The Dalhousie Medical Research Foundation

Background: Among preterm infants, those born at a gestational age less than 26 weeks are considered the most vulnerable with a high risk of short- and long-term health problems that include chronic lung disease, brain bleeds, gut injury, kidney failure and death. Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is the most common heart condition with almost 70% preterm infants in this gestational age group being diagnosed with a PDA. Though many PDAs spontaneously resolve on their own, research suggests that if the PDA persists, it may contribute to a number of these short- and long-term health problems. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen are commonly used to treat a PDA. Such drugs can also have harmful effects on the gut and kidneys of extremely preterm infants. Therefore, we are unsure if early treatment of a symptomatic PDA in this age group is at all beneficial. Given the wide variation in PDA treatment approaches in this age group, a randomized trial design, where extremely preterm infants with a symptomatic PDA are randomly assigned to early treatment or no early treatment, is essential to address this question.
Purpose of the study: The overall purpose of this pilot study is to assess the feasibility of conducting a large study to explore the following research question: In preterm infants born <26 weeks' gestation, is a strategy of selective early medical treatment of a symptomatic PDA better than no treatment at all in the first week of life?
The main feasibility objectives of this study are:
1. To assess how many eligible infants can be enrolled in the study
2. To assess how many enrolled infants properly complete the study protocol
Importance: To our knowledge this will be the first study on PDA management in preterm infants that specifically aims to enroll preterm infants born at <26 weeks of gestational age who are at the highest risk for PDA-related problems but have been mostly under-represented in previous PDA studies.

Elders living with multiple chronic conditions often take many drugs (polypharmacy); some of the drugs may not benefit them or may be harmful. The Canadian Institute for Health Information has reported that about one-quarter of Canadian seniors are prescribed ten or more different drugs each year. Polypharmacy can result in poorer health, reduced quality of life and high healthcare costs. Choosing Wisely Canada and the Canadian Deprescribing Network have suggested wiser uses for the following four Potentially Inappropriate Prescriptions (PIPs): drugs that reduce stomach acid; reduce anxiety and induce sleep; treat agitation; and treat type 2 diabetes but have a high risk of low blood sugar. To improve care for elderly patients living with polypharmacy, we propose SPIDER: a Structured Process Informed by Data, Evidence and Research. Using quality improvement (QI) and supported by Electronic Medical Record (EMR) data, SPIDER will invite family doctors, nurses, pharmacists and front desk staff to participate in Learning Collaboratives and learn from each other. The practice teams will work with a QI Coach to identify areas to improve, develop strategies and implement changes tailored to the local practice context. The objective of this study is to determine whether SPIDER will reduce PIPs for patients 65 years or older who are on ten or more different drugs. The study will also explore patient experience and provider satisfaction with SPIDER and assess the cost of running SPIDER. The study will first be tested for feasibility in Toronto, Edmonton and Montreal. Findings will then guide a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) in Calgary, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Montreal and Halifax where practices enrolled in the SPIDER intervention will be compared with those in usual care.