Whole-genome sequencing links cases dispersed in time, place, and person while supporting healthcare worker management in an outbreak of Panton-Valentine leucocidin meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; and a review of literature.

This is a report on an outbreak of Panton-Valentine leucocidin-producing meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (PVL-MRSA) in an intensive care unit (ICU) during the COVID-19 pandemic that affected seven patients and a member of staff. Six patients were infected over a period of ten months on ICU by the same strain of PVL-MRSA, and a historic case identified outside of the ICU. All cases were linked to a healthcare worker (HCW) who was colonized with the organism. Failed topical decolonization therapy, without systemic antibiotic therapy, resulted in ongoing transmission and one preventable acquisition of PVL-MRSA. The outbreak identifies the support that may be needed for HCWs implicated in outbreaks. It also demonstrates the role of whole-genome sequencing in identifying dispersed and historic cases related to the outbreak, which in turn aids decision-making in outbreak management and HCW support. This report also includes a review of literature of PVL-MRSA-associated outbreaks in healthcare and highlights the need for review of current national guidance in the management of HCWs' decolonization regimen and return-to-work recommendations in such outbreaks.

The impact of immunocompromise on outcomes of COVID-19 in children and young people-a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Despite children and young people (CYP) having a low risk for severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outcomes, there is still a degree of uncertainty related to their risk in the context of immunodeficiency or immunosuppression, primarily due to significant reporting bias in most studies, as CYP characteristically experience milder or asymptomatic COVID-19 infection and the severe outcomes tend to be overestimated. Methods: A comprehensive systematic review to identify globally relevant studies in immunosuppressed CYP and CYP in general population (defined as younger than 25 years of age) up to 31 October 2021 (to exclude vaccinated populations) was performed. Studies were included if they reported the two primary outcomes of our study, admission to intensive therapy unit (ITU) and mortality, while data on other outcomes, such as hospitalization and need for mechanical ventilation were also collected. A meta-analysis estimated the pooled proportion for each severe COVID-19 outcome, using the inverse variance method. Random effects models were used to account for interstudy heterogeneity. Findings: The systematic review identified 30 eligible studies for each of the two populations investigated: immunosuppressed CYP (n = 793) and CYP in general population (n = 102,022). Our meta-analysis found higher estimated prevalence for hospitalization (46% vs. 16%), ITU admission (12% vs. 2%), mechanical ventilation (8% vs. 1%), and increased mortality due to severe COVID-19 infection (6.5% vs. 0.2%) in immunocompromised CYP compared with CYP in general population. This shows an overall trend for more severe outcomes of COVID-19 infection in immunocompromised CYP, similar to adult studies. Interpretation: This is the only up-to-date meta-analysis in immunocompromised CYP with high global relevance, which excluded reports from hospitalized cohorts alone and included 35% studies from low- and middle-income countries. Future research is required to characterize individual subgroups of immunocompromised patients, as well as impact of vaccination on severe COVID-19 outcomes. Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO identifier, CRD42021278598.

Challenges of ICU Care in the Early Days.

The first ICU in Toronto was opened at the Toronto General Hospital as a "Respiratory Unit" in 1958. The early days of this unit have been described in various articles published at the time, such as a description in the Canadian Medical Assn. Journal of the establishment of the Unit itself, including the 4 sine qua nons for intensive care. This article will focus particularly on some of the significant issues that arose in the initial years between the opening of the unit in 1958 and the arrival of clinically available blood gas measurement in the early 1960s.

Maternal pregnancy outcomes in women with cardiomyopathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to systematically assess the impact of cardiomyopathy on maternal pregnancy outcomes. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Ovid Embase, Ovid MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov were systematically searched from inception to April 24, 2022. STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Observational cohort, case-control, and case-cohort studies in human populations were included if they reported predefined maternal outcomes for pregnant women with cardiomyopathy (any subtype) and for an appropriate control population (pregnant women with no known heart disease or pregnant women with noncardiomyopathy heart disease). METHODS: Two reviewers independently assessed the articles for eligibility and risk of bias, and conflicts were resolved by a third reviewer. Data were extracted and synthesized according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses and Meta-Analyses of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines. RESULTS: A total of 14 studies (n=57,539,306 pregnancies) were eligible for inclusion. Women with cardiomyopathy were more likely to deliver by cesarean delivery than women with no heart disease (odds ratio, 2.96; 95% confidence interval, 2.47-3.55; I2=95%; P≤.00001) or women with noncardiomyopathy heart disease (odds ratio, 1.90; 95% confidence interval, 1.62-2.22; I2=91%; P<.00001). Having cardiomyopathy conferred a greater risk for experiencing severe maternal adverse cardiovascular events during pregnancy when compared with not having any heart disease (odds ratio, 206.64; 95% confidence interval, 192.09-222.28; I2=73%; P<.0001) or having noncardiomyopathy heart disease (odds ratio, 7.09; 95% confidence interval; 6.08-8.27; I2=88%; P<.00001). In-hospital mortality was significantly higher among women with cardiomyopathy than among women with no heart disease (odds ratio, 126.67; 95% confidence interval, 43.01-373.07; I2=87%; P<.00001) or among women with noncardiomyopathy heart disease (odds ratio, 4.30; 95% confidence interval, 3.42-5.40; I2=0%; P<.00001). CONCLUSION: Pregnant women with cardiomyopathy have increased risks for adverse maternal outcomes, including maternal death, when compared with both women with no heart disease and women with noncardiomyopathy heart disease. Our results highlight the importance of preconception risk assessments to allow for informed decision-making before pregnancy. Pregnancies affected by cardiomyopathy are high risk and should be managed by expert, multidisciplinary obstetrical and cardiology teams.

Critical care scientists: Role, training and future directions.

Critical care scientists are a little known but increasingly prominent group of professionals, included in both the government-run Modernising Scientific Careers initiative and 2019 Guidelines for the Provision of Intensive Care Services. This article outlines the role of critical care scientists, their training programme and potential future directions for the role. A wider appreciation and acknowledgement of the critical care scientist's role within the multi-disciplinary team will allow critical care units to fully understand the potential benefits that may be brought to patient care and service delivery.

Estado nutricional y riesgo nutricional al ingreso de la internación hospitalaria en los niños internados en la Unidad de Terapia Intensiva del Instituto de Medicina Tropical

Resumen Introducción: El estado nutricional del paciente condiciona la susceptibilidad a contraer enfermedades o en las complicaciones de la misma. Objetivo: Conocer el estado nutricional y riesgo nutricional al ingreso de la internación hospitalaria en los niños hospitalizados en la Unidad de Terapia Intensiva del Instituto de Medicina Tropical de enero a junio de 2018. Método: Estudio de tipo descriptivo, transversal en el que se incluyeron pacientes menores de 15 años internados en la Unidad de Terapia Intensiva del Instituto de Medicina Tropical de enero a junio de 2018. Resultados: Se incluyeron un total de 51 pacientes, con una edad media de 13+16meses (mediana de 12 meses) de los cuales 32 pacientes (62,7%) fueron del sexo masculino. El 78.4% de los pacientes ingresaron eutróficos, constatándose pérdida de peso en 18 casos (45%). Una proporción significante de pacientes (55%) presentó incremento de peso durante la hospitalización Conclusión: El estado nutricional de los pacientes al ingreso fue normal para una gran mayoría de los casos, constándose disminución del peso durante la estancia hospitalaria en un grupo significativo de pacientes.

Abstract Introduction: The nutritional status of the patient determines the susceptibility to contracting diseases or complications thereof. Objective: To know the nutritional status and nutritional risk at admission of hospital admission in children admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of the Institute of Tropical Medicine from January to June 2018. Method: A descriptive, cross-sectional study that included patients under 15 years of age admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of the Institute of Tropical Medicine from January to June 2018. Results: A total of 51 patients were included, 32 patients, 62.7% male, the mean age was 13 + 16 months, median 12 months. The prevalence of weight status according to age was predominant, with 45% of patients presenting weight loss during hospitalization Conclusion: The nutritional status of the patients at admission was normal for age, with a progression to weight gain during the hospital stay in the majority of patients studied.

Cardiothoracic surgery in the midst of a pandemic: Operative outcomes and maintaining a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-free environment.

OBJECTIVE: In the United Kingdom, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to the cessation of elective surgery. However, there remains a need to provide urgent and emergency cardiac and thoracic surgery as well as to continue time-critical thoracic cancer surgery. This study describes our early experience of implementing a protocol to safely deliver major cardiac and thoracic surgery in the midst of the pandemic. METHODS: Data on all patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery at a single tertiary referral center in London were prospectively collated during the first 7 weeks of lockdown in the United Kingdom. A comprehensive protocol was implemented to maintain a COVID-19-free environment including the preoperative screening of all patients, the use of full personal protective equipment in areas with aerosol-generating procedures, and separate treatment pathways for patients with and without the virus. RESULTS: A total of 156 patients underwent major cardiac and thoracic surgery over the study period. Operative mortality was 9% in the cardiac patients and 1.4% in thoracic patients. The preoperative COVID-19 protocol implemented resulted in 18 patients testing positive for COVID-19 infection and 13 patients having their surgery delayed. No patients who were negative for COVID-19 infection on preoperative screening tested positive postoperatively. However, 1 thoracic patient tested positive on intraoperative bronchoalveolar lavage. CONCLUSIONS: Our early experience demonstrates that it is possible to perform major cardiac and thoracic surgery with low operative mortality and zero development of postoperative COVID-19 infection.

Ser enfermeira intensivista: elementos identitários presentes no campo das representações sociais / Being an intensive care nurse: identity elements present in the field of social representations / Ser enfermera intensivista: elementos de identidad presentes en el campo de las representaciones sociales

Objetivo: identificar os aspectos identitários presentes nas representações sociais de enfermeiras sobre as práticas de cuidar do cliente hospitalizado na terapia intensiva. Método: estudo de campo, qualitativo, descritivo-explicativo, apoiado na teoria das representações sociais e no conceito de identidade social. Após aprovação do projeto pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa, realizaram-se entrevistas com 21 enfermeiros atuantes na assistência de uma unidade de terapia intensiva de um hospital federal, com uso de um roteiro semiestruturado de questões, cujos dados foram submetidos à análise de conteúdo temática. Resultados: evidenciam-se aspectos de identificação social e valorização do endogrupo, e de comparação social e estereotipização do exogrupo, quais sejam: os modos de usar as tecnologias, o delineamento da figura típica do paciente, bem como os atributos do enfermeiro ideal, o sentido do trabalho, o relacionamento intra e interequipes. Conclusão: recomenda-se reorganizar o campo da representação social a partir de intervenções sob elementos da identidade.

Objective: to recognize the identity aspects present in the social representation of nurses about the care practices for the client hospitalized in intensive therapy. Method: field study, qualitative, descriptive and explanatory, based on the theory of social representations and on the social identity concept. After approval by the Research Ethics Committee, interviews were carried out with 21 nurses working in the assistance of an intensive care unit in a federal hospital, using a semi-structured guide. Data were submitted to the content analysis. Results: social identification and enhancement of the group itself, and social comparison and stereotyping of the outside group are evidenced, which are: the ways of using the technologies, the delineation of the typical patient figure, as well as the attributes of the ideal nurse, the sense of work, the intra and intercompany relationship. Conclusion: it is recommended the reorganization of the field of social representation from interventions under identity elements.

Objetivo: reconocer los aspectos de identidad presentes en la representación social de las enfermeras sobre las prácticas de cuidado para el cliente hospitalizado en terapia intensiva. Método: estudio de campo, cualitativo, descriptivo y explicativo, basado en la teoría de las representaciones sociales y en el concepto de identidad social. Después de la aprobación del Comité de Ética en Investigación, se realizaron entrevistas con 21 enfermeras que trabajaban en la asistencia de una unidad de cuidados intensivos en un hospital federal, utilizando una guía semiestructurada. Los datos fueron sometidos al análisis de contenido. Resultados: se evidencia la identificación social y la mejora del grupo en sí, y la comparación social y los estereotipos del grupo externo, que son: las formas de usar las tecnologías, la delineación de la figura típica del paciente, así como los atributos de la enfermera ideal. el sentido del trabajo, la relación intra e intercompañía. Conclusión: se recomienda la reorganización del campo de la representación social a partir de intervenciones bajo elementos de identidad.

The impact of an omega-3 fatty acid rich lipid emulsion on fatty acid profiles in critically ill septic patients.

BACKGROUND: Death from sepsis in the intensive therapy unit (ITU) is frequently preceded by the development of multiple organ failure as a result of uncontrolled inflammation. Treatment with omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids (FAs), principally eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), has been demonstrated to attenuate the effects of uncontrolled inflammation and may be clinically beneficial in reducing mortality from organ dysfunction. Fish oil (FO) is a source of EPA and DHA. METHODS: A randomized trial investigating the effects of parenteral (intravenous) nutrition providing FO (0.092g EPA+DHA/kg body weight/day) was conducted. Sixty consecutive ITU patients diagnosed with sepsis were randomised to receive either once daily parenteral FO and standard medical care or standard medical care only. RESULTS: Forty one patients (21 received fish oil; 20 controls) consented to blood sampling and blood was taken on days 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10 and 13; because of deaths, patient discharge and withdrawal of consent, the number of blood samples available for analysis diminished with time. FA composition of plasma phosphatidylcholine (PC), plasma non-esterified FAs (NEFAs) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was determined by gas chromatography. EPA and DHA were rapidly incorporated into all 3 lipid pools investigated. There was a reduction in the arachidonic acid (AA) to EPA+DHA ratio in plasma PC and NEFAs. Fewer patients died in the FO group (13.3% (n=4)) compared with the control group (26.7% (n=8)) but this difference was not significant. A reduction in the AA/(EPA+DHA) ratio in PBMCs and plasma PC was associated with significantly improved survival. Plasma PC, plasma NEFA and PBMC FA profiles are rapidly altered by FO infusion in critically ill septic patients. CONCLUSION: The provision of high dose n-3 FAs resulted in a rapid and significant increase in EPA and DHA and a reduction in AA/(EPA+DHA) ratio. This latter reduction is associated with improved survival.

Visão das mães em relação ao cuidado com o recém-nascido após a alta da UTI neonatal / Mothers´ perspective on the care of newlyborn children after discharge from neonatal ICU

Atualmente o número de internações de recém-nascidos em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal (UTIN) tem sido relevante. Ao receberem alta para a Unidade Pediátrica as mães vivenciam sentimentos positivos e negativos relacionados à responsabilidade de cuidar do filho ainda em tratamento e preparar-se para a alta hospitalar. O estudo objetivou desvelar a visão das mães em relação ao cuidado com o recém-nascido durante o período de internação em Unidade Pediátrica, após alta da UTIN. Trata-se de uma pesquisa descritiva e exploratória com abordagem qualitativa. Foram entrevistadas cinco mães maiores de dezoito anos e com filhos menores de um ano, sendo que todas passaram pela experiência de terem seus filhos internados logo após o nascimento em uma UTIN e, após, receberam alta para uma Unidade Pediátrica. A partir da análise dos depoimentos, revelaram-se três categorias: a vivência dos primeiros momentos com o filho após a alta da UTIN; a percepção da mãe em relação aos cuidados prestados pela equipe de enfermagem na unidade pediátrica; e experienciando o momento de ir para casa. As mães desvelaram sentimentos de angústia, medo, impotência, alívio, alegria e satisfação frente ao cuidado. Assim observamos a importância do gerenciamento da assistência de enfermagem, realizada pelo enfermeiro com o intuito de orientar e capacitar as mães para o cuidado com o filho após a alta da Unidade Pediátrica. Sendo assim, buscamos instrumentalizar os profissionais enfermeiros com o intuito de contribuir para o processo de humanização da assistência de enfermagem.

The number of current hospitalizations of newly-born infants in Neonatal Intensive Therapy Units (NITU) is currently high. When the children are discharged from NITU, the mothers experience positive and negative feelings related to the responsibility of taking care of their children still under treatment and preparing themselves for total hospital discharge. Current analysis investigates the perspective of mothers with regard to the care of the newly-born during this period in the Pediatric Unit (PU) after discharge from NITU. The descriptive, quality and exploratory research comprised interviews with five over eighteen-year-old mothers with less than one-year-old children, who had their children hospitalized immediately after birth in NITU, coupled to a later stay at the Pediatric Unit. Interviews revealed three categories: experience of the first instances with the child after discharge from NITU; the mother´s perception with regard to care provided by the nursing team in the PU; experiencing the moment of returning home. Mothers revealed feelings of anxiety, fear, impotence, relief, happiness and satisfaction in the wake of care given. The administration in nursing to give guidance and capacity to mothers for child care after discharge from the PU is highly relevant. Nursing professionals should be capacitated to contribute towards the humanization of nursing assistance.

Transfusional profile in different types of intensive care units.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: anemia is a common clinical finding in intensive care units. The red blood cell transfusion is the main form of treatment, despite the associated risks. Thus, we proposed to evaluate the profile of transfusional patients in different intensive care units. METHODS: prospective analysis of patients admitted in the intensive care units of a tertiary university hospital with an indication for transfusion of packed red blood cells. Demographic profile and transfusional profile were collected, a univariate analysis was done, and the results were considered significant at p ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: 408 transfusions were analyzed in 71 patients. The mean hemoglobin concentration on admission was 9.7 ± 2.3g/dL and the pre-transfusional concentration was 6.9 ± 1.1g/dL. The main indications for transfusion were hemoglobin concentration (49%) and active bleeding (32%). The median number of units transfused per episode was 2 (1-2) and the median storage time was 14 (7-21) days. The number of patients transfused with hemoglobin levels greater than 7 g/dL and the number of bags transfused per episode were significantly different among intensive care units. Patients who received three or more transfusions had longer mechanical ventilation time and intensive care unit stay and higher mortality after 60 days. There was an association of mortality with disease severity but not with transfusional characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: the practice of blood products transfusion was partially in agreement with the guidelines recommended, although there are differences in behavior between the different profiles of intensive care units. Transfused patients evolved with unfavorable outcomes. Despite the scarcity of blood in blood banks, the mean storage time of the bags was high.

Transfusional profile in different types of intensive care units / Perfil transfusional em diferentes tipos de unidades de terapia intensiva / Perfil transfusional en diferentes tipos de unidades de cuidados intensivos

Background and objectives: anemia is a common clinical finding in intensive care units. The red blood cell transfusion is the main form of treatment, despite the associated risks. Thus, we proposed to evaluate the profile of transfusional patients in different intensive care units. Methods: prospective analysis of patients admitted in the intensive care units of a tertiary university hospital with an indication for transfusion of packed red blood cells. Demographic profile and transfusional profile were collected, a univariate analysis was done, and the results were considered significant at p = 0.05. Results: 408 transfusions were analyzed in 71 patients. The mean hemoglobin concentration on admission was 9.7 ± 2.3 g/dL and the pre-transfusional concentration was 6.9 ± 1.1 g/dL. The main indications for transfusion were hemoglobin concentration (49%) and active bleeding (32%). The median number of units transfused per episode was 2 (1-2) and the median storage time was 14 (7-21) days. The number of patients transfused with hemoglobin levels greater than 7 g/dL and the number of bags transfused per episode were significantly different among intensive care units. Patients who received three or more transfusions had longer mechanical ventilation time and intensive care unit stay and higher mortality after 60 days. There was an association of mortality with disease severity but not with transfusional characteristics. Conclusions: the practice of blood products transfusion was partially in agreement with the guidelines recommended, although there are differences in behavior between the different profiles of intensive care units. Transfused patients evolved with unfavorable outcomes. Despite the scarcity of blood in blood banks, the mean storage time of the bags was high. .

Justificativa e objetivos: Anemia é um achado clínico frequente nas UTIs. A transfusão de hemácias é a principal forma de tratamento, apesar dos riscos a ela associados. Dessa forma, propusemos avaliar o perfil transfusional dos pacientes em diferentes UTIs. Métodos: Análise prospectiva dos pacientes internados nas UTIs de um hospital universitário terciário com indicação de transfusão de concentrado de hemácias. Foram coletados características demográficas e o perfil transfusional, foi feita análise univariada e foram considerados significativos resultados com p = 0,05. Resultados: Foram analisadas 408 transfusões em 71 pacientes. A concentração média de hemoglobina na internação foi 9,7 ± 2,3 g/dL e a concentração pré-transfusional 6,9 ± 1,1 g/dL. As principais indicações de transfusão foram a concentração de hemoglobina (49%) e o sangramento ativo (32%). O número mediano de unidades transfundidas por episódio foi 2 (1-2) e a mediana do tempo de estocagem foi 14 (7-21) dias. O número de pacientes transfundidos com hemoglobina acima de 7 g/dL e o número de bolsas transfundidas por episódio foram significativamente diferentes entre as UTIs. Pacientes que receberam três ou mais transfusões tiveram maior tempo de ventilação mecânica e de permanência na UTI e maior mortalidade em 60 dias. Houve associação da mortalidade com gravidade da doença, mas não com as características transfusionais. Conclusões: A prática transfusional de hemocomponentes esteve parcialmente de acordo com as diretrizes preconizadas, embora haja diferença de conduta entre os diferentes perfis de UTIs. Pacientes transfundidos evoluíram com desfechos desfavoráveis. Apesar da escassez de sangue ...

Justificación y objetivos: la anemia es un hallazgo clínico común en las UCI. La transfusión de hematíes es la principal forma de tratamiento, a pesar de los riesgos que están asociados a ella. Así, nos propusimos evaluar el perfil transfusional de los pacientes en diferentes UCI. Métodos: análisis prospectivo de los pacientes ingresados en las UCI de un hospital universitario terciario con indicación de transfusión de concentrado de hematíes. Se recolectaron características demográficas y el perfil transfusional, haciéndose el análisis univariado considerando como significativos los resultados con p = 0,05. Resultados: se analizaron 408 transfusiones en 71 pacientes. La concentración promedio de hemoglobina en el ingreso fue de 9,7 ± 2,3 g/dL y la concentración pretransfusional de 6,9 ± 1,1 g/dL. Las principales indicaciones de transfusión fueron la concentración de hemoglobina (49%) y el sangrado activo (32%). El número intermedio de unidades transfundidas por episodio fue 2 (1-2) y la mediana del tiempo de almacenaje fue de 14 (7-21) días. El número de pacientes transfundidos con hemoglobina por encima de 7 g/dL y el número de bolsas transfundidas por episodio fueron significativamente diferentes entre las UCI. Los pacientes que recibieron 3 o más transfusiones tuvieron más tiempo de ventilación mecánica y de permanencia en la UCI y una mayor mortalidad en 60 días. Hubo una asociación de la mortalidad con la gravedad de la enfermedad, pero no así con las características transfusionales. Conclusiones: la práctica transfusional de hemocomponentes estuvo parcialmente a tono con las directrices preconizadas, aunque exista una diferencia de conducta entre los diferentes perfiles de UCI. Pacientes transfundidos evolucionaron con resultados desfavorables. ...

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation Without General Anaesthetic.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) procedures are increasingly being performed under local anaesthetic, generally with sedation. Operators hope this will reduce mortality, morbidity and length of hospital stay. A general anaesthetic (GA), however, although involving intrinsic risk, permits transoesophageal echocardiogram (TOE) imaging throughout a procedure as well as eliminating patient anxiety, pain and movement. This article reviews the published literature, all single-centre experiences, comparing TAVI procedures performed with and without a GA. Procedures performed without GA are generally shorter with reduced length of stay compared with those performed under GA. There is no evidence of any difference in outcomes.

Incidencia y mortalidad por anemia en pacientes gravemente enfermos / Incidence and mortality due to anemia in acutely ill patients

Introducción: la anemia es una de las enfermedades más conocidas y evaluadas en la práctica médica diaria. Objetivo: determinar la morbilidad y mortalidad de pacientes graves con anemia. Métodos: se realizó un estudio prospectivo de 118 pacientes ingresados en la Unidad de Terapia Intensiva del Hospital General Universitario "Vladimir Ilich Lenin" de Holguín, desde agosto hasta diciembre de 2010. Las variables discretas fueron comparadas mediante el test de £i al cuadrado y el de Fisher, y las continuas, por medio de las pruebas de T-Student y Mann-Whitney (la hemoglobina media), para á=0,05. Resultados: la anemia afectó 79,6 % de los integrantes de la serie y aumentó evolutivamente, con el consecuente empeoramiento de estos, de los cuales fallecieron 34,0 %, quienes tenían mayor edad (p=0,0004), necesitaron más transfusiones sanguíneas (p=0,005) y presentaron el trastorno de la hemoglobina más tardíamente (5,1 días). De los pacientes con anemia grave (hemoglobina:<85 g/L), 50,0 % falleció, no obstante, las administraciones de glóbulos rojos no parecieron asociarse con la disminución de la mortalidad (p>0,05). Conclusiones: la anemia en los pacientes graves se relacionó con una mayor mortalidad, estadía, necesidad de transfusiones de glóbulos rojos y causas médicas (neurológicas), en tanto, la edad avanzada y la gravedad de la anemia de aparición tardía se asociaron fundamentalmente a la mortalidad.

Introduction: anemia is one of the well-known and evaluated diseases in the daily medical practice. Objective: to determine the morbidity and mortality of acutely ill patients with anemia. Methods: a prospective study of 118 patients admitted in the Intensive Therapy Unit of "Vladimir Ilich Lenin" General University Hospital in Holguín was carried out from August to December, 2010. Discrete variables were compared by means of the X² and Fisher tests, and the continuous variables, by means of the T-Student and Mann-Whitney tests (the mean hemoglobin), for á =0.05. Results: anemia affected 79.6% of the members of the series and it increased progressively, with the consequent worsening of them, out of which 34.0% died, those older in age (p=0.0004), those who needed more blood transfusions (p=0.005) and who presented the hemoglobin dysfunction later (5.1 days). Of the patients with severe anemia (hemoglobin: <85 g/L), 50.0% died; nevertheless, red blood cell supplies didn't seem to associate with the decrease of mortality (p > 0.05). Conclusions: anemia in acutely ill patients was related to a higher mortality, hospital stay, necessity of red blood cell transfusions and medical causes (neurological), while, the advanced age and anemia severity of late occurrence were associated fundamentally to mortality.

Produção científica brasileira sobre o Nursing Activities score: uma revisão integrativa / Brazilian scientific production about the Nursing Activities score: an integrative review / Producción científica brasileña sobre el Nursing Activities score: una revisión integrativa

Revisão integrativa de literatura que objetivou identificar o perfil de produções científicas nacionais sobre o Nursing Activities Score e analisar os resultados em evidência de 2002 a 2010. Selecionaram-se 17 artigos na bases de dados Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde; Base de Dados de Enfermagem; Publisher Medline; Scientific Electronic Library Online e Instituto Brasileiro de Informação em Ciência e Tecnologia. Utilizaram-se os termos Nursing Activities Score e Carga de Trabalho de Enfermagem. Encontrou-se nas publicações a identificação da média do Nursing Activities Score, a observação de elementos mais pontuados, a correlação com índices de gravidade e outras ferramentas de dimensionamento de pessoal, como aplicação à clientela idosa, tanto prospectiva como retrospectiva, e, ainda, a criação na forma informatizada. Infere-se, portanto, o propósito de viabilizar seu uso como ferramenta prática no gerenciamento em enfermagem.

This integrative revision of the literature aimed to identify the profile of Brazilian scientific productions about the Nursing Activities Score and analyze the results in evidence from 2002 to 2010. 17 articles were elected from the following databases: Coordination for Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES, in Portuguese), Latin-American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences; Nursing database; Publisher Medline; Scientific Electronic Library Online and the Brazilian Institute for Information in Science and Technology. The terms Nursing Activities Score and Nursing Workload were used. In the publications, the researchers found the identification of the Nursing Activities Score average, observation of the most heavily-scored elements, the correlation with rates of seriousness and other instruments of dimensioning of personnel, such as application to elderly clients, as much prospective as retrospective, and, further, its creation in informatized form. The goal of viabilizing its use as a practical tool in nursing management is inferred.

Revisión integrativa de literatura cuyo objetivo fue identificar el perfil de producciones científicas nacionales acerca del Nursing Activities Score y analizar los resultados en evidencia de 2002 a 2010. Fueron seleccionados 17 artículos en las bases de datos Coordinación de Perfeccionamiento de Personal de Nivel Superior, Literatura Latinoamericana y del Caribe en Ciencias de la Salud; Base de datos de Enfermería; Publisher Medline; Scientific Electronic Library Online e Instituto Brasileño de Información en Ciencia y Tecnología. Los términos utilizados fueron Nursing Activities Score y Carga de trabajo de enfermería. En las publicaciones fueron encontradas la identificación de la media del Nursing Activities Score, la observación de elementos más puntuados, la correlación con índices de gravedad y otras herramientas de dimensionamento de personal, como aplicación a la clientela anciana, tanto prospectiva como retrospectiva, y, todavía, la creación en la forma informatizada. Se infiere, por lo tanto, el propósito de volver viable su uso como herramienta práctica en la administración en enfermería.

Identificação e tratamento da dor no recém-nascido prematuro na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva / Identification and treatment of pain in the premature newborn in the Intensive Care Unit / Identificación y tratamiento del dolor en el recién nacido prematuro en la Unidad de Terapia Intensiva

O estudo objetivou analisar os parâmetros utilizados pela equipe de enfermagem de um hospital público da Bahia para a avaliação da dor no recém-nascido prematuro e descrever as intervenções utilizadas para aliviar a dor. Estudo descritivo e qualitativo, realizado por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas com dez participantes, no período de dezembro de 2008 a janeiro de 2009, sendo analisados através da Análise de Conteúdo. Os resultados apontaram a utilização do choro e expressão facial como parâmetros indicativos de dor; e que estes profissionais utilizam de forma não sistematizada medidas não farmacológicas para amenizar este processo. Sugere-se a introdução da dor como o quinto sinal vital a ser avaliado e a utilização de escalas, com vistas à excelência e humanização do cuidado.

This study aimed to analyze the parameters used by the nursing staff of a public hospital in Bahia for pain assessment in premature newborns and to describe the interventions used to relieve the pain. This is a qualitative descriptive study that was carried out through semi-structured interviews with ten participants, in the period from December 2008 to January 2009. The data were analyzed through content analysis. The results showed the use of crying and facial expression as the clinical indications of pain premature newborns and that the interviewed participants use, on a non-systematic basis, non-pharmacological measures in order to ease this process. We suggest the introduction of pain as the fifth vital sign to be evaluated and the use of scales, contributing to excellence and humane care.

Este estudio tiene el objetivo de analizar los parámetros utilizados por el equipo de enfermeros de un hospital público de Bahía para la evaluación del dolor en el recién nacido prematuro y describir las intervenciones utilizadas para aliviar el dolor. Se trata de un estudio descriptivo y cualitativo, realizado a través de entrevistas semi estructuradas con diez participantes, en el período de diciembre de 2008 hasta enero de 2009, siendo analizados por medio del Análisis Contenido. Los resultados apuntaran la utilización del lloro y expresión facial como parámetros clínicos indicativos de dolor y que estos profesionales utilizan de manera no sistematizada medidas no farmacológicas con la finalidad de amenizar este proceso. Se sugiere a la introducción del dolor como el quinto señal vital a ser evaluado y la utilización de escalas, con el fin de la excelencia y humanización del cuidado.