Current situation of HIV research in Spain. / Situación de la investigación sobre el VIH en España.

Prevention, early detection, clinical follow-up, organisation and management are key elements in the chal-lenges to be addressed in the field of HIV infection in Spain. In addition to these aspects, research repre-sents a transversal element that is highly relevant for building up a comprehensive response against HIV infection. The evolution of HIV/AIDS research in Spain, major milestones and the development of scientific structures are analysed. An economic description of HIV/AIDS research funding in the context of the whole Spanish R&D system is made. In particular, the impact of the economic crisis and budget restrictions and their con-sequences on medical research are considered. Finally, different perspectives on the future of HIV/AIDS research in the global scientific situation are discussed.

[Analysis of a register for reporting adverse events to a mutual insurance society for accidents at work. Adverse event reporting of occupational injuries]. / Análisis de la implantación de un sistema de notificación y registro de eventos adversos en el proceso asistencial de una mutua de accidentes de trabajo.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the results of a voluntary reporting system for adverse events in a Patient Safety Program of an occupational injuries mutual insurance company. METHOD: In 2008 a system of notification and registration of adverse events (actual or potential) was introduced in 2008 by the Union de Mutuas, an occupational injuries insurance company with 36 health centres, and provides coverage for 259,922 workers. The reporting questionnaire covers all areas of health care provided by the mutual company. Access to the questionnaire was conducted through the intranet, was voluntary and anonymous. The notifications registered between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2010 are analysed. RESULTS: A total of 16 questionnaires were completed, with a total of 205 incidents. The profile of the reporter was first-level health care (57.7%), and seniority in their job for 5-10 years. Of all the notifications, a health care cause of the incident was seen in 43.5% of cases, of which 85.9% of the incidents were preventable. Of all reported events, 71.7% were related to an ambulatory care medical centre, and only 2.4% was related to a surgical procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the notifications were preventable incidents, and recorded by first-level medical care. The reporting questionnaire was shown to be a valid tool in our work environment for the detection of adverse events in the care process.

Current situation in the development of a preventive HIV vaccine.

The uncontrolled progression of the AIDS epidemic has made the development of an efficacious human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) vaccine a major objective of scientific research. No effective preventive vaccine against HIV is currently available and sterilizing immunity has not yet been achieved in animal models. This review analyses the major challenges in developing an AIDS vaccine, in particular the mechanisms involved in viral escape from the immune response, and summarizes the results obtained with the different prototypes of therapeutic and preventive vaccines. Finally, social, economic and healthcare aspects of research into HIV vaccines and current controversies regarding the development of clinical trials are discussed.