Quality indicators for hospital burn care: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

Burn treatments are complex, and for this reason, a specialised multidisciplinary approach is recommended. Evaluating the quality of care provided to acute burn patients through quality indicators makes it possible to develop and implement measures aiming at better results. There is a lack of information on which indicators to evaluate care in burn patients. The purpose of this scoping review was to identify a list of quality indicators used to evaluate the quality of hospital care provided to acute burn patients and indicate possible aspects of care that do not have specific indicators in the literature.

METHOD

A comprehensive scoping review (PRISMA-ScR) was conducted in four databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Lilacs/VHL) between July 25 and 30, 2022 and redone on October 6, 2022. Potentially relevant articles were evaluated for eligibility. General data and the identified quality indicators were collected for each included article. Each indicator was classified as a structure, process, or outcome indicator.

RESULTS

A total of 1548 studies were identified, 82 were included, and their reference lists were searched, adding 19 more publications. Thus, data were collected from 101 studies. This review identified eight structure quality indicators, 72 process indicators, and 19 outcome indicators listed and subdivided according to their objectives.

CONCLUSION

This study obtained a list of quality indicators already used to monitor and evaluate the hospital care of acute burn patients. These indicators may be useful for further research or implementation in quality improvement programs.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Protocol was registered on the Open Science Framework platform on June 27, 2022 ( https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/NAW85 ).

Chronic respiratory failure negatively affects speech function in patients with bulbar and spinal onset amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: retrospective data from a tertiary referral center

Background: Although dysarthria and respiratory failure are widely described in literature as part of the natural history of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the specific interaction between them has been little explored.Aim: To investigate the relationship between chronic respiratory failure and the speech of ALS patients.Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional retrospective study we reviewed the medical records of all patients diagnosed with ALS that were accompanied by a tertiary referral center. In order to determine the presence and degree of speech impairment, the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale-revised (ALSFRS-R) speech sub-scale was used. Respiratory function was assessed through spirometry and through venous blood gasometry obtained from a morning peripheral venous sample. To determine whether differences among groups classified by speech function were significant, maximum and mean spirometry values of participants were compared using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) with Tukey's post hoc test.Results: Seventy-five cases were selected, of which 73.3% presented speech impairment and 70.7% respiratory impairment. Respiratory and speech functions were moderately correlated (seated FVC r = 0.64; supine FVC r = 0.60; seated FEV1 r = 0.59 and supine FEV1 r = 0.54, p < .001). Multivariable logistic regression revealed that the following variables were significantly associated with the presence of speech impairment after adjusting for other risk factors: seated FVC (odds ratio [OR] = 0.862) and seated FEV1 (OR = 1.106). The final model was 81.1% predictive of speech impairment. The presence of daytime hypercapnia was not correlated to increasing speech impairment.Conclusion: The restrictive pattern developed by ALS patients negatively influences speech function. Speech is a complex and multifactorial process, and lung volume presents a pivotal role in its function. Thus, we were able to find that lung volumes presented a significant correlation to speech function, especially in those with bulbar onset and respiratory impairment. Neurobiological and physiological aspects of this relationship should be explored in further studies with the ALS population.

Early Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Preserves Muscle Size and Quality and Maintains Systemic Levels of Signaling Mediators of Muscle Growth and Inflammation in Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Objective

To investigate the effects of an early neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) protocol on muscle quality and size as well as signaling mediators of muscle growth and systemic inflammation in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Design

Two-arm, single-blinded, parallel-group, randomized, controlled trial with a blinded assessment. Setting. Trauma intensive care unit at a university hospital. Participants. Forty consecutive patients on mechanical ventilation (MV) secondary to TBI were prospectively recruited within the first 24 hours following admission. Interventions. The intervention group (NMES; n = 20) received a daily session of NMES on the rectus femoris muscle for five consecutive days (55 min/each session). The control group (n = 20) received usual care. Main Outcome Measures. Muscle echogenicity and thickness were evaluated by ultrasonography. A daily blood sample was collected to assess circulating levels of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), inflammatory cytokines, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP).

Results

Both groups were similar at baseline. A smaller change in muscle echogenicity and thickness (difference between Day 1 and Day 7) was found in the control group compared to the NMES group (29.9 ± 2.1 vs. 3.0 ± 1.2, p < 0.001; -0.79 ± 0.12 vs. -0.01 ± 0.06, p < 0.001, respectively). Circulating levels of IGF-I, pro-inflammatory cytokines (IFN-y), and MMP were similar between groups.

Conclusion

An early NMES protocol can preserve muscle size and quality and maintain systemic levels of signaling mediators of muscle growth and inflammation in patients with TBI. This trial is registered with https://www.ensaiosclinicos.gov.br under number RBR-2db.

Brazilian version of the Critical Care Functional Rehabilitation Outcome Measure: translation, cross-cultural adaptation and evaluation of clinimetric properties

OBJECTIVE

To translate, crossculturally adapt and evaluate the clinimetric properties of the Critical Care Functional Rehabilitation Outcome Measure for evaluating the functionality of patients admitted to intensive care units in Brazil.

METHODS

The process of translation and cross-cultural adaptation involved the following steps: initial translation, synthesis, back-translation, expert committee review and pretesting. The intra- and interrater reliability and agreement were analyzed between two physical therapists who evaluated the same group of patients (n = 35). The evaluations were performed by each therapist independently and blinded to the score assigned by the other professional. The qualitative analysis was performed by the review committee, and the experts adapted and synthesized the Portuguese translation of the Critical Care Functional Rehabilitation Outcome Measure.

RESULTS

There was agreement between the initial Brazilian translations of the Critical Care Functional Rehabilitation Outcome Measure scale. The conceptual, idiomatic, semantic and experimental equivalences between the original and translated versions were assessed, resulting in the final Brazilian version of the scale, called the Medida de Resultado da Reabilitação Funcional em Cuidados Intensivos. The evaluation of the clinimetric properties showed evidence of a high degree of agreement and reliability, as all had an intraclass correlation coefficient above 0.75. The overall intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.89.

CONCLUSION

The translated version of the Critical Care Functional Rehabilitation Outcome Measure scale for assessing the functionality of patients admitted to an intensive care unit can be used reliably in Brazil following translation and cross-cultural adaptation to Brazilian Portuguese and presents evidence of excellent interrater reliability.

Brazilian version of the Critical Care Functional Rehabilitation Outcome Measure: translation, cross-cultural adaptation and evaluation of clinimetric properties

Objective

To translate, crossculturally adapt and evaluate the clinimetric properties of the Critical Care Functional Rehabilitation Outcome Measure for evaluating the functionality of patients admitted to intensive care units in Brazil.

Methods

The process of translation and cross-cultural adaptation involved the following steps: initial translation, synthesis, back-translation, expert committee review and pretesting. The intra- and interrater reliability and agreement were analyzed between two physical therapists who evaluated the same group of patients (n = 35). The evaluations were performed by each therapist independently and blinded to the score assigned by the other professional. The qualitative analysis was performed by the review committee, and the experts adapted and synthesized the Portuguese translation of the Critical Care Functional Rehabilitation Outcome Measure.

Results

There was agreement between the initial Brazilian translations of the Critical Care Functional Rehabilitation Outcome Measure scale. The conceptual, idiomatic, semantic and experimental equivalences between the original and translated versions were assessed, resulting in the final Brazilian version of the scale, called the Medida de Resultado da Reabilitação Funcional em Cuidados Intensivos. The evaluation of the clinimetric properties showed evidence of a high degree of agreement and reliability, as all had an intraclass correlation coefficient above 0.75. The overall intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.89.

Conclusion

The translated version of the Critical Care Functional Rehabilitation Outcome Measure scale for assessing the functionality of patients admitted to an intensive care unit can be used reliably in Brazil following translation and cross-cultural adaptation to Brazilian Portuguese and presents evidence of excellent interrater reliability.

Adjunctive inspiratory muscle training for patients with COVID-19 (COVIDIMT): protocol for randomised controlled double-blind trial

INTRODUCTION

A significant number of patients with COVID-19 may experience dyspnoea, anxiety, depression, pain, fatigue and physical impairment symptoms, raising the need for a multidisciplinary rehabilitation approach, especially for those with advanced age, obesity, comorbidities and organ failure. Traditional pulmonary rehabilitation (PR), including exercise training, psychosocial counselling and education, has been employed to improve pulmonary function, exercise capacity and quality of life in patients with COVID-19. However, the effects of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) in PR programmes remain unclear. This study aimed to determine whether the addition of a supervised IMT in a PR is more effective than PR itself in improving dyspnoea, health-related quality of life and exercise capacity in symptomatic patients with post-COVID-19.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This parallel-group, assessor-blinded randomised controlled trial, powered for superiority, aimed to assess exercise capacity as the primary outcome. A total of 138 are being recruited at two PR centres in Brazil. Following baseline testing, participants will be randomised using concealed allocation, to receive either (1) standard PR with sham IMT or (2) standard PR added to IMT. Treatment effects or differences between the outcomes (at baseline, after 8 and 16 weeks, and after 6 months) of the study groups will be analysed using an ordinary two-way analysis of variance.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This trial was approved by the Brazilian National Ethics Committee and obtained approval on 7 October 2020 (document number 4324069). The findings will be disseminated through publications in peer-reviewed journals and conference presentations.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT04595097.

A pilot study of the breath stacking technique associated with respiratory muscle endurance training in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: videofluoroscopic findings in the upper airway

INTRODUCTION

Bulbar impairment represents a hallmark feature of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) that significantly impacts survival and quality of life. Respiratory complications arise because of the weakness of the upper airway and respiratory muscles leading to respiratory failure, impaired swallowing, and reduced airway safety. Breath stacking and respiratory muscle endurance training are techniques that have been described to improve respiratory and bulbar function in patients with ALS. Considering the above, a respiratory technique named TR3 was developed. This study aimed to measure the acute effects of this technique on the upper airway through videofluoroscopy and to assess its clinical trial feasibility in patients with ALS.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, we enrolled participants diagnosed with ALS to perform a single session of TR3. Epidemiological data and baseline assessments were collected. The assessments included kinematics from videofluoroscopy measuring the retropalatal airspace size, the size of the narrowest airway, and the pharyngeal area during rest and TR3.

RESULTS

Eight participants were included. During TR3, an acute increase of 15% was observed in the retropalatal airspace size (t = 5.14, p < 0.01), a 123% increase was observed in the size of the narrowest airway (t = -4.18, p < 0.001), and a 277% increase was observed in the pharyngeal area (t = -5.34, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

During the intervention, TR3 showed acute effects in increasing pharyngeal constriction, pharyngeal expansion, retropalatal airspace size, and post-lingual narrowest airway size and is feasible for a larger research program. A clinical trial (NCT04226144) is already being conducted to assess the chronic therapeutic effects of this technique and its impact on the clinical evolution of ALS.

Traumatic Spinal Injury: Preliminary Results of Respiratory Function, Voice and Quality of Life

OBJECTIVES

Assess respiratory muscle strength, voice and the quality of life of patients with traumatic cervical and thoracic spinal cord injury.

METHODS

Preliminary analytical case control study of 28 adult men, aged between 18 and 65 years, divided into two groups: a research group consisting of 14 patients with cervical and thoracic spinal cord injury, and control group (CG) with 14 noninjured individuals. The subjects had their maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressures measured, underwent voice handicap index-10 assessment, had their voices recorded for auditory perception analysis, using the voice deviation and GRBASI scales, and for acoustic analysis, based on extraction of the parameters selected and completed a quality-of-life questionnaire (WHOQOL-bref protocol).

RESULTS

Intergroup comparison indicated that the research group exhibited lower respiratory muscle strength in relation to the CG, MIP and MEP P-values < 0.001 and < 0.001, respectively; and in relation to the device's reference value, MIP and MEP P-values < 0.001 and < 0.001, respectively; the patients reported no voice handicaps according to the voice handicap index; overall vocal deviation severity on the voice deviation was higher in the CG, P = 0.040; there was greater occurrence of roughness and instability on the GRBASI scale, P= 0.040; there was greater difficulty in modulating vocal frequency (P= 0.002) and resonance, with a laryngopharyngeal focus; the acoustic parameters were normal; and lower scores were obtained in the physical domain of quality of life (P< 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The individuals with traumatic spinal cord and thoracic injury exhibited changes in respiratory measures, vocal deviation and dissatisfaction in the physical domain of the WHOQOL-bref protocol.

The relationship between pulmonary and swallowing functions in patients with neuromuscular diseases followed up by a tertiary referral center: a cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION

Respiratory muscle weakness is common in patients with neuromuscular diseases (NMD). This puts them at risk for dysphagia and other pulmonary complications.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the relationship between pulmonary function and swallowing in NMD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, medical records of patients undergoing treatment at the Tertiary Referral Center for Neuromuscular Diseases of Hospital de Apoio de Brasília, Brazil, were reviewed. Respiratory function was assessed through spirometry (FVC and FEV1 measured) and swallowing assessed by the Dysphagia Risk Evaluation Protocol and the Functional Oral Intake Scale.

RESULTS

Two hundred and twenty-two patients were included. Dysphagia was present in 46.8% of patients and impairment of pulmonary function in 64.0%. The mean FVC observed was 66.9% and FEV1 was 66.0%, indicating restrictive lung disease. A correlation between the decline of pulmonary and swallowing functions was observed in patients with NMDs (FVC vs. DREP, R = 0.46; FVC vs. FOIS, R = 0.42; FEV1 vs. DREP, R = 0.42; FEV1 vs. FOIS, R = 0.40, p<.01). FVC and FEV1 values tend to be lower in patients with dysphagia in the context of NMD.

CONCLUSIONS

A positive correlation between pulmonary function and swallowing outcomes was observed in patients with NMD. Despite respiratory and swallowing impairment being widely present in the population with NMD, they require different treatments according to the disease's pathophysiology. Future studies should be conducted to explore the disease-specific relationship between pulmonary function and swallowing in patients with NMD.

Assessment of Maximum Dynamic Inspiratory Pressure

BACKGROUND

Inspiratory muscle strength has been considered an important marker of ventilatory capacity and a predictor of global performance. A new tool has become available for dynamically evaluating the maximum inspiratory pressure (the S-Index). However, the proper assessment of this parameter needs to be determined. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the number of inspiratory maneuvers necessary to reach a maximum and reliable S-Index and the influence of inspiratory muscle warm-up on this assessment.

METHOD

We performed a retrospective study from the database of 432 healthy subjects who underwent S-Index tests and inspiratory muscle warm-up or sham. The effect of repeated maneuvers on the S-Index and the impact of inspiratory muscle warm-up were analyzed by using the intraclass correlation coefficient and unpaired t test.

RESULTS

We analyzed 81 subjects, (55% men), mean ± SD age 38.1 ± 9.6 y, 43 subjects in the inspiratory muscle warm-up group. Maximum and reliable S-Indexes were reached at the eighth maneuver in both groups preceding inspiratory muscle warm-up or sham, 102 cm H₂O (95% CI 95-109 cm H₂O); intraclass correlation coefficient 0.96; P < .001. Only the inspiratory muscle warm-up group presented a significant increase in the S-Index after warm-up, 13.5 cm H₂O (95% CI 10-17), P < .001.

CONCLUSIONS

Eight maneuvers were necessary to reach maximum and reliable values of the S-Index preceding inspiratory muscle warm-up or sham. Moreover, inspiratory muscle warm-up preceding S-Index assessment improved inspiratory muscle performance.

Neuromuscular electrophysiological disorders and muscle atrophy in mechanically-ventilated traumatic brain injury patients: New insights from a prospective observational study

PURPOSE

It is unclear whether the muscular changes in mechanically-ventilated traumatic brain injury patients (TBI) are only associated with disuse or additionally to neuromuscular electrophysiological disorders (NED). The correlation between muscle atrophy and NED may affect functional outcomes and rehabilitation programs significantly.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

An observational study was performed to investigate the presence of NED and muscle atrophy in TBI patients undergoing mechanical ventilation. NED was diagnosed by the stimulus electrodiagnosis test when chronaxie was ≥1000μs. The muscle structure (thickness and echogenicity) was assessed by B-mode ultrasound. Tibialis anterior (TA), rectus femoris (RF), and biceps brachialis (BB) muscles were analyzed. Patients were followed from the first day of admission in the intensive care unit (ICU) to the fourteenth day.

RESULTS

Twenty-two patients were analyzed. An increase of 48% in NED from day 1 to day 14 was detected in TA (p=0.004). All muscles presented a significant decrease in thickness (~18%, p<0.05), but echogenicity increased only in TA (19%), p<0.01 and RF (23%), p<0.01.

CONCLUSIONS

Mechanically-ventilated patients with TBI developed NED in addition to changes in muscle structure during their stay in the ICU.