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Telelink: the use of telephone conferences for multidisciplinary team meetings.

There are various circumstances where the traditional face to face setting for multidisciplinary meetings is not practical or possible. This includes departments which have a responsibility covering a large geographic region. This paper describes an inexpensive, cost-effective and novel way of conducting multidisciplinary meetings using the telephone conference facility. Team members based in the community are 'linked' by telephone to other members of the hospital-based Aged and Extended Care Department. These conferences led to a significant increase in the referral rate of community-based patients for fuller multidisciplinary geriatric assessment. It also provided a forum for education, exchange of ideas and development of new policy. Other uses for telelinking are highlighted, particularly its successful applications for linking together isolated and handicapped elderly people in the community.

Community Health Services↗

Multidisciplinary education and management program for children with asthma.

A multidisciplinary program for managing asthma in a pediatric population is discussed. A coordinated, multidisciplinary program for managing asthma in children was initiated in November 1997 at a U.S. Army medical center. The program, designed to improve care and decrease hospitalizations for asthma, was pharmacist managed and pulmonologist directed and was implemented by pediatricians. Patient education was provided by a pediatric clinical pharmacist or a nurse case manager; providers also received intensive education. Follow-up occurred at predetermined intervals and included asthma education, discussion of expectations and goals, analysis of metered-dose-inhaler and spacer technique, and assessment of compliance. Between November 1997 and January 1999, 210 inpatients were screened for asthma. One hundred seven were believed to have asthma and received inpatient asthma counseling and teaching. Of these 107 patients, 79 were enrolled in the program and monitored in the ambulatory care setting. Seventy-one (90%) of the 79 program enrollees were not rehospitalized during the ensuing two years. The number of children admitted to the hospital for asthma decreased from 147 in 1997 (a rate of 3.2 per 1000 population) to 93 in 1998 (2.1 per 1000) and to 87 in 1999 (1.9 per 1000). A multidisciplinary approach to the management of children with asthma may reduce hospitalizations of such patients.

Anti-Asthmatic Agents↗

Conformity to clinical practice guidelines, multidisciplinary management and outcome of treatment for soft tissue sarcomas.

BACKGROUND: The primary management of adult soft tissue sarcomas (STS) is characterized by heterogeneity across centers. Several studies suggest that it is improved when coordinated by specialized sarcoma centers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study, comparing STS patients of the Rhône-Alpes region treated within and outside the cancer network, retrospectively assesses the conformity of medical practice with 'evidence-based medicine' (EBM) reported under the clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) of the French Federation of Cancer Centers. Institutional records of 100 new STS patients seen between 1999 and 2001 in the regional comprehensive cancer center and Lyon University hospital were analyzed retrospectively (50/300 new files randomly selected in each institution). Medical decisions were checked for conformity with CPGs. RESULTS: Median age was 58 years (range 18-88) and median tumor size was 9 cm (range 1-26). The most common primary sites were extremities, viscera or trunk. The most frequent histology was leiomyosarcoma (21%) or liposarcoma (12%). Only 7% of cases were reviewed by formal multidisciplinary committee before biopsy (with 42% pre-surgery biopsies only). The first surgical resection was R0, R1 and R2 in 26, 29 and 45% of cases, respectively. Conformity to CPGs was rated 52, 81, 94 and 95% for initial surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and follow-up, respectively. At multivariate analysis, pre-surgery multidisciplinary discussion, management in reference center and management within cancer network independently predicted conformity to CPGs. CONCLUSIONS: Conformity with EBM was similar to previous reports. Elaboration of treatment strategy within a formal multidisciplinary staff and treatment within a cancer network are both important prognostic factors for optimal clinical care.

Adolescent↗

The acceptability to primary care staff of a multidisciplinary training package on acute back pain guidelines.

BACKGROUND: Implementing clinical guidelines is more likely to be successful when the whole practice team is committed to the process. Practices from the MRC General Practice Research Framework in two distinct geographical centres in the UK (West Yorkshire and Greater Manchester) participated in the feasibility study for the UK Back pain Exercise And Manipulation (UK BEAM) trial. Practice teams were randomized to continue with their usual care for back pain patients, or to be trained in managing back pain in line with national guidelines. Those randomized to the intervention arm of the trial were invited to attend training, delivered by either a generic trainer or a back pain expert. OBJECTIVES: Our aims were to assess the general acceptability of the training package to staff, to assess the acceptability of the multidisciplinary approach and to determine if a generic primary care educator could deliver the training as effectively as a clinical back pain expert. METHODS: All staff (clinical and non-clinical) from intervention practices were invited to attend multidisciplinary training sessions on the active management of back pain. Practice staff in West Yorkshire were trained by a generic primary care educator and practice staff in Greater Manchester were trained by a clinical back pain expert. The content of sessions was standardized for both trainers and included didactic and interactive components and small group, case study discussions. Detailed notes were taken of observations made of participants during sessions, and evaluation forms were completed by all those who attended. RESULTS: The majority of participants found the training useful and said that the session had lived up to their expectations. Most found that the session was well planned and that they had sufficient opportunity to participate in learning. The training package was well received by clinical staff, but was less acceptable to non-clinical staff. GPs dominated the small group work discussions. No differences were found between the preferences of participants for the two different trainers. CONCLUSION: The training package was appropriate for clinical staff, but did not always meet the needs of non-clinical staff and may require modification for this group. A generic educator can successfully lead multidisciplinary educational sessions addressing clinical issues.

Acute Disease↗

The impact of a multidisciplinary approach on caring for ventilator-dependent patients.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical and financial outcomes of a highly structured multidisciplinary care model for patients in an intensive care unit (ICU) who require prolonged mechanical ventilation. The structured model outcomes (protocol group) are compared with the preprotocol outcomes. DESIGN: Descriptive study with financial analysis. SETTING: A twelve-bed medical-surgical ICU in a non-teaching tertiary referral center in Ogden, Utah. STUDY PARTICIPANTS: During a 54 month period, 469 consecutive intensive care patients requiring mechanical ventilation for longer than 72 hours who did not meet exclusion criteria were studied. INTERVENTIONS: A multidisciplinary team was formed to coordinate the care of ventilator-dependent patients. Care was integrated by daily collaborative bedside rounds, monthly meetings, and implementation of numerous guidelines and protocols. Patients were followed from the time of ICU admission until the day of hospital discharge. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patients were assigned APACHE II scores on admission to the ICU, and were divided into eight diagnostic categories. ICU length of stay, hospital length of stay, costs, charges, reimbursement, and in-hospital mortality were measured. RESULTS: Mortality in the preprotocol and protocol group, after adjustment for APACHE II scores, remained statistically unchanged (21-23%). After we implemented the new care model, we demonstrated significant decreases in the mean survivor's ICU length of stay (19.8 days to 14.7 days, P= 0.001), hospital length of stay (34.6 days to 25.9 days, P=0.001), charges (US$102500 to US$78500, P=0.001), and costs (US$71900 to US$58000, P=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of a structured multidisciplinary care model to care for a heterogeneous population of ventilator-dependent ICU patients was associated with significant reductions in ICU and hospital lengths of stay, charges, and costs. Mortality rates were unaffected.

APACHE↗

Evaluation of a multidisciplinary treatment for patients with chronic non-specific upper-limb musculoskeletal disorders: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Upper-limb musculoskeletal disorders (ULMSDs) are considered a major health and socio-economic problem. However, knowledge about the effect of treatment programmes is scarce. Objective To evaluate the effect of a multidisciplinary treatment programme on well-being, disability and return to work in patients with chronic non-specific upper-limb disorders. METHODS: A longitudinal and uncontrolled design with pre-post measurements was used. Forty-one patients on long-term sick leave attended for multidisciplinary treatment aimed at training in personal coping strategies and improving activities of daily living. Outcome measures were generic well-being (SF-36), disability (DASH) and return to work (working hours). RESULTS: General well-being improved significantly between pre-treatment and post-treatment. Level of disability declined significantly between pre-treatment and post-treatment. In 63% of the patients, return to own work was complete at follow up, 4 months post-treatment. CONCLUSION: The results of this uncontrolled intervention study suggest that multidisciplinary treatment programmes improve general well-being, reduce disability and facilitate return to work in patients with chronic non-specific ULMSDs.

Adult↗

Behçet's syndrome: a multidisciplinary approach to clinical care.

Behçet's syndrome is a multisystem disorder characterized by recurrent orogenital ulceration and an occlusive vasculitis. Histologically, there is a combination of a perivascular lymphocytic infiltration with endothelial cell damage coupled with a pro-thrombotic tendency. We present a multidisciplinary approach to the management of Behçet's syndrome, and compare our findings with other published studies. Over a nine-year period, 50 patients with Behçet's syndrome were followed in a multidisciplinary combined clinic. Patients were assessed by an ophthalmologist, a rheumatologist and a specialist in oral medicine. Data on disease activity and damage were collected using a standardized proforma for each specialty. Mean age of onset was 30 years; 56% were male. Recurrent oral ulceration was the commonest manifestation and the presenting feature in 76%. The commonest second systems involved were genital mucosae and eyes. We found a larger proportion of patients with ophthalmic (80%) and central nervous system (14%) manifestations compared with many other studies. There was an association between central nervous system and thrombotic events (p<0.001). Our multidisciplinary approach allowed us to keep each system involved in Behçet's syndrome under careful review. The development of recurrent sight-threatening eye disease was unpredictable and occurred despite aggressive immunosuppression.

Adolescent↗

A randomized clinical trial of in-patient multidisciplinary treatment versus routine out-patient care in active rheumatoid arthritis.

The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of in-patient multidisciplinary treatment with standard out-patient care in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Eighty patients with active RA were randomized to receive 11 days of in-patient multidisciplinary treatment followed by standard out-patient care (n = 39), or to standard out-patient care only (n = 41). Patients were assessed at baseline, and after 2, 4, 12 and 52 weeks. In the in-patients, the improvement in variables of disease activity (weeks 2 and 4) and emotional status (weeks 4 and 12) was greater when compared with the out-patients (P < 0.05). The improvement in laboratory and functional measures did not differ between the groups. In the in-patient group, the percentage of patients responding to the American College of Rheumatology criteria for improvement was significantly greater at any time point during follow-up than in the out-patient group. A short period of in-patient multidisciplinary treatment for active RA has a direct beneficial effect on disease activity and emotional status with the favourable effect on disease activity remaining after 52 weeks.

Adolescent↗

A multidisciplinary clerkship in emergency medicine.

An obligatory, multidisciplinary, fourth-year emergency medicine clerkship is described and the particular problems of multidisciplinary courses discussed. The course is designed to produce medical students who adequately demonstrate: knowledge of emergency care and facility in specified skills, familiarity with the appropriate use of an emergency room, and conversance with treatment of nonemergency cases. Students are required to complete successfully an advanced cardiac life support providers course, serve on ambulance duty, rotate through a community hospital emergency room, and participate in the more traditional clinical experiences. The course offers the fourth-year student an opportunity to synthesize prior knowledge within the context of a multidisciplinary patient care experience.

Clinical Competence↗

The clinical leadership role of the CNS in the identification of nursing-sensitive and multidisciplinary quality indicator sets.

Within a team-oriented approach to healthcare, the demonstration of quality is challenging. Multidisciplinary quality indicators ideally represent all pertinent stakeholders and are preferred when evaluating the quality of care for specific patient populations. Recently, however, nursing-sensitive indicators have been developed that reflect the unique contribution of nursing to patient outcomes. Because nursing-sensitive quality indicators reflect nursings' accountability for patient care, they must also be considered when identifying indicators sets. Controversy exists concerning the appropriate definition, number, and approach to indicator identification. Many organizations are attempting to measure everything to ensure that all appropriate indicators are represented. To incorporate both nursing-sensitive and multidisciplinary quality indicators, a phased organization-wide approach is advocated. Through clinical leadership skills combined with the advanced practice roles of consultant, educator, and researcher, the clinical nurse specialist can facilitate the inclusion of relevant indicators, preserve both multidisciplinary and nursing-sensitive approaches, and maintain efficiency during the process. The clinical nurse specialist, with clinical expertise and advanced education has a unique leadership role in the identification of the resultant critical indicator matrix.

Humans↗

The effect of a multidisciplinary hospitalist/physician and advanced practice nurse collaboration on hospital costs.

OBJECTIVE: To compare nurse practitioner/physician management of hospital care, multidisciplinary team-based planning, expedited discharge, and assessment after discharge to usual management. BACKGROUND: In the context of managed care, the goal of academic medical centers is to provide quality care at the lowest cost and minimize length of stay (LOS) while not compromising quality. METHODS: Comparative, 2-group, quasiexperimental design was used; 1,207 general medicine patients (n=581 in the experimental group and n=626 in the control group) were enrolled. The control unit provided usual care. The care management in the experimental unit had 3 different components: an advanced practice nurse who followed the patients during hospitalization and 30 days after discharge, a hospitalist medical director and another hospitalist, and daily multidisciplinary rounds. LOS, hospital costs, mortality, and readmission 4 months after discharge were measured. RESULTS: Average LOS was significantly lower for patients in the experimental group than the control group (5 vs. 6 days, P<.0001). The "backfill profit" to the hospital was US$1591 per patient in the experimental group (SE, US$639). There were no significant group differences in mortality or readmissions. CONCLUSIONS: Collaborative physician/nurse practitioner multidisciplinary care management of hospitalized medical patients reduced LOS and improved hospital profit without altering readmissions or mortality.

Academic Medical Centers↗

Multidisciplinary patient education for total joint replacement surgery patients.

The purpose of this article is to describe a preadmission, preoperative educational program offered free of charge for patients undergoing total joint replacement surgery at a large teaching hospital located in metropolitan Detroit, Michigan. In establishing the preoperative educational program, a multidisciplinary approach was used to provide a comprehensive learning environment for patients and their families. To evaluate the effectiveness of the program, patients completed surveys at the end of each class. Patients reported that their expectations of the program were met, they were less anxious about their surgery as a result of attending the classes, and the preoperative teaching by the multidisciplinary team was effective. Having a live session that offered an opportunity to ask individual and specific questions to each healthcare professional with immediate feedback proved to be a positive experience for patients. Patients' comments supported the multidisciplinary team's impression that real-time, interactive teaching was highly valued by patients and their caregivers.

Arthroplasty, Replacement↗

Long-term outcomes in multidisciplinary treatment of chronic low back pain: results of a 13-year follow-up.

STUDY DESIGN: Patients completing a multidisciplinary pain treatment were contacted to obtain 13-year follow-up information on pain, mood, employment, and general health. OBJECTIVES: Study objectives were to determine if post-treatment improvements were maintained over a lengthy follow-up period and to compare patients' general health to norms of comparably aged persons. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Although many studies have demonstrated the short-term effectiveness of multidisciplinary pain treatment programs for chronic low back pain, few studies have documented that these treatment gains are maintained over time. Only two studies have reported patient outcomes on a long-term basis (10+ years). Those studies have documented that patient gains during treatment are generally maintained during follow-up. METHODS: An attempt was made to contact all patients completing an inpatient chronic back pain rehabilitation program at the University of Iowa's Spine Diagnostic and Treatment Center. Of the 45 participants, 28 were located and 26 agreed to participate in a telephone interview. Analyses of pretreatment and posttreatment data revealed these follow-up participants did not differ from the larger study sample. RESULTS: Patients maintained their treatment gains in all areas (pain intensity and interference, negative mood). Additionally, patients showed levels of general health comparable to similarly aged peers with the exceptions of pain (more pain) and physical functioning (lower functioning, more pain interference). More than half the sample was employed; of those not employed, few reported this was due to pain. CONCLUSIONS: The data lend support to the long-term effectiveness of multidisciplinary treatment programs for chronic low back pain.

Academic Medical Centers↗

A multidisciplinary approach to the toxicologic problems associated with the use of herbal medicines.

In Hong Kong, a multidisciplinary team consisting of a pharmacist, a chemical pathologist, a scientific officer, and a physician has jointly provided an advisory service on herbal safety to healthcare professionals of all public hospitals since August 2000. This paper reports the first 2 years of experience of this team to emphasize the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to herbal poisoning. Twenty referrals received from the public hospitals from August 2000 to June 2002 were reviewed. The diagnosis of herbal toxicity was made after consideration of the temporal relationship between exposure to the herb and the occurrence of the adverse event and the exclusion of other causes. The causal relationship was seen as much stronger if the herb's pharmacological effects could fully explain the adverse event, if there were similar previous reports, and if the toxicological analysis findings were supportive. In 10 patients, the adverse events were deemed unlikely to be related to the use of herbal medicines. In 3 patients, it was concluded that the adverse events were possibly related to the use of herbal medicines. In 7 patients, the causal relationship was seen to be much stronger because the adverse events in these patients simply reflected the pharmacological effects of the herbs consumed and specific toxic ingredients were isolated from herbal residues and patients' urine or serum. The clinical problems arising from the use of herbal medicines included the Aristolochia species causing acute renal failure (n = 1), aconite roots causing aconitine poisoning (n = 2), the Datura species causing anticholinergic poisoning (n = 1), and "yulan" (Stephania sinica) causing tetrahydropalmatine poisoning (n = 3). The 4 patients with acute renal failure and tetrahydropalmatine poisoning received these toxic herbs, which were not listed in the prescriptions, as a result of poor dispensing practice or for other reasons. Toxicological problems associated with the use of herbal medicines are complex and may be easily overlooked. A multidisciplinary team of experts should be made available to provide advice to frontline healthcare professionals.

Acetaminophen↗

Patient evaluation of care within a multidisciplinary breast care center.

To understand patient perceptions of multidisciplinary medical care, a survey instrument was developed to poll 1,023 consecutive visitors to the University of Michigan Breast Care Center (BCC). Factors influencing patient satisfaction included staff concern for patients, one-stop shopping, medical thoroughness, and length of waiting in the reception area (negative correlation). These factors are well addressed by a multidisciplinary approach to medical care. Similar models of multidisciplinary care can probably be implemented at other institutions and in other clinical settings.

Adult↗

The long-term effect of multidisciplinary back training: a systematic review.

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review of randomized controlled trials. OBJECTIVES: To determine the long-term effect of multidisciplinary back training on the work participation of patients with nonspecific chronic low back pain. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Chronic low back pain is influenced by multiple factors. Multidisciplinary back training represents one of the options to take this multiplicity into account. So far, only evidence of the short-term effectiveness of this approach in terms of work participation is available. METHODS: Electronic databases were searched and the references of various articles were screened for relevant publications. Ten studies met the inclusion criteria. All included studies were evaluated for their methodologic quality. RESULTS: Five of the studies had a low methodologic quality. All high-quality studies found a positive effect on at least one of the 4 outcome measures used. Based on our criteria, effectiveness was found for the outcome measures of work participation and quality of life. No effectiveness was found for experienced pain and functional status. The intensity of the intervention seems to have no substantial influence on the effectiveness of the intervention. CONCLUSION: In the long-term, multidisciplinary back training has a positive effect on work participation in patients with nonspecific chronic low back pain.

Chronic Disease↗

Analysis of cardiovascular disease and kidney outcomes in multidisciplinary chronic kidney disease clinics: complex disease requires complex care models.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Chronic kidney disease is recognized as being highly prevalent in the population, and associated with morbidity and mortality relative to the general population. The complexity of patients and the multiplicity of interventions required to maintain health has forced clinicians to develop different models of healthcare delivery. This publication reviews the current literature on specific interventions to reduce progression of chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease, and studies the examination of outcomes of patients exposed to different healthcare delivery models. Specifically we examine the rationale and outcomes of those seen in multidisciplinary clinics. RECENT FINDINGS: Current evidence supports the use of rennin-angiotensin system blockers, reduction of blood pressure and proteinuria and phosphate control. Additional less robust studies support the need for attention to anemia, hyperparathryoidism, and other more "kidney specific" risk factors. The attendance of identified chronic kidney disease patients at multidisciplinary clinics appears to improve survival once dialysis is started. Despite aggressive management, not all patients are able to meet clinical targets associated with improved outcomes. SUMMARY: The recognition of the complexity of chronic kidney disease care and the need to develop and test models of care in addition to the single interventions is a challenge for both researchers and clinicians. Current data support the use of multidisciplinary clinics in improving outcomes of referred patients. Future research will help to refine and define appropriate care models for this growing chronic kidney disease population.

Calcium↗

Healthcare-associated infection in pediatric patients on extracorporeal life support: The role of multidisciplinary surveillance.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the use of a multidisciplinary approach to sepsis surveillance and evaluate impact on outcome. DESIGN: Prospective clinical study or clinical audit cycle. SETTING: Tertiary pediatric extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) center. PATIENTS: Patients were 215 children supported with ECMO January 1999 to December 2004. INTERVENTIONS: A multidisciplinary team met monthly to evaluate cases of bloodstream infection and mediastinitis, review trends, and update unit policies. Changes in practice were made at the end of 2001 in order to address a perceived high rate of sepsis: a) reeducation; b) introduction of electively preprimed ECMO circuits; and c) preference for neck rather than chest cannulation in cardiac patients. Prophylactic antibiotics were used from preprocedure for 24 hrs only throughout the study. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Over the entire study period, 39 children had 47 septic episodes, with a rate of 24.9 per 1000 ECMO days. Multiple logistic regression analyses indicated that infection was associated with duration of ECMO support (odds ratio 1.24; 95% confidence interval 1.15, 1.35 per day) and case type: Closed vs. open chest was protective in cardiac patients (odds ratio 0.08; 95% confidence interval 0.01, 0.50). Infection increased the odds of death by 2.01 (95% confidence interval 1.00, 4.05), but this effect was less important than case type and ECMO days. After policy changes were implemented, there was a reduction in sepsis from 29.3 to 20.1 episodes per 1000 ECMO days. There was reduced sepsis in respiratory patients: neonates from 28.0 to 6.6 and pediatric patients from 42.4 to 16.9 episodes per 1000 ECMO days. Despite policy changes, sepsis remained a problem in cardiac patients with open sternum: 65.1 per 1000 ECMO days. CONCLUSIONS: ECMO support is a high-risk setup for nosocomial infection, in particular for cardiac patients with open sternum for whom antibiotic prophylaxis is justified. Multidisciplinary surveillance offers an excellent approach for quality improvement in this challenging field.

Antibiotic Prophylaxis↗