Treatment with bisphosphonates in severe hypercalcemia due to subcutaneous fat necrosis in an infant with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.

Subcutaneous fat necrosis (SCFN) is a rare entity that occurs generally in term or post-term newborns exposed to perinatal stressing factors. These cutaneous lesions appear during the first weeks of life and their potential complications, such as hypercalcemia, determine the prognosis. We present a full-term newborn with SCFN lesions that appeared at the age of 12 days and who, 1 week later, developed moderate hypercalcemia. In our patient, the standard treatment was not enough to normalize calcemia and, in order to prevent secondary effects, etidronate therapy was initiated and it successfully normalized calcium levels. When SCFN is diagnosed, it is important to detect early hypercalcemia and treat it aggressively. This case provides further evidence of etidronate as an alternative and effective treatment for moderate-severe hypercalcemia.

Evaluación del grado de satisfacción con la dispensación en una unidad de pacientes externos en una farmacia de hospital / Evaluation of the degree of satisfaction with the dispense in an outpatient unit in a hospital pharmacy

Objetivo: Valorar y cuantificar el grado de satisfacción de los pacientes respecto al trato y la información que reciben en la unidad de pacientes externos de un hospital. Método: Estudio descriptivo de corte transversal, desarrollado durante 2 meses en pacientes ambulatorios mayores de 18 años que han querido participar. Para registrar el grado de satisfacción de los pacientes se ha utilizado un cuestionario autoadministrado, semiestructurado y validado. Resultados: En total se ha entrevistado a 81 pacientes, 46 hombres y 35 mujeres. Un 91,1% de los pacientes valora positivamente el interés que mostró el personal durante la dispensación. Un 82,2% afirma haber recibido la información adecuada de los medicamentos. Un 67,1% indica haber aprendido a conocerlos medicamentos. Un 72% de los pacientes afirma haber recibido la información necesaria como para valorar importante la adherencia a los fármacos, aunque sólo un 55% indica conocer sus efectos secundarios. La satisfacción con el servicio de farmacia en general resulta ser de un 97,3%. Conclusiones: El grado de satisfacción y de confianza de los pacientes ambulatorios con el servicio de farmacia es alto, ya que la mayoría se muestran satisfechos con el trato recibido y aprecian la diligencia de los profesionales implicados; sin embargo, es necesario mejorar el proceso de educación sanitaria, ya que casi un 30% no está satisfecho con la información recibida sobre los efectos adversos potenciales (AU)

Objective: To assess and quantify the patients' degree of satisfaction relative to the treatment and information they receive in a hospital outpatient unit. Method: Descriptive, cross-sectional study, developed during two months in outpatients over 18 years old, who wanted to participate.In order to record the patients' degree of satisfaction, a self-administered, semi-structured and validated questionnaire has been administered. Results: A total of 81 patients were interviewed, being 46 male and 35 female. 91.1% of the patients have a positive assessment of the interest shown by the staff during dispense. 82.2% state to have received the suitable information about the medications. 67.1% confirmed they learned to know their medications. 72% of the patients state to have received the necessary information to assess the importance of adhesion to the medicines, although just 55% confirms knowing the medicine adverse effects. The result of satisfaction with the pharmacy in general is 97.3%. Conclusions: The outpatients' degree of satisfaction and confidence with the pharmacist service is high, since most of the mare satisfied with the treatment received and appreciate the diligence of the professionals involved; however, it is necessary to improve the health education process as nearly 30% are not satisfied with the information received about the potential adverse effects (AU)