Efectividad de una intervención para mejorar la cultura de seguridad. ¿Menos es más? / Effectiveness of an intervention to improve safety culture. Less is more?

Objetivo. Evaluar el impacto de una iniciativa a largo plazo para contribuir a la mejora en cultura de seguridad entre profesionales de un área de salud, y conocer su utilidad percibida. Material y métodos. Estudio de intervención no controlado en una organización de la red pública asistencial incluyendo hospital de tercer nivel y 5.000 profesionales. Para medir impacto se realizó la encuesta de la Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) por vía telefónica. Se midieron 7 dimensiones de cultura antes del proyecto (2012, n=100) y a los 3 años (2015, n=207). Se compararon variaciones entre 2012 y los conocedores del proyecto en 2015, y entre estos y no conocedores. Se valoró la utilidad (escala Likert de 5 ítems, alta utilidad medianas de 4 o superior). Resultados. Tasas de respuesta homogéneas superiores al 80%. El 41,5% conocían el proyecto (IC95%: 34,8-48,3), percibido de alta utilidad. En ambas comparaciones, variación negativa en «percepción de seguridad» (−9,9%, p<0,01, frente a 2012 y −4,2% entre grupos 2015) y «retroalimentación y comunicación sobre errores» (−10,0% frente a 2012 y −8,9% entre grupos 2015, p<0,05); y positiva no significativa en «franqueza en comunicación» (1,3% frente a 2012 y 6,9% entre grupos 2015). El «apoyo de gerencia» mejora no significativamente en 2015 (37,0%, IC95%: 30,9-43,1 en conocedores, y 38,3%, IC95%: 33,1-43,4 en no conocedores) frente a 2012 (31,4%, IC95%: 28,4-39,7. Conclusiones. Se detecta empeoramiento paradójico en varias dimensiones, probablemente por inmadurez de la organización y el instrumento utilizado. Herramientas que contemplen el grado de madurez pudieran ser más adecuadas en medición de cambios culturales, siendo necesarios más estudios (AU)

Objective. To assess the impact of a long-term initiative to improve safety culture among professionals working in a Health Area, and to know their perceived usefulness. Material and methods. An uncontrolled intervention study was designed in a public health care organization including a 3rd level hospital and 5,000 professionals. To measure the impact, the AHRQ Survey was conducted by telephone. A total of 7 dimensions of culture were measured, before starting the project (2012, n=100) and 3 years later (2015, n=207). Variations between 2012 and the respondents aware of the project in 2015 (RAP) were compared, as also between this last group and the rest of respondents (RNAP). The utility was assessed using a 5-item Likert scale, defining higher utility by medians 4 or higher. Results. The response rates were above 80%. In 2015, the 41.5% of respondents were RAP (95%CI: 34.8-48.3), which was perceived as of high utility. Negative variations were detected in "sense of security" (−9.9%, P<.01, vs. 2012, and −4.2% between 2015 groups) and "feedback and communication errors" (−10.0% vs. 2012, and −8.9% between 2015 groups, P<.05). There was a not-significant positive variation in "openness in communication" (1.3% vs. 2012, and 6.9% between 2015 groups). The "management support" showed a not-significant improve in 2015 (37.0%, 95%CI: 30.9-43.1, in RAP; and 38.3%, 95%CI: 33.1-43.4, in RANP) in comparison to 2012 (31.4%, 95%CI: 28.4-39.7). Conclusions. A paradoxical worsening is detected in several dimensions, this probably due to immaturity of the organization and the instrument used. Thus, tools explicitly considering the degree of maturity may be more appropriate to measure cultural changes, although more studies are needed (AU)

[Effectiveness of an intervention to improve safety culture. Less is more?] / Efectividad de una intervención para mejorar la cultura de seguridad. ¿Menos es más?

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of a long-term initiative to improve safety culture among professionals working in a Health Area, and to know their perceived usefulness. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An uncontrolled intervention study was designed in a public health care organization including a 3rd level hospital and 5,000 professionals. To measure the impact, the AHRQ Survey was conducted by telephone. A total of 7 dimensions of culture were measured, before starting the project (2012, n=100) and 3 years later (2015, n=207). Variations between 2012 and the respondents aware of the project in 2015 (RAP) were compared, as also between this last group and the rest of respondents (RNAP). The utility was assessed using a 5-item Likert scale, defining higher utility by medians 4 or higher. RESULTS: The response rates were above 80%. In 2015, the 41.5% of respondents were RAP (95%CI: 34.8-48.3), which was perceived as of high utility. Negative variations were detected in "sense of security" (-9.9%, P<.01, vs. 2012, and -4.2% between 2015 groups) and "feedback and communication errors" (-10.0% vs. 2012, and -8.9% between 2015 groups, P<.05). There was a not-significant positive variation in "openness in communication" (1.3% vs. 2012, and 6.9% between 2015 groups). The "management support" showed a not-significant improve in 2015 (37.0%, 95%CI: 30.9-43.1, in RAP; and 38.3%, 95%CI: 33.1-43.4, in RANP) in comparison to 2012 (31.4%, 95%CI: 28.4-39.7). CONCLUSIONS: A paradoxical worsening is detected in several dimensions, this probably due to immaturity of the organization and the instrument used. Thus, tools explicitly considering the degree of maturity may be more appropriate to measure cultural changes, although more studies are needed.

Rewiring of the apoptotic TGF-ß-SMAD/NFκB pathway through an oncogenic function of p27 in human papillary thyroid cancer.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), the most frequent thyroid cancer, is characterized by low proliferation but no apoptosis, presenting frequent lymph-node metastasis. Papillary thyroid carcinoma overexpress transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß). In human cells, TGF-ß has two opposing actions: antitumoral through pro-apoptotic and cytostatic activities, and pro-tumoral promoting growth and metastasis. The switch converting TGF-ß from a tumor-suppressor to tumor-promoter has not been identified. In the current study, we have quantified a parallel upregulation of TGF-ß and nuclear p27, a CDK2 inhibitor, in samples from PTC. We established primary cultures from follicular epithelium in human homeostatic conditions (h7H medium). TGF-ß-dependent cytostasis occurred in normal and cancer cells through p15/CDKN2B induction. However, TGF-ß induced apoptosis in normal and benign but not in carcinoma cultures. In normal thyroid cells, TGF-ß/SMAD repressed the p27/CDKN1B gene, activating CDK2-dependent SMAD3 phosphorylation to induce p50 NFκB-dependent BAX upregulation and apoptosis. In thyroid cancer cells, oncogene activation prevented TGF-ß/SMAD-dependent p27 repression, and CDK2/SMAD3 phosphorylation, leading to p65 NFκB upregulation which repressed BAX, induced cyclin D1 and promoted TGF-ß-dependent growth. In PTC samples from patients, upregulation of TGF-ß, p27, p65 and cyclin D1 mRNA were significantly correlated, while the expression of the isoform BAX-ß, exclusively transcribed in apoptotic cells, was negatively correlated. Additionally, combined ERK and p65 NFκB inhibitors reduced p27 expression and potentiated apoptosis in thyroid cancer cells while not affecting survival in normal thyroid cells. Our results therefore suggest that the oncoprotein p27 reorganizes the effects of TGF-ß in thyroid cancer, explaining the slow proliferation but lack of apoptosis and metastatic behavior of PTC.

Características sociodemográficas y variabilidad geográfica relacionada con la satisfacción del paciente en Atención Primaria / Sociodemographic characteristics and geographic variability associated with patient satisfaction in Primary Care

Objetivos. La satisfacción del paciente con los servicios sanitarios juega un rol importante en los programas de mejora de la calidad asistencial. Los objetivos de este estudio fueron: identificar las características sociodemográficas del paciente relacionadas con su satisfacción respecto a la atención proporcionada por el médico de familia en los centros de Atención Primaria de Salud (APS) y describir la variabilidad geográfica de este fenómeno en el Servicio Nacional de Salud español. Material y métodos. Los datos se obtuvieron de la Encuesta Europea de Salud de 2009. Se analizaron las razones de prevalencia (brutas y ajustadas) de las características asociadas tanto con una satisfacción excelente como de insatisfacción mediante regresión de Poisson, así como su variabilidad geográfica. Resultados. Aproximadamente uno de cada 3 usuarios de la APS consideró que la atención proporcionada había sido excelente, mientras que el 6,7% se mostró insatisfecho. Existió una amplia variabilidad en la percepción de satisfacción entre los distintos servicios regionales de salud, prevalencias que oscilaron entre el 10,9 y el 55,2%. Por otra parte, esta valoración estuvo estrechamente relacionada con la edad, el nivel de salud autopercibida, la salud mental, los ingresos hospitalarios previos, el estatus de enfermedad crónica y las limitaciones en las actividades diarias. Conclusiones. La satisfacción con la atención proporcionada por el médico de APS es relativamente alta. No obstante, presenta una distribución heterogénea entre las comunidades autónomas y las características sociodemográficas y el nivel de salud del usuario (AU)

Background. Patient satisfaction with health services plays an important role in programs to improve the quality of care from the point of view of users. The objectives of this study were: To identify sociodemographic characteristics associated with patient satisfaction in the care provided by family doctors in Primary Health Care (PHC) centres, and describe the geographical variability of this phenomenon in the Spanish National Health Service. Material and methods. The data come from the European Health Survey (2009). Prevalence ratios (crude and adjusted) of the characteristics associated with both excellent satisfaction and dissatisfaction using Poisson regression, and their geographical variability are discussed. Results. About one in every 3 users of the PHC believes that the care provided was excellent, while 6.7% were dissatisfied. There is a wide variability in the perception of satisfaction among the various regional health services, with prevalence ranging between 10.9% and 55.2%. Moreover, this assessment is closely related to age, level of self-perceived health, mental health, previous hospitalisation, chronic disease status, and limitations in daily activities. Conclusions. Satisfaction with the care provided by the PHC physician is relatively high. However, the distribution between regions and socio-demographic characteristics and health status of the user is heterogeneous (AU)

[Sociodemographic characteristics and geographic variability associated with patient satisfaction in Primary Care]. / Características sociodemográficas y variabilidad geográfica relacionada con la satisfacción del paciente en Atención Primaria.

BACKGROUND: Patient satisfaction with health services plays an important role in programs to improve the quality of care from the point of view of users. The objectives of this study were: To identify sociodemographic characteristics associated with patient satisfaction in the care provided by family doctors in Primary Health Care (PHC) centres, and describe the geographical variability of this phenomenon in the Spanish National Health Service. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The data come from the European Health Survey (2009). Prevalence ratios (crude and adjusted) of the characteristics associated with both excellent satisfaction and dissatisfaction using Poisson regression, and their geographical variability are discussed. RESULTS: About one in every 3 users of the PHC believes that the care provided was excellent, while 6.7% were dissatisfied. There is a wide variability in the perception of satisfaction among the various regional health services, with prevalence ranging between 10.9% and 55.2%. Moreover, this assessment is closely related to age, level of self-perceived health, mental health, previous hospitalisation, chronic disease status, and limitations in daily activities. CONCLUSIONS: Satisfaction with the care provided by the PHC physician is relatively high. However, the distribution between regions and socio-demographic characteristics and health status of the user is heterogeneous.

Direct promoter induction of p19Arf by Pit-1 explains the dependence receptor RET/Pit-1/p53-induced apoptosis in the pituitary somatotroph cells.

Somatotrophs produce growth hormone (GH) and are the most abundant secretory cells of the pituitary. Somatotrophs express the transcription factor Pit-1 and the dependence receptor RET, its co-receptor GFRa1 and ligand GDNF. Pit-1 is a transcription factor essential for somatotroph proliferation and differentiation and for GH expression. GDNF represses excess Pit-1 expression preventing excess GH. In the absence of GDNF, RET behaves as a dependence receptor, becomes intracellularly processed and induces strong Pit-1 expression leading to p53 accumulation and apoptosis. How accumulation of Pit-1 leads to p53 expression is unknown. We have unveiled the relationship of Pit-1 with the p19Arf gene. There is a parallel correlation of RET processing, Pit-1 increase and ARF protein and mRNA expression. Interfering the pathway with RET, Pit-1 or p19Arf siRNA blocked apoptosis. We have found a Pit-1 DNA-binding element within the ARF promoter. Pit-1 directly regulates the CDKN2A locus and binds to the p19Arft promoter inducing p19Arf gene expression. The Pit-1-binding element is conserved in rodents and humans. RET/Pit-1 induces p19Arf/p53 and apoptosis not only in a somatotroph cell line but also in primary cultures of pituitary somatotrophs, where ARF siRNA interference also blocks p53 and apoptosis. Analyses of the somatotrophs in whole pituitaries supported the above findings. Thus Pit-1, a differentiation factor, activates the oncogene-induced apoptosis (OIA) pathway as oncogenes exerting a tight control in somatotrophs to prevent the disease due to excess of GH (insulin-resistance, metabolic disease, acromegaly).