Hospital staff are a priority target group in the European COVID-19 vaccination strategy. Measuring the extent of COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy and understanding the reasons behind it are essential to be able to tailor effective communication campaigns. Using the Health Belief Model (HBM) as a theoretical framework, a survey was conducted among staff members of a Belgian three-site hospital center between 6 and 20 January 2021. Multivariable logistic ordinal regression was performed to assess determinants of the attitude towards COVID-19 vaccination. Reasons for and against COVID-19 vaccination and the need for information were explored among hesitant staff members. Among the respondents (N = 1132), 58% and 4.9% said that they would certainly and certainly not get vaccinated, respectively; 37.1% were hesitant, with different degrees of certainty. A positive attitude towards COVID-19 vaccination was associated with being older, being a physician, being vaccinated against seasonal flu, and with several HBM factors (including perceived benefits and cues to actions). Among hesitant staff, concerns about potential side effects and the impression that the vaccine was developed too quickly were the main reasons against COVID-19 vaccination. The key factors in the decision process were data on vaccine efficacy and safety, and knowing that vaccination went well in others. These data are helpful to further tailor the communication campaign and ensure sufficient vaccination coverage among hospital staff.

No abstract

Perceptions and attitudes of nurses on emotional and sexual lives of cancer patients

BackgroundIn the High Risk Medicines (HRM) field, intravenous potassium chloride (IV KCl) has an important role.PurposeTo assess nursing and medical practices in the management of hypokalaemia, to evaluate the accreditation norms of the hospital and define potential actions to make the use of IV KCl safe and standardised.Material and methodsA first audit of IV KCl prescriptions and administration practices was conducted, based on 33 electronic patient records regarding appropriateness of use (kalaemia during hospitalisation, administration rate, etc.). A second audit based on the “Adverse Drug Event Trigger Tool” was conducted to determine the number of iatrogenic hyperkalaemia events per 100 patients who received sodium or calcium polystyrene sulfonate, Kayexalate,during their hospitalisation. Finally, a list of the applicable measures was written with relevant actions depending on different actors.ResultsThe first audit indicated that 49% of the IV KCl administrations were inappropriate, 19% were appropriate because of patients’ kalaemia and the other 32% also if the patient was unable to tolerate oral route. It is noticed from the second audit that 19% of Kayexalateprescriptions stemmed from iatrogenic hyperkalaemia caused by intravenous or oral KCl. Therefore, we decided to prioritise redaction and publication of internal guidelines about KCl use. Rationalisation of the KCl availability should be the second step to implement.ConclusionRegarding the results, a key issue relates to the health professionals’ training as well as the standardisation of hospital practices. Hypokalaemia and KCl administration management procedures have been validated by the Pharmaceutical and Therapeutic Committee. The availability of the different types of KCl in the Institution will be reviewed. Several improvements can be made in the near future.ReferencesHemstreet BA, Stolpman N, Badesch DB, et al. Potassium and phosphorus repletion in hospitalized patients: implications for clinical practice and the potential use of healthcare information technology to improve prescribing and patient safety. Curr Med Res Opin 2006;22(12):2449–55Crop MJ, Hoorn EJ, Lindemans J, et al. Hypokalaemia and subsequent hyperkalaemia in hospitalized patients. Nephrol Dial Transplant 2007;22:3471–7No conflict of interest.