 patients were admitted to the obstetric unit, 1476 and 1993 were admitted in 2021 and 2022, respectively. Most (70.35%) of the patients were in the 20-34 years age group, parity 1-4 was the most frequent (66.49%), while 85.39% of patients were booked. 10.46% of the booked patients were referred from other facilities, whereas 89.54% of patients were booked at our facility from the onset. Most common indications of referrals were previous caesarean section (CS) at term (40.09%) and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (17.59%). The outcome for 2021 indicated 17 maternal deaths, 132 fetal deaths and 1010 live births, giving maternal mortality ratio (MMR) as 1810.44 per 100,000 live births and perinatal mortality ratio (PMR) of 130.7 per 1000 births respectively. In 2022, there were 17 maternal deaths, 130 fetal deaths and 1297 deliveries, giving a MMR of 1399 per 100,000 live births and a PMR of 100.2 per 1000 births. Conclusion: The pattern of referral among obstetric patients in this study shows that a lot of the patients do not get adequate care at the lower cadre of the referral system, hence adequate facilities should be made available in primary and secondary health centres to tackle obstetric emergencies.

Frequency of and reasons behind non-listing in adult patients referred for liver transplantation: Results from a retrospective study

BACKGROUND Few studies have evaluated the frequency of and the reasons behind the refusal of listing liver transplantation candidates.AIM To assess the ineligibility rate for liver transplantation and its motivations.METHODS A single-center retrospective study was conducted on adult patients which entailed a formal multidisciplinary assessment for liver transplantation eligibility.The predictors for listing were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression.RESULTS In our center,314 patients underwent multidisciplinary work-up before liver transplantation enlisting over a three-year period.The most frequent reasons for transplant evaluation were decompensated cirrhosis(51.6%)and hepatocellular carcinoma(35.7%).The non-listing rate was 53.8%and the transplant rate was 34.4%for the whole cohort.Two hundred and five motivations for ineligibility were collected.The most common contraindications were psychological(9.3%),cardiovascular(6.8%),and surgical(5.9%).Inappropriate or premature referral accounted for 76(37.1%)cases.On multivariable analysis,a referral from another hospital(OR:2.113;95%CI:1.259–3.548)served as an independent predictor of non-listing.CONCLUSION A non-listing decision occurred in half of our cohort and was based on an inappropriate or premature referral in one case out of three.The referral from another hospital was taken as a strong predictor of non-listing.

Analysis of Referrals for Mandibular Advancement Appliances for Sleep Apnoea

Aim: This article investigates the increasing awareness of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) as a potentially serious health risk and highlights the role of the dentist in managing mild to moderate OSA cases which can be improved with an intra-oral mandibular advancement appliance. Methods: Data from referrals to a Prosthodontic Unit from 01-01-2019 to 18-8-2022 were analysed. Results: A total of 240 consecutive referrals to an NHS hospital where a patient was fitted with a mandibular advancement appliance (MAA) were analysed and 160 (67%) were male and 80 (33%) were female. The mean age in years was 52 (2019), 50 (2020), 52 (2021) and 51 (2022). Mean age of male referrals was 51 and female referrals was 53. Conclusion: There are a large number of patients with OSA seeking a dental device and practitioners should be aware of this treatment modality to help the medical team manage OSA. Clinical relevance: Dentists may need to have a greater understanding of OSA and be able to provide MAAs.

AB026. Referrals from optometry-a comparative study (the R.O.C.S study)

Background:To characterize emergency optometrist referrals triaged at a tertiary ophthalmology care center by pathology,physical exam findings,and provisional diagnosis accuracy.Methods:Variables extracted from the patients’charts included date of referral,age,sex,eye(s)under examination,visual acuity(VA)at the time of referral,intraocular pressure(IOP)at the time of the referral,the referring optometrist’s provisional diagnosis,VA at the time of the ophthalmologist consultation,IOP at the time of the ophthalmologist consultation,number of days between referral and ophthalmic consultation,and the ophthalmologist’s diagnosis.Results:After categorizing disease by anatomical location,absolute agreement between optometrist provisional diagnosis and ophthalmologist diagnosis was 60%.A strong correlation was found between optometrist and ophthalmologist VA measurements.IOP measurements were checked less frequently by optometrists.In cases where referral IOP was documented,no significant difference was observed between optometrist and ophthalmologist IOP measures.Conclusions:VA and IOP measurements by optometrists are reliable,but IOP is less frequently checked in the optometry setting.While optometrist referrals correctly localized eye pathology in 60%of cases,posterior pathology was missed in two cases of retinal tear and retinal detachment.

Acceptability of Phone-Based Communication Intervention by Healthcare Workers as an Adjunct to Routine Referral Form: A Qualitative Study in South Western Uganda

Introduction: A functional maternal referral system should encompass a feasible communication system between health facilities. In Uganda, the current paper-based patient referral form is associated with inadequate patient-information and low feedback rates. A recent quasi-experimental study demonstrated that a phone-based communication intervention is feasible for iterative communication between health facilities, and there were improved maternal-fetal outcomes and high rates of feedback. However, the acceptability of the intervention was not assessed. Objective: The study assessed the acceptability of a phone-based communication intervention by the health care workers (HCWs) for iterative communication between the referring and receiving health facilities. Methods: This was a qualitative study conducted in South Western Uganda, in April 2021. The study employed a theoretical framework of acceptability of medical interventions. We conducted in-depth interviews with HCWs and used deductive-inductive analysis. Results: We enrolled a total of 23 HCWs, of whom 69.6% (n = 16) were females while 30.4% (n = 7) were males. Majority (65.2%, n = 15), were midwives and the rest were: doctors (30.4%, n = 7) and a nurse (4.3%). The HCWs were positive towards the intervention: they believed that the intervention reduced delays, promoted professional escort, encouraged sharing of supplies, enabled exchange of relatively more patient details, feedback and improved case management. They believed it was culturally acceptable and had enough skills and experience of operating phones. All participants recommended scale out of the intervention, but advised on the need for dedicated human-resource to coordinate phone calls, ensure availability of airtime and charged battery. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the phone-based communication intervention was highly accepted by the healthcare workers, and that hospitals can successfully give feedback to lower health centres through iterative phone calls. This provides a possible solution to the long-standing challenge of poor feedback rates and a vicious cycle of poor maternal-fetal outcomes in resource limited settings.

Patient prompting of their physician resulted in increased colon cancer screening referrals

AIM:To determine whether a communication instru-ment provided to patients prior to their primary carephysician(PCP)visit initiates a conversation with theirPCP about colorectal cancer screening(CRC-S),impact-ing screening referral rates in fully insured and underin-sured patients.METHODS:A prospective randomized control studywas performed at a single academic center outpatient internal medicine(IRMC,underinsured)and fam-ily medicine(FMRC,insured)resident clinics prior to scheduled visits.In the intervention group,a pamphlet about the benefit of CRC-S and a reminder card were given to patients before the scheduled visit for prompt-ing of CRC-S referral by their PCP.The main outcome measured was frequency of CRC-S referral in each clinic after intervention.RESULTS:In the IRMC,148 patients participated,a control group of 72 patients(40F and 32M)and 76 patients(48F and 28M)in the intervention group.Re-ferrals for CRC-S occurred in 45/72(63%)of control vs 70/76(92%)in the intervention group(P≤0.001).In the FMRC,126 patients participated,66(39F:27M)con-trol and 60(33F:27M)in the intervention group.CRC-S referrals occurred in 47/66(71%)of controls vs 56/60(98%)in the intervention group(P≤0.001).CONCLUSION:Patient initiated physician prompting produced a significant referral increase for CRC-S in un-derinsured and insured patient populations.Additional investigation aimed at increasing CRC-S acceptance is warranted.

Socio-Demographic Factors, Clinical Characteristics and Maternal Prognosis of Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnancy at Panzi General Referral Hospital

Background: Hypertensive disease in pregnancy is an important cause of morbidity, long-term disability, and maternal and neonatal mortality. The aim is to determine the socio-demographic characteristics and maternal prognosis of these women with Hypertension during pregnancy. Material and Method: We conducted a cross-sectional study, we interview patients and after discussion we transcripts in a database in Excel software before analysis with SPSS version 20.0 and Stata 14.0 The qualitative variables have been summarised by the Percentage and the quantitative variables will be summarised by Means and Standard Deviation. The associations of the variables were calculated by Pearson’s chi-square test with a significance level set at a p-value Result: The average age of the patients was 30.33 ± 7.020 years, 92.1% were married, 79.8% lived in urban areas, most of the patients were overweight (43%), 92.1% of them had monofetal pregnancies, 36% were multiparous, 34.2% had a previous history of preeclampsia in pregnancy and 14% were known to have hypertension. Pre-eclampsia was the most frequent form of hypertension in pregnancy with 73.68% of cases and represents 84.8% of severe forms of hypertension in pregnancy, 53.4% of the patients delivered vaginally. Eclampsia was the most frequent complication in our patients with 31.7% frequency and among the socio-demographic parameters, age and body mass index were significantly associated with maternal complications. Conclusion: Maternal age and body mass index are important socio-demographic factors associated with the occurrence of maternal complications in women with hypertensive disorders in pregnancy.

Delayed referral for liver transplant evaluation worsens outcomes in chronic liver disease patients requiring inpatient transplant evaluation

BACKGROUND Indications to refer patients with cirrhosis for liver transplant evaluation(LTE)include hepatic decompensation or a model for end stage liver disease(MELDNa)score≥15.Few studies have evaluated how delaying referral beyond these criteria affects patient outcomes.AIM To evaluate clinical characteristics of patients undergoing inpatient LTE and to assess the effects of delayed LTE on patient outcomes(death,transplantation).METHODS This is a single center retrospective cohort study assessing all patients undergoing inpatient LTE(n=159)at a large quaternary care and liver transplant center between 10/23/2017-7/31/2021.Delayed referral was defined as having prior indication(decompensation,MELD-Na≥15)for LTE without referral.Early referral was defined as referrals made within 3 mo of having an indication based on practice guidelines.Logistic regression and Cox Hazard Regression were used to evaluate the relationship between delayed referral and patient outcomes.RESULTS Many patients who require expedited inpatient LTE had delayed referrals.Misconceptions regarding transplant candidacy were a leading cause of delayed referral.Ultimately,delayed referrals negatively affected overall patient outcome and an independent predictor of both death and not receiving a transplant.Delayed referral was associated with a 2.5 hazard risk of death.CONCLUSION Beyond initial access to an liver transplant(LT)center,delaying LTE increases risk of death and reduces risk of LT in patients with chronic liver disease.There is substantial opportunity to increase the percentage of patients undergoing LTE when first clinically indicated.It is crucial for providers to remain informed about the latest guidelines on liver transplant candidacy and the transplant referral process.

“零转介”AIDS诊疗管理模式的临床验证

目的探讨“零转介”诊疗管理模式对人类免疫缺陷病毒(HIV)感染患者治疗疗效和满意度的效果。方法选取石家庄市第五医院2022年7月至12月新增HIV感染者100例,随机分为对照组和研究组,每组50例。对照组给予常规认知干预和健康指导、心理干预,研究组在确诊前较对照组提前7~10 d即给予认知干预、生活指导和心理干预。比较对照组和研究组患者的HIV感染患者睡眠[匹兹堡睡眠质量指数表(PSQI)]、服药依从性、焦虑抑郁量表分值。结果对照组患者的PSQⅠ评分高于研究组患者(P<0.01);研究组患者的焦虑抑郁的心理状况要优于对照组(P<0.05);对照组患者服药依从性良好者比例低于研究组患者(P<0.01);研究组患者对疾病的接受度和认知评定量表均好于对照组患者(P<0.01)。结论“零转介”模式,提前给予认知干预、生活指导和心理干预,可提高HIV感染患者满意度,对社会层面的AIDS预防具有积极意义。

三级诊疗体系下儿童血友病双向转诊路径实践探索

首都医科大学附属北京儿童医院搭建血友病三级诊疗体系,摸索本地、异地两种转诊模式,通过建立电子数据库、完善药品管理、协助医保报销等辅助措施,畅通儿童血友病患儿的双向转诊路径,能合理配置医疗资源、带动地方专业医疗能力提升、合理应用罕见病药品、提高医保基金使用效率。通过三医联动加强儿童罕见病的诊疗服务能力,保障疑难重症患儿救治,提升高质量诊疗的可及性,有效减轻患儿疾病经济负担。

医联体背景下分级诊疗的难点与对策

自主选择的就医模式使得大多数患者选择三级医院首诊,三甲医院承担了不应该的轻症、常见病诊治。我国医联体服务模式探索较早,也是分级诊疗制度的重要载体。分析医联体与分级诊疗的关系,结合本单位在医联体建设中的遇到的实际问题,分析认为目前分级诊疗中存在办医主体利益难协调、下转动力不足、基层能力不足、转诊系统信息化建设不完善的问题,提出紧密合作、完善流程、加强引导、发挥基层特色,提高分级诊疗制度的实施力度。

三级医院终末期患者转诊的家庭决策路径

目的深入了解三级医院终末期患者转诊中家庭决策的动机、模式及相关因素。方法采用目的抽样法选取北京市3家三级医院的终末期患者及家属作为研究对象,进行半结构式访谈,对访谈资料进行主题分析。结果根据主题饱和原则,最终纳入11例患者和15位家属。访谈资料经整理和分析后归纳为6大主题:决策前提、决策模式、家庭支持、转出医院方医疗团队支持、转诊通道状况、志愿者团队的介入及社会支持,在此基础上,构建终末期患者转诊的家庭决策流程图。结论深度剖析了三级医院终末期患者转诊中家庭决策的多方面因素,结果突显了内外在因素的重要性,同时强调了决策模式、家庭支持、医疗团队支持、转诊通道状况以及志愿者团队的介入和社会支持的综合影响,为改善终末期患者转诊流程和提升家庭决策的质量提供了深刻的理解,为未来改进医疗服务和决策支持提供了有益的建议。

阈值型社交推介系统信息呈现方式对用户推介意愿的影响

基于框架效应理论,分析阈值型社交推介情境下,收益导向型和成本导向型信息呈现框架效应的差异性。应用实验研究方法,探讨信息呈现对用户推介意愿的影响机制。研究发现:收益导向型信息呈现更有利于激励用户参与推介活动,用户的感知收益和感知成本具有中介效应;成本导向型信息呈现与个体调节定向相匹配时,可以降低预防定向型用户的感知成本,提高预防定向型用户的推介意愿;收益导向型信息呈现与个体调节定向相匹配时,可以提高促进定向型用户的收益感知,降低成本感知,提高促进定向型用户的推介意愿。

髋、膝关节置换术患者医联体向下转诊护理交接指标的设置

目的:设置髋、膝关节置换术患者医联体向下转诊护理交接指标,确保医联体转诊护理交接内容的全面性和科学性,优化护理转诊交接流程。方法:以身份、背景、现状、评估和建议沟通模式为指导,通过文献研究法、德尔菲法及层次分析法,确定髋、膝关节置换术患者医联体向下转诊护理交接指标体系及各指标权重。结果:2轮专家函询的有效问卷回收率分别为96.7%、92.3%,专家判断系数为0.98,专家熟悉程度为0.86,专家权威程度为0.92,构建的髋、膝关节置换术患者医联体向下转诊护理交接指标体系包括5个一级指标、17个二级指标和59个三级指标。结论:本研究构建的髋、膝关节置换术患者医联体向下转诊护理交接指标体系可为临床护理人员提供科学、全面的向下转诊护理交接指标,为构建医联体护理转诊平台提供理论依据。

运动转诊服务纳入医疗卫生优先事项的卫生经济学分析

当前,运动转诊服务获得了世界卫生组织推荐,正成为全球公共卫生优先事项。中国体医融合服务尚未获得政策优先级,可能受制于卫生经济学证据不足。文章系统梳理了身体活动不足的全球疾病负担研究,得知:(1)患病率。2010—2018年中国身体活动不足患病率上升7.93%;(2)健康负担。1990—2019年中国可归因于身体活动不足的死亡人数增长3.24倍、残疾调整寿命年增长2.64倍、健康寿命损失年增长2.89倍、寿命损失年增长2.58倍,过去近30年健康负担持续增长;(3)经济负担。2020—2030年,身体活动不足将引起4 517.01万例12种常见非传染性疾病,导致医疗卫生和医疗保健总成本达到36 694.53亿元;(4)宏观经济收益。2020—2050年解决身体活动不足将为中国带来的累积经济收益41 473.48~150 124.07亿元。这些数据为中国运动转诊服务纳入医疗卫生优先事项提供卫生经济学证据,但提升政策优先级还需:(1)进行独立的中国身体活动不足的疾病负担测算,为医疗卫生政策提供可靠证据;(2)将运动转诊作为中国非传染性疾病治理的优先政策;(3)建立运动转诊机制,并将运动转诊服务纳入医疗卫生服务目录。

江苏省常州市妇幼保健院医疗保健康复转介服务新模式的探索

常州市妇幼保健院一直致力于医疗保健转介服务新模式的探索,近年将医疗保健融合作为工作重点,通过环境改造升级、转介流程优化,服务理念转变等措施,实现以转介为依托,为就诊者提供全面、适宜的医疗保健服务,同时巧用考核办法、转介专项绩效,建立主动转介服务的长效机制。医疗保健康复转介服务新模式提高了常州市妇幼保健院院内“四大业务部”的门诊成功转介率和住院成功转介率,有利于实现临床与保健的优势互补,可作为妇幼保健机构优化服务流程,改善医疗保健服务质量、关爱患者健康和提高医疗服务收入占比的推广举措。

三级综合医院全科医学科会诊现状研究

背景全科医学科诊疗范围常涉及多系统、多器官疾病,申请会诊数量大,但目前关于全科医学科会诊现状的研究仍然较少。目的收集三级综合医院全科医学科会诊相关资料,分析首都医科大学附属复兴医院全科医学科会诊现状,以提高首都医科大学附属复兴医院全科医学科会诊工作质量,为疾病的分级诊疗提供参考。方法通过医院信息系统调取首都医科大学附属复兴医院2021—2022年全科医学科提请的会诊数据,对会诊基本情况、会诊科室、会诊原因、会诊诊断、会诊意见等进行分类总结。结果2021—2022年首都医科大学附属复兴医院全科医学科共收治住院患者1441例,908例有提请会诊记录,共计发出院内会诊2269例次,执行会诊1966例次,撤销会诊303例次;已执行会诊中,男987例次,女979例次;年龄17~101岁,平均年龄(77.4±13.9)岁;共涉及31个临床科室,其中会诊次数最多的前6位科室分别为康复中心、耳鼻喉科、眼科、皮肤科、感染科及精神科;康复科、耳鼻喉科、眼科、皮肤科、感染科及精神科顺位排名第一的会诊诊断分别为功能障碍、感音神经性耳聋、白内障、皮炎、肺部感染及焦虑状态;会诊原因包括制定初始诊疗方案、调整当前诊疗方案、完善专科检查、专科协助治疗、进行专科评估等;会诊处理意见可大致分为专业评估、完善检查、明确诊断、药物治疗、临床操作、手术治疗、营养治疗、康复针灸。结论全科医学科的诊疗范围包括各个系统常见病、多发病,会诊需求量大,会诊疾病谱体现了首都医科大学附属复兴医院全科医学科的临床需求和特点,分析会诊现状,有利于弥补全科诊疗短板,提高全科会诊工作质量,向全科与专科之间的转诊迈出第一步。

医务人员双向转诊现状及下转影响因素分析

目的调查安阳市医务人员对双向转诊制度的了解、态度、行为(KAP)现状,同时调查分析三级医院医务人员下转意愿影响因素,为进一步解决下转难问题,完善分级诊疗制度及相关政策提供科学依据。方法2023年3—8月抽取安阳市五县四区内不同级别医疗机构的1141名医务人员为研究对象。根据KAP理论和正交试验自行设计调查问卷,采用现场调查方式收集问卷。采用描述性统计、探索因子分析、非参数检验和二元logistic回归对数据进行分析。结果医务人员双向转诊知信行维度得分的中位数和四分位数分别为知识维度16(12,20)分,态度维度34(30,38)分,行为维度30(26,36)分。Pearson相关分析结果显示知、信、行3个维度呈正相关关系。对三级医院的医务人员的下转调查问卷显示,KAP总分和下级医疗质量的提高、患者有医保、院内纠纷风险高、上下信息共享充分、转诊标准的明确、考核机制对下转的鼓励、月收入的提高都能提高医务人员将病情允许的患者下转的意愿(P<0.05)。相较于无职称人员,职称越高下转意愿越低,医生的下转意愿低于其他岗位,博士生的下转意愿高于本科生;50岁以上的医务人员比40岁及以下的下转意愿更高(P<0.05)。结论医务人员双向转诊的认知和执行仍有提升空间,三级医院医务人员下转意愿与其KAP总分、岗位、受教育程度、职称、月收入、所在年龄段、患者有否医保、患者院内风险高低、转诊标准是否明确、下级医疗质量高低、信息共享程度和下转激励机制有关。

体医融合路径创新:爱尔兰运动转诊实施的动因、经验与镜鉴

梳理爱尔兰运动转诊发展和实施经验,为我国体医融合提供路径创新及方法借鉴。采用文献资料法、逻辑分析法和归纳推理法,基于利益相关者理论,对爱尔兰《国家运动转诊框架》(NERF)指导下的运动转诊(PARS)实施进行系统分析。研究得出:利益相关方共同参与的顶层制度设计与实施原则,创新化的运营模式与多元利益主体监督体系,基于医疗保健的转诊路径设置,利益相关者协同参与的评估实施架构,是爱尔兰NERF指导下运动转诊(PARS)实施的核心。研究认为,我国体医融合路径创新可从4方面进行:(1)完善体医融合的多方参与制度体系,明确各参与主体利益共享;(2)构建多主体协作的运作模式,促进各利益主体权责共担;(3)设置分工明确的体医融合服务流程,增强过程的可操作性;(4)建立多方协同的体医融合评估架构,完善评价的科学性与有效性。

安徽省紧密型城市医联体核心医院医务人员对双向转诊运行现状的认知及满意度研究

目的探讨安徽省紧密型城市医联体核心医院医务人员对双向转诊运行现状的认知、满意度及影响因素,为提升医疗卫生服务的连续性,推进分级诊疗制度落地做实。方法采用多阶段分层随机抽样抽取皖中合肥市第二人民医院紧密型城市医联体、皖北宿州市立医院紧密型城市医联体和皖南池州市人民医院紧密型城市医联体核心医院的511名医务人员为调查对象。采用自制问卷调查医务人员对双向转诊运行现状的认知和满意度情况,并采用二元回归模型分析影响医务人员满意度的因素。结果139名(27.20%)医务人员对双向转诊运行现状表示满意。二元回归分析结果显示,性别、职称、是否了解双向转诊、所在单位对双向转诊宣传力度、双向转诊制度必要性认知是影响其满意度的因素(P均<0.05)。调查的511名核心医院医务人员中有397人(77.69%)认为患者不信任基层医疗机构的服务能力、338人(66.14%)认为基层医疗机构的服务水平有限、222人(43.44%)认为医疗机构间经济利益分配不均衡、341人(66.73%)认为没有统一的双向转诊标准和指南、323人(63.21%)配套的政策支持不到位、301人(58.90%)认为医疗机构间缺乏信息沟通是当前安徽省紧密型医联体运行的主要障碍。结论完善安徽省紧密型城市医联体双向转诊工作、提升医务人员满意度,需要进一步加大对双向转诊制度的宣传力度、提高基层医疗机构服务能力、明确双向转诊标准和指南、平衡医疗机构间经济利益、加大政策支持力度和完善信息系统建设。