Use of Patient-Specific “4D” Tele-Education to Enhance Actual and Perceived Knowledge in Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) Patients

Background:Patients with congenital heart disease(CHD)will transition to lifelong adult congenital cardiac care.However,their structural heart disease is challenging to convey via two-dimensional drawings.This study utilized a tele-educational environment,with personalized three-dimensional(3D)modeling and health Details(3D+Details=“4D”),to improve actual and perceived knowledge,both important components of transition readiness in CHD patients.Methods:Participants aged≥13 years with a history of CHD and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)studies were eligible.Cardiac MRI datasets were then used to segment and create 3D heart models(using Mimics,Materialize Inc.).Participantsfirst completed the MyHeart Questionnaire,a validated survey of actual knowledge.A tele-educational session was then scheduled,during which participants were shown a 3D model of a normal heart,followed by their personal 3D heart model and specific health details.Participants then repeated the actual knowledge survey,in addition to questionnaires assessing perceived knowledge pre-and post-session,as well as a satisfaction survey.Results:Twenty-two patients were included.Actual knowledge increased from 75%±15%to 89%±20%(p=0.00043)and perceived knowledge increased infive of seven questions.Actual knowledge correlated with perceived knowledge(r=0.608,p<0.0001).Ninety-one percent of participants ranked the 3D model as“very satisfactory”and ninety-five percent ranked the educational session as“very help-ful”or“extremely helpful.”Conclusions:The use of“4D”tele-education increased both actual and perceived knowledge and may help improve transition readiness in CHD patients.

A study on the correlation between function motivation and professional identity among nursing volunteers

Objective:The objective of this study is to understand the status quo of function motivation and professional identity among nursing volunteers and explore the correlation between the two.Materials and Methods:A total of 3375 nursing volunteers from Nightingale Volunteer Service Group in Shanxi Province were investigated by using Occupational Identity Scale and Volunteer Functional Motivation Scale.Results:A total of 3375 questionnaires were issued and 3330 were recovered,among which 3324 were valid,with an effective recovery rate of 99.82%(3324/3330).The overall score of professional identity of nurses was 110.31±18.71,and the score of each dimension was 32.17±6.62 for professional cognitive evaluation dimension,22.77±3.74 for professional social support,21.31±4.09 for professional social skills,22.78±3.79 for professional frustration coping,and 11.32±2.03 for professional self-reflection.The total score of function motivation was 157.12±29.92.The above five dimensions of nurse’s professional identity scale were positively correlated with the total score of function motivation of nursing volunteers(r=0.044,0.035,0.034,0.035,and 0.042,respectively,all P<0.05).Conclusion:The functional motivation and professional identity of nursing volunteers in Shanxi Province are in the middle level in China.Therefore,it is necessary for the hospital to stimulate nursing staff’s enthusiasm about participation by carrying out multi-channel and multi-form volunteer service projects,enhance their professional identity,and make them better give back nursing professional skills to the society.

Phenobarbital Use as Adjunct to Benzodiazepines in the Treatment of Severe Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome

Severe AWS （alcohol withdrawal syndrome） and AWD （alcohol withdrawal associated delirium） are common indications for intensive care unit admissions. Approximately 25% of patients with severe alcohol withdrawal require prolonged critical care hospital courses, often complicated by respiratory failure, need for mechanical ventilation due to administration of sedative continuous infusions and development of nosocomial infections. Although benzodiazepines are the mainstay of therapy for alcohol withdrawal, some patients exhibit benzodiazepine-refractory alcohol withdrawal. The use of phenobarbital as adjunct to benzodiazepines has been shown in studies to be effective in enhancing therapeutic responsiveness to benzodiazepines and reducing the need for mechanical ventilation. The objective of this study is to evaluate whether severe alcohol withdrawal treatment based on combining symptom-triggered benzodiazepine therapy with adjunctive phenobarbital will result in decreased mechanical ventilation rates, decreased use of continuous sedative infusions, decreased time to withdrawal symptom resolution and decreased length of stay in the intensive care unit. Chart reviews were utilized to determine total amount of benzodiazepine and phenobarbital use, need for mechanical ventilation, requirement of continuous lorazepam, dexmedetomidine or propofol infusions, average intensive care unit length of stay and incidence of adverse effects.

Hypochlorous Acid for Septic Abdominal Processes Using a Unique Negative Pressure Wound Therapy System:A Pilot Study

Background: Septic open abdomens occur in trauma, burn and surgery. Currently, multiple concentrations of hypochlorous acid solutions have effectively decreased the microbiotic burden in wounds. We hypothesized that Vashe?, a neutral hypochlorous acid solution (V-HOCL), would be safe as an intraperitoneal irrigation or washout disinfectant for septic open abdomens utilizing negative pressure wound therapy. Methods: This is a retrospective observational review of patients who required delayed abdominal closures after exploratory laparotomies. Group A (n = 8) had cyclical V-HOCL irrigation to their open abdomens combining AbtheraTM and V.A.C. Dressing System for negative pressure wound therapy with irrigation (NPWT-i) and Group B (n = 9) had intra-abdominal V-HOCL washouts. Results: Fifty percent of both groups had either septic or hemorrhagic shock on admission. Compared to Group B, Group A patients were older (median 50 vs 37 years), and had a median hospitalization of 28 vs 8 days, 4 times as many operations, more acute renal failure and co-morbidities. No statistically significant differences were detected be-tween the two treatment methods with the V-HOCL delivery and removal. Conclusion: There were no episodes of electrolyte imbalance, hypotension, hypertension, anaphylaxis, hemorrhage, visceral injury or systemic toxicity. V-HOCL with/without NPWT-i irrigation was a safe modality and tolerated well in this study.