Journal Description
Hospitals
Hospitals
is an international, peer-reviewed, open access journal on hospital management, services and policy published quarterly online by MDPI.
- Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
- Rapid Publication: first decisions in 16 days; acceptance to publication in 5.8 days (median values for MDPI journals in the second half of 2023).
- Recognition of Reviewers: APC discount vouchers, optional signed peer review, and reviewer names published annually in the journal.
subject
Imprint Information
Open Access
ISSN: 2813-4524
Latest Articles
Confused about Rehabilitation? Multi-Faceted Approaches for Brain Injured Patients in a Confusional State
Hospitals 2024, 1(1), 50-64; https://doi.org/10.3390/hospitals1010005 - 9 May 2024
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Post-injury confusional state is a common phenomenon following acquired brain injury. A multi-faceted approach for decreasing confusion is recommended, but there is a paucity of research related to non-pharmacological management. The main objective was to present a conceptual model of multi-faceted approaches for
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Post-injury confusional state is a common phenomenon following acquired brain injury. A multi-faceted approach for decreasing confusion is recommended, but there is a paucity of research related to non-pharmacological management. The main objective was to present a conceptual model of multi-faceted approaches for confusion, and secondly to investigate the rehabilitation outcome following these approaches. The setting is a specialized ward for rehabilitation of patients with severe cognitive difficulties following acquired brain injury. The conceptual model encompasses neurobehavioral strategies, pharmacological treatment, engagement in meaningful occupations, next of kin involvement, organizational demands, the physical environment, along with differential diagnostics. Patient cases are provided to illustrate the impact of each approach. A total of 141 of 281 patients were in a confusional state at admission. At discharge, 62% had emerged from the confusional state. Patients in a confusional state due to traumatic brain injury and subarachnoid hemorrhage had clinically important differences of >22 points in the functional independence measure from admission to discharge, following rehabilitation efforts based on the conceptual model. No clinically important difference was seen in patients with non-SAH stroke and patients with other types of brain injuries. The proposed conceptual model should be further evaluated in complex intervention studies.
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Open AccessFeature PaperArticle
Intermediate Care for Patient-Centered Care, Shared Decision Making, and Hospital Discharge Support in a Japanese Acute Care Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Study
by
Yuko Goto and Hisayuki Miura
Hospitals 2024, 1(1), 32-49; https://doi.org/10.3390/hospitals1010004 - 1 May 2024
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[Background] Intermediate care is a limited-time service founded on patient-centered care (PCC) that ensures continuity and quality of care during the transition between home and acute care services, promotes recovery, and restores independence and confidence. In Japan, systematic education on intermediate care for
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[Background] Intermediate care is a limited-time service founded on patient-centered care (PCC) that ensures continuity and quality of care during the transition between home and acute care services, promotes recovery, and restores independence and confidence. In Japan, systematic education on intermediate care for care providers is lacking. [Method] The present study explored the relationship between a Japanese scale used to evaluate individualized discharge support skills, a Japanese version of a tool for evaluating intermediate care based on PCC, and a tool that measures the shared decision making of care providers, which is the pinnacle of PCC. [Results] Clear correlations were found between the concepts evaluated using these three tools. Some concepts were not correlated between the Japanese scale that evaluated individualized discharge support skills and intermediate care based on PCC. [Conclusions] Elucidating the perspectives that help expand discharge care to intermediate care based on PCC will contribute to future education on intermediate care for Japanese care providers and to enriching patient-centered intermediate care.
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Open AccessOpinion
A Molecule from Madness: An Exploration into Patients’ Illnesses through West Texas Polio
by
Jonathan Kopel
Hospitals 2024, 1(1), 16-31; https://doi.org/10.3390/hospitals1010003 - 16 Jul 2023
Abstract
Neurology holds a unique perspective that embodies the art of capturing a patient’s story. Despite medical advancements, many neurological conditions leave patients permanently impaired. This sudden loss of independence can be demoralizing and, in most cases, directly changes a person’s identity. It is
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Neurology holds a unique perspective that embodies the art of capturing a patient’s story. Despite medical advancements, many neurological conditions leave patients permanently impaired. This sudden loss of independence can be demoralizing and, in most cases, directly changes a person’s identity. It is therefore a necessary part of a neurologist’s trade to know their patient’s history—their story. Their tales reveal intimate details of their personality changes, memory loss, sensory deprivation, and movement disorders. A true neurologist is a person that remains vulnerable through their willingness to take a history—the story of their patient—and remain curious, vulnerable, and compassionate through their journey to heal and comfort the patient. To understand the patient’s illness experience in neurology, the underlying themes of patient recovery (compassion, determination, and patience) are explored with regard to the neurological patient’s experience. These themes are then expanded to include the neurology patient’s mental perceptions of themselves, and their illness’ influences over their identity, recovery, and daily life. In addition to the patient’s experience, the neurologist’s awareness and emotional response to the patient’s illness experience can provide an opportunity to develop a strong therapeutic bond with their patient and improve patient outcomes. Given that their neurological impairment causes a loss of independence and control over their identity and self-worth, neurologists can incorporate the patient’s experience into their management and treatment, to better address their emotional and spiritual needs as they come to terms with their identity.
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Open AccessFeature PaperArticle
Obstetric Violence in Italy
by
Marina Di Lello Finuoli
Hospitals 2024, 1(1), 3-15; https://doi.org/10.3390/hospitals1010002 - 29 Jun 2023
Abstract
This essay focuses on so-called obstetric violence, i.e., the medical malpractice consisting of disrespect and/or abuses to the detriment of women during their labor or when they give birth, as well as during health care services concerning the sexual and reproductive sphere. The
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This essay focuses on so-called obstetric violence, i.e., the medical malpractice consisting of disrespect and/or abuses to the detriment of women during their labor or when they give birth, as well as during health care services concerning the sexual and reproductive sphere. The main goal is to start a debate on a topic already considered by foreign lawmakers, also for punishment purposes. After an empirical-criminological survey of the cases and the misconduct to be labelled as “obstetric violence”, this essay analyses the legal tools available in Italy. From a law reform perspective, the author reflects on the (non-criminal) strategies to prevent distortions of the doctor–patient relationship as well as on the harm to women’s self-determination and dignity, particularly in respect of the rules on informed consent.
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Open AccessEditorial
Hospitals: A Journal Title with Many Meanings and One Vision
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Antonio Oliva, Al Ozonoff, Matteo Caputo and Simone Grassi
Hospitals 2024, 1(1), 1-2; https://doi.org/10.3390/hospitals1010001 - 9 Nov 2022
Abstract
“Hospitals” as a name for a journal might appear simply as an umbrella term for healthcare-relevant research [...]
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