Prospective analysis of clinician accuracy in the diagnosis of benign anorrectal pathology: the value of clinical information.

AIM: the prevalence of anorectal disorders in general population is high. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of clinical symptoms on diagnostic accuracy for benign anorectal pathology among different specialists and evaluate the relationship between diagnostic accuracy and years of professional experience. METHODS: seven typical cases were selected. In a first interview, participants were shown images and asked to make a diagnosis. Afterwards, images with additional information (clinical symptoms) were used. Two groups (group 1 = general surgeons and group 2 = medical specialists who attended emergency department) completed both phases of the study to analyze the influence of clinical symptoms on the final diagnosis. RESULTS: forty four specialists were interviewed. The percentage of participants making a correct diagnosis in groups 1 and 2, respectively, was as follows: case 1 (perianal abscess): 100 vs. 80.6%, (p = 0.157); case 2 (fissure): 92.3 vs. 51.6% (p = 0.015); case 3 (thrombosed hemorrhoid): 92.3 vs. 74.2% (p = 0.321); case 4 (anal condyloma): 100 vs. 87.1% (p = 0.302); case 5 (rectal prolapse): 100 vs. 83.9% (p = 0.301); case 6 (prolapsed hemorrhoid): 92.3 vs. 29% (p = 0.001), and case 7 (fistula): 100 vs. 67.7% (p = 0.021). There were significant differences in the number of correctly diagnosed cases between groups (p < 0.001). Information about clinical symptoms significantly increased overall and specific accuracy. There was no correlation between experience and accuracy. CONCLUSIONS: clinical symptoms are important for diagnostic accuracy in anorectal pathology. Training in anorectal pathology in medical specialists is warranted.

[Changes in the complaints made to a General and Gastrointestinal Surgery Department after a change in hospital structure and function]. / Variación en las reclamaciones dirigidas a un Servicio de Cirugía General y del Aparato Digestivo tras un cambio estructural y funcional hospitalario.

OBJECTIVE: The complaints to a medical service are a measure of the quality of health care perceived by the patients. The aim of this study was to analyse the differences found in the percentage of complaints made to the General and Gastrointestinal Surgery Department (GGSD) with the changes made due to moving to a new hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A longitudinal study of the percentage of complaints made to the GGSD in two 6 month periods in the same year (periods A and B). The Department was moved to a new hospital between the two periods. The percentage complaints associated with the hospital and outpatient activity is compared. RESULTS: The percentage complaints made to the GGSD was 3.02% directed at the hospital service and 0.44% to outpatient care. When both periods were compared, a statistically significant difference was observed in the hospital complaints (A: 3.74% vs B: 2.20%, P=.006) and in the outpatient complaints (A: 0.53% vs. B: 0.34%, P=.005). It could also be shown that there was a continuous significant correlation in the parallel decrease in the hospital and outpatient complaints (R:0.988 P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: The structural and functional change due to moving to a new hospital showed that the percentage of complaints made to the GGSD changed significantly in the period studied. Prospective multicentre studies are required to evaluate whether these results can be extrapolated to other services.

Risk factors for umbilical trocar site incisional hernia in laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a prospective 3-year follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Trocar site incisional hernia (TSIH) is a common complication after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of TSIH and analyze the influence of several risk factors for this complication in a prospective series. METHODS: From 2007 to 2008, a prospective observational study with 3 years of follow-up was performed including all consecutive patients with cholelithiasis who underwent elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. A multivariate analysis was performed to identify risk factors for TSIH. RESULTS: Overall, 241 patients were included. During a median follow-up period of 46.8 months, 57 patients (25.9%) were diagnosed with umbilical TSIH by physical exam or ultrasound. The multivariate analysis revealed that incision enlargement (odds ratio [OR], 14.17; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.61 to 55.51; P < .001), wound infection (OR, 5.62; 95% CI, 2.35 to 13.42; P < .001), diabetes mellitus (OR, 2.79; 95% CI, 1.05 to 7.37; P = .0038), and obesity (OR, 2.71; 95% CI, 1.28 to 5.75; P = .009) contributed to the risk for developing a TSIH. CONCLUSIONS: Umbilical TSIH is highly prevalent. This study identified several factors that could be useful to introduce preventive measures in high-risk patients.

Análisis prospectivo de la precisión diagnóstica en la patología anorrectal benigna: importancia de la información clínica / Prospective analysis of clinician accuracy in the diagnosis of benign anorectal pathology: the value of clinical information

Objetivo: la prevalencia de los trastornos anorrectales benignos en la población general es alta. El objetivo de este estudio es analizar la influencia de los síntomas clínicos en la precisión diagnóstica de la patología benigna anorrectal entre los diferentes especialistas y evaluar la relación entre el diagnóstico de la enfermedad y los años de experiencia profesional entre los profesionales participantes. Pacientes y métodos: se seleccionaron 7 casos típicos. En una primera entrevista, se mostró a los participantes las imágenes clínicas de cada caso y se les pidió que formularan un diagnóstico. Posteriormente, se volvió a mostrar las mismas imágenes con información clínica adicional. Dos grupos (grupo 1 = especialistas en cirugía general y digestiva y grupo 2 = especialistas de especialidades médicas con asistencia en el área de urgencias) completaron las dos fases del estudio para analizar la influencia de los síntomas clínicos en el diagnóstico final. También se analizó la relación entre la precisión diagnóstica y los años de experiencia de cada profesional. Resultados: se entrevistaron a 44 especialistas. El porcentaje de participantes que realizó un diagnóstico correcto en el grupo 1 y 2, fue respectivamente: caso 1 (absceso perianal): 100 vs. 80.6%, (p = 0,157); caso 2 (fisura anal): 92,3 vs. 51.6% (p = 0,015); caso 3 (hemorroide trombosada): 92,3 vs. 74,2% (p = 0,321); caso 4 (condiloma anal): 100 vs. 87,1% (p = 0,302); caso 5 (prolapso rectal): 100 vs. 83.9% (p = 0,301); caso 6 (prolapso hemorroidal): 92,3 vs. 29% (p = 0,001), y caso 7 (fístula perianal): 100 vs. 67,7% (p = 0,021). Se observaron diferencias en el número de los diagnósticos correctos entre grupos (p < 0,001). Globalmente, la información sobre síntomas clínicos incrementó significativamente la precisión específicamente, no observándose correlación entre experiencia profesional y precisión. Conclusiones: los síntomas clínicos son importantes para la precisión diagnóstica de la patología anorrectal benigna. La formación específica de especialistas médicos en esta patología anorrectal está claramente justificada(AU)

Aim: the prevalence of anorectal disorders in general population is high. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of clinical symptoms on diagnostic accuracy for benign anorectal pathology among different specialists and evaluate the relation ship between diagnostic accuracy and years of professional expe rience. Methods: seven typical cases were selected. In a first interview, participants were shown images and asked to make a diagnosis. Afterwards, images with additional information (clinical symptoms) were used. Two groups (group 1 = general surgeons and group 2 = medical specialists who attended emergency department) completed both phases of the study to analyze the influence of clinical symptoms on the final diagnosis. Results: forty four specialists were interviewed. The percentage of participants making a correct diagnosis in groups 1 and 2, respectively, was as follows: case 1 (perianal abscess): 100 vs. 80.6%, (p = 0.157); case 2 (fissure): 92.3 vs. 51.6% (p = 0.015); case 3 (thrombosed hemorrhoid): 92.3 vs. 74.2% (p = 0.321); case 4 (anal condyloma): 100 vs. 87.1% (p = 0.302); case 5 (rectal prolapse): 100 vs. 83.9% (p = 0.301); case 6 (prolapsed hemorrhoid): 92.3 vs. 29% (p = 0.001), and case 7 (fistula): 100 vs. 67.7% (p = 0.021). There were significant differences in the number of correctly diagnosed cases be - tween groups (p < 0.001). Information about clinical symptoms significantly increased overall and specific accuracy. There was no correlation between experience and accuracy. Conclusions: clinical symptoms are important for diagnostic accuracy in anorectal pathology. Training in anorectal pathology in medical specialists is warranted(AU)

Variación en las reclamaciones dirigidas a un Servicio de Cirugía General y del Aparato Digestivo tras un cambio estructural y funcional hospitalario / Changes in the complaints made to a General and Gastrointestinal Surgery Department after a change in hospital structure and function

Objetivo Las reclamaciones de un servicio médico son una medida de la calidad asistencial percibida por los pacientes. El objetivo del estudio fue analizar la variación producida en el porcentaje de reclamaciones dirigidas al Servicio de Cirugía General y del Aparato Digestivo (CGD) en relación a los cambios producidos por el traslado a un nuevo hospital. Material y métodos Estudio longitudinal del porcentaje de reclamaciones dirigidas al Servicio de CGD en dos periodos de 6 meses de un mismo año (periodos A y B). Entre uno y otro periodo se realizó el traslado a un nuevo hospital. Se compara el porcentaje de reclamaciones asociadas a la actividad hospitalaria y en consultas externas. Resultados El porcentaje de reclamaciones dirigidas al Servicio de CGD fue del 3,02% dirigidas a las altas de hospitalización y 0,44% dirigidas a la atención en consultas externas. Cuando se compararon ambos periodos, se observó una disminución estadísticamente significativa de las reclamaciones en hospitalización (A: 3,74% vs B: 2,20%, p=0,006) y en consultas externas (A: 0,53% vs. B: 0,34%, p=0,005). Se pudo constatar también que la disminución paralela de las reclamaciones de hospitalización y de consultas externas siguió una correlación lineal significativa (R:0,988 p<0,001).Conclusiones El cambio estructural y funcional por el traslado a un nuevo hospital comportó que el porcentaje de reclamaciones dirigidas al Servicio de CGD disminuyera de manera significativa en el periodo estudiado. Son necesarios estudios prospectivos y multicéntricos que permitan evaluar si estos resultados son superponibles a otros medios (AU)

Objective The complaints to a medical service are a measure of the quality of health care perceived by the patients. The aim of this study was to analyse the differences found in the percentage of complaints made to the General and Gastrointestinal Surgery Department (GGSD) with the changes made due to moving to a new hospital. Material and methods A longitudinal study of the percentage of complaints made to the GGSD in two 6 month periods in the same year (periods A and B). The Department was moved to a new hospital between the two periods. The percentage complaints associated with the hospital and outpatient activity is compared. Results The percentage complaints made to the GGSD was 3.02% directed at the hospital service and 0.44% to outpatient care. When both periods were compared, a statistically significant difference was observed in the hospital complaints (A: 3.74% vs B: 2.20%, P=.006) and in the outpatient complaints (A: 0.53% vs. B: 0.34%, P=.005). It could also be shown that there was a continuous significant correlation in the parallel decrease in the hospital and outpatient complaints (R:0.988P<.001).Conclusions The structural and functional change due to moving to a new hospital showed that the percentage of complaints made to the GGSD changed significantly in the period studied. Prospective multicentre studies are required to evaluate whether these results can be extrapolated to other services (AU)

Impacto de la implementación de medidas de gestión hospitalaria para aumentar la eficiencia en la gestión de camas y disminuir la saturación del servicio de urgencias / Impact of hospital management measures on improving the efficiency of bed allocation and reducing emergency department overcrowding

Objetivo: Analizar el impacto de la implementación de medidas para reducir el número de pacientes ubicados en urgencias en es pera de cama de hospitalización. Método: Tipo de estudio: comparativo con un análisis retrospectivo. Se compararon dos periodos: periodo 1 (nov 06-oct 07) y periodo 2 (nov 07-oct 08). Ámbito: Hospitalde Sant Boi, hospital general de 126 camas, en Sant Boi de Llobregat (Barcelona). Medidas implementadas: disminución de la estancia prequirúrgica, incremento de la cirugía mayor ambulatoria (CMA) y potenciación del ingreso en una unidad de corta estancia médica (UCE). Variables estudiadas: admisiones en el SUH, ingresos hospitalarios, ingresos de CMA, el número de días en que hay al menos 1 paciente pendiente de cama hospitalaria en el SUH a las 8:00 horas, estancia promedio hospitalaria, actividad y estancia promedio en la UCE. Resultados: El total de admisiones en el SUH fue de 57.140 en el periodo 1, y 71.280 en el periodo 2, con 4.840 (8,4%) y 5.385 (7,5%) ingresos, respectivamente. La estancia media de hospitalización disminuyó de 5,2 días a 4,5 días (p < 0,001). En 86 días del periodo 1, uno o más pacientes permanecían en el SUH pendientes de cama (307 pacientes/año), frente a 11 días en el período 2 (26 pacientes/año). Conclusiones: En nuestra experiencia, las medidas de gestión aplicadas fueron eficaces en la disminución del número de pacientes pendientes de cama en urgencias (AU)

Objective: To analyze the impact of hospital management measures to reduce the number of patients held in an emergency department while awaiting admission. Methods: Type of study: retrospective, comparing 2 periods, November 2006 to October 2007 and November 2007 to October 2008. Setting: Hospital de Sant Boi, a 126-bed general hospital in Sant Boi de Llobregat in the province of Barcelona. Management measures: decreased presurgical stay, increased use of ambulatory surgical procedures, and increased use of a medical short-stay unit. Variables studied: emergency department admissions, hospital ward admissions, admissions for ambulatory surgical procedures, number of days in which at least 1 patient was in the emergency department at 8 A.M. while waiting for a bed, mean hospital stay, and admissions and average time spent in the short-stay unit. Results: A total of 57140 patients were admitted to the emergency department in the first period and 71280 in the second period; 4840 (8.4%) were admitted to hospital in the first period and 5385 (7.5%) in the second. The average length of stay was 5.19 days in the first period and 4.54 days in the second (P<.001). At least 1 patient was waiting in the emergency department for a hospital bed to become available on 86 days in the first period (307 patients/year) and11 days in the second period (26 patients/year). Conclusions: The management measures applied in this case were effective in reducing the number of patients held in the emergency department while waiting for admission (AU)