Electronic health record in the internal medicine clinic of a Brazilian university hospital: Expectations and satisfaction of physicians and patients.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the satisfaction and expectations of patients and physicians before and after the implementation of an electronic health record (EHR) in the outpatient clinic of a university hospital. METHODS: We conducted 389 interviews with patients and 151 with physicians before and after the implementation of a commercial EHR at the internal medicine clinic of Hospital das Clínicas of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of São Paulo (HC-FMUSP), Brazil. The physicians were identified by their connection to the outpatient clinic and categorized by their years since graduation: residents and preceptors (with 10 years or less of graduation) or assistants (with more than 10 years of graduation). The answers to the questionnaire given by the physicians were classified as favorable or against the use of EHR, before and after the implementation of this system in this clinic, receiving 1 or 0 points, respectively. The sum of these points generated a multiple regression score to determine which factors contribute to the acceptance of EHR by physicians. We also did a third survey, after the EHR was routinely established in the outpatient clinic. RESULTS: The degree of patient satisfaction was the same before and after implementation, with more than 90% positive evaluations. They noted the use of the computer during the consultation and valued such use. Resident (younger) physicians had more positive expectations than assistants (older physicians) before EHR implementation. This optimism was reduced after implementation. In the third evaluation the use of EHR was higher among resident physicians. Resident physicians perceived and valued the EHR more and used it more. In 28 of the 57 questions on performance of clinical tasks, resident physicians found it easier to use EHR than assistant physicians with significant differences (p<0.05). When questioned specifically about EHR satisfaction, resident physicians responded "good" and "excellent" to a greater extent than assistant physicians (p=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Our results reinforce the idea that the EHR introduction in a clinical setting should be preceded by careful planning to improve physician's adherence to the use of EHR. Patients do not seem to notice much difference to the quality of the consultation done using paper or EHR. It became clear after the third evaluation with the physicians that the younger (residents and some preceptors) perceived the advantages of the EHR more than the older physicians. Resident physicians use the EHR more and are more satisfied with it.

Fatal pulmonary embolism in hospitalized patients: a large autopsy-based matched case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: Pulmonary embolism is an underdiagnosed major cause of death for hospitalized patients. The objective of this study was to identify the conditions associated with fatal pulmonary embolism in this population. METHODS: A total of 13,074 autopsy records were evaluated in a case-control study. Patients were matched by age, sex, and year of death, and factors potentially associated with fatal pulmonary embolism were analyzed using univariate and multivariate conditional logistic regression. RESULTS: Pulmonary embolism was considered fatal in 328 (2.5%) patients. In the multivariate analysis, conditions that were more common in patients who died of pulmonary embolism were atherosclerosis, congestive heart failure, and neurological surgery. Some conditions were negatively associated with fatal pulmonary embolism, including hemorrhagic stroke, aortic aneurism, cirrhosis, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, and pneumonia. In the control group, patients with hemorrhagic stroke and aortic aneurism had short hospital stays (8.5 and 8.8 days, respectively), and the hemorrhage itself was the main cause of death in most of them (90.6% and 68.4%, respectively), which may have prevented the development of pulmonary embolism. Cirrhotic patients in the control group also had short hospital stays (7 days), and 50% died from bleeding complications. CONCLUSIONS: In this large autopsy study, atherosclerosis, congestive heart failure, and neurological surgery were diagnoses associated with fatal pulmonary embolism.

Fatal pulmonary embolism in hospitalized patients: a large autopsy-based matched case-control study

OBJECTIVE: Pulmonary embolism is an underdiagnosed major cause of death for hospitalized patients. The objective of this study was to identify the conditions associated with fatal pulmonary embolism in this population. METHODS: A total of 13,074 autopsy records were evaluated in a case-control study. Patients were matched by age, sex, and year of death, and factors potentially associated with fatal pulmonary embolism were analyzed using univariate and multivariate conditional logistic regression. RESULTS: Pulmonary embolism was considered fatal in 328 (2.5%) patients. In the multivariate analysis, conditions that were more common in patients who died of pulmonary embolism were atherosclerosis, congestive heart failure, and neurological surgery. Some conditions were negatively associated with fatal pulmonary embolism, including hemorrhagic stroke, aortic aneurism, cirrhosis, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, and pneumonia. In the control group, patients with hemorrhagic stroke and aortic aneurism had short hospital stays (8.5 and 8.8 days, respectively), and the hemorrhage itself was the main cause of death in most of them (90.6% and 68.4%, respectively), which may have prevented the development of pulmonary embolism. Cirrhotic patients in the control group also had short hospital stays (7 days), and 50% died from bleeding complications. CONCLUSIONS: In this large autopsy study, atherosclerosis, congestive heart failure, and neurological surgery were diagnoses associated with fatal pulmonary embolism. .

Análise retrospectiva da toxicidade de gotas otológicas, medicamentos tópicos nasais e orofaríngeos registrada na Grande São Paulo / Retrospective analysis of toxicity of eardrops, topical nasal and oropharyngeal medicines, documented in São Paulo, Brazil

OBJETIVO: Análise retrospectiva dos registros de toxicidade em humanos envolvendo medicamentos tópicos para tratamento de doenças das vias aéreas superiores (gotas otológicas; medicamentos tópicos nasais; colutórios, pastilhas e aerossóis para afecções da orofaringe). MÉTODOS: Foram selecionadas: 34 marcas comerciais de gotas otológicas, 48 de medicamentos tópicos nasais e 22 de pastilhas, colutórios e aerossóis para afecções orofaríngeas, totalizando 104 medicamentos disponíveis no Brasil. Analisamos os registros do banco de dados eletrônico do Centro de Controle de Intoxicações (CCI-Jabaquara) da Grande São Paulo, no período de janeiro de 1996 a dezembro de 2000 e compilamos os casos relacionados aos fármacos escolhidos. RESULTADOS: Foram relatados ao CCI-Jabaquara, voluntariamente, 10.823 casos de toxicidade de medicamentos em humanos. Remédios tópicos para tratamento de afecções das vias aéreas superiores corresponderam a 291 casos (2,68 por cento), dos quais 240 (82,5 por cento) foram intoxicações; 12 (4,1 por cento) envolveram gotas otológicas; 268 (92 por cento), medicamentos tópicos nasais e 11 (3,9 por cento), medicamentos de uso tópico orofaríngeo. Na categoria dos tópicos nasais, predominaram vasoconstritores (233 casos). Dentre os tópicos para afecções orofaríngeas prevaleceu a tetracaína (quatro casos). Na distribuição por idade, houve preponderância de casos em crianças de um a quatro anos (p=0,0003). As principais circunstâncias da toxicidade foram: ingestão acidental (43 por cento) e erro de administração dos medicamentos (14,8 por cento). Os sintomas mais freqüentes de toxicidade foram hiperreflexia e vômitos. CONCLUSÕES: Houve incidência significativa de toxicidade sistêmica por gotas otológicas, medicamentos tópicos nasais e orofaríngeos em crianças de um a quatro anos de idade, cuja principal causa foi ingestão acidental destes remédios.

[Retrospective analysis of toxicity of eardrops, topical nasal and oropharyngeal medicines, documented in São Paulo, Brazil]. / Análise retrospectiva da toxicidade de gotas otológicas, medicamentos tópicos nasais e orofaríngeos registrada na Grande São Paulo.

BACKGROUND: Retrospective analysis of human toxicity files involving topical medicines for treatment of upper airways diseases (eardrops, topical nasal medicines, lozenges, drops and sprays for oropharyngeal affections). METHODS: Thirty-four brands of eardrops, 48 of topical nasal medicines and 22 of tablets, lozenges and sprays for oropharyngeal affections were selected, from a total of 104 products available in Brazil. We analyzed the registries in the electronic database from the Poison Control Centre of São Paulo (CCI-Jabaquara), Brazil, for the period from January 1996 through December 2000. The cases related to selected pharmaceuticals were collected. RESULTS: 10,823 cases of human toxicity caused by medicines were voluntarily reported to CCI-Jabaquara. Topical medicines for treatment of upper airways diseases accounted for 291 cases (2.68%), from which 240 (82.5%) represented poisoning; 12 (4.1%) involved ear drops, 268 (92%), topical nasal medicines and 11 (3.9%), topical medicines for oropharyngeal affections. Among topical nasal medicines, vasoconstrictors predominated (233 cases), and among medicines for oropharyngeal affections, it was tetracaine (four cases). Considering age distribution, toxicity predominated significantly in children aged from 1 to 4 years (p=0.0003). The main causes of toxicity were: accidental intake of medicines (43%) and error in drug administration (14.8%). Hypereflexia and vomiting were the most frequent symptoms related to toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: There was significant incidence of systemic toxicity due to eardrops, topical nasal and oropharyngeal medicines in children 1 to 4 years-old, whose main cause was accidental intake of these medicines.

Intoxicaçöes por medicamentos utilizados no tratamento das rinites / Drug poisoning used in rinits treatment

Os autores analisam os casos de intoxicaçoes por medicamentos utilizados no tratamento das rinites (anti-histamínicos, descongestionantes, vasoconstritores nasais, corticosteróides e vacinas "dessensibilizantes"), notificados ao Centro de Assistência Toxicológica (CEATOX) na cidade de Sao Paulo durante o período de agosto de 1991 a junho de 1996. Foram encontrados 327 casos de intoxicaçoes por essas drogas naquele período. A análise da distribuiçao dos casos segundo sexo e idade mostrou predomínio de intoxicaçoes na populaçao pediátrica (97,1 por cento das intoxicaçoes por vacinas "dessensibilizantes" ocorreram em crianças de 0 a 5 anos) e no sexo feminino (56,5 por cento das intoxicaçoes por "antialérgicos", categoria que inclui os anti-histamínicos e os corticosteróides). Estudo das circunstâncias das intoxicaçoes revelou prevalência da ingestao acidental para todos os grupos de medicamentos. Sao propostas medidas para prevenir as intoxicaçoes na utilizaçao de medicamentos para o tratamento das rinites.

Tratamento da rinite alérgica em crianças: prescriçäo leiga de medicamentos e intoxicaçöes / Allergic rhinitis in children: over-the-counter medication and intoxication

Os autores realizaram pesquisa em 40 farmácias da cidade de Säo Paulo apresentando um caso fictício de rinite alérgica em uma criança de 4 anos. Apenas 14 (35 por cento) dos balconistas consultados orientaram a encaminha-lo ao medico, enquanto 26 (65 por cento) instituiram algum tipo de tratamento. Os medicamentos mais utilizados foram: anti-histaminicos (34,61 por cento), gotas nasais (30,77 por cento) e descongestionantes sistemicos (19,23 por cento). Foram encontrados erros de posologia e duraçäo do tratamento em todos os casos. Apenas 7,7 por cento dos balconistas ressaltaram os possíveis efeitos adversos das medicaçöes prescritas...

Profissionais da área da saúde: conhecimento da terminologia de documentaçäo / Professionals of the health area: knowledge of the terminology of documentation

A interaçäo dos profissionais das áreas da saúde e de informaçäo permitirá näo só consolidar o processo de comunicaçäo, mas também agilizar as várias etapas da geraçäo de novos conhecimentos. Para isso, é necessário dominar a terminologia considerada básica para compreender o fluxo de comunicaçäo e os termos essenciais ao acesso à informaçäo, quer pelo processo manual e/ou automatizado. Os resultados alcançados em uma pesquisa realizada com uma comunidade da área de saúde permitiram a adoçäo de estratégias que iriam facilitar a preparaçäo desses pesquisadores para participar das etapas posteriores de pesquisa mais abrangente, que está sendo efetuada para implantaçäo de um "Centro de Informaçäo e Documentaçäo". Foram comparadas as respostas da comunidade da área da saúde com as de uma elite selecionada de uma comunidade da área tecnológica.