Euthanasia in Colombia: Experience in a palliative care program and bioethical reflections.

The increased prevalence of advanced-stage chronic diseases has augmented the need for palliative care teams. In Colombia, although the legislation promotes palliative care development, people still die without receiving management from a palliative care team. In addition, judiciary regulations regarding euthanasia have generated public confusion and ethical conflicts among members of the palliative care teams. Therefore, this study aimed to perform a bioethical reflection on the relationship between palliative care and euthanasia supported by data on euthanasia requests in a palliative care program. This reflection is based on retrospective and descriptive observational data, collected in two highly complex hospitals in Bogotá, Colombia. A total of 50 euthanasia requests were identified, of which 62% met the defined criteria, 16% did not, and 22% were not considered by the interdisciplinary committee for the right to die with dignity due to early death. All patients were treated and followed up by a palliative care team until their death. This study considered that palliative care could be a complement management for patients requesting euthanasia based on their experience by supporting the decision-making, alleviating suffering, and providing emotional support in the last days of life.

Factores de riesgo para falla de la técnica en diálisis peritoneal: estudio de cohorte retrospectivo

Contexto la falla de la técnica en diálisis peritoneal puede ocurrir de manera no planificada, afectando los costos en salud y la calidad de vida del paciente. Objetivo estimar la incidencia de falla de la técnica y mortalidad y determinar los factores de riesgo asociados con el tiempo a la falla de la técnica, por causas médicas en el primer año de la terapia de reemplazo renal. Metodología estudio de cohorte retrospectivo que incluyó 2192 pacientes incidentes en diálisis peritoneal, utilizando los registros de centros de terapia renal Baxter en Colombia, durante el periodo entre enero del 2016 y diciembre del 2017. Asimismo, se estimó la tasa de incidencia y la tasa de mortalidad y se usó el análisis de regresión de Cox multivariado para determinar los factores de riesgo para falla de la técnica. Resultados se estimó una tasa de incidencia de falla de la técnica de 8,8/100 personas/año. La tasa de mortalidad fue de 7,9/100 personas/año. El modelo de regresión de Cox multivariado mostró que los factores de riesgo fueron hipertensión arterial (HR: 1,59; IC 95 % 1,01-2,48) y género masculino (HR:1,62; IC 95 % 1,03-2,56) y los factores protectores fueron el Kt/V > 1,7 (HR: 0,41; IC 95 % 0,25-0,65) e incrementar 1 gr/dl la albúmina (HR: 0,61; IC 95 % 0,43-0,87). Conclusiones la tasa de incidencia de falla de la técnica en el primer año de diálisis peritoneal en Colombia fue baja y la disfunción mecánica fue la principal causa. Los factores de riesgo asociados con el tiempo a la falla de la técnica fueron hipertensión arterial y género masculino.

Background The technique failure in peritoneal dialysis can occur in an unplanned way, affecting health costs and the patient's quality of life. Purpose The aims of this study were to estimate the incidence of technique failure and mortality; and to determine the risk factors associated with time to failure of technique due to medical causes in the first year of renal replacement therapy. Methodology Retrospective cohort study that included 2192 incident patients on peritoneal dialysis using the records of Baxter renal therapy centers in Colombia, during the period January 2016 and December 2017. The incidence rate and mortality rate were estimated. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to determine risk factors for technique failure. Results An incidence rate of failure of the technique of 8.8/100 person-years was estimated. The mortality rate was 7.9/100 person-years. The multivariate Cox regression model showed as risk factors arterial hypertension (HR: 1.59; 95% CI 1.01-2.48) and male sex (HR: 1.62; 95% CI 1.03-2.56); and the protective factors were Kt / V> 1.7 (HR: 0.41; CI95% 0.25-0.65) and increase 1 gr / dl of albumin (HR: 0.61; CI95% 0.43-0.87). Conclusions The incidence rate of technique failure in the first year of peritoneal dialysis in Colombia was low and mechanical dysfunction was the main cause. The risk factors associated with time to failure of the technique were arterial hypertension and male gender.

[Virtual and in-person accompaniment of hospitalized patients during the COVID-19 pandemic in ColombiaAcompanhamento virtual e presencial de pacientes hospitalizados durante a pandemia de COVID-19 na Colômbia]. / Acompañamiento virtual y presencial a pacientes hospitalizados durante la pandemia de COVID-19 en Colombia.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the results of a virtual and in-person accompaniment strategy based on person-centered care of patients hospitalized for suspected or confirmed disease due to the novel 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19). METHOD: Retrospective descriptive observational study conducted in five health facilities of the Colsanitas clinic network that implemented an accompaniment strategy with seven modalities: virtual information, personal mobile devices, virtual visits, contacts by other means, round-the-clock companion, in-person visit, and compassionate contact. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. RESULTS: The accompaniment strategy was used with 871 patients with hospital stays ranging from 1 to 90 days; 70% were positive for COVID-19. The families of 764 patients were contacted through 3984 calls in the virtual information modality; an average of 71 virtual visits per day occurred; 428 letters, voice messages, and videos, among others, were received; 114 patients had a round-the-clock companion; 154 patients had an in-person visit; and 20 families made a posthumous in-person visit to the patient. CONCLUSION: The results of the virtual and in-person accompaniment strategy with a person-centered approach showed that family involvement is important to patient care and improves communication and interaction among patients, families, and the healthcare team.

OBJETIVO: Descrever os resultados de uma estratégia de acompanhamento virtual e presencial, baseada no cuidado centrado na pessoa, durante o atendimento de pacientes internados por doença do novo coronavírus de 2019 (COVID-19) suspeita ou confirmada. MÉTODOS: Estudo observacional descritivo retrospectivo realizado em cinco instituições de saúde da rede clínica Colsanitas, que implementaram uma estratégia de acompanhamento com sete modalidades: informação virtual, dispositivos móveis pessoais, visitas virtuais, contatos por outros meios, acompanhante permanente, visita presencial e contato solidário. Foram utilizadas estatísticas descritivas para análise dos dados. RESULTADOS: A estratégia de acompanhamento foi aplicada em 871 pacientes com 1 a 90 dias de internação, dos quais 70% positivaram para COVID-19. Na modalidade de informação virtual, as famílias de 764 pacientes foram contatadas por meio de 3.984 ligações; em média, foram realizadas 71 visitas virtuais por dia; foram recebidas 428 cartas, mensagens de voz e vídeos, entre outros meios; 114 pacientes contaram com um acompanhante permanente; 154 pacientes receberam visita presencial; e 20 famílias fizeram uma visita presencial póstuma ao paciente. CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados da estratégia de acompanhamento virtual e presencial com abordagem centrada na pessoa mostraram que a participação da família é importante no cuidado ao paciente e melhora a comunicação e a interação entre paciente, família e equipe de saúde.

Acompañamiento virtual y presencial a pacientes hospitalizados durante la pandemia de COVID-19 en Colombia

[RESUMEN]. Objetivo. Describir los resultados de una estrategia de acompañamiento virtual y presencial, con base en el cuidado centrado en la persona durante la atención a pacientes hospitalizados por sospecha o confirmación de enfermedad por el nuevo coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19, por su sigla en inglés). Método. Estudio observacional descriptivo retrospectivo realizado en cinco instituciones de salud de la red de clínica Colsanitas que implementaron una estrategia de acompañamiento con siete modalidades: información virtual, dispositivos móviles personales, visitas virtuales, contactos con otros medios, acompañante permanente, visita presencial y contacto compasivo. Se utilizó estadística descriptiva para el análisis de los datos. Resultados. La estrategia de acompañamiento se aplicó a 871 pacientes con estancia hospitalaria de 1 a 90 días, 70% fueron positivos para COVID-19; en la modalidad de información virtual, se contactaron a familias de 764 pacientes realizando 3984 llamadas; en promedio se realizaron 71 visitas virtuales al día; se recibieron 428 cartas, mensajes de voz y videos, entre otros; 114 pacientes tuvieron un acompañante permanente; 154 pacientes tuvieron visita presencial; y 20 familias realizaron visita presencial póstuma al paciente. Conclusión. Los resultados de la estrategia de acompañamiento virtual y presencial con enfoque centrado en la persona mostraron que la participación de las familias es importante en el cuidado del paciente y mejora la comunicación e interacción entre los pacientes, las familias y el equipo de salud.

[ABSTRACT]. Objective. To describe the results of a virtual and in-person accompaniment strategy based on person-centered care of patients hospitalized for suspected or confirmed disease due to the novel 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19). Method. Retrospective descriptive observational study conducted in five health facilities of the Colsanitas clinic network that implemented an accompaniment strategy with seven modalities: virtual information, personal mobile devices, virtual visits, contacts by other means, round-the-clock companion, in-person visit, and compassionate contact. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. Results. The accompaniment strategy was used with 871 patients with hospital stays ranging from 1 to 90 days; 70% were positive for COVID-19. The families of 764 patients were contacted through 3984 calls in the virtual information modality; an average of 71 virtual visits per day occurred; 428 letters, voice messages, and videos, among others, were received; 114 patients had a round-the-clock companion; 154 patients had an in-person visit; and 20 families made a posthumous in-person visit to the patient. Conclusion. The results of the virtual and in-person accompaniment strategy with a person-centered approach showed that family involvement is important to patient care and improves communication and interaction among patients, families, and the healthcare team.

[RESUMO]. Objetivo. Descrever os resultados de uma estratégia de acompanhamento virtual e presencial, baseada no cuidado centrado na pessoa, durante o atendimento de pacientes internados por doença do novo corona-vírus de 2019 (COVID-19) suspeita ou confirmada. Métodos. Estudo observacional descritivo retrospectivo realizado em cinco instituições de saúde da rede clínica Colsanitas, que implementaram uma estratégia de acompanhamento com sete modalidades: informação virtual, dispositivos móveis pessoais, visitas virtuais, contatos por outros meios, acompanhante permanente, visita presencial e contato solidário. Foram utilizadas estatísticas descritivas para análise dos dados. Resultados. A estratégia de acompanhamento foi aplicada em 871 pacientes com 1 a 90 dias de internação, dos quais 70% positivaram para COVID-19. Na modalidade de informação virtual, as famílias de 764 pacientes foram contatadas por meio de 3.984 ligações; em média, foram realizadas 71 visitas virtuais por dia; foram recebidas 428 cartas, mensagens de voz e vídeos, entre outros meios; 114 pacientes contaram com um acompanhante permanente; 154 pacientes receberam visita presencial; e 20 famílias fizeram uma visita presencial póstuma ao paciente. Conclusões. Os resultados da estratégia de acompanhamento virtual e presencial com abordagem centrada na pessoa mostraram que a participação da família é importante no cuidado ao paciente e melhora a comunicação e a interação entre paciente, família e equipe de saúde.

Hospital Adverse Event Reporting Systems: A Systematic Scoping Review of Qualitative and Quantitative Evidence.

INTRODUCTION: Reducing the incidence of reportable events with undesirable effects (REUE) is a priority in the hospital environment, which is why reporting systems have been implemented to identify and manage them. Information is required regarding the performance of reporting systems, barriers, or facilitators for reporting and strategies that improve passive reporting. METHODOLOGY: Systematic scoping review of the literature that included studies performed in the population exposed to the occurrence of REUE in the health system (teams, patients, and family). A search was performed in Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Epistemonikos, MEDLINE (PubMed), MEDLINE In-Process and MEDLINE Daily Update, EMBASE, LILACS, and databases of the World Health Organization and Pan-American Health Organization. RESULTS: Fifteen studies were found, 1 systematic review, 2 clinical trials, 8 observational studies, 3 qualitative studies, and 1 mixed study. In 4 of them, the effectiveness of active versus passive reporting systems was compared. The measures to improve the passive systems were education about REUE, simplification of the reporting format, activities focused on increasing the motivation for self-report, adoption of self-report as an obligatory institutional policy, and using specific report formats for each service. CONCLUSIONS: There is information that allows to find differences between the performance of the active and passive reporting systems. The reviewed research articles found that passive techniques significantly underreported adverse events. It is recommended that institutions adopt both active and passive techniques in adverse event surveillance. New studies should be directed to answer the comparative efficiency of the reporting systems.