Brote nosocomial de COVID-19 en una planta de medicina interna: probable transmisión aérea / Nosocomial outbreak of COVID-19 in an internal medicine ward: Probable airborne transmission

Antecedentes y objetivos A pesar de los datos cada vez mayores que respaldan la importancia de la transmisión aérea en la infección por el SARS-CoV-2, en la inmensa mayoría de los brotes nosocomiales descritos de COVID-19 no se ha considerado relevante. El objetivo de este estudio consiste en describir un brote nosocomial de infección por el SARS-CoV-2 cuyas características indican que la transmisión por aerosoles desempeñó un papel importante. Métodos Se trata de un análisis descriptivo de un brote nosocomial de infección por el SARS-CoV-2 en una planta de medicina interna que tuvo lugar en diciembre de 2020. Todos los casos se confirmaron mediante una PCR positiva para SARS-CoV-2. Resultados Entre el 5 y el 17 de diciembre, 21 pacientes y 44 profesionales sanitarios contrajeron una infección nosocomial por el SARS-CoV-2. De los 65 casos, 51 (78,5%) se diagnosticaron entre el 6 y el 9 de diciembre. La tasa de afectación en los pacientes fue del 80,8%. Entre los profesionales sanitarios, la tasa fue mayor en los que habían trabajado al menos una jornada laboral completa en la planta (56,3%) que en los que habían estado ocasionalmente en ella (25,8%; p=0,005). Tres días antes de detectar el primer caso positivo se identificó una avería en 2extractores de aire, que afectó a la ventilación de 3habitaciones. Dieciséis casos cursaron de forma asintomática, 48 manifestaron síntomas leves y 2 precisaron ingreso en la unidad de cuidados intensivos. Todos los casos se recuperaron finalmente. Conclusiones La elevada tasa de afectación, la naturaleza explosiva del brote y la coincidencia en el tiempo con la avería de los extractores de aire en algunas habitaciones de la planta indican que la transmisión aérea desempeñó un papel fundamental en el desarrollo del brote (AU)

Background and objectives Despite the increasing evidence supporting the importance of airborne transmission in SARS-CoV-2 infection, it has not been considered relevant in the vast majority of reported nosocomial outbreaks of COVID-19. The aim of this study is to describe a nosocomial outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 infection whose features suggest that aerosol transmission had an important role. Methods This is a descriptive analysis of a nosocomial outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 infection in an internal medicine ward that occurred in December 2020. All cases were confirmed by a positive PCR test for SARS-CoV-2. Results From December 5 to December 17, 21 patients and 44 healthcare workers developed a nosocomial SARS-CoV-2 infection. Fifty-one of the 65 cases (78.5%) were diagnosed between December 6 and 9. The attack rate in patients was 80.8%. Among workers, the attack rate was higher in those who had worked at least one full working day in the ward (56.3%) than in those who had occasionally been in the ward (25.8%, p=0.005). Three days before the first positive case was detected, 2extractor fans were found to be defective, affecting the ventilation of 3rooms. Sixteen cases were asymptomatic, 48 cases had non-severe symptoms, and 2 cases required admission to the intensive care unit. All patients eventually recovered. Conclusion The high attack rate, the explosive nature of the outbreak, and the coincidence in time with the breakdown in air extractors in some rooms of the ward suggest that airborne transmission played a key role in the development of the outbreak (AU)

Nosocomial outbreak of COVID-19 in an internal medicine ward: Probable airborne transmission.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Despite the increasing evidence supporting the importance of airborne transmission in SARS-CoV-2 infection, it has not been considered relevant in the vast majority of reported nosocomial outbreaks of COVID-19. The aim of this study is to describe a nosocomial outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 infection whose features suggest that aerosol transmission had an important role. METHODS: This is a descriptive analysis of a nosocomial outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 infection in an internal medicine ward that occurred in December 2020. All cases were confirmed by a positive PCR test for SARS-CoV-2. RESULTS: From December 5 to December 17, 21 patients and 44 healthcare workers (HCWs) developed a nosocomial SARS-CoV-2 infection. Fifty-one of the 65 cases (78.5%) were diagnosed between December 6 and 9. The attack rate in patients was 80.8%. Among HCWs, the attack rate was higher in those who had worked at least one full working day in the ward (56.3%) than in those who had occasionally been in the ward (25.8%; p = 0.005). Three days before the first positive case was detected, two extractor fans were found to be defective, affecting the ventilation of three rooms. Sixteen cases were asymptomatic, 48 cases had non-severe symptoms, and 2 cases required admission to the intensive care unit. All patients eventually recovered. CONCLUSION: The high attack rate, the explosive nature of the outbreak, and the coincidence in time with the breakdown in air extractors in some rooms of the ward suggest that airborne transmission played a key role in the development of the outbreak.

[Nosocomial outbreak of COVID-19 in an internal medicine ward: Probable airborne transmission]. / Brote nosocomial de COVID-19 en una planta de medicina interna: probable transmisión aérea.

Background and objectives: Despite the increasing evidence supporting the importance of airborne transmission in SARS-CoV-2 infection, it has not been considered relevant in the vast majority of reported nosocomial outbreaks of COVID-19. The aim of this study is to describe a nosocomial outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 infection whose features suggest that aerosol transmission had an important role. Methods: This is a descriptive analysis of a nosocomial outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 infection in an internal medicine ward that occurred in December 2020. All cases were confirmed by a positive PCR test for SARS-CoV-2. Results: From December 5 to December 17, 21 patients and 44 healthcare workers developed a nosocomial SARS-CoV-2 infection. Fifty-one of the 65 cases (78.5%) were diagnosed between December 6 and 9. The attack rate in patients was 80.8%. Among workers, the attack rate was higher in those who had worked at least one full working day in the ward (56.3%) than in those who had occasionally been in the ward (25.8%, p = 0.005). Three days before the first positive case was detected, 2 extractor fans were found to be defective, affecting the ventilation of 3 rooms. Sixteen cases were asymptomatic, 48 cases had non-severe symptoms, and 2 cases required admission to the intensive care unit. All patients eventually recovered. Conclusion: The high attack rate, the explosive nature of the outbreak, and the coincidence in time with the breakdown in air extractors in some rooms of the ward suggest that airborne transmission played a key role in the development of the outbreak.

Factors that impact health-related quality of life in adults with celiac disease: a multicenter study.

AIM: To evaluate the factors involved in the impairment of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with celiac disease. METHODS: A multicenter, cross-sectional prospective study was performed in patients with celiac disease who completed two HRQOL questionnaires: the gastrointestinal quality of life index (GIQLI) and the EuroQol-5D (EQ). RESULTS: Three hundred and forty patients (163 controlled with a gluten-free diet, and 177 newly diagnosed with a normal diet) were included. The GIQLI score was significantly better in patients on a gluten-free diet (GFD) than in non-treated patients on their usual diet, both in terms of the overall score (3.3 vs 2.7, respectively; P < 0.001), as well as on the individual questionnaire dimensions. Both the preference value of the EQ as the visual analogue scale were significantly better in treated than in non-treated patients (0.93 vs 0.72 P < 0.001 and 80 vs 70 P < 0.001, respectively). Variables significantly associated with a worse HRQOL score were female gender, failure to adhere to a GFD, and symptomatic status. CONCLUSION: In untreated celiac disease, the most important factors that influence patient perception of health are the presence of symptoms and a normal diet. HRQOL improves to levels similar to those described in the general population in celiac disease patients well controlled with a GFD.

Resección hepática por metástasis de cáncer colorrectal: una visión multidisciplinar / Liver resection in metastatic colorectal cancer: a multidisciplinary approach

Objetivo: valorar los resultados cualitativos a corto y medio plazo de un programa de reciente implantación de evaluación hepática multidisciplinar de casos complejos de metástasis hepáticas de cáncer colorrectal.Pacientes y métodos: cuarenta evaluaciones clínicas consecutivas de pacientes con metástasis hepáticas de cáncer colorrectal valorados para resección hepática mayor, realizadas por un comité multidisciplinar de especialistas. Las exploraciones complementarias practicadas fueron TAC trifásica y ecografía intraoperatoria, junto a RMN y/o PET en casos de dudas. La resección hepática se podía realizar como gesto único o bien en dos tiempos y combinada a otras técnicas.Resultados: la mortalidad postoperatoria a los 30 días fue del 4%. Presentaron complicaciones el 28%, siendo la complicación más frecuente la infección de la herida quirúrgica (20%). Se transfundieron el 16,6% de los pacientes, con una necesidad transfusional media de 1000 cc. Dos casos precisaron reintervención (8%), en un caso precoz por absceso intraabdominal, y en otro caso tardía, por estenosis de la vía biliar principal. El porcentajede recaídas global es del 36%, siendo más frecuente la extrahepática (26%). La supervivencia actuarial al año de seguimiento es del 90 y del 82% a los dos años. Se hallaban libres de enfermedad a los dos años el 64% de los pacientes. Conclusiones: los programas de resección hepática de metástasis de cáncer colorrectal pueden ser implantados por equipos multidisciplinares de reciente creación, si bien existe la necesidad de auditarse y situarse dentro de los parámetros de calidad

Aim: to analyze qualitative short-time results of a new program for multidisciplinary liver evaluation in complex cases of liver metastasis from colorectal cancer. Patients and methods: 40 clinical consecutive evaluations with liver metastasis assessed for major liver resection by a multidisplinary specialist committee. Complementary explorations performed included CT and ultrasounds, and MRI or PET for doubtful cases. Liver resection was made in a single operation or two-stage hepatectomy, or combined with other techniques. Results: postoperative mortality at 30 days was 4%. Complications occurred in 28%, with surgical wound infection being most frequent (20%); 16.6% of resections were transfused, with a mean volume of 1000 ml. Two patients needed reoperation –one for an intraperitoneal abscess and one for bile-duct stenosis. Percentage of global relapse was 36%, with 26% of relapses out of the liver. Actuarial survival at one year follow-up was 90%, and 82% at two years; 64% of patients remain free of disease two years after the operation. Conclusions: programs for liver resection for colorectal cancer metastasis may be implemented by multidisciplinary teams of recent setup. There is a need to evaluate own results and then compare them with a standard of quality previously reported

[Advantages of computerized management in a gastrointestinal endoscopy unit]. / Ventajas de la gestión informatizada en una unidad de endoscopia digestiva.

Computerized management of the activity of a gastrointestinal endoscopy unit in a hospital requires technological resources that include an intrahospital network, a computerized endoscopy program, a computerized appointments program and electronic medical records. The endoscopy unit should define the portfolio of services it provides and establish the time required to perform each procedure, probably using distinct criteria for outpatient and inpatient requests. Computerized management should establish forms designed to receive, accept and schedule requests, and should transfer all the contents of the request to the endoscopy program. The endoscopy program makes and stores reports and images. Integration among the programs allows these contents to be transferred to the electronic medical record. Measures to guarantee the confidentiality and safety of the medical information in each center should be implemented in accordance with its policy on access to medical information.

Ventajas de la gestión informatizada en una unidad de endoscopia digestiva / Advantages of computerized management in a gastrointestinal endoscopy unit

Gestionar de forma informática la actividad de una unidad de endoscopia digestiva en un hospital requiere una dotación tecnológica que incluya una red intrahospitalaria, un programa informático de endoscopia, un programa gestor de peticiones y una historia clínica electrónica. La unidad de endoscopia debe definir el catálogo de prestaciones que realiza, establecer la estructura de su agenda de trabajo y probablemente dotar con criterios diferentes las peticiones de pacientes ambulatorios de las de los pacientes hospitalizados. Una solicitud de endoscopia debe ser vista mediante formas electrónicas predefinidas de recibir las solicitudes, aceptada y programada, lo que se traduce en la transmisión de todos los contenidos al programa de endoscopia. El programa de endoscopia realiza y almacena informes e imágenes. La integración entre los programas permite transmitir estos contenidos a la historia clínica electrónica. Deben existir medidas que garanticen la confidencialidad y la seguridad de la información médica que parametriza cada centro hospitalario según su política de accesos a la información médica

Computerized management of the activity of a gastrointestinal endoscopy unit in a hospital requires technological resources that include an intrahospital network, a compute- rized endoscopy program, a computerized appointments program and electronic medical records. The endoscopy unit should define the portfolio of services it provides and establish the time required to perform each procedure, probably using distinct criteria for outpatient and inpatient requests. Computerized management should establish forms designed to receive, accept and schedule requests, and should transfer all the contents of the request to the endoscopy program. The endoscopy program makes and stores reports and images. Integration among the programs allows these contents to be transferred to the electronic medical record. Measures to guarantee the confidentiality and safety of the medical information in each center should be implemented in accordance with its policy on access to medical information

Liver resection in metastatic colorectal cancer: a multidisciplinary approach.

AIM: To analyze qualitative short-time results of a new program for multidisciplinary liver evaluation in complex cases of liver metastasis from colorectal cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 40 clinical consecutive evaluations with liver metastasis assessed for major liver resection by a multidisciplinary specialist committee. Complementary explorations performed included CT and ultrasounds, and MRI or PET for doubtful cases. Liver resection was made in a single operation or two-stage hepatectomy, or combined with other techniques. RESULTS: Postoperative mortality at 30 days was 4%. Complications occurred in 28%, with surgical wound infection being most frequent (20%); 16.6% of resections were transfused, with a mean volume of 1000 ml. Two patients needed reoperation -one for an intraperitoneal abscess and one for bile-duct stenosis. Percentage of global relapse was 36%, with 26% of relapses out of the liver. Actuarial survival at one year follow-up was 90%, and 82% at two years; 64% of patients remain free of disease two years after the operation. CONCLUSIONS: Programs for liver resection for colorectal cancer metastasis may be implemented by multidisciplinary teams of recent setup. There is a need to evaluate own results and then compare them with a standard of quality previously reported.

Cariogenicidade da merenda escolar / Cariogenicity in school snack

Os autores fazem considerações sobre a cariogenicidade da merenda escolar, com base nos resultados experimentais de estudos sobre a etiologia da cárie, e na relação de produtos adquiridos para o Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar