Background: In 2008, the Department of Health (DOH) issued Administrative Order 2008-0023 that called for an “effective and efficient monitoring system that will link all patient safety initiatives”. However, there are still no explicit and harmonized targets to measure effectiveness and to provide benchmarks that assess whether previous efforts were helpful. Objective: The study aimed to describe the status of patient safety performance measures and indicators on the international patient safety goals (IPSGs) in select hospitals in the Philippines. Methods: Descriptive, cross-sectional design was used to investigate currently used performance measures and indicators. Data collection included administration of a Hospital Patient Safety Indicators Questionnaire (HPSIQ) that summarized the currently used patient safety measures and indicators in the sampled Level 2 and level 3 hospitals and triangulation by review of documents such as hospital databases, protocols on reporting, and manuals for information gathering regarding patient safety. Performance measures were categorized using the Donabedian framework. Core indicators were identified through review of standards that cut across the six IPSGs and evaluation of overarching processes and concepts in patient safety. Results: Forty-one level 2 and 3 hospitals participated in the study. Most performance indicators were process measures (52%), while structure (31%) and outcome measures (17%) accounted for the rest. There is an obvious lack of structural requirements for patient safety in the hospitals included in this study. Less than half the hospitals surveyed implement risk assessment and management consistently. Reporting of events, near- misses, and patient safety data are widely varied among hospitals. Data utilization for quality improvement is not fully established in many of the hospitals. Patient engagement is not integrated in service delivery and performance measurement but is crucial in promoting patient safety. Conclusion Mechanisms to improve hospitals’ capacity to monitor, anticipate, and reduce risk of patient harm during the provision of healthcare should be provided. Having a unified set of definitions and protocols for measurement will facilitate reliable monitoring and improvement. Leadership and governance, both internal (e.g., hospital administrators) and external (e.g., DOH) that recognize a data-driven approach to policymaking and improvement of service delivery are crucial in promoting patient safety
Patient Safety ; Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care

Objective: To investigate the experience of patients in the implementation of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) strategy after radical gastrectomy and the factors affecting the treatment experience. Methods: A prospective cohort study was carried out. Patients who were diagnosed with gastric cancer by pathology and underwent radical gastrectomy at the Xijing Digestive Disease Hospital from December 2019 to December 2020 were consecutively enrolled. Those who received emergency surgery, residual gastric cancer surgery, preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy, non-curative tumor resection, intraperitoneal metastasis, or other malignant tumors were excluded. Patients' expectation and experience during implementation were investigated by questionnaires. The questionnaire included three main parts: patients' expectation for ERAS, patients' experience during the ERAS implementation, and patients' outcomes within 30 days after discharge. The items on the expectation and experience were ranked from 0 to 10 by patients, which indicated to be unsatisfied/unimportant and satisfied/important respectively. According to their attitudes towards the ERAS strategy, patients were divided into the support group and the reject group. Patients' expectation and experience of hospital stay, and the clinical outcomes within 30 days after discharge were compared between the two groups. Categorical data were reported as number with percentage and the quantitative data were reported as mean with standard deviation, or where appropriate, as the median with interquartile range (Q₁, Q₃). Categorical data were compared using the Chi-squared test or Fisher's exact test, where appropriate. For continuous data, Student's t test or Mann-Whitney U test were used. Complication was classified according to Clavien-Dindo classification. Results: Of the included 112 patients (88 males and 24 females), aged (57.8±10.0) years, 35 patients (31.3%) were in the support group and 77 (68.7%) in the reject group. Anxiety was detected in 56.2% (63/112) of the patients with score >8. The admission education during the ERAS implementation improved the patients' cognitions of the ERAS strategy [M(Q₁, Q₃) score: 8 (4, 10) vs. 2 (0, 5), Z=-7.130, P<0.001]. The expected hospital stay of patients was longer than the actual stay [7 (7, 10) days vs. 6 (6, 7) days, Z=-4.800, P<0.001]. During the ERAS implementation, patients had low score in early mobilization [3 (1, 6)] and early oral intake [5 (2.25, 8)]. Fifty-eight (51.8%) patients planned the ERAS implementation at home after discharge, while 32.1% (36/112) preferred to stay in hospital until they felt totally recovered. Compared with the reject group, the support group had shorter expected hospital stay [7 (6, 10) days vs. 10 (7, 15) days, Z=-2.607, P=0.009], and higher expected recovery-efficiency score [9 (8, 10) vs. 7(5, 9), Z=-3.078, P=0.002], lower expected less-pain score [8 (6, 10) vs. 6 (5, 9) days, Z=-1.996, P=0.046], expected faster recovery of physical strength score [8 (6, 10) vs. 6 (4, 9), Z=-2.200, P=0.028] and expected less drainage tube score [8 (8, 10) vs. 8 (5, 10), Z=-2.075, P=0.038]. Worrying about complications (49.1%) and self-recognition of not recovery (46.4%) were the major concerns when assessing the experience toward ERAS. During the follow-up, 105 patients received follow-up calls. There were 57.1% (60/105) of patients who experienced a variety of discomforts after discharge, including pain (28.6%), bloating (20.0%), nausea (12.4%), fatigue (7.6%), and fever (2.9%). Within 30 days after discharge, 6.7% (7/105) of patients developed Clavien-Dindo level I and II operation-associated complications, including poor wound healing, intestinal obstruction, intraperitoneal bleeding, and wound infection, all of which were cured by conservative treatment. There were no complications of level III or above in the whole group after surgery. Compared with the support group, more patients in the reject group reported that they had not yet achieved self-expected recovery when discharged [57.1% (44/77) vs. 22.9% (8/35), χ²=11.372, P<0.001], and expected to return to their daily lives [39.0% (30/77) vs. 8.6% (3/35), χ²=10.693, P<0.001], with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). Only 52.4% (55/105) of patients returned home to continue rehabilitation, and the remaining patients chose to go to other hospitals to continue their hospitalization after discharge, with a median length of stay of 7 (7, 9) days. Compared with the reject group, the support group had a higher proportion of home rehabilitation [59.7% (12/33) vs. 36.4% (43/72), χ²=4.950, P=0.026], and shorter time of self-perceived postoperative full recovery [14 (10, 20) days vs. 15 (14, 20) days, Z=2.100, P=0.036], with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). Conclusions: Although ERAS has promoted postoperative rehabilitation while ensuring surgical safety, it has not been unanimously recognized by patients. Adequate rehabilitation education, good analgesia, good physical recovery, and early removal of drainage tubes may improve the patient's experience of ERAS.
Enhanced Recovery After Surgery ; Female ; Gastrectomy ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Male ; Pain ; Patient Outcome Assessment ; Postoperative Complications/surgery* ; Prospective Studies ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To understand the relationship between health literacy and patient experience of outpatients in China, and to explore its mechanism. METHODS: The conceptual framework was developed based on Andersen's behavioral model of health services use and health literacy skills framework. An online cross-sectional survey was conducted with snowball sampling method, while the health literacy was measured by self-designed patient health literacy scale, and the patient experience was measured by the Chinese patient experience questionnaire for ambulatory care developed by Peking Union Medical College. And a structural equation model was built to explore the relationship between them and test the mechanism of health literacy influencing patient experience. RESULTS: A total of 2 773 subjects were investigated. The average score of health literacy was (90.72±12.90) points, accounting for 78.89% of the full score, and the dimension of seeking social support had the lowest score. The average score of overall rating of patient experience was (3.71±0.74) points, and the scores of each dimension of patient experience were between 3.56 and 3.80. The model fit indices of structural equation model for overall rating of patient experience among the outpatients were χ²/df=9.29 (χ²=4 107.27, df=442), root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA)=0.055 (< 0.06), comparative fit index (CFI)=0.926 (>0.90), Tucker-Lewis index (TLI)=0.918 (>0.90), standardized root mean square residual (SRMR)=0.061 (< 0.08), the model was acceptable. The variance in patient experience explained by the model was 0.108. The structural equation model analysis results showed that the overall rating of outpatient experience was directly affected by health literacy (β=0.263, P < 0.001), also indirectly affected by health literacy (β=0.012, P < 0.001). In other words, the overall rating increased by 0.275 units for each standard deviation increase of health literacy. Self-evaluated health status mediated the relationship between health literacy and the overall rating of outpatient experience. In terms of diffe-rent dimensions of patient experience, the standardized path coefficient of the total effect of health literacy on patient experience was as follows: Information guidance 0.337, humanistic care 0.319, communication with doctors 0.294, service efficiency 0.240, and hospital environment 0.173. CONCLUSION The patients with higher level of health literacy were more likely to have a better outpatient experience in China, and the information guidance experience and humanistic care experience were most affected by health literacy. And the communication and information utilization ability had the greatest influence on patient experience.
China ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Health Literacy ; Humans ; Outpatients ; Patient Outcome Assessment ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Aged ; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic ; methods ; Cholelithiasis ; complications ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Clinical Laboratory Techniques ; Coronavirus Infections ; complications ; diagnosis ; Elective Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infection Control ; methods ; Male ; Pandemics ; Patient Safety ; Pneumonia, Viral ; complications ; diagnosis ; Postoperative Care ; methods ; Risk Assessment ; Singapore ; Treatment Outcome

Coronavirus Infections ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Elective Surgical Procedures ; statistics & numerical data ; Female ; Humans ; Infection Control ; methods ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional ; prevention & control ; Male ; Occupational Health ; statistics & numerical data ; Orthopedic Procedures ; methods ; statistics & numerical data ; Outcome Assessment, Health Care ; Pandemics ; prevention & control ; statistics & numerical data ; Patient Safety ; statistics & numerical data ; Pneumonia, Viral ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Risk Assessment ; Safety Management ; Singapore ; Wounds and Injuries ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; surgery

OBJECTIVE: To investigate longitudinal changes in the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) Sjögren's syndrome patient reported index (ESSPRI) and to study the clinical features associated with favorable ESSPRI changes in primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). METHODS: At baseline and after a median period of 6.6 years, 41 pSS patients were evaluated using the ESSPRI, EULAR Sjögren's syndrome disease activity index (ESSDAI), short-form 36, xerostomia inventory (XI), and visual analog scale (VAS) scores for symptoms. The favorable subgroup included patients who were stable or showed improved to satisfactory symptom status (ESSPRI<5) and the unfavorable subgroup included those with stable or worsening to an unsatisfactory symptom status (ESSPRI ≥5). RESULTS: Median ESSPRI increased from 4.11 to 5.33 (p<0.05), although XI scores (p=0.01) and oral dryness (p<0.05) were significantly decreased. Serum immunoglobulin G level was significantly reduced (p<0.001) but ESSDAI scores were unchanged. Six (14.6%) patients showed clinical improvement in ESSDAI, and 11 (26.8%) showed improvement in ESSPRI. On comparing the favorable (n=17) and unfavorable (n=24) subgroups, the former exhibited significantly lower VAS scores for sicca and depression and XI and ESSPRI scores at baseline (all p<0.05) and more lacrimal flow (p<0.05). The favorable subgroup received a significantly lower cumulative dose of pilocarpine and glucocorticoids (both p<0.05). CONCLUSION: About 25% of pSS patients showed clinically significant ESSPRI improvement and about 40% showed a favorable ESSPRI course. Because the favorable subgroup had more lacrimal flow and less sicca symptoms at baseline, long-term patient-derived outcomes could depend on residual exocrine function at pSS diagnosis.
Depression ; Diagnosis ; Glucocorticoids ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Patient Outcome Assessment ; Pilocarpine ; Quality of Life ; Rheumatic Diseases ; Visual Analog Scale ; Xerophthalmia ; Xerostomia

Background: Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) reconstruction is commonly performed to restore knee kinematics and halt the progression of osteoarthritis. A primary variable that could infl uence the outcome of ACL reconstruction is the tension applied to the graft at the time of fi xation. If the tension is too great, an abnormal compressive force could potentially develop across the tibiofemoral joint, hindering knee motion, and subjecting the articular surfaces to increased stress. If the tension in the graft is too low, the graft will not be effective in restoring normal kinematics. The Tegner Lysholm Knee Scale is a functional scoring for patients with ligamentous injuries. It is a patient-reported measure of knee function and is important for comprehensive assessment conditions in both the clinical and research context. Our objective was to compare which tension technique (15 lbs graft tension using a Mitek Tensioner™ vs maximal sustained two-hand technique) would yield better functional outcome at 6 months and 12 months postoperatively using the Tegner Lysholm Knee Scale. Methods : Twenty-nine patients who underwent arthroscopic ACL reconstruction at the University of Santo Tomas Hospital Private Division were randomly divided equally into two groups (group A or group B). During tibial fi xation, group A would receive 15 lbs graft tension using a Mitek Tensioner and group B would receive graft tension using the maximal sustained two-handed pull technique. The patients underwent a standard rehabilitation protocol at an institution of their choice and a Lysholm Scoring Scale and Tegner activity scale were self-administered at 6 months and 12 months after the surgery in order to assess their functional outcome. Results : The results showed that the functional outcome scores of group A were higher than group B. The yielded p-value was 0.10 (6 months), 0.07 (12 months) for group A and 0.27 (6 months), 0.46 (12 months) for group B. The results showed no suffi cient evidence of a signifi cant difference between the effects of arthroscopic ACL reconstruction with 15 lbs weight using a Mitek Tensioner (group A) and graft tension using the maximal sustained two-handed pull technique (group B) in the knee functional outcome of patients at 6 months and 12 months postoperatively Conclusion The functional outcome scores of patients who underwent ACL reconstruction using different graft tension did not show signifi cant results. Further re-evaluation of patients’ functional outcome score is necessary after 12 months postoperatively. The desired tensioning technique of the ACL surgeon would be at his/her convenience knowing beforehand the pros and cons of each technique.
Lysholm Knee Score ; Tibia

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine the effects of single semitendinosus tendon (ST) harvesting for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction by comparing outcomes of single ST and semitendinosus-gracilis tendon (ST-G) harvesting. METHODS: ACL reconstruction with ST-G harvesting (D group, n = 60) or single ST harvesting (S group, n = 60) were included according to inclusion criteria. Subjective assessments included subjective International Knee Documentation Committee score, Lysholm score, and Tegner activity scale score. Objective assessments included isokinetic strength and functional tests. These tests were completed at 36 months of follow-up. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and second-look arthroscopy findings were evaluated. In the S group, regeneration properties were assessed by serial ultrasonography (US). RESULTS: The S group showed significantly less deep flexor strength deficit than the D group (p < 0.001). Deep flexor power deficits showed significant correlation with the shift of musculotendinous junction of the ST. There was significant difference in the cocontraction test between the groups (p = 0.012), and the S group tended to show better results in other functional tests at the last follow-up. There were no significant differences in graft tension and synovial coverage on second-look arthroscopy between the groups. In the S group, the regeneration rates assessed by US at the joint line and distal insertion were 81.7% and 80%, respectively at 6 months of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The S group showed significantly less deficit in deep flexor strength and tended to show better clinical results at the last follow-up than the D group. In the S group, more than 80% showed good regeneration at the 6-month follow-up. Hence, single ST harvesting is effective in minimizing flexor weakness and functional deficits and shows great potential for regeneration.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament ; Arthroscopy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Joints ; Knee ; Lysholm Knee Score ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Regeneration ; Tendons ; Transplants ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUND: Open reduction and internal fixation using a volar locking plate has been increasingly performed for distal radius fractures. Both conventional and minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) techniques are widely used to treat distal radius fractures. However, it is unclear which of the techniques yields better outcomes after surgery for distal radius fractures. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to compare the benefits of conventional and MIPO techniques for distal radius fractures in terms of clinical outcomes. METHODS: Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials electronic databases were searched for articles comparing the outcomes of the conventional and MIPO techniques and published up until July 2017. Data search, extraction, analysis, and quality assessment were performed based on the Cochrane Collaboration guidelines. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using various outcome measures. RESULTS: Four clinical studies were included in the analysis. No significant clinical differences were found between the techniques in clinical hand scoring, grip strength, and range of motion. However, patient satisfaction after surgery was significantly higher in the MIPO group than that in the conventional group (standard mean difference, −0.54; 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.79 to −0.29; I2 = 0%). Furthermore, although there were no significant differences in volar tilt and ulnar variance between the two groups, radial inclination revealed a significant difference between the two groups (radial inclination: weighted mean difference, 1.20; 95% CI, 0.25 to 2.15; I2 = 19%). CONCLUSIONS: Both conventional and MIPO techniques were effective for patients with distal radius fractures. Despite limited high quality evidence to compare osteosynthesis with a volar locking plate via the conventional and MIPO techniques, the present study showed that the MIPO technique was associated with more favorable patient satisfaction.
Cooperative Behavior ; Fracture Fixation ; Hand ; Hand Strength ; Humans ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Patient Satisfaction ; Radius Fractures ; Radius ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The clinical impact of single-stage endoscopic stone extraction by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and cholecystectomy during the same hospitalization remains elusive. This study aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of single-stage ERCP and cholecystectomy during the same hospitalization in patients with cholangitis. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 166 patients who underwent ERCP for mild to moderate cholangitis due to choledocholithiasis secondary to cholecystolithiasis from 2012 to 2016. RESULTS: Complete stone extraction was accomplished in 92% of patients (152/166) at the first ERCP. Among 152 patients who underwent complete stone extraction, cholecystectomy was scheduled for 119 patients (78%). Cholecystectomy was performed during the same hospitalization in 89% of patients (106/119). We compared two groups of patients: those who underwent cholecystectomy during the same hospitalization (n=106) and those who underwent cholecystectomy during a subsequent hospitalization (n=13). In the delayed group, cholecystectomy was performed about three months after the first ERCP. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of operative time, rate of postoperative complications, and interval from cholecystectomy to discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Single-stage endoscopic stone extraction is recommended in patients with mild to moderate acute cholangitis due to choledocholithiasis. The combination of endoscopic stone extraction and cholecystectomy during the same hospitalization is safe and feasible.
Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Cholangitis ; Cholecystectomy ; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic ; Cholecystolithiasis ; Choledocholithiasis ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Operative Time ; Patient Outcome Assessment ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies