Bienestar emocional, percepciones y actitudes frente a la COVID-19 en adolescentes / Emotional well-being, perceptions and attitudes against COVID-19 on adolescents

Introducción: La pandemia mundial por SARS-CoV-2 ha ocasionado un gran impacto en la vida de los adolescentes afectando el bienestar infanto-juvenil, sin embargo, existe escasa evidencia del efecto que ha tenido a nivel emocional en esta población. Objetivo: Explorar los conocimientos, percepciones y actitudes de los jóvenes frente a la COVID-19 y el impacto provocado en el bienestar emocional. Material y método: Estudio observacional transversal y descriptivo, a partir de una encuesta realizada a alumnos de 16-20 años de cinco institutos del área metropolitana de Barcelona. Resultados: El estudio se efectuó sobre 291 encuestas. De los participantes, 56,7% fueron mujeres. La edad media fue de 16,8 años y la mediana de 17 años. Se detectó un mayor desconocimiento sobre la transmisión de la enfermedad. Las fuentes de información más utilizadas fueron las redes sociales. En cuanto al malestar emocional, destaca la preocupación por enfermar (64%), los problemas económicos familiares (46%), la ansiedad e irritabilidad (27%) y la apatía (26,5%). Se detectan diferencias entre géneros en cuanto a la preocupación (mujeres: 28,8%, hombres: 11,1%), tristeza (mujeres: 29,3%, hombres: 15,5%) y sensación de tener miedo (mujeres: 24,5%, hombres 11%). De los sujetos, 16,7% consultaron con un profesional de salud mental, siendo más frecuente en mujeres (23,8%, hombres: 7,4%). Conclusiones: La COVID-19 ha afectado el bienestar emocional de los adolescentes, sobre todo en la población femenina. Se detecta un mayor uso de las redes sociales para evitar el aislamiento social. Los resultados del estudio pueden ayudar a diseñar estrategias para evitar malestares futuros en el ámbito biopsicosocial.(AU)

Introduction: The worldwide pandemic of SARS-Cov2 has had a great impact on the lives of adolescents, affecting their health and well-being. There is little evidence of the emotional impact of the pandemic on adolescents. Objectiv: To explore the knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes of young people regarding COVID-19 and its impact on emotional well-being. Method: A cross-sectional observational and descriptive study based on a survey of students aged 16–20 from five high schools in Barcelona metropolitan area. Results: The study was carried out on 291 surveys. Females made up 56.7% of the population. The average age was 16.9 years. A greater lack of knowledge about the transmission of the disease was detected. The most frequently used sources of information were social networks. In terms of emotional distress, the most important aspects were worry about getting sick (64%), family financial problems (46%), anxiety and irritability (27%), and apathy (26.5%). Gender differences were detected in terms of worries (women: 28.8%; men: 11.1%), sadness (women: 29.3%, men: 15.5%), and feelings of fear (women: 24.5%; men: 11%). 16.7% of the participants consulted a mental health professional, with this being more common in women (women: 23.8%; men: 7.4%). Conclusions: COVID-19 has affected the emotional well-being of adolescents, especially the female population. It is necessary to implement emotional well-being strategies in early childhood to cope with possible stressful situations in daily life and avoid future mental health problems. There is a growing use of social media to combat social isolation. The results of the study hold the potential to strategies aimed at preempting forthcoming biopsychosocial distress.(AU)

[Emotional well-being, perceptions and attitudes against COVID-19 on adolescents]. / Bienestar emocional, percepciones y actitudes frente a la COVID-19 en adolescentes.

INTRODUCTION: The worldwide pandemic of SARS-Cov2 has had a great impact on the lives of adolescents, affecting their health and well-being. There is little evidence of the emotional impact of the pandemic on adolescents. OBJECTIVE: To explore the knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes of young people regarding COVID-19 and its impact on emotional well-being. METHOD: A cross-sectional observational and descriptive study based on a survey of students aged 16-20 from five high schools in Barcelona metropolitan area. RESULTS: The study was carried out on 291 surveys. Females made up 56.7% of the population. The average age was 16.9 years. A greater lack of knowledge about the transmission of the disease was detected. The most frequently used sources of information were social networks. In terms of emotional distress, the most important aspects were worry about getting sick (64%), family financial problems (46%), anxiety and irritability (27%), and apathy (26.5%). Gender differences were detected in terms of worries (women: 28.8%; men: 11.1%), sadness (women: 29.3%, men: 15.5%), and feelings of fear (women: 24.5%; men: 11%). 16.7% of the participants consulted a mental health professional, with this being more common in women (women: 23.8%; men: 7.4%). CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 has affected the emotional well-being of adolescents, especially the female population. It is necessary to implement emotional well-being strategies in early childhood to cope with possible stressful situations in daily life and avoid future mental health problems. There is a growing use of social media to combat social isolation. The results of the study hold the potential to strategies aimed at preempting forthcoming biopsychosocial distress.

Quality of life and persistent symptoms after hospitalization for COVID-19. A prospective observational study comparing ICU with non-ICU patients.

BACKGROUND: Hospitalized COVID-19 patients are prone to develop persistent symptoms and to show reduced quality of life following hospital admission. METHODS: Prospective cohort study of COVID-19 patients admitted to a hospital from March 1 to April 30, 2020. The primary outcome was to compare health related quality of life and persistent symptoms six months after hospital admission, of COVID-19 patients who required ICU admission with those who did not. RESULTS: Among the 242 patients hospitalized during the defined period of time, 44 (18.2%) needed ICU admission. Forty (16.5%) patients died during hospital admission. Two hundred and two (83.5%) patients were discharged alive from the hospital. At six months, 183 (75.6%) patients completed the questionnaires (32 ICU patients and 151 non ICU patients). Ninety-six (52.4%) reported decreased quality of life and 143 (78.1%) described persistent symptoms. More ICU patients showed worsening of their quality of life (71.9% vs 43.7%, P=0.004). There were no differences in the proportion of patients with persistent symptoms between ICU and non ICU patients (87.5% vs 76.2%, P=0.159). ICU patients showed more frequently dyspnea on exertion (78.1% vs 47.7%, P=0.02), dyspnea on light exertion (37.5% vs 4.6%, P<0.001), and asthenia (56.3 vs 29.1, P=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Survivors of COVID-19 needing hospitalization had persistent symptoms and a decline in the quality of life. ICU patients referred a large decrease of their quality of life compared with non ICU patients.

Calidad de vida y síntomas persistentes tras hospitalización por COVID-19. Estudio observacional prospectivo comparando pacientes con o sin ingreso en UCI / Quality of life and persistent symptoms after hospitalization for COVID-19. A prospective observational study comparing ICU with non-ICU patients

Antecedentes/contexto: Existe una tendencia en los pacientes hospitalizados por COVID-19 a desarrollar síntomas persistentes y a presentar una disminución en su calidad de vida tras el ingreso hospitalario. Métodos: Estudio de cohorte prospectivo de pacientes con COVID-19 con ingreso hospitalario entre el 1 de marzo al 30 de abril de 2020. El objetivo primario fue comparar la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud y la presencia de síntomas persistentes seis meses después del ingreso, comparando los pacientes que requirieron ingreso en UCI con los que no lo precisaron. Resultados: De los 242 pacientes hospitalizados durante el período de estudio, 44 (18,2%) necesitaron ingreso en UCI. Cuarenta (16,5%) pacientes fallecieron durante el ingreso hospitalario. Doscientos dos (83,5%) pacientes fueron dados de alta del hospital. A los seis meses, 183 (75,6%) pacientes completaron los cuestionarios (32 pacientes UCI y 151 pacientes no UCI). Noventa y seis (52,4%) refirieron disminución de la calidad de vida y 143 (78,1%) describieron síntomas persistentes. Un número mayor de pacientes de UCI mostraron un empeoramiento de su calidad de vida (71,9 vs. 43,7%, p = 0,004). No hubo diferencias en la proporción de pacientes con síntomas persistentes entre los pacientes con UCI y sin UCI (87,5 vs. 76,2%, p = 0,159). Los pacientes de UCI mostraron con mayor frecuencia disnea de esfuerzo (78,1 vs. 47,7%, p = 0,02), disnea de pequeños esfuerzos (37,5 vs. 4,6%, p < 0,001) y astenia (56,3 vs. 29,1%, p = 0,003). Conclusiones: Los supervivientes de COVID-19 que necesitaron hospitalización presentaron síntomas persistentes y un deterioro de su calidad de vida. Los pacientes de UCI refirieron una mayor disminución de su calidad de vida, en comparación con los pacientes que no precisaron UCI.(AU)

Background: Hospitalized COVID-19 patients are prone to develop persistent symptoms and to show reduced quality of life following hospital admission. Methods: Prospective cohort study of COVID-19 patients admitted to a hospital from March 1 to April 30, 2020. The primary outcome was to compare health related quality of life and persistent symptoms six months after hospital admission, of COVID-19 patients who required ICU admission with those who did not. Results: Among the 242 patients hospitalized during the defined period of time, 44 (18.2%) needed ICU admission. Forty (16.5%) patients died during hospital admission. Two hundred and two (83.5%) patients were discharged alive from the hospital. At six months, 183 (75.6%) patients completed the questionnaires (32 ICU patients and 151 non ICU patients). Ninety-six (52.4%) reported decreased quality of life and 143 (78.1%) described persistent symptoms. More ICU patients showed worsening of their quality of life (71.9 vs. 43.7%, P = 0.004). There were no differences in the proportion of patients with persistent symptoms between ICU and non ICU patients (87.5 vs. 76.2%, P = 0.159). ICU patients showed more frequently dyspnea on exertion (78.1 vs. 47.7%, P = 0.02), dyspnea on light exertion (37.5 vs. 4.6%, P < 0.001), and asthenia (56.3 vs. 29.1, P = 0.003). Conclusions: Survivors of COVID-19 needing hospitalization had persistent symptoms and a decline in the quality of life. ICU patients referred a large decrease of their quality of life compared with non ICU patients.(AU)

[Quality of life and persistent symptoms after hospitalization for COVID-19. A prospective observational study comparing ICU with non-ICU patients]. / Calidad de vida y síntomas persistentes tras hospitalización por COVID-19. Estudio observacional prospectivo comparando pacientes con o sin ingreso en UCI.

Background: Hospitalized COVID-19 patients are prone to develop persistent symptoms and to show reduced quality of life following hospital admission. Methods: Prospective cohort study of COVID-19 patients admitted to a hospital from March 1 to April 30, 2020. The primary outcome was to compare health related quality of life and persistent symptoms six months after hospital admission, of COVID-19 patients who required ICU admission with those who did not. Results: Among the 242 patients hospitalized during the defined period of time, 44 (18.2%) needed ICU admission. Forty (16.5%) patients died during hospital admission. Two hundred and two (83.5%) patients were discharged alive from the hospital. At six months, 183 (75.6%) patients completed the questionnaires (32 ICU patients and 151 non ICU patients). Ninety-six (52.4%) reported decreased quality of life and 143 (78.1%) described persistent symptoms. More ICU patients showed worsening of their quality of life (71.9 vs. 43.7%, P = 0.004). There were no differences in the proportion of patients with persistent symptoms between ICU and non ICU patients (87.5 vs. 76.2%, P = 0.159). ICU patients showed more frequently dyspnea on exertion (78.1 vs. 47.7%, P = 0.02), dyspnea on light exertion (37.5 vs. 4.6%, P < 0.001), and asthenia (56.3 vs. 29.1, P = 0.003). Conclusions: Survivors of COVID-19 needing hospitalization had persistent symptoms and a decline in the quality of life. ICU patients referred a large decrease of their quality of life compared with non ICU patients.

[Implemented actions in the Spanish National Health System to improve patient safety culture]. / Acciones desarrolladas para avanzar en seguridad del paciente en el Sistema Nacional de Salud español.

BACKGROUND: The Ministry of Health, Consumption and Social Welfare (MHCSW) since 2005 has been promoting, in collaboration with the Autonomous Communities (AC) and the Scientific Societies (SC), among them the Spanish Society for Healthcare Quality (SSHCQ), the Patient Safety Strategy (PSS). PSS 2015-2020 develops relevant aspects of patient safety (PS), such as risk management, reporting and learning systems (RLS), as well as promoting an adequate response when an adverse event (AE) unexpectedly occurs. The present work describes the current situation of the different AC in relation to these topics. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A Descriptive study, based on a survey developed ad hoc within the framework of the agreement between the MHCSW and SSHCQ, was conducted at national level. The questions' topics, prepared by consensus of the work team, considered the implementation of RLS and AE analysis, and legal protection for professionals involved in an AE in the AC. RESULTS: A total of 17 surveys were collected (16 AC and INGESA). All ACs had a RLS, a structure to support PS activities but very heterogeneous. Some ACs had a response plan to an AE and had established a coordination protocol with legal services to support patients and professionals involved in an AE. Some ACs had enacted some laws and regulations to facilitate PS culture. CONCLUSIONS: The ACs have risk management structures that lead the plans in PS, reporting and learning systems and have experience in the analysis of near miss and AE. However, a regulatory change that increases the legal safety of professionals to provide an adequate response to the AEs is a priority. This challenge should involve leaders of health organizations, scientific societies and professional associations, national and regional health authorities as it has been done in other European countries.

Effectiveness of an educational intervention to improve the safety culture in primary care: a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Fostering a culture of safety is an essential step in ensuring patient safety and quality in primary care. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an educational intervention to improve the safety culture in the family and community medicine teaching units in an Atlantic European Region. METHODS: Randomized study conducted in family and community medicine teaching units in Galicia (Spain). Participants were all fourth-year residents and their tutors (N = 138). Those who agreed to participate were randomized into one of two groups (27 tutors/26 residents in the intervention group, 23 tutors/ 23 residents in the control one).All were sent the Survey on Patient Safety Culture. After that, the intervention group received specific training in safety; they also recorded incidents over 15 days, documented them following a structured approach, and had feedback on their performance. The control group did not receive any action. All participants completed the same survey four months later. Outcome measures were the changes in safety culture as quantified by the results variables of the Survey: Patient Safety Grade and Number of events reported. We conducted bivariate and adjusted analyses for the outcome measures. To explore the influence of participants' demographic characteristics and their evaluation of the 12 dimensions of the safety culture, we fitted a multivariate model for each outcome. RESULTS: Trial followed published protocol. There were 19 drop outs. The groups were comparable in outcome and independent variables at start. The experiment did not have any effect on Patient safety grade (- 0.040) in bivariate analysis. The odds of reporting one to two events increased by 1.14 (0.39-3.35), and by 13.75 (2.41-354.37) the odds of reporting 3 or more events. Different dimensions had significant independent effects on each outcome variable. CONCLUSION: A educational intervention in family and community medicine teaching units may improve the incidents reported. The associations observed among organizational dimensions and outcomes evidence the complexity of patient safety culture measurement and, also, show the paths for improvement. In the future, it would be worthwhile to replicate this study in teaching units from different settings and with different health professionals engaged. TRIAL REGISTRATION: It was retrospectively registered with ( ISRCTN41911128 , 31/12/2010).

ABO blood group antigens may be associated with increased susceptibility to schistosomiasis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Schistosomiasis or bilharzia is a widespread parasitic disease caused by blood flukes of the genus Schistosoma. Some factors have been investigated previously regarding their effect on the pathophysiological mechanism of human schistosomiasis, but the possible influence of the ABO blood group on the severity of Schistosoma infection has been the most promising. Hence, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to further investigate the association of the ABO blood group with schistosomiasis susceptibility. Selected publications were retrieved from PubMed up to 21 August 2018, for related studies written in English. Number of cases (with schistosomiasis) and controls (without schistosomiasis) were extracted across all ABO blood types. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed, pooled and interpreted. Subgroup analysis by the species of Schistosoma infecting the population and the participants' ethnicity was also performed. The overall analysis revealed heterogeneity in the outcomes, which warranted the identification of the cause using the Galbraith plot. Post-outlier outcomes of the pooled ORs show that individuals who are not blood type O are more susceptible (OR: 1.40; 95% CI: 1.17-1.67; PA < 0.001) to schistosomiasis than those who are blood type O (OR: 0.71; 95% CI: 0.60-0.85; PA < 0.001). Subgroup analysis yielded the same observations regardless of the species of schistosome and the ethnicity of the participants. Results of this meta-analysis suggest that individuals who are blood type B and A are more susceptible to schistosomiasis than those who are blood type O. However, more studies are needed to confirm our claims.

[Opinion of professionals in an intensive care unit on the limitations of therapeutic effort]. / Opinión de los profesionales de una unidad de cuidados intensivos sobre la limitación del esfuerzo terapéutico.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the opinion held by professionals in an intensive care unit on the limitation of therapeutic effort process at the end-of-life (LTE). To collect this information, and then use it to improve the basic aspects that the LTE have on the quality of care by intensive care unit staff. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective descriptive study was carried out in the Intensive Care Unit of a third level public university hospital. A questionnaire was prepared that included questions on their demographic profile and others to provide an ethical valuation profile, as well as to find out the knowledge and information that the professional had on the LTE. Descriptive study of the sample and comparative statistics were performed using the chi-squared statistical test. RESULTS: A total of 65 valid questionnaires were obtained from a convenience sample of 70 professionals. Almost all of them (98%) were in favour of the limitation of therapeutic effort. The LTE was considered as some kind of euthanasia (active or passive) in up to 28% of the replies, valuations by professional categories is shown in. More than three-quarters (77%) had the belief that not to start treatment was not the same as withdrawing an already established treatment. Just over half (52%) of the respondents believe the value that should have more weight when considering LET would be the prognosis of the current illness of the patient, and 46% the future quality of life of the patient. The economic cost of treatment to be applied was not considered in any case. CONCLUSIONS: The LTE is approved by the majority of professionals in our Intensive Care Unit. Although a non-negligible percentage understood it as a form of euthanasia.

[Unplanned extubation in ICU, and the relevance of non-dependent patient variables the quality of care]. / Extubación no programada en UCI y variables no dependientes del enfermo para mejorar la calidad.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate, for a consecutive year, the magnitude of unplanned extubation, looking for non-dependent patient variables. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective, observational study of cases and controls in a mixed intensive care unit within in a tertiary hospital. Patients were considered cases with more than 24 hours who had an episode of unplanned extubation. Prospective collection of variables case as time of unplanned extubation (collection time), identification of the box where the patient was admitted, presence and type of physical restraint, development of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and death. RESULTS: There were 17 unplanned extubation in 15 patients, 1.21 unplanned extubation per 100 days of MV. The unplanned extubation had an inhomogeneous spatial distribution (number of boxes). The time distribution of cases compared with controls showed significant differences in time distribution (P=.02). The comparative analysis between cases and controls, showed increased mortality, increased length of ICU stay, longer hospital stay and increased risk for VAP when patients suffer an episode of unplanned extubation. DISCUSSION: Unplanned extubation occurs most frequently in a given time slot of the day, may play a role in the spatial location of the patient; occurs most often in patients who are in the process of weaning from mechanical ventilation, and develop greater VAP.

[Nursing service certification. Norm UNE-EN-ISO 9001-2008]. / Certificación de los servicios enfermeros. Norma UNE-EN-ISO 9001-2008.

OBJECTIVE: To certify the nursing services using a quality management system, taking an international standard as a reference, and based on a continuous improvement process. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The standard was revised, and the Quality Management System documentation was updated, consisting of a Quality Manual and 7 control procedures. All the existing procedures were coded in accordance with the documentation control process. Each operational procedure was associated with a set of indicators which permitted to know the results obtained, analyze the deviations and to implement further improvements. RESULTS: The system was implemented successfully. Twenty-eight care procedures and eleven procedures concerning techniques were incorporated into the management system. Thirty indicators were established that allowed the whole process to be monitored. All patients were assigned to a nurse in their clinical notes and all of them had a personalized Care Plan according to planning methodology using North American Nursing Diagnosis Association (NANDA), Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC) and Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC) international rankings. The incidence of falls, as well as the incidence of chronic skin wounds, was low, taking into account the characteristics of the patient and the duration of the stay (mean=35.87 days). The safety indicators had a high level of compliance, with 90% of patients clearly identified and 100% with hygiene protocol. The confidence rating given to the nurses was 91%. CONCLUSION: The certification enabled the quality of the service to be improved using a structured process, analyzing the results, dealing with non-conformities and introducing improvements.

Extubación no programada en UCI y variables no dependientes del enfermo para mejorar la calidad / Unplanned extubation in ICU, and the relevance of non-dependent patient variables the quality of care

Objetivo: Evaluar durante un año consecutivo la magnitud de la auto-extubación (AE), buscando las variables no dependientes del enfermo relacionadas. Material y métodos: Estudio prospectivo y observacional de casos y controles en una unidad de cuidados intensivos polivalente, dentro de un complejo hospitalario de tercer nivel. Fueron considerados casos enfermos con ventilación mecánica superior a las 24 h que presentaban un episodio de AE. Se realizó recogida prospectiva de variables de casos. Como principales variables de interés se estudiaron momento de AE (recogida horaria), identificación del box donde el enfermo se encontraba ingresado, presencia y tipo de contención física, desarrollo de neumonía asociada a ventilación mecánica (NAVM) y fallecimiento. Resultados: Se produjeron 17 AE en 15 pacientes, 1,21 AE por cada 100 días de VM. Las AE tuvieron una distribución espacial (número de box) no homogénea. La distribución horaria de los casos, comparada con los controles, evidenció diferencias de distribución horaria significativas (p = 0,02). El análisis comparativo entre los casos y los controles evidenció mayor mortalidad, mayor estancia en la UCI, mayor estancia hospitalaria y mayor riesgo de contraer una NAVM cuando los enfermos sufren un episodio de AE. Discusión: La AE ocurre con mayor frecuencia en una franja horaria determinada del día, pudiendo jugar un papel la situación espacial del enfermo; ocurre con mayor frecuencia en enfermos que se encuentran en proceso de destete de la ventilación mecánica, y desarrollan mayor NAVM (AU)

Objective: To evaluate, for a consecutive year, the magnitude of unplanned extubation, looking for non-dependent patient variables. Material and methods: Prospective, observational study of cases and controls in a mixed intensive care unit within in a tertiary hospital. Patients were considered cases with more than 24 hours who had an episode of unplanned extubation. Prospective collection of variables case as time of unplanned extubation (collection time), identification of the box where the patient was admitted, presence and type of physical restraint, development of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and death. Results: There were 17 unplanned extubation in 15 patients, 1.21 unplanned extubation per 100 days of MV. The unplanned extubation had an inhomogeneous spatial distribution (number of boxes). The time distribution of cases compared with controls showed significant differences in time distribution (P = .02). The comparative analysis between cases and controls, showed increased mortality, increased length of ICU stay, longer hospital stay and increased risk for VAP when patients suffer an episode of unplanned extubation. Discussion: Unplanned extubation occurs most frequently in a given time slot of the day, may play a role in the spatial location of the patient; occurs most often in patients who are in the process of weaning from mechanical ventilation, and develop greater VAP (AU)

Certificación de los servicios enfermeros. Norma UNE-EN-ISO 9001-2008 / Nursing service certification. Norm UNE-EN-ISO 9001-2008

Objetivo: Certificar los servicios enfermeros mediante un sistema de gestión de calidad, tomando como referencia una norma internacional basada en un enfoque por procesos y en la mejora continua. Material y método: La norma fue revisada, actualizando la documentación del control del sistema de gestión, formado por el Manual de calidad y 7 procedimientos de control. Se codificaron todos los procedimientos existentes de acuerdo al proceso de control de la documentación. Cada proceso operativo tuvo asociado un conjunto de indicadores que permitieron conocer los resultados obtenidos, analizar las desviaciones e implantar mejoras. Resultados: El sistema se implantó satisfactoriamente. Se incorporaron al sistema de gestión 28 procedimientos de cuidados y 11 relativos a técnicas. Se establecieron 30 indicadores que permitieron monitorizar el proceso. El 100% de los pacientes tuvo asignada una enfermera en la historia clínica y todos contaron con un plan de cuidados personalizado acorde con la metodología de planificación y utilizando clasificaciones internacionales de la North American Nursing Diagnosis Association (NANDA), Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC) y Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC). La incidencia de caídas y de heridas cutáneas crónicas (HCC) fue baja, atendiendo a las características de los pacientes y a la duración de la estancia (X = 35,8 días). Los indicadores de seguridad tuvieron un alto grado de cumplimiento (90% el de identificación inequívoca del paciente y 100% el protocolo de higiene). La valoración sobre la confianza que proporcionaban las enfermeras fue del 91%. Conclusión: La certificación permitió mejorar la calidad del servicio de manera estructurada, analizando resultados, tratando las no conformidades e introduciendo mejoras (AU)

Objective: To certify the nursing services using a quality management system, taking an international standard as a reference, and based on a continuous improvement process. Material and method: The standard was revised, and the Quality Management System documentation was updated, consisting of a Quality Manual and 7 control procedures. All the existing procedures were coded in accordance with the documentation control process. Each operational procedure was associated with a set of indicators which permitted to know the results obtained, analyze the deviations and to implement further improvements. Results: The system was implemented successfully. Twenty-eight care procedures and eleven procedures concerning techniques were incorporated into the management system. Thirty indicators were established that allowed the whole process to be monitored. All patients were assigned to a nurse in their clinical notes and all of them had a personalized Care Plan according to planning methodology using North American Nursing Diagnosis Association (NANDA), Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC) and Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC) international rankings. The incidence of falls, as well as the incidence of chronic skin wounds, was low, taking into account the characteristics of the patient and the duration of the stay (mean = 35.87 days). The safety indicators had a high level of compliance, with 90% of patients clearly identified and 100% with hygiene protocol. The confidence rating given to the nurses was 91%. Conclusion: The certification enabled the quality of the service to be improved using a structured process, analyzing the results, dealing with non-conformities and introducing improvements (AU)

Diseño y validación de un mapa de riesgos para la mejora de la seguridad del paciente en los servicios de urgencias hospitalarios / Design and validation of a risk map for improving safety patient in emergency departments

Objetivo: Diseño y validación de un mapa de riesgos de la atención urgente (MR) aplicable para todos los servicios de urgencias (SU) hospitalarios españoles. Material y métodos: Diseño de un MR utilizando la metodología del Análisis Modal de Fallos y Efectos (AMFE). El trabajo constó de cuatro fases: diseño, consenso (rondas de consultores mediante técnica Delphi), validación y diseño definitivo. Resultados: El MR definitivo recogió, tras su validación, 13 procesos, 118 subprocesos, 271 fallos posibles y 1.368 riesgos. Atendiendo a las puntuaciones de mediana del índice de probabilidad de riesgos (IPR), se elaboraron dos versiones reducidas: MR Recomendado, con los riesgos por encima de la mediana global de cada proceso, formado por 13 procesos, 108 subprocesos, 217 fallos posibles y 748 riesgos; y MR Imprescindible (con los riesgos >280 puntos de IPR), formado por 10 procesos, 54 subprocesos, 79 fallos posibles y 180 riesgos. Conclusión: El MR obtenido es una herramienta proactiva homogénea y validada, que analiza todos los procesos asistenciales urgentes y que permite la gestión de riesgos en cualquier SU (AU)

Objective: To design and validate an emergency care risk map (RM) which can be used in all the Spanish emergency departments (ED). Material and methods: To design a RM using the Failures Modes and Effects Analysis method (FMEA). The study has four phases: Design, consensus (using Delphi technique), validation and final design. Results: The final RM collected, after validation, a total of 13 processes, 118 subprocesses, 271 possible failures and 1,368 risks. Based on median scores risk odds ratio (IPR), we obtained two smaller versions: Recommended MR, with the risks above the overall median for each process, consists of 13 processes, 108 subprocesses, 217 possible failures and 748 risks; and Essential RM (with the risk >280 points IPR), consisting of a total of 10 processes, 54 subprocesses, 79 and 180 potential risks. Conclusion: The RM obtained is a proactive, homogeneous and validated tool, which analyzes all the emergency cares processes, and which allows risk management in every ED (AU)

Impact of a new model of intensive care medicine upon healthcare in a department of intensive care medicine.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate a new organizational model in an intensive care unit, with the implementation of early warning systems and a support unit. DESIGN: A retrospective, comparative cohort study was carried out. SETTING: The study was carried out in the Department of Intensive Care Medicine (DICM) of a tertiary hospital (2009-2011), with the comparison of three time periods (P1, P2 and P3) that differed in terms of organization and logistics. PATIENTS: We analyzed all patients admitted to the ICU during the study period. Patients from maternal and infant intensive care were excluded. VARIABLES OF INTEREST: Percentage of patients with stays of under two days, with invasiveness used; readmission to the DICM, type of admission and percentage of stays of longer than one month; APACHE II score, mean stay in the ICU and shift distribution of the admissions. RESULTS: We analyzed a sample of 3209 patients (65% males), with a mean age of 58.23 (18.23) years, a mean APACHE II score of 16.67 (8.23), and presenting an occupancy rate of 7.3 (10.3) days in the analyzed period. The ratio APACHE II score/number of beds was 0.69 (0.34) in P1, compared to 0.68 (0.33) in P2 and 0.76 (0.37) in P3 (p<0.001). The intervention surveillance grade (grade 1) was 42% (39-46%) in P1, 40% (37-43%) in P2 and 31% (28-35%) in P3 (p<0.001). The average stay in the ICU ranged from 7.10 days (8.82) in P1 to 6.60 days (9.49) in P2 and 8.42 days (12.73) in P3 (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: There has been an increase in the number of patients seen in our DICM, with a decrease in the patients admitted to the conventional ICU. Patients now admitted to the ICU are more seriously ill, require a greater level of intervention, and give rise to an increase in the mean duration of stay in the ICU.

Validation of a polymerase chain reaction-oligochromatography test for detection of influenza A (H1N1) 2009 virus.

The outbreak of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 virus caused the first influenza pandemic disease of the 21st century. In August 2010, the pandemic moved into the post-pandemic period. However, localized outbreaks of various magnitudes continued with a higher rate of disease severity. The aim of this study was to assess a new polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-oligochromatographic assay (Speed-Oligo) in the diagnosis of novel influenza A (H1N1) 2009. A total of 405 nasopharyngeal aspirate specimens from 400 pediatric and adults patients with suspected infection of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 were analyzed. The sensitivity and specificity values of the Speed-Oligo assay in comparison to reverse transcriptase-PCR assay developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were 86.5% and 92.2%, respectively. The new assay is simple, rapid, and provides a good sensitivity for detection of influenza A (H1N1) 2009. This assay might be a good alternative to real-time PCR assays for laboratories not equipped with real-time PCR instruments.

Utility of the rapid antigen detection BinaxNOW Influenza A&B test for detection of novel influenza A (H1N1) virus.

Nasopharyngeal aspirates, collected during outbreaks, of the novel influenza A (H1N1) virus in Barcelona, were used to compare the accuracy of a rapid antigen-based test (Binax) with the real-time RT-PCR assay developed by the CDC. The sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value of the rapid test are higher in patients less than 18 years old and during the acute stage of the epidemic than in adult patients.

[Peripheral vitreoretinal traction exploration by Staurenghi 230 lens and HRA-II]. / Estudio de la tracción vitreorretiniana periférica mediante HRA-II con lente de Staurenghi 230.

PURPOSE: To report a new technique to explore peripheral vitreous-retinal tractions in patients with acute posterior vitreous detachment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A population of 65 patients with acute posterior vitreous detachment was studied by panfunduscopic SLO 230 lens and HRA-II to detect peripheral retinal tears and vitreous-retinal tractions. RESULTS: In our study, using indirect ophthalmoscopic exploration, we identified eleven patients with at least one retinal tear. HRA-II combined with the Staurenghi SLO 230 lens was capable of detecting 100% of these lesions. In addition, by means of this technology, we identified dark retinal zones that corresponded to peripheral retinal traction in six patients. None of the 65 patients complained of pain or photophobia during the exploration with this contact lens. Retinal tears and peripheral vitreous-retinal traction were treated by argon laser photocoagulation to create a firm chorioretinal adhesion. In two patients we found new retinal tears in the follow-up, with these new lesions detected by indirect ophthalmoscopy and HRA-II with SLO 230 lens. CONCLUSION: HRA-II with the panfunduscopic Staurenghi SLO 230 lens can complement the exploration of patients with acute posterior vitreous detachment and can help to detect tractional zones that could develop into retinal tears.