Search Results (3,917)

Background: Early surgical intervention is associated with improved outcomes in hip fracture care, yet in patients using Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOACs), surgery is frequently delayed due to concerns about increased intraoperative bleeding. Despite the increasing prevalence of hip fracture patients on DOACs, no consensus exists on optimal surgical timing. This has led to substantial practice variation between hospitals, with some operating within 24 h of last DOAC intake and others delaying surgery beyond 24 h. This study hypothesizes that early surgery within 24 h results in a non-inferior blood transfusion risk compared to delayed surgery 24 h or more after last DOAC intake in hip fracture patients on DOACs. This protocol describes the design and methodological rationale of a natural experiment. Methods and analysis: A multicenter cohort study designed as a natural experiment will be conducted across seven Dutch level 2 trauma centers, using predefined and standardized prospectively collected variables from electronic health records. Centers will adhere to distinct local surgical timing protocols, forming two cohorts: early surgery within 24 h and delayed surgery 24 h or more after last DOAC intake. Patients presenting with an isolated hip fracture who are using a DOAC and have taken their last dose within 24 h before admission will be included. The primary endpoint is postoperative blood transfusion. Secondary endpoints include additional bleeding-related outcomes, thrombotic and postoperative complications, and hospital length of stay. The primary analysis will be conducted on a per-protocol basis, with an intention-to-treat analysis performed as a supplementary assessment. Non-inferiority will be established if the upper bound of the one-sided 95% confidence interval for the risk difference does not exceed the predefined margin of 5%. Ethics and dissemination: Ethical approval was obtained from the Medical Ethics Committee United, Utrecht, The Netherlands. As this is a cohort study without altering clinical care, individual informed consent is not required. All data will be pseudonymized, and findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences. Registration details: Medical Ethics Committee United, Utrecht, The Netherlands, registration number W25.034 Full article

Body mass index (BMI) has shown inconsistent associations with outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), and evidence from the Middle Eastern population is limited. This study evaluated whether BMI independently predicts early complications, mortality, or infection following TAVR in a Saudi Arabian cohort. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 197 patients who underwent TAVR between 2015 and 2024, stratified by BMI < 25, 25–29.9, and ≥30 kg/m². The primary endpoint was the in-hospital Valve Academic Research Consortium-3 (VARC-3) composite safety outcome, with secondary outcomes including individual complications, infection, length of stay, and 30-day mortality or readmission. Overall, patients had a mean age of 74.9 ± 8.8 years and 52.3% were female; in-hospital mortality was 2.0%, technical success 99%, and 30-day readmission 12.7%. BMI category was not independently associated with in-hospital complications or mortality, while advanced age ≥ 75 years (adjusted OR 2.52, p = 0.009), moderate Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) risk (adjusted OR 3.75, p = 0.008), and high STS risk (adjusted OR 2.26, p = 0.033) independently predicted complications. Overweight patients had higher in-hospital infection rates (14.1% vs. ~3%, p = 0.020). These findings suggest that physiologic vulnerability and operative risk, rather than BMI alone, should guide early TAVR risk assessment. Full article

Background: Accurate risk stratification in acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is critical for guiding management. This study assessed the prognostic value of computed tomography (CT) indicators of right-heart strain and thrombus burden for predicting in-hospital adverse events. Methods: In this retrospective cohort of 300 patients with CT-confirmed acute PE, the right-to-left ventricular (RV/LV) diameter ratio, Pulmonary Artery Obstruction Index (PAOI), and inferior vena cava (IVC) contrast reflux were measured. The primary endpoint was in-hospital adverse events, including hemodynamic collapse, vasopressor or ventilatory support, rescue reperfusion therapy, or death. Logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were performed. Results: Adverse events occurred in 106 patients (35.3%). Compared with stable patients, those with events had higher RV/LV ratios (1.45 vs. 1.03), higher PAOI (38.8 vs. 24.3), and more frequent IVC reflux (74% vs. 7%) (all p < 0.001). Independent predictors were RV/LV ratio (aOR 3.22 per 0.1), PAOI (aOR 5.53 per 10 points), and IVC reflux (aOR 428.5; all p < 0.001). The model showed excellent discrimination (AUC = 0.96). Conclusions: CT-derived indices of right-heart strain and thrombus burden are strong, independent predictors of in-hospital adverse events in acute PE and should be integrated into routine CT-based risk assessment. Full article

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic performance of albumin-based inflammatory–nutritional indices in hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) and to determine their associations with disease severity and risk of re-hospitalization. Methods: This retrospective case–control study included 246 women with HG and 246 gestational-age-matched healthy pregnant controls at 6–16 weeks of gestation. Disease severity was classified as mild, moderate, or severe using the Pregnancy-Unique Quantification of Emesis (24 h scale) (PUQE-24) score. A comprehensive panel of albumin-based inflammatory indices—including C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio (CAR), fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio (FAR), neutrophil-to-albumin ratio (NAR), leukocyte-to-albumin ratio (LAR), neutrophil percentage-to-albumin ratio (NPAR), monocyte-to-albumin ratio (MAR), hemoglobin–albumin–lymphocyte–platelet (HALP) score, modified HALP (m-HALP) score, prognostic nutritional index (PNI) score, systemic immune-inflammation index-to-albumin (SII/Alb), and systemic inflammatory response index-to-albumin (SIRI/Alb)—was calculated from routine complete blood count and serum biochemistry results obtained at diagnosis. Receiver operating characteristic analysis, along with univariate and multivariate logistic regression models, was performed to evaluate diagnostic performance and identify predictors of severe HG and re-hospitalization. Results: Albumin-based indices exhibited severity-associated alterations, with an overall trend toward worsening immuno-nutritional status across increasing HG severity. Among these, m-HALP score demonstrated the strongest inverse correlations with PUQE-24 score, ketonuria grade, length of hospital stay, and re-hospitalization risk (r = −0.74 to −0.52; all p < 0.001) and achieved the highest discriminative accuracy for both severe HG (AUC 0.864, 95% CI 0.836–0.892, p < 0.001) and re-hospitalization (AUC 0.722, 95% CI 0.675–0.766, p < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, higher HALP, m-HALP, and PNI were independently associated with a lower likelihood of severe HG. For re-hospitalization, higher m-HALP and HALP were independently associated with a lower risk, whereas higher NPAR, higher ketonuria grade, and higher PUQE-24 score were independently associated with an increased risk of re-hospitalization. Conclusions: Albumin-based indices, particularly m-HALP, demonstrated robust diagnostic and prognostic performance in HG compared with conventional biomarkers. These readily available, cost-neutral composite biomarkers enable objective severity stratification and accurate identification of patients at elevated risk of recurrent hospitalization, offering immediate potential to guide personalized, evidence-based clinical management. Full article

To address the pervasive challenges of resource inefficiency and static management in the hospitality sector, this study proposes a novel management framework that synergistically integrates Model Predictive Control (MPC) with Green Human Resource Management (GHRM). Methodologically, the framework establishes a dynamic closed-loop architecture that cyclically links environmental sensing, predictive optimization, plan execution and organizational learning. The MPC component generates data-driven forecasts and optimal control signals for resource allocation. Crucially, these technical outputs are operationally translated into specific, actionable directives for employees through integrated GHRM practices, including real-time task allocation via management systems, incentives-aligned performance metrics, and structured environmental training. This practical integration ensures that predictive optimization is directly coupled with human behavior. Theoretically, this study redefines hospitality operations as adaptive sociotechnical systems, and advances the hospitality energy-saving management framework by formally incorporating human execution feedback, predictive control theory, and dynamic optimization theory. Empirical validation across a sample of 40 hotels confirms the framework’s effectiveness, demonstrating significant reductions in daily average water consumption by 15.5% and electricity usage by 13.6%. These findings provide a robust, data-driven paradigm for achieving sustainable operational transformations in the hospitality industry. Full article

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is widely used in patients with severe aortic stenosis. The HALP (hemoglobin, albumin, lymphocyte, and platelet) score is an easily obtainable composite index that reflects nutritional status and systemic inflammation. Methods: In this single-center retrospective study, 140 patients who underwent TAVR between 1 April 2021, and 31 October 2024, were included. Patients were stratified according to the median HALP score (32.65) into low (<32.65)- and high (≥32.65)-HALP groups. In-hospital outcomes were mortality, bleeding requiring transfusion of >5 units of red blood cells, acute kidney injury (AKI), need for mechanical ventilation >24 h, and length of hospital stay. Associations between the HALP score and clinical outcomes were evaluated using multivariable regression analyses, and the discriminatory performance of HALP was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results: Patients with low HALP scores had higher rates of in-hospital mortality (11.4% vs. 4.2%; p = 0.002), bleeding (28.6% vs. 5.7%; p < 0.001), AKI (11.4% vs. 2.9%; p < 0.001), and need for mechanical ventilation >24 h (25.7% vs. 14.4%; p = 0.002), as well as longer hospital stay (4.82 ± 1.50 vs. 3.62 ± 1.94 days; p = 0.001) compared with the high-HALP group. In multivariable models, a lower HALP score remained independently associated with all adverse in-hospital outcomes. ROC analysis showed good discriminatory ability of the HALP score for mortality (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.816; cut-off = 20.16), bleeding (AUC = 0.798; cut-off = 24.94), AKI (AUC = 0.737; cut-off = 26.21), and need for mechanical ventilation (AUC = 0.735; cut-off = 27.36). Conclusions: The HALP score is independently associated with adverse in-hospital clinical outcomes in patients undergoing TAVR and may serve as a simple and practical tool for early risk stratification in this population. Full article

Background: Renal and cardiac dysfunction are major determinants of adverse outcomes following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). The ratio of blood urea nitrogen to left ventricular ejection fraction (BUN/EF) integrates renal and cardiac status into a single physiological index. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of both baseline and temporal (48–72 h) BUN/EF ratios for predicting mortality after TAVR. Methods: A total of 429 patients (mean age 76 ± 8 years; 51% female) who underwent TAVR for severe aortic stenosis between 2017 and 2025 were retrospectively analyzed. The primary endpoint was long-term all-cause mortality; in-hospital mortality was secondary. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, Cox regression, and reclassification metrics (NRI, IDI) assessed prognostic performance. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis explored non-linear associations. Results: During a median follow-up of 733 days, overall and in-hospital mortality rates were 37.8% and 7.9%, respectively. Both baseline and 48–72 h BUN/EF ratios were independently associated with mortality (HR = 3.46 and 3.79 per 1 SD increase; both p < 0.001). The temporal ratio showed superior discrimination for in-hospital mortality (AUC = 0.826 vs. 0.743, p = 0.007). Adding baseline BUN/EF to EuroSCORE II significantly improved model performance (AUC 0.712 vs. 0.668, p = 0.031; NRI = 0.33; IDI = 0.067). RCS analysis revealed a linear relationship for baseline and a steep, non-linear association for temporal ratios with mortality risk. Conclusions: The 48–72 h BUN/EF ratio is a robust dynamic biomarker that predicts early mortality after TAVR, while baseline BUN/EF identifies patients at long-term risk. Integrating this simple bedside index into risk algorithms may refine postoperative monitoring and improve outcome prediction in TAVR populations. Full article

Background: Identifying differences between genders regarding long-term surgical outcomes in bariatric surgeries may be important for optimizing their results. Objective: The current study evaluated mid-term gender-specific differences in patients undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). Methods: A retrospective cohort study was done in our university-based hospital, including patients who underwent laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG) between January 2014 and December 2017. We compared demographics and clinical history (including BMI) before and after surgery, as well as the Bariatric Analysis and Reporting Outcome System (BAROS) and complications. Results: We enrolled 217 patients, 86 of whom were males (39.6%), with an average age of 52 ± 0.8 years. We observed no significant differences between males and females in minimal BMI attained (26.35 ± 4.9 vs. 25.9 ± 4.5 respectively, p = 0.56), total complications rate (p = 0.165), early post-op complication rate (p = 0.158), need for re-operation (p = 0.357), and BAROS score (p = 0.42). Conclusions: LSG outcomes were similar for male and female patients, as measured by BAROS, BMI reduction, and complication rates. Further studies are warranted; however, in the meantime, LSG can be offered to the entire population, regardless of gender-specific considerations. Full article

(1) Background: In hospitals, mattresses are often relocated for cleaning or patient transfer, leading to mismatches between actual and recorded bed locations. Manual updates are time-consuming and error-prone, requiring an automatic localization system that is cost-effective and easy to deploy to ensure traceability and reduce nursing workload. (2) Purpose: This study presents a pragmatic, large-scale implementation and validation of a BLE-based localization system using RSSI measurements. The goal was to achieve reliable room-level identification of smart mattresses by leveraging existing hospital infrastructure. (3) Results: The system showed stable signals in the complex hospital environment, with a 12.04 dBm mean gap between primary and secondary rooms, accurately detecting mattress movements and restoring location confidence. Nurses reported easier operation, reduced manual checks, and improved accuracy, though occasional mismatches occurred when receivers were offline. (4) Conclusions: The RSSI-based system demonstrates a feasible and scalable model for real-world asset tracking. Future upgrades include receiver health monitoring, watchdog restarts, and enhanced user training to improve reliability and usability. (5) Method: RSSI–distance relationships were characterized under different partition conditions to determine parameters for room differentiation. To evaluate real-world scalability, a field validation involving 266 mattresses in 101 rooms over 42 h tested performance, along with relocation tests and nurse feedback. Full article

Background: Pre-eclampsia causes endothelial dysfunction and altered vascular reactivity, which may increase perioperative risk, particularly under the physiologic stress of general anesthesia (GA). However, the evidence regarding its independent effects under uniform GA conditions is limited. This study assessed the association between pre-eclampsia and intraoperative hemodynamic stability as well as postoperative complications in women undergoing cesarean section under GA. Methods: This retrospective cohort study screened 1242 women who underwent GA for cesarean delivery between January 2017 and July 2024. After applying exclusion criteria, 959 patients were included: 169 with and 790 without pre-eclampsia. The intraoperative blood-pressure and heart-rate trends, vasopressor use, operative variables, and postoperative complications were analyzed. Predictors of postoperative respiratory complications were identified using logistic regression with Firth correction. Results: Patients with pre-eclampsia showed consistently higher mean arterial pressures throughout induction and emergence, whereas trends in heart rate were similar. Postoperative morbidity was higher in the pre-eclampsia group (11.8% vs. 5.3%), with increased respiratory complications (3.6% vs. 1.1%) and longer hospital stays. Pre-eclampsia independently predicted postoperative respiratory complications in univariable (odds ratio [OR] 3.27, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.13–8.90, p = 0.03), multivariable (OR 3.13, 95% CI 1.09–8.98, p = 0.03), and Firth’s analyses (OR 3.21, 95% CI 1.11–8.77, p = 0.03). Conclusions: Pre-eclampsia was associated with persistent intraoperative hypertension and higher risks of postoperative respiratory morbidity under GA. These findings support the need for individualized hemodynamic control, cautious fluid management, and increased postoperative respiratory surveillance in patients with pre-eclampsia. Full article

Background/Objectives: The aim of the present systematic review is to evaluate the performance of AI models for length of stay prediction. Methods: This SR was carried out in accordance with PRISMA 2020 and registered in PROSPERO database (CRD420251039985). Using the PICOS framework, we formulated the following research question: “Can artificial intelligence models accurately predict hospital length of stay (LOS) in patients undergoing head and neck (H&N) cancer surgery?” We searched the Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus, with additional gray literature identified through Google Scholar and ProQuest. Risk of bias (RoB) was assessed using the Prediction Model Risk of Bias Assessment Tool (PROBAST), and a narrative synthesis was performed to summarize qualitative findings. Results: Of 1304 identified articles, 5 met inclusion criteria, covering 5009 patients. All studies used supervised learning to predict LOS with different variables presenting stronger associations with increased hospital LOS. Age, race, ASA score, BMI, and comorbid factors like smoking and arterial hypertension were comon variables across studies but not always the ones most strongly associated with LOS. One study also predicted discharge to non-home facilities and prolonged LOS; only one applied data balancing. Model accuracies ranged from 0.63 to 0.84, and area under the receiver operator characteristics curve (AUROC) values from 0.66 to 0.80, suggesting moderate discriminative performance. All studies had a high risk of bias, though no applicability concerns were noted. Conclusions: AI models show potential for LOS prediction after H&N cancer surgery; however, an elevated RoB and methodological shortcomings constrain the current evidence. Methodological improvements, external validation, and transparent reporting is essential to enhance reliability and generalizability, enabling integration into clinical decision-making. Full article

Background and Objectives: Inflammation contributes to plaque rupture and thrombosis in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The Aggregate Index of Systemic Inflammation (AISI) is a novel biomarker that reflects innate immune and thrombotic activation. Due to the connection between inflammation and thrombosis, higher AISI values could indicate a greater thrombus burden and the necessity of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between AISI and tirofiban use during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in STEMI patients. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 2624 STEMI patients who underwent primary PCI at a tertiary heart center between 2019 and 2024. Patients with pre-hospital fibrinolysis, missing laboratory data, or rescue PCI were excluded. AISI was calculated as (neutrophil × monocyte × platelet)/lymphocyte. The primary outcome was tirofiban use during PCI. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify independent predictors, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to evaluate AISI performance. Statistical significance was defined as p < 0.05. Results: Among the 2624 patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI, tirofiban was administered in 23.5% of cases. Patients receiving tirofiban had significantly higher AISI values (p < 0.001). ROC analysis demonstrated that AISI predicted tirofiban use with a modest discriminative performance (AUC = 0.566; 95% CI 0.536–0.596; p < 0.001). In multivariable logistic regression, younger age (OR 0.98; p < 0.001), higher AISI (per 100-unit increase; OR 1.01; p = 0.037), and lower LVEF (OR 0.98; p < 0.001) independently predicted tirofiban use, whereas admission glucose showed only borderline significance (p = 0.089). Conclusions: Elevated AISI was independently associated with tirofiban use during primary PCI, indicating that systemic inflammatory status parallels intraprocedural decision-making in STEMI. Although its discriminative performance was modest, AISI reflects systemic inflammatory–thrombotic activation in this clinical setting. Full article

Background/Objectives: Digital transformation is increasingly essential for healthcare organizations to improve operational efficiency and service quality. However, in developing countries such as Indonesia, many lower-middle-class hospitals lag due to limited financial, human, and infrastructural resources. This study examines how environmental dynamism—comprising regulatory changes, market pressures, and technological shifts—affects the digital capabilities of these hospitals. Methods: A quantitative, cross-sectional survey was conducted in Class C and D hospitals across Indonesia. Respondents included hospital directors, deputy directors, and IT heads. Data were collected through structured questionnaires measuring environmental dynamism and digital capability using a six-point Likert scale. Reliability testing yielded Cronbach’s alpha values above 0.96 for both constructs. Correlation analysis was performed to examine the relationship between environmental dynamism and digital capability. Results: Findings reveal a weak positive correlation (r = 0.1816) between environmental dynamism and digital capability. Although external factors such as policy regulations and technological competition encourage digital adoption, hospitals with limited internal resources struggle to translate these pressures into sustainable transformation. Key challenges include low ICT budgets, inconsistent staff training, and insufficient infrastructure. Conclusions: The results suggest that environmental change alone cannot drive digital readiness without internal capacity development. To foster resilient digital healthcare ecosystems, policy interventions should integrate regulatory frameworks with practical support programs that strengthen resources, leadership, and human capital in lower-middle-class hospitals. Full article

(1) Background: Fragility fractures of the pelvis (FFP) in elderly patients pose significant clinical challenges due to osteoporosis and associated morbidity. Transiliac–transsacral (TITS) screw fixation offers biomechanical advantages for stabilizing unstable posterior pelvic ring injuries, yet clinical outcomes remain underreported. We aim to report radiographic and clinical outcomes of TITS fixation for posterior pelvic ring injuries in FFP. (2) Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of 22 elderly female patients (mean age 79.0 ± 7.9 years) who underwent TITS screw fixation for unstable posterior pelvic ring fragility fractures between 2019 and 2024. Perioperative, radiographic, and functional outcomes were analyzed. (3) Results: Median operative time was 74 min (IQR 55–90 min), with minimal blood loss (median 5 mL). No intraoperative neurovascular injuries occurred. Median hospital stay was 7 days (IQR 5–10 days). At a mean follow-up of 6 months, 81.8% of patients maintained excellent or good reduction. Screw loosening was observed in 18.2% of cases, with only one (4.5%) requiring revision. Median VAS scores (range 0–10) decreased significantly from 5 preoperatively to 2 at discharge (p < 0.001). By discharge, 59.1% of patients were able to ambulate with assistance. (4) Conclusion: TITS screw fixation is a safe and feasible option for stabilizing unstable FFP in elderly, osteoporotic patients. It provides reliable mechanical stability, promotes early mobilization, and is associated with a short hospital stay and low complication rates. Full article

Background/Objectives: Refeeding syndrome (RFS) is challenging to prevent and manage in hospitalized patients receiving enteral nutrition (EN). Nebraska Medicine implemented an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) Refeeding Risk Order Set (RROS) to standardize prevention measures, including structured electrolyte monitoring, thiamine supplementation, and conservative EN initiation. This study evaluated whether RROS implementation reduced RFS occurrence or severity and assessed its operational impact. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, adults receiving EN before and after RROS implementation were compared. Primary outcomes were RFS occurrence and severity; secondary outcomes included EN initiation and advancement rates, electrolyte trends, lab frequency, and electrolyte repletion. Results: RFS occurrence did not differ significantly between groups (92.3% vs. 91.3%, p = 0.694), nor did severity (p = 0.535). The post-RROS group received more electrolyte boluses on EN Day 0 (p = 0.027) and had a lower EN starting rate (15.7 vs. 18.3 mL/h, p = 0.045). Conclusions: Although the RROS did not reduce RFS occurrence or severity, integrating American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN)-based guidance into the EMR was highly feasible and adopted immediately. Automating electrolyte monitoring, micronutrient supplementation, and conservative feeding initiation reduces the risk of errors and promotes consistent care. These benefits improve workflow efficiency and support providers during high census periods, limited staffing, or when experience varies. Future research should explore combining EMR tools with predictive analytics to optimize early risk identification and individualized management. Full article