Importancia de la categorización profesoral en el proceso de acreditación universitaria / Importance of the professional categorization in the university accreditation process

RESUMEN El Programa de Acreditación Universitaria tiene como propósito fundamental la elevación continua de la calidad del proceso de formación en las diferentes carreras universitarias. El nivel de desarrollo de los centros de educación superior y su desempeño como institución está determinado por la preparación y el nivel que posea su claustro. La preparación de los docentes de las ciencias médicas para realizar cambio de categoría docente, es un aspecto importante para el correcto desarrollo del proceso de categorización y de acreditación de las universidades. En el ejercicio académico que deben realizar los profesores para el cambio de categoría se aprecian dificultades que denotan falta de preparación. La autora se pronuncia acerca de este tema y propone que se programen cursos de perfeccionamiento para estos profesores, los que deben ser impartidos por aquellos docentes de mayor experiencia y mejor preparación. Así se elevará la preparación profesoral y se garantizará mayor calidad en la acreditación institucional (AU).

ABSTRACT The main purpose of the University Accreditation Process is the continuous improvement of the quality of the training process in the different university courses. The level of development of the high education centers and their performance as institution are determined by the training and level their staff have. The training of the medical sciences teachers to change their teaching category is an important aspect for the correct development of the categorization and accreditation process of the universities. In the academic exercise to be carried out by the professors for the change of category there are difficulties that denote lack of training. The author makes a statement on this subject and proposes to schedule training courses for these professors, which should be provided by those teachers with more experience and better training. Professors' training will increase that way and greater quality in institutional accreditation will be ensured (AU).

Desde la Admisión Hasta el Ejercicio Profesional. Una Revisión de las Carreras de Odontología en Chile / From Admission to Professional Practice, A Review of Dental Programs in Chile

RESUMEN: Al año 1991 sólo existían tres carreras de odontología en Chile: Universidad de Chile (1911), Universidad de Concepción (1919) y la Universidad de Valparaíso (1955 como sede de la U. de Chile). Actualmente, existen 21 universidades que dictan un total de 32 carreras de odontología, titulando aproximadamente 1500 nuevos profesionales cada año, lo cual, aparte de disparar las cifras de profesionales en nuestro sistema, levanta la duda de cuantos estudiantes se encuentran en formación y cuál es el perfil de admisión que se establece en estas instituciones. El objetivo de este artículo es conocer las cifras de los procesos de admisión, matrícula financiamiento y acreditación universitarios y discutirlas en base a la cantidad de profesionales habilitados para trabajar en nuestro sistema para así reflejar la situación actual que vive la Odontología en Chile. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal realizado en base a la revisión de las bases estadísticas públicas. A pesar de sus altos costos asociados a la implementación de espacios y materiales, la carrera sigue siendo altamente postulada. Los nuevos ingresos rondan en alrededor de 2.20 0 para primer año, llegando aproximadamente a 14.300 estudiantes en todos los niveles para el 2019. El Estado de Chile debería abordar los problemas que se desprenden de estos indicadores, a través de una discusión seria y sistemática, incorporando diversos actores y basándose en información sobre la real necesidad de atención en salud de la población y la disponibilidad estructural del sistema de salu d público y privado para soportar determinado número de profesionales. La apertura de nuevas carreras de odontología se visualiza como un problema, mientras el país avanza a pasos lentos en una regulación que es requerida de manera urgente.

ABSTRACT: In 1991 there were only three dental programs in Chile: Universidad de Chile (1911), Universidad de Concepción (1919) and Universidad de Valparaíso (1955, as campus of U. de Chile). Currently, there are 21 universities that teach a total of 32 dental programs, graduating approximately 1500 new professionals each year, which, in addition to increasing the number of dentists in our system, raises the question as to how many students are in training, and what is the admission profile established by these institutions. The aim of this article is to know the number of admissions, registration, financing, and university accreditation process, based on the number of qualified professionals working in our system, in order to reflect the current situation of dentistry in Chile. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out based on the review of the public statistical resources. Despite the high cost of the program, associated with the implementation and materials, the program has many applicants. The number of enrolled students each year in the first semester is around 2200. Therefore, a high number of students are currently enrolled in all semesters, totalling approximately 14,300 in 2019. The Chilean government should address this problem based on information about the real need for healthcare of the population, within the framework of the public and private health system to support a certain number of professionals. The opening of new dental programs is viewed as a problem, while the country is advancing slowly in a regulation that is urgently required.

Certificación de establecimientos de atención médica en México: análisis de los incentivos para su continuidad / Certification of medical care facilities in Mexico: analysis of the incentives for its continuity

Resumen: Objetivo: Analizar el posible efecto de los modelos de certificación y de los incentivos implementados en la participación de establecimientos de atención médica (EAM) en la certificación del Consejo de Salubridad General entre 1999-2017. Material y métodos: Se colectaron documentos oficiales, impresos y en línea, sobre la certificación de EAM y se solicitó información a diversas instancias relacionadas mediante mecanismos de transparencia. Se analizó la participación de EAM en los períodos político-administrativos entre 1999-2017. Resultados: El promedio anual de participación entre 1999-2000 fue de 259.5 EAM; entre 2013-2016, de 72.5. La participación de EAM públicos es decreciente. En 2017, los EAM certificados eran <1%. Conclusiones: No se identificaron efectos positivos ni sostenidos de ajustes al modelo, ni de los incentivos implementados. Se observa disminución de la participación en los distintos periodos político-administrativos. Debe evaluarse profundamente el Sistema Nacional de Certificación de EAM y su posible efecto en la calidad clínica.

Abstract: Objective: To analyze the possible effect of certification models and healthcare organizations' (HOs) participation incentives in the General Health Council certification process in the 1999-2017 period. Materials and methods: Official printed and online documents about HOs' certification were collected. Information from instances related to the process was requested through transparency mechanisms. Health organizations' participation in political-administrative periods between 1997-2017 was analyzed. Results: The annual average participation in the certification process during the 1999-2000 period was 259.5 HOs; during the 2013-2016 period, the average was 72.5. Public units' participation in this process has been decreasing. In 2017, certified HO were <1%. Conclusions: No positive effects of adjustments to the certification model or the incentives applied were identified. Conversely, there is decreasing participation in the different political-administrative periods. The National HO Certification System and its possible effect on clinical quality must be thoroughly evaluated.

Validación psicométrica de instrumento para evaluar contexto de mejora de calidad y acreditación de hospitales / Psychometric validation of an instrument to evaluate the context of quality improvement and accreditation of hospitals

Resumen: Objetivo: Adaptar y validar instrumento para medir elementos del contexto que pueden favorecer iniciativas de mejoramiento de la calidad y acreditación de hospitales. Material y métodos: Se adaptó y validó modelo y cuestionario Model for Understanding Success in Quality (MUSIQ) para aplicación en países hispanoparlantes y uso específico para proyectos de acreditación de hospitales. Se realizó un análisis factorial confirmatorio (test de Bartlett e índice Kaiser-Meyer-Olkim) del constructo teórico de sus dimensiones y se comprueba consistencia interna en estudio realizado en muestra de 54 hospitales de mediana y alta complejidad en Colombia. Resultados: Instrumento con cuatro dimensiones de contexto (ambiente, macrosistema, microsistema, equipo de calidad), compuestas por 23 elementos medidos a través de 35 variables. El análisis factorial mostró significancia estadística y adecuación de las dimensiones que tuvieron también buena consistencia interna. Conclusión: Instrumento adaptado con utilidad para monitorizar elementos del contexto que pueden favorecer iniciativas de mejora y acreditación en hospitales.

Abstract: Objective: To adapt and validate an instrument to measure the context factors which favor quality improvement initiatives and accreditation of hospitals. Materials and methods: The model and questionnaire Model for Understanding Success in Quality (MUSIQ) is adapted and validated for application in Spanish-speaking countries and its specific use in hospital accreditation projects. The theoretical construct of its dimensions is assessed by confirmatory factor analysis (Bartlett test and Kaiser-Meyer-Olkim index) and internal consistency (Cronbach's α), in a study carried out in a sample of 54 hospitals of medium and high complexity in Colombia. Results: Instrument with four dimensions of context (environment, macrosystem, microsystem, quality team), composed of 23 elements that are measured through 35 variables. Factor analysis showed statistical significance and adequacy of the dimensions, which had also good internal consistency. Conclusion: Adapted instrument with usefulness for measurement of context elements that can promote initiatives of improvement and accreditation in hospitals.

Entre protocolos e sujeitos: qualidade do cuidado hospitalar em um serviço de hematologia / Between protocols and subject: quality of hospital care in a hematology service / Entre protocolos e individuos: calidad del cuidado hospitalario en un servicio de hematología

No artigo, apresentamos parte dos resultados do estudo desenvolvido no Hospital Edgar Santos, da Universidade Federal da Bahia (HUPES), que analisou a experiência de melhoria da qualidade da assistência em um contexto de acreditação hospitalar. O artigo volta-se para o serviço de hematologia e tem seu foco na qualidade do cuidado e processos intersubjetivos. A investigação foi pautada na perspectiva qualitativa, empregando-se entrevistas e observação. Do ponto de vista teórico, os trabalhos de Campos, Cecílio e Merhy reconhecem a natureza complexa do cuidado em saúde, sua dimensão micropolítica e intersubjetiva, e a capacidade dos profissionais de produção de sentidos e de criatividade. Para compreender os processos de articulação psicossocial e de mobilização subjetiva dos profissionais empregamos conceitos da psicossociologia francesa de Enriquez e da psicodinâmica do trabalho de Dejours. A análise foi organizada em três eixos: articulação psicossocial e o imaginário de autogestão; vínculo e afeto: singularização do cuidado e clínica do sujeito; trabalho real e equipe de saúde. Destacamos como uma das principais conclusões a constituição de um imaginário de autogestão, expresso no compartilhamento de projetos, expectativas e algumas formas de interpretar e operar a realidade, que têm por base representações, afetivamente investidas, de autonomia e unidade. Ao lado de elementos técnicos, como protocolos, é realçado o julgamento profissional, próprio à dimensão intersubjetiva, permitindo a singularização do cuidado. Compreendemos que na cena assistencial o trabalho real é atravessado por ajustes que demonstram a cooperação entre os profissionais.

The article presents partial results of a study at Hospital Edgar Santos, Universidade Federal da Bahia (HUPES), Brazil, analyzing the service's experience with improvement in quality of care within a context of hospital accreditation. The article focuses on the hematology service and specifically its quality of care and intersubjective processes. The study adopted a qualitative approach, using interviews and observation. From the theoretical point of view, the work of Campos, Cecílio, and Merhy acknowledge healthcare's complex nature and micropolitical and intersubjective dimension and the capacity of health professionals to produce meanings and practice creativity. To understand the health professionals' processes of psychosocial linkage and subjective mobilization, we drew on concepts from the French school of psychosociology (Enriquez) and Dejours' psychodynamics of work. The analysis was organized along three lines: psychosocial linkage and the imaginary of self-management; bonding and affect: singularity of the subject's care and clinical case; real work and the healthcare team. One of the main conclusions is the building of a self-management imaginary, expressed in shared projects, expectations, and some forms of interpreting and operating reality, based on affectively invested representations of autonomy and unity. Alongside technical elements such as protocols, the article highlights professional judgment, proper to the intersubjective dimension, fostering the singularity of care. In our view, the real work in the patient care scene is traversed by adjustments that demonstrate team cooperation.

En este artículo presentamos parte de los resultados del estudio desarrollado en el Hospital Edgar Santos, de la Universidad Federal de Bahía (HUPES), que analizó la experiencia de mejora de la calidad de la asistencia en un contexto de acreditación hospitalaria. El artículo se dirige al servicio de hematología y centra su atención en la calidad del cuidado y procesos intersubjetivos. La investigación fue pautada desde la perspectiva cualitativa, empleando entrevistas y observación. Desde el punto de vista teórico, los trabajos de Campos, Cecílio y Merhy reconocen la naturaleza compleja del cuidado en salud, su dimensión micropolítica e intersubjetiva, y la capacidad de los profesionales para producir nuevos significados y ser creativos. Para comprender los procesos de articulación psicosocial y de movilización subjetiva de los profesionales empleamos conceptos de la psicosociología francesa de Enríquez y de la psicodinámica del trabajo de Dejours. El análisis se organizó en torno a tres ejes: articulación psicosocial e imaginario de autogestión; vínculo y afecto: singularización del cuidado y clínica del sujeto; trabajo real y equipo de salud. Destacamos como una de las principales conclusiones: la constitución de un imaginario de autogestión, traducido en compartir proyectos, expectativas y algunas formas de interpretar y manejar la realidad, que tienen como base representaciones, afectivamente invertidas, de autonomía y unidad. Junto a elementos técnicos, como los protocolos, se realza el juicio profesional, propio de la dimensión intersubjetiva, permitiendo la singularización del cuidado. Comprendemos que en la escena asistencial el trabajo real está cruzado por ajustes que demuestran la cooperación entre los profesionales.

Avaliação do Programa de Acreditação Hospitalar: validação de face e conteúdo / Evaluación del programa de acreditación hospitalaria: validación de apariencia y de contenido / Evaluation of the hospital accreditation program: face and content validation

RESUMO Objetivo: descrever os resultados da validação de face e conteúdo do questionário intitulado Quality Improvement Implementation Survey e de duas escalas complementares, como parte do processo de adaptação ao idioma e à cultura brasileira. Método: incluiu os seguintes estágios: (1) tradução e síntese das traduções; (2) apreciação pelo comitê de especialistas; (3) retrotradução; (4) avaliação da compreensão verbal pela população-alvo. Resultados: o questionário foi traduzido para o português e sua versão final incluiu 90 itens. No pré-teste, a população-alvo avaliou todos os itens como de fácil compreensão, apresentando média global de 4,58 (valor máximo=5). Conclusão: o questionário encontra-se traduzido para o português e adaptado ao contexto brasileiro. A versão adaptada manteve a equivalência semântica, idiomática, conceitual e cultural, segundo a avaliação do comitê de especialistas assim como pelas informações fornecidas pela população-alvo, confirmando a validade de face e de conteúdo.

RESUMEN Objetivo: describir los resultados de la validación de apariencia y de contenido del cuestionario titulado Quality Improvement Implementation Survey y de dos escalas complementarias como parte del proceso de la adaptación a la lengua y la cultura brasileña. Método: incluyó las siguientes etapas: (1) la traducción y la síntesis de las traducciones; (2) la consideración del comité de expertos; (3) traducción inversa; (4) evaluación de la comprensión verbal por parte de la población objetivo. Resultados: el cuestionario fue traducido al portugués y su versión final incluyó 90 artículos. En el pre-test, la población objetivo ha evaluado todos los artículos como de fácil compresión, con la media global de 4,58 (máximo = 5). Conclusión: el cuestionario se tradujo al portugués y fue adaptado al contexto brasileño. La versión adaptada mantiene la equivalencia semántica, idiomática, conceptual y cultural, de acuerdo con la evaluación del comité de expertos, así como la información proporcionada por la población objetivo, lo que confirma la validez de apariencia y contenido.

ABSTRACT Objective: to describe the results of face and content validation of the questionnaire entitled Quality Improvement Implementation Survey, and of two complementary scales as part of the adaptation process to the Brazilian language and culture. Method: included the following stages: (1) translation and synthesis of translations; (2) consideration by the expert committee; (3) back translation; (4) evaluation of verbal understanding by the target population. Results: the questionnaire was translated into Portuguese and its final version included 90 items. In the pre-test, the target population evaluated all items as easy to understand, with the global average of 4.58 (maximum value = 5). Conclusion: the questionnaire is currently translated into Portuguese and adapted to the Brazilian context. The adapted version maintained the semantic, idiomatic, conceptual and cultural equivalence, according to the assessment of the expert committee and the information provided by the target population, which confirmed the face and content validity.

Aplicación de un sistema de gestión de la calidad NC-ISO 9001 a la dirección del posgrado académico / Application of a NC-ISO 9001 Quality Management System to the administration of the academic postgraduate studies

INTRODUCCIÓN: la implementación y certificación de un Sistema de Gestión de la Calidad NC-ISO 9001 requiere del cumplimiento de los principios y requisitos que esta norma establece. Las organizaciones que brindan servicios de posgrado académico como uno de sus procesos clave, necesitan entender y aplicar los requisitos de la norma de conjunto con los requisitos legales aplicables a este proceso en la República de Cuba. OBJETIVO: mostrar cómo se aplican los principios y requisitos de la norma NC-ISO 9001 en el posgrado académico, teniéndose como caso de estudio la gestión de un programa de maestría en el Centro Nacional de Cirugía de Mínimo Acceso. MÉTODOS: se emplearon como técnicas; la observación, análisis del contenido de documentos y trabajo en equipo. RESULTADO: se implementó de un sistema NC-ISO 9001 en el proceso de posgrado. Fue necesario conjugar los requisitos relativos al diseño/desarrollo, las prestación del servicio formativo, la evaluación del desempeño y la mejora de los programas con la legislación vigente en el sector; a partir de la aplicación del Reglamento de Posgrado de la República de Cuba y el Sistema de Evaluación y Acreditación de Maestrías; todo ello sobre la base de la observancia de los principios de gestión de la calidad.

INTRODUCTION: The implementation and certification of a NC-ISO 9001 quality management system require compliance with the principles and requirements established in this standard. Organizations that provide educational services to obtain academic degrees as one of its key processes need to understand and implement the requirements of the standard in conjunction with the legal requirements applicable to this process in the Republic of Cuba. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this paper is to show how the principles and requirements of the NC-ISO 9001 standard are applied in the management of academic postgraduate studies, having as a study case the master degree formation program in the National Centre for Minimal Access Surgery. METHODS: As research techniques participative observation, content analysis of documents and team work were employed. RESULTS: A NC-ISO 9001 system in the postgraduate formation process was implemented. It was to combine the requirements for the design/development, the provision of formation service, performance evaluation and improvement of programs with current legislation in the sector, taking the application of Postgraduate Studies Regulation of the Republic of Cuba and the Assessment and Accreditation System of Master Degree Studies as the starting point, all based on the observance of the principles of quality management.

Ambiente de trabalho da enfermagem, segurança do paciente e qualidade do cuidado em hospital pediátrico / Entorno de trabajo de enfermería, la seguridad y la calidad de la atención en el hospital de pacientes pediátricos / Nursing work environment, patient safety and quality of care in pediatric hospital

RESUMO Objetivos Descrever as características do ambiente de trabalho, as atitudes de segurança, a qualidade do cuidado mensuradas pela equipe de enfermagem das unidades pediátricas e analisar a evolução dos indicadores assistenciais e de desempenho hospitalar. Método Estudo descritivo com 136 profissionais de enfermagem de um hospital pediátrico, com aplicação da ficha de caracterização pessoal e profissional, Nursing Work Index – Revised, Safety Attitudes Questionnaire – Short form 2006 e dos indicadores de qualidade. Resultados Os profissionais percebem o ambiente como favorável à prática profissional, avaliaram como boa a qualidade do cuidado e a redução de eventos adversos e da permanência hospitalar. O domínio satisfação no trabalho foi favorável à segurança do paciente. Conclusões O ambiente de trabalho é favorável à prática de enfermagem, os profissionais aprovam a qualidade do cuidado e os indicadores apontam redução dos eventos adversos e da permanência hospitalar.

RESUMEN Objetivos Describir las características del ambiente de trabajo, las actitudes hacia la seguridad, el cuidado de la calidad medida por el personal de enfermería de las unidades de pediatría, así como analizar la evolución de los indicadores de bienestar y desempeño de los hospitales. Métodos Estudio descriptivo con 136 profesionales en un asilo de ancianos hospital pediátrico, realizado a través de la forma de caracterización personal y profesional, Enfermería Índice de Trabajo – Revisado, Actitudes Seguridad Cuestionario – Short Form 2006 y los indicadores de calidad. Resultados Los profesionales perciben el ambiente tan favorable a la práctica profesional y de la buena calidad de la atención, una reducción de los eventos adversos y la estancia hospitalaria. Satisfacción en el trabajo se consideró favorable para la seguridad del paciente. Conclusiones El ambiente de trabajo es propicio para la práctica de los profesionales de enfermería que aprueban la calidad de la atención y la reducción de puntos de indicadores de los eventos adversos y la estancia hospitalaria.

ABSTRACT Objectives To describe the characteristics of the nursing work environment, safety attitudes, quality of care, measured by the nursing staff of the pediatric units, as well as to analyze the evolution of quality of care and hospital indicators. Methods Descriptive study with 136 nursing professionals at a paediatric hospital, conducted through personal and professional characterization form, Nursing Work Index – Revised, Safety Attitudes Questionnaire – Short Form 2006 and quality indicators. Results The professionals perceive the environment as favourable to professional practice, and consider good quality care that is also observed by reducing the incidence of adverse events and decreased length of stay. The domain job satisfaction was considered favourable to patient safety. Conclusions The work environment is favourable to nursing practice, the professionals nursing approve the quality of care and the indicators tended reducing adverse events and length of stay.

Estándares de Acreditación "derechos de pacientes": revisión y estado actual en Centros de Tratamiento en Drogadicción en Colombia / Accreditation standards concerning patients' rights: a review of the current state of affairs related to drug-addiction treatment centers in Colombia

Objetivos Caracterizar y referenciar estado actual del grupo estándares de acreditación "derechos de los pacientes" en muestra de instituciones de tratamiento en drogas de Colombia. Métodos Estudio de enfoque mixto, empírico de tipo descriptivo y hermenéutico; muestra piloto de 21 centros de tratamiento en drogas en las cuales se determina estado actual de los estándares de acreditación "derechos de los pacientes"; se evalúa posible relación o independencia de las variables categóricas mediante prueba exacta de Fisher con nivel de significancia de 0,05. En fase paralela se realiza revisión documental de referenciación. Resultados: Los Centros de tratamiento en drogas suministran información en mayor proporción a familiares (95 %) que a los pacientes (90 %) y menores de edad (81 %). Representan posibles barreras de acceso al tratamiento, ser portador o enfermo VIH (29 %), orientación sexual LGTB (14 %) y ser mujer (10 %); religión y raza no son condiciones para discriminación o barreras de atención. Existen estándares coincidentes en el grupo "derechos de los pacientes" en el sistema de acreditación Colombiano con The Joint Commission, pero esta última entidad acreditadora tiene desarrollos importantes en un manual específico aplicable a instituciones de tratamiento de adicción a drogas. Conclusiones Los centros evaluados en Colombia, muestran logros en el grupo de estándares para la acreditación derechos de los pacientes, pero estos estándares requieren revisión para su adaptación a los desarrollos internacionales y a la particularidad de la población adicta y de las instituciones de tratamiento.

Objective Characterizing and contrasting the current state of affairs concerning patients' rights-associated accreditation standards in a sample of drug-addiction treatment centers in Colombia. Methods This was mixed methodology research (i.e. descriptive and hermeneutic); a pilot sample of 21 drug-addiction treatment centers in Colombia was used for determining the current state of patients' rights accreditation standards. The possible relationship or independence between categorical variables was evaluated by using Fisher's exact test (0.05 significance level). A contrasting documentary review was made at the same time. Results Drug-addiction treatment centers provided more information for families (95 %) than patients (90 %) or minors (81 %). Possible barriers to gaining access for treatment were being HIV positive (29 %), being part of the LGTB population (14 %) and being female (10 %); religion and ethnicity were not seen as grounds for discrimination or treatment barriers. The patients' rights standards group coincided with Colombia´s accreditation system and Joint Commission standards; however, the latter accreditation entity has made significant progress regarding a specific manual for drug-addiction treatment centers. Conclusions The centers assessed in Colombia had made advances regarding accrediting patients' rights, but such standards require revision for being adapted to international developments and specific matters involved in treating addicts and the specific conditions for institutions dealing with such treatment.

Clinical Image Evaluation of Film Mammograms in Korea: Comparison with the ACR Standard

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study is to compare the overall quality of film mammograms taken according to the Korean standards with the American College of Radiology (ACR) standard for clinical image evaluation and to identify means of improving mammography quality in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four hundred and sixty eight sets of film mammograms were evaluated with respect to the Korean and ACR standards for clinical image evaluation. The pass and failure rates of mammograms were compared by medical facility types. Average scores in each category of the two standards were evaluated. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to identify an optimal Korean standard pass mark by taking the ACR standard as the reference standard. RESULTS: 93.6% (438/468) of mammograms passed the Korean standard, whereas only 80.1% (375/468) passed the ACR standard (p < 0.001). Non-radiologic private clinics had the lowest pass rate (88.1%: Korean standard, 71.8%: ACR standard) and the lowest total score (76.0) by the Korean standard. Average scores of positioning were lowest (19.3/29 by the Korean standard and 3.7/5 by the ACR standard). A cutoff score of 77.0 for the Korean standard was found to correspond to a pass level when the ACR standard was applied. CONCLUSION: We suggest that tighter regulations, such as, raising the Korean pass mark, subtracting more for severe deficiencies, or considering a very low scores in even a single category as failure, are needed to improve the quality of mammography in Korea.

Outcomes-based Curriculum Development and Student Evaluation in Nursing Education

PURPOSE: A curriculum development model is presented to examine the processes necessary to develop new programs or evaluate existing programs within the philosophy of outcomes-based education in nursing, especially in the context of accreditation. The philosophy of outcomes-based education is to produce individuals who can demonstrate the evidence of competencies in designated areas of education. For nursing education, this means competencies in performing the role of professional nursing as defined by the profession and social needs at the beginning level upon completing a nursing program. METHODS: A curriculum development model has been developed analytically based on the literature and experiences. RESULTS: A 10-step process framework incorporating the tenets of outcomes-based nursing education is illustrated. CONCLUSION: This curriculum development framework can be applied in developing new educational programs in nursing or to evaluate and revise existing programs in anticipation of the accreditation process that is moving with a full force in such countries as Korea.

A utilidade dos indicadores da qualidade no gerenciamento de laboratórios clínicos / Usefulness of quality indicators in the management of clinical laboratories

O uso dos indicadores da qualidade vem sendo valorizado na gestão dos laboratórios clínicos para otimizar a qualificação e a quantificação das falhas nos diferentes processos laboratoriais, bem como para auxiliar a implantação de medidas corretivas e preventivas e apontar a eficácia das ações tomadas. O objetivo deste trabalho é discorrer sobre a evolução da qualidade na área da saúde, com ênfase na área laboratorial. Alguns indicadores laboratoriais citados na literatura nas fases pré-analítica, analítica e pós-analítica também são apresentados e discutidos neste artigo. Por fim, destaca-se a experiência brasileira do Programa de Indicadores Laboratoriais desenvolvido pela Sociedade Brasileira de Patologia Clínica/Medicina Laboratorial (SBPC/ML) em parceria com a Control-Lab e o projeto Model of Quality Indicator, em fase de desenvolvimento pela International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC).

The use of quality indicators has been appreciated in laboratory management so as to optimize quality and error quantification in several laboratory processes. Furthermore, it assists in the implementation of preventive and corrective measures and it shows their corresponding efficiency. The objective of the present study is to discuss the evolution of quality, mainly in the laboratory area, focusing on the importance of quality indicators in laboratory management. Some pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical laboratory indicators are also presented and discussed in this work. Finally, we highlight the Brazilian initiative in the Laboratory Indicator Program developed by the Brazilian Society of Clinical Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (SBPC/ML) in partnership with Control-Lab and the Model of Quality Indicator project, which has been developed by the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC).

Acreditação ou acreditações? Um estudo comparativo entre a acreditação na França, no Reino Unido e na Catalunha / Accreditation or accreditations? A comparative study about accreditation in France, United Kingdom and Cataluña

O artigo analisa a dinâmica da acreditação em três realidades distintas - França, Reino Unido e Catalunha (Espanha) - e apresenta as diferenças significativas nos processos de acreditação implementados. O estudo consistiu na revisão documental e bibliográfica dos sistemas de saúde e dos modelos de acreditação nesses três países, analisando a organização do sistema de saúde, o financiamento, os modos de regulação do sistema de saúde e o processo de acreditação. Na análise da acreditação, buscou-se identificar aspectos relativos à institucionalidade e normatização da ação, as diretrizes, estratégias e resultados alcançados. O estudo revelou que a acreditação adquire distintos significados em função das relações e das propostas de política nos países. A acreditação não pode ser compreendida apenas como uma ferramenta de qualidade que se oferece à adesão voluntária de hospitais. Ela só pode ser compreendida no contexto das propostas políticas que delimitam sua aplicação em sistemas de saúde concretos, bem como em função das características do arranjo dos serviços de saúde nesses sistemas.

This article analyzes the dynamics and changes in the accreditation process in three different places - France, UK and Cataluña (Spain) - based on documents about their health systems organizations, funding sources and regulations. The objective was to find out about the relevant aspects of the strategies of these countries' institutions that adapted accreditation to national circumstances in the healthcare policy arena. Although there are similarities in the basic approaches and standards used, there are different models of accreditation. Setting standards raises the question of who should define them and how they should be monitored; accreditation's methodology cannot be seen only as a voluntary process for assessing quality in healthcare or perceived as tool for certification and regulation. Interests in accreditation can be driven by a number of different forces, which depend upon the model adopted. Therefore, it can only be understood in the policy arena of each country.