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Cui J, Cho S, Kamruzzaman M, Bielskas M, Vullikanti A, Prakash BA. Using spectral characterization to identify healthcare-associated infection (HAI) patients for clinical contact precaution. Sci Rep 2023; 13:16197. [PMID: 37758756 PMCID: PMC10533902 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-41852-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a major problem in hospital infection control. Although HAIs can be suppressed using contact precautions, such precautions are expensive, and we can only apply them to a small fraction of patients (i.e., a limited budget). In this work, we focus on two clinical problems arising from the limited budget: (a) choosing the best patients to be placed under precaution given a limited budget to minimize the spread (the isolation problem), and (b) choosing the best patients to release when limited budget requires some of the patients to be cleared from precaution (the clearance problem). A critical challenge in addressing them is that HAIs have multiple transmission pathways such that locations can also accumulate 'load' and spread the disease. One of the most common practices when placing patients under contact precautions is the regular clearance of pathogen loads. However, standard propagation models like independent cascade (IC)/susceptible-infectious-susceptible (SIS) cannot capture such mechanisms directly. Hence to account for this challenge, using non-linear system theory, we develop a novel spectral characterization of a recently proposed pathogen load based model, 2-MODE-SIS model, on people/location networks to capture spread dynamics of HAIs. We formulate the two clinical problems using this spectral characterization and develop effective and efficient algorithms for them. Our experiments show that our methods outperform several natural structural and clinical approaches on real-world hospital testbeds and pick meaningful solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaming Cui
- College of Computing, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.
| | - Sungjun Cho
- College of Computing, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Methun Kamruzzaman
- Biocomplexity Institute, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22904, USA
| | - Matthew Bielskas
- Biocomplexity Institute, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22904, USA
- Department of Computer Science, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22904, USA
| | - Anil Vullikanti
- Biocomplexity Institute, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22904, USA
- Department of Computer Science, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22904, USA
| | - B Aditya Prakash
- College of Computing, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.
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Mitchell BG, Gardner A, Stone PW, Hall L, Pogorzelska-Maziarz M. Hospital Staffing and Health Care-Associated Infections: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf 2018; 44:613-622. [PMID: 30064955 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcjq.2018.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2017] [Accepted: 02/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous literature has linked the level and types of staffing of health facilities to the risk of acquiring a health care-associated infection (HAI). Investigating this relationship is challenging because of the lack of rigorous study designs and the use of varying definitions and measures of both staffing and HAIs. METHODS The objective of this study was to understand and synthesize the most recent research on the relationship of hospital staffing and HAI risk. A systematic review was undertaken. Electronic databases MEDLINE, PubMed, and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) were searched for studies published between January 1, 2000, and November 30, 2015. RESULTS Fifty-four articles were included in the review. The majority of studies examined the relationship between nurse staffing and HAIs (n = 50, 92.6%) and found nurse staffing variables to be associated with an increase in HAI rates (n = 40, 74.1%). Only 5 studies addressed non-nurse staffing, and those had mixed results. Physician staffing was associated with an increased HAI risk in 1 of 3 studies. Studies varied in design and methodology, as well as in their use of operational definitions and measures of staffing and HAIs. CONCLUSION Despite the lack of consistency of the included studies, overall, the results of this systematic review demonstrate that increased staffing is related to decreased risk of acquiring HAIs. More rigorous and consistent research designs, definitions, and risk-adjusted HAI data are needed in future studies exploring this area.
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Kong F, Cook D, Paterson D, Whitby M, Clements A. Do staffing and workload levels influence the risk of new acquisitions of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a well-resourced intensive care unit? J Hosp Infect 2012; 80:331-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2011.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2010] [Accepted: 10/16/2011] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
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Rossetti AC, Gaidzinski RR. Estimating the nursing staff required in a new hospital. Rev Lat Am Enfermagem 2011; 19:1011-7. [DOI: 10.1590/s0104-11692011000400021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2010] [Accepted: 09/17/2010] [Indexed: 05/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Opening a new hospital poses a complex and consequential set of challenges. One of these challenges is to estimate the nursing staff. The aim of this article is to report the entire process adopted to estimate the required nursing staff for a new Hospital in Brazil. The nursing staff was projected according to the Brazilian Federal Nursing Council (Cofen). We applied an equation to estimate nursing staff and compared the results with two other existing hospitals. A significant difference (p<0.05) was observed when comparing the Nurse-License Practice Nurse ratio recommended by Cofen between the new Hospital and other hospitals. This statistical difference is mostly due to reduced nurse staff in intensive care units. Almost one year after the hospital opened its doors, it is necessary to review nursing staff hours with the real information to reinforce the expenditure on these personnel and to evaluate the decisions made so far.
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Hand Hygiene Compliance and Nurse-Patient Ratio Using Videotaping and Self Report. INFECTIOUS DISEASES IN CLINICAL PRACTICE 2009. [DOI: 10.1097/ipc.0b013e318195e1bf] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Understanding Hand Hygiene Behavior Among Jordanian Registered Nurses. INFECTIOUS DISEASES IN CLINICAL PRACTICE 2009. [DOI: 10.1097/ipc.0b013e31818cd65f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Stone PW, Pogorzelska M, Kunches L, Hirschhorn LR. Hospital staffing and health care-associated infections: a systematic review of the literature. Clin Infect Dis 2008; 47:937-44. [PMID: 18767987 PMCID: PMC2747253 DOI: 10.1086/591696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In the past 10 years, many researchers have examined relationships between hospital staffing and patients' risk of health care-associated infection (HAI). To gain understanding of this evidence base, a systematic review was conducted, and 42 articles were audited. The most common infection studied was bloodstream infection (n=18; 43%). The majority of researchers examined nurse staffing (n=38; 90%); of these, only 7 (18%) did not find a statistically significant association between nurse staffing variable(s) and HAI rates. Use of nonpermanent staff was associated with increased rates of HAI in 4 studies (P<.05). Three studies addressed infection control professional staffing with mixed results. Physician staffing was not found to be associated with patients' HAI risk (n=2). The methods employed and operational definitions used for both staffing and HAI varied; despite this variability, trends were apparent. Research characterizing effective staffing for infection control departments is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia W Stone
- Columbia University School of Nursing, New York, New York 10032, USA.
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Siegel JD, Grossman L. Pediatric Infection Prevention and Control. PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASE 2008. [PMCID: PMC7315330 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-7020-3468-8.50008-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Siegel JD, Rhinehart E, Jackson M, Chiarello L. Management of multidrug-resistant organisms in health care settings, 2006. Am J Infect Control 2007; 35:S165-93. [PMID: 18068814 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2007.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 672] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jane D Siegel
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
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Siegel JD, Rhinehart E, Jackson M, Chiarello L. 2007 Guideline for Isolation Precautions: Preventing Transmission of Infectious Agents in Health Care Settings. Am J Infect Control 2007; 35:S65-164. [PMID: 18068815 PMCID: PMC7119119 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2007.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1633] [Impact Index Per Article: 96.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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Carayon P, Alvarado CJ, Hundt AS. Work design and patient safety§. THEORETICAL ISSUES IN ERGONOMICS SCIENCE 2007. [DOI: 10.1080/14639220701193157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Abstract
The current worldwide nursing shortage is having the greatest effect on the critical care areas as novice nurses enter these specialty areas in unprecedented numbers. Massive healthcare restructuring, a rapidly aging nursing work force, and high nursing turnover and absenteeism rates have all contributed to a healthcare environment that is struggling to care for critically ill patients. Computer-assisted instruction in the form of interactive computer programs may be used as an adjunct educational resource for these novice practitioners. These programs have the potential to bridge the gap between theory and practice, which may assist the novice nurse in achieving safe, competent clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene L Travale
- Hamilton Health Sciences, Cardiac and Vascular Program, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE There is growing evidence that low nurse staffing jeopardizes quality of patient care. The objective of the study was to determine whether low staffing level increases the infection risk in critical care. DESIGN Observational, single-center, prospective cohort study. SETTING Medical intensive care unit of the University of Geneva Hospitals, Switzerland. PATIENTS All patients admitted over a 4-yr period. INTERVENTIONS None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Study variables included all infections acquired in critical care, daily nurse-to-patient ratio, demographic characteristics, admission diagnosis and severity score, comorbidities, daily individual exposure to invasive devices, and selected drugs. Of a cohort of 1,883 patients totaling 10,637 patient-days, 415 (22%) developed at least one healthcare-associated infection while in critical care. Overall infection rate was 64.5 episodes per 1000 patient-days. Infected patients experienced higher mortality with a longer duration of stay both in critical care and in the hospital than noninfected patients (all p < .001). Median 24-hr nurse-to-patient ratio was 1.9. Controlling for exposure to central venous catheter, mechanical ventilation, urinary catheter, and antibiotics, we found that higher staffing level was associated with a >30% infection risk reduction (incidence rate ratio, 0.69; 95% confidence interval, 0.50-0.95). We estimated that 26.7% of all infections could be avoided if the nurse-to-patient ratio was maintained >2.2. CONCLUSIONS Staffing is a key determinant of healthcare-associated infection in critically ill patients. Assuming causality, a substantial proportion of all infections could be avoided if nurse staffing were to be maintained at a higher level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphane Hugonnet
- Infection Control Program, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Geneva Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
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Cimiotti JP, Haas J, Saiman L, Larson EL. Impact of staffing on bloodstream infections in the neonatal intensive care unit. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006; 160:832-6. [PMID: 16894083 PMCID: PMC2080680 DOI: 10.1001/archpedi.160.8.832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the association between registered nurse staffing and healthcare-associated bloodstream infections in infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). DESIGN Prospective cohort study. SETTING Two level III-IV NICUs in New York, NY, from March 1, 2001, through January 31, 2003. PARTICIPANTS A total of 2675 infants admitted to the NICUs for more than 48 hours and all registered nurses who worked in the same NICUs during the study period. Intervention Hours of care provided by registered nurses. Main Outcome Measure Time to first episode of healthcare-associated bloodstream infection. RESULTS A total of 224 infants had an infection that met the study definition of healthcare-associated bloodstream infection. In a multivariate analysis, after controlling for infants' intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors, a greater number of hours of care provided by registered nurses in NICU 2 was associated with a decreased risk of bloodstream infection in these infants (hazard ratio, 0.21; 95% confidence interval, 0.06-0.79). CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that registered nurse staffing is associated with the risk of bloodstream infection in infants in the NICU.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeannie P Cimiotti
- Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 19104-6096, USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Betsy Todd
- New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Columbia University Medical Center, New York City, NY, USA.
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Stone PW, Clarke SP, Cimiotti J, Correa-de-Araujo R. Nurses' working conditions: implications for infectious disease. Emerg Infect Dis 2005; 10:1984-9. [PMID: 15550212 PMCID: PMC3328993 DOI: 10.3201/eid1011.040253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Staffing patterns and nurses' working conditions are risk factors for healthcare-associated infections as well as occupational injuries and infections. Staffing shortages, especially of nurses, have been identified as one of the major factors expected to constrain hospitals' ability to deal with future outbreaks of emerging infections. These problems are compounded by a global nursing shortage. Understanding and improving nurses' working conditions can potentially decrease the incidence of many infectious diseases. Relevant research is reviewed, and policy options are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia W Stone
- Columbia University School of Nursing, New York, New York 10032, USA.
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Goode CJ, Krugman ME, Smith K, Diaz J, Edmonds S, Mulder J. The pull of magnetism: a look at the standards and the experience of a western academic medical center hospital in achieving and sustaining Magnet status. Nurs Adm Q 2005; 29:202-13. [PMID: 16056154 DOI: 10.1097/00006216-200507000-00004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Many hospitals are working to improve the work environment for their staff. Research has indicated a linkage between work environment characteristics and patient outcomes and this research along with the nursing shortage has been the impetus for focusing on improving the work environment. The authors described the experience of an academic medical center hospital in achieving Magnet hospital status. The process and the required resources and support are discussed. Outcome data from staff nurses regarding their perception of the work environment in a Magnet hospital are presented.
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Nicklin W, Graves E. Nursing and patient outcomes: it's time for healthcare leadership to respond. Healthc Manage Forum 2005; 18:9-13, 40-5. [PMID: 15913224 DOI: 10.1016/s0840-4704(10)60298-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
An increasing body of research confirms the link between nursing variables (e.g. staffing ratios, skill mix) and patient outcomes including morbidity and mortality. This article presents the key themes that have emerged in this research and translates them into action for senior healthcare leaders. Immediate action is required in order for hospitals to effectively recruit and retain nurses, and to provide high quality patient care that minimizes risk.
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Hugonnet S, Harbarth S, Sax H, Duncan RA, Pittet D. Nursing resources: a major determinant of nosocomial infection? Curr Opin Infect Dis 2004; 17:329-33. [PMID: 15241077 DOI: 10.1097/01.qco.0000136931.83167.d2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW There is growing concern that changes in nurse workforce and hospital-restructuring interventions negatively impact on patient outcomes. This review focuses on the association between understaffing and health-care-associated infections. RECENT FINDINGS There is a large number of studies showing that overcrowding, understaffing or a misbalance between workload and resources are important determinants of nosocomial infections and cross-transmission of microorganisms. Importantly, not only the number of staff but also the level of their training affects outcomes. The nurse workforce is ageing, mainly due to fewer individuals' engaging in a nursing career. This phenomenon, combined with cost-driven downsizing, contributes to a nursing shortage, and this tendency is not expected to revert unless important system changes are implemented. The causal pathway between understaffing and infection is complex, and factors might include lack of time to comply with infection control recommendations, job dissatisfaction, job-related burnout, absenteeism and a high staff turnover. SUMMARY The evidence that cost-driven downsizing and changes in staffing patterns causes harm to patients cannot be ignored, and should not be considered as an inevitable outcome. More research is needed to better define the optimal patient-to-nurse ratio in various hospital settings and to estimate the economical impact of the nursing shortage. All quality-improvement interventions should carefully take into account systems and processes to be successful, as the issue of staffing is essentially a structural problem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphane Hugonnet
- Infection Control Program, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Geneva Hospitals, Switzerland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela P Clark
- University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing, 1700 Red River, Austin, TX 78701, USA.
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Suresh G, Horbar JD, Plsek P, Gray J, Edwards WH, Shiono PH, Ursprung R, Nickerson J, Lucey JF, Goldmann D. Voluntary anonymous reporting of medical errors for neonatal intensive care. Pediatrics 2004; 113:1609-18. [PMID: 15173481 DOI: 10.1542/peds.113.6.1609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 198] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Medical errors cause significant morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients. Specialty-based, voluntary reporting of medical errors by health care providers is an important strategy that may enhance patient safety. We developed a voluntary, anonymous, Internet-based reporting system for medical errors in neonatal intensive care, evaluated its feasibility, and identified errors that affect high-risk neonates and their families. METHODS Health professionals (n = 739) from 54 hospitals in the Vermont Oxford Network received access to a secure Internet site for anonymous reporting of errors, near-miss errors, and adverse events. Reports used free-text entry in phase 1 (17 months) and a structured form in phase 2 (10 months). The number and types of reported events and factors that contributed to the events were measured. RESULTS Of 1230 reports--522 in phase 1 (17 months) and 708 in phase 2 (10 months)--the most frequent event categories were wrong medication, dose, schedule, or infusion rate (including nutritional agents and blood products; 47%); error in administration or method of using a treatment (14%); patient misidentification (11%); other system failure (9%); error or delay in diagnosis (7%); and error in the performance of an operation, procedure, or test (4%). The most frequent contributory factors were failure to follow policy or protocol (47%), inattention (27%), communications problem (22%), error in charting or documentation (13%), distraction (12%), inexperience (10%), labeling error (10%), and poor teamwork (9%). In 24 reports, family members assisted in discovery, contributed to the cause, or themselves were victims of the error. Serious patient harm was reported in 2% and minor harm in 25% of phase 2 events. CONCLUSIONS Specialty-based, voluntary, anonymous Internet reporting by health care professionals identified a broad range of medical errors in neonatal intensive care and promoted multidisciplinary collaborative learning. Similar specialty-based systems have the potential to enhance patient safety in a variety of clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gautham Suresh
- University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont 05405, USA.
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