Continuous Temperature Telemonitoring of Patients with COVID-19 and Other Infectious Diseases Treated in Hospital-at-Home: Viture® System Validation.

Body temperature must be monitored in patients receiving Hospital-at-Home (HaH) care for COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. Continuous temperature telemonitoring (CTT) detects fever and patient deterioration early, facilitating decision-making. We performed a validation clinical study assessing the safety, comfort, and impact on healthcare practice of Viture®, a CTT system, compared with a standard digital axillary thermometer in 208 patients with COVID-19 and other infectious diseases treated in HaH at the Navarra University Hospital (HUN). Overall, 3258 pairs of measurements showed a clinical bias of -0.02 °C with limits of agreement of -0.96/+0.92 °C, a 95% acceptance rate, and a mean absolute deviation of 0.36 (SD 0.30) °C. Viture® detected 3 times more febrile episodes and revealed fever in 50% more patients compared with spot measurements. Febrile episodes were detected 7.23 h (mean) earlier and modified the diagnostic and/or therapeutic approach in 43.2% of patients. Viture® was validated for use in a clinical setting and was more effective in detecting febrile episodes than conventional methods.

Pruritus in dialysis patients. Review and new perspectives.

Uremic pruritus (UP) is one of the most uncomfortable symptoms for patients in dialysis. UP has a great impact on dialysis patients' quality of life and has a great prevalence between those (28-70%). Physiopathology of UP is unknown and usually is unnoticed for most nephrologists (in more than 65% of centers is underdiagnosed). This lack of awareness drives to the unsuccessful treatment of this symptom. Moreover, the fact that most studies have been carried out on small populations and the difficulty assessing UP complicates a correct therapeutical approach. For this reason, we have designed treatment algorithms based on the efficacy of the drugs but also its safeness to avoid adverse effects.

Prurito en pacientes en diálisis. Revisión de la literatura y nuevas perspectivas / Pruritus in dialysis patients. Review and new perspectives

El prurito es uno de los síntomas más incómodos y que más impacta en la calidad de vida de los pacientes en diálisis. Su prevalencia es bastante elevada en pacientes en diálisis (28-70%). La fisiopatología del prurito urémico es desconocida, y este síntoma a menudo pasa desapercibido para el personal sanitario, siendo infradiagnosticado en más del 65% de los centros. Esta falta de reconocimiento deriva en un abordaje terapéutico ineficaz del prurito urémico. Por otro lado, la mayoría de los ensayos farmacológicos para el tratamiento del prurito urémico han sido realizados en poblaciones reducidas y están sujetos a la subjetiva medición del propio síntoma. Por este motivo, hemos propuesto algoritmos de tratamiento, teniendo en cuenta la evidencia que avala a cada fármaco y a la vez la pluripatología y la polifarmacia de cada paciente, con el fin de evitar efectos adversos. (AU)

Uremic pruritus (UP) is one of the most uncomfortable symptoms for patients in dialysis. UP has a great impact on dialysis patients’ quality of life and has a great prevalence between those (28–70%). Physiopathology of UP is unknown and usually is unnoticed for most nephrologists (in more than 65% of centers is underdiagnosed). This lack of awareness drives to the unsuccessful treatment of this symptom. Moreover, the fact that most studies have been carried out on small populations and the difficulty assessing UP complicates a correct therapeutical approach. For this reason, we have designed treatment algorithms based on the efficacy of the drugs but also its safeness to avoid adverse effects. (AU)

The Effect of Nutritional Interventions on Long-Term Patient Survival in Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease.

Patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) are at high risk of malnutrition and subsequent related mortality when starting dialysis. However, there have been few clinical studies on the effect of nutritional interventions on long-term patient survival. A 2-year longitudinal study was conducted from January 2012 to December 2016. A total of 186 patients with non-dialysis ESKD started the nutritional education program (NEP), and 169 completed it. A total of 128 patients participated in a NEP over 6 months (personalized diet, education and oral supplementation, if needed). The control group (n = 45) underwent no specific nutritional intervention. The hospitalization rate was significantly lower for the patients with NEP (13.7%) compared with the control patients (26.7%) (p = 0.004). The mortality odds ratio for the patients who did not receive NEP was 2.883 (95% CI 0.993-8.3365, p = 0.051). The multivariate analysis showed an independent association between mortality and age (OR, 1.103; 95% CI 1.041-1.169; p = 0.001) and between mortality and the female sex (OR, 3.332; 95% CI 1.054-10.535; p = 0.040) but not between mortality and those with NEP (p = 0.051). Individualized nutrition education has long-term positive effects on nutritional status, reduces hospital admissions and increases survival among patients with advanced CKD who are starting dialysis programs.

Pruritus in dialysis patients. Review and new perspectives. / Prurito en pacientes en diálisis. Revisión de la literatura y nuevas perspectivas.

Uremic pruritus (UP) is one of the most uncomfortable symptoms for patients in dialysis. UP has a great impact on dialysis patients' quality of life and has a great prevalence between those (28-70%). Physiopathology of UP is unknown and usually is unnoticed for most nephrologists (in more than 65% of centers is underdiagnosed). This lack of awareness drives to the unsuccessful treatment of this symptom. Moreover, the fact that most studies have been carried out on small populations and the difficulty assessing UP complicates a correct therapeutical approach. For this reason, we have designed treatment algorithms based on the efficacy of the drugs but also its safeness to avoid adverse effects.

Diagnóstico de meningitis/encefalitis en UCI con sistema de PCR múltiple. ¿Es tiempo de cambio? / Meningitis/Encephalitis diagnosis in ICU using Multiplex PCR system: is it time of change?

OBJETIVO: Evaluar el impacto clínico de la PCR-múltiple FilmArray(R) panel Meningitis/Encefalitis en el diagnóstico de infecciones del sistema nervioso central y comparar los resultados obtenidos y el tiempo necesario hasta el diagnóstico con las técnicas microbiológicas convencionales. PACIENTES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio prospectivo observacional en una Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI) de adultos de un hospital de tercer nivel. Se realizó punción lumbar a todos los pacientes y en el LCR extraído se realizó FilmArray(R) panel de meningitis /encefalitis, estudio citoquímico, Gram y cultivos microbiológicos convencionales. RESULTADOS: 21 pacientes ingresados con sospecha de Meningitis/Encefalitis. Edad: mediana 58,4 años (RIQ 38,1-67,3), APACHE II: mediana 18 (RIQ 12-24). La mediana de estancia en UCI fue de 4 días (RIQ 2-6) y la hospitalaria de 17 días (RIQ 14-28). Mortalidad 14,3%. Se estableció un diagnóstico clínico final de Meningitis/Encefalitis en 16 pacientes, con diagnóstico etiológico en 12 casos (75%). La etiología más frecuente fue Streptococcus pneumoniae (8 casos). FilmArray(R) permitió diagnóstico etiológico en 3 casos con cultivo negativo y el resultado implicó cambios en el tratamiento antibiótico de 7 de los 16 pacientes (43,8%). Para la totalidad de pacientes, FilmArray(R) presentó una sensibilidad y especificidad del 100% y 90% respectivamente. La mediana de tiempo hasta la obtención del resultado de FilmArray(R) fue de 2,9 horas (RIQ 2,1-3,8) y del cultivo incluyendo antibiograma 45,1 horas (RIQ 38,9-58,7). CONCLUSIONES: FilmArray(R) panel Meningitis/Encefalitis realiza un diagnóstico etiológico más precoz que los cultivos convencionales, muestra una mayor sensibilidad y permite realizar un tratamiento antimicrobiano dirigido

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical impact of Meningitis/Encephalitis FilmArray(R) panel for the diagnosis of cerebral nervous system infection and to compare the results (including time for diagnosis) with those obtained by conventional microbiological techniques. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective observational study in an Intensive Care Unit of adults from a tertiary hospital was carried out. Cerebrospinal fluid from all patients was taken by lumbar puncture and assessed by the meningitis/encephalitis FilmArray(R) panel ME, cytochemical study, Gram, and conventional microbiological cultures. RESULTS: A total of 21 patients admitted with suspicion of Meningitis/Encephalitis. Median age of patients was 58.4 years (RIQ 38.1-67.3), median APACHE II 18 (RIQ 12-24). Median stay in ICU and median hospital stay was 4 (RIQ 2-6) and 17 days (RIQ 14-28), respectively. The overall mortality was 14.3%. A final clinical diagnosis of meningitis or encephalitis was established in 16 patients, obtaining the etiological diagnosis in 12 of them (75%). The most frequent etiology was Streptococcus pneumoniae (8 cases). FilmArray(R) allowed etiological diagnosis in 3 cases in which the culture had been negative, and the results led to changes in the empirical antimicrobial therapy in 7 of 16 cases (43.8%). FilmArray(R) yielded a global sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 90%, respectively. The median time to obtain results from the latter and conventional culture (including antibiogram) was 2.9 hours (RIQ 2.1-3.8) and 45.1 hours (RIQ 38.9-58.7), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The Meningitis/Encephalitis FilmArray(R) panel was able to establish the etiologic diagnosis faster than conventional methods. Also, it achieved a better sensitivity and led to prompt targeted antimicrobial therapy

Complicaciones infecciosas relacionadas con el drenaje ventricular externo. Incidencia y factores de riesgo / Infectious complications related to external ventricular shunt. Incidence and risk factors

Introducción. Las complicaciones infecciosas relacionadas con el drenaje ventricular externo (CIRDVE) son un problema importante en las Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI) neuroquirúrgicos. El objetivo del estudio es conocer la incidencia de CIRDVE y analizar los factores implicados. Material y métodos. Estudio retrospectivo en una UCI polivalente de adultos de un hospital universitario de tercer nivel. Se incluyeron todos los pacientes con drenaje ventricular externo (DVE) excepto aquellos diagnosticados de una infección del sistema nervioso central previa al implante. Resultados. Se incluyeron 87 pacientes, 106 DVE. Diagnóstico previo más frecuente: hemorragia subaracnoidea (49,4%). Presentaron CIRDVE 31 pacientes con 32 DVE. La tasa de CIRDVE fue de 19,5 por mil días de catéter y de ventriculitis 14 por mil días de catéter. Presentaron CIRDVE el 31,6% de los pacientes y ventriculitis el 25,3%. Los pacientes con CIRDVE tuvieron más manipulaciones del DVE (2,0 ± 0,6 vs. 3,3 ± 1,0 p=0,02), reposicionamiento (0,1 ± 0,1 vs. 0,2 ± 0,1) y mayor estancia media en UCI y hospitalaria (29,8 ± 4,9 vs. 49,8 ± 5,2, p<0,01 y 67,4 ± 18,8 vs, 108,9 ± 30,2, p=0,02 respectivamente). Los DVE con CIRDVE tuvieron mayor permanencia, tanto al diagnóstico como a la retirada (12,6 ± 2,1 vs. 18,3 ± 3,6 y 12,6 ± 2,1 vs. 30,4 ± 7,3, p<0,01). No hubo diferencias en mortalidad. Conclusiones. Uno de cada 3 pacientes presentó CIRDVE. Los factores relacionados fueron el número de manipulaciones, el reposicionamiento del DVE y el tiempo de permanencia. Los pacientes con CIRDVE tuvieron estancia media en UCI y hospitalaria más larga pero sin incremento en la mortalidad (AU)

Introduction. Infectious complications related to external ventricular shunt (ICREVS) are a main problem in neurocritical intensive care units (ICU). The aim of the review is to assess the incidence of ICREVS and to analyse factors involved. Material and methods: Retrospective analysis, adult polyvalent ICU in a third level reference hospital. Patients carrying external ventricular shunt (DVE) were included. Those patients with central nervous system infection diagnosed prior DVE placement were excluded. Results: 87 patients were included with 106 DVE. Most common admittance diagnosis was subarachnoid haemorrhage (49.4%). 31 patients with 32 DVE developed an ICREVS. Infection rate is 19.5 per 1000 days of shunt for ICREVS and 14 per 1000 days for ventriculitis. 31.6% of the patients developed ICREVS and 25.3% ventriculitis. Patients who developed ICREVS presented higher shunt manipulations (2.0 ± 0.6 vs. 3.26 ± 1.02, p=0.02), shunt repositioning (0.1 ± 0.1 vs. 0.2 ± 0.1) and ICU and hospital stay (29.8 ± 4.9 vs 49.8 ± 5.2, p<0.01 y 67.4 ± 18.8 vs. 108.9 ± 30.2, p=0.02. Those DVE with ICREVS were placed for longer not only at infection diagnosis but also at removal (12.6 ± 2.1 vs. 18.3 ± 3.6 and 12.6 ± 2.1 vs. 30.4 ± 7.3 days, p<0.01). No difference in mortality was found. Conclusions. One out of three patients with a DVE develops an infection. The risk factors are the number of manipulations, repositioning and the permanency days. Patients with ICREVS had a longer ICU and hospital average stay without an increase in mortality (AU)

Vigilancia epidemiológica para microorganismos multirresistentes en una UCI polivalente / Epidemiological surveillance for multidrug-resistant microorganisms in a general ICU

Introducción. Los microorganismos multirresistentes (MMR) suponen una amenaza para los pacientes ingresados en las Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos (UCIs). El objetivo de este estudio es analizar los resultados de los cultivos de vigilancia epidemiológica de dichos microorganismos en una de estas unidades. Material y métodos. UCI polivalente. Análisis retrospectivo, estadística descriptiva. Análisis de cultivos de vigilancia epidemiológica para MMR. Microorganismos estudiados: Staphylococcus aureus resistente a meticilina (SARM), Klebsiella pneumoniae productora de BLEE y/o carbapenemasa (KPBLEE-C) y Acinetobacter baumannii multirresistente (ABMR). Resultados. 1.259 pacientes ingresados. Se analizaron 2.234 muestras (exudado rectal 690, faríngeo 634, nasal 624, cutáneo 286) procedentes de 384 pacientes. La mayor rentabilidad alcanzada con las diferentes muestras para los distintos microorganismos fue: SARM, exudado nasal 79%, nasal + faríngeo 90%. ABMR: faríngeo 80%, faríngeo + rectal 95%. KPBLEE-C: rectal 95%, faríngeo + rectal 98%. De los 384 pacientes 94 (24,4%) estaban colonizados/infectados al ingreso con alguno de estos microorganismos. Durante su estancia, 134 pacientes (10,6% del total de pacientes ingresados) se colonizaron/infectaron por un total de 169 microorganismos. La colonización/infección más precoz fue para SARM (9,2 ± 6,4 días) y la más tardía para enterobacterias productoras de BLEE (18,7±16,4 días). Conclusiones. El 24,4% de los pacientes estaban colonizados/infectados por MMR al ingreso. Las muestras más rentables fueron exudado nasal para SARM, faríngeo para ABMR y rectal para KPBLEE-C. La asociación de dos muestras mejora la detección, excepto en KPBLEE-C. Los exudados cutáneos son poco rentables. El MMR más frecuente al ingreso son las enterobacterias productoras de BLEE y el adquirido intra UCI el ABMR (AU)

Introduction. Multidrug resistant (MDR) microorganisms represent a threat for patients admitted in Intensive Care Units (ICUs). The objective of the present study is to analyse the results of epidemiological surveillance cultures for these microorganisms in one of these units. Material and methods. General ICU. Retrospective analysis, descriptive statistics. Analysis of epidemiological surveillance cultures for MDR microorganisms in 2015. Studied microorganisms: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), ESBL-and/or carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (CESBL-KP) and MDR Acinetobacter baumannii (MDRAB). Results. One thousand, two hundred and fifty nine patients admitted. A total of 2,234 specimens from 384 patients were analysed (690, 634, 62 and 286 were rectal, throat, nasal and skin swabs respectively). Global APACHE II was 18.3 ± 8 versus 21.7 ± 7.8 in patients colonized/infected on admission. Global mortality was 19.7% versus 22.3% in patients colonized/infected on admission. The higher sensitivities achieved with the different samples for the different microorganism detection were as follows. MRSA: 79% and 90% for nasal and nasal + throat swabs, respectively. MDRAB: 80% and 95% for throat and throat + rectal swabs, respectively. CESBL-KP: 95% and 98% for rectal and rectal + throat swabs, respectively. 94 out of the 384 patients (24.4%) were colonized/infected with MDR at admission. 134 patients (10.6% of the total patients admitted) were colonized/infected with a total of 169 MMR during the hospital stay. MRSA has the earliest colonization/ infection (9.2 ± 6.4days) and ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae, the latest (18.7± 16.4 days). Conclusions. 24.4% of patients were colonized/infected by MDR at admission. Nasal, throat and rectal swabs were the most effective specimens for recovering MRSA, MDRAB and CESBL-KP, respectively. The combination of two specimens improves MDR detection except for CESBL-KP. Skin swabs are worthless. The most prevalent MDR at admission were ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae while the most frequent hospital acquired MDR was MDRAB (AU)