Agreement of Computerized QT and QTc Interval Measurements Between Both Bedside and Expert Nurses Using Electronic Calipers

BACKGROUND

In hospitalized patients, QT/QTc (heart rate corrected) prolongation on the electrocardiogram (ECG) increases the risk of torsade de pointes. Manual measurements are time-consuming and often inaccurate. Some bedside monitors automatically and continuously measure QT/QTc; however, the agreement between computerized versus nurse-measured values has not been evaluated.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to examine the agreement between computerized QT/QTc and bedside and expert nurses who used electronic calipers.

METHODS

This was a prospective observational study in 3 intensive care units. Up to 2 QT/QTc measurements (milliseconds) per patient were collected. Bland-Altman test was used to analyze measurement agreement.

RESULTS

A total of 54 QT/QTc measurements from 34 patients admitted to the ICU were included. The mean difference (bias) for QT comparisons was as follows: computerized versus expert nurses, -11.04 ± 4.45 milliseconds (95% confidence interval [CI], -2.3 to -19.8; P = .016), and computerized versus bedside nurses, -13.72 ± 6.70 (95% CI, -0.70 to -26.8; P = .044). The mean bias for QTc comparisons was as follows: computerized versus expert nurses, -12.46 ± 5.80 (95% CI, -1.1 to -23.8; P = .035), and computerized versus bedside nurses, -18.49 ± 7.90 (95% CI, -3.0 to -33.9; P = .022).

CONCLUSION

Computerized QT/QTc measurements calculated by bedside monitor software and measurements performed by nurses were in close agreement; statistically significant differences were found, but differences were less than 20 milliseconds (on-half of a small box), indicating no clinical significance. Computerized measurements may be a suitable alternative to nurse-measured QT/QTc. This could reduce inaccuracies and nurse burden while increasing adherence to practice recommendations. Further research comparing computerized QT/QTc from bedside monitoring to standard 12-lead electrocardiogram in a larger sample, including non-ICU patients, is needed.

Risk Factors for a Higher Symptom Burden in Patients With Cancer During the COVID-19 Pandemic

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate for subgroups of patients with distinct symptom profiles and differences in demographic and clinical characteristics and stress and resilience among these subgroups.

SAMPLE & SETTING

1,145 patients with cancer aged 18 years or older completed a survey online. Data were collected between May 2020 and February 2021.

METHODS & VARIABLES

Patients completed measures for depression, state anxiety, cognitive function, morning fatigue, evening fatigue, morning energy, evening energy, sleep disturbance, pain, stress, and resilience. Latent class profile analysis was used to identify subgroups of patients with distinct symptom profiles. Differences among the subgroups on study measures were evaluated using parametric and nonparametric tests.

RESULTS

Four distinct profiles were identified (none, low, high, and very high). Patients in the high and very high classes reported clinically meaningful levels of all nine symptoms. Differences among the four profiles for stress and resilience exhibited a dose-response effect.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING

Findings can serve as benchmark data of the symptom burden of patients with cancer following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ischemic Pre-Conditioning is Present in Patients with Non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction and ECG Derived Moderate Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Background

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events, including Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS). There is conflicting evidence that suggests OSA has a cardioprotective effect (i.e., lower troponin), via ischemic pre-conditioning, in patients with ACS.

Purpose

This study had two aims: (1) compare peak troponin between non-ST elevation (NSTE) ACS patients with and without moderate OSA identified using a Holter derived respiratory disturbance index (HDRDI); and (2) determine the frequency of transient myocardial ischemia (TMI) between NSTE-ACS patients with and without moderate HDRDI.

Method

This was a secondary analysis. OSA events were identified from 12-lead ECG Holter recordings using QRSs, R-R intervals, and the myogram. Moderate OSA was defined as an HDRDI ≥15 events per/hour. TMI was defined as ≥1 millimeter of ST-segment ↑ or ↓, in ≥ 1 ECG lead, ≥ 1 minute.

Results

In 110 NSTE-ACS patients, 39% (n=43) had moderate HDRDI. Peak troponin was higher in patients with moderate HDRDI (6.8 ng/ml yes vs. 10.2 ng/ml no; p=0.037). There was a trend for fewer TMI events, but there were no differences (16% yes vs. 30% no; p=0.081).

Conclusions

NSTE-ACS patients with moderate HDRDI have less cardiac injury than those without moderate HDRDI measured using a novel ECG derived method. These findings corroborate prior studies suggesting a possible cardioprotective effect of OSA in ACS patients via ischemic pre-condition. There was a trend for fewer TMI events in moderate HDRDI patients, but there was no statistical difference. Future research should explore the underlying physiologic mechanisms of this finding.

ECG alarms during left ventricular assist device (LVAD) therapy in the ICU

BACKGROUND

In hospitalized patients with left ventricular assist device (LVAD), electrical interference and low amplitude QRS complexes are common, which could impact the accuracy of electrocardiographic (ECG) arrhythmia detection and create technical alarms. This could contribute to provider alarm fatigue and threaten patient safety.

OBJECTIVES

We examined three LVAD patients in the cardiac intensive care unit (ICU) to determine: 1) the frequency and accuracy of audible arrhythmia alarms; 2) occurrence rates of technical alarms; and 3) alarm burden (# alarms/hour of monitoring) METHODS: Secondary analysis.

RESULTS

During 593 h, there were 549 audible arrhythmia alarms and 98% were false. There were 25,232 technical alarms and 93% were for artifact, which was configured as an inaudible text alert.

CONCLUSION

False-arrhythmia and technical alarms are frequent in LVAD patients. Future studies are needed to identify both clinical and algorithm-based strategies to improve arrhythmia detection and reduce technical alarms in LVAD patients.

Lessons Learned from a Mentored Graduate Program in Gerontological Nursing

An educational training grant provided the funding for a 3-year project to recruit candidates into a mentored and redesigned gerontological advanced practice nursing program. The project goal was to design and implement a part-time program in advanced practice gerontological nursing that allowed nurses currently working in a long-term care (LTC) facility to maintain their full-time employment. Most of the students recruited worked at a partner LTC facility. The cohort was ethnically diverse. The outcome objective is board certification in gerontological advanced practice nursing. The mentored model offered a high level of support, including tutoring, professional role development activities, writing support, regular meetings, and workshops. Project faculty learned valuable lessons from this project relating to mentoring, tutoring, course scheduling, learning styles and preferences, and writing support. The part-time curriculum should also be reviewed critically.

Understanding Parkinson's disease: detection and early disease management

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common, debilitating, neurodegenerative disorder characterized by neuronal loss within the basal ganglia and insufficient levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine. Symptoms include resting tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia (slowness of voluntary movement), and postural disturbances. Exact cause is unknown, but theories surrounding environmental or endogenous toxicities have been suggested. Differential diagnoses include genetic and other neurologic disorders that may share symptoms similar to those seen in PD. Clinical progression has been categorized into three phases of the disease: early, nonfluctuating, and fluctuating. Medications generally offer good symptom relief during the early and nonfluctuating phases of the disease. Classifications of anti-PD medications include anticholinergics, dopamine agonists, amantadine, MAO-B inhibitors, levodopa-carbidopa, and Catechol-o-methyl transferase inhibitors. Surgical intervention may be an option for select patients whose conditions are not well controlled though medical management strategies. Primary care providers often can manage patients in the early stage of PD, but later stages require expert neurologic management. Patient/family education and anticipatory guidance is imperative.

Screening for tuberculosis in the primary care setting

Screening for tuberculous infection and active disease is an important part of primary care practice across the lifespan. It is estimated that between 10 and 15 million people living in the United States are infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Specific ethnic groups and persons with medical comorbidities are at an increased risk for progressing to active disease. The Mantoux method using 5TU purified protein derivative (PPD) antigen solution is the recommended skin testing technique for all age groups and settings. Companion anergy testing is no longer widely recommended. Interpretation of the tuberculin skin test reaction is also specific to age, lifestyle, and medical or environmental risk factors. Evaluation of risk of tubeculosis in the refugee or immigrant population requires careful evaluation of risk factors and interpretation of screening tests.