[Use of topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents in an urban health center. Comparison with the current evidence]. / Uso de antiinflamatorios tópicos en un centro de salud urbano. Estudio comparativo con la evidencia actual.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the prescribing of topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in an urban health center (Zaragoza, Spain). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on subjects who belonged to an urban center and were studied during the year 2010. The sample size with a confidence level of 95%, was calculated, a total of 843 prescriptions were analyzed. The sample was single random, and 150 cases were selected. The prevalence and confidence intervals were calculated. The statistical package STATA 9.1 was used for the calculations. RESULTS: The most used drug was diclofenac, in 27.33% (95% CI: 20.65-34.88). NSAIDs were most used in females. In 18% of the cases the area of application was the knee, followed by the 15% in the lower back area (95% CI: 10,22-21,78). There were no adverse reactions. CONCLUSIONS: Frequent use is made of topical NSAIDs in a basic health area. Current recommendations support the use in the knee and in the hand, but not in the back, where its use is common. The use of topical NSAIDs decreases side effects and drug interactions, therefore their use is recommended in patients on multiple drug therapy and in the elderly.

[Replacing percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy with the collaboration of the endoscopy and the primary care home care support teams. An efficient and safe experience]. / Estudio de los cambios de gastrostomía endoscópica percutánea realizados mediante la colaboración del equipo de digestivo y el equipo de soporte de atención domiciliaria de atención primaria: una experiencia eficiente y segura.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of the study is to assess the outcome of a Primary Care programme of replacing the Percutaneous Endoscopy Gastrostomy at home. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted on all patients (n=44), of Zaragoza Health Sector III, carriers of a percutaneous endoscopy gastrostomy (PEG), who had a replacement at home by the Home Care Service (HCS), during the period from September 2008 to December 2010. Socio-demographic data, the number of PEG replacements performed on each patient, any incidents occurring with each replacement either by the Endoscopy Department or the HCS, as well as the time elapsed until the next replacement, were all recorded. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 74.02 years, and up to a 65% lived in rural areas. The main causes of dysphagia were dementia (56.82%). A total of 136 PEG replacements were performed by the HCS (mean 3.09, SD: 2.37). There were 18 cases in which complications arose. Of these, 17 were minor complications and resolved in the patients' homes. The only major complication, a peritonitis, was resolved in the hospital. The HCS made 138 trips (53.62% of them in rural areas). Each patient avoided travelling a total mean of 43.13 km, and 75.24 km in rural areas. CONCLUSIONS: The replacement of PEG is a simple method that can be performed at home with a low risk of complications, provided there is an effective selection of patients. This leads to increased patient and family comfort, and reduces health care costs without detriment of performance.

[Evaluation of patient safety culture among family and community medicine residents in a hospital A& E department]. / Evaluación de la cultura sobre seguridad del paciente entre médicos residentes de medicina familiar y comunitaria en un servicio de urgencias hospita.

BACKGROUND: Improving patient safety is a priority in all health care centres. It does not appear as a specific area of training in specialty programs. The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety culture of Family Medicine residents (MIR - Médico Interno Residente/Medical Internship and Residency). METHODS: Transversal descriptive study. The Spanish version of the "Hospital Survey on Patient Safety" questionnaire was used. Strengths and opportunities for improving the service of the A & E Department were determined. RESULTS: The most highly valued dimension was teamwork in the A & E Department. The worst qualified were "staffing" and "management support". None of those surveyed had notified any incidents in the unit. CONCLUSIONS: Amongst the MIR surveyed there is a lack of knowledge about the channels for notifying adverse events, as well as a training deficiency in safety culture. This should be strengthened in the training of specialists in Family and Community Medicine.

[Contraceptive methods used by immigrant populations and conditions that influence the choice in a health area in Zaragoza]. / Métodos anticonceptivos utilizados por población inmigrante y condicionantes que influyen en su elección en un área sanitaria de Zaragoza.

BACKGROUND: The percentage of women immigrants in Spain has increased in these last years, resulting in the emergence of specific needs related to sexual and reproductive health. The objective of this article was to define the contraceptive methods used by immigrant women and the determining factors that influence their choice. To estimate the use of emergency post-coital contraception and prevalence of abortion. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study using a survey was carried out in the first quarter of 2011 at the "Centro de Salud Delicias Sur" in Zaragoza, Spain. The target population were immigrant women of childbearing age between 15 and 45 years who attended the clinic. Non probability sampling was used. RESULTS: The mean age was 29.35 years (95% confidence interval (CI) = 27.95 to 30.75 years). The majority country of origin was Ecuador. Almost half the women were single and worked in paid employment. The educational level was considered as average. The average duration of residence in Spain was 5.68 years (95% CI = 4.99 to 6.37 years) and 42% of them (95% CI = 32.62 to 51.83) did not use any contraceptive method. The most used contraceptive method was the condom, followed by oral hormonal contraceptives. More than half of the women had been informed in Primary Care. Almost one third (32%) (95% CI = 23.42 to 41.60) of the women had a history of abortion. More than 19% of women (95% CI = 12.46 to 28.10) had used the emergency contraceptive method. CONCLUSION: Contraceptive methods were not used by 42% of women. The alert indicators on the failure of preventive measures in sexual health are still too high.