Improving outcomes in co-morbid diabetes and COVID-19: A quasi-experimental study

Background: High-risk people living with diabetes (PLWD) have increased risk for morbidity and mortality. During the first coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) wave in 2020 in Cape Town, South Africa, high-risk PLWD with COVID-19 were fast-tracked into a field hospital and managed aggressively. This study evaluated the effects of this intervention by assessing the impact of this intervention on clinical outcomes in this cohort. Methods: A retrospective quasi-experimental study design compared patients admitted pre- and post-intervention. Results: A total of 183 participants were enrolled, with the two groups having similar demographic and clinical pre-Covid-19 baselines. Glucose control on admission was better in the experimental group (8.1% vs 9.3% [p = 0.013]). The experimental group needed less oxygen (p < 0.001), fewer antibiotics (p < 0.001) and fewer steroids (p = 0.003), while the control group had a higher incidence of acute kidney injury during admission (p = 0.046). The median glucose control was better in the experimental group (8.3 vs 10.0; p = 0.006). The two groups had similar clinical outcomes for discharge home (94% vs 89%), escalation in care (2% vs 3%) and inpatient death (4% vs 8%). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that a risk-based approach to high-risk PLWD with COVID-19 may yield good clinical outcomes while making financial savings and preventing emotional distress. Contribution: We propose a risk-based approach to guide clinical management of high risk patients, which departs significantly from the current disease-based model. More research using randomised control trial methodology should explore this hypothesis.

Panorama da produção científica sobre Cuidados Intermediários e Hospitais Comunitários: uma revisão integrativa / Overview of scientific production on Intermediate Care and Community Hospitals: an integrative review

RESUMO Mudanças epidemiológicas decorrentes do envelhecimento populacional motivaram transformações nos sistemas de saúde mundiais. Desde 1990, emergem discussões sobre Cuidados Intermediários (CI), visando diminuir hospitalizações, melhorar a coordenação do cuidado e estimular políticas públicas de cuidados próximos ao território. Este trabalho objetivou apresentar e analisar a literatura científica sobre CI, enfatizando serviços de Hospitais Comunitários. Realizou-se uma revisão integrativa, combinando os descritores "Intermediate Care", "Community Hospitals", "Intermediate Care Facilities", "Long-Term Care", "Hospitals Chronic Disease" e "Rehabilitation Services", nos idiomas português, inglês e espanhol, nas bases Portal Regional da Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde, PubMed e Biblioteca Digital Brasileira de Teses e Dissertações. Após processo de busca e elegibilidade, foram incluídos 30 documentos para síntese qualitativa, provenientes de: Reino Unido, Noruega, Espanha, Dinamarca, Austrália e Itália. Resultados apontam para a eficácia, a efetividade e a eficiência dos CI, com boas avaliações por parte de profissionais e usuários. Os CI, como estratégia de fortalecimento da Atenção Primária à Saúde, redução de internações, favorecimento da independência funcional dos pacientes e seu retorno à comunidade, apresentam-se como uma inovação em saúde e aposta promissora. Entretanto, persistem lacunas na literatura que ensejam mais estudos sobre o tema, com vistas a subsidiar a tomada de decisão.

ABSTRACT Epidemiological changes resulting from populational aging have led to changes in global health systems. Since 1990, discussions on Intermediate Care (IC) have emerged, with a view to reducing hospitalizations, improving care coordination, and stimulating public care policies close to the territory. This work aims to present and analyze the scientific literature on CI, emphasizing services from Community Hospitals. An integrative review was carried out, combining the descriptors "Intermediate Care", "Community Hospitals", "Intermediate Care Facilities", "Long-Term Care", "Hospitals Chronic Disease", and "Rehabilitation Services", in Portuguese, English and Spanish, in the Regional Portal of Virtual Health Library, PubMed and Digital Library of Thesis and Dissertations bases. After the search and eligibility process, 30 documents were included for qualitative synthesis, coming from: The United Kingdom, Norway, Spain, Denmark, Australia and Italy. Results point to the efficacy, effectiveness and efficiency of ICs, with good evaluations by professionals and users. ICs, as a strategy to strengthen Primary Health Care, reduce hospital admissions, favor patients' functional independence and return to the community, are presented as a health innovation and promising bet. However, there are gaps in the literature that lead to more studies on the topic, with a view to supporting decision making.

Una mirada hacia las unidades decuidados intermedios / A look at the intermediate care units

Introducción: Las unidades de cuidados intermedios constituyen parte de los procesos de atención progresivo. Brindan asistencia continua a pacientes potencialmente graves, además ofrecen vigilancia y tratamiento en un nivel menor que las unidades de cuidados intensivos, pero superior a las salas de hospitalización convencionales. Objetivo: Motivar a los profesionales del nivel de atención secundaria a valorar las ventajas de la unidades de cuidados intermedios y fomentar su aplicación. Métodos: Se realizó una revisión bibliográfica minuciosa de 80 artículos publicados en español e inglés sin limitación de la fechas de publicación, en las bases de datos: PubMed, Latindex y Medline. Se utilizó la palabra clave Unidades de Cuidados Intermedios. Se aplicaron métodos de síntesis de la información y análisis crítico para crear un artículo de revisión y opinión. Resultados: De los artículos revisados 28 se incluyeron en el presente trabajo. Discusión: Entre las ventajas de hacer uso de unidades de cuidados intermedios están, disminución de costos, adecuada distribución de los recursos, reducción de las transferencias a prestadores externos, elevación de la calidad asistencial y disminución de ingresos en las unidades de cuidados intensivos. Varios países latinoamericanos carecen de unidades de cuidados intermedios, incrementándose los costos hospitalarios y afectándose la atención del paciente potencialmente grave. Conclusiones: Las unidades de cuidados intermedios representan un eslabón en la actividad asistencial del paciente potencialmente grave de gran importancia, con numerosas ventajas que impactan sobre los costos y calidad en la atención hospitalaria.

Review and inspirations of the payment mechanism of Long-Term Care Hospital of Medicare of the United States / 中华医院管理杂志

A type of designated hospitals in Medicare is referred to as Long-Term Care Hospital (LTCH). LTCH is one of Post-Acute Care settings(I. e. Intermediate care)and the only facilities certified by length of stays. This article reviewed the milestones and payment methods of Medicare Long-Term Care Hospital payment system, for perfection of the medical insurance and construction of China′s intermediate care system.

The development ,recent progress and future perspectives of intermediate care for elderly patients / 中华老年医学杂志

When having completed the treatments of acute disease ,the hospitalized elderly patients are often not able to return home immediately due to poor physical and mental conditions. They need a period of integrated medical care for recovering independent living ability. Intermediate care provides appropriate treatment and intensive rehabilitation for elderly patients in a relatively short period after acute diseases to restore optimal health ,reduce readmission ,and return self-care ability as far as possible. Intermediate care can fill the gap between acute-term treatment and long-term care. This review is about the development of intermediate care ,the mode and the research of intermediate care in different countries ,equipment configuration and human resource allocation ,and the outlook for intermediate care.

Curative effect observation of intermediate care on patients with after acute stage / 中国综合临床

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of intermediate care in patients with after acute stroke.Methods Six hundred cases patients with after acute stroke were divided into experimental group with 301 cases and control groups with 299 cases according to the opinions of patient and family members.The experimental group was given intermediate care for 2 weeks.The control group was given the basic treatment of cerebral infarction.Activities of Daily Living (ADL) score,fall risk score and geriatric depression scale (GDS) were compared between the two groups at the time of entry,2 weeks after treatment,6 months and 12 months of follow-up.Results There were no significant differences in terms of ADL score,fall risk score and GDS between the two groups at the time of entry(P＞0.05).Compared with at the time of entry,ADL score and fall risk score were decreased of two group after 2 weeks after treatment,6 months and 12 months of follow-up(P ＜0.05),and ADL score and fall risk score of the experimental group both were lower than of the control group after 2 weeks after treatment,6 months and 12 months of follow-up(P＜0.05).Compared with at the time of entry and 2 weeks after treatment,GDS of two groups both were decreased 6 months and 12 months of follow-up (P ＜0.05),but there was no significant difference between the two groups in different time periods(P ＞0.05).Conclusion Intermediate care has a significant effect on improving the activities of daily living and reducing the risk of falls in patients with after acute stroke,and can reduce the GDS score.

A survey of the clinical needs of intermediate care services in hospitalized elderly patients / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective To investigate the application of functional assessment to determine the needs of intermediate care services of elderly,and to analyze the needs of intermediate care services of elderly patients in different grades of hospital,different departments and different age.Method 2481 cases of patients aged over 60 years hospitalized due to acute diseases were collected.The ability of activities of daily living (ADL) scale (Barthel index) and limb function were determined in patients aged over 60 years within 1 week after admission as acute diseases.According to the clinical data and scoring scales,the patients were divided into three groups of self-care group without declined independent function of life with Barthel index ＞ 95 points;intermediate care group in whom the ability of daily activities was decreased due to the acute diseases,the function of the body was decreased,and Barthel index was between 45 ～ 95 points;and long-term care group with long term bed rest,severely declined autonomic function or complete dependence and Barthel index less than 45 points,and no opportunity of further recovery.A total of 382 elderly patients (195 male) were in intermediate care group.Analyzed were the intermediate care needs of elderly patients in different levels of hospitals,different departments (including respiratory,cardiovascular,emergency department,geriatrics) and different age.Results The proportion of needs of intermediate care services was 16.1％ (194/1205) in third grade hospitals,24.3％ (33/136) in grade 2 hospitals,38.1 ％ (91/239) in grade 1 hospitals,and 7.1％ (64/901) in community hospital.In general hospital the proportion of needs of intermediate care services were 24.5 ％ (13/53) in emergency department,12.1％ (4/33) in cardiology department,14.6％ (6/41) in respiratory department,and 10.4％ (7/ 67) in geriatric department.The proportion of needs of intermediate care services was 19.0％ (22/ 116) in age group of 60～69,42.2％ (62/147) in age groupof 70～79,and 28.6％ (34/119) in age group of over 80 years.Conclusion The needs of intermediate care services are different in different age groups.Patients aged 70 ～ 79 years have the highest needs of intermediate care services.The needs of intermediate care services are different in different grade levels of hospitals and in different departments.

Effect of intermediate care on the recurrence and recurrence rate of elderly patients with cerebral infarction / 中国综合临床

Objective To observe the effect of intermediate care on recurrence factors and recurrence rate of elderly patients with cerebral infarction.Methods Five Hundred and ninety-eight cases of acute cerebral stroke were divided into two groups,301 cases in the experimental group and 297 cases in the control group.After the acute stage,patients in the experimental group was included into the intermediate care unit.The experimental group was given comprehensive evaluation and multidisciplinary management,including the combination of traditional Chinese and Western medicine treatment,rehabilitation training and physical therapy,medication guidance,nursing and health education.After the acute stage of the disease,the control group patients were in the general ward.The course of treatment was 2 weeks.At baseline(t0),second weeks(t1),sixth months(t2)and twelfth months(t3),the blood pressure(SBP,DBP),fasting blood-glucose(FBG),blood lipid(TC,TG,LDL),serum homocysteine(Hcy)level and the recurrence rate of cerebral infarction in all two groups were observed.Results SBP at t1,t2 and t3 was lower than that at t0 in the experimental group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).SBP in the experimental group at t2 and t3 was lower than that in the control group.There was significant difference between the experimental group and the control group(P＜0.05).DBP at t2 and t3 was lower than that at t0 in the experimental group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).DP in the experimental group at t2 and t3 was lower than that in the control group.There was significant difference between the experimental group and the control group(P＜0.05).FBG at t1((5.34±0.76)mmol/L),t2(5.86±1.05)mmol/L)and t3(5.62±0.89)mmol/L)were lower than that at t0((7.27±2.34)mmol/L),and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).FBG in the experimental group at t2 and t3 were lower than that in the control group((6.85±0.92)mmol/L,(6.36±1.03)mmol/L).There was significant difference between two groups(P＜0.05).TC at t1((4.86±0.85)mmol/L),t2((4.21±0.76)mmol/L)and t3((3.95±0.64)mmol/L)were lower than that at t0((5.56±1.06)mmol/L),and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).TC in the experimental group at t2 and t3 was lower than that in the control group((5.06±0.93)mmol/L,(4.84±0.76)mmol/L).There was significant difference between two groups(P＜0.05).TG at t3((1.48±0.26)mmol/L)was lower than that at t0((1.86±1.31)mmol/L),and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).TG in the experimental group at t3 was lower than that in the control group((1.71±0.66)mmol/L).There was significant difference between two groups(P＜0.05).LDL at t1((3.76±0.92)mmol/L),t2((3.09±0.62)mmol/L)and t3((2.59±0.51)mmol/L)were lower than that at t0((4.59±1.45)mmol/L),and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).LDL in the experimental group at t2and t3 was lower than that in the control group((4.09±0.75)mmol/L,(4.12±0.64)mmol/L).There was significant difference between two groups(P＜0.05).Hcy at t1((14.16±3.17)μmol/L),t2((10.37±2.59)μmol/L)and t3((10.10±1.86)μmol/L)were lower than that at t0((23.62±5.62)μmol/L),and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).Hcy in the experimental group at t2and t3 was lower than that in the control group((18.52±3.64)μmol/L,(16.37±2.75)μmol/L).There was significant difference between two groups(P＜0.05).The recurrence rate of cerebral infarction within 1 years was 4.7％(14/301)and 7.1％(21/297)in the experimental group and the control group.There was a decreasing tendency,but no statistical significance(P=0.208).Conclusion The intermediate care may affect the blood pressure,FBG,blood lipids,serum Hcy levels in elderly patients with cerebral infarction,so as to reduce the recurrence rate of cerebral infarction.

Investigation of intermediate care cognition and care needs in patients with fracture / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective To investigate the cognition and care needs of the patients with acute stage fracture thus providing reference for the construction of intermediate care model. Methods The data of 504 patients with acute stage fracture from December 2014 to April 2015 were investigated through questionnaire, and analyzed. The issues included gender, age, marital status, cultural level, degree of understanding of intermediate care, care needs, etc. Results 63.29%(319/504) of the patients didn′t know intermediate care before they filled in the questionnaire,only 3.97%(20/504) of the patients understood the conception of intermediate care; different stage of age had different cognition towards intermediate care, the differences were statistically significant( χ2=148.771, P<0.01); different stage of age, sex, marital status, cultural level had different care needs, the differences were statistically significant (H/u=9.692-129.097, P<0.05). Conclusions At present, the majority of patients have no conception about intermediate care, so it is necessary to build the model of intermediate care. As nursing staff we should provide different help according to different type people, thus we can promote patients' physical and mental health, improve patient satisfaction to the greatest extent.

Síndrome de respuesta inflamatoria sistémica y disfunción orgánica en urgencias pediátricas / Association between systemic inflammatory response and organ dysfunction in paediatric emergencies

En las salas de Emergencias Pediátricas la gravedad o el riesgo de fallecer es un hecho de especial importancia. La gravedad de una enfermedad es difícil de definir, para esto, se han desarrollado escalas de riesgo de muerte. Para optimizar la preparación del departamento de emergencia en el manejo de niños con enfermedades graves necesitamos conocer las características del paciente y su enfermedad. Objetivo: Evaluar relación entre síndrome de respuesta inflamatoria sistémica y disfunción orgánica en niños Metodología: Cohorte prospectiva. Niños con enfermedad aguda grave, admitidos en forma consecutiva al departamento de urgencias, evaluación de variables clínicas y fisiológicas. Análisis del efecto de variables sobre el riesgo de disfunción orgánica múltiple o mortalidad Resultados: Riesgo de enfermedad aguda grave, 70/105 niños <12 años; edad mediana 0,9 (0,3-3,9) años; síndrome de disfunción orgánica múltiple, 14 (24,1%) de 58; tasa de mortalidad observada 6,9%. Riesgo de muerte en niños con disfunción multiorgánica 3/14 (21,4%) contra 1(2,3%) de 44 niños sin disfunción multiorgánica (RR 9,4; χ2 6,1; p 0,04) Conclusión: En niños con enfermedad aguda grave el riesgo de muerte esta positivamente asociado con el riesgo de disfunción orgánica múltiple.

In pediatric emergency rooms, the risk of dying is a fact of particular importance. The severity of a disease is difficult to define, for this reason, risk of death scales have been developed. To optimize the preparation of emergency departments in the management of children with serious diseases we need to know the characteristics of the patient and his illness. Goal: To assess the relationship between systemic inflammatory response syndrome and organ dysfunction in children Methodology: Prospective cohort. Children with serious acute illness, admitted consecutively to the Emergency Department, evaluation of clinical and physiological variables. Analysis of the effect of variables on the risk of mortality and multiple organ dysfunction Results: Serious risk of acute illness, 70/105 children < 12 years; age median 0.9 (0, 3-3, 9) years; multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, 14 (24.1%) 58; rate 6.9% observed mortality. Risk of death in children with dysfunction multi-organ 3/14 (21.4%) against 1(2,3%) of 44 children without multiple organ dysfunction (RR 9.4; ) χ2 ( 6.1; p 0.04) Conclusion: In children with acute and severe illnesses, the risk of death is positively associated with the risk of multiple organ dysfunction.

Riesgo de tromboembolismo pulmonar y tratamiento profiláctico en pacientes graves ingresados en una unidad de cuidados intermedios / Risk of pulmonary embolism and prophylactic treatment in critically ill patients admitted to an intermediate care unit

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, transversal y prospectivo de 96 pacientes, ingresados en la Unidad de Cuidados Intermedios del Hospital Clinicoquirúrgico Docente "Dr. Joaquín Castillo Duany" de Santiago de Cuba, desde enero hasta junio del 2012, con vistas a identificar y estratificar los factores de riesgo del tromboembolismo pulmonar, así como el uso del tratamiento profiláctico durante la estadía hospitalaria de los afectados. Se determinaron los factores de riesgo y se estratificaron en: bajo, moderado, alto y muy alto, teniendo en cuenta si tenían indicación o no de algún tipo de tratamiento profiláctico, lo cual se relacionó con la estadía hospitalaria. Se constató que la mayoría de los afectados tenían asociados más de 2 factores de riesgo, tales como encamamiento prolongado, edad superior a 40 años, sepsis y algún tipo de comorbilidad, que permitieron clasificarlos como de riesgo alto o muy alto de tromboembolismo pulmonar; sin embargo, se indicó tratamiento profiláctico en solo la mitad de ellos.

A descriptive, cross-sectional and prospective study of 96 patients, admitted to the Intermediate Care Unit of "Dr. Joaquín Castillo Duany" Teaching Clinical Surgical Hospital in Santiago de Cuba was carried out from January to June 2012, with the objective of identifying and stratifying the risk factors of pulmonary embolism, as well as the use of the prophylactic treatment during the hospital stay of the affected patients. The risk factors were determined and they were stratified in: low, moderate, high and very high, keeping in mind if they had indication or not of some type of prophylactic treatment, which was related to the hospital stay. It was verified that most of the affected patients had more than 2 risk factors associated, such as prolonged bedridding, age higher than 40 years, sepsis and certain comorbidity type, that allowed to classify them as high or very high risk cases of pulmonary embolism; however, prophylactic treatment was indicated just in half of them.

Ventilación mecánica no invasiva en pacientes con insuficiencia respiratoria aguda / Noninvasive mechanical ventilation in patients with acute respiratory failure i:en

Se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo y transversal de 54 pacientes con insuficiencia respiratoria aguda, atendidos en la Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos e Intermedios del Hospital Clinicoquirúrgico Docente "Saturnino Lora Torres" de Santiago de Cuba desde enero hasta agosto del 2011, a fin de valorar la eficacia de la ventilación artificial mecánica no invasiva en estos afectados que además presentaron otras afecciones clínicas (para postergar o evitar la ventilación mecánica invasiva). Los integrantes de la serie fueron seleccionados de forma no probabilística por criterios de expertos, teniendo en cuenta además los criterios de inclusión del Grupo Iberolatinoamericano de Ventilación Mecánica No Invasiva. Se demostró la efectividad de la técnica en la mejoría clínica y hemogasométrica de estos pacientes especialmente en los que se agudizó la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica.

An observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study of 54 patients with acute respiratory failure, assisted in the Intensive and Intermediate Care Unit from "Saturnino Lora Torres" Teaching Clinical Surgical Hospital in Santiago de Cuba was carried out from January to August, 2011, in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the artificial mechanical noninvasive ventilation in these affected patients, who also presented other clinical disorders (to delay or to avoid the invasive mechanical ventilation). The members of the series were selected in a non probabilistical way based on the experts' criteria, also keeping in mind the inclusion criteria from the Iberolatinoamerican Group of Non Invasive Mechanical Ventilation. The effectiveness of the technique was demonstrated in the clinical and hemogasometric improvement of these patients especially those in whom the chronic, obstructive lung disease worsened.

Ventilación no invasiva en pacientes con estado asmático / Noninvasive ventilation in patients with status asthmaticus

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, con componentes analíticos, y prospectivo de 21 pacientes con estado asmático, ingresados en la Unidad de Cuidados Intermedios del Hospital Provincial Docente Clinicoquirúrgico Saturnino Lora Torres de Santiago de Cuba, desde marzo de 2011 hasta enero de 2012, y que requirieron ventilación mecánica no invasiva (para postergar o evitar la ventilación mecánica invasiva), a fin de evaluar la efectividad de este tratamiento. En la casuística no hubo diferencias significativas (p>0,05) en cuanto a los grupos etarios, el sexo, el nivel de escolaridad y el grado de aceptación de la interfase, pero sí se observó significación respecto a los antecedentes de ventilación artificial mecánica (p<0,01) y la variación de todas las mensuraciones clínicas y hemogasométricas (p<0,05) luego de 24 horas de aplicada la modalidad terapéutica, con lo cual se demostró su eficacia en la mejoría de los pacientes asmáticos con agudización de la enfermedad

A descriptive and prospective study with analytical items was carried out in 21 patients presenting with status asthmaticus, admitted to the Intermediate Care Unit of Saturnino Lora Torres Provincial Teaching Clinical Surgical Hospital of Santiago de Cuba, from March 2011 to January 2012, who required noninvasive mechanical ventilation (to delay or prevent invasive mechanical ventilation), in order to evaluate the effectiveness of this treatment. There were not significant differences (p>0.05) in the case material in terms of age groups, sex, educational level and the degree of acceptance of the interface, but significance was observed regarding the history of artificial mechanical ventilation (p <0.01) and the variation of all clinical and hemogasometric measurements (p <0.05) 24 hours after the application of the therapeutic modality, thus demonstrating its effectiveness in improving asthmatic patients with exacerbation of disease

Farmacovigilancia intensiva de agonistas adrenérgicos empleados en la atención al paciente grave / Intensive pharmacovigilance of adrenergic agonists used in the severe patient care

La farmacovigilancia es una rama de la Farmacología de reciente evolución. Surge por acontecimientos desencadenados con la explosión farmacológica después de la II Guerra Mundial, que permitieron grandes avances en el tratamiento de enfermedades que antes conducían rápida e inexorablemente a la muerte o a una grave incapacidad. Objetivo: monitorear los tratamientos administrados con agonistas adrenérgicos empleados en el paciente grave. Método: se realizó un estudio de tipo observacional prospectivo en pacientes que recibieron tratamiento con agonistas adrenérgicos en la unidad de cuidados intermedios del Hospital Municipal Manuel Piti Fajardo de Florida, Camagüey; desde enero a julio de 2010. La muestra quedó constituida por 71 pacientes. Para el estudio se tuvieron en cuenta variables sociodemográficas, epidemiológicas, tipo y grado de severidad, causalidad, mecanismos de producción de las reacciones adversas medicamentosas, así como el desenlace final de las mismas. Resultados: se obtuvo más de un cincuenta por ciento de pacientes con sospechas de reacción adversa medicamentosa a predominio de aquellos en que se detectaron manifestaciones como taquicardia, palidez e hipertensión arterial entre los signos y síntomas, según el agonista adrenérgico administrado se observóefectos de (tipo A) en aquellos que adquirieron un grado de severidad moderado, clasificadas como probadas, donde el mayor por ciento de la muestra necesitó tratamiento para la resolución de los síntomas

Pharmacovigilance is a branch of Pharmacology of recent development. It arises by events triggered with the pharmacological explosion after the Second World War, which allowed great advances in the treatment of diseases which before lead to a rapid and inexorably death or a severe disability.Objective: to observe treatments administered with adrenergic agonists used in the severe patient. Methods: a prospective observational study was performed on patients who were treated with adrenergic agonists in the intermediate care unit at the Municipal Hospital Manuel "Piti" Fajardo, Florida, Camagüey; from January to July 2010. The sample was constituted by 71 patients. The study took into account sociodemographic and epidemiological variables, type and degree of severity, causation, mechanisms of production of drug adverse reactions, as well as their final outcome. Results: more than fifty percent of patients with suspicion of adverse drug reaction was obtained to predominance of those in which were detected manifestations such as tachycardia, pallor and hypertension between signs and symptoms,according to adrenergic agonist was observed (type A) effects in those who acquired a moderate degree of severity, classified as proven, where the greatest percent of the sample needed treatment to the resolutionof symptoms