Peripheral venous access using devices over needles with and without extension: costs and outcomes / Acceso venoso periférico utilizando dispositivos de aguja con y sin extensión: costos y resultados / Acesso venoso periférico utilizando dispositivos sobre agulha com e sem extensão: custos e desfechos

ABSTRACT Objectives: to analyze the mean direct cost and peripheral venous access length outcomes using devices over needle with and without extension. Methods: quantitative, exploratory-descriptive research. Venous punctures and length of the devices were followed. The mean direct cost was calculated by multiplying the time (timed) spent by nursing professionals by the unit cost of labor, adding to the cost of materials. Results: the total mean direct cost of using devices "with extension" (US$ 9.37) was 2.9 times the cost of using devices "without extension" (US$ 4.50), US$ 7.71 and US$ 2.66, respectively. Totaling 96 hours of stay, the "device over needle with extension" showed a lower occurrence of accidental loss. Conclusions: the use of the "device over needle with extension", despite its higher mean direct cost, was more effective in favoring adequate length of peripheral venous access.

RESUMEN Objetivos: analizar el costo directo promedio y los resultados de permanencia del acceso venoso periférico, utilizando dispositivos de aguja con y sin extensión. Métodos: investigación cuantitativa, exploratoria descriptiva. Se siguieron los pinchazos venosos y el tiempo de permanencia de los dispositivos. El costo directo promedio se calculó multiplicando el tiempo (cronometrado) dedicado por los profesionales de enfermería por el costo unitario de la mano de obra, lo que se suma al costo de los materiales. Resultados: el costo directo promedio total de usar dispositivos "extendidos" (US$ 9,37) fue 2,9 veces el costo de usar dispositivos "no extendidos" (US$ 4,50) de materiales, US$ 7.71 y US$ 2.66, respectivamente. Con un total de 96 horas de estadía, el "dispositivo de aguja extendida" mostró una menor ocurrencia de pérdida accidental. Conclusiones: a pesar del costo directo promedio más alto, el uso de un "dispositivo de aguja extendida" fue más efectivo para favorecer un tiempo de acceso venoso periférico adecuado.

RESUMO Objetivos: analisar o custo direto médio e os desfechos de permanência de acesso venoso periférico, utilizando dispositivos sobre agulha com e sem extensão. Métodos: pesquisa quantitativa, exploratório-descritiva. Acompanharam-se as punções venosas e o tempo de permanência dos dispositivos. Calculou-se o custo direto médio multiplicando-se o tempo (cronometrado) despendido por profissionais de enfermagem pelo custo unitário da mão de obra, somando-se ao custo dos materiais. Resultados: o custo direto médio total do uso de dispositivo "com extensão" (US$ 9,37) foi 2,9 vezes do que o custo do uso de dispositivo "sem extensão" (US$ 4,50), destacando-se os custos dos materiais, US$ 7,71 e US$ 2,66, respectivamente. Totalizando 96 horas de permanência, o "dispositivo sobre agulha com extensão" apresentou menor ocorrência de perda acidental. Conclusões: o uso do "dispositivo sobre agulha com extensão", apesar do maior custo direto médio, foi mais eficaz para favorecer o adequado tempo de permanência do acesso venoso periférico.

Nursing outcomes for pain assessment of patients undergoing palliative care / Resultados de enfermería para evaluación del dolor de pacientes en cuidado paliativo / Resultados de enfermagem para avaliação da dor de pacientes em cuidado paliativo

ABSTRACT Objective: To select outcomes and indicators of the Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC), in order to assess patients with cancer under palliative care with Acute and Chronic Pain Nursing Diagnoses; and to construct the conceptual and operational definitions of the indicators. Method: Expert opinion study and literature review. The sample consisted of 13 experts. The data collection was in own tool applied in face-to-face meeting and by e-mail. In the analysis of the data, it was considered between 75% and 100% of agreement. Results: Eight outcomes and 19 indicators were selected. The results with higher scores were Pain Level, Pain Control and Client Satisfaction: Pain Management. For all indicators selected, conceptual and operational definitions were constructed. Conclusion: The selection of results and priority indicators for the assessment of pain in palliative care, as well as the construction of its definitions, will support clinical practice.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Selección de resultados e indicadores de la Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC) para evaluar pacientes oncológicos en cuidados paliativos con los diagnósticos de enfermería de Dolor Agudo y Crónico; construir las definiciones conceptuales y operativas de los indicadores. Método: Estudio de opinión de expertos y de revisión de literatura. La muestra fue compuesta por 13 especialistas. La recolección de datos fue en instrumento propio aplicado en encuentro presencial y por e-mail. En el análisis de los datos, se consideró entre el 75% y el 100% de concordancia. Resultados: Se seleccionaron ocho resultados y 19 indicadores. Los resultados con mayores puntuaciones fueron Nivel del Dolor, Control del Dolor y Satisfacción del Cliente: Control del Dolor. Para todos los indicadores seleccionados, se construyeron definiciones conceptuales y operativas. Conclusión: La selección de los resultados e indicadores prioritarios a la evaluación del dolor en cuidado paliativo, así como la construcción de sus definiciones, subsidiarán la práctica clínica.

RESUMO Objetivo: Selecionar resultados e indicadores da Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC) para avaliar pacientes oncológicos em cuidados paliativos com os diagnósticos de enfermagem de Dor Aguda e Crônica; construir as definições conceituais e operacionais dos indicadores. Método: Estudo de opinião de especialistas e de revisão de literatura. A amostra foi composta por 13 especialistas. A coleta de dados foi em instrumento próprio aplicado em encontro presencial e por e-mail. Na análise dos dados, considerou-se entre 75% e 100% de concordância. Resultados: Selecionaram-se oito resultados e 19 indicadores. Os resultados com maiores escores foram Nível da Dor, Controle da Dor e Satisfação do Cliente: Controle da Dor. Para todos os indicadores selecionados, foram construídas definições conceituais e operacionais. Conclusão: A seleção dos resultados e indicadores prioritários à avaliação da dor em cuidado paliativo, bem como a construção de suas definições, subsidiarão a prática clínica.

Parasite load and risk factors for poor outcome among children with visceral leishmaniasis. A cohort study in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, 2010-2011

Clinical and laboratory risk factors for death from visceral leishmaniasis (VL) are relatively known, but quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) might assess the role of parasite load in determining clinical outcome. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors, including parasite load in peripheral blood, for VL poor outcome among children. This prospective cohort study evaluated children aged ≤ 12 years old with VL diagnosis at three times: pre-treatment (T0), during treatment (T1) and post-treatment (T2). Forty-eight patients were included and 16 (33.3%) met the criteria for poor outcome. Age ≤ 12 months [relative risk (RR) 3.51; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.89-6.52], tachydyspnoea (RR 3.46; 95% CI 2.19-5.47), bacterial infection (RR 3.08; 95% CI 1.27-7.48), liver enlargement (RR 3.00; 95% CI 1.44-6.23) and low serum albumin (RR 7.00; 95% CI 1.80-27.24) were identified as risk factors. qPCR was positive in all patients at T0 and the parasite DNA was undetectable in 76.1% of them at T1 and in 90.7% at T2. There was no statistical association between parasite load at T0 and poor outcome.

Variations in the Hospital Standardized Mortality Ratios in Korea / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: The hospital standardized mortality ratio (HSMR) has been widely used because it allows for robust risk adjustment using administrative data and is important for improving the quality of patient care. METHODS: All inpatients discharged from hospitals with more than 700 beds (66 hospitals) in 2008 were eligible for inclusion. Using the claims data, 29 most responsible diagnosis (MRDx), accounting for 80% of all inpatient deaths among these hospitals, were identified, and inpatients with those MRDx were selected. The final study population included 703 571 inpatients including 27 718 (3.9% of all inpatients) in-hospital deaths. Using logistic regression, risk-adjusted models for predicting in-hospital mortality were created for each MRDx. The HSMR of individual hospitals was calculated for each MRDx using the model coefficients. The models included age, gender, income level, urgency of admission, diagnosis codes, disease-specific risk factors, and comorbidities. The Elixhauser comorbidity index was used to adjust for comorbidities. RESULTS: For 26 out of 29 MRDx, the c-statistics of these mortality prediction models were higher than 0.8 indicating excellent discriminative power. The HSMR greatly varied across hospitals and disease groups. The academic status of the hospital was the only factor significantly associated with the HSMR. CONCLUSIONS: We found a large variation in HSMR among hospitals; therefore, efforts to reduce these variations including continuous monitoring and regular disclosure of the HSMR are required.

Development and Validation of the Hospice Palliative Care Performance Scale

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a hospice / palliative care performance measure which would cover more than just physical symptoms or quality of life. METHODS: Through an intensive literature review, the author chose questions that measured aspects of physical, emotional, spiritual, social, or practical domains pertinent to hospice / palliative care for inclusion in the scale. Content validation of the questions was established by 15 hospice / palliative care professionals. A preliminary Hospice Palliative Care Performance Scale (HPCPS) of 20 questions was administered to 134 pairs of terminal cancer patients from 5 hospice palliative care units and their main family caregiver. A validation study was conducted to evaluate construct validity and internal consistency. RESULTS: Factor analysis showed 14 significant questions in five subscales; Physical, Emotional, Spiritual, Social, and Patient' rights. There were no significant differences between the ratings by patients and family members except for three out of the 14 questions. The measure demonstrated construct validity, and Cronbach's alpha of the subscales ranged from .73 to .79. CONCLUSION: The HPCOS demonstrated acceptable validity and reliability. It can be used to assess effectiveness of hospice / palliative care for terminal cancer patients in practice and research.

Utilize the modified Delphi technique to develop trauma care indicators.

OBJECTIVE: Develop performance indicators reflecting the quality of trauma-patient-care in the emergency room and hospitalization within the first 48 hours. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A two-round Delphi technique was conducted. A panel of 11 expert surgeons experienced in the fields of trauma care was consulted. The panel was initially asked to rate performance indicators that reflected the quality of trauma care given in the emergency department setting and hospitalization in the first 48 hours using a 5-point on visual analogue scale. The statement of indicators that was collected from the first round was analyzed and necessary changes were before resending to the same experts. Each indicator statement was considered consensus if the expert's opinion rating was 4 or 5 for more than 70% (8 out of 11 experts). RESULTS: Fifty-three performance indicators were proposed in four domains of trauma care in emergency room and four domains of trauma care in hospitalization within 48 hours. Altogether 35 indicators reached consensus reflecting quality of trauma performance after two rounds. Twenty-one of these were trauma care indicators in emergency room and 14 were trauma care indicators in hospitalization within 48 hours. CONCLUSION: Twenty-one indicators of quality of trauma care in the emergency room and 14 in the hospitalization within 48 hours have been developed. They will be used as the tool by specialist for quality evaluation in the next phase.

Calidad de atención en pacientes diabéticos bajo tratamiento farmacológico / Quality of care in diabetic patients receiving pharmacologic treatment

La diabetes mellitus es una enfermedad crónica de prevalencia creciente. El tratamiento adecuado de la enfermedad y la prevención de complicaciones crónicas reducen la morbimortalidad de manera costo-efectiva. Dichas acciones deben ser medidas a través de indicadores validados de calidad de atención. El objetivo del presente estudio fue medir la calidad de atención en pacientes diabéticos bajo tratamiento farmacológico en una institución universitaria privada. Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo en pacientes adultos que compraron insulina o hipoglucemiantes orales durante un período de 3 meses; la información clínico demográfica fue obtenida durante un lapso de 12 meses consecutivos posteriores al período de compra. Se incluyeron 305 pacientes, en su mayoría hombres (60%), diabéticos tipo 2 (95%) y con predominio de uso de hipoglucemiantes orales (86%). Se documentaron controles de presión arterial en el 80%, examen del pie en el 5%, oftalmológico en el 27%, HbA1C en el 85%, perfil lipídico completo en el 82%, microalbuminuria en el 27% y clearance de creatinina en el 22% de los pacientes, respectivamente. Los valores medios obtenidos fueron HbA1C 7.1 (más o menos 1.6)%, y en el 66% fue menor o igual a 7%, LDL 113 (más o menos 33.6) mg/dl y en el 30% menor que 100 mg/dl, PA 136-79 mm Hg y en un 46% de los pacientes menor que 130-80 mm Hg. Este estudio enfatiza la necesidad de realizar controles de calidad con indicadores validados y resalta los aspectos que deben ser mejorados dentro de un sistema de salud.

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease with an increasing prevalence. Appropriate treatment of the disease and prevention of chronic complications reduce morbidity and mortality in a cost-effective manner. These actions should be measured through the use of validated indicators for quality of care. The goal of this study was to assess the quality of care in diabetic patients under pharmacologic treatment in a private university hospital. A retrospective study was conducted in adult patients who bought insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents during a 3 month period; demographic and clinical data were obtained for 12 consecutive months following the buying period. The study included 305 adult patients; most were males (60%), with type 2 diabetes (95%), and using oral hipoglycemic agents (86%). Control of blood pressure was registered in 80%, foot exam in 5%, eye exam in 27%, HbA1C blood level in 85%, complete lipid profile in 82%, microalbuminuria in 27% and creatinine clearance in 22% of patients, respectively. Mean values were HbA1C 7.1(more or less than 1.6)%, and less than or equal to 7% in 66%, LDL 113 (more or less than 33.6) mg/dl and less than 100 mg/dl in 30%, BP 136-79 mm Hg and less than 130-80 mm Hg in 46% of patients, respectively. This study emphasizes the need for quality of care assessment through validated indicators and points out the aspects that should be improved within a health care system.

Improving cancer care in India: prospects and challenges.

The World Cancer Report, a 351 - page global report issued by International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) tells us that cancer rates are set to increase at an alarming rate globally (Stewart and Kleiues 2003). Cancer rates could increase by 50 % to 15 million new cases in the year 2020. This will be mainly due to steadily aging populations in both developed and developing countries and also to current trends in smoking prevalence and the growing adoption of unhealthy lifestyles. The report also reveals that cancer has emerged as a major public health problem in developing countries, matching its effect in industrialized nations. Healthy lifestyles and public health action by governments and health practitioners could stem this trend, and prevent as many as one third of cancers worldwide. In a developing country such as India there has been a steady increase in the Crude Incidence Rate (CIR) of all cancers affecting both men and women over the last 15 years. The increase reported by the cancer registries is nearly 12 per cent from 1985 to 2001, representing a 57 per cent rise in India's cancer burden. The total number of new cases, which stood at 5.3 lakhs Care lakh is 100,000 in 1985 has risen to over 8.3 lakhs today. The pattern of cancers has changed over the years, with a disturbing increase in cases that are linked to the use of tobacco. In 2003, there were 3.85 lakhs of cases coming under this category in comparison with 1.94 lakhs cases two decades ago. Lung cancer is now the second most common cancer among men. Earlier, it was in fifth place. Among women in urban areas, cancer of the uterine cervix had the highest incidence 15 years ago, but it has now been overtaken by breast cancer. In rural areas, cervical cancer remains the most common form of the disease (The Hindu 2004).

The state of India's neonatal units in the mid-nineties.

BACKGROUND: A previous study in 1987 showed that neonatal care facilities in major hospitals in the country were of a very poor standard. The present study was done to reassess their status. DESIGN: A survey. METHODS: A pretested structured questionnaire was sent to 48 centers in 1994-95. The responses were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 37 centers returned the questionnaire duly filled. Of them, 22 belonged to the government sector, the rest 15 to the private sector. A nursery bed: nurse ratio of less than 1.0 was reported by only 4 centers. Majority of the centers cited inadequate nursing strength and frequent transferring out of nurses as a major problem. Twenty nine (78%) centers had ventilation facilities. Most of them had 1 or 2 ventilators. Blood gas facility was available with 29 centers and parenteral nutrition was undertaken at 20 (54%) centers. Resuscitation bag(s) were available at all the centers and incubators at all except one. In quantitative terms, the following equipment was available in satisfactory numbers: resuscitation bags, resuscitation bassinet, incubators/open care systems, vital sign monitors, infusion pumps and pulse oximeters in 78.3%, 43.2%, 72.9%, 56.7%, 64.8% and 43.5% centers, respectively. Indigenous products of the following categories were reasonably well accepted: resuscitation bags, resuscitation bassinets, incubators, open care systems and dextrometers. CONCLUSION: The newborn care facilities, particularly the ventilation facilities, have improved in recent years. Almost 10 units were operating at or near level III standard of newborn care. Indigenous equipment of selected categories is replacing the imported equipment. However, most units continue to face problems of shortage of nursing personnel.

Salud ambiental y seguridad para el anciano / Ambiental health and security for the ancient

La autora destaca la importancia del rol de enfermería en el mantenimiento de un entorno seguro para el anciano; subraya, al respecto, la importancia de la aplicación de los pasos del proceso de enfermería en la intervención profesional. Asismismo se ofrece un detalle de las medidas de seguridad recomendadas para prevenir accidentes y minimizar riesgos del medio ambiente, en el hogar, en la vía pública y en el hospital