Chronic Kidney Disease: The Complex History of the Organization of Long-Term Care and Bioethics. Why Now, More Than Ever, Action is Needed.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been redefined in the new millennium as any alteration of kidney morphology, function, blood, or urine composition lasting for at least 3 months. This broad definition also encompasses diseases or conditions that are associated with normal kidney function, such as a kidney scarring from an acute pyelonephritis episode or a single kidney, as a result of kidney donation. CKD is a relevant public health problem. According to the 2015 Global Burden of Disease Study, it was the 12th leading cause of death, leading to 1.1 million deaths, worldwide, each year. The role of CKD as a cause of death is evident where renal replacement therapy (RRT) is not available, however, its role in increasing death risk is not easily calculated. RRT consumes about 3⁻5% of the global healthcare budget where dialysis is available without restrictions. While the prevalence of CKD is increasing overall as lifespans extend, being linked to diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and atherosclerosis, CKD is at least partly preventable and its effects may be at least partly counterbalanced by early and appropriate care. We will welcome papers on all aspects of CKD, including organization, cost, and models of care. Papers from developing countries will be particularly welcomed.

Secretários Municipais de Saúde: o SUS visto pela ponta da corda / Municipal Secretaries of health - SUS seen by the end of the rope

Após vinte e quatro anos, o Sistema Único de Saúde brasileiro consagra-se por uma consolidação na assistência, acesso e na qualidade de serviços para a sociedade, principalmente nas esferas estaduais e municipais. Os modelos organizativos ajudaram a construir uma base, que já se encontra desgastado e carente de uma reestruturação, principalmente no âmbito da organização do Sistema, através de uma revisão das atribuições de cada ente participativo e do repasse de recursos, equilibrados pela necessidade municipal, invertendo o processo verticalização do Sistema. Outro ponto abordado foi a necessidade de incorporar um perfil profissional dos gestores municipais de saúde, peça fundamental do SUS, que assume um cargo político com responsabilidade técnica e administrativa e que hoje segura a ponta da corda em um eterno cabo de guerra contra o Estado e a União. Foi realizada como metodologia uma análise descritiva qualitativa e quantitativa da literatura e do cenário das políticas públicas em saúde, abordando os antecedentes históricos do SUS, o modelo atual das Políticas públicas de Saúde e do Sistema, no âmbito federal, estadual e municipal respectivamente, o perfil dos municípios brasileiros, assim como dos gestores municipais que organizam e controlam o Sistema na ponta mais difícil, a que se defronta com a real necessidade e com o próprio usuário do Sistema, e por fim proposto um novo modelo reestruturante do SUS, com caráter mais municipalista, atingindo uma questão primordial: O equilíbrio organizativo, financeiro e gestor do Sistema Único de saúde.

After twenty and four years the Brazilian health consecrated by a consolidation assistance, access and quality of service to society, especially in state and municipal level. Organizational models helped to build a base, which is already worn out and in need of restructuring, particularly in the organization of the system, through a review of the responsibilities of each participating entity and the transfer of resources, balanced by the need municipal , reversing the process of up righting system . Another point raised was the need to incorporate a professional profile of local health managers , keystone SUS , assuming political office with administrative and technical responsibility and today holds the end of the rope in an eternal tug of war against the state and Union was conducted as a descriptive analysis methodology qualitative and quantitative literature and landscape of public health policies , addressing the historical background of the SUS , the current model of public Policy and Health System , at the federal , state and municipal respectively the profile of municipalities , as well as municipal managers who organize and control the system in tip harder , which faces the real need and the proper user of the system, and finally proposed a new model of restorative SUS with a more municipalist reaching a primary issue : balancing organizational, financial and Manager of the Unified health.

Secretários Municipais de Saúde: o SUS visto pela ponta da corda / Municipal Secretaries of health - SUS seen by the end of the rope

Após vinte e quatro anos, o Sistema Único de Saúde brasileiro consagra-se por uma consolidação na assistência, acesso e na qualidade de serviços para a sociedade, principalmente nas esferas estaduais e municipais. Os modelos organizativos ajudaram a construir uma base, que já se encontra desgastado e carente de uma reestruturação, principalmente no âmbito da organização do Sistema, através de uma revisão das atribuições de cada ente participativo e do repasse de recursos, equilibrados pela necessidade municipal, invertendo o processo verticalização do Sistema. Outro ponto abordado foi a necessidade de incorporar um perfil profissional dos gestores municipais de saúde, peça fundamental do SUS, que assume um cargo político com responsabilidade técnica e administrativa e que hoje segura a ponta da corda em um eterno cabo de guerra contra o Estado e a União. Foi realizada como metodologia uma análise descritiva qualitativa e quantitativa da literatura e do cenário das políticas públicas em saúde, abordando os antecedentes históricos do SUS, o modelo atual das Políticas públicas de Saúde e do Sistema, no âmbito federal, estadual e municipal respectivamente, o perfil dos municípios brasileiros, assim como dos gestores municipais que organizam e controlam o Sistema na ponta mais difícil, a que se defronta com a real necessidade e com o próprio usuário do Sistema, e por fim proposto um novo modelo reestruturante do SUS, com caráter mais municipalista, atingindo uma questão primordial: O equilíbrio organizativo, financeiro e gestor do Sistema Único de saúde...

After twenty and four years the Brazilian health consecrated by a consolidation assistance, access and quality of service to society, especially in state and municipal level. Organizational models helped to build a base, which is already worn out and in need of restructuring, particularly in the organization of the system, through a review of the responsibilities of each participating entity and the transfer of resources, balanced by the need municipal , reversing the process of up righting system . Another point raised was the need to incorporate a professional profile of local health managers , keystone SUS , assuming political office with administrative and technical responsibility and today holds the end of the rope in an eternal tug of war against the state and Union was conducted as a descriptive analysis methodology qualitative and quantitative literature and landscape of public health policies , addressing the historical background of the SUS , the current model of public Policy and Health System , at the federal , state and municipal respectively the profile of municipalities , as well as municipal managers who organize and control the system in tip harder , which faces the real need and the proper user of the system, and finally proposed a new model of restorative SUS with a more municipalist reaching a primary issue : balancing organizational, financial and Manager of the Unified health...

Uma estratégia de desenvolvimento para o sistema nacional de inovação de produtos médicos / A strategy for the development of the medical devices national innovation system

O presente trabalho apresenta a proposta de um Programa para o desenvolvimento do Sistema Nacional de Inovação de Produtos Médicos  –   SNIPM no âmbito do Sistema Único de Saúde  – SUS, de forma integrada e alinhada com as ações do Ministério da Saúde. Os conhecimentos e as ferramentas em engenharia clínica permitiram realizar uma análise diferenciada do contexto socioeconômico do setor, a sistematização e a percepção dos fatores e atores que induzem ou retardam o crescimento tecnológico do setor. Neste artigo, buscou-se contextualizar o setor de produtos médicos no Brasil à luz da atual conjuntura socioeconômica nacional e mundial, caracterizando-o como de grande indutor de atividades inovadoras. Posteriormente, são abordadas as definições e teorias sobre os Sistemas Nacionais de Inovação e as especificidades do SNIPM no Brasil, apresentando seus atores incluindo suas atribuições e competências. A metodologia utilizada para a coleta e análises de dados econômicos é apresentada, de modo a caracterizar a importância deste segmento para a economia nacional e suas potencialidades na indução do surgimento de tecnologias inovadoras no SNIPM. A análise dos dados setoriais coletados durante a pesquisa é apresentada, como o objetivo de quantificar e apresentar os números socioeconômicos do setor de produtos. Por fim, é apresentado o delineamento de um Programa destinado acatalisar o desenvolvimento do SNIPM considerando as demandas tecnológicas e prioridades do SUS e as dos mercados-alvo do setor produtivo. A proposta, que foi desenvolvida e implementada no Ministério da Saúde, pode se constituir como uma das ferramentas no âmbito do SUS destinadas a fortalecer e modernizar o setor de equipamentos e materiais de uso em saúde, visando à ampliação da capacidade inovadora das empresas e mudança do seu patamar competitivo.

This paper presents a proposal of a program for the development of the Brazilian National Innovation System for Medical Products  (SNIPM) under the National Health System  (SUS) integrated and aligned with the actions of the Brazilian Ministry of Health. Clinical engineering knowledge and tools allowed performing a differentiated socio-economic analysis of the sector, the systematization and the perception of actors and factors that induce or retard the growth of the technology sector. In this article, the medical devices sector in Brazil was first contextualized to in the light of current national and global socio-economic conjuncture, in order to characterize it as a major inducer of innovative activities. The definitions and theories about the National Innovation Systems are described, followed by a discussion of the specifics of SNIPM in Brazil, with its actors, including their duties and responsibilities. The methodology for the collection and analysis of economic data, were shown, in order to characterize the importance of this sector to the national economy and its potential to induce the rising of innovative technologies whithin the SNIPM. The analysis of industry data is presented, which attempts to present and comment on some industry data collected during a survey. In the Results section, it is presented the design of a program used to to catalyze the development of the SNIPM considering the technological demands and priorities of the SUS and the target markets of the productive sector. The proposed program, which was developed and implemented within the Brazilian Ministry of Health, can become one of the tools within the SUS to strengthen and modernize the sector of medical equipments and materials, aiming to increase the innovative capacity of firms and change its competitive standing.

Pediatric hospital medicine: a strategic planning roundtable to chart the future.

Given the growing field of Pediatric Hospital Medicine (PHM) and the need to define strategic direction, the Society of Hospital Medicine, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Academic Pediatric Association sponsored a roundtable to discuss the future of the field. Twenty-one leaders were invited plus a facilitator utilizing established health care strategic planning methods. A "vision statement" was developed. Specific initiatives in 4 domains (clinical practice, quality of care, research, and workforce) were identified that would advance PHM with a plan to complete each initiative. Review of the current issues demonstrated gaps between the current state of affairs and the full vision of the potential impact of PHM. Clinical initiatives were to develop an educational plan supporting the PHM Core Competencies and a clinical practice monitoring dashboard template. Quality initiatives included an environmental assessment of PHM participation on key committees, societies, and agencies to ensure appropriate PHM representation. Three QI collaboratives are underway. A Research Leadership Task Force was created and the Pediatric Research in Inpatient Settings (PRIS) network was refocused, defining a strategic framework for PRIS, and developing a funding strategy. Workforce initiatives were to develop a descriptive statement that can be used by any PHM physician, a communications tool describing "value added" of PHM; and a tool to assess career satisfaction among PHM physicians. We believe the Roundtable was successful in describing the current state of PHM and laying a course for the near future.

Strategic planning as a tool for achieving alignment in academic health centers.

After the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in March 2010, there is an urgent need for medical schools, teaching hospitals, and practice plans to work together seamlessly across a common mission. Although there is agreement that there should be greater coordination of initiatives and resources, there is little guidance in the literature to address the method to achieve the necessary transformation. Traditional approaches to strategic planning often engage a few leaders and produce a set of immeasurable initiatives. A nontraditional approach, consisting of a Whole-Scale (Dannemiller Tyson Associates, Ann Arbor, MI) engagement, appreciative inquiry, and a balanced scorecard can, more rapidly transform an academic health center. Using this nontraditional approach to strategic planning, increased organizational awareness was achieved in a single academic health center. Strategic planning can be an effective tool to achieve alignment, enhance accountability, and a first step in meeting the demands of the new landscape of healthcare.

La importancia de las coaliciones en las políticas sobre drogas. Algunas consideraciones derivadas de la teoría y de la observación / The role of coalitions in drug policy. Some theoretical and observational considerations

Las sociedades organizadas democráticamente están obligadas a encontrar la manera de proceder en caso de necesitar una reformulación de las estrategias frente a los nuevos avances sociales y tecnológicos, especialmente cuando hay preferencias e intereses controvertidos. Los cambios en política de drogas son un ejemplo excelente para discutir el problema y el proceso de formación de coaliciones para encontrar respuestas aceptables a los nuevos desafíos. La moderna teoría sociológica ha desarrollado conceptos y herramientas para la descripción y el análisis de tales procesos. El estudio de casos concretos referentes a ciudades suizas pueden servirnos para la discusión avanzada de conceptos teóricos. El seguimiento observacional de la formación de coaliciones en la ciudad de Zurich, ayuda a ilustrar los elementos inherentes, los problemas, y los resultados. Un análisis más detallado del proceso centrado en las fases iniciales y el desarrollo subsiguiente de diversas coaliciones formales e informales introduce la importancia de los objetivos compartidos y la necesidad de actividades concertadas. No se dispuso al principio de un concepto de política clara y un plan de acción coherente, pero resultó ser un paso importante en la consolidación de lo que fue un comienzo no sistematizado. Lo que se inició a nivel local y llego a ser una nueva política nacional, dejo de ser un enfrentamiento constante entre dos ideologías – la reducción de daños contra la prohibición estricta -, para convertirse en el comienzo de una nueva forma de pensar acerca de cómo los elementos de las diferentes estrategias podrían combinarse con éxito en la búsqueda de un objetivo concreto a compartir. Estas observaciones pueden ser consideradas en futuros desarrollos teóricos y consideración sobre políticas (AU)

Democratically organised societies have to find ways how to proceed when in need of a reformulation of strategies in face of new societal and technological developments, especially in dealing with controversial preferences and interests. The area of drug policy change presents an excellent example for discussing the problem and the process of coalition building for finding acceptable answers to new challenges. Modern sociological theory has developed concepts and tools for a description and analysis of such processes. Some concrete case studies from Swiss cities are available as a basis for advanced discussion of theoretical concepts. The observational description of the coalition building in the city of Zurich helps to illustrate the inherent elements, problems and outcomes; a more detailed process analysis focuses on the initial phases and further development of the various formal and informal coalitions, introducing the importance of shared objectives for action and the need for concerted activities. A clear policy concept and a consistent action plan were not available at first, but they proved to be an important step in the consolidation of what was a non-systematic beginning. What started at local level and led to a new national policy was not so much a continued clash between two ideologies – harm reduction versus strict prohibition -, but was the beginning of a new thinking about how the various policy elements could successfully work together in the pursuit of a shared concrete objective. These observations may be considered in further theory development and policy considerations (AU)

Japanese Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative: present status and future.

Japanese Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (J-ADNI) was launched in 2008, aiming at conducting a longitudinal workup of a standardized neuroimaging, biomarker and clinico-psychological surveys. The research protocol was designed to maximize compatibility with that of US-ADNI, including structural magnetic resonance imaging analysis for the evaluation of brain atrophy, fluorodeoxyglucose and amyloid positron emission tomography, cerebrospinal fluid sampling, APOE genotyping, together with a set of clinical and psychometric tests that were prepared to achieve the highest compatibility to those used in the United States. Japanese ADNI has recruited approximately 357 participants (142 amnestic mild cognitive impairment, approximately 134 normal aged and 72 mild Alzheimer's disease (AD), as of April 15, 2010). World-wide ADNI activities will establish the rigorous quantitative descriptions of the natural course of AD in its very early stages. The data, as well as the methodologies and infrastructures, will facilitate the clinical trials of disease-modifying therapies for AD using surrogate biomarkers.

El conocimiento de la morbilidad en atención primaria como ayuda para la planificación y gestión de los servicios / The knowledge of morbidity in Primary Care as an aid in the planning and management of the services

Introducción: El análisis de la morbilidad y la gestión de su conocimiento es una antigua aspiración en atención primaria (AP). La unidad de agrupación (visita, episodio, paciente), el sistema de clasificación de diagnósticos y el avance de las tecnologías de la información, son los aspectos que más han condicionado el desarrollo de los sistemas de clasificación (case-mix). El objetivo ha sido comprobar la factibilidad, de los Adjusted Clinical Groups (ACG) de la Universidad de Johns Hopkins, como instrumento para el análisis de la morbilidad, explorando en qué medida la información obtenida y su conocimiento nos puede ser de utilidad para la planificación y gestión de los servicios de AP.MétodosDurante un año se observaron 43.556 pacientes adscritos a medicina de familia de cinco zonas de salud del área de Tenerife, estableciendo comparaciones entre zonas de salud y cupos de pacientes. Para el análisis se utiliza el Software ACG (versión 7.1), así como procedimientos de estadística descriptiva, ajuste de tasas y análisis multivariante.ResultadosSe constatan importantes diferencias entre zonas y cupos con respecto a la carga de enfermedad. Los ACG explicaron en relación al consumo de recursos para el conjunto de pacientes: el 0,46 de las visitas y el 0,26 para el coste de la prescripción de farmacia (r2 ajustada p<0,001), similar al obtenido en otros estudios.ConclusionesConsideramos que esta herramienta (ACG) puede ser de gran utilidad, al facilitar las tareas de gestión y planificación de los servicios(AU)

Introduction: The analysis of the morbidity and management of its knowledge is an old aspiration in Primary Care. The grouping unit (visit, episode, patient), diagnosis classification system and the advance in information technology are the most important aspects conditioning the development of the classification system (case-mix). We have aimed to verify the feasibility of Adjusted Clinical Groups (ACG) of the Johns Hopkins University as an instrument for the analysis of morbidity and to study how much the information obtained and knowledge of it can be of use to us for the planning and management of services in primary care.MethodsDuring a one year period, 43,556 patients assigned to family medicine of five Health Care Zones of the area of Tenerife were observed. Comparisons were established between the Health Care Zones and quotas of patients assigned to the family physicians. The ACG software, version 7.1, was used for the analysis as well as descriptive statistics procedures, rate adjustment and multivariate analysis.ResultsImportant differences were found between the Zones and quotas in relationship to disease burden. In relationship to the resource usage for the sets of patients, the ACG explained 0.46 of the visits and 0.26 for the cost of the prescription of pharmacy (adjusted r2, p<0.001). These results are similar to those obtained in other studies.ConclusionsWe consider that this tool (ACG) can be very useful because it facilitates the tasks of management and planning of health services(AU)