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At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed2006

Immunisation hotline calls as five-in-one vaccine introduced.

Announcement of the introduction of the five-in-one vaccine (DTaP/IPV/Hib) into the primary immunisation schedule was made on 9 August 2004. In this study all calls to the immunisation hotline were recorded between 9 August 2004 and 19 November 2004, noting who called and the nature of their enquiry. A total of 208 calls were received during the study period, and of these 23 (11.1%) related to the new vaccine. Calls were from parents (10/23, 43%), health visitors (9/23, 39%) and practice nurses (3/23, 13%). A variety of themes were covered in calls including local availability of the five-in-one vaccine, vaccine safety, mercury content and efficacy. Calls not connected with the new vaccine concerned mostly adolescent MMR (17.3%) as there was a local mumps epidemic. Others related to clarification of a child's immunisation status (13.5%), primary MMR immunisation (13.5%), vaccination scheduling or administration difficulties (12%), other schedule (12.5%) and non-schedule vaccines (2.4%), vaccine reactions (2.4%), travel vaccines (6%), BCG (6%), and a few miscellaneous queries (3%). Overall questions about the new five-in-one vaccine accounted for an extra 23 calls to the immunisation hotline during the study period (11.1% of calls).

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1994

Pathological gamblers--will they use a new telephone hotline?

AIMS: This paper reports on the preparedness of pathological gamblers to seek help through a new national toll-free telephone hotline and compares these callers, on some key dimensions, with a representative sample of pathological gamblers living in the community. METHODS: Callers were assessed using standard diagnostic screens. Sociodemographic data and reported symptoms of stress and depression were also recorded. Callers identified as pathological gamblers were compared with their counterparts in a recent nationwide epidemiological survey. RESULTS: During the first 3 months of operation, 1506 calls were received from 329 callers. Of these 167 were pathological gamblers, 117 were partners or family members and 45 were from various agencies. Pathological gamblers contacting the hotline resembled those from the community survey with respect to gender and age. Maori and Pacific Islanders were underrepresented. Suicidal ideation was reported by over 90% of pathological gambler callers. CONCLUSIONS: The new service provides a means to reach people with serious gambling-related problems and provides information to family members and helping agencies. High reported suicidal ideation was consistent with previous studies showing elevated rates of stress and depression among pathological gamblers. Underutilization by Maori, Pacific Islanders and people with less severe gambling disorders indicates the need to find better ways to engage these groups.

Gambling↗
PubMed1975

Brief hotline training. An effort to examine impact on volunteers.

In response to community needs and pressures, increasing numbers of small crisis centers and hotline services have emerged. This emergence of services has been possible in part because of the mounting number of eager and interested volunteers. These services want and need training for the volunteers. This article examines the problem of evaluating the kind of information and the kind of training that hotline volunteers were given in a brief training program.

Awareness↗
PubMed1999

Amount of air infused to patient increases as fluid flow rates decrease when using the Hotline HL-90 fluid warmer.

OBJECTIVE: The intraoperative use of fluid warming devices has been recommended to avoid perioperative hypothermia and related adverse outcomes. To evaluate whether these devices might introduce risks of their own, we measured the volume of air escaping from a warmed intravenous solution that might be delivered to a patient. METHODS: In an operating room maintained at 19-19.5 degrees C, we tested an HL-90 Hotline fluid warmer with the L-70 fluid-warming set. One liter of lactated Ringer's solution was infused at flow rates of 150, 300, 500 and 3400 ml/h. The air that formed within the L-70 tubing during infusion was collected in a bubble trap placed at the end of the L-70 tubing. The volume of air in the bubble trap was measured. Twelve separate measurements were obtained at each flow rate. One additional study (n = 8) was performed using the L-10 Gas Vent to determine whether this equipment might reduce the volume of air infused when fluid flow rate was 300 mL/h. The volume of air collected at each flow rate was compared using ANOVA. RESULTS: Volume of air increased significantly from 1.0 +/- 0.2 mL to 2.9 +/- 0.4 ml as flow rate decreased from 3400 ml/h to 150 ml/h (p < 0.0001). The L-10 gas eliminator was ineffective in reducing the amount of air infused. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the use of the Hotline fluid warmer can result in infusion of air into the patient, introducing possible risk of air embolism.

Embolism, Air↗
PubMed2002

Major complications of regional anesthesia in France: The SOS Regional Anesthesia Hotline Service.

BACKGROUND: Several previous surveys have estimated the rate of major complications that occur after regional anesthesia. However, because of the increase in the use of regional anesthesia in recent years and because of the introduction of new techniques, reappraisal of the incidence and the characteristics of major complications is useful. METHODS: All French anesthesiologists were invited to participate in this 10-month prospective survey based on (1) voluntary reporting of major complications related to regional anesthesia occurring during the study period using a telephone hotline service available 24 h a day and managed by three experts, and (2) voluntary reporting of the number and type of regional anesthesia procedures performed using pocket booklets. The service was free of charge for participants. RESULTS: The participants (n = 487) reported 56 major complications in 158,083 regional anesthesia procedures performed (3.5/10,000). Four deaths were reported. Cardiac arrest occurred after spinal anesthesia (n = 10; 2.7/10,000) and posterior lumbar plexus block (n = 1; 80/10,000). Systemic local anesthetic toxicity consisted of seizures only, without cardiac toxicity. Lidocaine spinal anesthesia was associated with more neurologic complications than bupivacaine spinal anesthesia (14.4/10,000 vs. 2.2/10,000). Most neurologic complications were transient. Among 12 that occurred after peripheral nerve blocks, 9 occurred in patients in whom a nerve stimulator had been used. CONCLUSION: This prospective survey based on a free hotline permanent telephone service allowed us to estimate the incidence of major complications related to regional anesthesia and to provide a detailed analysis of these complications.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1986

Recent trends in cocaine abuse: a view from the National Hotline, "800-COCAINE".

A series of research surveys of callers to the "800-COCAINE" National Hotline over the past three years has revealed shifting patterns of cocaine use in the U.S. In addition to showing the geographic spread of cocaine use to virtually all parts of the country, the surveys provide evidence of increased cocaine use among women, adolescents, minorities, and lower socioeconomic groups. Increases have also been seen in individual levels of cocaine consumption, the popularity of freebase smoking, concomitant use of other drugs, cocaine-related automobile accidents, and the use of cocaine in the workplace. Despite inherent limitations, data from the Hotline are highly consistent with large-scale government surveys and predictive of clinical trends.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

National Nutrition Month hotline.

A full assessment of the efficacy of this project would require advance publicity, complete staffing, and a larger sample group. Yet, enthusiasm from both consumers and professionals was overwhelming, and many suggested that the hotline should be conducted year-round. From the data compiled and from the many positive responses received, it can be concluded that the National Nutrition Month hotline proved to be a unique, useful, and effective means of communicating nutrition information to the public.

Female↗
PubMed2004

[In utero transfer for preterm labor: experience of a regional perinatal hotline providing a 24-hour on call service].

OBJECTIVE: Preterm labor is one of the major causes of concern for level I and II obstetricians. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of in utero transfer performed for preterm labor. We also aimed to evaluate the algorithm we used in case of call for preterm labor. This algorithm allowed us to study the rate of endovaginal sonography use prior to in utero transfer, to calculate its predictive value and to evaluate the risk of delivery during transfer. PATIENTS AND METHOD: We conducted an 8-months prospective study of all calls for preterm labor received at a regional call center in France (EU). All obstetrical data were entered in a computerized anonymous database. Three months after the first call midwives collected data from the receiving hospital. RESULTS: Calls for preterm labor account for 40% of calls for in utero transfer. Two hundred and sixty-five calls have been received for preterm labor; among them 50 cases were associated with a preterm rupture of membrane, a maternal or fetal pathology and 14 cases were lost for follow-up. Those 64 cases were excluded leaving 201 cases for analysis. Twenty-eight had a cervix dilated 4 cm, or more, while 173 had a cervix dilated less than 4 cm. Fifty percent of woman that had a cervical dilatation of 4 cm or more delivered more than 4 h after the call. Among the 173 patients that had a cervix dilated less than 4 cm, 71% had not delivered 7 days after the hotline call and 26% had an endovaginal ultrasonography performed before the transfer. None of the women that had a cervical length longer than 27 mm delivered in the 7 following days. None of the 176 women that were transferred delivered during the transfer. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: In utero transfer for preterm labor is the leading cause of in utero transfer. Endovaginal ultrasonography prior to transfer should be performed in order to avoid unnecessary transfer. Women who have a preterm labor with a cervical dilatation of 4 cm or more are not an absolute contra-indication to in utero transfer. In those cases the transfer indication should be discussed on a case-to-case basis including the actual term and the distance between hospitals.

Female↗
PubMed2005

The New Zealand national immunisation hotline--what are callers seeking?

This study aimed to conduct quantitative and qualitative analyses of anonymous data from an immunisation hotline call centre over equal periods in 1999 and 2003. Transcripts for all telephone calls in two periods were analysed using thematic and descriptive statistical analyses and significance testing of comparisons made between data from the two periods. Caller numbers increased from 1010 in 1999 to 3413 in 2003. There was a significant increase in service utilisation by both the public (mostly parents) and health professionals, especially by general practice nurses. The nature of the enquiries shifted according to schedule changes and media stories. Findings are discussed in the context of prominent issues at that time, and suggestions are made for improving communication to meet the needs of both the public and health professionals.

Attitude to Health↗
PubMed2006

[Perinatal regional hotline organisation and rate of perinatal transfer. Results from 2003 and 2004 in the French Rhône-Alpes area: A two year study of 4079 transfers].

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to describe the organization that was implemented at the Rhône-Alpes perinatal hotline, as well as to describe in utero transfer and neonate transport from an epidemiological point of view. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A cohort study was performed between January 2003 and December 2004. Every in utero transfer and neonate transport was included. Transfers performed in 2003 were compared to transfers performed in 2004. Three endpoints were defined: the rate of in utero transfer (number of in utero transfers/number of in utero transfers + number of neonatal transfers), the rate of transfer toward level II units (number of transfers from level I to level II/number of transfers from level I to level II + number of transfers from level I to level III) as well as the rate of intra network transfer (number of intra network transfers/number of intra network transfers + number of extra network transfers). RESULTS: In 2003, 865 in utero transfers (IUT) and 1297 neonate transports (NT) were performed, in 2004 848 IUT and 1069 NT were performed. The rate of in utero transfer significantly increased from 40 to 44.2% in 2004 (865/2162 versus 848/1917, p = 0.007). The rate of transfer toward level II units increased for the mothers from 31.8% to 36.9% (177/557 versus 174/471, p = 0.09) and significantly increased for the neonates from 43.2 to 51.6% in 2004 (335/775 versus 327/633, p = 0.002). Finally the rate of intra network transfer has not significantly changed: for the IUT it decreased from 87 to 86% (755/865 versus 732/848, p = 0.59) and for the NT from 91% to 90% (1179/1297 versus 963/1069, p = 0.45). CONCLUSION: The organization that was implemented allows not only a safe 24 hour on call management of maternal transfers as well as neonate transport, but also a precise knowledge of epidemiologic indications relative to perinatal transfer.

Cohort Studies↗
PubMedDate not supplied

National Immunization Information Hotline: Calls concerning adverse events, 1998-2000.

Data from the National Immunization Information Hotline (NIIH) concerning vaccine adverse event inquiries were analyzed from 1998 to 2000 (total n = 23,841 [public n = 14,330; health care professionals n = 9,511]). Approximately 20% of calls from the public from 1998 to 2000 concerned vaccine adverse events. These calls increased 199.5% from 1998 (n = 422) to 1999 (n = 1,264), then declined 12.4% from 1999 to 2000 (n = 1,107). A Lexus Nexus search showed that the number of news stories mentioning vaccine safety showed a similar pattern. Women were more likely to call the NIIH concerning vaccine adverse events than men, and persons 40-59 years old and persons 60 years old and over were less likely to call about vaccine adverse events than those 20-39 years. The parallel trends in news stories mentioning vaccine safety and calls to the NIIH concerning adverse events suggests that news stories may stimulate questions about vaccine safety. Understanding that news stories may elicit questions about vaccine adverse events and examining the characteristics of persons who ask vaccine adverse event questions may guide future informational interventions toward those most in need.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Utilization of a time-limited holiday hotline by older adults.

Lonely older adults are frequently hesitant to reach out for help because they fear forced institutionalization or other loss of control over their lives. The utilization of a time-limited holiday hotline for outreach to lonely older persons is examined. There were 306 calls from aged persons. Grief and bereavement were the primary themes of these calls. Trained professionals and supervised students staffed the telephone bank and provided such services as responsive listening and community referrals.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

The surgical hotline. Bridging the gap between hospital and home.

The telephone, an effective means of communication, offers the public access to healthcare personnel for advice and support. The authors describe the development of a surgical hotline, an innovative and cost-effective method that provides a continuum of care to postsurgical patients.

Health Planning↗
PubMed2004

Effectiveness of hotline, advocacy, counseling, and shelter services for victims of domestic violence: a statewide evaluation.

The authors report the results of an evaluation of services provided by 54 Illinois domestic violence agencies. In collaboration with the University of Illinois at Chicago evaluation team, domestic violence advocates identified services to be evaluated, specified desired outcomes of those services, and participated in developing measures of those outcomes in both English and Spanish. With in the limitations of the study, outcomes were positive in all four program areas: hotline, counseling, advocacy, and shelter. The authors then discuss implications for evaluation of domestic violence programs that maintain victim safety as a guiding principle.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1998

Concerns and dilemmas of Hispanic AIDS information seekers: Spanish-speaking callers to the CDC National AIDS hotline.

Hispanic communities suffer disproportionately from the impact of human immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV). Each year, thousands of Spanish-speaking Hispanics call the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National AIDS Hotline to ask questions about HIV. During 1995 alone, Spanish line staff answered more than 29,000 calls. This article presents a profile of callers and their concerns based on a systematic sample of these calls (N = 6,933) and qualitative data. The authors triangulated quantitative and qualitative results to provide a deeper understanding of the issues and dilemmas discussed with callers. Males and females called in equal numbers, but significant gender differences were observed in both situational and content variables. Gender roles, cultural values, and anxiety strongly affect the way that callers approach information and prevention. Findings suggest that health educators need to carefully examine whether prevention programs will reinforce or challenge traditional gender roles, sexual norms, and cultural values.

Acculturation↗
PubMed2005

Hotline tip to probable cause: filling the gap between suspicion and physical abuse findings for mandated reporters.

Almost all care managers are mandated reporters and as such they are responsible for reporting suspected cases of child abuse or neglect to state child protective services. Experienced case managers understand that making a call to an abuse hotline does not guarantee that the family or child will get the help that they believe will reduce the child's risk of abuse. This article addresses legal and policy aspects of reporting child maltreatment and will include an examination of the policies on mandated reporting and professional and legal definitions of abuse. It will define the fundamental elements of parents' rights and will demonstrate how those rights interface with governments' responsibilities to protect children. It will also identify ways in which care managers can enhance child risk assessments and the results of reporting suspected child abuse through planning facilitation, outcome, and professional development.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Workplace health hazards: analysis of hotline calls over a six-year period.

Between 1981-1986 a state-based occupational health telephone hotline received more than 8,000 inquiries on over 3,000 hazardous agents. Major caller groups were employees (37%), employers (20%), health care providers, primarily physicians (19%), government agencies (12%), and labor unions (6%). Employees were the fastest growing caller group. Callers inquired about general health hazards of chemicals (65%), the relation of symptoms to work (22%), and risks to pregnancy (13%).

California↗