Risk of post-vasectomy infections in 133,044 vasectomies from four international vasectomy practices

ABSTRACT Objectives: To estimate the risk of post-vasectomy infections in various settings and across various surgical techniques and sanitization practices. Patients and Methods: Retrospective review of the records of 133,044 vasectomized patients from four large practices/network of practices using the no-scalpel vasectomy (NSV) technique in Canada (2011-2021), Colombia (2015-2020), New Zealand (2018-2021), and the United Kingdom (2006-2019). We defined infection as any mention in medical records of any antibiotics prescribed for a genital or urinary condition following vasectomy. Results: Post-vasectomy infection risks were 0.8% (219 infections/26,809 procedures), 2.1% (390/18,490), 1.0% (100/10,506), and 1.3% (1,007/77,239) in Canada, Colombia, New Zealand, and the UK, respectively. Audit period comparison suggests a limited effect on the risk of infection of excising a short vas segment, applying topical antibiotic on scrotal opening, wearing a surgical mask in Canada, type of skin disinfectant, and use of non-sterile gloves in New Zealand. Risk of infection was lower in Colombia when mucosal cautery and fascial interposition [FI] were used for vas occlusion compared to ligation, excision, and FI (0.9% vs. 2.1%, p<0.00001). Low level of infection certainty in 56% to 60% of patients who received antibiotics indicates that the true risk might be overestimated. Lack of information in medical records and patients not consulting their vasectomy providers might have led to underestimation of the risk. Conclusion: Risk of infection after vasectomy is low, about 1%, among international high-volume vasectomy practices performing NSV and various occlusion techniques. Apart from vasectomy occlusion technique, no other factor modified the risk of post-vasectomy infection.

Risk Factors Predicting Early In-Hospital Mortality among Underfive Children and Need for Decentralization of Pediatric Emergency Care Services

Background: Lack of pediatric triage and emergency care system in peripheral healthcare centers leads to unnecessary referral of low- and medium?risk patients. This study was conducted to study the risk factors predicting mortality within 48 h of admission in neonates and under?five children referred to the pediatric emergency of a tertiary care hospital in India. Methods: This prospective study was conducted on children (0–5 years) referred to the pediatric emergency who were enrolled and followed up. The outcome was defined as “survival” or “death” at 48 hours. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the predictors of early in?hospital mortality. Results: A total of 246 consecutive pediatric (62 neonates, 52 young infants, and 132 children aged 1–5 years) referral cases were enrolled; mortality within 48 hours was 20%. Lack of pediatric intensive care (odds ratio [OR] 4.07, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.0, 8.32, P = 0.02), lack of neonatal intensive care (OR 2.10, 95% CI 1.01,4.28, P ? 0.001), distance from referral center >20 km (OR 4.61, 95% CI 2.01, 10.58, P = 0.0003), >1 h taken during transport (OR 7.75, 95% CI 2.93, 20.46, P < 0.001), lack of ambulance facility (OR 0.04, 95% CI 0.009, 0.143, P < 0.0001), very sick condition on arrival (OR 210.1, 95% CI 12.1, 3643.41, P = 0.0002), and unstable temperature?oxygenation?perfusion?sugar on arrival were the independent risk factors predicting in early in-hospital mortality. Conclusion: Developing a pediatric triage and monitoring system, tele-pediatric intensive care unit, regionalizing referral-back-referral services with robust interhospital communication, and strengthening pediatric emergency services are the need of the hour to reduce early in-hospital mortality

Prescription auditing using the WHO drug prescribing indicators in a tertiary care hospital: An observational retrospective study

Background: Prescription auditing is an important tool to assess and evaluate the drug utilization pattern and rational use of medicines. A successful prescription audit is crucial for health care workers, patients, and the community to ensure that their patients receive the best possible treatment. The purpose of drug audit is to improve patients care and to avoid potential fatal errors. Aim and Objectives: This study has been conducted to evaluate and analyze existing prescription errors in tertiary care hospital of Rajasthan and their magnitude. Materials and Methods: A retrospective observational study was carried out in Jhalawar Medical College, a tertiary care hospital in Rajasthan. Around 1000 prescriptions were collected randomly from medical college pharmacies. Outpatient prescriptions from all the major clinical departments available at hospital pharmacies were analyzed using the WHO prescribing indicators. Information regarding the patient, doctor, drug, and legibility of the prescription were obtained. Results: In our study, we found that most common age group mentioning in prescriptions were 18� years (55.7%), most common gender are males (60.2%). Generic names were prescribed in all prescriptions (100%). Patient information was mentioned in 73.2% prescriptions. Warning signs were not mentioned in any prescription whereas 10.2% prescription mentioned medicines name in capital letter. Average number of medicines per prescription was 4.1. Prescription with drugs prescribed from essential drug list was 88%. Conclusions: In our study, we found many insufficiencies, lack of clarity and important instructions in different parts of prescriptions. There is immediate requirement of improvement in prescribing habits of doctors. Proper steps such as workshops, practical training, and continuing medical education should be needed to guide the physicians to promote rational prescription.

Implementation of a patient blood management program based on a low-income country-adapted clinical decision support system

ABSTRACT Introduction: Patient blood management (PBM) programs are associated with better patient outcomes, a reduced number of transfusions and cost-savings The Clinical Decision Support (CDS) systems are valuable tools in this process, but their availability is limited in developing countries This study assesses the feasibility and effectiveness of an adapted CDS system for low-income countries. Methods: This was a prospective study of the PBM program implementation, in a 200-bed tertiary hospital, between February 2019 and May 2020. Outcome measures were red blood cell (RBC), fresh frozen plasma (FFP) and platelet unit transfusions, the transfusion of a single unit of red blood cells and an RBC adequacy index (RAI). Results: Comparing the post-PBM program era with the pre-PBM system era, there was a decrease in red blood cell transfusions (p = 0.05), with an increase in single unit red blood cell transfusions (p = 0.005) and RAI (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The PBM programs, including electronic transfusion guidelines with pre-transfusion medical auditing, was associated with improved transfusion practices and reduced product acquisition-related costs.

Calidad de atención y mejora continua en el abordaje integral del cáncer de mama: Evaluación de indicadores en una Unidad de Mastología / Quality of care and continous improvement in a comprehensive approach of breast cancer management: evaluation of indicators in a breast center

Introducción: las Unidades de Mastología son organizaciones que tienen por objetivo abordar la patología mamaria de manera multidisciplinaria e integral. A nivel mundial se han implementado programas para evaluar la calidad de atención a través del cumplimiento de indicadores propuestos por Sociedades Científicas u organismos gubernamentales. Algunos de estos han sido propuestos y revisados por la Sociedad Europea de Mastología (EUSOMA). Objetivo: evaluar la calidad de atención de la Unidad de Mastología del Hospital Juan A. Fernández a través del análisis de una serie de indicadores propuestos por EUSOMA como estándares de calidad de atención en centros de patología mamaria. Material y método: estudio descriptivo retrospectivo analizando la base de datos de las pacientes con cáncer de mama estadios 0 a III operadas entre 2015 y 2019. Se analizaron 25 indicadores de procesos propuestos por EUSOMA en 2017. Se registraron las características de la población, y el porcentaje de pacientes en las cuales se cumple la condición de cada uno de los indicadores. Se registró si el indicador alcanza o supera el mínimo estándar, o si alcanza o supera el valor ideal. Resultados: se evaluaron 284 pacientes. Se observó el cumplimiento de la mayoría de los estándares propuestos (18 de 25), alcanzando o superando en el 25% de los indicadores evaluados el valor ideal. Se lograron alcanzar los estándares de calidad de atención relacionados con el diagnóstico clínico y preoperatorio, caracterización anatomopatológica completa en carcinoma invasor, evaluación multidisciplinaria, tratamiento quirúrgico primario en carcinoma invasor e in situ. Se alcanzaron los objetivos tendientes a evitar el sobretratamiento quirúrgico en carcinoma invasor y en cirugía conservadora en carcinoma in situ. En relación a los tratamientos adyuvantes, se alcanzaron los estándares relacionados con radioterapia post cirugía conservadora y post mastectomía, así como también el tratamiento con hormonoterapia y quimioterapia. El seguimiento de los pacientes se realizó en tiempo en tiempo y forma de acuerdo al indicador establecido. Existen 3 indicadores de calidad obligatorios en los que no se alcanzó el estándar mínimo: se observó la necesidad de mejorar la accesibilidad a los tratamientos antiHer2neu en neoadyuvancia, y de reducir los tiempos de espera al inicio del tratamiento. Conclusiones: se observó el cumplimiento de la mayoría de los estándares propuestos. Dado que existen indicadores obligatorios en los que no se alcanzó el estándar mínimo, los esfuerzos primarios deberán centrarse prioritaria e inicialmente en diseñar una planificación que permita alcanzar estos objetivos, así como también mantener en el tiempo los valores positivos ya alcanzados. Se pone de manifiesto la necesidad de implementar políticas a nivel sanitario nacional que permitan mejorar la accesibilidad a medicación oncológica. A su vez, destacamos la importancia de definir indicadores propios con valores ajustados a las características de nuestro país y mantener una evaluación periódica de la calidad de atención a través de los mismos.

Introduction: Breast Units are organizations that manage Breast Cancer in a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach. Worlwide, programs have been developed in order to evaluate quality of care through the achievement of certain standards of care that have been proposed by scientific organizations, medical associations or government health departments. Some of these indicators have beeb proposed by the European Society of Breast Cancer Specialist (EUSOMA). Objective: to evaluate quality of care in the Breast Unit at Hospital Juan A Fernández (Buenos Aires, Argentina) through the analysis of a series of indicators described by EUSOMA as standard of care in breast centers. Material and method: we performed a descriptive, retrospective analysis of our database including patients with breast cancer stage 0 to III that wer treated between 2015 and 2019. We studied 25 quality of care process indicators proposed by EUSOMA in 2017. We registered population characteristics and the percentage of patients in which each indicator mínimum requirements were achieved. We also studied whether our results achieved or were beyond the ideal targets for each indicator. Results: a total of 284 patients were evaluated. The mínimum standard of care was achieved in most of the evaluated indicators (18 of 25) and in 25% of these, our results achieved or exce3ded the ideal requirements. The indicators in which the mínimum or ideal standard of care was accomplished were regarding clinical and preoperative diagnosis anatomopathological characterisation in invasive breast cancer, multidisciplinary approach, primary surgical management in invasive and in situ breast cancer, avoidanc of overtreatement in invasive breast cancer and breast conserving therapy in carcinoma in situ. Regarding adjuvant treatment, the standard of care was achieved in radiotherapy after breast conserving surgery and after mastectomy, endocrine therapy and chemotherapy. The follow up timing was according to the indicator. There were 3 mandatory indicators in which the mínimum standards were not achieved and were regarding accesibility to anti Her2neu agents in neoadjuvant setting, and timing form diagnosis to firts treatment. Conclusions: we observed that out Breast Unit achieved most of the quality of care indicators described by EUSOMA. However, there 3 mandatory indicators where the results were below the mínimum. This is why future efforts should be focused on designing and planning new measures that will allow these objectives to be accomplished, as well as maintaining what has already been achived. Our results also show the imperious need to implement national public health pólices that would grant a better accesiblility to oncologic medications. We also analysed the importance of defining our own local quality of care indicators in relation to our health policies and current situation, as well as the importance of a continuous evaluation of quality of care through these indicators.

Prescripción antibiótica de los médicos generales: impacto de la evaluación y retroalimentación en un hospital de tercer nivel en la ciudad de Medellín / Antibiotic prescription of general practitioner: impact of the evaluation and feedback in a tertiary care center in the city of Medellin

RESUMEN Objetivos: medir el impacto en la calidad de la prescripción antibiótica empírica en los médicos generales luego de la implementación de un sistema de evaluación y retroalimentación. Métodos: estudio cuasiexperimental con pre y postintervención en una clínica de tercer nivel en Medellín. Se revisó las prescripciones de un grupo de antibióticos por un médico internista, un epidemiólogo y un infectólogo. Se midió el consumo de antibióticos, las retroalimentaciones realizadas, el diagnóstico de la sepsis, tiempo de inicio de los antibióticos en el servicio de urgencias y la prevalencia de Escherichia coli productora de betalactamasa de espectro extendido. Resultados: el número de retroalimentaciones descendió de 10,9 a 2 %. Se redujo el consumo de ceftriaxona (p = 0,04), piperacilina tazobactam (p = 0,01), cefepime (p = 0,04) y ciprofloxacina (p = 0,01). Se evidenció una tendencia a la reducción en la prevalencia de E. coli BLEE (p = 0,3). La intervención no produjo un retraso en el inicio de antibióticos en el servicio de urgencias. Conclusión: una estrategia de auditoría y retroalimentación a los médicos generales, referente a la calidad de la prescripción antibiótica, reduce el consumo de antibióticos sin afectar la oportunidad del diagnóstico de sepsis o el inicio de su tratamiento y puede impactar favorablemente en el perfil de resistencia de la flora microbiana institucional.

SUMMARY Objectives: To measure the impact on the quality of the empirical antibiotic prescription in general practitioners, after the implementation of an evaluation and feedback system. Methods: Quasi-experimental study with pre- and post-intervention in a tertiary care center in Medellín. The prescriptions of a group of antibiotics were reviewed by an internist, an epidemiologist and an infectologist. When failures were found, prescribing doctors were informed. Subsequently, antibiotic consumption, feedbacks, sepsis diagnosis, start time of antibiotics in the emergency department and monthly incidence of Escherichia coli producing extended spectrum betalactamase were measured. Results: The numbers of feedbacks decreased from 10.9% to 2%. Consumption of ceftriaxone (p = 0.04), piperacillin tazobactam (p = 0.01), cefepime (p = 0.04) and ciprofloxacin (p = 0.01) was reduced. There was a tendency to reduce the prevalence of E. coli ESBL. The intervention did not cause a delay in the start of antibiotics in the emergency department. Conclusions: A strategy of continuous feedback to general practitioners regarding the quality of antibiotic prescription reduces consumption of antibiotics without causing changes in diagnosis opportunity or the beginning of antibiotics in sepsis and can impact favorably the resistance profile of the institutional microbial flora.

A atuação da auditoria do Sistema Único de Saúde em um estado brasileiro / The performance of the audit of the Unified Health System in a Brazilian state / La acción de la auditoría del Sistema Único de Salud de un estado brasileño

Objetivo: Descrever a atuação da auditoria do Sistema Único de Saúde em um estado brasileiro. Métodos: Estudo descritivo, realizado nos anos de 2017 e 2018, no estado do Rio Grande do Norte, dividido em quatro etapas: mapeamento dos sistemas de auditoria nos municípios; elaboração de questionários para coleta de dados; envio dos questionários para os auditores; e análise dos dados presentes nos questionários. A população do estudo correspondeu aos 66 auditores, entretanto a amostra final pós-coleta resultou em 18 participantes, dada a recusa de participação. Na análise dos dados utilizou-se uma descrição quantitativa simples de números e porcentagens para caracterização da coleta referente aos sistemas de auditorias existentes e, nas respostas obtidas pelos questionários, realizou-se o tratamento dos dados por meio de análise lexicográfica de similitude. Resultados: Dos 167 (100%) municípios do estado, 95 (57%) municípios afirmaram não usufruir desses serviços e em 63 (38%) municípios não foi possível obter informação, de modo que apenas nove (5%) responderam possuir os serviços de auditoria. A compreensão dos auditores acerca do seu processo de trabalho trouxe a importância, o impacto e a necessidade de formação na área. Conclusão: A descrição da atuação dos componentes de auditoria do estado do RN mostrou um cenário de preocupação. A percepção dos profissionais auditores sobre o seu processo de trabalho denotou a grande importância da contribuição desses serviços para a saúde.

Objective: To describe the performance of the Unified Health System audit in a Brazilian state. Methods: Descriptive study, carried out in 2017 and 2018, in the State of Rio Grande do Norte, divided into four stages: mapping of audit systems in the municipalities; elaboration of questionnaires for data collection; sending the questionnaires to the auditors; and analysis of the data present in the questionnaires. The study population corresponded to 66 auditors, yet, the final post-collection sample resulted in 18 participants due to the participant's refusal. In the data analysis, a simple quantitative description of numbers and percentages was used to characterize the collection regarding the existing auditing systems, and in the responses obtained by the questionnaires, the data was processed through a lexicographical similarity analysis. Results: Of the 167 municipalities (100%) in the state, 95 (57%) said they did not use these services, and in 63 (38%) municipalities, it was not possible to obtain information so that only nine (5%) answered that they had the audit services. The auditors' understanding about their work process brought the importance, impact, and need for training in the area. Conclusion: The description of the performance of the audit components in the state of RN showed a scenario of concern. The perception of professional auditors about their work process denoted the great importance of the contribution of these services to health.

Objetivo: Describir la acción de la auditoría del Sistema Único de Salud de un estado brasileño. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo realizado entre los años 2017 y 2018 en el estado de Río Grande del Norte (RN) que ha sido dividido en cuatro etapas: el mapeo de los sistemas de auditoría de los municipios; la elaboración de cuestionarios para la recogida de datos; el envío de los cuestionarios para los auditores; y el análisis de los datos de los cuestionarios. La población del estudio ha sido de 66 auditores, sin embargo, la muestra final post-recogida de datos ha resultado en 18 participantes debido a recusa de participación. Para el análisis de los datos se utilizó una descripción cuantitativa simple de números y porcentajes para la caracterización de los datos de los sistemas de auditorías existentes y, para las respuestas de los cuestionarios se ha realizado un análisis lexicográfico de similitud. Resultados: De los 167 (100%) municipios del estado, 95 (57%) municipios afirmaron no usar de esos servicios y em 63 (38%) de ellos no ha sido posible tener información de manera que solamente nueve (5%) han contestado tener los servicios de auditoría. El entendimiento de los auditores sobre su proceso de trabajo trajo la importancia, el impacto y la necesidad de formación en el área. Conclusión: La descripción de la acción de los componentes de la auditoría del estado de RN mostró um escenario de preocupación. La percepción de los profesionales auditores sobre su proceso de trabajo presentó la gran importancia de la contribución de esos servicios para la salud.

Blood components requests at an orthopedic hospital: a critical survey

Abstract Introduction The correct completion of the blood components request form is the starting point to ensure good transfusion care. Many guidelines have been developed to search for hemoglobin values that trigger the need for transfusion and show the importance of Patient Blood Management, a scientific evidence-based approach in processes where transfusion is a possibility, such as in elective surgeries. Objective The cross-sectional study aimed to analyze the transfusion requests at a complex orthopedic hospital over a one-year period. Method The completion quality was classified as Good, Regular, Bad or Very Bad, according to the information given by the physician. Transfusion medicine professionals analyzed the transfusion indication reported on the request form and classified it as Correct, Not based on Patient Blood Management (PBM), in accordance or not with the institutional Maximum Surgical Blood Order Schedule, Impossible to evaluate due to lack of information on the form, and Incorrect. Results The study categorized the completion quality of 2011 requests as Good (8.80%), Regular (9.30%), Bad (72.75%) and Very Bad (9.15%). Analysis of the indications revealed that 54.90% of the requests were in accordance with the current blood transfusion recommendations, and on 23.12% of the forms this field had not been filled out. Conclusion The majority of blood components (63%) requests are in tune with current blood transfusion recommendations, despite the great number of incorrectly completed forms; nevertheless, it is mandatory to reach much better appropriateness rates.

Aporte de un sistema predictivo de contraloría médica en la gestión de licencias médicas electrónicas / Contributions of a predictive medical audit system in the electronic management of sick leaves

INTRODUCCIÓN: El retraso del procesamiento de las licencias médicas (LMs) representa un problema de salud pública en Chile, considerando que esto afecta el pago del subsidio a las personas destinado a realizar el reposo médico prescrito mientras no se pueda trabajar. El objetivo de este estudio fue explorar las diferencias en el tiempo de procesamiento de las licencias médicas electrónicas (LMEs) evaluadas por contraloría médica (CM) y las evaluadas por un sistema predictivo de contraloría médica (SPCM) basado en redes neuronales artificiales. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: El tiempo de procesamiento de LMEs procesadas con SPCM fue comparado con el tiempo de procesamiento de LMEs examinadas solo con CM, usando curvas de Kaplan Meier, prueba de log-rank y modelos multivariados de Cox. RESULTADOS: La tasa de procesamiento del SPCM fue entre 1,7 a 5,5 veces más rápida que la tasa de procesamiento de la CM, ajustando por potenciales confusores. DISCUSIÓN: La implementación del SPCM permitió disminuir el tiempo de procesamiento de las LMEs, beneficiando a los trabajadores afiliados al seguro público.

INTRODUCTION: The delay in the processing of sick leaves (SLs) is a public health pro-blem in Chile, considering that this affects the payment of the subsidy to the indivi-duals destined to perform the prescribed medical rest while unable to work. The aim of this study was to explore the differences in the processing time of electronic SLs (ESLs) evaluated by medical audit (MA) and the SLs evaluated by a predictive medi-cal audit system (PMAS) based on artificial neural networks. MATERIALS AND METHODS:The processing time of the ESLs that were processed by PMAS was compared with the processing time of those that were examined only by MA, using Kaplan Meier curves, log-rank test, and multivariate Cox models. RESULTS: The processing rate for PMAS was 1.7-fold to 5.5-fold faster than MA, after adjusting for potential confoun-ding variables. DISCUSSION: The implementation of the PMAS reduced the processing time of ESLs, which benefits the workers affiliated to the public insurance system in Chile. (AU)

Qualidade do prontuário médico e concordância entre suas informações e a causa básica da morte registrada na Declaração de Óbito em hospital de Belo Horizonte / Quality of medical record and concordance between their information and the basic death cause recorded on the Death Certificates in a hospital of Belo Horizonte

Introdução: o prontuário médico (PM) é uma importante ferramenta para o registro do cuidado profissional prestado ao paciente nos serviços de saúde. Ele contém informações sobre o processo da doença, que são cruciais para o preenchimento da declaração de óbito (DO). Objetivos: determinar se o PM informou os diagnósticos necessários para identificação da causa básica da morte e verificar se o médico que fez a DO preencheu corretamente a causa básica da morte. Método: o médico auditor analisou prontuários médicos de pacientes que evoluíram para óbito na Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte no ano de 2014. Os diagnósticos citados no prontuário médico foram identificados e comparados com as causas da morte descritas na declaração de óbito. Resultados: Seiscentos e vinte e nove prontuários médicos foram avaliados. Entre os diagnósticos iniciais citados nos prontuários, a causa básica da morte esteve correta em 63,11% dos casos avaliados e entre os diagnósticos finais esse percentual foi de 95,86%. A concordância entre os diagnósticos citados no PM e a causa da morte citada na DO foi fraca (Kappa = 0,130 para diagnóstico inicial e Kappa = 0,229 para o diagnóstico final). Na análise da causa básica da morte citada na declaração de óbito, verificou-se que em 28,78% esse dado estava incorreto. Conclusões: os prontuários médicos geralmente apresentaram os diagnósticos necessários para identificar a causa básica da morte. Os médicos tiveram dificuldade em identificar as causas da morte e preencher corretamente a DO.

Introduction: the medical record (MR) is an important tool to register the treatments and diagnosis of the patients. The information from the MR are crucial to the correct fulfill of the Death Certificate (DC), which are basis to many public health policies. Objectives: Define if the MR of the assessed institution informed the necessary diagnosis to identify the basic death cause. Secondarily was evaluated if the doctor who made the DC correctly fulfilled the basic death cause. Method: the medical auditor analyzed the medical records of patients who died in Santa Casa of Belo Horizonte (SCBH) from March 15 to July 15 of 2014. The diagnosis cited on the medical record were identified and compared to the basic death cause described in the death certificate. Results: Six hundred twenty nine medical records were evaluated. In the analysis of the initial diagnosis, the basic death cause were described in 63.11% of the cases and In the analysis of the final diagnosis, the percentage was 95.86%, which shows poor Kappa agreement (Kappa = 0,130 to initial diagnosis and Kappa = 0,229 to final diagnosis). In the analyze of death basic cause in DC its were wrong in 28.78% of cases. Conclusion: In the evaluated period, the medical record of SCBH presented the necessary diagnosis for the medical auditor identify the basic death cause, however the doctors had difficult to fulfill correctly the DC.

Auditoria de um serviço de atendimento de gestantes portadoras de Diabetes mellitus gestacional / An audit of a healthcare service for pregnant woman with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM)

Avaliar o tratamento utilizado e a classificação de peso de recém-nascidos (RN) de gestantes portadoras de Diabetes Mellitus Gestacional (DMG). Foi realizado um estudo transversal descritivo com gestantes portadoras de DMG, em gestação única, no período de abril de 2011 a fevereiro de 2016. Os dados avaliados foram o tipo de tratamento utilizado e a classificação de peso do RN. Foram avaliadas 893 gestantes. A dieta e a atividade física como única terapêutica foram utilizadas por 306 (34,3%), 366 (41%) necessitaram metformina, a associação de metformina e insulina foi necessária em 109 (12,2%) e utilizaram somente insulinoterapia 112 (12,5%) gestantes. Houve 27 (3,0%) RN pequenos para a idade gestacional (PIG), 687 (76,9%) RN adequados para a idade gestacional (AIG) e 179 (20,0%) RN grandes para a idade gestacional (GIG). A metformina foi a terapêutica mais utilizada e a maioria dos recém-nascidos foram AIG.

Evaluate the treatment used and the weight classification of newborns (NB) of pregnant women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM). A descriptive cross-sectional study was developed with pregnant women with GDM in a single gestation from April, 2011 to February, 2016. The data evaluated were the type of treatment used and the weight classification of the newborn. A total of 893 pregnant women were evaluated. Dietary and physical activity as sole therapy was used by 306 (34,3%), 366 (41%) needed metformin, the combination of metformin and insulin was necessary in 109 (12,2%) and only used insulin therapy (12,5%) pregnant women. There were 27 (3,0%) small for gestational age NB (SGA), 687 (76,9%) adequate for gestational age NB (AGA) and 179 (20,0%) large for gestational age NB (LGA). Metformin was the most used therapy and most of the newborns were AIG.

Auditoria em saúde e economia da saúde: análise de um estudo de caso / Audit in health and health economics: analysis of a case study

Objective: to analyze the results of the health audit in the area of orthoses, prostheses and special materials (OPM), multiple and sequential surgeries (CMS), performed by the State Health Department of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil (SES/RS). Methodology: Descriptive quantitative study, based on secondary data from SES/RS, in the area of OPM and CMS, referring to the period of post-payment audit practice, from March 2013 to January 2017, using the case study approach. Results: 1,004 completed observations were analyzed for the period; the number of administrative processes requiring a return of financial resources did not have a tendency in the analyzed historical series, a result influenced by the presence of administrative processes that were not conclusive, especially from 2014, on the execution of the audit or even the judicialisation of the subject audited institutions. As for the financial value requested for the return of the analyzed processes, it was higher in 2014, decreasing in 2015 and decreasing considerably in the years 2016 and 2017. Considering the 30 health regions of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, three hospitals were highlighted, the first with 43 administrative processes requesting the return of financial resources; the second with 30; and the third with 28. Conclusion: health actions in this area can be qualified through special attention to the regions of health and hospital institutions that repeat more and have large financial volume glossed. (AU).

Objetivo: analisar os resultados da auditoria em saúde na área de órteses, próteses e materiais especiais (OPM) e cirurgias múltiplas e sequenciais (CMS), realizada pela Secretaria Estadual de Saúde do Rio Grande do Sul (SES/RS). Metodologia: estudo quantitativo descritivo, baseado em dados secundários da SES/RS, na área de OPM e CMS, referente ao período da prática de auditoria de pós-pagamento, de março de 2013 a janeiro de 2017, utilizando a abordagem estudo de caso. Resultados: foram analisadas 1.004 observações concluídas para o período; o número de processos administrativos com solicitação de devolução de recursos financeiros não teve uma tendência na série histórica analisada, resultado influenciado pela presença de processos administrativos não conclusos, em especial a partir de 2014, relativos à execução da auditoria ou até mesmo a judicialização do assunto pelas instituições auditadas. Quanto ao valor financeiro solicitado para devolução dos processos analisados, foi maior em 2014, decrescendo em 2015 e diminuiu consideravelmente nos anos 2016 e 2017. Considerando as 30 regiões de saúde do estado do Rio Grande do Sul, três instituições hospitalares tiveram destaque, a primeira com 43 processos administrativos com solicitação de devolução de recursos financeiros; a segunda com 30; e a terceira com 28. Conclusão: as ações em saúde, nessa área, podem ser qualificadas por meio de atenção especial para as regiões de saúde e instituições hospitalares que mais reincidem e tem grandes volumes financeiros glosados. (AU).

Objetivo: analizar los resultados de la auditoría de salud en el área de ortesis, prótesis y materiales especiales (OPM), cirugías múltiples y secuenciales (CMS), realizadas por el Departamento de Salud del Estado de Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil (SES / RS). Metodología: estudio cuantitativo descriptivo, basado en datos secundarios de SES / RS, en el área de OPM y CMS, en referencia al período de la práctica de auditoría posterior al pago, desde marzo de 2013 hasta enero de 2017, utilizando el enfoque de estudio de caso. Resultados: se analizaron 1,004 observaciones completas para el período; el número de procesos administrativos que requirieron un retorno de los recursos financieros no tuvo una tendencia en las series históricas analizadas, un resultado influenciado por la presencia de procesos administrativos que no fueron concluyentes, especialmente a partir de 2014, en la ejecución de la auditoría o incluso la judicialización del sujeto Instituciones auditadas. En cuanto al valor financiero solicitado para el retorno de los procesos analizados, fue mayor en 2014, disminuyó en 2015 y disminuyó considerablemente en los años 2016 y 2017. Considerando las 30 regiones de salud del estado de Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, se destacaron tres hospitales, el primero con 43 procesos administrativos solicitando la devolución de recursos financieros; el segundo con 30; y el tercero con 28. Conclusión: las acciones de salud en esta área se pueden calificar a través de una atención especial a las regiones de salud y las instituciones hospitalarias que repiten más y tienen grandes volúmenes financieros. (AU).

A Review on Prescribing Indicators and Prescription Auditing

Prescription auditing is a quality improvement process that seeks to improve patient care. Medical Audit may be defined as a process with the aim of making improvements in patient care and proper use of resources. The most important part of healthcare system is to deliver the right medicine to the right people. Prescription auditing is one of the important tools to avoid misuse of drugs and improve rational use of drugs. The performance of the health care providers related to the appropriate use of drugs can be accessed by analysing different prescribing indicators. The parameters which have to be analysed in the process of prescription auditing are Patient demographics, Clinical diagnosis, Department, Prescribing standards, Doctor’s name and signature. A total of 25 national and international articles were collected to see the prescribing pattern of drugs. Various studies showed that majority of practitioners do not follow the guidelines while writing prescriptions and usage of drugs. There is a need to standardize the prescribing patterns in India so that all essential information is included and will be helpful for the better patient care. Irrational prescribing and improper dispensing leads to unnecessary expenditure for the patient. The present study could serve as a frame work upon which further studies can be launched in prescription auditing to investigate the scope for educational intervention and improvement in prescribing patterns.

A Clinical Audit of the Process of Care for Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in a Malaysian Public Polyclini

@#Introduction: Proper gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) care is essential for optimal control and thus prevents adverse perinatal outcomes. This audit aimed to determine the quality of GDM care provided by a public polyclinic. Methods: The audit was performed on the clinic-based medical record of GDM patients who had undergone at least three prenatal follow-ups and one postnatal follow-up between January and November 2012. Patients with pre-existing diabetes mellitus were excluded. Results: A total of 74 medical records were audited and it showed that 94.6% of patients were of age 25 and above, 91.9% were Malays, 71.6% were multigravida and 98.6% had risk factors of GDM. 54.1% of diagnoses were made during the second trimester, while 25.7% and 20.2% of cases were detected during the first and third trimester respectively. All of the GDM patients had their weight and blood pressure monitored, 85.1% had their fundal height checked as scheduled and 85.1% were referred for diet counselling. 81.9% and 100% of GDM patients who were not on treatment and on treatment correspondingly had their blood sugar profile monitoring done as recommended. Only 13.5% of GDM patients were given prenatal family planning counselling and 35.1% were given a six weeks’ postnatal oral glucose tolerance test appointment. Monthly ultrasound screening and HbA1c monitoring was done in merely 51.4% and 58.1% of the GDM patients respectively. Conclusion: The GDM care process in this public polyclinic could be improved further to achieve the standard recommendations

Interpretive Performance and Inter-Observer Agreement on Digital Mammography Test Sets

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the interpretive performance and inter-observer agreement on digital mammographs among radiologists and to investigate whether radiologist characteristics affect performance and agreement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The test sets consisted of full-field digital mammograms and contained 12 cancer cases among 1000 total cases. Twelve radiologists independently interpreted all mammograms. Performance indicators included the recall rate, cancer detection rate (CDR), positive predictive value (PPV), sensitivity, specificity, false positive rate (FPR), and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Inter-radiologist agreement was measured. The reporting radiologist characteristics included number of years of experience interpreting mammography, fellowship training in breast imaging, and annual volume of mammography interpretation. RESULTS: The mean and range of interpretive performance were as follows: recall rate, 7.5% (3.3–10.2%); CDR, 10.6 (8.0–12.0 per 1000 examinations); PPV, 15.9% (8.8–33.3%); sensitivity, 88.2% (66.7–100%); specificity, 93.5% (90.6–97.8%); FPR, 6.5% (2.2–9.4%); and AUC, 0.93 (0.82–0.99). Radiologists who annually interpreted more than 3000 screening mammograms tended to exhibit higher CDRs and sensitivities than those who interpreted fewer than 3000 mammograms (p = 0.064). The inter-radiologist agreement showed a percent agreement of 77.2–88.8% and a kappa value of 0.27–0.34. Radiologist characteristics did not affect agreement. CONCLUSION: The interpretative performance of the radiologists fulfilled the mammography screening goal of the American College of Radiology, although there was inter-observer variability. Radiologists who interpreted more than 3000 screening mammograms annually tended to perform better than radiologists who did not.

Auditoría de historias clínicas: una herramienta de evaluación de la calidad asistencial. Hospital Pediátrico - Centro Hospitalario Pereira Rossell / Auditing medical records: a tool to evaluate the quality of medical care. Pediatric Hospital - Pereira Rossell Hospital / Auditoria do prontuário médico do paciente: uma ferramenta de avaliação da qualidade assistêncial. Hospital Pediátrico Pereira Rossell

Resumen: Introducción: la auditoría médica es el análisis crítico y sistemático del proceso de atención que incluye los procedimientos diagnósticos y terapéuticos, el uso de los recursos y los resultados de los mismos. Disponer de un sistema de auditoría constituye un instrumento de mejora continua de la calidad asistencial. Objetivo: evaluar la calidad de las historias clínicas (HC) de los niños hospitalizados. Material y método: estudio de corte transversal mediante revisión de HC de niños egresados de áreas de cuidados moderados de un centro de referencia entre el 1º de enero y el 31 de diciembre de 2015. Variables analizadas: datos patronímicos, cuadrícula, curvas de crecimiento, antecedentes socioeconómicos, ingresos, evolución, prescripción, transcripción, diagnóstico al egreso, resumen de egreso. Se establecieron tres categorías: suficiente puntaje mayor o igual a 80%, aceptable 60%-79%, insuficiente <60%. Se analizó la calidad de las HC en función de la edad, estadía hospitalaria, diagnóstico al egreso y estación del año. Se realizó un muestreo aleatorio (prevalencia esperada de error 50%, precisión 5%, poder 80%) (N=385 HC). Se consideró significativa p <0,05. Resultados: de las 385 HC analizadas, 52% (202) correspondieron a varones, mediana de edad: 3 meses. Fueron suficientes 17%, aceptables 49,6% e insuficientes 33,4%. Las HC suficientes predominaron en menores de 1 año (21,5% vs 14%) y con estadía menor o igual de 3 días (21% vs 11%) p <0,05. Las HC insuficientes predominaron en invierno (43% vs 29%, p <0,05). Conclusión: es necesario profundizar en el estudio de estos resultados mediante un análisis cualitativo. Resulta necesario implementar un sistema de auditoría de HC continuo y avanzar en el desarrollo de los registros electrónicos para mejorar la gestión clínica.

Summary: Introduction: medical audits involve critical and systematic analysis of the medical care process, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, the use of resources and the results obtained. Auditing systems provide tools for quality continuous improvement. Objective: to assess the quality of medical records (HMR) of hospitalized children. Material and methods: HMR cross-sectional study of of children discharged from moderate care units at a reference hospital center between January 1 and December 31, 2015. Analyzed Variables: patients' personal data, grids, growth curves, socio-economic background, admissions, evolution, prescription, transcription, diagnosis at discharge, discharge Report 3 categories were devised: Sufficient score greater or equal 80%, Acceptable 60-79%, Insufficient < 60%. HMR's quality was analyzed by age, hospitalization time, diagnosis at discharge and season of the year. Random sampling was carried out (expected error prevalence 50%, accuracy 5%, power 80%) (N=385). P < 0,05 was considered significant. Results: Out of 385 HMRs analyzed, 52% (202) were boys, median age 3 months-old. 17% were sufficient, 49.6% were acceptable and 33.4% were insufficient. Sufficient HMRs were predominant in children of less than 1 year-old (21,5% vs 14%) which had a hospitalization time of less or equal 3 days (21% vs 11%) p<0.05. Insufficient HMRs were predominant in Winter (43% vs 29%. p<0.05). Conclusion: A qualitative analysis is needed in order to reinforce the analysis of these results. It is important to implement a continuous HMR auditing system in order to make progress regarding the development of electronic records as a tool to improve the clinical management systems.

Resumo: Introdução: a auditoria médica é a análise crítica e sistemática do processo de cuidado da saúde, e inclui procedimentos diagnósticos e terapêuticos, o uso de recursos e seus resultados. Ter um sistema de auditoria é um instrumento para melhoria contínua da qualidade do cuidado da saúde. Objetivo: avaliar a qualidade dos prontuários eletrônicos das crianças hospitalizadas. Métodos: estudo transversal do Prontuário Eletrônico do Paciente (PEP) de pacientes descarregados das áreas de cuidado moderado dum centro de referência entre 1 de janeiro e 31 de dezembro de 2015. As variáveis analisadas foram: dados pessoais dos pacientes, curvas de crescimento, antecedentes socioeconômicos, renda, evolução, prescrição, transcrição, diagnóstico e resumo no momento da alta hospitalar. Três categorias foram estabelecidas: Escore Suficiente maior ou igual 80%, Aceitável 60-79%, Insuficiente <60%. A qualidade do PEP foi analisada em quanto à idade, permanência hospitalar, diagnóstico na alta e estação do ano. Foi realizada uma amostragem aleatória (prevalência esperada de erro de 50%, precisão de 5%, poder de 80%) (N = 385 PEP). Considerou-se significativo p <0,05. Resultados: dos 385 PEP analisados, 52% (202) foram do sexo masculino, e a mediana da idade 3 meses. Suficientes 17%, Aceitáveis 49,6% e Insuficientes 33,4%. Os PEP foram suficientes maiormente nas crianças menores de 1 ano (21,5% vs. 14%) e que tinham permanecido menor ou igual 3 dias no hospital (21% vs. 11%) p <0,05. Os PEP foram Insuficientes maiormente no inverno (43% vs. 29%, p <0,05). Conclusão: é necessário aprofundar o estudo desses resultados através de uma análise qualitativa. Se deve implementar um sistema contínuo de auditoria de PEP e avançar no desenvolvimento dos Prontuários Eletrônicos para melhorar o gerenciamento clínico dos hospitais.

Desarrollo e implementación de una herramienta para la validación de cuentas médicas y gestión de glosas en el sector salud en Colombia / Development and implementation of a validation tool for medical bills and disallowance management in the health sector in Colombia / Desenvolvimento e implementação de uma ferramenta para a validação de contas médicas e gestão de glosas no setor saúde na Colômbia

Objetivo: la investigación pretende validar una herramienta de auditoría para la validación de cuentas médicas y la gestión de glosas en los procesos de auditoría con el fin de evaluar, controlar y mejorar los estándares de calidad y gestión en las instituciones de salud. Metodología: se optó por un estudio de corte exploratorio mixto. La investigación se realizó en tres fases: primero, se identificaron las principales causas por la que las EPS glosan las facturas a las IPS; posteriormente, se diseñó una herramienta que permite la auditoría interna de las facturas, previo envío a las EPS y la gestión de las glosas recibidas y; finalmente, se sometió la herramienta a validación por medio de un panel de expertos. Resultados: se diseñó una herramienta incorporando criterios de validación de facturas para los conceptos de tarifas y soportes, se incorporaron seis módulos que permiten parametrizar contratos EPS ­ IPS, registrar facturas, auditar soportes y tarifas, cargar facturas de forma masiva, gestionar glosas y generar indicadores y soportes del proceso de gestión. La herramienta fue validada con un panel de expertos, conformado por cinco miembros, quienes valoraron la usabilidad, claridad, facilidad y factibilidad de aplicación de la herramienta en el sector salud. Conclusiones: la investigación propone una herramienta constituida por diferentes módulos de acuerdo con el proceso y se valoraron criterios de claridad, cumplimiento de normatividad y factibilidad de aplicación en las IPS del país. El panel de expertos coincidió en la importancia del desarrollo de estas herramientas que entregan información de cumplimiento normativo y de la gestión hospitalaria ya que benefician la toma de decisiones acertada y oportuna en la gestión de glosas y los procesos de recuperación de cartera en las IPS.

Objective: This study aims to validate an audit tool for medical accounts and the management of disallowances in the audit processes to assess, control, and improve quality standards and management in the hospitals. Methodology: A mixed, exploratory study was conducted. Research was carried out in three phases: first, we identified the main causes for which the EPS deny the medical bills to the IPS; subsequently, a tool was designed to internally audit invoices before sending them to the EPS and the management of the disallowances received; lastly, the tool was submitted to validation by a panel of experts. Results: A tool was designed that incorporates the validation of rates and supports. Six modules were incorporated to parameterize EPS - IPS contracts, register invoices, validate accounting supports and rates, batch invoicing, manage disallowances and generate indicators and accounting supports of the management process. The tool was validated by 5-member panel of experts who evaluated the usability, clarity, ease, and viability of the application of the tool in the health sector. Conclusions: This study proposes a tool made up of different modules based on the process and the criteria assessed included clarity, regulation compliance, and feasibility of application in the IPS offices around the country. The panel of experts agreed on the importance of the development of tools that provide information on regulation compliance and hospital management, as they benefit correct and opportune decision-making in the management of disallowances and portfolio recovery processes in the hospitals.

Objetivo: a investigação pretende validar una ferramenta de auditoria para a validação de contas médicas e a gestão de glosas nos processos de auditoria com o fim de avaliar, controlar e melhorar os padrões de qualidade e gestão nas instituições de saúde. Metodologia: se optou por um estudo de corte exploratório misto. A investigação se realizou em três fases: primeiro, se identificaram as principais causas pela que as EPS glosam as faturas às IPS; posteriormente, se desenhou uma ferramenta que permite a auditoria interna das faturas, prévio envio às EPS e a gestão das glosas recebidas e; finalmente, se submeteu a ferramenta a validação por meio de um painel de especialistas. Resultados: se desenhou uma ferramenta incorporando critérios de validação de faturas para os conceitos de tarifas e suportes, se incorporaram seis módulos que permitem parametrizar contratos EPS ­ IPS, registrar faturas, auditar suportes e tarifas, carregar faturas de forma massiva, gerir glosas e gerar indicadores e suportes do processo de gestão. A ferramenta foi validada com um painel de especialistas, conformado por cinco membros, quem valoraram a usabilidade, claridade, facilidade e factibilidade de aplicação da ferramenta no setor saúde. Conclusões: a investigação propõe uma ferramenta constituída por diferentes módulos de acordo com o processo e se valorizaram critérios de claridade, cumprimento de normatividade e factibilidade de aplicação nas IPS do país. O painel de especialistas coincidiu na importância do desenvolvimento destas ferramentas que entregam informação de cumprimento normativo e da gestão hospitalar já que beneficiam a toma de decisões acertada e oportuna na gestão de glosas e os processos de recuperação de carteira nas IPS.

Desarrollo e implementación de un modelo de auditoría médica basado en el aseguramiento de la calidad y la supervisión participativa en Ecuador / Development and implementation of a medical audit model based on quality assurance and participatory supervision in Ecuador / Desenvolvimento e implementação do modelo de auditoria médica baseada na garantia da qualidade e monitoramento participativo no Equador

Objetivos: Este estudio es una descripción del desarrollo de una estrategia de Auditoría Médica basada en el Aseguramiento de la Calidad de la prestación utilizando herramientas de supervisión participativa en un intento de generar cooperación entre el auditor y el auditado en servicios de salud del primer nivel de atención del Ministerio de Salud Pública de Ecuador. Métodos: Se desarrolló y se implementó una metodología la cual se probó en el terreno, basados en una descripción de los resultados (corte transversal). Resultados: Al inicio del proceso, las puntuaciones de pertinencia clínica, de manera global, no superaban el 45% y respecto al riesgo legal no superan el 65%. Progresivamente se observa un aumento de la puntuación, adicionalmente se obtuvieron resultados propios de la percepción de este proceso por parte de los auditados, teniendo resistencia en menos del 5% de los casos, quizás debido al carácter participativo del proceso. Conclusión: El proceso de auditoría Médica es indispensable para la identificación de problemas, pero también es necesario que sea un proceso activo con intervención y resolución de los mismos. Auditoría Médica identifica problemas ocultos para los tomadores de decisiones y disminuye la resistencia en la inclusión de estrategias de mejoramiento de la calidad.

Objectives: This study is a description of the development of a medical audit strategy based on quality provision assurance using tools of participatory supervision in an attempt to generate cooperation between the auditor and the auditee in health services of the first level of Primary Attention to Health Care of the Ministry of Public Health of Ecuador. Methods: A methodology was developed, implemented and field tested, based on a description of the results (cross-section study). Results: At the beginning of the process, the clinical relevant scores, in general, did not exceed 45% and in relation to legal risks they did not exceed 65%. Progressively, an increase in the score was observed. Additionally, results obtained from the auditees' perception of this process were obtained, with less resistance in less than 5% of the cases, perhaps due to the participatory nature of the process. Conclusion: The medical audit process is essential for the identification of problems, but it is also necessary to be an active process with their intervention and resolution. The Medical Audit identifies hidden problems for decision-makers and decreases the resistance to the inclusion of strategies for quality improvement.

Objetivos: Este estudo é uma descrição do desenvolvimento de uma estratégia de auditoria médica baseada na garantia da provisão de qualidade usando ferramentas de monitoramento participativo em uma tentativa de gerar cooperação entre o auditor e o auditado no primeiro nível de serviços de Atenção Primária de Saúde do Ministério da Saúde Pública do Equador. Métodos: Desenvolvimento e implementação de uma metodologia, testada em campo, baseada em uma descrição dos resultados (estudo de corte transversal). Resultados: No início do processo, a pontuação de relevância clínica, em geral, não superava 45% e os riscos legais não excediam 65%. Progressivamente, observa-se um aumento na pontuação; adicionalmente, obtiveram-se resultados próprios de percepção deste processo por parte dos auditados, tendo menos resistência em menos de 5% dos casos, talvez devido ao caráter participativo do processo. Conclusão: O processo de auditoria médica é essencial para a identificação de problemas, mas também precisa ser um proceso ativo, com intervenção e resolução dos mesmos. A Auditoria Médica identifica problemas ocultos para os tomadores de decisão e diminui a resistência à inclusão de estratégias para a melhoria da qualidade.

Guía práctica y resultados de la implementación de un programa de auditoría y calidad en imágenes mamarias / Practical Guide and Results of the Implementation of an Audit and Quality Program in Breast Imaging

Objetivo: Describir la experiencia del Centro de Diagnóstico para la Mujer, de la Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá (FSFB), en la implementación de un sistema práctico de auditoría en imágenes mamarias y su utilidad en los procesos de calidad, basados en parámetros establecidos por el American College of Radiology (ACR). Métodos: Evaluación de los indicadores propuestos por el ACR mediante bases de datos y sistemas de información de imágenes de la FSFB (enero 2012-diciembre 2014). Se incluyeron todos los estudios mamográficos y biopsias de mama realizadas por ecografía y estereotaxia. Los resultados se compararon con los descritos en BIRADS ® 5ta. edición. Se realizó una búsqueda de la literatura en PubMed para definir el estado del arte de los procesos de auditoría en imágenes mamarias. Resultados: Incluimos 13 artículos originales y 4 guías internacionales de auditoría en imágenes mamarias. Se evaluaron 19.132 mamografías (6.060 en 2012, 6.568 en 2013 y 6.504 en 2014). El 95 % de las mamografías correspondieron a tamizaje de oportunidad. El rellamado global disminuyó 19,6 %, el VPP de las biopsias realizadas aumentó a 15,36 % y mejoró la detección de cáncer invasivo de menor tamaño con una diferencia significativa entre 2013 y 2014 (p=0,03). La detección del cáncer mínimo se encuentra en 54,23 %. Conclusión: Los programas de control de la calidad y auditoría en imágenes mamarias basados en recomendaciones internacionales permiten garantizar resultados clínicamente relevantes en pacientes que asisten a tamizaje mamográfico. Las recomendaciones de sociedades internacionales proveen un continuo mejoramiento en los indicadores.

Objective: To describe the experience of the Center of Diagnosis for Women, of the Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá (FSFB) in the implementation of a practical system of auditing in mammary images and its utility in quality processes, based on parameters established by the American College of Radiology benchmarks. Methods: We evaluated the benchmarks proposed by the ACR's audit program, based on our imaging databases and FSFB imaging information between January 2012 and December 2014. We include all mammograms, ultrasound-guided and stereotacticguided breast biopsies. The results were compared with those described in BI-RADS 5 edition. A literature review was performed using PubMed to define the state of the art of the breast imaging audit process. Results: We included 13 original articles and 4 international guidelines of breast imaging audit. We included 19132 mammograms, 6060 from 2012, 6568 from 2013 and 6504 from 2014. 95% of the mammograms belong to opportunity screening program. Recall rate decreased in 19.6%, PPV of the biopsies increased to 15,36% and the detection of smaller invasive cancer increased with significant difference between 2013 and 2014 (p=0.03). Minimal breast cancer detection corresponds to 54.34%. Conclusion: Quality Control and Audit programs in breast imaging based on international recommendations allow assuring clinical results in patients from a screening program. The recommendations of international societies provide a medium to provide a continuous improvement in the indicators.

Medical auditing of whole-breast screening ultrasonography

Since breast ultrasonography (US) has been used as an adjunctive screening modality in women with dense breasts, the need has arisen to evaluate and monitor its possible harm and benefits in comparison with other screening modalities such as mammography. Recently, the fifth edition of the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System published by the American College of Radiology has suggested auditing methods for screening breast US. However, the method proposed therein is slightly different from how diagnostic performance was calculated in previous studies on screening breast US. In this article, the background and core aspects of medical audits of breast cancer screening will be reviewed to provide an introduction to the medical auditing of screening breast US, with the goal of helping radiologists to understand and identify potential ways to improve outcomes.