Global trends in center accreditation by the Joint Commission International: growing patient implications for international medical and surgical care

Incidence of early complications requiring treatment plan changes after vitreoretinal surgery: a single-center study in South Korea

BACKGROUND

Information regarding incidence of treatment plan changes may be useful when discussing postoperative treatment plans for patients. Moreover, it may help establish a standardized postoperative treatment plan. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence of early complications requiring treatment plan changes in patients following vitreoretinal surgery and investigate its risk factors.

METHODS

This single-center retrospective study included 465 patients who had undergone vitreoretinal surgery. The reasons, incidence, and timing of treatment plan changes within 14 days of surgery were identified. Potential factors associated with the changes, such as patient demographics, surgeon's experience, diagnoses, and type of surgery were also analyzed.

RESULTS

The treatment plan was changed in 76 patients (16.3%) at a mean of 4.0 ± 3.2 days after vitreoretinal surgery. The reasons for the plan changes were increased intraocular pressure (IIOP) in 66(86.8%), intraocular inflammation in 2(2.6%), corneal edema in 3(3.9%), leakage from the sclerotomy wound in 3(3.9%) patients, and combined IIOP and intraocular inflammation in 2(2.6%). The date of discharge was postponed because of treatment plan changes in 17 patients (22.4%). The incidence of plan changes was higher in patients who underwent gas or oil tamponade (P < 0.001) and those who underwent surgery performed by less experienced surgeons (P = 0.034).

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment plan was changed in 16.3% of patients after vitreoretinal surgery. The risk of treatment plan changes was associated with the surgeon's experience in vitreoretinal surgery and the type of surgery. These results should be considered when establishing standardized care plans for patients who require vitreoretinal surgery.

The use of SBAR as a structured communication tool in the pediatric non-acute care setting: bridge or barrier for interprofessional collaboration?

SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment and Recommendation) is a structured method developed for communicating critical information that requires immediate action. In 2016 the SBAR tool was introduced at the Amalia Children's Hospital in the Netherlands to improve communication between healthcare workers. Despite formal training and the introduction of aids to facilitate implementation, observed adherence to the tool was low. A qualitative study was undertaken to study the use of SBAR by pediatric residents and nurses in the non-acute clinical care setting of an academic children's hospital. Semi-structured focus group sessions were conducted and qualitatively analyzed using a constructed coding template to search for facilitators and barriers in the use of SBAR by different professionals. We found professionals' use of SBAR was influenced by departmental, cultural, and individual factors. Important themes for effective implementation and use of SBAR in an interprofessional setting, like situation dependency, learning climate and professional identity had not been addressed during the initial implementation. To facilitate SBAR's use it is important to identify professionals' needs to use the tool effectively, to take into account how tasks and responsibilities are perceived by different professions, and to stimulate interprofessional feedback and role modeling.