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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1996

Prospective, randomized comparison of the Flotem Iie and Hotline fluid warmers in anesthetized adults.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare the fluid warming capabilities of the Hotline and Flotem IIe devices in surgical patients, and whether warming intravenous (i.v.) fluids with the Hotline device resulted in less hypothermia and less need for other warming methods compared with the Flotem IIe device. STUDY DESIGN: Part 1. Prospective, nonrandomized. Part 2. Prospective, randomized. SETTING: Teaching hospital, tertiary care center. PATIENTS: Part 1. 24 adult patients undergoing elective surgery. Part 2. 49 adult patients scheduled for major elective orthopedic or gynecologic surgery of greater than 2 hours' duration with general anesthesia. INTERVENTIONS: Part 1. Insertion of sterile in-line thermistors along the path of fluids delivered using the Hotline or Flotem device. Part 2. Patients were randomly assigned to receive i.v. fluids via the Hotline (n = 21) or Flotem IIe (n = 18) warmers. Intervention for core hypothermia [lower esophageal temperature (Teso) less than 35.5 degrees C], was with forced air warming. Intervention for postoperative shivering was with meperidine by a nurse who was blinded to the treatment group. MEASUREMENTS: Part 1. Temperature of infused fluids before and after the warmer (T in and T out) and before the fluid entered the patient after insertion of a standard 84 cm extension set having a stopcock for injection of medications (T distal). Part 2. Tympanic (Ttym) was recorded before induction of anesthesia (baseline) and at 15-minute intervals after induction. Teso was recorded at 15-minute intervals after induction. The maximum intraoperative Ttym decline from baseline (delta Ttym max) was calculated. MAIN RESULTS: Part 1. Flow rates were between 1 and 33 ml/min. T out and T distal (mean +/- SEM) of fluids infused through the Hotline device were warmer compared with those infused via the Flotem IIe device (Hotline T out: 35.7 +/- 0.1 degrees C and Hotline T distal: 33.4 +/- 0.2 degrees C vs. Flotem IIe T out: 28.9 +/- 0.2 degrees C and Flotem IIe T distal: 28.3 +/- 0.2 degrees C; p < 0.001 between warmers). Part 2. Maximal decrease in Ttym from preoperative baseline (before intervention) was greater in the Flotem IIe compared with the Hotline group (delta Ttym max = -1.4 +/- 0.1 vs. -0.9 +/- 0.1 degree C, p = 0.01). Five patients in the Flotem IIe group required forced air warming for treatment of hypothermia versus none in the Hotline group (p < 0.01). Postoperatively, five patients in the Flotem IIe group required treatment with meperidine for severe shivering versus one patient in the Hotline group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The Hotline device delivered fluids to the patient at consistently warmer temperatures compared with the Flotem IIe device during actual clinical conditions. This was associated with maintenance of near normal core temperatures throughout the procedure in the Hotline group, and a decreased need for interventions such as forced-air warming and treatment for severe shivering.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Development and implementation of a Clerkship Counseling Hotline.

BACKGROUND: The 3rd year of medical school is stressful, yet students may hesitate to access their school's mental health services. DESCRIPTION: We instituted the Clerkship Counseling Hotline, an anonymous, 24-hour cell phone hotline staffed by an independent counselor. EVALUATION: Hotline calls were logged, and students were surveyed regarding the hotline. Seventeen students called the hotline 25 times during the year. Callers' concerns included disillusionment with medicine, anxiety over performance, and personal problems. The hotline did not reduce overall student stress compared with the 3rd-year classes preceding the hotline. However, 75% said continuing the hotline was important, and 75% found the hotline's availability reassuring. CONCLUSION: A clerkship counseling hotline may enhance medical schools' mental health resources.

Clinical Clerkship↗

PubMed2004

Comparison of office visit and nurse advice hotline data for syndromic surveillance--Baltimore-Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, 2002.

INTRODUCTION: Kaiser Permanente of the Mid-Atlantic States (KPMAS) is collaborating with the Electronic Surveillance System for Early Notification of Community-Based Epidemics II (ESSENCE II) program to understand how managed-care data can be effectively used for syndromic surveillance. OBJECTIVES: This study examined whether KPMAS nurse advice hotline data would be able to predict the syndrome diagnoses made during subsequent KPMAS office visits. METHODS: All nurse advice hotline calls during 2002 that were linked to an outpatient office visit were identified. By using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) codes, outpatient visits were categorized into seven ESSENCE II syndrome groups (coma, gastrointestinal, respiratory, neurologic, hemorrhagic, infectious dermatologic, and fever). Nurse advice hotline calls were categorized into ESSENCE II syndrome groups on the basis of the advice guidelines assigned. For each syndrome group, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value of hotline calls were calculated by using office visits as a diagnostic standard. For matching syndrome call-visit pairs, the lag (i.e., the number of hours that elapsed between the date and time the patient spoke to an advice nurse and the date and time the patient made an office visit) was calculated. RESULTS: Of all syndrome groups, the sensitivity of hotline calls for respiratory syndrome was highest (74.7%), followed by hotline calls for gastrointestinal syndrome (72.0%). The specificity of all nurse advice syndrome groups ranged from 88.9% to 99.9%. The mean lag between hotline calls and office visits ranged from 8.3 to 50 hours, depending on the syndrome group. CONCLUSIONS: The timeliness of hotline data capture compared with office visit data capture, as well as the sensitivity and specificity of hotline calls for detecting respiratory and gastrointestinal syndromes, indicate that KPMAS nurse advice hotline data can be used to predict KPMAS syndromic outpatient office visits.

Baltimore↗

PubMed2005

[Hotline 2: heating capabilities of a coaxial fluid warming system at low and moderate flow rates].

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of two coaxial fluid warming systems with their heating capabilities. METHODS: The heating capabilities of two coaxial fluid warming systems and their capabilities to warm fluids at 20 +/- 0.5 degrees C (20 degrees C room temperature) was measured: 1) Hotline 1 Fluid Warmer, 2) Hotline(R) 1 Fluid Warmer. Final temperatures were measured at different infusion rates (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1000 ml/h and at maximal flow rates (Vmax)), at the distal end of the disposable tubing. Statistical analysis was performed using a computer based program (NCSS). Differences between the groups were analysed using the Two-Way-ANOVA. Significance was defined at a p < 0.05. RESULTS: At flow rates between 10 - 1000 ml/h, infusion temperatures of > 36 degrees C were attained by both devices in a reliable manner. Compared to Hotline 1, Hotline 2 attained higher final temperatures of between 1.2 - 3.8 % (p < 0.01). Hotline 1 was measured to have higher Vmax (+ 3.6 %) compared to Hotline 2 (p < 0.01). However, the mean final temperature at Vmax of Hotline 2 was increased by 6.5 % (p < 0.01). The time needed to warm target temperature to 40 - 41 degrees C took between 9 to 12 minutes (flow rate 10 ml/h and Vmax respectively) when using Hotline 1 and 3 to 4 minutes when using Hotline 2. CONCLUSION: Compared to its predecessor, the Hotline 2 performance is a valuable improvement with respect to heating capacity and clinical handling.

Hypothermia↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Compliance hotlines: practical advice for implementing a reporting mechanism.

No element of a corporate compliance program in healthcare facilities generates more controversy than the hotline established for employees who wish to raise a concern. Healthcare organizations are adopting hotlines but with reluctance, mainly because of limited staff available to answer calls and because of limited support from upper management. Those that have committed to the hotline will tell you they can't imagine not having it. Running a good hotline means first answering such questions as whether it will be answered in-house, outsourced or handled through a combination of both means. The best organizations treat the hotline as a resource for employees, managers and physicians. If employees receive advice about policies over the hotline, however, it must be answered in-house. If multiple call answers are used, a secure file-sharing system, either paper or online, must be in use to track caller concerns. Most calls are routine, but one where the caller is reporting a serious infraction can save an organization millions of dollars by forestalling a false claim or allowing for voluntary resolution of a problem. If your company has run a hotline unsuccessfully and earned a poor reputation with employees, outsourcing may be the best option. A hotline that is not supported by management may prove to be an insurmountable problem for anyone who attempts to operate it. Your approach to hotline call intake will set the tone for your compliance program.

Efficiency, Organizational↗

PubMedDate not supplied

VD hotline: an evaluation.

A VD hotline started in January 1973 at Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch, N.J., was evaluated with the following results. Hotline operators handled 260 calls in 1973. The typical caller was a 20-year-old employed male who heard about the hotline from a friend, wanted information about clinic hours and costs, and had questions about symptoms of venereal disease. At Monmouth Medical Center, venereal disease patients who go to the emergency room receive specific diagnosis and therapy, and in the clinic they receive broader medical care. The hotline encourages patients to go to the clinic or to their private physicians. Visits to Monmouth Medical Center for venereal disease increased during the second half of 1972 from 356 to 545 (53%). For the emergency room alone, the rise was 17% and for the clinic, 68%. There was an increase of 20% in the number of patients treated in the emergency room, but the number treated in the clinic leveled. Thus, there was a substantial increase in visits, especially to the clinics where the most care is provided, and a modest increase in treated patients. The causal contribution of the hotline to these increases cannot be stated with certainty. The cost of operating the hotline was $14.70 per call. While high, it might be defended on the basis of avoiding the higher costs of untreated disease. The cost can be reduced by making the hotline serve multiple health purposes. The hotline appeared useful but costly. This retrospective evaluation was hampered by the unavailability of some critical data.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1991

Effects of a smoker's hotline: results of a 10-county self-help trial.

The effect of a smokers' hotline as an adjunct to self-help manuals was examined. Subjects were 1,813 smokers recruited from a 10-county rural and small urban area. Counties were matched on demographic characteristics and assigned to a manual only or manual plus hotline condition. Subjects were followed over an 18-month period. Hotline services included taped messages and access to paraprofessional counselors. Results show a consistent, significant hotline effect across outcome measures and follow-up periods. This effect emerged either as a main effect for the hotline or as an interaction with enrollment method such that a significant hotline effect emerged for subjects who enrolled through face-to-face methods. These findings indicate the effectiveness of the hotline in enhancing self-help quit rates.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

[A telephone hotline as an easily accessible service for questions on schizophrenia].

Public relations activities of the German Research Network on Schizophrenia (GRNS) have shown that there is a demand for more information about schizophrenia disorder. This confirms international research findings that relatives of schizophrenia patients are particularly in need of information and support. In response, the GRNS has maintained a telephone hotline since 2001. The hotline is manned by clinical experts, psychiatrists, or psychologists once a week. The telephone calls are documented in a systematic manner. From 2001 to 2003, 3,909 calls were registered. This volume exceeds the limit of the hotline's resources. The telephone hotline is mainly used by relatives of psychotic patients. Most questions relate to the symptoms of schizophrenia and pharmaceutical treatment. The need for emotional support is also a high motivational factor for dialing the hotline number. The telephone hotline seems to be a worthwhile addition to the already existing crisis telephones and should be maintained even after public funding of the network expires.

Caregivers↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Profile of callers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention national sexually transmitted diseases hotline.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention funds a national telephone hotline as a source of information for persons with questions about sexually transmitted diseases. Hotline callers were last surveyed in 1980. GOAL: To determine the current profile of callers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National sexually transmitted diseases hotline, assess their concerns, and identify their sources for the hotline telephone number. STUDY DESIGN: The survey sampled 1,100 callers: 19 per day distributed across 3 work shifts using a systematic random selection process. Nine short-answer questions were asked, and passively collected data were recorded. RESULTS: The survey showed callers' demographics (68.4% white); socioeconomics (47.6% with incomes < $15,000); residence (79.8% urban); information requests (20.7% general sexually transmitted diseases); concerns about exposure or infection (76.5% concerned they might be infected); acceptance of referrals (35.7% to public clinics); and hotline telephone number sources (20.4% from pamphlets). CONCLUSIONS: The hotline is called by persons from all segments of the public and addresses their concerns.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Heating capabilities of the Hotline and Autoline at low flow rates.

BACKGROUND: At low flow rates, fluid warmers using coaxial warming tubes are superior in preventing heat loss. This laboratory investigation was performed in order to compare the heating capabilities of two coaxial fluid warmers. METHODS: The Hotline and the Autoline were investigated by using normal saline at various flow rates (10-99 ml x h(-1)). Final infusion temperatures were measured six times in a row at the end of the tubing by using a rapid-response thermometer. Final temperatures were compared with those of infusions, which passed through disposable i.v. tubing covered and warmed using an 'off label' convective air warming system (WarmTouch). Measurements were performed at two different room temperatures (20 and 24 degrees C). Each group was analyzed with respect to differences between various flow rates as well as differences between the groups at comparable flow rates by using a three-way anova with multiple comparisons according to Tukey's procedure. Significance was defined at P < 0.05. RESULTS: Both devices heat infusions at low flow rates efficiently above 34 degrees C, with the Hotline being more effective than the Autoline (P < 0.0001). Except for the lowest flow rate (10 ml x h(-1)), the Hotline delivered infusion temperatures between 38 and 39 degrees C, while the Autoline warmed the infusions upto 36 degrees C. While heating capability of the Hotline was improved with elevated room temperatures at low flow rates (10-60 and 80 ml x h(-1)), the Autoline demonstrated lower infusion temperatures throughout elevated room temperature at flow rates between 20 and 90 ml x h(-1). Both devices heated infusions more efficiently compared with 'off label used' convective air warmer (each with P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Both the Hotline and the Autoline heated infusions sufficiently at low flow rates. However, the heating capability of the Hotline was superior and can further be increased at low flow rates by increasing the room temperature.

Body Temperature Regulation↗

PubMed2004

Flow rates and warming efficacy with Hotline and Ranger blood/fluid warmers.

The heating capabilities of a water bath blood/fluid warmer, Hotline, have proven superior to those of other devices. The dry heat warmer Ranger has not previously been compared with the Hotline. We evaluated these devices in terms of flow rates and efficacy of warming. We delivered room temperature (21 degrees C) saline and 10 degrees C packed red blood cells (RBCs) by using 90 mm Hg (gravity equivalent) and 300 mm Hg bag pressure and various sizes of IV catheters. The outflow from each device was connected to an inline thermistor, and simultaneous measurements of outflow temperature and flow volume per minute were recorded. Additional data points were obtained with a roller pump that delivered flows of 1-6 L/h through each device. We calculated the effect of these flow rates and outflow temperatures on the mean body temperature (MBT) of a 70-kg patient. The Hotline and Ranger had similar flow rates at 90 and 300 mm Hg pressure infusion when studied with various sizes of IV catheters. Hotline was able to deliver warmer RBCs and saline at slower flow rates (1-4 L/h), but because changes in MBT were almost identical, there was no clinically important advantage, and almost no heat was transferred at these slower flow rates. At more rapid flow rates (>4 L/h), the Ranger warmed RBCs and saline better and produced smaller decreases in MBT than the Hotline. The use of the Hotline for rapid infusions, especially of cold RBCs, is not recommended because of low outflow temperatures and decreases in MBT that were three times larger than those seen with the Ranger.

Blood↗

PubMed2002

Diagnosis of urogenital Chlamydia trachomatis infections by home-obtained, mailed samples: do we need a telephone hotline for information and advice?

This study evaluates the use of dedicated telephone hotlines to provide advice to young individuals who were offered the chance to be tested for Chlamydia trachomatis by means of home-obtained samples that were mailed directly to a testing laboratory. In a school-based screening study, a population-based screening study and a partner-tracing study we established hotlines and registered the calls. The target groups for the 3 studies comprised 8,909, 9,000 and 4,622 individuals and 0.1% (8/8,909), 0.7% (66/9,000) and 2.7% (124/4,622) of the populations, respectively took the opportunity to call anonymously to receive advice. The number of calls per opening hour of the hotlines varied between 0.2 (8 calls/40 opening hours) and 0.4 (124 calls/300 opening hours). Major reasons for calling the hotlines included requests for more information about chlamydial infections, questions relating to the study and emotional concerns (e.g. problems relating to partner tracing, adultery or anxiety concerning infertility). Although only a small fraction of the target populations used the hotlines we conclude that there is a need for advice and counseling in connection with strategies involving home-obtained samples for C. trachomatis testing. The optimal setting for this, however, remains to be determined.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Behavioral health services utilization among older adults identified within a state abuse hotline database.

PURPOSE: This study examined the extent to which older adults identified in a statewide abuse hotline registry utilized behavioral health services. This is important as mental health issues have been identified as a high priority for filling gaps in services for victims of mistreatment. DESIGN AND METHODS: We compared Medicaid and Medicare claims data for two groups of older adults: those using health services and identified within a statewide abuse hotline information system and those claimants not identified within the hotline database. RESULTS: Behavioral health service use was greater among those identified in the abuse hotline database. The penetration rate (percentage of service users out of all enrollees) for Medicaid behavioral health service claims was more than twice that of other service users, with costs of services about 30% greater. Analyses of Medicare data revealed that the penetration rate for those in the hotline data was almost 6 times greater at approximately twice the cost compared to other service users. IMPLICATIONS: The results provide evidence for previous assumptions that mistreated individuals experience a higher rate of behavioral health disorders. As mental health screening by adult protective services is rarely conducted, the results suggest the need to train investigators and other service providers to screen older adults for behavioral health and substance-abuse issues as well as physical signs of abuse. Further research on the relationship of abuse to behavioral health might focus on collection of additional data involving more specific victim-related characteristics and comparisons of cases of mistreatment versus self-neglect.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

From bioterrorism exercise to real-life public health crisis: lessons for emergency hotline operations.

Although public health agencies routinely operate hotlines to communicate key messages to the public, they are rarely evaluated to improve hotline management. Since its creation in 2003, the New Jersey Department of Health & Senior Services' Emergency Communications Center has confronted two large-scale incidents that have tested its capabilities in this area. The influenza vaccine shortage of 2004 and the April 2005 TOPOFF 3 full-scale bioterrorism exercise provided both real-life and simulated crisis situations from which to derive general insights into the strengths and weaknesses of hotline administration. This article identifies problems in the areas of staff and message management by analyzing call volume data and the qualitative observations of group feedback sessions and semistructured interviews with hotline staff. It also makes recommendations based on lessons learned to improve future hotline operations in public health emergencies.

Bioterrorism↗

PubMed1997

Increased requests for help by problem gamblers: data from a gambling crisis telephone hotline.

AIM: A report on the rate and profile of calls received by a national gambling telephone hotline for a twelve month period covering six month periods before and after the opening of New Zealand's second casino located in Auckland. METHODS: Data collected by the hotline for normal counselling purposes during the year ended July 31, 1996 were collated and analysed for trends, gambler profiles and reported problem gambling modes. RESULTS: New first time callers accessing the hotline service during the period comprised 732 problem gamblers and 604 significant others of problem gamblers ( 1,336 new callers in total). Numbers of these new callers contacting the service increased from 510 in the first six months to 826 for the second similar period. Problem gamblers and significant others of problem gamblers reported relatively specific problem modes, rather than generalised problem gambling behaviour. Reported problem modes were track (horse and dog) racing comprising 25% of problem modes, video gambling machines ('poker' machines) 49%, casinos 24% and other modes 2%. New callers increased by 62% in the second half of the year. Casinos increased from 7% of reported problems in the six months prior to the opening of the Auckland casino, to 34% of reported problems for the six months following. Seventy three percent of problem gambler callers were forty years of age or younger, with 15% under 25 years of age. Most problem gambler callers were male (70%), while most significant other callers were male (77%). Maori problem gambler callers comprised 24% of all gamblers and 35% of female problem gambler callers. CONCLUSIONS: Increased use of the gambling crisis hotline by new callers coincided with increased availability of gambling opportunities, particularly gambling machines and a casino, and increased gambling turnover figures. Gambling machines appear to be over represented in reported problems, while reported casino gambling problems increased quickly with availability of the second casino. Maori callers, particularly female Maori, are high users of the gambling crisis hotline.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The National Immunization Information Hotline.

The National Immunization Information Hotline (NIIH) has been providing information regarding immunizations to the public and to health care professionals since March 1997. We describe the operations of the NIIH, its experience over the first two and a half years of operation and lessons learned for other immunization hotlines. From 1998-2000, the hotline answered 246,859 calls. Calls concerning immunization information requests totaled 175,367; data about the calls were collected from 35,102. Approximately a third of the 35,102 calls were from health care providers. Of the remaining calls from the public, the greatest number of calls concerned childhood immunizations. Immunization schedule queries from the public increased 323.0% from 1998 to 2000. While the major goal of the NIIH is to provide accurate and reliable information to the public and to health care providers, data from the hotline can be used to monitor changes over time in calls concerning inquiries about the immunization schedule in addition to other variables of interest.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

AIDS information needs: conceptual and content analyses of questions asked of AIDS information hotlines.

Dissemination of accurate information about HIV is an essential element of national AIDS prevention strategies and AIDS telephone hotlines serve a vital function in providing such information. In this study, questions asked of two AIDS information hotlines were collected and examined to determine the AIDS information needs of the general public. Questions asked of local AIDS lines in Houston and Milwaukee (N = 1611) were independently classified into 30 content areas, with two independent raters achieving 94% agreement. The content areas were organized for analysis into 11 broader information domains. Questions about HIV antibody testing were the most frequently asked (27%), followed by questions about sexual transmission of HIV (16%), HIV-related symptoms (16%) and situations that do not confer risk for HIV infection (14%). Content analyses suggested that individuals were motivated to call hotlines by fears of contracting HIV from actual risk behaviors or to dismiss concerns about contracting HIV through casual modes. Many individuals had information needs related to their own personal experiences that could not be addressed through media campaigns or other means of mass public health education. Results suggest that HIV information dissemination to the public through hotlines and other means of direct health education serves both preventive and destigmatizing functions.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Vaccination coverage among callers to a state influenza hotline--Connecticut, 2004-05 influenza season.

In response to the influenza vaccine shortage in the United States, the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) operated a telephone hotline during October 22, 2004-January 15, 2005. The purpose of the hotline was to address questions from the public regarding the availability of influenza vaccine, reduce the number of telephone inquiries to physicians and local health departments (LHDs), and advise callers regarding which groups were most at risk and in need of influenza vaccination. Caller information was collected and shared daily with LHDs, which were encouraged to follow up with callers as their resources allowed. This report summarizes results of a retrospective survey of callers to the DPH influenza vaccine hotline during November 2004. The results indicated that vaccination coverage varied by age group and that persons receiving follow-up calls from LHDs were more likely to receive vaccination. State health departments might consider a hotline as a method for educating the public regarding influenza vaccination and a follow-up system as a means to improve vaccination coverage, especially among those at greatest risk.

Connecticut↗