Re-thinking barriers to organizational change in public hospitals

Hospitals' financial performance across European countries: a scoping review protocol

INTRODUCTION

Hospitals remain the cornerstone of health systems in European countries. Therefore, the financial sustainability of hospitals constitutes an important determinant of healthcare provision security. The fragmentary data available indicate that hospitals in many European countries are continuously facing financial deficits and/or insolvency problems. Yet a comparative analysis of hospital financial performance across European countries has been lacking. The proposed review will, therefore, fill in an important research gap and build a knowledge base on the topic of assessing and monitoring the financial sustainability of hospitals in Europe. The general objective is to identify, synthetise and map existing evidence on hospital financial performance across European countries.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This scoping review will follow six stages: (1) defining the research question, (2) identifying relevant literature, (3) studies selection, (4) data extraction, (5) collating, summarising and reporting of results and (6) consultation process and involvement of knowledge users. The following databases will be searched:(1) Medline via PubMed, (2) Web of Science Core Collection, (3) Scopus and (4) ProQuest Central. In addition, a Google Engine search will also be performed. Furthermore, reference lists of relevant papers will be visually scanned to identify further studies of interest. The review will include both quantitative and qualitative empirical studies as well as theoretical papers and technical reports. The PRISMA extension for a Scoping Review checklist will be used for reporting.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Formal ethical approval is not required because no primary data will be collected in this study. Results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. The findings will also be disseminated through conference presentations and summaries to key stakeholders.

A comprehensive review on the risks assessment and treatment options for Sarcopenia in people with diabetes

Objectives

This comprehensive review aims to examine the reciprocal interplay between Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and sarcopenia, identify prevailing research gaps, and discuss therapeutic approaches and measures to enhance healthcare practices within hospital settings.

Methods

A thorough literature review was conducted to gather relevant studies and articles on the relationship between T2DM and sarcopenia. Various databases were searched, including Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, and Science Direct databases. The search terms included T2DM, sarcopenia, inflammation, insulin resistance, advanced glycation end products, oxidative stress, muscle dimensions, muscle strength, muscle performance, aging, nutrition, hormone levels, and physical activity. The collected articles were critically analysed to extract key findings and identify gaps in current research.

Results

The prevalence and incidence of metabolic and musculoskeletal disorders, notably T2DM and sarcopenia, have surged in recent years. T2DM is marked by inflammation, insulin resistance, accumulation of advanced glycation end products, and oxidative stress, while sarcopenia involves a progressive decline in skeletal muscle mass and function. The review underscores the age-related correlation between sarcopenia and adverse outcomes like fractures, falls, and mortality. Research gaps regarding optimal nutritional interventions for individuals with T2DM and sarcopenia are identified, emphasizing the necessity for further investigation in this area.

Conclusions

The reciprocal interplay between T2DM and sarcopenia holds significant importance. Further research is warranted to address knowledge gaps, particularly in utilizing precise measurement tools during clinical trials. Lifestyle modifications appear beneficial for individuals with T2DM and sarcopenia. Additionally, practical nutritional interventions require investigation to optimize healthcare practices in hospital settings.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40200-023-01262-w.

Health reforms and policy capacity: the Canadian experience

Recent work on health system strengthening suggests that a combination of leadership and policy capacity is essential to achieve transformation and improvement. Policy capacity and leadership are mutually constitutive but difficult to assemble in a coherent and consistent way. Our paper relies on the nested model of policy capacity to empirically explore how health reformers in seven Canadian provinces address the question of policy capacity. More specifically, we look at emerging representations of policy capacity within the context of health reforms between 1990 and 2020. Based on the exploration of the scientific and grey literature (legislation, annual reports of Ministries, agencies and organizations, meeting minutes, press, etc.) and interviews with key informants (n = 54), we identify how policy capacity is considered and framed within health reforms A series of core dilemmas emerge from attempts by each province to develop policy capacity for and through health reforms.

Journey Through the Fractalization of Multilevel Governance: Levers for Adapt Healthcare Organizations Toward Migrant Populations in Canada

This article focuses on multilevel governance applied to health organizations in Québec (Canada). The objective is to understand the action levers that facilitate the adaptation of the services toward migrant populations. This type of population establishes itself as an excellent tracer case to analyze the adaptation process, its fractalization and its involvement with the Environment. The dynamics between the actors and their self-organization takes part in the development of a multilevel governance. Interactions with the Environment-both internal and external-highlight the development of networks that emerge from the field and are then implemented at strategic levels in the organizations. The presence of connectivity actors within the organization and the Environment is established. The context, the bonds of trust between the actors and the credibility of the policymakers are reflected as important factors. However, connectivity actors cannot be successful without the support and contribution of the more "hierarchical" actors. Eight action levers are revealed by the analysis. We categorized them in 3 functions: administrative, enabling, and emerging. The levers of the administrative and emerging functions require that the levers of the enabling function be credible and legitimate and be able to support them for the adaptation to spread throughout the healthcare organization, regardless of the scope or policymaking level. The fractal function facilitates this process, by combining connectivity actors with the implementation of connectivity structures.

Acute Stroke Care during COVID-19: National Data

(1) Background: The pandemic of COVID-19 and subsequent lockdown strategies had a profound impact on many aspects of everyday life. During this time the world faced the unprecedented crisis of healthcare disrupting timely care delivery. This study was designed to evaluate the impact of the pandemic on the acute treatment of stroke in Poland. (2) Methods: The national data on hospitalizations with stroke as a primary diagnosis were obtained from the National Health Fund of Poland. Poisson regression was used to determine the significance of the change in hospital admissions. The differences between proportions were analyzed using the “N-1” Chi-squared test. (3) Results: During the COVID-19 period, the number of hospitalizations dropped by 8.28% with a monthly nadir of 22.02 in April. On a monthly scale during 2020, the greatest decrease was 22.02%. The thrombolysis ratio was also affected, with the highest monthly drop of 15.51% in November. The overall number of in-hospital deaths did not change. (4) Conclusions: The pandemic caused a serious disruption of the acute care of stroke. There is no evidence that the quality of care was seriously compromised.

Screening, Diagnosis and Management of Sarcopenia and Frailty in Hospitalized Older Adults: Recommendations from the Australian and New Zealand Society for Sarcopenia and Frailty Research (ANZSSFR) Expert Working Group

Sarcopenia and frailty are highly prevalent conditions in older hospitalized patients, which are associated with a myriad of adverse clinical outcomes. This paper, prepared by a multidisciplinary expert working group from the Australian and New Zealand Society for Sarcopenia and Frailty Research (ANZSSFR), provides an up-to-date overview of current evidence and recommendations based on a narrative review of the literature for the screening, diagnosis, and management of sarcopenia and frailty in older patients within the hospital setting. It also includes suggestions on potential pathways to implement change to encourage widespread adoption of these evidence-informed recommendations within hospital settings. The expert working group concluded there was insufficient evidence to support any specific screening tool for sarcopenia and recommends an assessment of probable sarcopenia/sarcopenia using established criteria for all older (≥65 years) hospitalized patients or in younger patients with conditions (e.g., comorbidities) that may increase their risk of sarcopenia. Diagnosis of probable sarcopenia should be based on an assessment of low muscle strength (grip strength or five times sit-to-stand) with sarcopenia diagnosis including low muscle mass quantified from dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, bioelectrical impedance analysis or in the absence of diagnostic devices, calf circumference as a proxy measure. Severe sarcopenia is represented by the addition of impaired physical performance (slow gait speed). All patients with probable sarcopenia or sarcopenia should be investigated for causes (e.g., chronic/acute disease or malnutrition), and treated accordingly. For frailty, it is recommended that all hospitalized patients aged 70 years and older be screened using a validated tool [Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), Hospital Frailty Risk Score, the FRAIL scale or the Frailty Index]. Patients screened as positive for frailty should undergo further clinical assessment using the Frailty Phenotype, Frailty Index or information collected from a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA). All patients identified as frail should receive follow up by a health practitioner(s) for an individualized care plan. To treat older hospitalized patients with probable sarcopenia, sarcopenia, or frailty, it is recommended that a structured and supervised multi-component exercise program incorporating elements of resistance (muscle strengthening), challenging balance, and functional mobility training be prescribed as early as possible combined with nutritional support to optimize energy and protein intake and correct any deficiencies. There is insufficient evidence to recommend pharmacological agents for the treatment of sarcopenia or frailty. Finally, to facilitate integration of these recommendations into hospital settings organization-wide approaches are needed, with the Spread and Sustain framework recommended to facilitate organizational culture change, with the help of 'champions' to drive these changes. A multidisciplinary team approach incorporating awareness and education initiatives for healthcare professionals is recommended to ensure that screening, diagnosis and management approaches for sarcopenia and frailty are embedded and sustained within hospital settings. Finally, patients and caregivers' education should be integrated into the care pathway to facilitate adherence to prescribed management approaches for sarcopenia and frailty.

Using an implementation science approach to build leader facilitation capability in healthcare: a novel approach for enhancing action learning set facilitation

PURPOSE

The study describes the implementation of a novel strategy, entitled the Action Learning Set Facilitation Model, to develop internal facilitation capability to lead change. The Model incorporated the Novice-Experienced-Expert pathway, a facilitation development approach underpinning the integrated-Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services Implementation Framework, with action learning methodology.

DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH

A mixed-methods descriptive approach reports the results of 22 interviews, 182 Action Learning Sets and 159 post program survey data sets to explore facilitator experiences, strengths and potential application of the Model.

FINDINGS

At program completion, five novice (of 174) and one experienced (of 27) facilitator transitioned to the next facilitation level. The three groups of facilitators described positive change in confidence and facilitation skill, and experience of action learning sets. Inconsistencies between self-report competence and observed practice amongst novices was reported. Novices had decreasing exposure to the Model due to factors related to ongoing organisational change. Internal facilitators were considered trusted and credible facilitators.

RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS

There are practical and resource implications in investing in internal facilitation capability, noting proposed and real benefits of similar development programs may be compromised during, or as a consequence of organisational change. Further research describing application of the facilitation model, strategies to enhance multisystemic support for programs and evaluation support are suggested.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

The Action Learning Set Facilitation Model offers promise in developing internal facilitation capability supporting change in organisations. Critical success factors include building broad scale internal capability, stable leadership and longitudinal support to embed practice.

ORIGINALITY/VALUE

This is the first application of the facilitation component of the integrated-Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services implementation framework embedded to action learning sets as an implementation science strategy for leader development supporting organisational change.

Comparing Perceptions of Patient Nonparticipation in Nursing Care: A Secondary Analysis

PURPOSE

Patient participation is characterized by dyadic patient-nurse interactions that enable patients to passively or actively participate in communicative and physical care activities. Less research has been conducted on nonparticipation. Examining this phenomenon may highlight issues to address and identify strategies that may ultimately promote patient participation and move the rhetoric of patient participation to a reality. The aim of this secondary analysis was to explore hospital patients' and nurses' perceptions of nonparticipation in nursing care specifically focused on communication and self-care.

DESIGN

Secondary supplementary analysis of qualitative data. We collated original transcripts from one dataset that included 20 patient and 20 nurse interviews conducted at two hospitals in Australia, in November 2013 to March 2014.

METHODS

Interviews were arranged into units of analysis dependent on group (patient/nurse) and setting (public/private hospital) and were reanalyzed using manifest, inductive content analysis.

FINDINGS

Two categories were found: (a) nurses impeding two-way clinical communication; and (b) patients and nurses disregarding patients' self-care efforts. These categories describe that nonparticipation occurred when nurses inhibited communication, and when patients were not involved in self-care while hospitalized or during discharge planning.

CONCLUSIONS

Perceptions of nonparticipation differ across settings, having implications for how patient participation recommendations are enacted in different contexts.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

There is no one-size-fits-all approach; nurses need to identify common instances of nonparticipation within their setting and develop and implement strategies to promote patient participation that are suited to their context.

An Implementation-Effectiveness Study of a Perioperative Delirium Prevention Initiative for Older Adults

BACKGROUND

Postoperative delirium is a common and serious problem for older adults. To better align local practices with delirium prevention consensus guidelines, we implemented a 5-component intervention followed by a quality improvement (QI) project at our institution.

METHODS

This hybrid implementation-effectiveness study took place at 2 adult hospitals within a tertiary care academic health care system. We implemented a 5-component intervention: preoperative delirium risk stratification, multidisciplinary education, written memory aids, delirium prevention postanesthesia care unit (PACU) orderset, and electronic health record enhancements between December 1, 2017 and June 30, 2018. This was followed by a department-wide QI project to increase uptake of the intervention from July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019. We tracked process outcomes during the QI period, including frequency of preoperative delirium risk screening, percentage of "high-risk" screens, and frequency of appropriate PACU orderset use. We measured practice change after the interventions using interrupted time series analysis of perioperative medication prescribing practices during baseline (December 1, 2016 to November 30, 2017), intervention (December 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018), and QI (July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019) periods. Participants were consecutive older patients (≥65 years of age) who underwent surgery during the above timeframes and received care in the PACU, compared to a concurrent control group <65 years of age. The a priori primary outcome was a composite of perioperative American Geriatrics Society Beers Criteria for Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use (Beers PIM) medications. The secondary outcome, delirium incidence, was measured in the subset of older patients who were admitted to the hospital for at least 1 night.

RESULTS

During the 12-month QI period, preoperative delirium risk stratification improved from 67% (714 of 1068 patients) in month 1 to 83% in month 12 (776 of 931 patients). Forty percent of patients were stratified as "high risk" during the 12-month period (4246 of 10,494 patients). Appropriate PACU orderset use in high-risk patients increased from 19% in month 1 to 85% in month 12. We analyzed medication use in 7212, 4416, and 8311 PACU care episodes during the baseline, intervention, and QI periods, respectively. Beers PIM administration decreased from 33% to 27% to 23% during the 3 time periods, with adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.97 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.95-0.998; P = .03) per month during the QI period in comparison to baseline. Delirium incidence was 7.5%, 9.2%, and 8.5% during the 3 time periods with aOR of delirium of 0.98 (95% CI, 0.91-1.05, P = .52) per month during the QI period in comparison to baseline.

CONCLUSIONS

A perioperative delirium prevention intervention was associated with reduced administration of Beers PIMs to older adults.

Can Asia provide models for tax-based European health systems? A comparative study of Singapore and Sweden

Singapore's health system generates similar levels of health outcomes as does Sweden's but for only 4.4% rather than 11.0% of gross domestic product, with Singapore's resulting health sector savings being re-directed to help fund both long-term care and retirement pensions for its elderly citizens. This paper contrasts the framework of financial risk-sharing and the configuration and management of health service providers in these two high-income, small-population countries. Two main institutional distinctions emerge from this country case comparison: (1) Key differences exist in the practical configuration of solidarity for payment of health care services, reflecting differing cultural roots and social expectations, which in turn carry substantial implications for financing long-term care and pensions. (2) Differing arrangements exist in the organization of health service institutions, in particular balancing public as against private sector responsibilities for owning, operating and managing these two countries' respective hospitals. These different structural characteristics generate fundamental differences in health sector financial and delivery outcomes in one developed country in Far East Asia as compared with a well-respected tax-funded health system in Western Europe. In the post-COVID era, as Western European policymakers find themselves forced to adjust their publicly funded health systems to (further) reductions in economic growth rates and overall tax receipts, and as the cost of the information revolution continues to rise while efforts to fund better coordinated social and home care services for growing numbers of chronically ill elderly remain inadequate, this two-country case comparison highlights a series of health system design questions that could potentially provide alternative health sector financing and service delivery strategies.

Clinical practitioners' perception of the dimensions of patient safety culture in a government hospital: A one-sample correlational survey

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To assess the perceptions of clinical practitioners regarding the different dimensions of patient safety culture in their hospital and examine the work-related predictors of patient safety culture perceptions.

BACKGROUND

Patient safety is seen as a progressively critical focus in healthcare areas worldwide. Saudi Arabia aims to improve healthcare quality by providing access to healthcare for its increasing population. Hence, constantly assessing the patient safety culture of healthcare facilities in the country is imperative.

DESIGN

One-sample correlational survey design.

METHODS

The Hospital Survey of Patients' Safety Culture was used to survey the total population sample of 181 healthcare practitioners in a Saudi hospital from December 2018-January 2019. Strengths and weaknesses on PS culture were identified as perceived by the clinical practitioners. Regression analysis was performed to identify the work-related predictors of patient safety culture perceptions. The study followed the STROBE guideline.

RESULTS

Nine of the 12 dimensions measured were identified as patient safety culture weaknesses, including 'management support for patient safety' (49.2%), 'teamwork across unit' (44.2%), 'frequency of events reporting' (43.1%), 'communication openness' (41.3%), 'overall perception of patient safety' (38.7%), 'supervisor/manager expectations and actions promoting patient safety' (32.9%), 'staffing' (23.7%), 'hospital handoffs and transitions' (19.6%) and 'non-punitive response to errors' (15.8%). None of the dimensions were identified as strengths by the respondents. Working hours per week and staff position were identified as significant predictors.

CONCLUSIONS

The study underscores the urgent need to improve the patient safety culture of the hospital.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Hospital administrators should highlight initiatives on positive patient safety impact plan for clinical practitioners and patients, such as monitoring, reporting and strictly adhering to hospital activities that reduce the risks associated with exposure to medical care.

Do stroke patients screened as lower-nutritional-risk still receive dietitian assessment if indicated? A retrospective evaluation of two dietetic models of care for adult stroke patients

BACKGROUND

Dietetic models of care at Logan Hospital changed from all patients with a confirmed stroke receiving dietitian assessment (Old pathway) to only those patients screened as high-nutritional-risk (Modified pathway). However, it was unknown whether all low-nutritional-risk patients who were indicated for dietitian assessment for nutrition support actually received assessment. This pre-post retrospective study evaluated whether the Old pathway and the Modified pathway were equally effective in identifying low-nutritional-risk stroke patients who were indicated for dietitian assessment and compared the time spent providing Dietetic care.

METHODS

For both pathways, medical charts were reviewed for low-nutritional-risk patients admitted between December 2012 and November 2017 with a confirmed stroke, who were given a standard food and fluid diet code and scored MST < 2 (Malnutrition Screening Tool) on admission. Data collected included demographics, anthropometrics, malnutrition assessment, dietetic intervention and time spent caring for patients. Malnutrition-related clinical indicators were used to classify patients as either Dietitian Assessment for Nutrition Support Indicated or Not Indicated.

RESULTS

Low-nutritional-risk patients were similar on the Old (n = 180) and Modified (n = 206) pathways [mean (SD) 66 (13) years, 63% male, 4% malnutrition]. Those classified as Dietitian Assessment for Nutrition Support Indicated (n = 61 of 180) were older, had a longer length of stay (P < 0.05), and were all identified by the Dietitian on both pathways. Ten minutes less dietetic time per patient was required on the Modified pathway (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The Modified Nutrition Stroke pathway performed more efficiently than the Old pathway and was equally effective at ensuring that stroke patients who were determined as being low-nutritional-risk received dietitian assessment during admission if indicated.

Structural effects of the information revolution on tax-funded European health systems and some potential policy responses

The ongoing information revolution has re-configured the policymaking arena for tax-funded health systems in Europe. A combination of constrained public revenues with rapid technological and clinical change has created a particularly demanding set of operational challenges. Tax-funded health systems face three ongoing struggles: 1) finding badly needed new public revenues despite inadequate GDP growth 2) channeling additional funds into new high-quality provider capacity 3) re-configuring the stasis-tied organizational structure and operations of existing public providers. This commentary reviews key elements of this new information-revolution-driven context, followed by a consideration of seven specific policy challenges that it creates and/or worsens for tax-funded European systems going forward.

Establishing Appropriate Agency Relationships for Providers in China

Physicians play multiple roles in a health system. They typically serve simultaneously as the agent for patients, for insurers, for their own medical practices, and for the hospital facilities where they practice. Theoretical and empirical results have demonstrated that financial relations among these different stakeholders can affect clinical outcomes as well as the efficiency and quality of care. What are the physicians' roles as the agents of Chinese patients? The marketization approach of China's economic reforms since 1978 has made hospitals and physicians profit-driven. Such profit-driven behavior and the financial tie between hospitals and physicians have in turn made physicians more the agents of hospitals rather than of their patients. While this commentary acknowledges physicians' ethics and their dedication to their patients, it argues that the current physician agency relation in China has created barriers to achieving some of the central goals of current provider-side health care reform efforts. In addition to eliminating existing perverse financial incentives for both hospitals and physicians, the need for which is already agreed upon by numerous scholars, we argue that the success of the ongoing Chinese public hospital reform and of overall health care reform also relies on establishing appropriate physician-hospital agency relations. This commentary proposes 2 essential steps to establish such physician-hospital agency relations: (1) minimize financial ties between senior physicians and tertiary-level public hospitals by establishing a separate reimbursement system for senior physicians, and (2) establishing a comprehensive physician professionalism system underwritten by the Chinese government, professional physician associations, and major health care facilities as well as by physician leadership representatives. Neither of these suggestions is addressed adequately in current health care reform activities.

The dilemma of patient safety work: Perceptions of hospital middle managers

Patient safety continues to be a challenge for health care. Medical errors are not decreasing but continue to show roughly the same patterns in Sweden and other Western countries. This interview study aims to explore how 27 hospital middle managers responsible for patient safety work in a Swedish university hospital perceive this task. A qualitative analysis was performed. A code template was created, and each code was explored in depth and summarized into six categories. We conclude that patient safety work appears to have low priority; hospital top management does not seem to have any real interest in patient safety; incidents are underreported; and the organization of patient safety work seems to be insufficient and carried out insofar as resources are available. These parameters may explain why medical errors remain on a certain level and do not seem to decrease in spite of various support programs.

Collaboration and patient safety at an emergency department - a qualitative case study

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine how conflicts about collaboration between staff at different departments arose during the establishment of a new emergency department and how these conflicts affected the daily work and ultimately patient safety at the emergency department. Design/methodology/approach This qualitative single case study draws on qualitative semi-structured interviews and participant observation. The theoretical concepts "availability" and "receptiveness" as antecedents for collaboration will be applied in the analysis. Findings Close collaboration between departments was an essential precondition for the functioning of the new emergency department. The study shows how a lack of antecedents for collaboration affected the working relation and communication between employees and departments, which spurred negative feelings and reproduced conflicts. This situation was seen as a potential threat for the safety of the emergency patients. Research limitations/implications This study presents a single case study, at a specific point in time, and should be used as an illustrative example of how contextual and situational factors affect the working environment and through that patient safety. Originality/value Few studies provide an in-depth investigation of what actually takes place when collaboration between professional groups goes wrong and escalates, and how problems in collaboration may affect patient safety.

A systems science perspective on the capacity for change in public hospitals

Many types of organisation are difficult to change, mainly due to structural, cultural and contextual barriers. Change in public hospitals is arguably even more problematic than in other types of hospitals, due to features such as structural dysfunctionalities and bureaucracy stemming from being publicly-run institutions. The main goals of this commentary are to bring into focus and highlight the "3 + 3 Decision Framework" proposed by Edwards and Saltman. This aims to help guide policymakers and managers implementing productive change in public hospitals. However, while change from the top is popular, there are powerful front-line clinicians, especially doctors, who can act to counterbalance top-down efforts. Front-line clinicians have cultural characteristics and power that allows them to influence or reject managerial decisions. Clinicians in various lower-level roles can also influence other clinicians to resist or ignore management requirements. The context is further complicated by multi-stakeholder agendas, differing goals, and accumulated inertia. The special status of clinicians, along with other system features of public hospitals, should be factored into efforts to realise major system improvements and progressive change.