Disparities Among Liver Transplant Patients
End Stage Liver DIseaseThe purpose of this study is to inform healthcare interventions to reduce the disparities in liver transplant listing and in transplantation.
Identification and Verification of Neutrophil Extracellular Trap Net Related Markers in Acute-on-chronic...
Acute-On-Chronic Liver FailureAcute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) refers to the acute deterioration of liver function in patients with chronic liver disease. Neutrophils are a major component of the innate immune system, and previous studies have revealed enhanced production of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in ACLF. However, there is still a lack of systematic research on the correlation between NETs and the prognosis of ACLF. We screened NETs related biomarkers through bioinformatics analysis, which play an important role in the diagnosis of ACLF. This study will explore whether these NETs related biomarkers also play an important role in the prognosis of ACLF and further investigate their role in the pathogenesis of ACLF.
HepeX-B in Post Hepatic Allografts for Treatment of End Stage Liver Disease Due to Hepatitis B Infection...
Hepatitis BLiver TransplantationThe purpose of this study is to compare the use of HepeX-B versus HBIg, two anti-viral drugs, in patients who have received liver transplants due to liver failure caused by Hepatitis B infection. Patients will be evaluated over a 6 month to 1.5 year period to evaluate whether or not the drugs prevent the Hepatitis B virus from infecting the new liver.
Identification of In-hospital Patients in Need of Palliative Care Using a New Simplified Screening...
Locally Advanced CancerMetastatic Cancer4 moreEvery day many patients affected by chronic life-limiting illnesses are admitted into Internal Medicine wards, coming from the Emergency Department. Many studies suggest that providing palliative care to these patients may improve their end-of-life care while reducing costs by minimizing futile treatments and unwanted intensive care unit admissions. Consequently, there is a strong need for acute care hospitals to more vigorously identify patients entering the final phase of their lives as well as their specific care needs. In a previous study the investigators screened for need of palliative care patients affected by progressive chronic diseases by means of a tool, based on the Italian Society of Anesthesia, Analgesia, Resuscitation, and Intensive Care - SIAARTI - position paper reporting criteria for patients with end-stage chronic organ failures, and on the specific clinical indicators elaborated by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) for patients with locally advanced/metastatic cancer. In a further pilot study, the investigators compared the outcomes of PC patients depending on whether the palliative care team evaluated such patients only if requested by the physician staff or routinely, irrespectively of a specific request, finding a significant increase of discharges after the activation of an appropriate PC service or scheduled PC ambulatory visit. In the present study the investigators enroll chronically ill patients admitted to an Internal Medicine Unit from the Emergency Department, to be screened for palliative care need, using the previously cited SIAARTI/NCCN screening tool (Extended Screening Tool - EST), or using a Simplified Screening Tool (SST), derived from the first instrument, which preliminary showed a superimposable efficacy. This latter tool has advantages related to much more shortness and therefore simplicity in the administration to a seriously ill patient and is much less time consuming, allowing the physician to use it routinely. The aim of the study is to verify the accuracy of the SST in identifying chronically ill patients in need of a PC approach, in comparison to the SIAARTI/NCCN tool (EST). If the SST would show good accuracy, an easily manageable tool for the assessment of PC needs in chronically ill patients would be available for the daily routine.
Improving Clinician Communication Skills (ICCS)
Advanced CancerChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)3 moreThis research study is a randomized trial to evaluate a training program that is designed to improve the communication skills of clinicians. The training program focuses on care for patients with serious illnesses and their family members, and assesses effectiveness using patient and family outcomes. The long term goal of this research is to improve communication skills of doctors and nurses, thereby improving patient and family outcomes.
A Randomized Controlled Trial of an Advanced Care Planning Video Decision Support Tool for Patients...
End Stage Liver DiseaseThe goal of this pilot randomized trial is to assess the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of an advanced care planning (ACP) video decision support tool for improving patients' knowledge regarding their goals of care options and end of life (EOL) decision-making in patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD).
Monitoring of Symptoms and Cognitive Function Using Telehealth
End Stage Liver DiseaseEnd-Stage Liver Disease (ESLD) is one of the ten leading causes of death in US. It is marked by episodic acute exacerbations of the underlying liver disease which often leads to severe symptoms, poor quality of life, mental deterioration and repeated hospitalizations. The overall purpose of this project is to introduce a telehealth based intervention (involving remote monitoring of symptoms and cognitive function initiated at the time of discharge of ESLD patients. This will support enhanced clinical care and improve self-management in ESLD population. In addition, it will reduce healthcare utilization, improve medication adherence and overall health outcomes
Human Tissue Distribution of Orally Supplemented Natural Vitamin E Tocotrienol
End Stage Cardiac FailurePulmonary Failure4 moreLevels of tocotrienol in human tissues following supplementation is not currently known. The objective of this present study is to determine the levels of this form of vitamin E in the human tissues such as skin, heart, lung, liver, adipose tissue, Brain and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) following oral supplementation
Improving Communication About Serious Illness
Critical IllnessChronic Disease12 moreThe purpose of this study is to improve care delivered to patients with serious illness by enhancing communication among patients, families, and clinicians in the outpatient setting. We are testing a new way to help patients share their preferences for talking about end-of-life care with their clinicians and families. To do this we created a simple, short feedback form. The form is designed to help clinicians understand what patients would like to talk about. The goal of this research study is to show that using a feedback form is possible and can be helpful for patients and their families.
Safety and Performance Trial of DIALIVE Liver Dialysis Device in Acute On Chronic Liver Failure...
Acute on Chronic Liver FailureThe First-In-Man study is a multi-centre, randomised, controlled, study to generate data for the evaluation of safety and performance of DIALIVE Liver Dialysis Device in 24 evaluable patients with Acute on Chronic Liver Failure (ACLF) versus standard of care (SOC).