Background Dysphagia is associated with aspiration, pneumonia and malnutrition, but remains challenging to identify at the bedside. A variety of exam protocols and maneuvers are commonly used, but the efficacy of these maneuvers is highly variable. Methods We conducted a comprehensive search of seven databases, including MEDLINE, EMBASE and Scopus, from each database’s earliest inception through June 5th, 2013. Studies reporting diagnostic performance of a bedside examination maneuver compared to a reference gold standard (videofluoroscopic swallow study [VFSS] or flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing with sensory testing [FEEST]) were included for analysis. From each study, data were abstracted based on the type of diagnostic method and reference standard study population and inclusion/exclusion characteristics, design and prediction of aspiration. Results The search strategy identified 38 articles meeting inclusion criteria. Overall, most bedside examinations lacked sufficient sensitivity to be used for screening purposes across all patient populations examined. Individual studies found dysphonia assessments, abnormal pharyngeal sensation assessments, dual axis accelerometry, and one description of water swallow testing to be sensitive tools, but none were reported as consistently sensitive. A preponderance of identified studies was in post-stroke adults, limiting the generalizability of results. Conclusions No bedside screening protocol has been shown to provide adequate predictive value for presence of aspiration. Several individual exam maneuvers demonstrated reasonable sensitivity, but reproducibility and consistency of these protocols was not established. More research is needed to design an optimal protocol for dysphagia detection.

Study Design: Spinal cord injury (SCI) patients are an increasing population due to recent military conflicts. SCI patients are at an increased risk of infection, but the epidemiology management and prevention strategies for these infections are unclear. Objective: To review the incidence, microbiology and management of pneumonia, skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI), urinary tract infections (UTI) and bloodstream infections in the SCI population via literature review. Methods: With the assistance of an experienced medical librarian, we developed a search strategy for the Ovid MEDLINE database and then adapted it for the Ovid Embase, Scopus and Web of Science databases. The databases were searched from their inception to April 2014 with no restrictions on language or time period. Data were extracted using a standardized form. All studies were reviewed by two independent investigators. Results: Forty-one studies reporting on the described infections were identified. UTIs were the most commonly identified infections, but studies failed to identify consistently effective preventive strategies. SSTIs were also common, and the best preventive strategies focused on decubitus ulcer prevention and skin decolonization protocols. Pneumonia management and course were not significantly different from the general population. Bloodstream infections were associated with delays in recognition, and were most often secondary to UTI, pneumonia or SSTI. Conclusion: There is a paucity of literature on consistently effective infection prevention strategies in SCI patients. Identification and implementation of evidence-based interventions that optimize prevention and management of infections in this patient population are needed. Spinal Cord (2017) 55, 526-534; doi:10.1038/sc.2016.173; published online 6 December 2016 INTRODUCTIONSpinal cord injury (SCI) is a medically complex and life-disrupting condition affecting about a quarter million Americans. 1 Its incidence varies widely from country to country, but~12 000 new cases are reported each year in the United States, with a recent increase most likely associated with present military conflicts. 2,3 SCI is the result of a trauma at any level of the spinal cord causing temporary or permanent damage. Motor vehicle accidents, falls and gunshot wounds are some of the most common causes of SCI among the civilian population, responsible for 39%, 28% and 14% of cases, respectively. 3 Individuals with SCI are at high risk for both community-acquired and healthcare-associated infections due to factors such as frequent contact with the healthcare system and frequent and chronic use of invasive medical devices such as urinary and intravascular catheters. 4,5 This population is also vulnerable by limitations in clearing the airway of secretions due to restricted breathing, and abnormal sensation leading to altered or absent symptoms to indicate early infection. Bloodstream infection (BSI) is one of the most common infections leading to hospital admission, followed by urinary tract infection ...

ObjectiveTo determine the feasibility and effectiveness of a video-enabled remote simulation training program to teach a systematic, standardized approach to the evaluation and management of the critically ill patients as part of an international quality improvement intervention.Patients and MethodsIn this pilot “train-the-trainer” prospective cohort study, we provided a remote simulation-based educational program for practicing clinicians from intensive care units involved in an international quality improvement project (www.icertain.org). Between February 21, 2014, and August 6, 2015, participants completed a self-guided online curriculum and participated in structured simulation training using web conference software with recording capabilities. The performance was assessed using a matched pair analysis at baseline and using standardized scenarios and a validated assessment tool postintervention. Participants rated their satisfaction with the training experience and confidence in implementing these skills in clinical practice.ResultsEighteen local champions from 8 hospitals in 7 countries in Asia, Europe, and South and Central America completed the educational program. Learners exhibited significant improvements in cumulative critical task performance during simulated critical care scenarios with training (60.3%-81.8%; P=.002). Most clinicians (94%) reported that they felt well prepared to manage the common critical care scenarios after training. These local champions have subsequently delivered this educational program to more than 800 international clinicians over a 4-year period.ConclusionInsufficient training is a major barrier to the delivery of cost-effective critical care in many areas of the world. Video-enabled remote simulation training is a low-cost, feasible, and effective method to disseminate clinical skills to critical care practitioners in diverse international settings.

BackgroundThe Checklist for Early Recognition and Treatment of Acute Illness (CERTAIN) is an international collaborative project with the overall objective of standardizing the approach to the evaluation and treatment of critically ill patients world-wide, in accordance with best-practice principles. One of CERTAIN’s key features is clinical decision support providing point-of-care information about common acute illness syndromes, procedures, and medications in an index card format.MethodsThis paper describes 1) the process of developing and validating the content for point-of-care decision support, and 2) the content management system that facilitates frequent peer-review and allows rapid updates of content across different platforms (CERTAIN software, mobile apps, pdf-booklet) and different languages.ResultsContent was created based on survey results of acute care providers and validated using an open peer-review process. Over a 3 year period, CERTAIN content expanded to include 67 syndrome cards, 30 procedure cards, and 117 medication cards. 127 (59 %) cards have been peer-reviewed so far. Initially MS Word® and Dropbox® were used to create, store, and share content for peer-review. Recently Google Docs® was used to make the peer-review process more efficient. However, neither of these approaches met our security requirements nor has the capacity to instantly update the different CERTAIN platforms.ConclusionAlthough we were able to successfully develop and validate a large inventory of clinical decision support cards in a short period of time, commercially available software solutions for content management are suboptimal. Novel custom solutions are necessary for efficient global point of care content system management.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12911-016-0367-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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