O desenvolvimento de úlceras de pressão em pacientes hospitalizados é um grande problema de saúde que envolve vários fatores relacionados com o paciente e com o meio externo. A prática baseada em evidências torna-se uma proposta eficaz na adoção de medidas para a prática clínica que promovam a melhoria da qualidade do cuidado. Esta pesquisa foi desenvolvida com os objetivos de avaliar os efeitos de intervenções educativas no conhecimento dos profissionais de enfermagem em Centro de Terapia Intensiva, nas medidas prevenção utilizadas em sua prática clínica e nas taxas de incidência de úlcera de pressão e avaliar os fatores de risco presentes nos pacientes e a adequação das ações realizadas pela equipe de enfermagem. Foi desenvolvida em um Centro de Terapia Intensiva de um hospital universitário, de nível terciário e de grande porte no interior do Estado de São Paulo. O caminho metodológico foi construído considerando as fases do processo de adoção de uma inovação proposta por Rogers. Foram realizadas intervenções educativas junto à equipe de enfermagem visando à persuasão para a adoção de inovações para prevenção de úlceras de pressão baseadas em evidências. Para avaliar os efeitos das intervenções educativas, foram conduzidos três estudos na fase pré-intervenção e repetidos na fase pós-intervenção. No primeiro estudo, buscou-se identificar o nível de conhecimento dos profissionais da equipe de enfermagem sobre a úlcera de pressão e medidas de prevenção por meio de instrumento que continha questões fechadas. No segundo estudo, foi identificada a prática clínica adotada pela equipe de enfermagem para a prevenção de úlcera de pressão, por meio de observação não participativa. O terceiro estudo tratou da identificação da taxa de incidência de úlcera de pressão em pacientes internados no CTI e dos fatores de risco relacionados a esses. Os resultados evidenciaram que a intervenção educativa influenciou no conhecimento dos profissionais da equipe de enfermagem e em alguns aspectos de suas práticas clínicas referentes aos cuidados de prevenção, porém, não influenciou na incidência de úlcera de pressão, que foi de 62,5% nas fases pré e pós-intervenção. As variáveis estudadas associadas desenvolvimento de úlceras de pressão foram os escores das Escalas de Braden e Glasgow tempo de internação do paciente. Destaca-se a pouca participação dos enfermeiros nos cuidados básicos de higiene e avaliação do paciente. Alguns pontos importantes devem ter maior atenção dos enfermeiros e ter maior enfoque em programas educacionais. São eles: cuidados básicos de higiene; intensificação dos cuidados de prevenção, especialmente mobilização do paciente; adoção de instrumentos para avaliação do risco para o desenvolvimento de úlcera de pressão; realização de programas educacionais periódicos, enfocando a prevenção e adoção de estratégias para monitoramento do problema. Considerando os aspectos da prevenção de úlceras de pressão, uma prática criteriosa e de qualidade deve ser prioritária, utilizando-se estratégias que possam envolver a instituição e a equipe multidisciplinar que atua no CTI. / The development of pressure ulcers in hospitalized patients is a large health problem that involves various patient and environment-related factors. Evidence-based practice is an effective proposal for the adoption of clinical practice measures that promote improvements in health care quality. This research aimed to evaluate the effects of educational interventions on nursing professionals’ knowledge at an intensive therapy center, on the prevention measures used in their clinical practice and on pressure ulcer incidence rates, as well as patients’ risk factors and the adequacy of the nursing team’s actions. The study was carried out at the Intensive Therapy Center (ITC) of a large tertiary-care university hospital in the interior of São Paulo State. The methodological course was constructed in view of the innovation adoption curve proposed by Rogers. Educational interventions were realized involving the nursing team, with a view to convincing them to adopt innovations to prevent pressure ulcers, based on evidences. In order to assess the effects of educational interventions, we conducted three studies in the pre-intervention phase, which were repeated after the intervention. In the first study, we aimed to identify nursing team professionals’ knowledge about pressure ulcers and prevention measures, using an instrument with closed questions. In the second study, we identified the clinical practice the nursing team adopted to prevent pressure ulcer, using non-participant observation. The third study was aimed at identifying pressure ulcer incidence levels in patients hospitalized at the ITC and related risk factors. Results demonstrated that the educational intervention influenced nursing team professionals’ knowledge and some clinical practice aspects related to preventive care, but did not affect pressure ulcer incidence levels, which corresponded to 62.5% in the pre- and post-intervention phases. We studied the Braden Score, the Glasgow Scale and hospitalization times as variables associated with the development of pressure ulcers. Nurses participated little in basic hygiene care and patient assessment. Both nurses and education programs should give more attention to some important points. These are: basic hygiene care; intensification of preventive care, especially patient mobilization; adoption of risk assessment instruments for the development of pressure ulcer; realization of periodical education programs focused on prevention and adoption of problem-monitoring strategies. In view of aspects of pressure ulcer prevention, a discerning and high-quality practice should be prioritized, using strategies that can involve the institution and the multidisciplinary team active at the institution.

O zumbido (ou tinnitus) pode ser descrito como a percepção de um som ou ruído sem nenhuma estimulação acústica externa. Apesar de freqüente, ainda existem muitas dúvidas envolvendo o zumbido, no que se refere à sua origem e tratamento para a totalidade dos casos. Os objetivos do presente trabalho foram estudar a supressão das Emissões Otoacústicas Transitórias com estimulação contralateral e as latências, intervalos interpicos, bem como as amplitudes das ondas dos Potenciais Auditivos Evocados de Tronco Cerebral, em pacientes com zumbido e perda auditiva neurossensorial, causada possivelmente por exposição prolongada a níveis de pressão sonora elevados. Foram avaliados 30 sujeitos com zumbido (grupo Z) e 30 sujeitos sem zumbido (grupo C), ambos os grupos do sexo masculino e pareados quanto à faixa etária, tempo de exposição ao ruído e grau de perda auditiva neurossensorial em agudos. Os resultados mostraram homogeneidade dos dois grupos quanto à faixa etária, tempo de exposição ao ruído e limiares auditivos. Observou-se supressão das emissões menores para o grupo Z, com diferença estatística somente para a orelha esquerda e indícios de diferença significante para a orelha direita. Quanto aos Potenciais Auditivos Evocados de Tronco Cerebral, houve um aumento das latências e redução das amplitudes para o grupo Z, com resultados significantes para a latência de onda III da orelha direita e para as latências das ondas I e III da orelha esquerda. Com base nos achados descritos, hipotetizou-se que, nos pacientes com zumbido, o sistema auditivo eferente olivococlear medial seria possivelmente menos eficiente, já que a supressão das emissões foi menor nestes pacientes. Além disso, poder-se-ia supor a existência de uma possível alteração na atividade do Tronco Cerebral em indivíduos com zumbido, evidenciadas pelos prolongamentos das latências e redução das amplitudes. / Tinnitus can be described as a perception of a particular sound or noise without any external acoustic stimulation. Though frequent, there are still many unanswered questions regarding tinnitus, the origin and treatment for all cases. The aim of this work was to study the suppression of Transitory Otoacoustic Emissions with contralateral stimulus and the latencies, interpeak intervals and amplitudes of Auditory Brainstem Response waves in patients with tinnitus and sensorineural hearing loss, possibly caused by prolonged exposition to high sound pressure levels. For that purpose, 30 individuals with tinnitus (group Z) and another 30 without it (group C) were studied. Both groups formed by males matched according with age, time exposed to noise and high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss. The results show homogeneous age, noise exposure time and hearing thresholds of both groups. Weaker suppression of emissions in group Z was observed, with significant statistical difference only for left ear and indicia of significant difference for the right ear. As for auditory brainstem response, there was an increase in latencies and reduction of amplitudes for group Z, with significant results for wave III latency of right ear and for I and III waves of left ear. Based on these findings, the theory is that in patients with tinnitus the medial olivocochlear efferent auditory system could possibly be less efficient, since the emission suppression was weaker in such patients. Besides, an assumption could be made that a possible alteration of brainstem activity takes place in patients with tinnitus, made clear by prolonged latencies and reduction of amplitudes in that group.

The high prevalence of back and neck pain results in enormous social, psychological, and economic burden. Most seeking help for back or neck pain consult general practitioners or chiropractors. Chiropractic is a regulated health profession (serving approximately 10 – 15% of the population) that has contributed to the health and well-being of North Americans for over a century. Despite available evidence for optimal management of back and neck pain, poor adherences to guidelines and wide variations in services have been noted. For instance, overuse and misuse of imaging services have been reported in the chiropractic literature. Inappropriate use of spine imaging has a number of potential adverse outcomes, including inefficient and potentially inappropriate invasive diagnosis and subsequent treatment, and unnecessary patient exposure to ionizing radiation. Although evidence-based diagnostic imaging guidelines for spinal disorders are available, chiropractors are divided on whether these guidelines apply to them. While guidelines can encourage practitioners to conform to best practices and lead to improvements in care, reviews have demonstrated that dissemination of guidelines alone is rarely sufficient to optimise care. Evidence regarding effective methods to promote the uptake of guidelines is still lacking. There is growing acceptance that problem analysis and development of interventions to change practice should be guided by relevant theories and tailored to the target audience. To date, very little knowledge translation research has addressed research-practice gaps in chiropractic. This thesis reports rigorous methods to: (1) assess practice and providers’ characteristics, (2) determine baseline rates and variations in spine x-ray ordering, (3) evaluate the impact of disseminating guidelines to optimise spine x-ray ordering, and (4) assess determinants of spine x-ray ordering and potential targets for change prior to the design of a tailored intervention. A mixed method using two disciplinary perspectives (epidemiology and psychology) was undertaken. A cross-sectional analysis of administrative claims data was carried out on a sample of chiropractors enlisted in a large American provider network. Despite available clinical practice guidelines, wide geographical variations in x-ray use persist. Higher x-ray ordering rates were associated with practice location (Midwest and South US census regions), setting (urban, suburban), chiropractic school attended, male provider, employment, and years in practice. The impact of web-based guideline dissemination was evaluated over a five year period using interrupted time series and demonstrated a stepwise relative reduction of 5.3% in the use of x-rays. Passive guidelines dissemination appeared to be a simple, cost effective strategy in this setting to improve but not optimise x-ray ordering rates. Focus groups using the theoretical domains framework were conducted among Canadian and US chiropractors to explore their beliefs about managing back pain without x-rays. Findings were used to develop a theory-based survey to identify theoretical constructs predicting spine x-ray ordering practice. Psychological theories and theoretical constructs explained a significant portion of the variance in both behavioural simulation and intention. Results from this thesis provide an empirically-supported, theoretical basis to design quality improvement strategies to increase guidelines adherence and promote behaviour change in chiropractic. Other researchers interested in improving uptake of evidenced-based information could use this method in their own setting to investigate determinants of behaviour among other professional groups. Future research may use knowledge gained to inform the development and evaluation of a theory-based tailored intervention to improve guideline adherence and reduce the use of spine x-rays among targeted providers.

The objective of the thesis was to evaluate the quality of diabetes care in the Canadian Forces by determining the extent to which physicians adhere to recommendations outlined in the 2008 Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA) clinical practice guidelines. In addition, the effect of patient age, sex, rank and size of base on quality of care was assessed and the accuracy of a diagnosis of diabetes in an extract of the electronic medical record (EMR) was evaluated. Fourteen bases within the Canadian Forces were selected for investigation, representing roughly half of the Canadian Forces population. Cases of diabetes were ascertained based on laboratory criteria following a chart review. Twenty-one CDA guideline recommendations were considered. The Canadian Forces demonstrated greater than 75% adherence with each of 9 recommendations, 50-75% adherence with each of 7 recommendations and less than 50% adherence with each of 5 recommendations. The overall adherence with all applicable recommendations per patient was 60.3% (SE 0.66). Age, sex, rank and size of base were not important factors influencing guideline adherence. The sensitivity of a diabetes diagnosis in an extract of the EMR was 84.5%, the specificity was 99.8%, the positive predictive value was 85.1% and the negative predictive value was 99.8%. This is similar to the performance of provincial and national diabetes registries. The quality of diabetes care in the Canadian Forces compared favourably with that of the civilian population within Canada and internationally. The creation of a diabetes registry is expected to lead to further improvements in diabetes care.

Depression is common and disproportionately affects those with chronic medical comorbidity, such as diabetes mellitus (DM). Only a limited amount of information is available concerning the quality of guideline-concordant treatment of depression and its influence on glycemic control among those with DM. This is the first study to address these issues in a veteran population with DM. This is a retrospective cohort study (1997-2005) of veterans with and without DM from the Roudebush Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Indianapolis. Veterans with and without DM and a new episode of depression were identified. Administrative, clinical, and pharmacy data were linked to assess initiation of treatment, follow-up care, antidepressant dosage and duration, and change in antidepressant agent based on the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) clinical practice guidelines for depression. HbA1c levels were assessed following initiation of antidepressant therapy. Treatment of depression was not consistent with guideline recommendations. Only 60% of subjects received treatment within 30-days of the depression diagnosis. Veterans with DM were more likely to have received treatment within the first two weeks than veterans without DM. Few subjects received appropriate follow-up care for depression (<40%) or an adequate duration of antidepressant therapy (<9%), although most (88%) received a dosage consistent with guideline recommendations when treatment was provided. Most subjects (>75%) were treated with a serotonigenic agent and only 23% experienced a change in therapy during the treatment period, almost 84% of which received an adequate trial of therapy prior to the change or augmentation in agent. Presence of DM was associated with significantly increased odds for receipt of guideline-concordant care for depression in most multivariate analyses. Receipt of guideline-concordant care for depression was not a significant predictor of glycemic control but was associated with a clinically meaningful reduction of 0.5% in HbA1c levels. This research demonstrates that under-treatment of depression is common and may influence at least one medical outcome. Findings also support that the relationship between depression and DM is complex and that further research is necessary to help align current practice with evidence-based practices in the VHA.

Purpose To understand the factors that influence nursing students’ use of evidence-based pain management guidelines in their clinical placements. Methods/Design Guided by educational and knowledge translation theory, multiple approaches were used: 1. A scoping review of the literature to identify and describe educational strategies to promote evidence-based practice (EBP) by nursing students in the clinical setting, along with associated barriers and facilitators from the literature. 2. A process to develop indicators of the use of pain guidelines in clinical practice. 3. A descriptive case study to determine the gap between evidence-based guideline recommendations and actual practice and to understand the clinical and educational contextual factors that influence nursing students’ use of pain management practice guidelines. Findings The scoping review identified 37 papers in total, 14 descriptive and 23 evaluation studies. Commonly identified barriers were lack of EBP knowledge and skills and lack of support in the clinical setting. EBP projects were the most frequently evaluated educational interventions, alone, or in combination with workshops or journal clubs. During the indicator development process, eleven guidelines were reviewed for quality, resulting in three quality guidelines. From these three guidelines, 12 recommendations were extracted. Quality indicators were then identified by a consensus process, resulting in 24 discrete indicators for the chart audit. For the descriptive case study, fifty-four charts were audited, and interviews were conducted with nine students, seven nurses, one professor, and one clinical instructor. Multiple documents were reviewed, and a site visit was conducted. There are gaps between pain guideline recommendations and practice in the clinical setting. Examples of barriers include the perception that guidelines are not applicable for the clinical setting, lack of knowledge regarding guidelines and an emphasis on task completion in the clinical setting. Facilitators included access to resources, curriculum changes, and the integration of guidelines in policies and procedures. These findings can inform the development, implementation and evaluation of evidence based educational strategies that take into account the multiple actors that impact nursing students’ experience, namely, in-class professors, clinical instructors, and staff nurses. Future education and research approaches should be rooted in knowledge translation and education theory.

The Cognitive theory was utilised in an attempt to understand the HIV and AIDS practice needs of peer educators in the Department of Social Development in the Free State province. The absence of guidelines affects the utilisation of peer educators and thus leads to the under-utilisation of programmes. The practice needs were therefore identified and recommendations were submitted with a view to address existing gaps Applied research was utilised as findings were used to make suggestions on the development of practice guidelines for programmes used by peer educators. As the researcher was interested in the rich data from peer educators‟ explanations about their HIV and AIDS practice needs, the most suitable research design for the study was the qualitative design with a collective case study. Purposive sampling was selected as the most appropriate sampling method within non-probability sampling, as the researcher‟s own knowledge and judgment of the population, its elements and the nature and purpose of the study, guided him. Within purposive sampling the researcher implemented volunteer sampling by issuing invitations to targeted participants who met specific criteria. Data collection was conducted through the implementation of two focus groups sessions consisting of 11 participants and eight participants respectively in each group for the duration of 90 minutes. Data collected was analysed using Creswell‟s analytical spiral. The planned research was expected to address issues of gaps and practice needs, as well as guidelines necessary for the implementation of the HIV and AIDS workplace prevention programme. / Dissertation (MSocial Work)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / tm2015 / Social Work and Criminology / MSocial Work / Unrestricted

The project was aimed at describing the mixing phenomena relevant for both safety analysis, particularly in steam line break and boron dilution scenarios, and mixing phenomena of interest for economical operation and the structural integrity. Measurement data from a set of mixing experiments, gained by using advanced measurement techniques with enhanced resolution in time and space help to improve the basic understanding of turbulent mixing and to provide data for Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) code validation. Slug mixing tests simulating the start-up of the first main circulation pump are performed with two 1:5 scaled facilities: The Rossendorf coolant mixing model ROCOM and the VATTENFALL test facility, modelling a German Konvoi type and a Westinghouse type three-loop PWR, respectively. Additional data on slug mixing in a VVER-1000 type reactor gained at a 1:5 scaled metal mock-up at EDO Gidropress are provided. Experimental results on mixing of fluids with density differences obtained at ROCOM and the FORTUM PTS test facility are made available. Concerning mixing phenomena of interest for operational issues and thermal fatigue, flow distribution data available from commissioning tests (Sizewell-B for PWRs, Loviisa and Paks for VVERs) are used together with the data from the ROCOM facility as a basis for the flow distribution studies. The test matrix on flow distribution and steady state mixing performed at ROCOM comprises experiments with various combinations of running pumps and various mass flow rates in the working loops. Computational fluid dynamics calculations are accomplished for selected experiments with two different CFD codes (CFX-5, FLUENT). Best practice guidelines (BPG) are applied in all CFD work when choosing computational grid, time step, turbulence models, modelling of internal geometry, boundary conditions, numerical schemes and convergence criteria. The BPG contain a set of systematic procedures for quantifying and reducing numerical errors. The knowledge of these numerical errors is a prerequisite for the proper judgement of model errors. The strategy of code validation based on the BPG and a matrix of CFD code validation calculations have been elaborated. Besides of the benchmark cases, additional experiments were calculated by new partners and observers, joining the project later. Based on the "best practice solutions", conclusions on the applicability of CFD for turbulent mixing problems in PWR were drawn and recommendations on CFD modelling were given. The high importance of proper grid generation was outlined. In general, second order discretization schemes should be used to minimise numerical diffusion. First order schemes can provide physically wrong results. With optimised "production meshes" reasonable results were obtained, but due to the complex geometry of the flow domains, no fully grid independent solutions were achieved. Therefore, with respect to turbulence models, no final conclusions can be given. However, first order turbulence models like K-e or SST K-w are suitable for momentum driven slug mixing. For buoyancy driven mixing (PTS scenarios), Reynolds stress models provide better results.

This program evaluation examines the effectiveness of a school-based dental clinic. A repeated-measures design was used to longitudinally examine secondary data from participants (N = 293). Encounter intensity was developed to normalize data. Multivariate analysis of variance and Kruskal–Wallis test were used to investigate the effect of encounter intensity on the change in decay, restorations, and treatment urgency. A Pearson’s correlation was used to measure the strengths of association. Encounter intensity had a statistically significant effect on change in decay (p =.005), restorations (p =.000), and treatment urgency (p =.001). As encounter intensity increased, there was a significant association with the decrease in decay (−.167), increase in restorations (.221), and reduction in referral urgency (−.188). Incorporating dental care into a school-based health center resulted in improved oral health in underserved children while overcoming barriers that typically restrict access. The collaboration of school nurses with the school-based dental clinic was an important element for maximizing student access to dental care.

During the last several decades, venous thromboembolism (VTE) has been identified as a preventable health condition. The gaps in clinical practice have led to an increased incidence of VTE. The lack of using existing evidence-based VTE prevention guidelines in practice has limited the implementation of VTE risk assessment stratifications and affected the appropriateness and timeliness of addressing pharmacologic and mechanical prophylaxis. The purpose of the scholarly project was to educate practitioners on existing VTE prevention practice guidelines. The practice-focused question explored whether an educational learning activity on evidence-based VTE prevention guidelines improved the awareness, knowledge, and compliance with existing evidence-based VTE guidelines of practitioners that assess and treat patients at risk for VTE. The theoretical framework for the project was Lewin's change process theory. A total of 38 participants comprised registered nurses (82%), physicians (5%), nurse practitioners (2%), and nonclinical personnel (11%). A program evaluation was provided to determine the effectiveness of the project. The findings showed that practitioners participated in the learning activity to improve knowledge (48%), increase VTE awareness (43%), and would change the management and treatment of patients at risk for VTE (39%). Hospitalized patients at risk for VTE can benefit from the results of this project through a change in clinical practice that might decrease the incidence of VTE and potentially bring about social change by reducing the number of preventable deaths.