Reduction of catheter-associated bloodstream infections: Effectiveness of the continuous quality improvement method at a university hospital in Colombia / Reducción de las infecciones del torrente sanguíneo asociadas a catéter: efectividad del método de mejora continua de la calidad en un hospital universitario en Colombia

Abstract Introduction: Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSI) are preventable and potential fatal events, frequent in critical patient care. By mid-2018 an increase was noted in the incidence rate of CLABSI at a high complexity institution in Colombia, demanding immediate interventions to lower those numbers. Objective: To assess the effectiveness of the continuous quality improvement methodology (CQI) to lower the incidence rate of CLABSI at a university hospital in Bogotá, Colombia. Methods: Longitudinal, prospective study implementing a multifaceted intervention in accordance with the CQI methodology. The project was developed at a high complexity university hospital in Bogotá, Colombia, between July 2018 and December 2019. A root cause analysis was consecutively conducted prioritizing contributing factors, gathering ideas for improvement, building a strategy and prioritizing the implementation plan. Results: The CQI methodology enabled the identification of areas susceptible of catheter insertion and management errors at the institution; additionally, it allowed for the prioritization of the areas requiring intervention through consecutive test cycles for improvement ideas. The reduction and sustainability of insertion-related CLABSI was accomplished three months after the start of the interventions, achieving a zero value. The implementation of improvement ideas aimed at reducing the events associated with catheter maintenance was also able to reduce the incidence to zero, until the end of the period of observation of the study. Conclusions: It is feasible to implement CQI in settings similar to the one herein described, in order to efficiently reduce CLABSIs.

Resumen Introducción: Las infecciones del torrente sanguíneo asociadas a catéter (ITS/AC) son eventos prevenibles y potencialmente fatales, comunes en el contexto del cuidado de pacientes críticos. A mediados de 2018 se presentó un incremento en la tasa de incidencia de ITS/AC en una institución colombiana de alta complejidad, obligando a realizar intervenciones inmediatas para lograr una reducción de estas cifras. Objetivo: Evaluar la efectividad del método de mejoramiento continuo de la calidad (MCC) para la reducción de la tasa de incidencia de ITS/AC en un hospital universitario en Bogotá, Colombia. Métodos: Estudio longitudinal, prospectivo, en el que se implementa una intervención multifacética siguiendo la metodología de MCC. El proyecto se desarrolló en un hospital universitario de alta de complejidad de Bogotá, Colombia, entre julio de 2018 y diciembre de 2019. Se realizaron consecutivamente un análisis de causa raíz, priorización de factores contribuyentes, recuperación de ideas de mejora, construcción de la estrategia y priorización del plan de implementación. Resultados: El método de MCC permitió la detección de zonas susceptibles de presentación de errores en la inserción de catéteres y su mantenimiento en la Institución, además permitió priorizar las áreas por intervenir mediante ciclos consecutivos de prueba para las ideas de mejora. Se logró la reducción y sostenibilidad de la ITS/AC asociada a inserción luego de tres meses de iniciar las intervenciones, logrando valores de cero. La implementación de ideas de mejora dirigidas a reducir los eventos relacionados con el mantenimiento de catéteres también logró reducirlos a cero hasta la terminación del periodo de observación de este estudio. Conclusiones: Es factible implementar MCC en contextos como el aquí presentado para reducir de manera eficiente las ITS/AC.

Clinical factors associated with extubation failure and post-extubation laryngeal stridor in adult patients on invasive mechanical ventilation / Factores clínicos asociados a extubación fallida y a estridor laríngeo post-extubación en pacientes adultos con ventilación mecánica invasiva

Abstract Introduction: Orotracheal intubation is a procedure that implies risks such as extubation failure and laryngeal stridor, which increase the risk of morbidity. Objective: To identify factors associated with early extubation failure (≤24 hours) and the development of post-extubation laryngeal stridor in adult patients on invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). Materials and methods: Case-control study conducted in the intensive care unit (ICU) of a quaternary care hospital in Bogotá, Colombia, between April 2019 and February 2020, in which information was collected prospectively. A total of 180 patients with IMV ≥24 hours and at least >1 extubation attempt were included: 30 cases defined as patients with early extubation failure (≤24 hours to extubation), and 150 controls. Differences between cases and controls regarding the variables considered were determined using the Student's t test and the Chi-squared or Fisher's exact tests. In addition, a multivariate analysis (unconditional logistic regression model) was performed to establish the factors associated with extubation failure and post-extubation laryngeal stridor, calculating the odds ratio (OR) and the respective 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). A significance level of p<0.05 was considered. Results: Early extubation failure and laryngeal stridor had a prevalence of 16.66% (n=30) and 3.89% (n=7), respectively. In the multivariate analysis, having a history of intubation (OR=4.27, 95%CI: 1.44-12.66), the presence of active cancer (OR=2.92, 95%CI: 1.08-7.90), and being diagnosed with pneumonia (OR=2.84, 95%CI: 1.15-6.99) were significantly associated with extubation failure, while the duration of IMV (OR=1.53, 95%CI: 1.18-1.99) and history of intubation (OR=37.99, 95%CI: 2.22-650.8) were significantly associated with post-extubation laryngeal stridor. Conclusions: Based on the results reported here, it is suggested to consider factors such as history of intubation, comorbidity with cancer, and diagnosis of pneumonia in the stratification of critically ill patients to increase the likelihood of successful extubation.

Resumen Introducción. La intubación orotraqueal es un procedimiento que conlleva riesgos como la extubación fallida y el estridor laríngeo, los cuales aumentan el riesgo de morbilidad. Objetivo. Identificar los factores asociados a extubación fallida temprana (≤24 horas) y al desarrollo de estridor laríngeo post-extubación en pacientes adultos con ventilación mecánica invasiva (VMI). Materiales y métodos. Estudio de casos y controles con recolección prospectiva de información realizado en la unidad de cuidados intensivos (UCI) de un hospital de IV nivel de Bogotá, Colombia, entre abril de 2019 y febrero de 2020. Se incluyeron 180 pacientes con VMI ≥24 horas y al menos 1 intento de extubación: 30 casos definidos como pacientes con extubación fallida temprana (≤24 horas a la extubación) y 150 controles. Las diferencias en las variables consideradas entre casos y controles se determinaron mediante las pruebas t de Student y Chi-cuadrado o exacta de Fisher. Además, se realizó un análisis multivariado (modelo de regresión logística no condicional) para determinar los factores asociados con extubación fallida y estridor laríngeo post-extubación, calculando los Odds ratio (OR) con sus respectivos intervalos de confianza al 95% (IC95%). Se consideró un nivel de significancia de p<0.05. Resultados. La extubación fallida temprana y el estridor laríngeo tuvieron una prevalencia de 16.66% (n=30) y 3.89% (n=7), respectivamente. En el análisis multivariado, el antecedente de intubación (OR=4.27, IC95%: 1.44-12.66), la presencia de cáncer activo (OR=2.92, IC95%: 1.08-7.90) y ser diagnosticado con neumonía (OR=2.84, IC95%: 1.15-6.99) se asociaron significativamente con extubación fallida, mientras que la duración de la VMI (OR=1.53, IC95%: 1.18-1.99) y el antecedente de intubación (OR=37.99, IC95%: 2.22-650.8), con estridor laríngeo post-extubación. Conclusiones. Con base en los resultados aquí obtenidos, se sugiere considerar factores como antecedente de intubación, comorbilidad con cáncer y diagnóstico de neumonía en la estratificación de los pacientes críticamente enfermos para aumentar la probabilidad de una extubación exitosa.

Consenso Colombiano para la prevención, diagnóstico y manejo de condiciones trombóticas en pacientes adultos con COVID-19: aplicando el Marco de la Evidencia a la Decisión (EtD) GRADE / Colombian consensus for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of thrombotic conditions in adult patients with COVID-19: applying GRADE Evidence to Decision (EtD) Frameworks

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Abstract Recent studies have reported the occurrence of thrombotic phenomena or coagulopathy in patients with COVID-19. There are divergent positions regarding the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of these phenomena, and current clinical practice is based solely on deductions by extension from retrospective studies, case series, observational studies, and international guidelines developed prior to the pandemic. In this context, the aim was to generate a group of recommendations on the prevention, diagnosis and management of thrombotic complications associated with COVID-19. Methods: A rapid guidance was carried out applying the GRADE Evidence to Decision (EtD) frameworks and an iterative participation system, with statistical and qualitative analysis. Results: 31 clinical recommendations were generated focused on: a) Coagulation tests in symptomatic adults with suspected infection or confirmed SARS CoV-2 infection; b) Thromboprophylaxis in adults diagnosed with COVID-19 (Risk scales, thromboprophylaxis for outpatient, in-hospital management, and duration of thromboprophylaxis after discharge from hospitalization), c) Diagnosis and treatment of thrombotic complications, and d) Management of people with previous indication of anticoagulant agents. Conclusions: Recommendations of this consensus guide clinical decision-making regarding the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of thrombotic phenomena in patients with COVID-19, and represent an agreement that will help decrease the dispersion in clinical practices according to the challenge imposed by the pandemic.

Factors associated with hypoglycemia in cardiovascular surgery.

INTRODUCTION: An inadequate glycemic control in cardiovascular postoperative is a predictor of mortality, postoperative infections and a prolonged hospital stay. This study evaluates the incidence of hypoglycemia in the first 72 h of postoperative and its association with different factors, such as tissue perfusion parameters, and the administration of medicines that induct hypoglycemia during surgery, in patients that undergo cardiovascular surgery in a 4th level hospital in Bogota, Colombia. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A nested cases and controls study was developed, taking as cases the patients that presented hypoglycemia episodes (<70 mg/dl) and the controls were the patients without this outcome. A systematic record of the glycemic control in the first 72 h of postoperative was registered. An univariate and multivariate analysis was conducted to determine the factor associated with hypoglycemia. RESULTS: 327 patients were evaluated (35% with coronary bypass and 27% with valvular replacement). 7.65% of the patients presented at least one episode of hypoglycemia <70 mg/dL (25 episodes). The multivariate analysis showed an association with chronic kidney failure in dialysis (OR6,21; IC:0,97-43.27,p:0.05), administration of preoperative steroids (OR4,41; IC:1,27-15,20,p:0.02), intraoperative insulin (OR2,61; IC:1.09-6,22, p:0.03), and postoperative hydrocortisone (OR 7,15; IC 1,46-34,9 p:0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Hypoglycemia is frequent in patients that undergo a cardiovascular surgery. The associated factors were chronic kidney failure in dialysis, administration of preoperative steroids, intraoperative insulin and hydrocortisone during postoperative. Other factors such as tissue perfusion, administration of vasoactive or beta blockers substances, showed no association with hypoglycemia.