Implantación de una Unidad de Enlace Centralizada de Vacunación contra la COVID-19 gestionada por farmacéuticos-farmacólogos de Atención Primaria / Implementation of a Centralized COVID-19 Vaccination Liaison Unit managed by Primary Care pharmacist-pharmacologists

Introducción: La Unidad de Enlace Centralizada de Vacunación contra la COVID19 (UECeV) de la Dirección de Atención Primaria Metropolitana Nord del Institut Català de la Salut se creó para resolver las consultas de usuarios y/o profesionales sa-nitarios relacionadas con la vacunación contra el virus SARS-CoV-2. El objetivo principal del presente análisis fue describir la actividad de la UECeV.Método: Realizamos un estudio observacional retrospectivo a partir del registro de consultas aten-didas desde la UECeV entre 31 de abril y 31 de oc-tubre de 2021. Población de referencia: 1.139.411 habitantes adultos asignados. La UECeV se creó en tres sedes territoriales atendidas cada una por dos farmacéuticos/farmacólogos de Atención Primaria (FAP) y un administrativo. La atención telefónica fue a jornada completa adaptable según actividad. Variable principal del análisis: número y tipos de consultas atendidas. Se calculó valores absolutos y porcentajes, medianas y desviación estándar para las variables cuantitativas y para las variables cuali-tativas se realizó un análisis descriptivo.Resultados: 3.103 consultas gestionadas de 3.030 usuarios; 2.180 (70,25%) contestadas por el FAP. Consulta más frecuente: compatibilidad vacuna según patología/medicación de base 1.008 (32,5%). 2.830 (93,4%) usuarios se vacunaron después de la intervención (2.210 consultaron antes de la primera dosis y 618 antes de la segunda). La vacuna mayo-ritaria fue la Comirnaty®. Conclusiones: Las UECeV coordinadas por el FAP con atención directa a los usuarios y/o profesiona-les sanitarios constituyen un elemento de apoyo a los equipos de vacunación de atención primaria para la gestión experta de las consultas de vacuna-ción contra la COVID19. (AU)

Introduction: The North Metropolitan Primary Care Direction of the Institut Català de la Salut crea-ted the Centralized Liaison Unit for anti-COVID19 vaccination (UECeV) to solve queries from users and/or health professionals related to vaccination against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The main objective of the present analysis was to describe the activity of UECeV.Method: We carried out a retrospective observa-tional study based on the registry of consultations attended from the UECeV between April 31st and October 31, 2021. We have an equal or above 18 years old reference population of 1,139,411 inha-bitants. The UECeV was set up in three territorial offices, each attended by two Primary Care phar-macists/pharmacologists (FAP) and one adminis-trative staff member. The telephone service was full-time and could be adapted according to activity. The main variable of the analysis was the number and types of queries attended. Absolute values and percentages, medians and standard deviation were calculated for the quantitative variables and a descriptive analysis was performed for qualitative variables.Results: 3,103 queries were managed out of 3,030 users; 2,180 (70.25%) were answered by the FAP. Most frequent consultation was: vaccine compa-tibility according to pathology/basic medication 1,008 (32.5%). 2,830 (93.4%) users were vaccinated after the consultation (2,210 consulted before the first dose and 618 before the second). The majority vaccine was Comirnaty® Conclusions: The UECeV coordinated by the FAP with direct attention to users and/or health profes-sionals constitutes a support element for primary care vaccination teams for the expert management of AntiCOVID19 vaccination consultations. (AU)

A Cost-Benefit Analysis of the COVID-19 Asymptomatic Mass Testing Strategy in the North Metropolitan Area of Barcelona.

BACKGROUND: The epidemiological situation generated by COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of applying non-pharmacological measures in the management of the epidemic. Mass screening of the asymptomatic general population has been established as a priority strategy by carrying out diagnostic tests to detect possible cases, isolate contacts, cut transmission chains and thus limit the spread of the virus. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the economic impact of mass COVID-19 screenings of an asymptomatic population during the first and second wave of the epidemic in Catalonia, Spain. METHODOLOGY: Cost-Benefit Analysis based on the estimated total costs of mass screening versus health gains and associated health costs avoided. RESULTS: Excluding the value of monetized health, the Benefit-Cost ratio was estimated at 0.45, a low value that would seem to advise against mass screening policies. However, if monetized health is included, the ratio is close to 1.20, reversing the interpretation. In other words, the monetization of health is the critical element that tips the scales in favour of the desirability of screening. Results show that the interventions with the highest return are those that maximize the percentage of positives detected. CONCLUSION: Efficient management of resources for the policy of mass screening in asymptomatic populations can generate high social returns. The positivity rate critically determines its desirability. Likewise, precocity in the detection of cases will cut more transmissions in the chain of contagion and increase the economic return of these interventions. Maximizing the value of resources depends on screening strategies being accompanied by contact-tracing and specific in their focus, targeting, for example, high-risk subpopulations with the highest rate of expected positives.

[Descriptive study of the health service workers of a Primary Care Department confined by Covid-19.] / Estudio descriptivo de los trabajadores de servicios sanitarios de una dirección de atención primaria confinados por Covid-19.

OBJECTIVE: The Covid-19 pandemic is testing the resistance of health systems, the preservation of health professionals is a priority in processes of this type. The professionals' exposure to suspicious contacts often requires their confinement. The objective was to know the epidemiological characteristics of the primary care professionals who required confinement. METHODS: The research was carried out in the North Metropolitan Primary Care Area of Barcelona, from February 17 to May 3, 2020. 1,418 professionals who required confinement due to the epidemic by Covid-19 participated. The reasons for confinement, symptomatology, the confinement time and the results of PCR tests results were recorded. Univariate descriptive analysis was performed. RESULTS: 78.8% of the professionals were women and the mean age was 45.2 years. 67.8% were doctors and nurses, in the remaining 32.2% there were different healthcare and non-care professionals. 64.1% of the sample presented symptoms compatible with Covid-19. Participants described multiple symptoms during confinement. 1,050 diagnostic RT- PCR tests were performed, being positive in 323 cases, of which 33 were in asymptomatic people. CONCLUSIONS: The impact of the epidemic by Covid-19 is anticipated in health personnel compared to the general population. The distribution of symptoms in healthcare professionals is similar to that of other studies in the general population. Of the total number of professionals requiring isolation, 22.7% confirmed the diagnosis.

OBJETIVO: La pandemia de la Covid-19 está poniendo a prueba la resistencia de los sistemas sanitarios. La preservación de los profesionales sanitarios es prioritaria siempre y especialmente ante situaciones de este tipo. La exposición de los profesionales frente a contactos sospechosos obliga en muchas ocasiones a su confinamiento. El objetivo fue conocer las características epidemiológicas de los profesionales de atención primaria que han precisado confinamiento. METODOS: La investigación se llevó a cabo en el área de atención primaria Metropolitana Nord de Barcelona, desde el 17 de febrero al 3 de mayo de 2020. Participaron 1.418 profesionales que requirieron confinamiento debido a la epidemia por la Covid-19. Se registraron los motivos de confinamiento, sintomatología, tiempo de confinamiento y resultados de las pruebas PCR. Se realizó análisis descriptivo univariante. RESULTADOS: El 78,8% de los profesionales eran mujeres y la edad media de fue 45,2 años. El 67,8% fueron facultativos y enfermeras, en el 32,2% restante había diferentes profesionales asistenciales y no asistenciales. El 64,1% de la muestra presentó sintomatología compatible con Covid-19. Los participantes describieron múltiples síntomas durante el confinamiento. Se realizaron 1.050 pruebas diagnósticas RT-PCR resultando positivas en 323 casos, de los que 33 fueron en personas asintomáticas. CONCLUSIONES: El impacto de la epidemia por Covid-19 se adelanta en el personal sanitario respecto a la población general. La distribución de síntomas en profesionales sanitarios es similar a la de otros estudios en población general. Del total de profesionales que precisan confinamiento en el 22,7% se confirma el diagnóstico.

Estudio descriptivo de los trabajadores de servicios sanitarios de una dirección de atención primaria confinados por Covid-19 / Descriptive study of the health service workers of a Primary Care Department confined by Covid-19

OBJETIVO: La pandemia de la Covid-19 está poniendo a prueba la resistencia de los sistemas sanitarios. La preservación de los profesionales sanitarios es prioritaria siempre y especialmente ante situaciones de este tipo. La exposición de los profesionales frente a contactos sospechosos obliga en muchas ocasiones a su confinamiento. El objetivo fue conocer las características epidemiológicas de los profesionales de atención primaria que han precisado confinamiento. MÉTODOS: La investigación se llevó a cabo en el área de atención primaria Metropolitana Nord de Barcelona, desde el 17 de febrero al 3 de mayo de 2020. Participaron 1.418 profesionales que requirieron confinamiento debido a la epidemia por la Covid-19. Se registraron los motivos de confinamiento, sintomatología, tiempo de confinamiento y resultados de las pruebas PCR. Se realizó análisis descriptivo univariante. RESULTADOS: El 78,8% de los profesionales eran mujeres y la edad media de fue 45,2 años. El 67,8% fueron facultativos y enfermeras, en el 32,2% restante había diferentes profesionales asistenciales y no asistenciales. El 64,1% de la muestra presentó sintomatología compatible con Covid-19. Los participantes describieron múltiples síntomas durante el confinamiento. Se realizaron 1.050 pruebas diagnósticas RT-PCR resultando positivas en 323 casos, de los que 33 fueron en personas asintomáticas. CONCLUSIONES: El impacto de la epidemia por Covid-19 se adelanta en el personal sanitario respecto a la población general. La distribución de síntomas en profesionales sanitarios es similar a la de otros estudios en población general. Del total de profesionales que precisan confinamiento en el 22,7% se confirma el diagnóstico

OBJECTIVE: The Covid-19 pandemic is testing the resistance of health systems, the preservation of health professionals is a priority in processes of this type. The professionals' exposure to suspicious contacts often requires their confinement. The objective was to know the epidemiological characteristics of the primary care professionals who required confinement. METHODS: The research was carried out in the North Metropolitan Primary Care Area of Barcelona, from February 17 to May 3, 2020. 1,418 professionals who required confinement due to the epidemic by Covid-19 participated. The reasons for confinement, symptomatology, the confinement time and the results of PCR tests results were recorded. Univariate descriptive analysis was performed. RESULTS: 78.8% of the professionals were women and the mean age was 45.2 years. 67.8% were doctors and nurses, in the remaining 32.2% there were different healthcare and non-care professionals. 64.1% of the sample presented symptoms compatible with Covid-19. Participants described multiple symptoms during confinement. 1,050 diagnostic RT- PCR tests were performed, being positive in 323 cases, of which 33 were in asymptomatic people. CONCLUSIONS: The impact of the epidemic by Covid-19 is anticipated in health personnel compared to the general population. The distribution of symptoms in healthcare professionals is similar to that of other studies in the general population. Of the total number of professionals requiring isolation, 22.7% confirmed the diagnosis