Guide to Canine and Feline Electrocardiography offers a comprehensive and readable guide to the diagnosis and treatment of abnormal heart rhythms in cats and dogs. * Covers all aspects of ...electrocardiography, from basics to advanced concepts of interest to specialists * Explains how to obtain high-quality electrocardiograms * Offers expert insight and guidance on the diagnosis and treatment of simple and complex arrhythmias alike * Features numerous case examples, with electrocardiograms and Holter monitor recordings * Shows the characteristics of normal and abnormal heart rhythms in dogs and cats * Includes access to a website with self-assessment questions and the appendices and figures from the book
Abstract
Background
Conducting root cause analysis (RCA) is complex and challenging. The aim of this study was to better understand the experiences of RCA team members and how they value their ...involvement in the RCA to inform future recruitment, conduct and implementation of RCA findings into clinical practice.
Methods
The study was set in a health network in Adelaide, South Australia. A qualitative exploratory descriptive approach was undertaken to provide an in-depth understanding of team member’s experience in participating in an RCA. Eight of 27 RCA team members who conducted RCAs in the preceding 3-year period were included in one of three semi-structured focus groups. Thematic analysis was used to synthesise the transcribed data into themes.
Results
We derived four major themes: Experiences and perceptions of the RCA team, Limitations of RCA recommendations, Facilitators and barriers to conducting an RCA, and Supporting colleagues involved in the adverse event. Participants’ mixed experience of RCAs ranged from enjoyment and the perception of worth and value to concerns about workload and lack of impact. Legislative privilege protecting RCAs from disclosure was both a facilitator and a barrier. Concern and a desire to better support their colleagues was widely reported.
Conclusions
Clinicians perceived value in reviewing significant adverse events. Improvements can be made in sharing learnings to make effective improvements in health care. We have proposed a process to better support interviewees and strengthen post interview follow up.
ObjectivesThis pre–post implementation study evaluated the introduction of fixed dose combination (FDC) medications for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) secondary prevention into ...routine care in a humanitarian setting.SettingTwo Médecins sans Frontières (MSF) primary care clinics serving Syrian refugee and host populations in north Lebanon.ParticipantsConsenting patients ≥18 years with existing ASCVD requiring secondary prevention medication were eligible for study enrolment. Those with FDC contraindication(s) or planning to move were excluded. Of 521 enrolled patients, 460 (88.3%) were retained at 6 months, and 418 (80.2%) switched to FDC. Of these, 84% remained on FDC (n=351), 8.1% (n=34) discontinued and 7.9% (n=33) were lost to follow-up by month 12.InterventionsEligible patients, enrolled February–May 2019, were switched to Trinomia FDC (atorvastatin 20 mg, aspirin 100 mg, ramipril 2.5/5/10 mg) after 6 months’ usual care. During the study, the COVID-19 pandemic, an economic crisis and clinic closures occurred.Outcome measuresDescriptive and regression analyses compared key outcomes at 6 and 12 months: medication adherence, non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) control. We performed per-protocol, intention-to-treat and secondary analyses of non-switchers.ResultsAmong 385 switchers remaining at 12 months, total adherence improved 23%, from 63% (95% CI 58 to 68) at month 6, to 86% (95% CI 82 to 90) at month 12; mean non-HDL-C levels dropped 0.28 mmol/L (95% CI −0.38 to −0.18; p<0.0001), from 2.39 (95% CI 2.26 to 2.51) to 2.11 mmol/L (95% CI 2.00 to 2.22); mean SBP dropped 2.89 mm Hg (95% CI −4.49 to −1.28; p=0.0005) from 132.7 (95% CI 130.8 to 134.6) to 129.7 mm Hg (95% CI 127.9 to 131.5). Non-switchers had smaller improvements in adherence and clinical outcomes.ConclusionImplementing an ASCVD secondary prevention FDC improved adherence and CVD risk factors in MSF clinics in Lebanon, with potential for wider implementation by humanitarian actors and host health systems.
We report findings of a qualitative evaluation of fixed-dose combination therapy for patients with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) attending Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) ...clinics in Lebanon. Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, and humanitarian actors are increasingly faced with the challenge of providing care for chronic diseases such as ASCVD in settings where health systems are disrupted. Secondary prevention strategies, involving 3-5 medications, are known to be effective for patients at risk of heart attack or stroke, but supply and adherence are challenging in humanitarian settings. Fixed dose combination therapy, combining two or more medications in one tablet, may be a strategy to address this.
The evaluation was nested within a prospective mixed-methods study in which eligible ASCVD patients were followed for 1 year during (i) 6 months of usual care then (ii) 6 months of fixed dose combination (FDC) therapy. After 1 year, we conducted in-depth interviews with a purposive sample of patients, MSF staff and external stakeholders. Interviews focused on acceptability and sustainability of the fixed dose therapy intervention. Interview data were analysed thematically, informed by thea Theoretical Framework of Acceptability. Additional attention was paid to non-typical cases in order to test and strengthen analysis.
Patients and health care providers were positive about the FDC intervention. For patients, acceptability was related to ease of treatment and trust in MSF staff, while, for staff, it was related to perceived improvements in adherence, having a good understanding of the medication and its use, and fitting well with their priorities for patient's wellbeing. External stakeholders were less familiar with FDC therapy. While external clinicals expressed concerns about treatment inflexibility, non-clinician stakeholder interviews suggested that cost-effectiveness would have a major influence on FDC therapy acceptability. Sustainability was tied to the future role of MSF care provision and coherence with the local health system.
For patients and clinic staff, FDC was an acceptable treatment approach for secondary prevention of ASCVD disease in two MSF clinics in Lebanon. Sustainability is more complex and calls for better alignment of care with public systems.
To assess the responsiveness of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) Supa Cover benefit package to the needs of individuals with diabetes and hypertension in Kenya.
We carried out a qualitative ...study and collected data using key informant interviews (n=39) and focus group discussions (n=4) in two purposively selected counties in Western Kenya. Study participants were drawn from NHIF officials, county government officials, health facility managers, healthcare workers and individuals with hypertension and diabetes who were enrolled in NHIF. We analysed data using a thematic approach.
Study participants reported that the NHIF Supa Cover benefit package expanded access to services for people living with hypertension and diabetes. However, the NHIF members and healthcare workers had inadequate awareness of the NHIF service entitlements. The NHIF benefit package inadequately covered the range of services needed by people living with hypertension and diabetes and the benefits package did not prioritise preventive and promotive services. Sometimes patients were discriminated against by healthcare providers who preferred cash-paying patients, and some NHIF-empanelled health facilities had inadequate structural inputs essential for quality of care. Study participants felt that the NHIF premium for the general scheme was unaffordable, and NHIF members faced additional out-of-pocket costs because of additional payments for services not available or covered.
Whereas NHIF has reduced financial barriers for hypertension and diabetes patients, to enhance its responsiveness to patient needs, NHIF should implement mechanisms to increase benefit package awareness among members and providers. In addition, preventive and promotive services should be included in NHIF's benefits package and mechanisms to monitor and hold contracted providers accountable should be strengthened.
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of death and disability globally. Their importance in humanitarian settings is increasingly recognised, but evidence about how best to address ...NCDs in these setting is limited. This scoping review aimed to explore models of NCD care for displaced populations in Iraq, in order to build evidence to design context adapted models of care. A search of key databases (Medline, Embase, Scopus, EconLit, Global Health, Web of Science, and the Iraqi Academic Scientific Journals) was conducted and complemented with grey literature and snowballing searches. Documents were included if they referred to models of NCD care for displaced populations. We synthesised the data using a conceptual model of care framework. The findings were reported according to the PRISMA guidelines for scoping reviews. We identified 4036 documents of which 22 were eligible for inclusion. Only six documents were peer-reviewed studies with most being internal reports, commentaries, or press releases. Of the 14 documents that reported on their methods, most applied quantitative approaches (n = 7), followed by mixed-methods (n = 5) and qualitative approaches (n = 2). Only one document reported on outcome data and none applied longitudinal study designs. Documents generally described individual framework dimensions, mostly centring around medicines, facility-based services, and selected access dimensions. Most dimensions had few or no references. The most common model for displaced populations in Iraq was primary-level centred care that complemented or supported existing--mostly tertiary--public health system structures. Additionally, private facilities played an important role and were frequently accessed by displaced populations in most settings. Quality of care, particularly patient-perceived quality, emerged as a critical factor for designing context-adapted models of NCD care. This review also identified a strong regionality of NCD care, particularly in terms of access rates and barriers. We concluded that there is a scarcity of evidence on the effectiveness of models of NCD care for displaced populations in Iraq, calling for capacity building initiatives focused on implementation research and evaluation. Keywords: Noncommunicable disease, Conflict, Displaced populations, Complex emergencies, Programmes, Implementation
The Primary Health Integrated Care for Chronic Conditions (PIC4C) pilot project was launched in 2018 to strengthen prevention and control of four non-communicable conditions at primary health care ...level in western Kenya. We conducted a qualitative study to explore the extent to which PIC4C integrated services supported people with hypertension and/or diabetes towards timely diagnosis and referral, treatment, follow-up and adherence, from the perspective of those receiving care. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposively sampled patient cohort at two time points, with the intention of capturing changes over time (total (n) = 43, completion of both interviews (n) = 37). We extracted existing survey data to describe socio-demographic characteristics and analyzed qualitative data thematically. We identified two cross-cutting contextual factors, individual's financial resources and their social situation, which shaped each stage of their interactions with PIC4C services. The PIC4C model successfully engaged people in accessing screening services to enable timely diagnosis and referred them to enter care. Free community level screening services and decentralization of care to lower level facilities reduced cost barriers for patients. However, retention in care and adherence to treatment were affected by the wider system context in which PIC4C was operating, including inconsistencies in medication availability and patients' limited financial capacity. Individually tailored advice from health care workers to work around some of these challenges supported self-management strategies. Further development of the service should focus on supporting health care workers to adopt flexible, contextually responsive approaches in order to support patients facing economic and other constraints to engage in (self) care.The Primary Health Integrated Care for Chronic Conditions (PIC4C) pilot project was launched in 2018 to strengthen prevention and control of four non-communicable conditions at primary health care level in western Kenya. We conducted a qualitative study to explore the extent to which PIC4C integrated services supported people with hypertension and/or diabetes towards timely diagnosis and referral, treatment, follow-up and adherence, from the perspective of those receiving care. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposively sampled patient cohort at two time points, with the intention of capturing changes over time (total (n) = 43, completion of both interviews (n) = 37). We extracted existing survey data to describe socio-demographic characteristics and analyzed qualitative data thematically. We identified two cross-cutting contextual factors, individual's financial resources and their social situation, which shaped each stage of their interactions with PIC4C services. The PIC4C model successfully engaged people in accessing screening services to enable timely diagnosis and referred them to enter care. Free community level screening services and decentralization of care to lower level facilities reduced cost barriers for patients. However, retention in care and adherence to treatment were affected by the wider system context in which PIC4C was operating, including inconsistencies in medication availability and patients' limited financial capacity. Individually tailored advice from health care workers to work around some of these challenges supported self-management strategies. Further development of the service should focus on supporting health care workers to adopt flexible, contextually responsive approaches in order to support patients facing economic and other constraints to engage in (self) care.
•Hypertension and diabetes care models in crises must adapt to context, crisis type and response phase.•Primary care models, essential medicines, standardised tools and task shifting are ...recommended.•Greater standardisation, integration, continuity and coordination would improve care quality.•More evidence on patient experience, peer support and patient self-management is needed.•A health system strengthening approach and greater funding would support sustainability of care.
The high and rising global burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is reflected among crisis-affected populations. People living with NCDs are especially vulnerable in humanitarian crises. Limited guidance exists to support humanitarian actors in designing effective models of NCD care for crisis-affected populations in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We aimed to synthesise expert opinion on current care models for hypertension and diabetes (HTN/DM) in humanitarian settings in LMICs, to examine the gaps in delivering good quality HTN/DM care and to propose solutions to address these gaps.
We interviewed twenty global experts, purposively selected based on their expertise in provision of NCD care in humanitarian settings. Data were analysed using a combination of inductive and deductive methods. We used a conceptual framework for primary care models for HTN/DM in humanitarian settings, guided by the WHO health systems model, patient-centred care models and literature on NCD care in LMICs.
HTN/DM care model design was highly dependent on the type of humanitarian crisis, the implementing organisation, the target population, the underlying health system readiness to deal with NCDs and its resilience in the face of crisis. Current models were mainly based at primary-care level, in prolonged crisis settings. Participants focussed on the basic building blocks of care, including training the workforce, and strengthening supply chains and information systems. Intermediate health system goals (responsiveness, quality and safety) and final goals received less attention. There were notable gaps in standardisation and continuity of care, integration with host systems, and coordination with other actors. Participants recommended a health system strengthening approach and aspired to providing patient-centred care. However, more evidence on effective integration and on patients’ priorities and experience is needed. More funding is needed for NCD care and related research.
Comprehensive guidance would foster standardization, continuity, integration and, thus, better quality care. Future models should take a health system strengthening approach, use patient-centred design, and should be co-created with patients and providers. Those designing new models may draw on lessons learned from existing chronic care models in high- and low-income settings.
IntroductionAmid the rising number of people with non-communicable diseases (NCDs), Kenya has invested in strengthening primary care and in efforts to expand existing service delivery platforms to ...integrate NCD care. One such approach is the AMPATH (Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare) model in western Kenya, which provides the platform for the Primary Health Integrated Care Project for Chronic Conditions (PIC4C), launched in 2018 to further strengthen primary care services for the prevention and control of hypertension, diabetes, breast and cervical cancer. This study seeks to understand how well PIC4C delivers on its intended aims and to inform and support scale up of the PIC4C model for integrated care for people with NCDs in Kenya.Methods and analysisThe study is guided by a conceptual framework on implementing, sustaining and spreading innovation in health service delivery. We use a multimethod design combining qualitative and quantitative approaches, involving: (1) in-depth interviews with health workers and decision-makers to explore experiences of delivering PIC4C; (2) a cross-sectional survey of patients with diabetes or hypertension and in-depth interviews to understand how well PIC4C meets patients’ needs; (3) a cohort study with an interrupted time series analysis to evaluate the degree to which PIC4C leads to health benefits such as improved management of hypertension or diabetes; and (4) a cohort study of households to examine the extent to which the national hospital insurance chronic care package provides financial risk protection to people with hypertension or diabetes within PIC4C.Ethics and disseminationThe study has received approvals from Moi University Institutional Research and Ethics Committee (FAN:0003586) and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (17940). Workshops with key stakeholders at local, county, national and international levels will ensure early and wide dissemination of our findings to inform scale up of this model of care. We will also publish findings in peer-reviewed journals.
The Syrian crisis, followed by a financial crisis, port explosion, and COVID-19, have put enormous strain on Lebanon's health system. Syrian refugees and the vulnerable host population have a high ...burden of Non-communicable Diseases (NCD) morbidity and unmet mental health, psychosocial and rehabilitation needs. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) recently introduced integrated NCD services within its package of primary care in Lebanon, which includes NCD primary health care, rehabilitation, and mental health and psychosocial support services. We aimed to identify relevant outcomes for people living with NCDs from refugee and host communities in northern Lebanon, as well as to define the processes needed to achieve them through an integrated model of care. Given the complexity of the health system in which the interventions are delivered, and the limited practical guidance on integration, we considered systems thinking to be the most appropriate methodological approach.
A Theory of Change (ToC) workshop and follow-up meetings were held online by the ICRC, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and the American University of Beirut in 2021. ToC is a participatory and iterative planning process involving key stakeholders, and seeks to understand a process of change by mapping out intermediate and long-term outcomes along hypothesised causal pathways. Participants included academics, and ICRC regional, coordination, and headquarters staff.
We identified two distinct pathways to integrated NCD primary care: a multidisciplinary service pathway and a patient and family support pathway. These were interdependent and linked via an essential social worker role and a robust information system. We also defined a list of key assumptions and interventions to achieve integration, and developed a list of monitoring indicators.
ToC is a useful tool to deconstruct the complexity of integrating NCD services. We highlight that integrated care rests on multidisciplinary and patient-centred approaches, which depend on a well-trained and resourced team, strong leadership, and adequate information systems. This paper provides the first theory-driven road map of implementation pathways, to help support the integration of NCD care for crises-affected populations in Lebanon and globally.
