Caracterización del tabaquismo en una unidad de cuidados intermedios de un hospital de referencia / Characterization of smoking in an intermediate treatment unit of a referral hospital

Introducción: Las enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles (ECNT), como el cáncer, enfermedades cardiovasculares y respiratorias, son la epidemia del siglo XXI, siendo el tabaquismo un factor de riesgo común. Objetivo: Caracterizar a los pacientes tabáquicos de la Unidad de Tratamientos Intermedios (UTI) del Instituto Nacional del Tórax. Material y Método: Estudio observacional, analítico y descriptivo. Se evaluaron 150 ingresos consecutivos a la UTI desde el 01 de septiembre al 01 de diciembre de 2022. Resultados: La prevalencia de tabaquismo fue de un 56%, incluyendo exfumadores. La media de edad fue de 64 años. La exposición a humo de segunda mano resultó significativa con un 41,7% en fumadores activos. Las asociaciones con hipertensión arterial, EPOC y cáncer pulmonar resultaron significativas. Un 20,2% de los pacientes con cáncer pulmonar tenían tabaquismo activo. No fueron significativos los días de estadía en la unidad, hospitalaria general ni fallecimientos. Conclusiones: En nuestra cohorte la prevalencia de tabaquismo fue más alta que la nacional y se confirmó su vínculo con las ECNT. Identificamos que la exposición de segunda mano fue significativa, por lo que los esfuerzos para el cese del tabaquismo deben ir enfocados tanto al paciente como su entorno cercano. A pesar que algunos pacientes tenían el diagnóstico de cáncer pulmonar, un porcentaje no menor seguía fumando, por lo que es relevante incorporar a este grupo de pacientes a programas especializados para reducir morbilidad. Con nuestro estudio reafirmamos la importancia de continuar con los esfuerzos nacionales por reducir el tabaquismo como acción preventiva de las ECNT y sus complicaciones.

Introduction: Chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as cancer, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, are the epidemic of the 21st century, smoking being a common risk factor. Objective: To characterize smoking patients in the Intermediate Treatment Unit (ICU) of the Chilean National Thorax Institute. Material and Method: Observational, analytical and descriptive study. 150 consecutive admissions to the ICU were evaluated from September 1 to December 1, 2022. Results: The prevalence of smoking was 56%, including former smokers. The average age was 64 years-old. Exposure to secondhand smoke was significant with 41.7% in active smokers. The associations with high blood pressure, COPD and lung cancer were significant. 20.2% of patients with lung cancer were active smokers. The days of stay in the unit, general hospital stay, or deaths were not significant. Conclusions: In our cohort the prevalence of smoking was higher than the national average and its link with NCDs is confirmed. We identified that secondhand exposure was significant, so efforts to stop smoking must be focused on both the patient and their immediate environment. Although some patients had a diagnosis of lung cancer, a significant percentage continued to smoke, making it important to incorporate this group of patients into specialized programs to reduce morbidity. With our study we reaffirm the importance of continuing national efforts to reduce smoking as a preventive action for NCDs and their complications.

A scalable, self-sustaining model for screening and treatment of diabetic retinopathy in rural Karnataka

The Indian health infrastructure is struggling to handle the burgeoning number of people with diabetes. Managing the complications of diabetes in an organized manner through the government health programs is still a distant reality. Here, we describe a program aimed at addressing the problem of diabetic retinopathy in rural areas of Tumkur district in Karnataka. By amalgamating telescreening and our own novel distributive care model, we were able to screen 85% of the registered diabetics in the Government noncommunicable disease clinics and treat 95% of those needing laser therapy. We also describe the importance of using electronic medical records in public health programs which not only increase the efficiency in screening for disease but help in increasing uptake of treatment by tracking defaulters.

Evidence-based guides in tracheostomy use in critical patients

Objetivos: Proporcionar guías de traqueostomía para el paciente crítico, basadas en la evidencia científica disponible, y facilitar la identificación de áreas en las cuales se requieren mayores estudios. Métodos: Un grupo de trabajo formado con representantes de 10 países pertenecientes a la Federación Panamericana e Ibérica de Sociedades de Medicina Crítica y Terapia Intensiva y a la Latin American Critical Care Trial Investigators Network(LACCTIN) desarrollaron estas recomendaciones basadas en el sistema Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE). Resultados: El grupo identificó 23 preguntas relevantes entre las 87 preguntas planteadas inicialmente. En la búsqueda inicial de la literatura se identificaron 333 estudios, de los cuales se escogieron un total de 226. El equipo de trabajo generó un total de 19 recomendaciones: 10 positivas (1B = 3, 2C = 3, 2D = 4) y 9 negativas (1B = 8, 2C = 1). En 6 ocasiones no se pudieron establecer recomendaciones. Conclusión: La traqueostomía percutánea se asocia a menor riesgo de infecciones en comparación con la traqueostomía quirúrgica. La traqueostomía precoz solo parece reducir la duración de la ventilación mecánica pero no la incidencia de neumonía, la duración de la estancia hospitalaria o la mortalidad a largo plazo. La evidencia no apoya el uso de broncoscopia de forma rutinaria ni el uso de máscara laríngea durante el procedimiento. Finalmente, el entrenamiento adecuado previo es tanto o más importante que la técnica utilizada para disminuir las complicaciones.(AU)

OBJECTIVES: Provide evidence based guidelines for tracheostomy in critically ill adult patients and identify areas needing further research. METHODS: A task force composed of representatives of 10 member countries of the Pan-American and Iberic Federation of Societies of Critical and Intensive Therapy Medicine and of the Latin American Critical Care Trial Investigators Network developed recommendations based on the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation system. RESULTS: The group identified 23 relevant questions among 87 issues that were initially identified. In the initial search, 333 relevant publications were identified of which 226 publications were chosen. The task force generated a total of 19 recommendations: 10 positive (1B=3, 2C=3, 2D=4) and 9 negative (1B=8, 2C=1). A recommendation was not possible in six questions. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous techniques are associated with a lower risk of infections compared to surgical tracheostomy. Early tracheostomy only seems to reduce the duration of ventilator use but not the incidence of pneumonia, the length of stay, or the long-term mortality rate. The evidence does not support the use of routine bronchoscopy guidance or laryngeal masks during the procedure. Finally, proper prior training is as important or even a more significant factor in reducing complications than the technique used.(AU)

Exploration of the Ethics Issues in Reproductive Medical Treatment Unit at the Present Stage / 中国医学伦理学

Through analyzing the ethical status quo in reproductive medicine treatment unit, this article dis-cussed the social ethical issues brought by ART technology development related to the reproductive medical treat-ment unit. Then it put forward the measures to solve those ethical problems: strengthening the ethical principles and ethical committee construction, sharing data information, fully informed consent, and suggestions to improving ethics education.

Design and practice of multimodal phased protective training for medical staff in the Chinese Ebola Treatment Unit / 重庆医学

Objective To investigate the methods and effects of multimodal and phased protective training for medical staff against Ebola.Methods The 4 stages of the protective training include the theoretical teaching,track type simulative process train-ing,simulative ward training,on-site training.We combined the 4 protective training stages and made 4 protective skills assessments in sequence.Results The average scores and qualified rates of the medical staff in the second,third,fourth assessment increased significantly comparing with that in the first assessment.The qualified rate reached 100% in the fourth assessment and we realized zero infection during the mission.Conclusion Multimodal phased protective training reinforced the protective skills of medical staff.Zero infection of medical staff needed seamless supervision in work time eventually.

Validity of shifts management by group schedule comprising doctors,nurses and sanitary cleaners simultaneously on the basis of echelon allocation in Ebola Treatment Unit of China / 重庆医学

Objective To evaluate the validity of shifts management by group schedule comprising doctors,nurses and sanita-ry cleaners simultaneously on the basis of echelon allocation in Ebola Treatment Unit(ETU)of China.Methods According to the characteristics of Ebola infectious disease prevention and control,working schedule was designed basing on the medical staff compo-sition,working duration and job responsibilities.The validity of this schedule was evaluated by hospital admission time,discharge time,PPE supplies consumption,the error frequence of PPE wearing or uncoating and staff satisfaction.Results Through this mode of shift management,hospital admission time and discharge time were shortened,PPE supplies consumption and the error fre-quence of PPE wearing or uncoating were decreased,the satisfaction degree were improved among doctors,nurses and sanitary cleaners(P <0.01).Conclusion The application of this new style working schedule could ensure the nursing services to be procee-ded safely and smoothly.