Models for delivery and co-ordination of primary or secondary health care (or both) to older adults living in aged care facilities.

BACKGROUND: The number of older people is increasing worldwide and public expenditure on residential aged care facilities (ACFs) is expected to at least double, and possibly triple, by 2050. Co-ordinated and timely care in residential ACFs that reduces unnecessary hospital transfers may improve residents' health outcomes and increase satisfaction with care among ACF residents, their families and staff. These benefits may outweigh the resources needed to sustain the changes in care delivery and potentially lead to cost savings. Our systematic review comprehensively and systematically presents the available evidence of the effectiveness, safety and cost-effectiveness of alternative models of providing health care to ACF residents. OBJECTIVES: Main objective To assess the effectiveness and safety of alternative models of delivering primary or secondary health care (or both) to older adults living in ACFs. Secondary objective To assess the cost-effectiveness of the alternative models. SEARCH METHODS: We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, five other databases and two trials registers (WHO ICTRP, ClinicalTrials.gov) on 26 October 2022, together with reference checking, citation searching and contact with study authors to identify additional studies. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included individual and cluster-randomised trials, and cost/cost-effectiveness data collected alongside eligible effectiveness studies. Eligible study participants included older people who reside in an ACF as their place of permanent abode and healthcare professionals delivering or co-ordinating the delivery of healthcare at ACFs. Eligible interventions focused on either ways of delivering primary or secondary health care (or both) or ways of co-ordinating the delivery of this care. Eligible comparators included usual care or another model of care. Primary outcomes were emergency department visits, unplanned hospital admissions and adverse effects (defined as infections, falls and pressure ulcers). Secondary outcomes included adherence to clinical guideline-recommended care, health-related quality of life of residents, mortality, resource use, access to primary or specialist healthcare services, any hospital admissions, length of hospital stay, satisfaction with the health care by residents and their families, work-related satisfaction and work-related stress of ACF staff. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently selected studies for inclusion, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias and certainty of evidence using GRADE. The primary comparison was any alternative model of care versus usual care. MAIN RESULTS: We included 40 randomised trials (21,787 participants; three studies only reported number of beds) in this review. Included trials evaluated alternative models of care aimed at either all residents of the ACF (i.e. no specific health condition; 11 studies), ACF residents with mental health conditions or behavioural problems (12 studies), ACF residents with a specific condition (e.g. residents with pressure ulcers, 13 studies) or residents requiring a specific type of care (e.g. residents after hospital discharge, four studies). Most alternative models of care focused on 'co-ordination of care' (n = 31). Three alternative models of care focused on 'who provides care' and two focused on 'where care is provided' (i.e. care provided within ACF versus outside of ACF). Four models focused on the use of information and communication technology. Usual care, the comparator in all studies, was highly heterogeneous across studies and, in most cases, was poorly reported. Most of the included trials were susceptible to some form of bias; in particular, performance (89%), reporting (66%) and detection (42%) bias. Compared to usual care, alternative models of care may make little or no difference to the proportion of residents with at least one emergency department visit (risk ratio (RR) 1.01, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.84 to 1.20; 7 trials, 1276 participants; low-certainty evidence), but may reduce the proportion of residents with at least one unplanned hospital admission (RR 0.74, 95% CI 0.56 to 0.99, I2 = 53%; 8 trials, 1263 participants; low-certainty evidence). We are uncertain of the effect of alternative models of care on adverse events (proportion of residents with a fall: RR 1.15, 95% CI 0.83 to 1.60, I² = 74%; 3 trials, 1061 participants; very low-certainty evidence) and adherence to guideline-recommended care (proportion of residents receiving adequate antidepressant medication: RR 5.29, 95% CI 1.08 to 26.00; 1 study, 65 participants) as the certainty of the evidence is very low. Compared to usual care, alternative models of care may have little or no effect on the health-related quality of life of ACF residents (MD -0.016, 95% CI -0.036 to 0.004; I² = 23%; 12 studies, 4016 participants; low-certainty evidence) and probably make little or no difference to the number of deaths in residents of ACFs (RR 1.03, 95% CI 0.92 to 1.16, 24 trials, 3881 participants, moderate-certainty evidence). We did not pool the cost-effectiveness or cost data as the specific costs associated with the various alternative models of care were incomparable, both across models of care as well as across settings. Based on the findings of five economic evaluations (all interventions focused on co-ordination of care), we are uncertain of the cost-effectiveness of alternative models of care compared to usual care as the certainty of the evidence is very low. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Compared to usual care, alternative models of care may make little or no difference to the number of emergency department visits but may reduce unplanned hospital admissions. We are uncertain of the effect of alternative care models on adverse events (i.e. falls, pressure ulcers, infections) and adherence to guidelines compared to usual care, as the certainty of the evidence is very low. Alternative models of care may have little or no effect on health-related quality of life and probably have no effect on mortality of ACF residents compared to usual care. Importantly, we are uncertain of the cost-effectiveness of alternative models of care due to the limited, disparate data available.

Guideline adherence and socioeconomic factors in Danish patients referred to secondary care for low back pain: a cross sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The pre-referral history of patients with low back pain referred to secondary care is poorly documented, and it is unclear whether it complies with clinical guideline recommendations; specifically, whether they have received appropriate treatment in primary care. This study describes the patient population referred to a spine clinic at a Danish hospital and investigates whether they have received an adequate course of treatment in primary care before referral. Furthermore, a possible association between primary care treatment and socioeconomic factors is estimated. METHODS: We examined self-reported data from 1035 patients with low back pain of at least eight weeks duration referred to secondary care at a medical spine clinic using a cross-sectional design. As an approximation to national clinical guidelines, the definition of an adequate course of treatment in primary care was at least five visits to a physiotherapist or chiropractor prior to referral. RESULTS: Patients were on average 53 years old, and 56% were women. The average Oswestry Disability Index score was 36, indicating a moderate level of disability. Nearly half of the patients reported pain for over a year, and 75% reported pain below knee level. Prior to referral, 33% of the patients had not received an adequate course of treatment in primary care. Based on multiple logistic regression with the three socioeconomic variables, age and sex in the model, those who were unemployed had an odds ratio of 2.35 (1.15-4.79) for not receiving appropriate treatment compared to employed patients. Similarly, the odds ratio for patients without vs. with health insurance was 1.71 (1.17-2.50). No significant association was observed with length of education. CONCLUSIONS: Despite national clinical guidelines recommending management for low back pain in primary care, one third of the patients had not received an adequate course of treatment before referral to secondary care. Moreover, the high probability of not having received recommended treatment for patients who were unemployed or lacked health insurance indicates an economic obstacle to adequate care. Therefore, reconsidering the compensation structure for the treatment of back pain patients is imperative to mitigate health inequality within low back pain management.

Demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with low back pain in primary and secondary care settings in Southern Denmark.

OBJECTIVE: To describe and compare the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with acute or chronic low back pain across all health care settings treating this condition.Design and setting: Concurrent prospective survey registration of all consecutive consultations regarding low back pain at general practitioners, chiropractors, physiotherapists, and the secondary care spine centre in Southern Denmark. SUBJECTS: Patients ≥16 years of age with low back pain. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Demographic characteristics, symptoms, and clinical findings were registered and descriptively analysed. Pearson's chi-square tested differences between the populations in the four settings. Multiple logistic regression assessed the odds of consulting specific settings, and t-test assessed differences between patients attending for a first and later consultation. RESULTS: Thirty-six general practitioners, 44 chiropractors, 74 physiotherapists, and 35 secondary care Spine Centre personnel provided information on 5645 consultations, including 1462 first-visit consultations. The patients differed significantly across the settings. Patients at the Spine Centre had the most severe symptoms and signs and were most often on sick leave. Compared to the other populations, the chiropractor population was younger, whereas the physiotherapist population was older, more often females, and had prolonged symptoms. In general practice, first-time consultations were with milder cases while patients who attended for a second or later consultation had the worst symptoms, findings, and risk of sick leave compared to the other primary care settings. CONCLUSION: The demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with low back pain differ considerably across the health care settings treating them.KEY POINTSThe study describes the symptoms and clinical findings of patients with low back pain consulting the Danish health care system in all its settings.Patients with chiropractors were youngest, while those with physiotherapists were the oldest and most frequently female.First consultations in general practice were generally with the least symptomatic patients while those returning for a subsequent consultation had more severe disease including more sick leave compared to patients in the other primary care settings.Our findings call for caution when generalizing between health care settings for patients with low back pain.

Piloting a new model of personalised care for people with fibromyalgia in primary care with secondary care multidisciplinary support.

OBJECTIVE: An estimated 5.5 million people in England have high-impact chronic pain, which is severe pain associated with significant disability. Current models of healthcare often fail to address their broad range of symptoms and address their complex non-medical needs. METHODS: A pilot project was designed with the aim of improving the quality of care and addressing unmet needs of patients high-impact musculoskeletal (MSK) pain through providing a personalised approach to their pain and wider psychosocial needs. The model comprised a longer initial appointment with a general practitioner, a later follow-appointment, and support of the multidisciplinary team (MDT) (informally and through a formal MDT meeting) with both primary care clinicians and specialists based in secondary care. RESULTS: Forty six patients were seen using this model, with prominent themes of consultations including self-management, social needs, mental health and understanding their diagnosis. Evaluation of the pilot demonstrated improvements in MSK and non-MSK symptoms, together with improved patient confidence in self-management and knowledge and understanding of their condition. Multidisciplinary working proved to be invaluable in addressing patients' wider needs but also upskilling and supporting primary care clinicians. Primary care staff also found it to be a satisfying way to care for patients, and developed increasing skills and confidence in supporting patients with chronic pain. CONCLUSION: This model of care appears to be an effective way to help primary care teams to provide more holistic personalised care to a group of patients who are highly complex and so often forgotten.

Outpatient secondary care pathways for head and neck cancer referral result in patient delays for cancer treatment.

INTRODUCTION: The majority of head and neck cancer referrals are received through primary care. A proportion of cancer referrals are received through secondary care specialties. Local delivery plan (LDP) targets in Scotland for cancer investigation are set at 31 days for diagnosis and 62 days to start treatment. The aim was to audit referrals made through non-primary care pathways compared with the standard primary care pathways against LDP targets. METHODS: New head and neck cancer patients between 1 January 2014 and 1 January 2019 were included. Pathway points were recorded between referral to outpatient clinic, time to multidisciplinary team discussion (MDT) and finally MDT to treatment. RESULTS: 1,276 new patient referrals were received over a 5-year period. Of these, 136 (10%) were referred via non-primary care pathways. The mean time for urgent suspicion of cancer (USoC) referrals to start treatment was 77 days (15 days over target) and for outpatient secondary care referrals was 102 days (40 days over target) (p<0.05). When treatment intent was considered, 841/1,131 (75%) of patients referred via primary care were treated curatively compared with 49/99 (49%) (p<0.05) of patients referred through the secondary outpatient pathway. CONCLUSION: Patients with head and neck cancer referred from other outpatient specialties face delays commencing cancer treatment and are also associated with a greater likelihood of being treated with palliative intent.

Characteristics of patients with severe asthma in primary and secondary care settings considered eligible for biological therapy - the Bulgarian RECOGNISE study.

INTRODUCTION: Asthma is a major non-communicable disease. It affects both children and adults, but is the most common chronic condition among the former. While inhaled controller drugs stabilize the disease in most asthma patients, there are a certain number of people who suffer from severe asthma, which requires treatment escalation. Oral corticosteroids are usually added, but they are associated with various side effects that may limit their application. The introduction of biologicals targeting inflammatory mediators has opened a new era of asthma treatment highlighting the importance of patient characterization.

General practitioner perspectives on factors that influence implementation of secondary care-initiated treatment in primary care: Exploring implementation beyond the context of a clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: The Beta-blockers Or Placebo for Primary Prophylaxis of oesophageal varices (BOPPP) trial is a 3-year phase IV, multi-centre clinical trial of investigational medicinal product (CTIMP) that aims to determine the effectiveness of carvedilol in the prevention of variceal bleeding for small oesophageal varices in patients with cirrhosis. Early engagement of General Practitioners (GPs) in conversations about delivery of a potentially effective secondary care-initiated treatment in primary care provides insights for future implementation. The aim of this study was to understand the implementation of trial findings by exploring i) GP perspectives on factors that influence implementation beyond the context of the trial and ii) how dose titration and ongoing treatment with carvedilol is best delivered in primary care. METHODS: This qualitative study was embedded within the BOPPP trial and was conducted alongside site opening. GP participants were purposively sampled and recruited from ten Clinical Commissioning Groups in England and three Health Boards across Wales. Semi-structured telephone individual interviews were conducted with GPs (n = 23) working in England and Wales. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. FINDINGS: Five overarching themes were identified: i) primary care is best placed for oversight, ii) a shared approach led by secondary care, iii) empower the patient to take responsibility, iv) the need to go above and beyond and v) develop practice guidance. The focus on prevention, attention to holistic care, and existing and often long-standing relationships with patients provides an impetus for GP oversight. GPs spoke about the value of partnership working with secondary care and of prioritising patient-centred care and involving patients in taking responsibility for their own health. An agreed pathway of care, clear communication, and specific, accessible guidance on how to implement the proposed treatment strategy safely and effectively are important determinants in the success of implementation. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings for implementing secondary care-initiated treatment in primary care are important to the specifics of the BOPPP trial but can also go some way in informing wider learning for other trials where work is shared across the primary-secondary care interface, and where findings will impact the primary care workload. We propose a systems research perspective for addressing implementation of CTIMP findings at the outset of research. The value of early stakeholder involvement is highlighted, and the need to consider complexity in terms of the interaction between the intervention and the context in which it is implemented is acknowledged. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN10324656.

Considerations for restorative dentistry secondary care referrals - part 2: predictability of treatment.

The assessment of restorability is necessary to determine whether it is possible to predictably restore a tooth once primary disease has been managed.There are a multitude of factors that may determine the restorability of a tooth. It varies on a case-by-case basis and as such, clinicians must consider both local tooth factors and general patient-related factors, ensuring a holistic approach when assessing these patients.This article discusses the many factors that determine a tooth's restorability, including a review of the current indices available to clinicians to aid in this process.

Acesso e resolutividade na atenção em saúde bucal na primeira infância: uma revisão integrativa da literatura / Access and resolubility in oral health care in early childhood: an integrative literature review

Introdução: A cárie na primeira infância ainda é um problema de saúde pública no Brasil, expresso pelas pequenas reduções no índice ceo-d na idade de 5 anos ao longo do tempo. Esse panorama pode refletir dificuldade de acesso e resolutividade nas Redes de Atenção à Saúde (RAS) no que se refere ao aten-dimento odontológico infantil. Objetivo: Este trabalho apre-senta uma revisão integrativa da literatura sobre o acesso e a resolutividade da atenção em saúde bucal na primeira infância nas RAS do Sistema Único de Saúde Brasileiro. Materiais e métodos: Foram consultadas as bases de dados do Medline/Pubmed, SciELO e Google Scholar e selecionados artigos publicados nos idiomas inglês e português entre 2005 e 2021. Revisão da literatura: Foi observado baixo percentual de uso de serviços odontológicos por crianças em idade pré-escolar, sendo o acesso influenciado por variáveis socioeconômicas e aspectos relacionados aos serviços. Discussão: Adoção da Estratégia Saúde da Família (ESF), realização de busca ativa, inclusão da saúde bucal nas ações programáticas de saúde infantil e adequada comunicação entre os pontos de atenção são fatores positivos ao acesso à saúde bucal. O atendimento odontológico infantil ocorre majoritariamente na atenção básica, havendo pouca expressividade na atenção especia-lizada, porém profissionais generalistas podem apresentar dificuldades em gerir o comportamento infantil durante o atendimento odontológico. Conclusão: Ações de educação permanente em Odontopediatria direcionadas aos profissionais da atenção primária são recomendadas, dada a capilaridade e o caráter familiar desse nível de atenção, porém a inclusão da especialidade de Odontopediatria nos Centros de Especialidades Odontológicas merece investimento e atenção dos gestores.

Introduction: Early childhood caries is still considered a public health problem in Brazil, detected by small reductions in the 5-year dmf-t index over time. This panorama may reflect difficulties in providing access and resolubility by Health Care Networks (HCN) with regards to children's dental care. Aim: This integra-tive review of the literature presents the access and resolubility of oral health care in early childhood in the HCN of the Brazilian Unified Health System. Mate-rials and methods: The Medline/Pubmed, SciELO, and Google Scholar databases were consulted, and articles published in English and Portuguese between 2005 and 2021 were selected. Literature review: A low use rate of dental services by preschool children was observed, and access is influenced by socioeconomic variables and aspects related to services. Discussion: Adoption of the Family Health Strategy (FHS), actively going in search, inclusion of oral health in programmatic actions of children health and proper communication between the points of care are positive factors in the access to oral health services. Children dental care occurs mostly in the primary level, with little expressiveness in specialized care. General practitioners may have difficulties in managing child behavior during dental treatment. Conclusion: Continuing education program in Pediatric Dentistry aiming primary care professionals is recommended, given the capillarity and the familiar pattern of the care level. The inclusion of the Pediatric Dentistry specialty in the Dental Specialties Centers deserves investment and attention from managers.

Atendimento de pacientes com necessidades especiais em Centros de Especialidades Odontológicas brasileiros: uma revisão integrativa da literatura / Care provided to patients with special needs in Brazilian Dental Specialty Centers: an integrative review of the literature

Objetivo:Fazer uma revisão integrativa a respeito do atendimento de pacientes com necessidades especiais (PNE) em Centros de Especialidades Odontológicas (CEO) no Brasil. Métodos: Para as buscas nas bases eletrônicas PubMed, BBO e LILACS, e Google Scholar, foram utilizados em português, espanhol e inglês, os descritores e termos livres: "pessoas com deficiência", "pessoa com necessidade especial", "pessoa com incapacidade", odontologia, "atenção secundária à saúde", "atenção secundária", "centro de especialidades odontológicas", CEO, "disabled persons", handicapped, "people with disabilities", dentistry, "secondary care", "dental specialty center" ,"secondary care centers", "personas con discapacidad", "atención secundaria de salud" e "centro de especialidad dental". Não foi feita restrição quanto ao idioma, mas o período consultado foi de 2016 a 2021. Incialmente foram excluídas as duplicatas, em seguida os textos cujos títulos e resumos não estivessem de acordo com os critéios de inclusão. Uma vez eleitos os textos a serem incluídos após leitura na íntegra, foi feita a extração dos dados de interesse: autor (ano), tipo de estudo, caracterização da amostra, local, objetivo, resultados principais e conclusão. A análise da qualidade metodológica e do risco de viés dos estudos foi feita por meio da ferramenta Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies do Effective Public Health Practice Project. Resultados: De 383 estudos, cinco foram incluídos. As barreiras mencionadas que dificultam o acesso dos PNE aos CEO se referiram a questões socioeconômicas e demográficas, localização dos CEO, escassez de recursos financeiros, limitações para acessibilidade e qualificaçao profissional deficitária para a prestação dos atendimentos. A qualidade metodológica foi considerada fraca em todos os estudos, o que indica alto risco de viés. Conclusão: Mesmo com a evolução gradativa do atendimento dos PNE nos CEO, ainda há aprimoramentos necessários, tanto em relação à qualificação dos profissionais para que tenham conhecimento e manejo para realizar os atendimentos seguindo os protocolos necessários, quanto à melhoria do acesso para esses pacientes.

Aim: To conduct an integrative review regarding the care provided to patients with special needs (PSN) in Dental Specialty Centers (DSCs) in Brazil. Methods: To perform searches in the PubMed, BBO and LILACS, and Google Scholar electronic databases, the following descriptors and free terms were used, in three languages of Portuguese, Spanish, and English: "pessoas com deficiência", "pessoa com necessidade especial", "pessoa com incapacidade", odontologia, "atenção secundária à saúde", "atenção secundária", "centro de especialidades odontológicas", CEO, "disabled persons", handicapped, "people with disabilities", dentistry, "secondary care", "dental specialty center" ,"secondary care centers", "personas con discapacidad", "atención secundaria de salud" e "centro de especialidad dental". No language restriction was made, but the period consulted was from 2016 to 2021. First, duplicates were excluded. After, texts whose titles and abstracts did not comply with the inclusion criteria were also excluded. Once the included texts had been chosen, and after reading them in full, the data of interest was extracted: author (year), type of study, sample characterization, location, objective, main results, and conclusion. The Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies of the Effective Public Health Practice Project was used to analyze the methodological quality and risk of bias found in the studies. Results: Of the 383 studies, five were included. The barriers that make it difficult for PSNs to access DSCs are related to socioeconomic and demographic issues, the location of DSCs, the scarcity of financial resources, limitations in accessibility, and deficient professional qualification to provide proper care. Methodological quality was considered weak in all studies (100%), with a high risk of bias. Conclusion: Even with the gradual evolution of the care provided to PSNs in DSCs, improvements are still necessary, both in relation to the qualification of professionals so that they have the knowledge and handling necessary to perform the care following the necessary protocols, as well as the improvement of access for these patients.

Conteo de carga viral en pacientes con VIH/SIDA usuarios de terapias alternativas o complementarias / Viral load count in patients with HIV/AIDS users of alternative and/or complementary therapies

Introducción: una alternativa para mitigar los efectos del virus de inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH) es la medicina complementaria, alternativa o integrativa (MCAI); sin embargo, esta puede tener una influencia negativa en los pacientes con VIH. Objetivo: estimar la relación entre la carga viral y el uso de MCAI en pacientes con VIH/SIDA. Metodología: estudio analítico con 232 pacientes de la clínica de VIH/SIDA de una unidad médica de segundo nivel de atención en Cancún, México. Previo consentimiento informado, a cada paciente se le aplicó un cuestionario para identificar el uso de la MCAI y simultáneamente se obtuvo el conteo de carga viral y el CD4 del expediente electrónico. Resultados: el 47.8% utilizaron herbolaria como tratamiento alternativo. No se encontró diferencia estadística entre la utilización de herbolaria y su conteo de carga viral (p > 0.646). La terapia cuerpo-mente, los suplementos vitamínicos, la homeopatía y la acupuntura se usaron del 5 al 24.6%, sin diferencia estadística (p > 0.05) entre los grupos. Por el contrario, el uso de sesiones de manipulación del cuerpo mostró diferencia en relación con quienes no las utilizaban (p < 0.05). Conclusiones: es importante que el profesional de la salud identifique los efectos adversos o benéficos de las terapias alternativas y complementarias, con la finalidad de orientar a sus pacientes y no afectar su tratamiento antirretroviral y, en consecuencia, su conteo de carga viral.

Introduction: An alternative to mitigate the effects of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the complementary and alternative medicine (CAM); however, this could have a negative influence in patients with HIV. Objective: To estimate the relationship between viral load and the use of CAM in patients with HIV/AIDS. Method: Analytical study with 232 patients from the HIV/AIDS Clinic of a second-level healthcare unit in Cancun, Mexico. With prior informed consent, a questionnaire was administered to each patient to identify the use of CAM, and, simultaneously, the viral load and CD4 counts were obtained from their electronic file. Results: 47.8% used herbal medicine as an alternative treatment. No statistical difference was found between the use of herbal products and their viral load (p > 0.646). Body-mind therapy, vitamin supplements, homeopathy and acupuncture were used from 5 to 24.6% without statistical difference (p > 0.05) among groups. However, the use of massage therapy showed a difference in relation to those who did not use it (p < 0.05). Conclusions: It is important that health professionals identify the adverse or beneficial effects of alternative and complementary therapies, so that they can guide their patients and not affect their antiretroviral treatment and, consequently, their viral load.

Efectividad del Rescue Remedy en pacientes con crisis de asma leve persistente / Effectiveness of Rescue Remedy in patients with light persistent asthma crisis

Introducción: Edward Bach descubrió la terapia floral como una forma de curación que incluye 39 esencias florales, siendo el Rescue Remedy uno de los más utilizados, el cual se relaciona con situaciones de emergencia, estrés y angustia. Objetivo: Evaluar la efectividad del Rescue Remedy en pacientes con crisis de asma leve persistente. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio de intervención terapéutica en pacientes con crisis de asma leve persistente, atendidos en el Cuerpo de Guardia del Hospital General Docente Dr. Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso de Santiago de Cuba, durante el tercer trimestre del 2018. La muestra estuvo constituida por 60 pacientes, distribuidos en 2 grupos con 30 integrantes cada uno. El grupo A (de estudio) fue tratado con terapia floral (Rescue Remedy) y el grupo B (de control) con medicamentos. Resultados: Antes de los 20 minutos de recibir la terapia, 90,0 % de los pacientes del grupo A mejoraron los síntomas, mientras que del grupo B solo 53,3 %. Ningún afectado del grupo de estudio mostró reacciones adversas; en tanto, 96,7 % del grupo de control sí las presentó. Conclusiones: El Remedio 39 o Rescue Remedy resultó efectivo como terapia de emergencia en los pacientes estudiados.

Introduction: Edward Bach discovered floral therapy as a form of treatment that includes 39 floral essences, being Rescue Remedy one of the most used, which is related to emergency, stress and distress situations. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of Rescue Remedy in patients with persistent mild asthma crisis. Methods: A study of therapeutic intervention was carried out in patients with persistent mild asthma crisis, assisted in the Emergency Department of Dr. Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso Teaching General Hospital in Santiago de Cuba, during the third quarter of 2018. The sample was constituted by 60 patients, distributed in 2 groups with 30 members each one. The group A (study) was treated with floral therapy (Rescue Remedy) and group B (control) with medications. Results: Before the 20 minutes of receiving the therapy, 90.0 % of the patients from group A improved the symptoms, unlike just 53.3 % of the patients from group B. None of the affected patients from the study group showed adverse reactions; while 96.7 % of the control group presented side effects. Conclusions: The Remedy 39 or Rescue Remedy was effective as emergency therapy in the studied patients.

Changes in knowledge and use of clinical coordination mechanisms between care levels in healthcare networks of Colombia.

Clinical coordination mechanisms (CCMs) have become key tools in healthcare networks for improving coordination between primary care (PC) and secondary care (SC) and are particularly relevant in health systems with highly fragmented healthcare provision. However, their implementation has been little studied to date in Latin America and particularly in Colombia. This study analyses the level of knowledge and use of CCMs between care levels and their changes between 2015 and 2017 in two public healthcare networks in Bogotá, Colombia. Comparison of two cross-sectional studies based on surveys among PC and SC doctors working in their networks (174 doctors per network/year). The COORDENA questionnaire was used for measuring knowledge concerning CCMs and the frequency of use and difficulties involved in using referral/reply letters (R/RLs) and hospital discharge reports (HDRs). Descriptive bivariate analysis and Poisson regression models with robust variance were used for analysing differences between networks and years. The results for both networks and years revealed greater knowledge and use of information coordination mechanisms than those regarding clinical management coordination (though their knowledge increased in 2017). Although widely known and used, significant problems regarding infrequent and late receipt of RLs and HDRs in PC as well as the poor quality of their contents limits their effective use, which may affect the quality of care. Strategies are required to improve CCMs use.

Factores de riesgo asociados a la anemia ferropénica en niños menores de dos años / Risk factors associated to iron-deficiency anemia in children younger than two years old

Introducción: La anemia ferropénica es un problema que tiene consecuencias de gran alcance para lasalud humana, el desarrollo social y económico de los países. En la actualidad se relacionacon la desnutrición y la enfermedad, suele utilizarse como indicador para estimar la calidadde los programas sociosanitarios de las naciones.Objetivo: Identificar factores de riesgo para el desarrollo de anemia ferropénica en niños menores dedos años de edad.Método: Se realizó estudio descriptivo, transversal y retrospectivo el Policlínico Comunitario DocenteLidia y Clodomira, del municipio de Regla, provincia La Habana, desde diciembre de 2018hasta febrero de 2019. Las variables estudiadas fueron: los antecedentes prenatales (anemiamaterna) y posnatales (edad, sexo, tiempo gestacional; peso al nacer, tipo de lactanciadurante el primer semestre de vida; estado nutricional, morbilidades asociadas; uso dehierro profiláctico e intensidad de la anemia). Los datos obtenidos se depositaron en unaplanilla confeccionada al efecto, se trabajaron en Excel.Resultados: Predominó el grupo de niños entre 6 y 9 meses (49.5 por ciento), el sexo masculino (56.4 por ciento), los hijosde madres con anemia anteparto (67.3 por ciento), sin lactancia materna exclusiva en primersemestre (71.3 por ciento) y sin suplementación (68.3 por ciento). Al relacionar la anemia ferropénica con elestado nutricional, existió predominio en niños normopeso (42.6 por ciento); sobresalió la anemialigera (71.3 por ciento).Conclusiones: La presencia de anemia en niños está vinculada con factores de riesgo maternos y propiosdel infante que deben ser tratados en la puericultura, con actividades de promoción y prevención de salud.(AU)

Introduction: Anemia, iron-deficiency is a generalized problem that has great reaching consequences forhuman health, and for the social and economic development of the countries. Nowadays itis closely related to malnourishment and diseases; and it can be used as an indicator toestimate the quality of the socio-sanitary programs of the nations.Objective: To identify risk factors for the development of iron-deficiency anemia in children youngerthan 2 years old.Method: A descriptive cross sectional, and retrospective study was carried out in children youngerthan two years old diagnosed with iron-deficiency anemia, from Lidia y ClodomiraTeaching Community Policlinic in Regla, La Habana province; from December, 2018 toFebruary, 2019. The variables under study were: prenatal history (maternal anemia), andpostnatal (age, sex, gestational time and birth weight, type of milk feeding during the firstsemester of life, nutritional estate, associate morbidities, use of prophylactic iron andintensity of the anemia). The obtained data were collocated in a form made for it and theywere worked in Excel.Results. The 6 to 9 months age group prevailed (49.5 per cent), the male sex (56.4 per cent), children withmothers who suffered from anemia before delivery, without exclusive breast feeding in theirfirst semester and without supplementation; this mostly caused slight anemia.Conclusions. The presence of anemia in children is linked to maternal risk factors and to the infantsthemselves that should be treated in pediatric consultations with promotion and prevention health activities.(AU)

Evaluation of the incidence of bleeding in patients prescribed rivaroxaban for the treatment and prevention of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in UK secondary care: an observational cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the short-term (12 weeks) safety and utilisation of rivaroxaban prescribed to new-user adult patients for the treatment of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism and for the prevention of recurrent deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in a secondary care setting in England and Wales. DESIGN: An observational cohort study using the technique of Specialist Cohort Event Monitoring. SETTING: The Rivaroxaban Observational Safety Evaluation study was conducted across 87 participating National Health Service secondary care trusts in England and Wales. PARTICIPANTS: 1532 patients treated with rivaroxaban for the prevention and treatment of deep vein thrombosis/pulmonary embolism from September 2013 to January 2016. INTERVENTIONS: Non-interventional postauthorisation safety study of rivaroxaban. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: (1) Risk of major bleeding in gastrointestinal, intracranial, and urogenital sites and (2) risk of all major and clinically relevant non-major bleeds. RESULTS: Of a total of 4846 patients enrolled in the study from September 2013 to January 2016, 1532 were treated with rivaroxaban for the prevention and treatment of deep vein thrombosis/pulmonary embolism. The median age of the deep vein thrombosis/pulmonary embolism cohort was 63 years, and 54.6% were men. The risk of major bleeding within the gastrointestinal, urogenital and intracranial primary sites was 0.7% (n=11), 0.3% (n=5) and 0.1% (n=1), respectively. The risk of major bleeding in all sites was 1.5% (n=23) at a rate of 8.3 events per 100 patient-years. CONCLUSIONS: In terms of the primary outcome risk of major bleeding in gastrointestinal, intracranial and urogenital sites, the risk estimates in the population using rivaroxaban for deep vein thrombosis/pulmonary embolism were low (<1%) and consistent with the risk estimated from clinical trial data and in routine clinical practice. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS: ClinicalTrials.gov Registry (NCT01871194); ENCePP Registry (EUPAS3979).

Efficacy of newer modalities in the management of indirect hyperbilirubinaemia at a secondary care hospital: A prospective study from 2015-2018.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of current practices and new modalities for the management of neonatal indirect hyperbilirubinaemia. METHODS: The prospective study was conducted at King Khalid Hospital, Al Majmaah, Saudi Arabia, from September 2015 to September 2018, and copmprised neonates with hyperbilirubinaemia who were managed using the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence 2010 guidelines. The outcomes were measured in terms of decrease in total serum bilirubin and clinical improvement. Data was analysed using SPSS 25. RESULTS: Of the 233 subjects, there were 119(51%) girls and 114(49%) boys. Phototherapy was used in 162(69.5%) cases, intensive phototherapy in 36(15.5%) and intravenous immunoglobulin in 35(15%). Exchange transfusion was done in 2(0.85%) patients. All the 233(100%) patients improved with the management and total serum bilirubin significantly reduced (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Newer techniques were found to have a vital role in the management of neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia.

Older age and frailty are the chief predictors of mortality in COVID-19 patients admitted to an acute medical unit in a secondary care setting- a cohort study.

BACKGROUND: There is a need for more observational studies across different clinical settings to better understand the epidemiology of the novel COVID-19 infection. Evidence on clinical characteristics of COVID-19 infection is scarce in secondary care settings in Western populations. METHODS: We describe the clinical characteristics of all consecutive COVID-19 positive patients (n = 215) admitted to the acute medical unit at Fairfield General Hospital (secondary care setting) between 23 March 2020 and 30 April 2020 based on the outcome at discharge (group 1: alive or group 2: deceased). We investigated the risk factors that were associated with mortality using binary logistic regression analysis. Kaplan-Meir (KM) curves were generated by following the outcome in all patients until 12 May 2020. RESULTS: The median age of our cohort was 74 years with a predominance of Caucasians (87.4%) and males (62%). Of the 215 patients, 86 (40%) died. A higher proportion of patients who died were frail (group 2: 63 vs group 1: 37%, p < 0.001), with a higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease (group 2: 58 vs group 1: 33%, p < 0.001) and respiratory diseases (group 2: 38 vs group 1: 25%, p = 0.03). In the multivariate logistic regression models, older age (odds ratio (OR) 1.03; p = 0.03), frailty (OR 5.1; p < 0.001) and lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) on admission (OR 0.98; p = 0.01) were significant predictors of inpatient mortality. KM curves showed a significantly shorter survival time in the frail older patients. CONCLUSION: Older age and frailty are chief risk factors associated with mortality in COVID-19 patients hospitalised to an acute medical unit at secondary care level. A holistic approach by incorporating these factors is warranted in the management of patients with COVID-19 infection.

Design of the PROstate cancer follow-up care in Secondary and Primary hEalth Care study (PROSPEC): a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of primary care-based follow-up of localized prostate cancer survivors.

BACKGROUND: In its 2006 report, From cancer patient to cancer survivor: lost in transition, the U.S. Institute of Medicine raised the need for a more coordinated and comprehensive care model for cancer survivors. Given the ever increasing number of cancer survivors, in general, and prostate cancer survivors, in particular, there is a need for a more sustainable model of follow-up care. Currently, patients who have completed primary treatment for localized prostate cancer are often included in a specialist-based follow-up care program. General practitioners already play a key role in providing continuous and comprehensive health care. Studies in breast and colorectal cancer suggest that general practitioners could also consider to provide survivorship care in prostate cancer. However, empirical data are needed to determine whether follow-up care of localized prostate cancer survivors by the general practitioner is a feasible alternative. METHODS: This multicenter, randomized, non-inferiority study will compare specialist-based (usual care) versus general practitioner-based (intervention) follow-up care of prostate cancer survivors who have completed primary treatment (prostatectomy or radiotherapy) for localized prostate cancer. Patients are being recruited from hospitals in the Netherlands, and randomly (1:1) allocated to specialist-based (N = 195) or general practitioner-based (N = 195) follow-up care. This trial will evaluate the effectiveness of primary care-based follow-up, in comparison to usual care, in terms of adherence to the prostate cancer surveillance guideline for the timing and frequency of prostate-specific antigen assessments, the time from a biochemical recurrence to retreatment decision-making, the management of treatment-related side effects, health-related quality of life, prostate cancer-related anxiety, continuity of care, and cost-effectiveness. The outcome measures will be assessed at randomization (≤6 months after treatment), and 12, 18, and 24 months after treatment. DISCUSSION: This multicenter, prospective, randomized study will provide empirical evidence regarding the (cost-) effectiveness of specialist-based follow-up care compared to general practitioner-based follow-up care for localized prostate cancer survivors. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Netherlands Trial Registry, Trial NL7068 (NTR7266). Prospectively registered on 11 June 2018.

Context matters: a qualitative study of the practicalities and dilemmas of delivering integrated chronic care within primary and secondary care settings in a rural Malawian district.

BACKGROUND: With the increasing double burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in sub-Saharan Africa, health systems require new approaches to organise and deliver services for patients requiring long-term care. There is increasing recognition of the need to integrate health services, with evidence supporting integration of HIV and NCD services through the reorganisation of health system inputs, across system levels. This study investigates current practices of delivering and implementing integrated care for chronically-ill patients in rural Malawi, focusing on the primary level. METHODS: A qualitative study on chronic care in Phalombe district conducted between April 2016 and May 2017, with a sub-analysis performed on the data following a document analysis to understand the policy context and how integration is conceptualised in Malawi; structured observations in five of the 15 district health facilities, selected purposively to represent different levels of care (primary and secondary), and ownership (private and public). Fifteen interviews with healthcare providers and managers, purposively selected from the above facilities. Meetings with five non-governmental organisations to study their projects and support towards chronic care in Phalombe. Data were analysed using a thematic approach and managed in NVivo. RESULTS: Our study found that, while policies supported integration of various disease-specific programmes at point of care, integration efforts on the ground were severely hampered by human and health resource challenges e.g. inadequate consultation rooms, erratic supplies especially for NCDs, and an overstretched health workforce. There were notable achievements, though most prominent at the secondary level e.g. the establishment of a combined NCD clinic, initiating NCD screening within HIV services, and initiatives for integrated information systems. CONCLUSION: In rural Malawi, major impediments to integrated care provision for chronically-ill patients include the frail state of primary healthcare services and sub-optimal NCD care at the lowest healthcare level. In pursuit of integrative strategies, opportunities lie in utilising and expanding community-based outreach strategies offering multi-disease screening and care with strong referral linkages; careful task delegation and role realignment among care teams supported with proper training and incentive mechanisms; and collaborative partnership between public and private sector actors to expand the resource-base and promoting cross-programme initiatives.