Evidence-based

In response to the nursing shortage and the emergence of telehealth opportunities, the Oncology Nursing Society used an evidence-based approach to examine current literature and trends for the two-person independent double ch.

Anecdotally, from personal experience as a growing editor and in talking with experienced editors, rejecting evidence-based project manuscripts that do not include patient outcomes is routine. Phrased differently, it is typic.

BACKGROUND: Complementary and alternative medicine encompasses various nonpharmacologic interventions for managing pain, such as acupuncture and music therapy. Few studies have combined these two interventions in the management of cancer-related pain. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this evidence-based project was to compare acupuncture-only therapy versus dual therapy (acupuncture and music therapy) on pain intensity scores in patients with cancer. METHODS: This evidence-based project included 102 participants at a private acupuncture practice...

BACKGROUND: Adults with cancer experience a significantly higher level of anxiety compared with the general population. Anxiety is reported at diagnosis and throughout the cancer trajectory, and it is particularly heightened at the initiation of infusion treatments. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated anxiety levels in patients receiving cancer treatments. OBJECTIVES: This evidence-based practice project evaluated the feasibility and effectiveness of using medical-grade weighted blankets to reduce anxiety in patients with cancer receiving the first two infusion treatments in the ambulatory setting...

People who inject drugs face many challenges that contribute to poor health outcomes, including drug overdose, HIV, and hepatitis C infections. These conditions require high-quality prevention and treatment services. Syringe services programs are evidence-based harm reduction programs, and they have established track records with people who inject drugs, earning them deep trust within this population. In Baltimore, Maryland, although many syringe support services were limited during the COVID-19 pandemic, the health department's syringe services programs remained operational, allowing for the continuation of harm reduction services, including naloxone distribution...

OBJECTIVE: Management of stroke due to large vessel occlusion (LVO) has undergone unprecedented change in the past decade. Effective treatment with thrombectomy has galvanized the field and led to advancements in all aspects of care. This article provides a comprehensive examination of neurologic intensive care unit (ICU) management of patients with stroke due to LVO. The role of the neurocritical care team in stroke systems of care and the importance of prompt diagnosis, initiation of treatment, and continued monitoring of patients with stroke due to LVO is highlighted...

OBJECTIVE: Physician adherence to evidence-based clinical practice parameters impacts outcomes of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients. We sought to investigate compliance with the 2009 practice parameters for treatment of ALS patients in the United States, and sociodemographic and provider characteristics associated with adherence. METHODS: In this population-based, retrospective cohort study of incident ALS patients in 2009-2014, we included all Medicare beneficiaries age ≥20 with ≥1 International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification ALS code (335...

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European Union (EU) and non-EU countries have adopted different medical procedures for the issuance and renewal of a driver's license showing relevant matters of concern. In Europe, EU directives have been only partially supplemented with national laws, and there is a paucity of evidence-based criteria and methods for fitness-to-drive assessment. For instance, there is no agreement on standards for establishing which is the competent authority charged with the medical examination. Furthermore, license conditions, restrictions, or vehicle modifications, which appear as "limited use" codes on the driver's license are not regulated...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To summarize selected late-breaking science on cardiovascular (CV) disease prevention presented at the 2024 Scientific Session of the American College of Cardiology (ACC) conference. RECENT FINDINGS: The LIBerate-HR trial showed the efficacy and safety of lerodalcibep, a subcutaneous injection that prevents binding of Pro-Protein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin (PCSK) 9 to low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-receptors resulting in LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering in patients at very high risk or high risk of atherosclerotic CV disease (ASCVD)...

Empirical evidence for a low normal or reference interval for serum prolactin (PRL) is lacking for men, while the implications of very low PRL levels for human health have never been studied. A clinical state of "PRL deficiency" has not been defined except in relation to lactation. Using data from the European Male Ageing Study (EMAS), we analyzed the distribution of PRL in 3,369 community-dwelling European men, aged 40-80 years at phase-1 and free from acute illnesses. In total, 2,948 and 2,644 PRL samples were collected during phase-1 and phase-2 (3 to 5...

BACKGROUND: Practice guidelines recommend nonpharmacologic and nonopioid therapies as first-line pain treatment for acute pain. However, little is known about their utilization generally and among individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) for whom opioid and other pharmacologic therapies carry greater risk of harm. OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between a pre-existing OUD diagnosis and treatment of acute low back pain (aLBP). DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study using 2016-2019 Medicare data...

RATIONALE: Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive eye disease characterized by choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and is a leading cause of vision loss and disability worldwide. Although intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy is an effective treatment option that helps to prevent vision loss or to improve visual acuity in people with neovascular AMD, treatment imposes a significant financial burden on patients and healthcare systems...

PURPOSE: For many decades, patients recovering from wound closure have been instructed not to bathe. Although studies have shown that earlier postoperative bathing does not increase the risk of wound infection, it remains rare in practice for patients to be allowed earlier postoperative bathing. We performed this meta-analysis to determine how earlier bathing affected rates of wound infection, other complications, and patient satisfaction. METHODS: This systematic review conforms to PRISMA guidelines...

Background: Police officers are frequently exposed to a wide variety of potentially traumatic events (PTE) and are therefore at a considerable risk of developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Previous research estimated the point prevalence of PTSD in Belgian police officers at 7.4%, significantly higher than in the general population. An effective organisational strategy to manage posttraumatic stress is essential. Objective: We aimed to develop a novel organisational approach regarding traumatic stress for Belgian police, combining evidence-based strategies for the prevention and treatment of posttraumatic stress in a stepped care intervention model...

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequent sustained arrhythmia. Cardioversion is a rhythm control strategy to restore normal/sinus rhythm, and can be achieved through drugs (pharmacological) or a synchronised electric shock (electrical cardioversion). OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy and safety of pharmacological and electrical cardioversion for atrial fibrillation (AF), atrial flutter and atrial tachycardias. SEARCH METHODS: We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, Conference Proceedings Citation Index-Science (CPCI-S) and three trials registers (ClinicalTrials...

PURPOSE: Pediatric constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) is an evidence-based treatment that has a long history of demonstrating efficacy for children with hemiparesis. The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of a culturally responsive CIMT program for children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP) developed for the Vietnam healthcare system. METHODS: Thirty children with hemiplegic CP (mean age = 2.88 years, age range: 1 to 8 yrs, 60% male) were recruited to a CIMT program (7...

BACKGROUND: Health equity impact assessments (HEIAs) inform the reduction of health inequities by evaluating programs or policies that affect target populations. Local health departments (LHD) receiving funding through the Improving Community Outcomes for Maternal and Child Health (ICO4MCH) Program conducted HEIAs for evidence-based strategies (EBSs). This paper describes the impact of HEIAs on the implementation of EBSs and highlights lessons learned during implementation of HEIA modifications...

INTRODUCTION: Few interventions have focused on Latino family caregivers to persons with dementia, addressing their unique needs. This review aimed to identify best practices in cultural adaptation to make recommendations for adapting interventions for Latino family caregivers of persons living with dementia. METHOD: This scoping review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute Scoping Review guidelines, with findings extracted and summarized from 17 studies addressing cultural adaptation...

BACKGROUND: Medications for opioid use disorders (MOUDs) are effective, but most people with opioid use disorder (OUD) do not receive treatment. Prior research has explored patients' structural barriers to access and perceptions of MOUD. Little research has considered treatment knowledge and perceptions outside of the patient population. Members of the public without OUD themselves (eg, family, friends) can significantly influence treatment decisions of persons with OUD. Considering these gaps, we conducted an original survey with a diverse sample of US adults to explore knowledge and preferences toward OUD treatments...