Standardization of elective tracheostomies at the Central Institute of the Hospital das Clínicas in São Paulo during the COVID-19 pandemic / Padronização da realização de traqueostomias eletivas no Instituto Central do Hospital das Clínicas de São Paulo durante a pandemia de COVID-19

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 Pandemic has resulted in a high number of hospital admissions and some of those patients need ventilatory support in intensive care units. The viral pneumonia secondary to Sars-cov-2 infection may lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and longer mechanical ventilation needs, resulting in a higher demand for tracheostomies. Due to the high aerosolization potential of such procedure, and the associated risks of staff and envoirenment contamination, it is necesseray to develop a specific standardization of the of the whole process involving tracheostomies. This manuscript aims to demonstrate the main steps of the standardization created by a tracheostomy team in a tertiary hospital dedicated to providing care for patients with COVID-19.

RESUMO A pandemia da COVID-19 tem gerado um número elevado de internações hospitalares e muitos pacientes são admitidos nas unidades de terapia intensiva para suporte ventilatório invasivo. A pneumonia viral provocada pelo Sars-cov-2 pode resultar na síndrome da disfunção respiratória aguda (SDRA) e em um tempo prolongado de ventilação mecânica, gerando uma demanda maior de traqueostomias. Diante do alto potencial de aerossolização desse procedimento, com risco de contaminação da equipe e do ambiente, é necessário criar uma padronização específica de todo o processo que envolve essa cirurgia. Este artigo visa demonstrar as principais etapas dessa padronização desenvolvida por um equipe dedicada à realização de traqueostomias em um hospital terciário dedicado ao atendimento de pacientes com suspeita ou confirmação de COVID-19.

Pharmacotherapeutic follow-up in a respiratory intensive care unit: description and analysis of results / Acompanhamento farmacoterapêutico em unidade de terapia intensiva respiratória: descrição e análise de resultados

ABSTRACT Objective: To describe and evaluate the pharmacotherapeutic follow-up by a clinical pharmacist in an intensive care unit. Methods: A descriptive and cross-sectional study carried out from August to October 2016. The data were collected through a form, and pharmacotherapeutic follow-up conducted by a clinical pharmacist at the respiratory intensive care unit of a tertiary hospital. The problems recorded in the prescriptions were quantified, classified and evaluated according to severity; the recommendations made by the pharmacist were analyzed considering the impact on pharmacotherapy. The medications involved in the problems were classified according to the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System. Results: Forty-six patients were followed up and 192 pharmacotherapy-related problems were registered. The most prevalent problems were missing information on the prescription (33.16%), and those with minor severity (37.5%). Of the recommendations made to optimize pharmacotherapy, 92.7% were accepted, particularly those on inclusion of infusion time (16.67%), and dose appropriateness (13.02%), with greater impact on toxicity (53.6%). Antimicrobials, in general, for systemic use were drug class most often related to problems in pharmacotherapy (53%). Conclusion: Pharmacotherapeutic follow-up conducted by a pharmacist in a respiratory intensive care unit was able to detect problems in drug therapy and to make clinically relevant recommendations.

RESUMO Objetivo: Descrever e avaliar o acompanhamento farmacoterapêutico do farmacêutico clínico em uma unidade de terapia intensiva. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo descritivo, com desenho transversal, realizado no período de agosto a outubro de 2016. Os dados foram coletados por meio de um formulário de registro, com acompanhamento farmacoterapêutico realizado pelo farmacêutico clínico na unidade de terapia intensiva respiratória de um hospital terciário. Os problemas registrados nas prescrições foram quantificados e classificados, sendo avaliados quanto à gravidade; as recomendações realizadas pelo farmacêutico clínico foram analisadas em relação ao impacto na farmacoterapia. Os medicamentos envolvidos nos problemas foram categorizados utilizando o Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System. Resultados: Foram acompanhados 46 pacientes, tendo sido registrados 192 problemas relacionados à farmacoterapia. Os problemas prevalentes foram informação ausente na prescrição (33,16%) e com gravidade menor (37,5%). Das recomendações realizadas para a otimização da farmacoterapia, 92,7% foram aceitas, sendo prevalentes aquelas referentes a inclusão do tempo de infusão (16,67%) e a adequação da dose (13,02%), com maior impacto na toxicidade (53,6%). Os anti-infecciosos gerais para uso sistêmico constituíram classe de medicamentos mais frequente nos problemas relacionados à farmacoterapia (53%). Conclusão: O acompanhamento farmacoterapêutico realizado pelo farmacêutico em uma unidade de terapia intensiva respiratória mostrou-se capaz de detectar problemas na farmacoterapia dos pacientes e realizar recomendações clinicamente relevantes.

Implementación de indicadores de calidad de la atención en hospitales públicos de tercer nivel en México / Implementation of quality of care indicators for third-level public hospitals in Mexico

Resumen: Objetivo: Seleccionar, pilotar e implementar un set de indicadores para hospitales públicos de tercer nivel. Material y métodos: Estudio cuali-cuantitativo en cuatro etapas: identificación de indicadores usados internacionalmente; selección y priorización por utilidad, factibilidad y confiabilidad; exploración de la calidad de fuentes de información en seis hospitales y piloto de factibilidad y fiabilidad, y medición de seguimiento. Resultados: De 143 indicadores, se seleccionaron 64 y priorizaron ocho. La exploración reveló fuentes de información deficientes. En el piloto, tres indicadores resultaron factibles con fiabilidad limitada. Se realizaron talleres para mejorar registros y fuentes de información; nueve hospitales reportaron mediciones de un trimestre. Conclusiones: No fue posible medir los ocho indicadores priorizados de forma inmediata debido a limitaciones en las fuentes de datos para su construcción. Es necesario mejorar mecanismos de registro y procesamiento de datos en este grupo de hospitales.

Abstract: Objective: To select, pilot test and implement a set of indicators for tertiary public hospitals. Materials and methods: Quali-quantitative study in four stages: identification of indicators used internationally; selection and prioritization by utility, feasibility and reliability; exploration of the quality of sources of information in six hospitals; pilot feasibility and reliability, and follow-up measurement. Results: From 143 indicators, 64 were selected and eight were prioritized. The scan revealed sources of information deficient. In the pilot, three indicators were feasible with reliability limited. Has conducted workshops to improve records and sources of information; nine hospitals reported measurements of a quarter. Conclusions: Eight priority indicators could not be measured immediately due to limitations in the data sources for its construction. It is necessary to improve mechanisms of registration and processing of data in this group of hospital.

Impacto da Doença Periodontal no Perfil Lipídico de Pacientes com Doença Arterial Coronariana Crônica: uma Coorte Retrospectiva de 3 anos / Impact of Periodontal Disease in the Lipid Profile of Patients With Chronic Coronary Artery Disease: a 3-Year, Retrospective Cohort

Fundamento: A inflamação tem sido reconhecida como um importante fator de risco para as doenças cardiovasculares. A doença periodontal pode acarretar alterações de alguns marcadores plasmáticos envolvidos no processo aterogênico. Objetivo: Avaliar a associação entre a doença periodontal e os níveis lipídicos ao longo do tempo em pacientes com doença arterial coronariana crônica. Métodos: Este estudo de coorte retrospectivo incluiu uma amostra de pacientes cardiopatas crônicos recebendo atendimento em um ambulatório de atenção terciária de cardiopatia isquêmica. Dos 239 pacientes elegíveis, foram incluídos 80 que apresentavam dados retrospectivos de perfil lipídico entre 2009 e 2011. Foram realizados exames periodontais de todos os dentes presentes em 2011. Modelos múltiplos de equações de estimação generalizada foram aplicados para avaliar a associação entre parâmetros periodontais e alterações ao longo do tempo nos seguintes desfechos: triglicerídeos, colesterol total, LDL-colesterol e HDL-colesterol, com ajustes para idade, índice de massa corporal, fumo, uso de hipoglicemiante oral e tempo de acompanhamento. Resultados: Durante um tempo médio de acompanhamento de 713 dias, não houve mudanças significativas nas concentrações de triglicerídeos, colesterol total e LDL-colesterol. Um aumento significativo de 31,6% nos níveis de HDL-colesterol foi observado entre 2009 e 2011. Observamos uma associação negativa e significativa entre a média individual de perda de inserção periodontal e nível de HDL-colesterol, indicando que quanto maior a perda de inserção, mais baixos os níveis de HDL-colesterol ao longo do tempo. Conclusão: A doença periodontal destrutiva pode estar relacionada com um pior controle lipídico, particularmente relacionado a níveis de HDL-colesterol, em pacientes cardiopatas crônicos

Background: Inflammation has been recognized as an important risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Periodontal disease may alter some plasma markers involved in the atherogenic process. Objective: To assess the association between periodontal disease and lipid levels over time in patients with chronic coronary artery disease.Methods: This retrospective cohort study included a sample of patients with chronic heart disease receiving care in an outpatient tertiary care for ischemic heart disease. Of 239 patients eligible for the study, we included 80 patients who had available retrospective data of lipid profile between 2009 and 2011. We performed periodontal examinations of all teeth present in 2011. Multiple models of generalized estimating equations were applied to assess the association between periodontal parameters and changes over time in the following outcomes: triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and HDL-cholesterol levels adjusted for age, body mass index, smoking, use of oral hypoglycemic, and follow-up duration. Results: During a mean follow-up time of 713 days, there were no significant changes in the concentrations of triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol. A significant 31.6% increase in HDL-cholesterol levels was observed between 2009 and 2011. We observed a significant negative association between mean individual periodontal attachment loss and HDL- cholesterol levels, indicating that the greater the attachment loss, the lower the HDL-cholesterol level over time. Conclusion: Destructive periodontal disease may be related to a worse lipid control, specifically regarding HDL-cholesterol levels, in chronic cardiac patients

Individual donor nucleic acid testing for blood safety against HIV-1 and hepatitis B and C viruses in a tertiary care hospital.

Background. In July 2010, we started universal individual donor nucleic acid testing (ID-NAT) at our blood bank. This test simultaneously detects human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in samples of donor blood. We continued to do the enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test for these agents, as per the guidelines of the Drug Controller General of India. We assessed the impact of ID-NAT in preventing transfusionassociated transmission of viruses. Methods. We used fourth generation ELISA to screen blood samples of all voluntary and replacement blood donors. ID-NAT was done by transcription-mediated amplification (TMA). Results. Of the 18 356 donors, ID-NAT could not be performed on 2 samples which were inadequate. Of the 18 354 donors tested by both ID-NAT and fourth generation ELISA, 7 were found to be NAT-positive but ELISA-negative (NAT yield) for HBV and HCV. The prevalence of NAT yield cases among routine donors was 1 in 2622 donations tested (0.038%). Since we supply blood as components (packed red cells, fresh frozen plasma and platelet concentrate), these 7 units of blood would have yielded 21 components and hence 21 patients could have been infected with HBV and HCV viruses. Conclusion. In the vast majority of blood units tested, the results of ELISA and ID-NAT for HIV-1, HBV and HCV were concordant. ID-NAT did detect the presence of viruses missed by ELISA in some blood units. It widespread use in blood banks would ensure safer blood transfusion.

An experience of health services provided by a peripheral government teaching hospital in India: Patients' perspective.

Background: Patients' satisfaction has now become the most important and measurable aspect for assessing the quality of patient care services. For improvement of performance of any health system there is a need to assess patients' satisfaction as often as possible. Objectives: 1) To assess the level of patients' satisfaction as well as dissatisfaction regarding the services provided in the outdoor and indoor of different departments of a tertiary care hospital. 2) To find out the relation of some socio-demographic variables and different departments with the level of satisfaction if any. Materials and Methods: Two predesigned pretested interview schedule (separate for outdoor and indoor) was developed covering certain domains of patients care. Overall satisfaction level was determined by using summated Likert's score. Results: For outdoor, a little excess of half of the patients were satisfied in doctor-patient communication(51.0%),consultation room(53.5%), and overall(59.9%).The unsatisfied area was waiting place and time(38.6%).In the Indoor, 58.6% patients were satisfied with admission procedure,53.2% for clinical care,57.1% for nursing care and 45.3% with food services and the areas where more patients were not satisfied were cleanliness(40.4%),comfort(20.2%) and food services.G&O patients were less satisfied both in indoor and outdoor. Satisfaction level significantly increased with increase in age (P<0.01),male patients (P<0.01),lower education(P<.05) and surgical patients(P<0.01). Conclusion: The level of patients' satisfaction showed deficiencies in different issues of hospital services, which should be given utmost importance by the hospital management authority for betterment.