Connecting Clinical Capacity and Intervention Sustainability in Resource-Variable Pediatric Oncology Centers in Latin America.

Clinical capacity for sustainability, or the clinical resources needed to sustain an evidence-based practice, represent proximal determinants that contribute to intervention sustainment. We examine the relationship between clinical capacity for sustainability and sustainment of PEWS, an evidence-based intervention to improve outcomes for pediatric oncology patients in resource-variable hospitals. We conducted a cross-sectional survey among Latin American pediatric oncology centers participating in Proyecto Escala de Valoración de Alerta Temprana (EVAT), an improvement collaborative to implement Pediatric Early Warning Systems (PEWS). Hospitals were eligible if they had completed PEWS implementation. Clinicians were eligible to participate if they were involved in PEWS implementation or used PEWS in clinical work. The Spanish language survey consisted of 56 close and open-ended questions about the respondent, hospital, participants' assessment of clinical capacity to sustain PEWS using the clinical sustainability assessment tool (CSAT), and perceptions about PEWS and its use as an intervention. Results were analyzed using a multi-level modeling approach to examine the relationship between individual, hospital, intervention, and clinical capacity determinants to PEWS sustainment. A total of 797 responses from 37 centers in 13 countries were included in the analysis. Eighty-seven percent of participants reported PEWS sustainment. After controlling for individual, hospital, and intervention factors, clinical capacity was significantly associated with PEWS sustainment (OR 3.27, p < .01). Marginal effects from the final model indicate that an increasing capacity score has a positive influence (11% for every additional CSAT point) of predicting PEWS sustainment. PEWS is a sustainable intervention and clinical capacity to sustain PEWS contributes meaningfully to PEWS sustainment.

Nonmedical use of d-Amphetamines and Methylphenidate in Medical Students.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of medical and nonmedical use of prescription attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) stimulant medication among medical students. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An IRB approved 19-question web survey was sent out to all students from a Puerto Rico (PR) medical school to assess use of ADHD medication. Out of the 250 stu-dents consulted there was a response of 152 surveys. Data was cross-referenced and compared with data from other studies. RESULTS/DISCUSSION: From the results gathered, the study's sample had a higher prevalence of use than the 15% reported in previous studies, reaching 47.4%. Among students who had used these drugs, 89.4% indicated using it without a prescription. 86.8% of all respondents used some form of stimulant or substance in order to cope with the academic workload of medical school, includ-ing coffee, energy drinks, cigarettes, and alcohol. The majority of students (60.5%) considered study techniques workshops and exercise programs to succeed academically. CONCLUSION: This study suggests a higher prevalence of ADHD medication use amongst the PR medical student sample compared to findings reported of US medical students, as well as a high prevalence related to nonmedical use as a means for medical students to cope with their training. The nonmedical use of stimulants in the medical school setting remains of utmost public health and clinical concern. The results of this study could help develop proper workshops and non-pharmacological techniques to help medical students cope with their workload.

Prevalencia de uropatógenos y sensibilidad antimicrobiana en lactantes menores de 2 años provenientes de la comunidad con diagnóstico de infección de vías urinarias / Prevalence of uropathogens and antimicrobial susceptibility in infants younger than 2 years of age from the community with a diagnosis of urinary tract infection

RESUMEN Introducción: la infección urinaria (IU) es una patología frecuente en los niños. La prevalencia de los uropatógenos varía de acuerdo a las regiones geográficas e incluso entre los diferentes centros asistenciales. El conocimiento de dicha prevalencia y de la sensibilidad a los antimicrobianos ayuda a la elección de la antibioticoterapia empírica inicial, permitiendo de esa manera, el control del cuadro agudo y evitando la resistencia bacteriana. Objetivo determinar la sensibilidad de los uropatógenos a los antimicrobianos obtenidos de urocultivos de niños menores de 24 meses con diagnóstico de IU provenientes de la comunidad. Material y métodos: estudio observacional, descriptivo, retrospectivo, de corte transverso. Se analizaron los expedientes clínicos y resultados de urocultivos de lactantes menores de 24 meses internados en el Departamento de Pediatría del Hospital Nacional en el período comprendido entre enero de 2012 a diciembre de 2014 , con diagnóstico de IU. Resultados: los uropatógenos más frecuentemente obtenidos fueron: Escherichia coli (67,6%) seguido de Klebsiella pneumoniae (18,3%), Enterobacter cloacae (8,4%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (2,8%) y otros en 2,9%. La sensibilidad de la E. coli a la ciprofloxacina, las cefalosporinas y aminoglucósidos fue alta. El 14,6% de Escherichia coli fue productora de betalactamasa de espectro extendido (BLEE). El 100% de las cepas de Klebsiella pneumoniae fuer sensible a amikacina, ciprofloxacina y acidonalidíxico. Conclusiones: el germen más frecuentemente encontrado fue E. coli, seguido de la Klebsiella pneumoniae. El tratamiento de elección recomendado es la combinación de cefalospinas de primera generación asociado a aminoglucósidos, ya que con este esquema se cubrirá más del 95% de los uropatógenos causantes de infección de vías urinarias de la comunidad. Los gérmenes productores de infección urinaria atípica, deberán ser investigados.

ABSTRACT Introduction Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common pathology in children. The prevalence of uropathogens varies according to geographic regions and even between different care centers. Knowledge of this prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility helps to choose the initial empirical antibiotic therapy, thus allowing the control of the acute condition and avoiding bacterial resistance. Objective to determine the sensitivity of uropathogens to antimicrobials obtained from urine cultures of children younger than 24 months with diagnosis of UTI from the community. Material and methods: observational, descriptive, retrospective, cross-sectional study. We analyzed the clinical records and results of urine cultures of infants under 24 months admitted to the Department of Pediatrics of the National Hospital in the period between January 2012 and December 2014, diagnosed as UI. Results: the most frequent uropathogen was Escherichia coli (67.6%) followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (18.3%), Enterobacter cloacae (8.4%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (2.8%) and others in 2, 9%. The sensitivity of E. coli to ciprofloxacin, cephalosporins and aminoglycosides was high. 14.6% of Escherichia coli was a producers of extended spectrum betalactamase (ESBL). 100% of Klebsiella pneumoniae strains was a sensitive to amikacin, ciprofloxacin and acidonaldehyde. Conclusions: the more frequent germ found was E. coli, followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae. The recommended treatment of choice is the combination of first-generation cephalosporins associated with aminoglycosides, as this scheme will cover more than 95% of the uropathogens that cause urinary tract infection in the community. Germs producing atypical urinary infection should be investigated.