Competências gerenciais: conhecimento de enfermeiros / Managerial competencies: knowledge of nurses / Competencias de gestión: conocimiento de las enfermeras

Introdução: A enfermagem é considerada uma das ocupações mais versáteis dentro da força de trabalho de saúde. A gestão dos serviços de enfermagem é essencial para o sucesso da instituição de saúde e para a qualidade e segurança da assistência ao paciente. O enfermeiro gestor precisa ser apto a trabalhar e conduzir com cooperação e dinamismo a sua equipe, com respaldo em conhecimento técnico e valores éticos. Objetivo: Investigar o conhecimento dos enfermeiros quanto às competências gerenciais. Método: Estudo descritivo, exploratório, de abordagem qualitativa, realizado com enfermeiros, de um hospital universitário de pequeno porte, situado na região noroeste do estado do Paraná. As entrevistas foram pautadas na seguinte questão norteadora "Fale-me sobre as competências gerenciais executadas pelo enfermeiro?", após coleta dos dados, os mesmos foram transcritos e analisados segundo análise de conteúdo de Bardin. Resultados: Participaram do estudo sete enfermeiros, com idades entre 22 a 35 anos, a maioria desses profissionais terminaram a graduação em menos de três anos e atuavam naquela unidade de saúde, há menos de menos de um ano. A partir da análise das entrevistas emergiram três categorias, sendo elas: Habilidades para gestão; Dificuldades para gerenciar; e, Potencialidades/Facilidades para gerenciar. Principais resultados: por meio deste estudo foi possível notar que as percepções acerca das atribuições dos enfermeiros foram bem esclarecidas, demonstrando que a gerência está ligada às questões técnicas e burocráticas, e da sua relevância na condução eficiente da equipe sob sua liderança. Conclusão: Observa-se que há a necessidade de os profissionais de enfermagem compreenderem que a formação teórica e prática das atividades de educação continuada devem ser buscadas com afinco e não devem somente aguardar que os serviços de saúde as ofereçam.

Objective: To investigate nurses' knowledge of managerial skills. Method: Descriptive, exploratory study, with a qualitative approach, carried out with nurses from a small university hospital, located in the northwest region of the state of Paraná. The interviews were guided by the following guiding question "Tell me about the managerial competences performed by the nurse?", after collecting the data, they were transcribed and analyzed according to Bardin's content analysis. Results: Seven nurses participated in the study, aged between 22 and 35 years, most of these professionals finished their graduation in less than three years and worked in that health unit for less than less than a year. From the analysis of the interviews, three categories emerged, namely: Management skills; Difficulties to manage; and, Potential/Facilities to manage. Main results: through this study, it was possible to notice that the perceptions about the nurses' attributions were well clarified, demonstrating that the management is linked to technical and bureaucratic issues, and their relevance in the efficient management of the team under their leadership. Conclusion: It is observed that there is a need for nursing professionals to understand that the theoretical and practical training of continuing education activities should be pursued diligently and should not just wait for the health services to offer them.

Introducción: La enfermería se considera una de las ocupaciones más versátiles dentro del personal sanitario. La gestión de los servicios de enfermería es esencial para el éxito de la institución sanitaria y para la calidad y seguridad de la atención al paciente. El enfermero gestor debe ser capaz de trabajar y dirigir a su equipo con cooperación y dinamismo, apoyándose en conocimientos técnicos y valores éticos. Objetivo: Investigar los conocimientos de las enfermeras sobre las competencias de gestión. Método: Estudio descriptivo, exploratorio, de abordaje cualitativo, realizado con enfermeros, de un hospital universitario de pequeño porte, situado en la región noroeste del estado de Paraná. Las entrevistas se basaron en la siguiente pregunta orientadora: "Háblame de las competencias directivas que desempeñan las enfermeras". Tras la recogida de datos, se transcribieron y analizaron según el análisis de contenido de Bardin. Resultados: Participaron en el estudio siete enfermeros, con edades comprendidas entre los 22 y los 35 años, la mayoría de estos profesionales terminaron el grado en menos de tres años y permanecieron en la unidad de salud, por lo menos un año. Del análisis de las entrevistas surgieron tres categorías, a saber Habilidades para la gestión; Dificultades para la gestión; y, Potencialidades/Facilidades para la gestión. Principales resultados: a través de este estudio se ha podido constatar que las percepciones sobre las atribuciones de los enfermeros se han esclarecido, demostrando que la gerencia está ligada a las cuestiones técnicas y brocráticas, y a su relevancia en la conducción eficiente del equipo bajo su liderazgo. Conclusión: Se observa que existe la necesidad de que los profesionales de la enfermería comprendan que la formación teórica y práctica de las actividades de educación continuada debe ser buscada con afán y no debe aguantar que los servicios de salud los ofrezcan.

Consultorio de Salud Ambiental en un Hospital Privado de Comunidad de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires / Environmental Health consulting office in a Private Community Hospital of the Buenos Aires City

En los últimos años surge el concepto de Una Sola Salud que reconoce la interdependencia sistémica al observar que los cambios en la salud humana se expresan de manera sincrónica e indivisible de la salud del ambiente. Nuevas enfermedades y daños crónicos inespecíficos ocurren a la par de la pérdida de biodiversidad y vitalidad. En las últimas décadas venimos observando el surgimiento de "adaptaciones sistémicas" que requieren un abordaje desde la clínica y la toxicología a nivel individual y desde la epidemiología de la complejidad a nivel poblacional. Luego de un largo recorrido de investigaciones, el Hospital Italiano formalizó el consultorio de Salud Ambiental con la intención de brindar respuesta a la demanda de pacientes que atribuyen síntomas y signos a la polución ambiental. (AU)

In recent years, the concept of One Health has emerged, recognizing the systemic interdependence and the changes in human health that are expressed synchronously and indivisible from the environment. New diseases and nonspecific chronic damage are occuring in parallel with the loss of biodiversity and vitality.In recent decades we have observed the appearance of "systemic adaptations" that require a clinical and toxicological approach at the individual level, and address the population level from an epidemiological and complexity science paradigm. After many years of research, the Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires formalized the Environmental Health consulting office and the measurement of glyphosate levels, giving answer to the demand of patients who associate their signs and symptoms to environmental pollution. (AU)

Estratégias para o enfrentamento da pandemia de COVID-19 em hospitais universitários: estudo descritivo / Strategies for coping with the COVID-19 pandemic in university hospitals: a descriptive study / Estrategias para enfrentar la pandemia de COVID-19 en hospitales universitarios: estudio descriptivo

OBJETIVO: Descrever estratégias desenvolvidas para o enfrentamento da pandemia de COVID-19 em hospitais universitários. MÉTODO: Pesquisa descritiva, com abordagem quanti-qualitativa, desenvolvida a partir de um survey online com 104 enfermeiros de três hospitais universitários brasileiros. O processamento dos dados foi realizado por meio de análise textual com auxílio do software IRAMUTEQ®. RESULTADOS: Foram obtidas seis classes semânticas que representam as principais estratégias desenvolvidas para o enfrentamento da pandemia de COVID-19 no ambiente hospitalar: 1) Fornecimento de Equipamentos de Proteção Individual (17,2%); 2) Capacitações da equipe para o cuidado (18,8%); 3) Treinamento da equipe de apoio (15,6%); 4) Aquisição de equipamentos com boa qualidade (14,1%); 5) Definição de fluxos institucionais (20,5%) e 6) Promoção de apoio psicológico (14,1%). CONCLUSÃO: As estratégias elencadas pelos enfermeiros têm contribuído para a qualidade da assistência prestada aos pacientes, bem como a manutenção da saúde do trabalhador.

OBJECTIVE: To describe strategies developed to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic in university hospitals. METHOD: A descriptive research study with a quantitative and qualitative approach, developed from an online survey with 104 nurses from three Brazilian university hospitals. Data processing was performed through textual analysis with the aid of the IRAMUTEQ® software. RESULTS: Six semantic classes were obtained that represent the main strategies developed to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic in the hospital environment: 1) Provision of Personal Protective Equipment (17.2%); 2) Training of the team for the care to be provided (18.8%); 3) Training of the support team (15.6%); 4) Acquisition of good quality equipment (14.1%); 5) Definition of institutional flows (20.5%); and 6) Promotion of psychological support (14.1%). CONCLUSION: The strategies listed by the nurses have contributed to the quality of the care provided to the patients, as well as to preserving the workers' health.

OBJETIVO: Describir las estrategias que se desarrollaron en los hospitales universitarios para enfrentar la pandemia de COVID-19. MÉTODO: Investigación descriptiva, con enfoque cuantitativo y cualitativo, desarrollada a partir de survey online con 104 enfermeros de tres hospitales universitarios brasileños. El procesamiento de datos se realizó mediante análisis textual con la ayuda del software IRAMUTEQ®. RESULTADOS: Se obtuvieron seis clases semánticas que representan las principales estrategias desarrolladas para enfrentar la pandemia de COVID-19 en el ámbito hospitalario: 1) Suministro de Equipos de Protección Personal (17,2%); 2) Capacitación del equipo para la atención (18,8%); 3) Entrenamiento del equipo de apoyo (15,6%); 4) Adquisición de equipos de buena calidad (14,1%); 5) Definición de flujos institucionales (20,5%) y 6) Promoción de apoyo psicológico (14,1%). CONCLUSIÓN: Las estrategias enumeradas por los enfermeros han contribuido a la calidad de la atención que se les prestó a los pacientes y a mantener la salud de los trabajadores.

"I need to have a fulfilling job": A qualitative study of surgeon well-being and professional fulfillment.

BACKGROUND: Burnout, often regarded as an individual failing, rather than a systemic one, negatively impacts quality of care, patient safety and healthcare costs. Focusing on improving well-being can help mitigate burnout. This study examined protective factors that promote well-being and professional fulfillment in surgeons. METHODS: Using a purposive sample, 32 semi-structured 30-60-min interviews were conducted with surgeons of varying sub-specialties and rank. Abductive exploratory analysis was used to code and interpret interview transcripts and to build a conceptual model of surgeon well-being. RESULTS: Emergent protective factors were placed into one of three levels of implementation: individual, team-level, and institutional (figure). Individual factors for well-being included autonomy and adequate time to pursue non-clinical endeavors. Team-level factors consisted of adaptability, boundaries, and cohesion. Institutional factors related to diversifying performance evaluations and celebrating and recognizing individual value and contributions. CONCLUSIONS: The conceptual model developed from the results of this study highlights factors important to surgeons' professional well-being. This model can be used to guide quality improvement efforts.

Analysis of potential drug interactions in medical clinic sector in a Hospital of João Pessoa - PB

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate drug interactions based on medical records of patients hospitalized in University Hospital Lauro Wanderley (UHLW) in João Pessoa-PB, Brazil. This was a quantitative, descriptive study with a cross-sectional design. This research was conducted in the medical clinic of the above hospital by analyzing pharmaceutical intervention in medical records. The investigated samples consisted of all medical profiles with drug interaction information of patients hospitalized from June 2016 to June 2017. Most of these drug interactions were determined and classified by Micromedex® Solutions database. This research was approved by the Ethics Committee in Institutional Human Research, protocol number 2.460.206. In total, 331 drug interactions were found in 131 medical profiles. Dipyrone, enoxaparin, sertraline, ondansetron, quetiapine, tramadol, bromopride, amitriptyline, and simvastatin were medications that showed highest interactions. According to Anatomical Therapy Classification (ATC), drugs that act on the central nervous system result in more interactions. The most prevalent interaction was between dipyrone and enoxaparin. Some limitations of this study are the lack of notifications and data on drug interactions.

Variants translating reduced expression of the beta estrogen receptor gene were associated with increased carotid intima media thickness: A cross-sectional study in late postmenopausal women.

ABSTRACT: There is debate on the role of estrogens in modulating the risk for atherosclerosis in women. Our purpose was to investigate whether the size of the estrogenic impact was independently associated with variation of carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in healthy late postmenopausal women. The levels of circulating estrogens have been used in previous studies but the influence of SNPs of the estrogen receptors (ER) α and ß have not been investigated.We performed a crossed-sectional study of 91 women in a university hospital. We used a double approach in which, in addition to the measurement of estradiol levels by ultrasensitive methods, genetic variants (SNPs) associated with differing expression of the ER α and ß genes were assessed. Multivariable analysis was used to examine the association of candidate factors with the value of IMT and plaque detection at both the carotid wall and the sinus.A genotype combination translating reduced gene expression of the ERß was directly associated with IMT at both the carotid wall (P = .001) and the sinus (P = .002). Other predictors of IMT were the levels of glucose, positively associated with IMT at both the carotid wall (P < .001) and the sinus (P = .001), age positively associated with IMT at the sinus (P = .003), and levels of vitamin D, positively associated with IMT at the carotid wall (P = .04).Poorer estrogenic impact, as concordant with a SNP variant imposing reduced expression of the ERß, was directly associated with IMT at both the carotid wall and the sinus. Glucose level, vitamin D only for the carotid wall, and age only for the sinus, also emerged as independent factors in the IMT variance.

Surgical management of diaphragmatic and thoracic endometriosis': A French multicentric descriptive study.

INTRODUCTION: Surgical management of Diaphragmatic and thoracic endometriosis (DTE) is still controversial, a thoracic or an abdominal approach can be proposed. METHODS: We conducted a multicentric retrospective study in 8 thoracic, gynecology or digestive surgery units in 5 French university hospitals. The main objective was to review the current management of DTE. RESULTS: 50 patients operated for DTE from 2010 to 2017 were included: 26 with a thoracic approach and 24 with an abdominal approach. Preoperative pelvic endometriosis (PE) concerned 25 patients. In 38 patients, DTE diagnosis was made on clinical symptoms (pneumothorax (n = 19), chronic or catamenial chest pain (n = 18) or hemopneumothorax (n = 1)). Median time from onset of symptoms to diagnosis was 47 months (0-212). PE surgery concurrently occurred in 22 patients. We report diaphragmatic nodules, pleuropulmonary nodules and diaphragmatic perforations in 42, 5 and 22 women respectively. Lesions were right-sided in 45 patients. Nodules were destructed in 12 cases and resected in 38 cases. When a diaphragmatic reconstruction was needed (n = 31), a simple suture was performed in 26 patients, while 5 patients needed a mesh repair. Pleural symphysis was performed for all patients who received a thoracic approach. DTE resection was considered complete in 46 patients. Three patients had severe 30-days complications of DTE surgery. Median follow-up was 20 months (range 1-69). Recurrence occurred in 10 patients. CONCLUSION: The results emphasize the importance of systematically looking for chest pain in patients suffering from PE and underline the lack of a standardized procedure and treatment in DTE.

Evaluation of Chemotherapy Regimen Management Practice by Oncology-Specialized and Non-specialized Pharmacists Collaboration.

Chemotherapy regimen management is one of the most important oncology pharmacy practices, because chemotherapy is conducted according to the registered regimens. In this study, we evaluated the pharmaceutical practice that assumes the initial confirmation of chemotherapy regimens and the quality of practice sharing between oncology-specialized and non-specialized pharmacists in regimen management committee. Pharmacists initially confirmed the applied regimen prescribed by physicians regarding chemotherapeutic agents and prophylactic supportive care medicines. Following confirmation, the regimens were reviewed by the Hokkaido University Hospital Regimen Management Committee. A total of 233 regimens were reviewed by the committee over three years. In total, 110 pharmaceutical inquiries were conducted, 45% of inquiries were concerning chemotherapeutic agents, of which approximately half were regarding supportive care medicines. Most inquiries were regarding premedication, followed by those on administration time, solvent of infusion medicines, and dosage. Correction was performed for 84.5% of inquiries. There was no significant difference in inquiry rates between practice and trial regimens. We have entrusted the first basic regimen review according to the checklist, creation of the chemotherapy plan document, and registry of the adopted regimens in the ordering system from oncology-certified pharmacists to non-certified pharmacists. Basic regimen review was well conducted by a non-certified pharmacist, and a more advanced review was additionally performed by certified pharmacists. In conclusion, we demonstrated the utility of pharmaceutical confirmation in a chemotherapeutic regimen review, suitable review coverage, and quality practice sharing between oncology-certified and non-certified pharmacists, which is one of the recommended methods in chemotherapy regimen review.

[Management of elective surgical activity in a tertiary hospital during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic]. / Gestión de la actividad quirúrgica electiva de un hospital terciario durante la pandemia por SARS-CoV-2.

INTRODUCTION: During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, elective surgical activity was reduced to a minimum. As both the number of cases and the hospitalization needs for this pathology decreased, we thought it appropriate to progressively recover scheduled surgical activity. This work describes how, even with the current alarm state, we were able to practically normalize this activity in a few weeks. METHODS: Two weeks before the intervention, the patients included in the waiting lists were contacted by telephone. After checking their health status and expressing their desire to undergo surgery, they were provided with recommendations to decrease the risk of coronavirus infection. Likewise, an exclusive circuit was established to carry out, 48 hours before the intervention, the detection of SARS-CoV-2 by means of exudates nasopharyngeal PCR. The results were evaluated by each surgical service and the anesthesiology service. In addition, asymptomatic Surgical Area professionals could undergo weekly screening for the early detection of coronavirus according to the recommendations of Occupational Health. RESULTS: In the midst of a pandemic, scheduled surgical activity was reduced by 85%. From the week of April 13, the operating rooms available were recovered, which allowed practically all surgical activity to be recovered the week of May 25. CONCLUSIONS: The creation of circuits and procedures to streamline surgical activity, still in full force of the state of alarm, has allowed us, in a few weeks, to recover almost all of it.

Organizational aspects of pediatric anesthesia and surgery between two waves of Covid-19.

BACKGROUND: The initial wave of the Covid-19 pandemic has hit Italy, and Lombardy in particular, with violence, forcing to reshape all hospitals' activities; this happened even in pediatric hospitals, although the young population seemed initially spared from the disease. "Vittore Buzzi" Children's Hospital, which is a pediatric/maternal hospital located in Milan (Lombardy Region), had to stop elective procedures-with the exception of urgent/emergent ones-between February and May 2020 to leave space and resources to adults' care. We describe the challenges of reshaping the hospital's identity and structure, and restarting pediatric surgery and anesthesia, from May on, in the most hit area of the world, with the purpose to avoid and contain infections. Both patients and caregivers admitted to hospital have been tested for Sars-CoV-2 in every case. METHODS: Observational cohort study via review of clinical charts of patients undergoing surgery between 16th May and 30th September 2020, together with SARS-CoV -2 RT-PCR testing outcomes, and comparison to same period surgeries in 2019. RESULTS: An increase of approximately 70% in pediatric surgeries (OR 1.68 [1.33-2.13], P < .001) and a higher increase in the number of surgeries were reported (OR 1.75 (1.43-2.15), P < .001). Considering only urgent procedures, a significant difference in the distribution of the type of surgery was observed (Chi-squared P-value < .001). Sars-CoV-2-positive patients have been 0.8% of total number; 14% of these was discovered through caregiver's positivity. CONCLUSION: We describe our pathway for safe pediatric surgery and anesthesia and the importance of testing both patient and caregiver.

Impact of treating iron deficiency, diagnosed according to hepcidin quantification, on outcomes after a prolonged ICU stay compared to standard care: a multicenter, randomized, single-blinded trial.

BACKGROUND: Anemia is a significant problem in patients on ICU. Its commonest cause, iron deficiency (ID), is difficult to diagnose in the context of inflammation. Hepcidin is a new marker of ID. We aimed to assess whether hepcidin levels would accurately guide treatment of ID in critically ill anemic patients after a prolonged ICU stay and affect the post-ICU outcomes. METHODS: In a controlled, single-blinded, multicenter study, anemic (WHO definition) critically ill patients with an ICU stay ≥ 5 days were randomized when discharge was expected to either intervention by hepcidin treatment protocol or control. In the intervention arm, patients were treated with intravenous iron (1 g of ferric carboxymaltose) when hepcidin was < 20 µg/l and with intravenous iron and erythropoietin for 20 ≤ hepcidin < 41 µg/l. Control patients were treated according to standard care (hepcidin quantification remained blinded). Primary endpoint was the number of days spent in hospital 90 days after ICU discharge (post-ICU LOS). Secondary endpoints were day 15 anemia, day 30 fatigue, day 90 mortality and 1-year survival. RESULTS: Of 405 randomized patients, 399 were analyzed (201 in intervention and 198 in control arm). A total of 220 patients (55%) had ID at discharge (i.e., a hepcidin < 41 µg/l). Primary endpoint was not different (medians (IQR) post-ICU LOS 33(13;90) vs. 33(11;90) days for intervention and control, respectively, median difference - 1(- 3;1) days, p = 0.78). D90 mortality was significantly lower in intervention arm (16(8%) vs 33(16.6%) deaths, absolute risk difference - 8.7 (- 15.1 to - 2.3)%, p = 0.008, OR 95% IC, 0.46, 0.22-0.94, p = 0.035), and one-year survival was improved (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Treatment of ID diagnosed according to hepcidin levels did not reduce the post-ICU LOS, but was associated with a significant reduction in D90 mortality and with improved 1-year survival in critically ill patients about to be discharged after a prolonged stay. TRIAL REGISTRATION: www.clinicaltrial.gov NCT02276690 (October 28, 2014; retrospectively registered).

Impact of COVID-19 on a Neurosurgical Service: Lessons from the University of California San Diego.

BACKGROUND: The institution-wide response of the University of California San Diego Health system to the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic was founded on rapid development of in-house testing capacity, optimization of personal protective equipment usage, expansion of intensive care unit capacity, development of analytic dashboards for monitoring of institutional status, and implementation of an operating room (OR) triage plan that postponed nonessential/elective procedures. We analyzed the impact of this triage plan on the only academic neurosurgery center in San Diego County, California, USA. METHODS: We conducted a de-identified retrospective review of all operative cases and procedures performed by the Department of Neurosurgery from November 24, 2019, through July 6, 2020, a 226-day period. Statistical analysis involved 2-sample z tests assessing daily case totals over the 113-day periods before and after implementation of the OR triage plan on March 16, 2020. RESULTS: The neurosurgical service performed 1429 surgical and interventional radiologic procedures over the study period. There was no statistically significant difference in mean number of daily total cases in the pre-versus post-OR triage plan periods (6.9 vs. 5.8 mean daily cases; 1-tail P = 0.050, 2-tail P = 0.101), a trend reflected by nearly every category of neurosurgical cases. CONCLUSIONS: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of California San Diego Department of Neurosurgery maintained an operative volume that was only modestly diminished and continued to meet the essential neurosurgical needs of a large population. Lessons from our experience can guide other departments as they triage neurosurgical cases to meet community needs.

Virtual Interviews May Fall Short for Pediatric Surgery Fellowships: Lessons Learned From COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2.

BACKGROUND: As a result of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, many Pediatric Surgery Fellowship programs were forced to convert their normal in-person interviews into virtual interviews. This study sought to determine the perceived value of virtual interviews for Pediatric Surgery Fellowship. METHODS: An anonymous survey was distributed to the applicants and faculty at a university-affiliated, free-standing children's hospital with a Pediatric Surgery fellowship program that conducted one of three interview days using a virtual format. RESULTS: All applicants who responded to the survey had at least one interview that was converted to a virtual interview. Faculty (75%) and applicants (87.5%) preferred in-person interviews over virtual interviews; most applicants (57%) did not feel they got to know the program as well with the virtual format. Applicants and faculty felt that virtual interviews could potentially be used as a screening tool in the future (7/10 Likert) but did not recommend they be used as a complete replacement for in-person interviews (3.5-5/10 Likert). Applicants were more likely than faculty to report that interview type influenced their final rank list (5 versus 3/10 Likert). CONCLUSIONS: Faculty and applicants preferred in-person interviews and did not recommend that virtual interviews replace in-person interviews. As the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic continues, more virtual interviews will be necessary, and innovations may be necessary to ensure an optimal interview process. TYPE OF STUDY: Survey. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: N/A.

COVID-19 free oncologic surgical hub: The experience of reallocation of a gynecologic oncology unit during pandemic outbreak.

INTRODUCTION: During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the majority of healthcare resources of the affected Italian regions were allocated to COVID-19 patients. Due to lack of resources and high risk of death, most cancer patients have been shifted to non-surgical treatments. The following reports our experience of a Gynaecologic Oncology Unit's reallocation of resources in a COVID-19 free surgical oncologic hub in order to guarantee standard quality of surgical activities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a prospective observational study performed in the Gynaecologic Oncology Unit, on the outcomes of the reallocation of surgical activities outside the University Hospital of Bologna, Italy, during the Italian lockdown period. Here, we described our COVID-19 free surgical oncologic pathway, in terms of lifestyle restrictions, COVID-19 screening measures, and patient clinical, surgical and follow up outcomes. RESULTS: During the lockdown period (March 9th - May 4th, 2020), 83 patients were scheduled for oncological surgery, 51 patients underwent surgery. Compared to pre-COVID period, we performed the same activities: number of cases scheduled for surgery, type of surgery and surgical and oncological results. No cases of COVID-19 infection were recorded in operated patients and in medical staff. Patients were compliant and well accepted the lifestyle restrictions and reorganization of the care. CONCLUSIONSONCLUSIONS: Our experience showed that the prioritization of oncological surgical care and the allocation of resources during a pandemic in COVID-19 free surgical hubs is an appropriate choice to guarantee oncological protocols.

Ocular oncology service during the COVID-19 outbreak in Florence (Italy): Practical considerations for the management of patients.

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has imposed the adoption of strategies to limit the risk of contagion for cancer patients without compromising their healthcare. As well as cancers of other sites, the treatment of certain ocular and periocular malignancies is considered non-deferrable and should proceed despite the pandemic. Delays in treatment of these patients may result in negative outcomes. Herein, we provide some practical considerations deriving from our experience at the Ocular Oncology Unit of Careggi University Hospital (Florence, Italy).

Insertion of nursing professionals in the management of materials in a teaching hospital of Paraná / Inserción de profesionales de enfermería en gestión de materiales en hospital universitario en Paraná / Inserção dos profissionais de enfermagem no gerenciamento de materiais em hospital universitário do Paraná

ABSTRACT Objectives: To analyze the perception of nursing professionals about their insertion in the material management process in hospital units. Methods: Exploratory study with a qualitative approach carried out in a university hospital in Paraná. Data collection was carried out between October and December 2019, through semi-structured interviews recorded in audio. The data were transcribed and submitted to thematic content analysis. Results: 35 nursing professionals participated in the study. From the speeches, four categories emerged: Participation in the process of planning and provision of materials; Sizing of resources in the institution; Participation in the quality control of materials; and Difficulties confronted in the material management process. Conclusion: The results indicate that nursing professionals have a low participation in the material management process and infer that they actively participate only in the quality control process through evaluations and notifications.

RESUMEN Objetivos: Analizar la percepción de los profesionales de enfermería acerca de su inserción en el proceso de gestión de materiales en unidades hospitalarias. Métodos: Estudio exploratorio con enfoque cualitativo realizado en un hospital universitario en Paraná. Se realizó a la recogida de los datos entre octubre y diciembre de 2019, a través de entrevistas semiestructuradas y grabadas en audio. Se transcribió a los datos y se los sometió a un análisis de contenido temático. Resultados: Participaron en el estudio 35 profesionales de enfermería. Surgieron cuatro categorías de los discursos: Participación en la planificación y provisión de materiales; Dimensionamiento de recursos materiales; Participación en el control de calidad de materiales; y, Dificultades enfrentadas en el proceso de gestión de materiales. Conclusión: Los resultados indican que los profesionales de enfermería tienen una baja participación en el proceso de gestión de materiales, e infieren que solo participan activamente en el proceso de control de calidad a través de evaluaciones y notificaciones.

RESUMO Objetivos: Analisar a percepção dos profissionais de enfermagem sobre a sua inserção no processo de gerenciamento de materiais em unidades hospitalares. Métodos: Estudo exploratório de abordagem qualitativa realizado em um hospital universitário no Paraná. A coleta de dados foi realizada entre outubro e dezembro de 2019, por meio de entrevista semiestruturada e gravada em áudio. Os dados foram transcritos e submetidos à análise de conteúdo temática. Resultados: Participaram do estudo 35 profissionais de enfermagem. Dos discursos, emergiram quatro categorias: Participação no processo de planejamento e provimento dos materiais; Dimensionamento de recursos materiais; Participação no controle de qualidade dos materiais; e, Dificuldades enfrentadas no processo de gerenciamento de materiais. Conclusão: Os resultados indicam que os profissionais de enfermagem possuem uma baixa participação no processo de gerenciamento de materiais, e inferem que participam ativamente somente do processo de controle de qualidade por meio das avaliações e notificações.

Experiencia de reconversión de un servicio clínico anestésico-quirúrgico en unidad de pacientes críticos COVID-19 en un hospital universitario / Experience of transforming a clinical surgical-anesthetic unit into a COVID-19 critical patient one in a teaching hospital

INTRODUCTION: The experience of restructuring a clinical surgical-anesthetic unit into a critical patient unit in charge of surgical- anesthetic personnel is presented during the period from May to July 2020 in the context of a SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. OBJECTIVES: Describe the unit's restructuring process, considering technical aspects, changes in staff functions, clinical outcomes of the patients, quality indicators obtained and the psychological impact on the healthcare team. MATHERIAL AND METHODS: The strategies implemented by the responsible experts were described (ie: engineering). Clinical data were obtained from an insti- tutional database and electronical medical records. The management of human resources was described using administrative records of the services of anesthesiology, OR and critical patient unit. The psychological impact on the unit staff was evaluated by applying the Maslach questionnaire. The quality of the clinical management of the unit was obtained from the compilation of standardized quality indicators for the critical patient units of the institution. RESULTS: 25 patients were admitted in the unit. The mean age was 62 ± 12 years. About the complications, 52% had pulmonary embolism, 36% had acute kidney injury, and 1 patient died. The prevalence of Burnout Syndrome was 73.6%. The occurrence of adverse events was minimal. DISCUSSION: The transformation of an anesthetic-surgical unit into a COVID critical patient one, demands a complex net of coordinated strategies to allow facing the attention demand with positive clinical results, at the expense of the health care team mental health.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Se presenta la experiencia de reconversión de una unidad de cuidados posanestésicos a una unidad de cuidados intensivos a cargo de personal anestésico-quirúrgico entre mayo y julio de 2020, en contexto de pandemia por SARS-CoV-2. OBJETIVOS: Describir el proceso de reconversión considerando aspectos técnicos, pertinentes al recurso humano, resultados clínicos, indicadores de calidad e impacto psicológico en el equipo de salud. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Se describen las estrategias implementadas por los expertos responsables. Se obtienen datos clínicos desde base de datos institucional y ficha clínica electrónica. Se describe la gestión del recurso humano utilizando registros administrativos de los servicios involucrados. El impacto psicológico en el personal fue evaluado aplicando el cuestionario de Maslach. La calidad de la gestión clínica se obtiene a partir de indicadores de calidad estandarizados para las unidades de pacientes críticos de nuestro establecimiento. RESULTADOS: Se atendieron 25 pacientes en la unidad. La edad promedio fue 62 ± 12 años. El 52% presentó tromboembolismo pulmonar, 36% injuria renal aguda como complicación. Un paciente falleció. La prevalencia de síndrome de Burnout fue de 73,6%. La ocurrencia de eventos adversos fue baja. CONCLUSIONESConclusiones: La reconversión de una unidad anestésico-quirúrgica a una unidad crítica COVID-19, demanda un complejo entramado de estrategias coordinadas que permiten responder a la demanda de atención con resultados clínicos positivos, a expensas del costo de la salud mental del equipo de salud involucrado.

Fatores de riscos psicossociais e dimensões do trabalho em profissionais de Enfermagem de ambulatório universitário / Psychosocial risk factors and dimensions of work in Nursing professionals at a university outpatient clinic

Objetivo: Analisar as dimensões do trabalho que constituem fatores de risco psicossocial e suas repercussões no sofrimento e adoecimento das profissionais de enfermagem de ambulatório de hospitais universitários. Método: Estudo quantitativo, transversal, realizado nos 11 ambulatórios dos hospitais universitários localizados no município do Rio de Janeiro. Foram participantes da pesquisa 388 profissionais atuantes na assistência de enfermagem dessas unidades. O instrumento de coleta de dados contemplou um questionário para caracterização sociodemográfica, ocupacional e de saúde e o Protocolo de Avaliação dos Riscos Psicossociais Relacionados ao Trabalho. Os dados foram organizados, processados e analisados com o auxílio do programa Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, versão 21.0. As análises bivariadas foram realizadas utilizando a razão de chances, odds ratio (OR), com intervalo de confiança de 95%, com um nível de significância de 5% para verificar a associação entre as variáveis. A coleta de dados orientou-se pela obediência aos princípios éticos da pesquisa com seres humanos, sendo aprovado por oito comitês de Ética em Pesquisa. Resultados: A equipe de enfermagem ambulatorial aponta para um perfil de feminilidade maior que em outras unidades, profissionais mais velhas, casadas, com filhos, negras e com qualificação superior às exigidas para o cargo. Dentre as características ocupacionais, destacou-se o vínculo permanente, sendo um percentual significativo com mais de um vínculo, exercendo uma carga horária superior a 30 horas semanais. A maioria era de técnicas de enfermagem e já havia trabalhado em outro setor dentro da instituição, sendo no turno diurno independente do vínculo. Em relação ao tempo de trabalho, a média foi de 23,7 anos na enfermagem, 17,8 anos na instituição e 8,3 anos no ambulatório. No que diz respeito às características relacionadas à saúde, a maioria apresentou autoavaliação positiva da saúde, não apresentou afastamento por doença no último ano, possuía problema de saúde relacionado ao trabalho e apresentava doenças crônicas. A organização do trabalho em ambulatórios de hospitais universitários foi avaliada como risco médio pelos respondentes, o que significa um estado de alerta/situação limite para os riscos psicossociais no trabalho dos profissionais de enfermagem. Para esses profissionais há presença moderada dos estilos de gestão gerencialista e coletivo nos ambulatórios universitários. Em relação ao sofrimento patogênico, os fatores falta de sentido no trabalho e falta de reconhecimento apresentaram baixo risco psicossocial, enquanto o fator esgotamento mental apresentou risco médio. Os danos físicos foram avaliados como risco médio, já os danos psicológicos e sociais apresentaram resultado positivo, representando baixos riscos psicossociais. Conclusões: A partir do entendimento de que a natureza do trabalho da enfermagem não é passível de mudanças, e que esta, por si, já expõe o trabalhador a riscos com potencial de causar danos à sua saúde, medidas interventivas devem ser realizadas nas dimensões do trabalho que se constituem fatores de risco psicossocial e se apresentaram nesta pesquisa relacionados à organização do trabalho e gestão dessas unidades, a fim de minorar o sofrimento e os danos dos profissionais de enfermagem que atuam nos ambulatórios universitários. Contribuições para a enfermagem: A partir desses resultados, pretende-se sensibilizar os gestores das unidades para a necessidade de implementar ações que foquem nas condições desfavoráveis de trabalho, visando sua adequação, possibilitando melhoria no desempenho da equipe de enfermagem, com vista à prestação de serviços de qualidade, mas também à preservação de sua saúde. Atenção deve ser dada aos modelos hierarquizados, hegemônicos nos serviços de saúde, que impedem a autonomia no trabalho da enfermagem, dificultam o estabelecimento de relações cooperativas e o sentimento de valorização e reconhecimento, essenciais para a transformação do sofrimento em prazer no trabalho.

Objective: To analyze the work dimensions that represent psychosocial risk factors and their repercussion in the suffering and illness of the Nursing professionals working in outpatient clinics of university hospitals. Method: A quantitative and cross-sectional study conducted in the 11 outpatient services of the university hospitals located in the city of Rio de Janeiro. The research participants were 388 professionals working in the Nursing assistance sector of these units. The data collection instrument included a questionnaire for sociodemographic, occupational and health characterization, as well as the Protocol for the Evaluation of the Work- Related Psychosocial Risks. The data were organized, processed and analyzed with the aid of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences program, version 21.0. The bivariate analyses were performed using Odds Ratio (OR), with a 95% confidence interval and a 5% significance level to verify the association between the variables. Data collection was guided by observance of the ethical principles of research with human beings, being approved by eight Research Ethics committees. Results: The outpatient Nursing team points to a greater female profile than in other units, older professionals, married, with children, black-skinned and with higher qualifications than those required for the position. Among the occupational characteristics, permanent employment contract stood out, with a significant percentage of people having more than one contract, representing an hour load of over 30 hours a week. Most of the participants were nursing technicians and had already worked in another sector within the institution, in the day shift regardless of the contract. In relation to the working time, the mean values were 23.7 years in Nursing, 17.8 years in the institution, and 8.3 years in the outpatient service. Regarding the characteristics related to health, most of them presented a positive health self- assessment, did not take medical leaves in the past year, had some work-related health problem, and presented chronic diseases. Work organization in the outpatient services of university hospitals was assessed as with medium risk by the respondents, which means a state of alert/borderline situation for the psychosocial risks in the Nursing professionals' work. For these professionals, there is moderate presence of the managerial and collective management styles in the university outpatient services. In relation to pathogenic suffering, the "lack of meaning in work" and "lack of recognition" factors presented low psychosocial risk, while the "mental exhaustion" factor presented medium risk. The physical harms were assessed as with medium risk; on the other hand, the psychological and social harms presented a positive result, representing low psychosocial risks. Conclusions: Based on the understanding that the nature of the Nursing work is not subjectable to changes, and that such nature per se already exposes workers to risks with the potential to cause harms to their health, intervention measures must be implemented in the work dimensions that constitute psychosocial risk factors and were presented in this research as related to the work organization and management of these units, in order to mitigate distress and harms in the Nursing professionals working in the outpatient services of university hospitals. Contributions to Nursing: Based on these results, the intention is to sensitize the units' managers regarding the need to implement actions focused on the unfavorable working conditions, aiming at their adaptation, enabling an improvement in the performance of the Nursing team, with a view to quality in the provision of services, but also to preserving their health. Attention must be paid to the hierarchical models, hegemonic in the health services, which preclude autonomy in the Nursing work, hinder the institution of cooperative relationships and of a feeling of appreciation and recognition, essential to transform suffering into pleasure at work.

Objetivo: Analizar las dimensiones del trabajo que constituyen factores de riesgo psicosocial y sus repercusiones en el sufrimiento y las enfermedades de los profesionales de Enfermería de los servicios ambulatorios de hospitales universitarios. Método: Estudio cuantitativo y transversal realizado en los 11 servicios ambulatorios de los hospitales universitarios situados en el municipio de Rio de Janeiro. Los participantes del estudio de investigación fueron 388 profesionales de Enfermería de estas unidades. El instrumento para la recolección de datos incluyó un cuestionario para la caracterización sociodemográfica, ocupacional y de salud y el Protocolo de Evaluación de los Riesgos Psicosociales Relacionados con el Trabajo. Los datos se organizaron, procesaron y analizaron con la ayuda del programa Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, versión 21.0. Los análisis bivariados se realizaron utilizando Odds Ratio (OR), con intervalo de confianza del 95% y nivel de significancia del 5% para verificar la asociación entre las variables. La recolección de datos se basó en la obediencia de los principios éticos de la investigación con seres humanos. Resultados: El equipo de Enfermería ambulatoria apunta a un perfil femenino mayor que en otras unidades, profesionales de más edad, casadas, con hijos, de raza negra y con calificaciones superiores a las exigidas para el cargo. Entre las características ocupacionales, se destacó el vínculo permanente, donde un porcentaje significativo de las profesionales poseía más de un vínculo laboral, con una carga horaria superior a 30 horas semanales. La mayoría de las participantes eran técnicas de Enfermería y ya habían trabajado en otro sector de la institución, en el turno diurno e independientemente del vínculo laboral. En relación con el tiempo de trabajo, los valores medios fueron 23,7 años en Enfermería, 17,8 años en la institución y 8,3 años en el servicio ambulatorio. Con respecto a las características relacionadas con la salud, la mayoría presentó una autoevaluación positiva de la salud, no tuvo que tomar licencia por enfermedad durante el último año, tuvo problemas de salud relacionados con el trabajo y presentó enfermedades crónicas. Las entrevistadas evaluaron la organización del trabajo en los servicios ambulatorios de hospitales universitarios como de riesgo medio, lo que significa un estado de alerta/situación límite para los riesgos psicosociales en el trabajo de los profesionales de Enfermería. En el caso de estos profesionales, se registra una moderada presencia de los estilos de gestión gerencialista y colectivo en los servicios ambulatorios universitarios. En relación con el sufrimiento patogénico, los factores «falta de sentido en el trabajo¼ y «falta de reconocimiento¼ presentaron un riesgo psicosocial reducido, mientras que el factor «agotamiento mental¼ presentó riesgo medio. Los perjuicios físicos se evaluaron como de riesgo medio, mientras que los psicológicos y sociales presentaron un resultado positivo, representando así riesgos psicosociales reducidos. Conclusiones: Sobre la base de comprender que la naturaleza del trabajo de Enfermería no es pasible de mudanzas y que, de por sí, dicha naturaleza ya expone al trabajador a riesgos con potencial de causar daños a su salud, deben implementarse medidas de intervención en las dimensiones del trabajo que representan factores de riesgo psicosocial y que, en esta investigación, se presentan relacionados con la organización del trabajo y la gestión de estas unidades, a fin de mitigar el sufrimiento y los perjuicios de los profesionales de Enfermería que se desempeñan en los servicios ambulatorios de hospitales universitarios. Contribuciones para la Enfermería: A partir de estos resultados, se pretende sensibilizar a los gerentes de las unidades con respecto a la necesidad de implementar acciones enfocadas en las condiciones desfavorables del trabajo, en pos de su adecuación, posibilitando así una mejora en el desempeño del equipo de Enfermería, con vistas a una prestación de servicios de calidad, como así también a preservar su salud. Debe prestarse atención a los modelos jerarquizados, hegemónicos en los servicios de salud, que impiden la autonomía en el trabajo de Enfermería, dificultan el establecimiento de relaciones de cooperación y el sentimiento de valorización y reconocimiento, esenciales para transformar el sufrimiento en placer laboral.

The Department of Surgery of the Université de Montréal, 70th anniversary.

SUMMARY: The Department of Surgery of the Université de Montréal was officially chartered in 1961, but the structure had been in place since since 1951. The department grew as a fusion of hospital-based surgery training programs from the largest French-speaking hospitals in Montreal. Currently 448 professors (135 women and 313 men) teach in the department. The research activity, both clinical and applied, is in strong progression. The Department of Surgery is the largest French and bilingual training centre in Canada and North America. In 2021 the department will celebrate its 70th anniversary. As members, we should be proud of the work achieved by our predecessors and by the current rank of professors, teachers and researchers. The department strives to promote the essential role of and highlight the rewards and benefits of academic surgery.

Clinical management of COVID-19: Experiences of the COVID-19 epidemic from Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa.

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has presented clinicians with an enormous challenge in managing a respiratory virus that is not only capable of causing severe pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome, but also multisystem disease. The extraordinary pace of clinical research, and particularly the surge in adaptive trials of new and repurposed treatments, have provided rapid answers to questions of whether such treatments work, and has resulted in corticosteroids taking centre stage in the management of hospitalised patients requiring oxygen support. Some treatment modalities, such as the role of anticoagulation to prevent and treat potential thromboembolic complications, remain controversial, as does the use of high-level oxygen support, outside of an intensive care unit setting. In this paper, we describe the clinical management of COVID-19 patients admitted to Groote Schuur Hospital, a major tertiary level hospital at the epicentre of South Africa's SARS-CoV-2 epidemic during its first 4 months.