Validation of the scored Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment Short Form as a prognostic tool for incurable cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: The Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment Short Form (PG-SGA SF) is a standardized tool for assessing nutrition risk in patients with cancer. The aim of this study was to propose and validate a cutoff point for the PG-SGA SF related to the prognosis of patients with incurable cancer in exclusive palliative care. METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study of patients with incurable cancer at the National Cancer Institute in Brazil. A total sample (n = 2,144) was randomly divided into groups: (1) training (n = 1,072), to determine the most accurate PG-SGA SF cutoff, and (2) validation (n = 1,072), to test the predictive accuracy of this cutoff point. The receiver operating characteristic curve was plotted to determine the best cutoff point of the PG-SGA SF related to death. Concordance statistics (C statistic) were used to test the predictive accuracy of the models. Kaplan-Meier curve and the Cox hazard model were used to verify a prognostic value of the cutoff point. RESULTS: PG-SGA SF score ≥15 was found to be the best cutoff based on 90-day mortality with good accuracy discrimination (C statistic ≥ 0.74). Patients whose PG-SGA SF score was ≥15 had a shorter survival of 32 (interquartile range [IQR], 12-75) vs 83 days (IQR, 31-90) (p-value < .001) and higher risk of death (hazard ratio: 2.20; 95% CI, 1.64-2.95). CONCLUSIONS: The proposed PG-SGA SF cutoff score is valid and, alongside its usefulness in nutrition triage, could provide prognostic value for patients with incurable cancer.

Rationalization and sensemaking in care management: an experience of change in a hospital of the SUS (Unified Health System). / Racionalização e Construção de Sentido na Gestão do Cuidado: uma experiência de mudança em um hospital do SUS.

This study aimed to analyze organizational processes of change in the hospital care management by using qualitative evaluation developed in the case study. The study was developed at the Hospital Fornecedores de Cana de Piracicaba, in São Paulo State, Brazil, in September and October of 2012. There were 25 interviews with members of the senior board of directors of the hospital, managers and health professionals linked to healthcare of adults, in addition to the analysis of managerial documents and observations of some activities. In this article it is analyzed part of the results, dividing the organizational change in three axes: the planning process developed in the healthcare sectors; The protocol/creation of assisted routines in order to obtain better efficiency and safety for the patient; and the work of hospitalist physicians. The study highlights the complexity of the processes of change in the care management sphere in hospitals and the dynamism between a given management concept and its rational tools and the subjects and groups that seek, in the micropolitic and intersubjective processes, meanings to their practices.

Racionalização e Construção de Sentido na Gestão do Cuidado: uma experiência de mudança em um hospital do SUS / Rationalization and sensemaking in care management: an experience of change in a hospital of the SUS (Unified Health System)

Resumo Este estudo buscou analisar processos organizacionais de mudança na gestão do cuidado hospitalar empregando avaliação qualitativa desenvolvida por estudo de caso. A pesquisa foi desenvolvida no Hospital Fornecedores de Cana de Piracicaba, no Estado de São Paulo, Brasil, em setembro e outubro de 2012. Foram realizadas 25 entrevistas com membros da alta direção do hospital, gestores e profissionais de saúde ligados à atenção ao paciente adulto, além da análise de documentos de gestão e observações de algumas atividades. Neste artigo é analisada parte dos resultados, recortando a mudança organizacional através de três eixos: processo de planejamento realizado nos setores assistenciais; a protocolização/criação de rotinas assistenciais buscando maior eficiência e segurança para o paciente; e o trabalho de médicos hospitalistas. O estudo evidencia a complexidade dos processos de mudança na esfera da gestão do cuidado em hospitais e o dinamismo entre uma dada concepção de gestão e suas ferramentas racionalizadoras e os sujeitos e grupos que buscam, nos processos micropolíticos e intersubjetivos, sentidos para suas práticas.

Abstract This study aimed to analyze organizational processes of change in the hospital care management by using qualitative evaluation developed in the case study. The study was developed at the Hospital Fornecedores de Cana de Piracicaba, in São Paulo State, Brazil, in September and October of 2012. There were 25 interviews with members of the senior board of directors of the hospital, managers and health professionals linked to healthcare of adults, in addition to the analysis of managerial documents and observations of some activities. In this article it is analyzed part of the results, dividing the organizational change in three axes: the planning process developed in the healthcare sectors; The protocol/creation of assisted routines in order to obtain better efficiency and safety for the patient; and the work of hospitalist physicians. The study highlights the complexity of the processes of change in the care management sphere in hospitals and the dynamism between a given management concept and its rational tools and the subjects and groups that seek, in the micropolitic and intersubjective processes, meanings to their practices.

A visita domiciliar na estratégia de saúde da família: os desafios de se mover no território / Home visits within the family health strategy (estratégia de saúde da familia - ESF): the challenges of moving into the territory / Las visitas a domicilio en la estrategia de salud de la familia (ESF): los desafíos de movimiento en el território

Foram analisados os processos de trabalho de três equipes da ESF no município de Nova Iguaçu, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, bem como a gerência do cuidado, tomando as visitas domiciliares como foco da análise. Optou-se pelo estudo de caso, selecionado em um contexto complexo, com pessoas em situação de fragilidade, incerteza e sofrimento. Resultados da pesquisa destacam o improviso dos profissionais frente à precariedade das condições de trabalho e aos desafios impostos cotidianamente para a realização das visitas e para lidar com demandas que emergem no território. Embora a visita domiciliar se apresente como instrumento potente para o planejamento das ações de saúde e a reorientação das práticas, ainda encontra importantes entraves para sua consolidação, especialmente por exigir grande disponibilidade interna do profissional de saúde para lidar com o inesperado e o diverso.

This study aimed to analyze the work processes of three family healthcare teams in the municipality of Nova Iguaçu, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, along with healthcare management. Home visits were taken to be the focus of the analysis. The case study methodological approach was chosen, and this was selected within a complex context, with people in situations of fragility, uncertainty and distress. The main results from this study highlight healthcare professionals' improvisation when faced with precarious working conditions and the daily challenges involved in carrying out home visits and in dealing with demands that emerge from the territory. Although home visits may be presented as powerful tools for planning healthcare actions and for reorientation of practices, major obstacles preventing their consolidation can still be found. This is especially because of the great internal disposition required from healthcare professionals for dealing with diversity and the unexpected.

Este estudio se centró en los procesos de trabajo y la gestión de la atención de tres equipos de ESF en Nova Iguaçu, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, tenendo las visitas domiciliarias como foco de análisis. Un estudio de caso fue elegido en un contexto complejo, con personas en situaciones de fragilidad, incertidumbre y sufrimiento. Los resultados apuntan a la improvisación de los profesionales cuando enfrentan precarias condiciones de trabajo y desafíos cotidianos para llevar a cabo visitas a domicilio y manejar las demandas que surgen en el territorio. Aunque las visitas se presentan como una poderosa herramienta para la planificación y reorientación de las prácticas de salud, todavia enfrentan grandes barreras, sobretodo porque requieren una disponibilidad interna de los profesionales para hacer frente a lo inesperado y a la diversidad.

Saúde da família: limites e possibilidades para uma abordagem integral de atenção primária à saúde no Brasil / Family health: limits and possibilities for an integral primary care approach to health care in Brazil

The article analyzes the implementation of the Family Health Strategy (FH) and discusses its potential to guide the organization of the Unified Health System in Brazil, based on the integration of FH to the health care network and intersectorial action, crucial aspects of a comprehensive primary health care. Four case studies were carried out in cities with high FH coverage (Aracaju, Belo Horizonte, Florianópolis e Vitória), using as sources: semistructured interviews with managers and surveys with health care professionals and registered families.The integration analysis highlighted the position of FH Strategy in the health services network, the integration mechanisms and the availability of information for continuity of care. Intersectoriality was researched in relation to the fields of action, scope,sectors involved, presence of forums, and team initiatives. The results point to advances in the integration of FH to the health care network, strengtheningbasic services as services that are regularly sought and used as a preferential first contact services, although there are still problems in the access to specialized care. The intersectorial initiatives were broader when defined as integrated municipal government policy for the construction of interfaces and cooperation between the diverse sectors.

O artigo analisa a implementação da Estratégia Saúde da Família (SF) e discute suas potencialidades em orientar a organização do SUS no Brasil, a partir da análise da integração da SF à redeassistencial e atuação intersetorial, aspectos cruciais de uma atenção primária abrangente. Foram realizadosquatro estudos de caso de municípios com elevada cobertura por SF (Aracaju, Belo Horizonte, Florianópolis e Vitória) tendo como fontes: entrevistas semi-estruturadas com gestores e inquéritoscom profissionais de saúde e de famílias cadastradas. A análise da integração destacou a posição da Estratégia SF na rede assistencial, os mecanismos de integração e a disponibilidade de informações para continuidade da atenção. A intersetorialidade foi pesquisada quanto aos campos de atuação, abrangência, setores envolvidos, presença de colegiados, e iniciativas das equipes. Os resultados apontam avanços na integração da SF à rede assistencial, propiciando o fortalecimento dos serviços básicos como serviços de procura regular e porta de entrada preferencial, todavia permanecem dificuldades de acesso à atenção especializada. As iniciativas intersetoriais foram mais abrangentes quando definidas como politica integrada do governo municipal para a construção de interfaces e cooperação entre os diversos setores.