Frecuencia de referencias ambulatorias injustificadas, en base a diagnósticos no pertinentes, realizadas a un hospital peruano de tercer nivel / Frequency of unjustified ambulatory referrals bases on no pertinent diagnosis sent to a third level Peruvian hospital

Objetivo: Determinar la frecuencia y describir las características de referencias injustificadas, en base a diagnósticos no pertinentes, enviadas al servicio de consulta externa adultos de un hospital de tercer nivel. Material y métodos: Estudio transversal, observacional y descriptivo, realizado en el Hospital Cayetano Heredia (HCH) en el periodo abril a diciembre del 2019. Se utilizaron los datos del aplicativo "REFCON" con una población de 99 891 referencias. Para la variable "justificación de la referencia", se utilizó un listado de diagnósticos que no deberían derivarse a hospitales de la DIRIS Lima Norte. Adicionalmente, se estudiaron las variables de edad, sexo, grupo etario, especialidad de destino, categoría del EESS de origen, distrito de origen, y diagnóstico del grupo de referencias injustificadas. Se utilizó estadística descriptiva. Resultados: La frecuencia de referencias injustificadas fue de 8,4 %. El 34,2 % fue de pacientes adultos; el 65,8 %, de adultos mayores; y el 67 %, de pacientes mujeres Las especialidades con más referencias injustificadas fueron cardiología, geriatría, medicina interna, medicina familiar y neurología. Los diagnósticos injustificados más frecuentes fueron hipertensión esencial, lumbago no especificado y cefalea. Conclusiones: La frecuencia de referencias injustificadas al HCH por diagnósticos no pertinentes fue 8,4 %, tasa similar a otros dos estudios, pese a la emisión de una lista de diagnósticos que no deberían derivarse a hospitales de la DIRIS Lima Norte.

SUMMARY Objective: To determine the frequency and to describe the characteristics of unjustified ambulatory referrals bases on no pertinent diagnosis done at an adult outpatient clinic of a third level Peruvian hospital. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried-out from April to December 2019 at Hospital Cayetano Heredia. Data were extracted from REFCON with a population of 99 891 referrals. To justify the reference, a list of diagnosis that does not require referral was used. In addition, variables such as age, sex, specialty of destination, category of EESS, district of origin and diagnosis of the unjustified referral. Descriptive statistics was used. Results: the frequency of unjustified referrals was 8.4%; 34.2% comprised the adult population; 65.8% were elder and 67% were female. Specialties with more unjustified referrals were geriatrics, internal medicine, family medicine and neurology. The most common unjustified diagnosis was essential hypertension, nonspecific low back pain and headache. Conclusions: Despite of socializing a list of unjustified referral diagnosis a frequency of 8,4% remain in this category, which is like results from two previous studies.

Clinical characteristics of severe pre-eclampsia in a single tertiary referral center / 中华妇产科杂志

Objective:To explore the feasibility and key point of improvement in preventing and postponing the onset of severe pre-eclampsia (SPE) and its severe complications in the tertiary referral system by analyzing the clinical characteristics of SPE in a single tertiary referral center.Methods:The clinical data of 217 patients with SPE who were hospitalized and terminated pregnancy in Peking University Third Hospital from January 2020 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The risk factors, clinical characteristics and severe complications of SPE between the patients referred from primary hospitals (referral group) and the patients received regular prenatal care in the tertiary referral center (central group) were compared, as well as the influence of the referral timing on the characteristics and perinatal outcome.Results:(1) Clinical characteristics: among the 217 cases of SPE, 84 cases were in the referral group and 133 cases were in the central group. The gestational ages at SPE clinical diagnosis [31.5 weeks (28.1-34.6 weeks) vs 35.6 weeks (33.3-37.2 weeks); Z=-6.547, P<0.01], termination of pregnancy [32.3 weeks (29.5- 35.1 weeks) vs 36.3 weeks (34.4-37.5 weeks); Z=-6.554, P<0.01] and onset of SPE severe complications [30.6 weeks (26.4-32.7 weeks) vs 34.9 weeks (32.7-36.5 weeks); Z=-4.040, P<0.01] in the referral group were significantly earlier than those in the central group, the rates of ICU [10.7% (9/84) vs 3.8% (5/133); χ2 =4.126, P=0.042] and neonatal ICU hospitalization [72.9% (51/70) vs 54.7% (70/128); χ2 =6.286, P=0.012] were higher than those in the central group, while the live birth rate [83.3% (70/84) vs 96.2% (128/133); χ2 =10.736, P=0.001] was lower than that of the central group. (2) Analysis of risk factors: for the patient whose risk factors were obesity, advanced age or pre-eclampsia history, the gestational ages at SPE clinical diagnosis and termination of pregnancy in the referral group were significantly earlier than those in the central group ( P<0.05). For those with chronic hypertension, the gestational ages at severe complications onset in the referral group were significantly later than those in the central group ( P<0.05). For those without obvious risk factors, the gestational ages at SPE clinical diagnosis, termination of pregnancy and onset of SPE severe complications in the referral group were earlier than those in the central group ( P<0.05). (3) Analysis of severe complications: the top three severe complications in the referral group and the central group were hypertensive encephalopathy/cerebrovascular accident [20.2% (17/84) vs 7.5% (10/133)], HELLP syndrome [7.1% (6/84) vs 8.3% (11/133)] and placental abruption [8.3% (7/84) vs 7.5% (10/133)]. The rate of hypertensive encephalopathy/cerebrovascular accident in the referral group was significantly higher than that in the central group ( χ2 =7.645, P=0.006). (4) Analysis of referral timings: the timings included referral after onset of SPE severe complications (8.3%, 7/84), referral after onset of SPE (67.9%, 57/84), referral after detection of SPE early warning signs (14.3%, 12/84) and referral after detection of SPE risk factors in the 2nd and 3rd trimester (9.5%, 8/84). The earlier the referral, the longer the interval from clinical diagnosis to onset of severe complications, from referral to termination of pregnancy, and from referral to severe complications onset ( P<0.05). The earlier the referral, the lower the NICU hospitalization rates, the higher the live birth rates. The ICU hospitalization rate of referrals after severe complications onset was significantly higher than those of the other three referral timing groups ( P<0.05). Conclusions:SPE occurs in hospitals of different levels. Although tertiary referral center may postpone the onset of SPE and its severe complications, reduce the severity of SPE and prolong the gestational age, its awareness of prevention and control still needs to be further improved. Early identification of the risk of SPE and timely referral are important parts of improving SPE adverse outcomes in primary medical institutions. The significance and value of referral system need to be brought into full play.

Urgencias ginecológicas y obstétricas en la pandemia por COVID-19, ¿qué fue lo que dejamos de ver? / Gynecological and obstetric emergencies in the COVID-19 pandemic, what did we stop attending?

Resumen OBJETIVO: Determinar si disminuyeron las urgencias ginecológicas y obstétricas atendidas en un hospital de tercer nivel durante el periodo de confinamiento domiciliario ocasionado por la pandemia de SARS CoV-2 y analizar a expensas de qué tipo de urgencias se produjo la disminución. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio retrospectivo y observacional efectuado en el Hospital Maternal del Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet del 15 de marzo al 15 de abril de 2019, 2020 y 2021. Se incluyeron todas las pacientes atendidas y se determinó el número absoluto de urgencias entre los diferentes periodos. Además, se analizaron las características de las pacientes atendidas con una comparación entre los tres periodos con χ2 de Pearson. RESULTADOS: Se atendieron menos de la mitad de las urgencias ginecoobstétricas que en el mismo periodo de los años anteriores y posteriores. La disminución fue, sobre todo, a expensas de pacientes mayores de 40 años, embarazadas y no embarazadas, con niveles de prioridad bajos según la priorización efectuada y que tuvieron como destino el alta a su domicilio. CONCLUSIONES: La situación de pandemia ocasionada por el SARS CoV-2 y las medidas de confinamiento domiciliario provocaron una disminución en la demanda de atención por parte de las pacientes obstétricas y ginecológicas.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: To determine whether there was a decrease in gynecological and obstetric emergencies attended in a tertiary hospital during the period of home confinement caused by the SARS CoV-2 pandemic and to analyze what type of emergencies caused the decrease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective and observational study performed at the Maternal Hospital of the Miguel Servet University Hospital from March 15 to April 15, 2019, 2020 and 2021. All patients attended were included and the absolute number of emergencies between the different periods was determined. In addition, the characteristics of the patients attended were analyzed with a comparison between the three periods with Pearson& s χ2. RESULTS: Fewer than half as many obstetric and gynecological emergencies were attended as in the same period of the previous and subsequent years. The decrease was mainly at the expense of patients older than 40 years, pregnant and non-pregnant, with low priority levels according to the prioritization performed and who had discharge home as their destination. CONCLUSIONS: The pandemic situation caused by SARS CoV-2 and home confinement measures led to a decrease in demand for care by obstetric and gynecologic patients.

Obesidad y cáncer de endometrio: las repercusiones de un problema de salud pública / Obesity and endometrial cancer: The impact of a public health problem

Resumen: OBJETIVO: Describir el incremento en la frecuencia del cáncer de endometrio en un hospital de tercer nivel en las últimas décadas y su asociación con el sobrepeso y la obesidad. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio retrospectivo, comparativo y observacional efectuado con base en la información de los expedientes de pacientes con diagnóstico de cáncer de endometrio atendidas en el servicio de Oncología del Hospital General de México (2000-2017). Los datos se compararon con un estudio previo de 1966-1993. RESULTADOS: Del 2000 al 2017 se registraron 785 pacientes y en el periodo global de 44 años, incluidos en el estudio, 1045 enfermas. En el lapso de 27 años se registraron 260 pacientes, y en el de 17 años: 785 enfermas; es decir, un incremento de 200% en la frecuencia de esta enfermedad. CONCLUSIONES: En esta serie los porcentajes de sobrepeso y obesidad se elevaron de 46 a 72.5%. El cáncer de endometrio en mujeres menores de 48 años aumentó de 19 a 28%. El 30.5% de las pacientes en etapas tempranas de cáncer de endometrio tuvieron factores de riesgo de recurrencia tumoral y 42% de la serie global cursó con neoplasias avanzadas, lo que está demostrado afecta su pronóstico.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To describe the increase shown in the frequency of endometrial cancer in a tertiary hospital in the last decades and its association with overweight and obesity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective, comparative and observational study based on information from the files of patients with a diagnosis of endometrial cancer attended at the Oncology Service of the General Hospital of Mexico (2000-2017). Data were compared with a previous study from 1966-1993. RESULTS: From 2000 to 2017, 785 patients were registered and in the global period of 44 years, 1045 patients were included in the study. In the 27-year period, 260 patients were registered, and in the 17-year period, 785 patients were registered; that is, a 200% increase in the frequency of this disease. CONCLUSIONS: In this series the percentages of overweight and obesity rose from 46 to 72.5%. Endometrial cancer in women under 48 years of age increased from 19 to 28%. 30.5% of patients in early stages of endometrial cancer had risk factors for tumor recurrence and 42% of the overall series had advanced neoplasms, which is shown to affect their prognosis.

Epidemiological profile, referral routes and diagnostic accuracy of cases of acute cholangitis among individuals with obstructive jaundice admitted to a tertiary-level university hospital: a cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Obstructive jaundice may lead to ominous complications and requires complex diagnostic evaluations and therapies that are not widely available. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the epidemiological profile, referral routes and diagnostic accuracy at admittance of cases of acute cholangitis among patients with obstructive jaundice treated at a referral unit. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study at a tertiary-level university hospital. METHODS: Patients with obstructive jaundice who were treated by means of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, resection and/or surgical biliary drainage were evaluated. The main variables analyzed were epidemiological data, referral route, bilirubin levels and time elapsed between symptom onset and admittance and diagnosing of acute cholangitis at the referral unit. The accuracy of the clinical diagnosis of acute cholangitis was compared with a retrospective analysis on the medical records in accordance with the Tokyo criteria. RESULTS: Female patients predominated (58%), with an average age of 56 years. Acute cholangitis was detected in 9.9% of the individuals; application of the Tokyo criteria showed that the real prevalence was approximately 43%. The main referral route was direct contact (31.8%) and emergency care (29.7%); routing via official referral through the public healthcare system accounted for 17.6%, and internal referral from other specialties, 20%. The direct route with unofficial referral was the most important route for cases of neoplastic etiology (P < 0.01) and was the fastest route (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: There is a deficiency in the official referral routes for patients with obstructive jaundice. The accuracy of the clinical diagnosis of acute cholangitis was poor. Wider dissemination of the Tokyo criteria is essential.

An Insight about the Referral System in Health Care Network: Flaws with Recommendations for Improvement

Healthcare network is composed of primary, secondary and tertiary care centers. Purpose of each unit in this sophisticated zone is to allow steady and smooth delivery of healthcare to optimum level without wasting essential resources or time. If, primary care centers are not able to fulfill the needs of any health issues then, patients are referred to more advanced setup where their health issues can be timely addressed in a proficient way. Referral system forms an important component of healthcare network and it should be formulated in such a way that it can bring fruitful results with the proper use of time, energy, man force as well as technical resources without compromising patient’s health. In this paper, we discussed the core of healthcare network in the city, working with primary as well as referral health care centers, flaws affecting the referral system and recommendations to improve them.

Elevated Body Mass Index Is Associated with Secondary Hypogonadism among Men Presenting to a Tertiary Academic Medical Center

PURPOSE: To characterize the population of hypogonadal men who presented to a tertiary academic urology clinic and evaluate risk factors for primary vs. secondary hypogonadism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated all men with International Classification of Diseases-9 diagnosis codes R68.82 and 799.81 for low libido, 257.2 for testicular hypofunction, and E29.1 for other testicular hypofunction at a tertiary academic medical center from 2013 to 2017. We included men who had testosterone (T) and luteinizing hormone (LH) drawn on the same day. We classified men based on T and LH levels into eugonadal, primary, secondary, and compensated hypogonadism. Risk factors including age, body mass index (BMI) over 30 kg/m2, current smoking status, alcohol use greater than 5 days per week, and Charlson comorbidity index greater than or equal to 1 were investigated and measured in each group using the eugonadal group for reference. RESULTS: Among the 231 men who had both T and LH levels, 7.4%, 42.4%, and 7.4% were classified as primary, secondary, and compensated hypogonadism, respectively. Only elevated BMI was associated with secondary hypogonadism compared to eugonadal men (median BMI, 30.93 kg/m2 vs. 27.69 kg/m2, p=0.003). BMI, age, comorbidities, smoking, or alcohol use did not appear to predict diagnosis of secondary hypogonadism. CONCLUSIONS: Secondary hypogonadism appears to be the most common cause of hypogonadism among men complaining of low T and decreased libido at a tertiary academic medical center. Secondary hypogonadism is associated with elevated BMI and therefore obesity should be used as a marker to evaluate men for both T and LH levels.

Risk Factors for Falls in Tertiary Hospital Inpatients: A Survival Analysis / 중환자간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the risk factors for falls in tertiary hospital inpatients and to suggest data for developing a nursing intervention program for preventing falls.METHODS: Data were collected between January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2017. Kaplan-Meier estimation was used to measure the survival rate, and the log-rank test was used for the differences between the fall group and the non-fall group. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify the risk factors for falls.RESULTS: The incidence rate of falls for the inpatients was 1.2 cases per 1,000 days of hospitalization. The risk factors for falls were more likely to be found among those who were aged ≥81, had not undergone surgery, had poor joint motion, had unsteady gait, needed help or supervision, used assistive devices, had comorbidity, and took at least two drugs.CONCLUSION: For the inpatients, the risk factors for falls included age, surgery, comorbidity, medication that could change mobility, joint motion, and use of patient care equipment. It is necessary to give special attention to inpatients who have any of these risk factors and to develop a falls risk assessment tool.

Current Management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Primary Care Clinics in Korea

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the overall status of diabetes control and screening for diabetic microvascular complications in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus attending primary care clinics in Korea. METHODS: In this cross-sectional observational study, 191 primary care clinics were randomly selected across Korea from 2015 to 2016. In total, 3,227 subjects were enrolled in the study. RESULTS: The patients followed at the primary care clinics were relatively young, with a mean age of 61.4±11.7 years, and had a relatively short duration of diabetes (mean duration, 7.6±6.5 years). Approximately 14% of subjects had diabetic microvascular complications. However, the patients treated at the primary care clinics had suboptimal control of hemoglobin A1c levels, blood pressure, and serum lipid levels, along with a metabolic target achievement rate of 5.9% according to the Korean Diabetes Association guidelines. The screening rates for diabetic nephropathy, retinopathy, and neuropathy within the past 12 months were 28.4%, 23.3%, and 13.3%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The overall status of diabetes management, including the frequency of screening for microvascular complications, was suboptimal in the primary care clinics. More efforts should be made and more resources need to be allocated for primary care physicians to promote adequate healthcare delivery, which would result in stricter diabetes control and improved management of diabetic complications.

Determining the risk factors associated with the development of Clostridium difficile infection in patients with hematological diseases

BACKGROUND: Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a nosocomial condition prevalent in patients with hematological disorders. We aimed to identify the risk factors associated with the development of CDI and assess the mortality rate at 15 and 30 days among hematologic patients admitted to a tertiary care center. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective case-control study from January 2010 to December 2015. Forty-two patients with hematologic malignancy and CDI, and 84 with hematologic disease and without history of CDI were included in the case and control groups, respectively. RESULTS: Univariate analysis revealed that episodes of febrile eutropenia [odds ratio (OR), 5.5; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.3–12.9; P1 hospitalization (OR, 5.6; 95% CI, 2.5–12.6; P1 hospitalization (OR, 4.3; 95% CI, 1.7–11.0; P=0.002) were independent risk factors. Three (7.1%) and 6 (14.2%) case patients died at 15 and 30 days, respectively. CONCLUSION: The risk factors for developing CDI were exposure to therapeutic antibiotics and previous hospitalization. Hematological patients who developed CDI had higher early mortality rates, suggesting that new approaches for prevention and treatment are needed.

Radiation-induced angiosarcoma of the breast: a retrospective analysis of 15 years' experience at an oncology center / Angiossarcoma da mama radioinduzido: 15 anos de análise retrospectiva em um instituto de oncologia

Abstract Objective: To characterize a population of patients with radiation-induced angiosarcoma (RIAS) of the breast treated at an oncology center, focusing mainly on the imaging features, although also on the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management. Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective review of patients with histologically proven angiosarcoma of the breast or chest wall, all of whom received radiotherapy, after conservative or radical breast surgery, between 2000 and 2015. Results: Eleven patients met the inclusion criteria. The median age at the time of diagnosis of RIAS of the breast was 71.5 years (range, 58-87 years), and the median latency period was 8.9 years (range, 4-27 years). The rate of local recurrence was 54.4%, RIAS recurring after a median period of 10 months (range, 3-18 months), and distant metastases occurred in three patients (27.3%). All of the tumors were accompanied by skin changes, and a palpable mass was seen in four. Most of the imaging findings were nonspecific. Six patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging, which revealed pronounced skin enhancement in all six. Ultrasound-guided core needle biopsies were negative in three of the eight patients. Conclusion: RIAS of the breast is a rare but recognized complication of radiotherapy for breast carcinoma, with a poor prognosis and high recurrence rate, which requires a high index of suspicion for a prompt diagnosis.

Resumo Objetivo: Caracterizar uma população de pacientes com angiossarcoma da mama induzido por radioterapia em um instituto de oncologia, com foco principalmente nas características de imagem, mas também na apresentação clínica, diagnóstico e gerenciamento. Materiais e Métodos: Efetuamos análise retrospectiva, entre 2000 e 2015, de pacientes com angiossarcoma da mama ou parede torácica histologicamente comprovado que foram previamente irradiadas após cirurgia mamária, conservadora ou radical. Resultados: Onze pacientes preencheram os critérios de inclusão. A mediana da idade na ocasião do diagnóstico de angiossarcoma da mama induzido por radioterapia foi 71,5 anos (variação: 58-87 anos) e o período médio de latência foi 8,9 anos (variação: 4-27 anos). A taxa de recorrência local foi 54,4%, após mediana de 10 meses (variação: 3-18 meses), e metástases a distância ocorreram em três pacientes (27,3%). Todos os tumores apresentaram alterações na pele, e massa palpável observou-se em quatro. Os achados de imagens foram globalmente inespecíficos. Os seis paciente que realizaram ressonância magnética revelaram aumento de captação de contraste cutâneo. As biópsias ecoguiadas foram negativas em três de oito pacientes. Conclusão: Angiossarcoma da mama induzido por radioterapia é complicação rara, mas conhecida, da radioterapia para câncer da mama, com mau prognóstico e alta taxa de recorrência, sendo necessário elevado índice de suspeição para seu diagnóstico imediato.

Theoretical pneumococcal vaccine coverage: analysis of serotypes isolated from inpatients at a tertiary care hospital / Cobertura vacinal pneumocócica teórica: análise de sorotipos isolados de pacientes internados em hospital terciário

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes isolated from an inpatient population at a tertiary care hospital, in order to determine the theoretical coverage of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) and the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23). Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 118 inpatients at the Hospital São Lucas, in the city of Porto Alegre, Brazil, whose cultures of blood, cerebrospinal fluid, or other sterile body fluid specimens, collected between January 2005 and December 2016, yielded pneumococcal isolates. The theoretical vaccine coverage was studied in relation to the serotypes identified in the sample and their relationship with those contained in the pneumococcal vaccines available in Brazil. Results: The majority of the population was male (n = 66; 55.9%), with a median age of 57 years (interquartile range: 33-72 years). The most common manifestation was pneumonia, and the pneumococcus was most commonly isolated from blood cultures. More than one fourth of the study population had some degree of immunosuppression (n = 34; 28.8%). Of the total sample, 39 patients (33.1%) died. There were no significant associations between mortality and comorbidity type, ICU admission, or need for mechanical ventilation. The theoretical vaccine coverage of PPV23 alone and PCV13 plus PPV23 was 31.4% and 50.8%, respectively. Conclusions: If the patients in this sample had been previously vaccinated with PCV13 plus PPV23, theoretically, 50.8% of the cases of invasive pneumococcal disease that required hospital admission could potentially have been prevented. Invasive pneumococcal disease should be prevented by vaccination not only of children and the elderly but also of adults in their economically productive years, so as to reduce the socioeconomic costs, morbidity, and mortality still associated with the disease, especially in underdeveloped countries.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar os sorotipos de Streptococcus pneumoniae isolados de uma população internada em um hospital terciário para verificar a cobertura vacinal teórica das vacinas conjugada pneumocócica 13-valente (VCP13) e pneumocócica polissacarídica 23-valente (VPP23). Métodos: Estudo transversal envolvendo 118 pacientes internados no Hospital São Lucas, na cidade de Porto Alegre (RS), cujas amostras de cultura de sangue, líquor ou outro líquido estéril apresentaram isolados de pneumococos entre janeiro de 2005 e dezembro de 2016. A cobertura vacinal teórica foi estudada em relação aos sorotipos observados na amostra e sua relação com os contidos nas vacinas pneumocócicas disponíveis no Brasil. Resultados: A maioria da população era masculina (n = 66; 55,9%), com mediana de idade de 57 anos (intervalo interquartil: 33-72 anos). O agravo mais frequente foi pneumonia, e o pneumococo foi mais frequentemente isolado em hemocultura. Mais de um quarto da população estudada tinha algum grau de imunossupressão (n = 34; 28,8%). Na amostra geral, 39 pacientes (33,1%) foram a óbito. Não houve associações significativas do número de óbitos com o tipo de comorbidades, internação em UTI ou necessidade de ventilação mecânica. A cobertura vacinal teórica da VPP23 e da combinação VCP13 + VPP23 foi de 31,4% e 50,8%, respectivamente. Conclusões: Nesta amostra, se os pacientes tivessem sido previamente vacinados com a combinação VCP13 seguida de VPP23, teoricamente, 50,8% dos casos de doença pneumocócica invasiva que necessitaram de internação hospitalar poderiam ter sido prevenidos potencialmente. Essa doença deve ser prevenida com a vacinação não só de crianças e idosos, mas também de adultos em idade economicamente ativa, para reduzir o custo socioeconômico, a morbidade e a mortalidade ainda associados à doença, especialmente em países subdesenvolvidos.

Diabetic retinopathy in patients with diabetic foot syndrome in South India

Purpose: The purpose was to study the retinopathy status in diabetic patients with a risk of diabetic foot (DF) syndrome visiting a tertiary care hospital in South India. Methods: In this cross sectional study all patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) with a risk of DF syndrome, visiting a tertiary care hospital during the study period, underwent an ophthalmological evaluation for documentation of their retinopathy status. Results: One hundred and eighty-two patients diagnosed to have a risk profile for DF syndrome were included in the study. Their mean age was 59.28 years and 75.27% were males. The mean duration of Type 1 and Type 2 variants of DM was 14.9 years and 10.9 years, respectively. Of the 182 patients, 67.58% had retinopathy changes. Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (DR) constituted 17.88% of the total patients with retinopathy. An increased presence of retinopathy in patients with an increased risk grade of DF was found significant by the Chi-square test (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Our study found an increased presence of DR in a South Indian cohort with DF syndrome. The severity of retinopathy was greater in patients with higher grades of risk for DF. The establishment of an association between DR and DF syndrome will help in developing an integrated management strategy for these two debilitating consequences of diabetes.

Clinical importance of second-opinion interpretations by radiologists specializing in gynecologic oncology at a tertiary cancer center: magnetic resonance imaging for endometrial cancer staging / Impacto dos relatórios de segunda opinião realizados por radiologistas subespecializados em ginecologia num centro oncológico: revisão sobre a ressonância magnética para o estadiamento do câncer do endométrio

Abstract Objective: To determine whether there are substantive differences between the initial interpretations of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans acquired at outside facilities and the second-opinion interpretations of radiologists specializing in gynecologic oncology at a tertiary cancer center, among patients referred for endometrial cancer staging. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective, comparative analysis of 153 initial and second-opinion MRI reports for endometrial cancer staging officially submitted for review by radiologists specializing in gynecologic oncology. For each case, the relationship between the initial and second-opinion reports, regarding the suggested diagnosis and the clinically relevant MRI findings reported, was categorized as "agreement" or "disagreement". Histopathology was used in order to establish the definitive diagnosis. Results: Disagreement was found in 58 (37.9%) of the 153 cases. Second-opinion interpretations reported findings that affected the preoperative cancer staging and could have led to a change in treatment in 38 cases (24.8%); that did not affect the preoperative staging but provided information that was more accurate in 8 (5.2%); and that suggested a new cancer diagnosis in 12 (7.8%). In 37 cases (24.2%), there was a potential for changes in patient care. Among the 58 cases of disagreement, a definitive (histopathological) diagnosis was made in 41 (70.7%). In 31 (75.6%) of those 41 cases, the second-opinion report was more accurate than was the initial report. Conclusion: Discordant interpretations of MRI examinations, which can have a substantial effect on the clinical management of patients, appear to be common.

Resumo Objetivo: Determinar se existe diferença substancial entre os relatórios de estudos de ressonância magnética realizados no exterior, comparativamente com os relatórios de segunda opinião elaborados por radiologistas subespecializados em oncologia ginecológica, em pacientes encaminhados a centro de referência terciária para estadiamento do câncer do endométrio. Materiais e Métodos: Foi efetuado estudo retrospectivo com comparação e análise dos respectivos relatórios, de 153 estudos de ressonância magnética submetidos para uma segunda interpretação num centro oncológico. Cada conjunto de relatórios foi categorizado como "concordante" ou "discordante", relativamente aos achados radiológicos referidos e ao diagnóstico final sugerido. A análise anatomopatológica foi utilizada para determinar o diagnóstico definitivo. Resultados: Foram identificadas discordâncias em 58/153 (37,9%) relatórios. As segundas interpretações: alteraram o estádio pré-operatório e motivaram uma potencial alteração da abordagem terapêutica em 38/153 (24,8%), forneceram informação diagnóstica mais precisa sem alterar o estádio pré-operatório em 8/153 (5,2%) e sugeriram diagnóstico de um câncer novo em 12/153 (7,8%). Quando foi possível obter um diagnóstico definitivo, encontrado em 41/58 casos (70,7%), o relatório de segunda opinião mostrou ser mais correto em 31 desses 41 estudos (75,6%). Conclusão: As discrepâncias entre relatórios realizados no exterior e reavaliados por radiologistas subespecializados são frequentes, motivando uma potencial alteração da abordagem terapêutica num número relevante de casos.

Treatment of Patients with Cancer in a Secondary Hospital in Korea / 한국호스피스완화의료학회지

PURPOSE: This study aims to investigate treatment of cancer patients at a secondary hospital. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed with electronic medical records of cancer patients admitted to a secondary hospital from January 1, 2009 through September 31, 2017. RESULTS: A total of 223 patients were studied. Sixty-nine patients were hospitalized for supportive care after receiving a surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy at a tertiary hospital, 58 patients for other supportive care, 53 patients for symptom control, 16 patients with a decision not to take active cancer treatment, and 27 patients for treatment of cancer that was diagnosed during their hospital stay. Among 75 patients who were discharged to other institutions, 50 were transferred to tertiary hospitals, 10 to long-term care hospitals, eight to hospice hospitals, four to nursing homes and two to secondary hospitals. Comorbidities were found in 120 patients (53.8%). For patients who consulted with more than one department, more consultations were for non-cancer diseases than cancer. Seventy-three patients had a do-not-resuscitate order. CONCLUSION: For treatment of cancer patients, it is needed to establish a cooperation system among medical institutions and provide comprehensive management including treatment of comorbidities.

Differences among Ophthalmology Patients Referred to Tertiary Medical Centers according to Referral Hospital

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the diagnosis and severity of patients who were referred to tertiary medical centers according to the type and function of the referral hospitals. METHODS: First-visit patients referred from July 2015 to June 2016 were retrospectively reviewed with regard to referral hospital, final diagnosis, treatment necessity, and medical fees for the six months after their first hospital visit. Based on these data, differences in type and function of medical institution were examined. RESULTS: In a comparison of hospitals according to their number of beds, clinics, hospitals and, tertiary hospitals had no differences in the ratio of patients who needed treatment (p = 0.075) and their medical fees over six months (p = 0.372). When hospitals were classified by functional capability in terms of doctors' medical specialty, increasing ratios of patients requiring medical treatment (p < 0.001) and medical fees for six months (p < 0.001) were found in the order of non-eye specialists, eye specialists, and eye specialists in trainee hospital. CONCLUSIONS: Efficient healthcare delivery systems should classify medical institutions by functionality capability based on medical specialties rather than hospital size according to the number of beds.

Patient Safety Perception of Nurses as related to Patient Safety Management Performance in Tertiary Hospitals / 간호행정학회지

PURPOSE: This study was done to identify the relationship between perception of the importance and job performance of patient safety management. METHODS: This descriptive study was performed using self-report questionnaires. Participants were 200 nurses who worked at 4 tertiary university hospitals where data were collected for 4 weeks in June 2016. RESULTS: The scores for perception and performance were 4.28 and 4.37 points. A positive correlation was found between perception of the importance of patient safety management and job performance (r=.74, p < .001). In regression analysis, the perception of the importance of patient safety management (β=.74, p < .001) was a significant factor in the performance of patient safety management. The regression model was statistically significant (F=134.43, p < .001) and the explanatory power of the model was 58%. CONCLUSION: The findings from this study indicate a need to develop strategies to improve perception of the importance of patient safety management. Also, this data should be used as a basis to develop education programs to improve awareness of the importance of patient safety management.

Characteristics and management of patients with inflammatory bowel disease between a secondary and tertiary hospitals: a propensity score analysis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study aimed to compare the clinical characteristics and management patterns of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients in a secondary hospital (SH) with those in tertiary referral centers (TRC). METHODS: Data from IBD patients in SH and 2 TRCs were retrospectively reviewed. The cumulative thiopurine use rate was compared between hospitals after controlling for different baseline characteristics using propensity score matching. RESULTS: Among the total of 447 patients with IBD, 178 Crohn's disease (CD) and 269 ulcerative colitis (UC) patients were included. Regarding initial CD symptoms, patients from SH were more likely to show perianal symptoms, such as anal pain or discharge (56.6% vs. 34.3%, P=0.003), whereas those from TRCs more often had luminal symptoms, such as abdominal pain (54.9% vs. 17.1%, P < 0.001), diarrhea (44.1% vs. 18.4%, P < 0.001), and body weight loss (9.8% vs. 1.3%, P=0.025). Complicating behaviors, such as stricturing and penetrating, were significantly higher in TRCs, while perianal disease was more common in SH. Ileal location was more frequently observed in TRCs. For UC, SH had a more limited extent of disease (proctitis 58.8% vs. 21.2%, P < 0.001). The cumulative azathioprine use rate in SH was significantly lower than that in TRCs in both CD and UC patients after controlling for disease behavior, location, and perianal disease of CD and extent of UC. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical characteristics and management of the IBD patients in SH were substantially different from those in TRCs. Thiopurine treatment was less commonly used for SH patients.

The asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease overlap syndrome in tertiary care setting Thailand

BACKGROUND: Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) overlap syndrome (ACOS) is an increasingly recognized clinical entity. ACOS significantly impacts on patient outcome compared to isolated asthma or COPD. However, ACOS definition and diagnosis criteria have not been well standardized. ACOS prevalence and clinical features in Thailand has never been studied. Objective: To investigate the prevalence and clinical features of ACOS compared to isolated asthma or COPD among patients with clinician-diagnosis of obstructive airway diseases. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence and clinical features of ACOS compared to isolated asthma or COPD among patients with clinician-diagnosis of obstructive airway diseases. METHODS: Spirometry, skin prick test (SPT) and allergens specific IgE (sIgE) were done. Serum total IgE, exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and blood eosinophils were measured. High resolution computed tomography (HRCT) was performed. Smoking history, pollution, biomass exposure and symptoms (Asthma Control Test [ACT], COPD assessment test [CAT], Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale [MMCR]) were assessed. Patients were classified to isolated asthma, COPD or ACOS according to predefined definitions for this study. RESULTS: A total 92 patients were enrolled: 58 patients with clinician-diagnosed of late onset asthma and 34 with clinician-diagnosed COPD. The mean age was 67.4 years. Thirty-four asthma patients (58.6%) were considered to have ACOS with postbronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁)/forced vital capacity ratio <0.7 and/or presence of emphysema on HRCT. In addition, 10 COPD patients (28.6%) were classified as ACOS if they had bronchodilator reversibility (FEV₁ ≥ 12% and ≥ 200 mL) and positive SPT or sIgE. Hence, total of 44 from 92 patients (47.8%) with obstructive airway diseases were found to have ACOS, while isolated asthma and COPD were found in 24 patients equally. No difference in symptoms assessed by CAT, ACT, or MMRC was found between 3 groups of patients. Neither serum total IgE nor blood eosinophils counts distinguished ACOS from asthma and COPD (p = 0.83 and p = 0.40). FeNO was higher in pure COPD than ACOS and asthma (p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: ACOS is prevalent in late-onset asthma or clinician-diagnosed COPD who were treated in tertiary care clinic. However, we found no difference in symptoms, blood eosinophils or serum total IgE between groups.

Comparison of Three Internship Training Sites for an Undergraduate Health Information Management Program in Saudi Arabia / 대한의료정보학회지

OBJECTIVES: While internship training is well established for medical records and for healthcare quality improvement, it is not quite so for training related to IT/health informatics. A comparison was made on the hospital-based IT/health informatics internship training received by students completing their training at the Imam AbdulRahman Bin Faisal University (IAU) in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia. METHODS: The three hospitals studied all have the Joint Commission International accreditation and advanced Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems. Over the period from 2011 to 2015, interns from the IAU prepared 120 reports based on their training at these three hospitals. Data abstraction was done on the internship reports, and the results were summarized and interpreted. RESULTS: The study found wide differences in the training received at these hospitals. The main reason for the differences is whether or not the EHR system used in the hospital was a commercial one or developed in-house. CONCLUSIONS: The hospital that had developed its own EHR system made more use of health information management interns during their IT rotation in comparison to hospitals which had adopted commercial EHR systems. Recommendations are made of both local relevance and of international relevance.