Identificación y cuantificación del efecto fin de semana y festivos en la atención del síndrome coronario agudo en el Sistema Nacional de Salud / The effect of weekends and public holidays on the care of acute coronary syndrome in the Spanish National Health System

Introducción y objetivos Analizar si el ingreso en fin de semana o festivo (IFSF), frente al ingreso en días laborables, influye en el tratamiento (angioplastia, intervención coronaria percutánea [ICP]) y los resultados (mortalidad hospitalaria) de los pacientes hospitalizados por síndrome coronario agudo en el Sistema Nacional de Salud. Métodos Estudio observacional retrospectivo de pacientes ingresados por infarto agudo de miocardio con elevación del segmento ST (IAMCEST) o con síndrome coronario agudo sin elevación del segmento ST (SCASEST) en los hospitales del Sistema Nacional de Salud durante el periodo 2003-2018. Resultados Se seleccionaron 438.987 episodios de IAMCEST y 486.565 de SCASEST, de los cuales fueron IFSF el 28,8 y el 26,1% respectivamente. El IFSF se mostraba como un factor de riesgo de mortalidad hospitalaria en los modelos ajustados por riesgo del IAMCEST (OR=1,05; IC95%, 1,03-1,08; p<0,001) y del SCASEST (OR=1,08; IC95%, 1,05-1,12; p <0,001). La tasa de ICP en el IAMCEST fue más de 2 puntos porcentuales mayor en los pacientes ingresados en días laborables durante el periodo 2003-2011 y similar o incluso más baja en 2012-2018, sin cambios significativos para el SCASEST. El IFSF se mostró como factor de riesgo estadísticamente significativo tanto para el IAMCEST como para el SCASEST. Conclusiones El IFSF puede aumentar el riesgo de muerte hospitalaria en un 5% (IAMCEST) y un 8% (SCASEST). La persistencia del riesgo de mayor mortalidad hospitalaria tras ajustar por la realización de ICP y las demás variables explicativas probablemente indique dficiencias en el tratamiento durante el fin de semana respecto de los días laborables (AU)

Introduction and objectives To analyze whether admission on weekends or public holidays (WHA) influences the management (performance of angioplasty, percutaneous coronary intervention [PCI]) and outcomes (in-hospital mortality) of patients hospitalized for acute coronary syndrome in the Spanish National Health System compared with admission on weekdays. Methods Retrospective observational study of patients admitted for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) or for non–ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTEACS) in hospitals of the Spanish National Health system from 2003 to 2018. Results A total of 438 987 episodes of STEMI and 486 565 of NSTEACS were selected, of which 28.8% and 26.1% were WHA, respectively. Risk-adjusted models showed that WHA was a risk factor for in-hospital mortality in STEMI (OR, 1.05; 95%CI,1.03-1.08; P < .001) and in NSTEACS (OR, 1.08; 95%CI, 1.05-1.12; P < .001). The rate of PCI performance in STEMI was more than 2 percentage points higher in patients admitted on weekdays from 2003 to 2011 and was similar or even lower from 2012 to 2018, with no significant changes in NSTEACS. WHA was a statistically significant risk factor for both STEMI and NSTEACS. Conclusions WHA can increase the risk of in-hospital death by 5% (STEMI) and 8% (NSTEACS). The persistence of the risk of higher in-hospital mortality, after adjustment for the performance of PCI and other explanatory variables, probably indicates deficiencies in management during the weekend compared with weekdays (AU)

RECALMIN. Four years of growth of the internal medicine units of the Spanish National Health System (2013-2016). / RECALMIN. Cuatro años de evolución de las Unidades de Medicina Interna del Sistema Nacional de Salud (2013-2016).

OBJECTIVES: To compare the structure, resources and activity of the internal medicine units (IMUs) of the Spanish National Health System (SNHS) in 2013 and 2016. To analyse the differences between IMUs in 2016 by hospital size. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a comparison of 2 descriptive cross-sectional studies of IMUs in general acute care hospitals of the Spanish National Health System, with data referring to 2013 and 2016. The variables were collected via an ad hoc questionnaire (RECALMIN survey). RESULTS: Between 2013 and 2016, the demand for care increased dramatically (with an annual average of 11% in hospital discharges and 16% in first consultations), and comorbidity slightly increased (2%). During this period, the mean productivity of IMUs increased 16.7% (0.6±0.3 vs. 0.7±0.3; P=.09), and the mean stay decreased 10% (9±2.2 vs. 8.1±2.1 days; P=.001). Progress in implementing good practices and systematic care for complex chronic patients was scarce. Both surveys found variability among IMUs and marked differences among IMUs of hospitals of different sizes. CONCLUSIONS: IMUs responded to the increased burden of care they supported during 2013-2016 by improving their efficiency and productivity; however, advances in implementing good practices, including care for chronic complex patients, were scare. The significant variability in the indicators of structure, activity and management models found in 2013 remained in 2016.

RECALMIN II. Eight years of hospitalisation in Internal Medicine Units (2007-2014). What has changed? / RECALMIN II. Ocho años de hospitalización en las Unidades de Medicina Interna (2007-2014). ¿Qué ha cambiado?

OBJECTIVES: To analyse the evolution of care provided by the internal medicine units (IMU) of the Spanish National Health System from 2007 to 2014. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analysed all discharges from the IMU of the Spanish National Health System in 2007 and 2014, using the Minimum Basic Data Set. We compared the risk factors by episode, mortality and readmissions between the two periods. We prepared specific fits for the risk for mortality and readmissions in heart failure, pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as well as the Charlson index for all activity. RESULTS: Discharges from the IMU between the two periods increased 14%. The average patient age increased by 2.8 years (71.2±17.1 vs. 74±16.2; p<.001), with a marked increase in comorbidity (Charlson index, 4±3.7 vs. 4.7±3.9; p<.001; 24% increase in risk factors per episode). The adjusted mortality rates decreased slight but significantly, with a slight increase in readmissions. CONCLUSIONS: During the analysed period, there was an increase of almost 3 years in the mean age of patients treated in the IMU of the Spanish National Health System, with a marked increase in comorbidity. These results should lead to a more appropriate assignment of nurse workloads and an increased implementation of good practices in clinical management.