Structural validity and reliability of the "Oral Health Assessment Tool" applied by speech-language therapists in a population of older Chilean people.

BACKGROUND: A good state of oral health allows people to communicate and eat. This topic is relevant in older people given its close relationship with their general health. At present, health challenges are directed at detecting and preventing oral disorders and are seen to exclusively by dentists, because the existing instruments can only be applied by them. However, speech-language therapists undergo similar training, which would allow them to collaborate in these processes. In this context, the Oral Health Assessment Tool (OHAT) is a detection instrument with good psychometric properties that is currently available for non-dental use. The objective of this study is the translation into Chilean Spanish of the OHAT and a structural validation of that version for application by these professionals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A mixed qualitative-quantitative study was carried out. The OHAT instrument was adapted to Chilean Spanish and subsequently subject to structural validity and evaluation of internal consistency reliability, as well as a valuation of its reproducibility in 286 older people (166 female, 120 male) from different health contexts. RESULTS: The cultural adaptation of the instrument proved to be semantically consistent with the original instrument. Its application was considered to be speedy and simple in the pre-test. The confirmatory factor analysis evidenced the unidimensionality of the OHAT. In addition, the instrument shows good internal consistency and test-retest reliability. CONCLUSIONS: The OHAT instrument was considered to possess adequate structural validity and test-retest reliability properties. Its usefulness in the context of oral health disorders of this population in Chile is discussed.

[Adjustments for the care of people with sensory disabilities in primary health centers]. / Adecuaciones para la atención de personas con discapacidad sensorial en los CESFAM del Servicio de Salud Concepción.

BACKGROUND: People with Sensory Disabilities (PcDS) face barriers for equal access to health care. Thus, health centers require adjustments to comply with equal access that allows an universal coverage of care. AIM: To characterize the adjustments for the care of PcDS in primary health centers in Concepción, Chile. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study using data obtained through a questionnaire to key informants or via Transparency Law, and direct observation. The variables were subdivided into four categories, namely infrastructure, communication, skills, and environment. RESULTS: The analyzed health centers have a high proportion of general adjustments of their physical settings. However, there is a lack of specific adjustments for deaf and blind people, especially communicational ones. CONCLUSIONS: There is a paucity of adjustments for the health care of PcDS in the analyzed health centers. This deficiency underscores the barriers faced by PcDS for receiving care in the Chilean public health system.

[Contribution of the management of critical air pollution episodes to the reduction of respiratory diseases]. / Aporte de la gestión de episodios críticos a la reducción de enfermedades respiratorias en las ciudades de Los Ángeles y Chillán, Chile.

BACKGROUND: In southern Chile cities, the emission of air pollutants, especially the use of firewood for heating is restricted during critical air pollution periods. AIM: To analyze how restrictions applied during the management of air pollution critical episodes have contributed to reduce emergency room admissions for respiratory diseases in two Chilean cities between 2013 and 2019. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Poisson regression models were estimated with daily data including explanatory variables, such as the daily and lag concentration of respirable particulate material (PM10), temperature, relative humidity, rainfall, wind speed, seasonal factors, and implementation of different types of critical episodes. RESULTS: The implementation of restrictions during the management of critical pollution episodes decreased emergency room admissions for upper respiratory infections and bronchial obstructive crises, especially when an environmental emergency was decreed during the critical episode. However, the effect on each group of respiratory diseases was heterogeneous between cities, which could be related to avoidance behavior, indoor air pollution, the composition of PM10, or the presence of other pollutants, and not just a reduction in the daily concentration of PM10. CONCLUSIONS: The management of critical pollution episodes with restrictions to pollutant emissions is a useful measure to improve population health in cities that have implemented environmental decontamination plans.

One-pot chitin pulping using recyclable superbase-based protic ionic liquid.

The application of ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents offers a promising opportunity for a more environmentally friendly and straightforward chitin purification process from crustacean shells. Nonetheless, the insufficient recyclability of these ionic solvents poses a challenge to the long-term sustainability of such extraction methods. Thus, there is a strong imperative to focus on employing easily recyclable ionic liquids for chitin isolation, enhancing the overall sustainability of the process. In this investigation, a direct chitin purification procedure that utilized pulping liquors consisting of the superbase-based protic ionic liquid 1,5-diazabicyclo[4.3.0]non-5-enium acetate and its precursor, acetic acid, was developed. It was demonstrated that these pulping liquors were capable of simultaneously deproteinate and demineralize shrimp shells to generate chitins with higher purity, degree of N-acetylation and crystallinity than commercially obtained chitin. More significantly, the pulping liquors can be recycled to their pure form in high quantity by simple distillation under reduced pressure, allowing the reuse of these mixtures, which give chitin of nearly identical purity.

Outcomes in Patients With COVID-19 Disease and High Oxygen Requirements.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 19% of people infected with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) progress to severe or critical stages of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with a mortality rate exceeding 50%. We aimed to examine the characteristics, mortality rates, intubation rate, and length of stay (LOS) of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 disease with high oxygen requirements (critically ill). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis in a single center in Brooklyn, New York. Adult hospitalized patients with confirmed COVID-19 disease and high oxygen requirements were included. We performed multivariate logistic regression analyses for statistically significant variables to reduce any confounding. RESULTS: A total of 398 patients were identified between March 19th and April 25th, 2020 who met the inclusion criteria, of which 247 (62.1%) required intubation. The overall mortality rate in our study was 57.3% (n = 228). The mean hospital LOS was 19.1 ± 17.4 days. Patients who survived to hospital discharge had a longer mean LOS compared to those who died during hospitalization (25.4 ± 22.03 days versus10.7 ± 1.74 days). In the multivariate analysis, increased age, intubation and increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were each independently associated with increased odds of mortality. Diarrhea was associated with decreased mortality (OR 0.4; CI 0.16, 0.99). Obesity and use of vasopressors were each independently associated with increased intubation. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with COVID-19 disease and high oxygen requirements, advanced age, intubation, and higher LDH levels were associated with increased mortality, while diarrhea was associated with decreased mortality. Gender, diabetes, and hypertension did not have any association with mortality or length of hospital stay.

Attitudes towards ageing of Speech-language Pathology students in a Chilean University. / Actitudes hacia el envejecimiento por parte de los estudiantes de Fonoaudiología de una Universidad Chilena.

PURPOSE: Describe the attitudes towards ageing of senior undergraduate Speech-language Pathology students in a Chilean University. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study in which the validated Spanish version of the Kogan's Attitudes Toward Old People Scale (KAOP) was applied to 43 students in the aforementioned course. The average scores were compared for the variables gender and interaction with the elderly. RESULTS: A trend towards a positive attitude was observed. No differences were found for the variables described. An analysis was carried out with the items in which trends towards negative attitude were reported, and the implications were discussed. CONCLUSION: Although a positive attitude was reported, aspects of student academic training should be more comprehensively studied with a view to improving the quality of assistance provided to the elderly.

OBJETIVO: Describir las actitudes hacia el envejecimiento por parte de los estudiantes de último año de estudios pertenecientes a la Carrera de Fonoaudiología de una Universidad Chilena. MÉTODO: Se llevó a cabo un estudio de Corte Transversal, mediante el cual se aplicó la validación al español de la Escala de Actitudes Hacia el Envejecimiento de Kogan (KAOP) a 43 estudiantes de esta carrera. Se compararon los promedios de puntuación según variable género, y aquellas relacionadas a la interacción con adultos mayores. RESULTADOS: Hubo una tendencia hacia la actitud positiva. No se encontraron diferencias según las variables mencionadas. Se llevó a cabo un análisis de aquellos ítems donde se reportaron tendencias hacia actitud negativa, discutiendo sus implicancias. CONCLUSIÓN: Si bien hubo reporte de actitud positiva, resulta necesario continuar profundizando en aspectos de la formación académica de los estudiantes, con miras a mejorar la calidad de la atención de los adultos mayores.

Outcomes in patients with severe COVID-19 disease treated with tocilizumab: a case-controlled study.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 is an ongoing threat to society. Patients who develop the most severe forms of the disease have high mortality. The interleukin-6 inhibitor tocilizumab has the potential to improve outcomes in these patients by preventing the development of cytokine release storm. AIMS: To evaluate the outcomes of patients with severe COVID-19 disease treated with the interleukin-6 inhibitor tocilizumab. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, case-control, single-center study in patients with severe to critical COVID-19 disease treated with tocilizumab. Disease severity was defined based on the amount of oxygen supplementation required. The primary endpoint was the overall mortality. Secondary endpoints were mortality in non-intubated patients and mortality in intubated patients. RESULTS: A total of 193 patients were included in the study. Ninety-six patients received tocilizumab, while 97 served as the control group. The mean age was 60 years. Patients over 65 years represented 43% of the population. More patients in the tocilizumab group reported fever, cough and shortness of breath (83%, 80% and 96% vs. 73%, 69% and 71%, respectively). There was a non-statistically significant lower mortality in the treatment group (52% vs. 62.1%, P = 0.09). When excluding intubated patients, there was statistically significant lower mortality in patients treated with tocilizumab (6% vs. 27%, P = 0.024). Bacteremia was more common in the control group (24% vs. 13%, P = 0.43), while fungemia was similar for both (3% vs. 4%, P = 0.72). CONCLUSION: Our study showed a non-statistically significant lower mortality in patients with severe to critical COVID-19 disease who received tocilizumab. When intubated patients were excluded, the use of tocilizumab was associated with lower mortality.

Bradycardia, Hypotension, and Cardiac Arrest: A Complication of Local Anesthetics.

Local anesthetics are routinely used in the field of medicine during many procedures, to alleviate acute pain. Although they are relatively safe, they have the ability to produce undesirable neurotoxic and cardiotoxic symptoms when administered intravascularly. Examples of cardiotoxicity include myocardial depression, cardiac arrhythmias, and cardiovascular collapse. The case below describes the adverse events of severe bradycardia, PR prolongation with subsequent heart block, and sinus arrest following an elective knee replacement in a 73-year-old male who received bupivacaine and ropivacaine.

Adecuaciones para la atención de personas con discapacidad sensorial en los CESFAM del Servicio de Salud Concepción / Adjustments for the care of people with sensory disabilities in primary health centers

BACKGROUND: People with Sensory Disabilities (PcDS) face barriers for equal access to health care. Thus, health centers require adjustments to comply with equal access that allows an universal coverage of care. AIM: To characterize the adjustments for the care of PcDS in primary health centers in Concepción, Chile. Material and Methods: Cross-sectional study using data obtained through a questionnaire to key informants or via Transparency Law, and direct observation. The variables were subdivided into four categories, namely infrastructure, communication, skills, and environment. RESULTS: The analyzed health centers have a high proportion of general adjustments of their physical settings. However, there is a lack of specific adjustments for deaf and blind people, especially communicational ones. Conclusions: There is a paucity of adjustments for the health care of PcDS in the analyzed health centers. This deficiency underscores the barriers faced by PcDS for receiving care in the Chilean public health system.

Aporte de la gestión de episodios críticos a la reducción de enfermedades respiratorias en las ciudades de Los Ángeles y Chillán, Chile / Contribution of the management of critical air pollution episodes to the reduction of respiratory diseases

Background: In southern Chile cities, the emission of air pollutants, especially the use of firewood for heating is restricted during critical air pollution periods. Aim: To analyze how restrictions applied during the management of air pollution critical episodes have contributed to reduce emergency room admissions for respiratory diseases in two Chilean cities between 2013 and 2019. Material and Methods: Poisson regression models were estimated with daily data including explanatory variables, such as the daily and lag concentration of respirable particulate material (PM10), temperature, relative humidity, rainfall, wind speed, seasonal factors, and implementation of different types of critical episodes. Results: The implementation of restrictions during the management of critical pollution episodes decreased emergency room admissions for upper respiratory infections and bronchial obstructive crises, especially when an environmental emergency was decreed during the critical episode. However, the effect on each group of respiratory diseases was heterogeneous between cities, which could be related to avoidance behavior, indoor air pollution, the composition of PM10, or the presence of other pollutants, and not just a reduction in the daily concentration of PM10. Conclusions: The management of critical pollution episodes with restrictions to pollutant emissions is a useful measure to improve population health in cities that have implemented environmental decontamination plans.

Actitudes hacia el envejecimiento por parte de los estudiantes de Fonoaudiología de una Universidad Chilena / Attitudes towards ageing of Speech-language Pathology students in a Chilean University

RESUMEN Objetivo Describir las actitudes hacia el envejecimiento por parte de los estudiantes de último año de estudios pertenecientes a la Carrera de Fonoaudiología de una Universidad Chilena. Método Se llevó a cabo un estudio de Corte Transversal, mediante el cual se aplicó la validación al español de la Escala de Actitudes Hacia el Envejecimiento de Kogan (KAOP) a 43 estudiantes de esta carrera. Se compararon los promedios de puntuación según variable género, y aquellas relacionadas a la interacción con adultos mayores. Resultados Hubo una tendencia hacia la actitud positiva. No se encontraron diferencias según las variables mencionadas. Se llevó a cabo un análisis de aquellos ítems donde se reportaron tendencias hacia actitud negativa, discutiendo sus implicancias. Conclusión Si bien hubo reporte de actitud positiva, resulta necesario continuar profundizando en aspectos de la formación académica de los estudiantes, con miras a mejorar la calidad de la atención de los adultos mayores.

ABSTRACT Purpose Describe the attitudes towards ageing of senior undergraduate Speech-language Pathology students in a Chilean University. Methods This is a cross-sectional study in which the validated Spanish version of the Kogan's Attitudes Toward Old People Scale (KAOP) was applied to 43 students in the aforementioned course. The average scores were compared for the variables gender and interaction with the elderly. Results A trend towards a positive attitude was observed. No differences were found for the variables described. An analysis was carried out with the items in which trends towards negative attitude were reported, and the implications were discussed. Conclusion Although a positive attitude was reported, aspects of student academic training should be more comprehensively studied with a view to improving the quality of assistance provided to the elderly.

Manejo deglutorio del adulto mayor institucionalizado por parte de técnicos en enfermería: un estudio cualitativo / Swallowing Management of Institutionalized Older Adults by Nursing Technicians: A Qualitative Study / Manejo deglutório do idoso institucionalizado por parte de técnicos em enfermagem: um estudo qualitativo

Resumen Introducción: se busca profundizar acerca del manejo cotidiano de las complicaciones de la deglución en centros del adulto mayor, las cuales generalmente asume el técnico o auxiliar de enfermería (TENS), quienes son los encargados de su alimentación. Materiales y métodos: se llevó a cabo un estudio con enfoque cualitativo basado en la teoría fundamentada. Se realizaron grupos de discusión y entrevistas en profundidad a dieciocho TENS de tres establecimientos de larga estadía en la Araucanía (Chile). Se analizaron los datos a través de codificación abierta y axial, con los cuales se obtuvieron seis categorías analíticas sobre esta situación. Resultados: los TENS y los auxiliares de la alimentación reportaron desconocimiento del uso y pertinencia de estas; además, comentaron que dichas maniobras las aprendieron mediante la observación a otros profesionales itinerantes dentro del centro, y no producto de la formación o trabajo interdisciplinario. Conclusión: dado el contexto y las limitaciones derivadas de la formación de los TENS, surge la necesidad de incrementar sus conocimientos y mejorar sus prácticas relacionadas con la deglución y alimentación, con el objetivo de disminuir el riesgo de ocurrencia de situaciones que agraven la salud de los adultos mayores. Se discute, así mismo, la pertinencia de que estos centros cuenten con profesionales capacitados en cuanto al abordaje de los trastornos de la deglución, pues ello contribuirá a mejorar este aspecto, en función del trabajo coordinado con el resto del equipo.

Abstract Introduction: This study examines the daily management of swallowing complications of older adults in centers, which generally assumes that the technician or auxiliary nurses (TENS) are the ones in charge of their feeding. Materials and Methods: A study was conducted with a qualitative approach based on the grounded theory. A focus group and in-depth interviews were performed with 18 nursing technicians and assistants from 3 long-stay facilities in Araucanía, Chile. Data were analyzed through open and axial coding, obtaining 6 analytical categories on this situation. Results: The TENS and auxiliary feeding reported to have no knowledge of the use and relevance of these maneuvers and reported that these were learned via the observation of other traveling professionals within the center and were not a product of interdisciplinary training. Conclusion: Given the context and the limitations derived from the formation of TENS, there is the need to increase their knowledge and improve their practices related to swallowing and feeding, with the aim of reducing the risk of occurrence of situations that aggravate the health of older adults. The relevance of these centers incorporating qualified professionals in the management of swallowing disorders, who would also contribute to improving these aspects, based on coordinated work with the rest of the team was also discussed.

Resumo Introdução: se busca aprofundar acerca do manejo cotidiano das complicações da deglução em centros do idoso, os quais geralmente os assume o técnico ou auxiliar de enfermagem (TENS) os quais são os encarregados de sua alimentação. Materiais e métodos: levou-se a cabo um estudo com enfoque qualitativo baseado na teoria fundamentada. Se realizaram focus group e entrevistas em profundidade a 18 TENS de 3 estabelecimentos de longa estadia em Auracanía, Chile. Se analisaram os dados através de codificação aberta e axial, obtendo-se 6 categorias analíticas sobre esta situação. Resultados: os TENS e auxiliares da alimentação reportaram desconhecimento do uso e pertinência destas, comentando para além de ditas manobras foram aprendidas através da observação a outros profissionais itinerantes dentro do centro, e não produto da formação ou trabalho interdisciplinar. Conclusão: devido ao contexto e às limitações derivadas da formação dos TENS, surge a necessidade de incrementar seus conhecimentos e melhorar suas práticas relacionadas à deglução e alimentação, com o objetivo de diminuir o risco de ocorrência de situações que agravem a saúde dos idosos. Se discute para além da pertinência de que estes centros contem com profissionais idóneos em quanto à abordagem dos transtornos da deglução, que contribuíram também a melhorar estes aspectos, em função do trabalho coordenado com o resto da equipe.

Caracterización del uso de fuentes de información para el acceso a criterios diagnósticos por parte de fonoaudiólogas y fonoaudiólogos en Chile / Characterizing the use of information sources for accessing diagnostic criteria by speech and language therapists in Chile

En el modelo de la Práctica Basada en la Evidencia el fonoaudiólogo debe conocer los criterios diagnósticos y el nivel de evidencia de los procedimientos de intervención para ofrecer un tratamiento adecuado. En la literatura se describe un bajo grado de formación académica y un escaso uso de la Práctica Basada en la Evidencia como fuente de acceso a diagnósticos y tratamientos. Este estudio investigó las dificultades de los fonoaudiólogos para acceder a los criterios para el diagnóstico fonoaudiológico. Se realizó una encuesta masiva online a 384 fonoaudiólogos, usando un método cuantitativo, descriptivo y transeccional. Los resultados indican que, independiente de los años de ejercicio laboral, un 79,7% de los encuestados utiliza fuentes secundarias para el acceso a criterios para el diagnóstico fonoaudiológico, un 46% no conoce fuentes de información fiables para acceder a diagnósticos y un 73,4% afirma haber tenido dificultades para acceder a criterios diagnósticos. Los sujetos encuestados no utilizan fuentes primarias que les permitan acceder a criterios que apoyen los diagnósticos fonoaudiológicos. Por lo anterior, se considera relevante educar sobre Práctica Basada en la Evidencia en el contexto universitario.

In the Evidence-Based Practice model, the speech and language therapist must know the diagnostic criteria and be aware of the evidence supporting the intervention procedures, to provide an effective treatment. However, the literature describes both low levels of academic training and scarce use of evidence-based practices as a base of speech and language diagnosis and treatments. This study probes into the difficulties speech and language therapists face to access the diagnostic criteria and their bibliographic references. A massive online survey was conducted with 384 speech therapists, using a quantitative, descriptive and transectional method. Results show that 79.7% of respondents use secondary sources to access criteria on which subsequently base their speech and language diagnoses, 46% do not know reliable sources of information to access criteria for diagnoses and 73.4% maintain that they had difficulties in accessing diagnostic criteria. These difficulties do not recede with years of practice. Based on these results it is possible to conclude that surveyed therapists presented difficulty to find information on which to establish their diagnostic criteria and they do not use primary sources for access information. All of this supports training students on Evidence Based Practice when in their University programs.