The medical decision-making process in the time of the coronavirus pandemic. / O processo de tomada de decisão médica em tempos de pandemia por coronavírus.

The disease pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus has triggered significant changes in the medical decision-making process relating to critically ill patients. Admissions to intensive care units have suddenly increased, but many of these patients do not present with clinical manifestations related to the viral infection but rather exacerbation of preexisting diseases. In this context, we must prevent intuitive decision-making and insecurity from leading us to exhaust the available critical-care beds before they are truly necessary, while still recognizing the importance of rapid decision-making in emergency situations. One of the best ways to achieve this goal may be by practicing metacognition and establishing ways for regular feedback to be provided to professionals engaged in inherently rapid decision-making processes.

O processo de tomada de decisão médica em tempos de pandemia por coronavírus / The medical decision-making process in the time of the coronavirus pandemic

RESUMO A pandemia causada pelo novo coronavírus tem provocado mudanças significativas no processo de tomada de decisão médica diante do paciente grave. Repentinamente, aumentaram as admissões em unidades de tratamento intensivo, porém, muitos desses casos não apresentam quadros relacionados à infecção viral, mas à exacerbação de doenças preexistentes. Nesse contexto, precisamos evitar que o processo decisório intuitivo e a insegurança nos levem a exaurir a disponibilidade de leitos críticos, antes do momento em que eles sejam realmente necessários, mesmo reconhecendo a importância do método decisório rápido em situações emergências. Uma das melhores formas de atingir esse propósito talvez seja por meio da prática da metacognição e da estruturação de formas de feedback regulares aos profissionais envolvidos em processos decisórios inerentemente rápidos.

ABSTRACT The disease pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus has triggered significant changes in the medical decision-making process relating to critically ill patients. Admissions to intensive care units have suddenly increased, but many of these patients do not present with clinical manifestations related to the viral infection but rather exacerbation of preexisting diseases. In this context, we must prevent intuitive decision-making and insecurity from leading us to exhaust the available critical-care beds before they are truly necessary, while still recognizing the importance of rapid decision-making in emergency situations. One of the best ways to achieve this goal may be by practicing metacognition and establishing ways for regular feedback to be provided to professionals engaged in inherently rapid decision-making processes.

Daylight and School Performance in European Schoolchildren.

: Aims and objectives: Lighting constitutes a critical issue in school design because of its importance as a strong enabler of performance, which is crucial for child development. However, data on light impacts on school performance are scarce. The main objective of this study was to assess the relationship between daylighting conditions in classrooms and mathematical and logical test scores. METHODS: The population-based SINPHONIE (Schools Indoor Pollution and Heath: Observatory Network in Europe) study provides information on relationships between lighting conditions and school performance for 2670 elementary schoolchildren, aged 8-13 years from 155 classrooms in 53 schools across 12 European countries. These data were acquired through direct physical assessments and questionnaires completed by teachers, schoolchildren, and their parents, allowing for estimations of multiple objective daylight indicators, as well as subjective parameters such as the perception of lighting. Schoolchildren performed an attention/concentration exam that included simple mathematical exercises in addition to a logical ciphering test. The corresponding performance scores were compared against multiple daylighting parameters. RESULTS: A positive relationship was found between performance scores and type of window shading, latitude, percentage of window facing south, and window glazing, with the highest impact due to the window-to-floor area ratio. CONCLUSION: Data collected in the SINPHONIE study across 12 European countries indicate that daylighting parameters are relevant to schoolchildren's performance. As SINPHONIE was not designed specifically with lighting in mind, dedicated studies covering a wide range of classroom configurations would be enlightening.

Predicting health risk from exposure to trihalomethanes in an Olympic-size indoor swimming pool among elite swimmers and coaches.

Disinfection by-products (DBP) such as trihalomethanes (THM) are formed when chlorine and bromine interact with natural organic materials in chlorine-treated swimming pools. Epidemiological evidence demonstrated an association between exposure to swimming pool environment and adverse health effects. Therefore, this study aimed to assess carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk of long-term exposure of elite swimmers and their coaches. In an Olympic-size indoor chlorinated swimming pool, THM levels were determined in water (21-69 µg/L), in the boundary layer above the water surface (59-397 µg/m3), and in the air surrounding the pool (28-390 µg/m3). These values were used to predict multi-pathway chronic daily intake (CDI), cancer risk (CR) and hazard index (HI). Oral and dermal CDI for swimmers were 2.4 × 10-6 and 2.0 × 10-8, respectively. The swimmers' inhalation CDI (1.9 × 10-3 mg/kg/day) was estimated to be sixfold higher than levels obtained for coaches (3.3 × 10-4 mg/kg/day). According to guidelines, the HI was acceptable, but CR exceeded the recommended limit for both, coaches (CR: 5.5 × 10-7-8.5 × 10-5; HI: 6.5 × 10-4-1 × 10-1) and swimmers (CR: 1.4 × 10-5-3.6 × 10-4 HI: 1.6 × 10-2-4.3 × 10-1). Our findings provide further support to the need to develop comprehensive guidelines to safeguard the health of individuals involved in elite swimming.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in Portuguese educational settings: a comparison between preschools and elementary schools.

The aim of this study was to determine levels and risks due to inhalation exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in different educational settings, namely for 3- to 5- year-old and 6- to 10-year-old children. Eighteen PAH (16 priority designated by US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and dibenzo[a,l]pyrene and benzo[j]fluoranthene) were simultaneously collected in indoor and outdoor air at two Portuguese preschools (PS1-PS2) and five elementary schools (ES1-ES5) from March to May 2014. Indoor concentrations at PS and ES were significantly different, with total levels (∑PAHs) 0.721-15.9 ng/m3 at PS1-PS2 and 5.03-23.6 ng/m3 at ES1-ES5. The corresponding outdoor concentrations were, respectively, 1.22-32.7 ng/m3 and 2.6-31.5 ng/m3. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with 2-3 aromatic rings were predominantly emitted by indoor sources, while compounds with 4-6 aromatic rings were mainly generated by infiltration of ambient PAH pollution to indoors. Excess lifetime risks of lung cancer exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) designated guideline of 10-5 in both types of schools (15-42-fold at PS; 15-52-fold at ES). However, total (sum of indoor and outdoor exposure) incremental lifetime cancer risks (ILCR) were below the USEPA level of 10-6 at all studied institutions and thus considered negligible. Finally, ILCR due to indoor exposure represented 60-75% and 70-85% of the total ILCR at PS and ES, respectively, thus indicating the need for development and implementation of indoor air quality guidelines in educations settings.

Avaliação de intervenções de Gestão da Clínica na qualificação do cuidado e na oferta de leitos em um hospital público de grande porte / Evaluation of clinical governance interventions on qualification of care and supply of beds in a large public hospital

OBJETIVOS: Descrever os resultados alcançados em indicadores de desempenho hospitalar e na oferta de leitos com a estratégia de incorporação da Gestão da Clínica no processo assistencial da unidade de retaguarda do Hospital Nossa Senhora da Conceição. MÉTODOS: O estudo foi realizado na unidade de retaguarda do Hospital Nossa Senhora da Conceição, em Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul. A unidade de retaguarda é um setor de internação de curta permanência (abaixo de 10 dias de internação) destinado a pacientes do setor de emergência do hospital. No período do estudo essa unidade possuía capacidade para 27 leitos. Foram adotadas como ferramentas da Gestão da Clínica a implantação de equipes de referência multiprofissionais e de rounds multidisciplinares, a instituição do sistema Kanban para monitoramento do tempo médio de permanência; a introdução do Projeto Terapêutico Singular por ocasião do ingresso do paciente no hospital (setor de emergência); e a regulação interna dos leitos pelo Núcleo Interno de Regulação. Os indicadores hospitalares número de internações, tempo médio de permanência, resolubilidade, taxa de mortalidade e índice de rotatividade foram comparados entre os anos 2015 (antes da implementação da estratégia Gestão da Clínica) e 2016 (após a implementação da estratégia). RESULTADOS: Após a introdução da Gestão da Clínica, houve aumento no número de internações de 1395 para 1537 ao ano. Ocorreram 1240 altas para o domicílio (média de 104 ao mês), mostrando um aumento de 101,9% em relação ao período anterior. Também foi observada diminuição no número de transferências internas (entre a unidade de retaguarda e outros setores do hospital), aumento no índice de rotatividade de 51,6 para 56,9, diminuição no tempo médio de permanência de 7,2 dias para 6,6 dias e diminuição na taxa de mortalidade de 3,5 para 0,7 (p<0.05). CONCLUSÕES: A implantação da Gestão da Clínica no contexto do trabalho assistencial na unidade dos leitos de retaguarda do hospital em estudo associou-se a melhorias nos processos de cuidado, proporcionando maior oferta de leitos aos usuários.

AIMS: To describe the results achieved in hospital performance indicators and supply of beds, with the strategy of incorporating clinical management into the care process of the backup unit of the Nossa Senhora da Conceição Hospital. METHODS: The study was carried out in the backup unit of the Nossa Senhora da Conceição Hospital, in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The backup unit is an inpatient hospital with beds intended for hospital emergency patients characterized by short stay (less than 10 days of hospitalization) and in the study period it had 27 beds. As clinic management tools we implemented multidisciplinary reference teams and multidisciplinary rounds, established a Kanban system to monitor mean length of stay, and introduced the unique therapeutic project at the hospital entrance (emergency room) and management of beds by the Internal Regulation Center. We monitored the hospital indicators number of hospitalizations, mean length of stay, resolvability, mortality rate and turnover rate over a period of 12 months (2016, after implementation of the strategy) and made comparisons with the same period of the previous year. RESULTS: After the introduction of Clinic Management, there was an increase in the number of hospitalizations from 1395 to 1537/year. There were 1240 discharges to home (an average of 104 a month), showing an increase of 101.9% in relation to the previous period. There was also a decrease in the number of internal transfers (between the back unit and other sectors of the hospital), an increase in the turnover rate from 51.6 to 56.9, decrease in the mean stay time of 7.2 days to 6.6 days and a significant decrease in the mortality rate from 3.5 to 0.7 (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of clinical management in the context of care work in the hospital's backup bed unit fostered improvements in care processes, as well as ensuring greater supply of beds to users.

Indoor air risk factors for schoolchildren's health in Portuguese homes: Results from a case-control survey.

Allergic diseases have been on the rise in many countries over the past few decades and indoor exposure may be a possible cause. An overall investigation of children's health status and residential indoor air pollutants known or suspected to affect respiratory health was conducted in the homes of primary schoolchildren during winter in Porto, Portugal. In a case-control study (30 case children with asthma and 38 controls) and over a 1-wk monitoring period, air sample collection was conducted in children's bedrooms for the analysis of 12 volatile organic compounds (VOC), aldehydes, particulate matter (PM)2.5, PM10, bacteria, and fungi. Home exposures to indoor pollutants are similar for children with and without asthma, except for d-limonene. For both groups, most VOC were present at low concentrations (median < 5 µg/m(3)) and below the respective World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Concentrations of PM2.5, PM10, and bacteria were frequently higher than WHO/reference values (80, 25, and 60% of all studied dwellings, respectively). Concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) exceeding 1000 ppm were encountered in 60% of the homes. Although this study does not provide evidence of causative factors for asthmatic status, the postulation that poor indoor air quality in homes heightens the risk of allergic symptoms development among children is conceivable.

A systematic review of evidence and implications of spatial and seasonal variations of volatile organic compounds (VOC) in indoor human environments.

Many volatile organic compounds (VOC) are classified as known or possible human carcinogens, irritants, and toxicants, and VOC exposure has been associated with asthma and other respiratory symptoms/diseases. This review summarizes recent quantitative data regarding VOC in four categories of indoor environments (schools, housing, offices, and other indoor) and compares the types and concentration levels of individual VOC that were detected, measured, and reported according to season (cold and warm). The influence of outdoor air on concentrations of indoor VOC was also assessed as ratios of indoor versus outdoor. Papers published from 2000 onward were reviewed and 1383 potentially relevant studies were identified. From these, 177 were removed after duplication, 1176 were excluded for not meeting the review criteria, and 40 were included in this review. On average, higher mean concentrations of indoor VOC were found in housing environments, in offices, and in the cold season. Volatile organic compounds are commonly present in indoor air and specific compounds, and their concentrations vary among indoor environments and seasons, indicating corresponding differences in sources (indoors and outdoors). Actions and policies to reduce VOC exposures, such as improved product labeling and consumer education, are recommended.

Reducing burden of disease from residential indoor air exposures in Europe (HEALTHVENT project).

BACKGROUND: The annual burden of disease caused indoor air pollution, including polluted outdoor air used to ventilate indoor spaces, is estimated to correspond to a loss of over 2 million healthy life years in the European Union (EU). Based on measurements of the European Environment Agency (EEA), approximately 90 % of EU citizens live in areas where the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for air quality of particulate matter sized < 2.5 mm (PM2.5) are not met. Since sources of pollution reside in both indoor and outdoor air, selecting the most appropriate ventilation strategy is not a simple and straightforward task. METHODS: A framework for developing European health-based ventilation guidelines was created in 2010-2013 in the EU-funded HEALTHVENT project. As a part of the project, the potential efficiency of control policies to health effects caused by residential indoor exposures of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), outdoor bioaerosols, volatile organic compounds (VOC), carbon oxide (CO) radon and dampness was estimated. The analysis was based on scenario comparison, using an outdoor-indoor mass-balance model and varying the ventilation rates. Health effects were estimated with burden of diseases (BoD) calculations taking into account asthma, cardiovascular (CV) diseases, acute toxication, respiratory infections, lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). RESULTS: The quantitative comparison of three main policy approaches, (i) optimising ventilation rates only; (ii) filtration of outdoor air; and (iii) indoor source control, showed that all three approaches are able to provide substantial reductions in the health risks, varying from approximately 20 % to 44 %, corresponding to 400 000 and 900 000 saved healthy life years in EU-26. PM2.5 caused majority of the health effects in all included countries, but the importance of the other pollutants varied by country. CONCLUSIONS: The present modelling shows, that combination of controlling the indoor air sources and selecting appropriate ventilation rate was the most effective to reduce health risks. If indoor sources cannot be removed or their emissions cannot be limited to an accepted level, ventilation needs to be increased to remove remaining pollutants. In these cases filtration of outdoor air may be needed to prevent increase of health risks.

Exposure of Children to Ultrafine Particles in Primary Schools in Portugal.

Children spend a large part of their time at schools, which might be reflected as chronic exposure. Ultrafine particles (UFP) are generally associated with a more severe toxicity compared to fine and coarse particles, due to their ability to penetrate cell membranes. In addition, children tend to be more susceptible to UFP-mediated toxicity compared to adults, due to various factors including undeveloped immune and respiratory systems and inhalation rates. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine indoor UFP number concentrations in Portuguese primary schools. Ultrafine particles were sampled between January and March 2014 in 10 public primary schools (35 classrooms) located in Porto, Portugal. Overall, the average indoor UFP number concentrations were not significantly different from outdoor concentrations (8.69 × 10(3) vs. 9.25 × 10(3) pt/cm(3), respectively; considering 6.5 h of indoor occupancy). Classrooms with distinct characteristics showed different trends of indoor UFP concentrations. The levels of carbon dioxide were negatively correlated with indoor UFP concentrations. Occupational density was significantly and positively correlated with UFP concentrations. Although the obtained results need to be interpreted with caution since there are no guidelines for UFP levels, special attention needs to be given to source control strategies in order to reduce major particle emissions and ensure good indoor air quality.

Children's Health and Indoor Air Quality in Primary Schools and Homes in Portugal-Study Design.

The main aim of the research project "On the Contribution of Schools to Children's Overall Indoor Air Exposure" is to study associations between adverse health effects, namely, allergy, asthma, and respiratory symptoms, and indoor air pollutants to which children are exposed to in primary schools and homes. Specifically, this investigation reports on the design of the study and methods used for data collection within the research project and discusses factors that need to be considered when designing such a study. Further, preliminary findings concerning descriptors of selected characteristics in schools and homes, the study population, and clinical examination are presented. The research project was designed in two phases. In the first phase, 20 public primary schools were selected and a detailed inspection and indoor air quality (IAQ) measurements including volatile organic compounds (VOC), aldehydes, particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10), carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), bacteria, fungi, temperature, and relative humidity were conducted. A questionnaire survey of 1600 children of ages 8-9 years was undertaken and a lung function test, exhaled nitric oxide (eNO), and tear film stability testing were performed. The questionnaire focused on children's health and on the environment in their school and homes. One thousand and ninety-nine questionnaires were returned. In the second phase, a subsample of 68 children was enrolled for further studies, including a walk-through inspection and checklist and an extensive set of IAQ measurements in their homes. The acquired data are relevant to assess children's environmental exposures and health status.

Potassium urinary excretion and dietary intake: a cross-sectional analysis in 8-10 year-old children.

BACKGROUND: Data from studies assessing the intake of potassium, and the concomitant sodium-to-potassium ratio are limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate potassium and sodium-to-potassium ratio intake in 8-10 year-old children. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was carried out from January to June 2014 and data from 163 children (81 boys) were included. Potassium intake was estimated by 24-h urine collection and coefficient of creatinine was used to validate completeness of urine collections. Urinary sodium and sodium-to-potassium ratio were also analysed. A 24-h dietary recall was used to provide information on dietary sources of potassium. Height and weight were measured according to international standards. RESULTS: The mean urinary potassium excretion was 1701 ± 594 mg/day in boys, and 1682 ± 541 mg/day in girls (p = 0.835); 8.0% of children met the WHO recommendations for potassium intake. The mean sodium excretion was 2935 ± 1075 mg/day in boys and 2381 ± 1045 mg/day in girls (p <0.001) and urinary sodium-to-potassium ratio was 3.2 ± 1.4 in boys, and 2.5 ± 1.1 in girls (p = 0.002). The mean fruit and vegetable intake was 353.1 ± 232.5 g/day in boys, and 290.8 ± 213.1 g/day in girls (p = 0.101). CONCLUSIONS: This study reported a low compliance of potassium intake recommendations in 8-10 year-old children. Health promotion interventions are needed in order to broaden public awareness of potassium inadequacy and to increase potassium intake.

Levels and indoor-outdoor relationships of size-specific particulate matter in naturally ventilated Portuguese schools.

Indoor exposure to particulate matter (PM) has received great interest due to the epidemiological evidence of its health impact, particularly in susceptible populations such as children. The present study investigated indoor concentrations of three PM size fractions in 11 naturally ventilated schools with static heating systems, and the relationship between indoor and outdoor PM concentrations. The study was performed in Porto, Portugal, during winter and included school buildings and individual classrooms with walk-through surveys, as well as indoor and outdoor air monitoring. Mean 12-h indoor daytime concentrations PM10, PM(2.5), and PM1 were 140, 95, and 91 µg/m³, respectively. During the day, PM(2.5) and PM1 concentrations were lower indoors than outdoors (indoor/outdoor ratios of 0.83 and 0.8, respectively), whereas PM10 showed the opposite trend. Concentrations decreased significantly during the night, 49% for PM10 and 27% for PM(2.5) and PM1. These findings reflect the significant contribution from the activities of occupants inside classrooms to higher indoor levels of PM10 levels, whereas the fine fraction of PM(2.5) and PM1 is primarily influenced by outdoor concentrations. This study provides a link between size-specific PM in Portuguese schools with contribution of outdoor versus indoor air. Our results suggest that exposure to PM is high and highlights the need for strategies that provide healthier school environments.

Avaliação pré-operatória e cuidados em cirurgia eletiva: recomendações baseadas em evidências / Preoperative assessment and care in elective surgery: evidence-based recommendations

Estas recomendações elaboradas por equipe multidisciplinar propõem critérios baseados em evidências na avaliação pré-operatória de pacientes adultos e pediátricos candidatos a cirurgias eletivas, bem como sugerem cuidados

These recommendations have been developed by a multidisciplinar team, in which an evidence based criteria are proposed on pre-surgery assessment in adults and children who are candidates for an elective surgery, as well as the management that are more suitable

Dificuldades diagnósticas de feocromocitoma: a propósito de um caso / Diagnosis difficulties of pheocromocytoma: a case report

Apresenta-se um caso de feocromocitoma múltiplo, chamando a atençäo para as dificuldades diagnósticas, analisando suas causas