Effectiveness of the Use of the Human Recombinant Epidermal Growth Factor in the Subsidized Regime vs The Contributive Regime in Patients with Venous Ulcers in Bogotá.

Introduction: Vascular ulcers constitute a serious global public health problem, responsible for causing a significant social and economic impact due to their recurrent, disabling nature and the need for prolonged therapies to cure them. Objective: To evaluate the use and efficacy of the rhEGF in the epithelialization of patients with a diagnosis of CEAP stage 6 venous insufficiency, in the two regimes of the health system in Colombia, the contributive (equivalent to a health system where citizens with payment capacity contribute a percentage of their salary) and the subsidized (equivalent to a health system where the state covers the vulnerable population and low socioeconomic level) versus the other treatments used. Methodology: Observational, descriptive, retrospective, multicenter study, in which 105 medical records with 139 ulcers were reviewed, in 2 centers, one belonging to the subsidized system and the other to the contributive system in Colombia. Results: The association with the epithelialization variable of the different treatment groups for ulcers according to the application of the mixed effect model test, for both regimes was for the Biologicals (EC 34.401/p = 0.000), Bioactive Agents (Hydrogels) (EC 24.735/p = 0.005) groups; for the rest of the treatment groups, the results were neither associated nor statistically significant. Conclusion: Intra- and perilesional therapy with rhEGF expands the therapeutic spectrum in patients with venous ulcers, regardless of the type of health system in which it will be applied, shortening the healing time and reaching a possible therapeutic goal, which according to this study there is an association with epithelialization regardless of the regime applied.

Cost comparison of three kinds of compression therapy in venous ulcer.

Evolution and cost of three types of compression therapy (single layer, multilayer and Unna boot) in patients with venous ulceration were compared. The evaluation lasted two months and used photographic records and instrument based on pressure ulcer scale for healing (PUSH). Treatment with monolayer compression therapy presented the lowest cost and more efficacy of the three types, with 82% savings compared with the multilayer therapy.

Cost comparison of three kinds of compression therapy in venous ulcer

Abstract: Evolution and cost of three types of compression therapy (single layer, multilayer and Unna boot) in patients with venous ulceration were compared. The evaluation lasted two months and used photographic records and instrument based on pressure ulcer scale for healing (PUSH). Treatment with monolayer compression therapy presented the lowest cost and more efficacy of the three types, with 82% savings compared with the multilayer therapy.

Custo do tratamento de úlceras venosas no ambulatório e domicílio: estudo descritivo / Cost of the treatment for venous ulcers in an outpatient clinic and in the household: a descriptive study / Costo del tratamiento de úlceras venosas en el ambulatorio y en el domicilio: estudio descriptivo

OBJETIVO: Comparar os custos diretos do tratamento de úlceras venosas com gel de carboximetilcelulose nos ambientes domiciliar e ambulatorial. MÉTODO: Estudo descritivo, com realização de 96 consultas no Ambulatório de Reparo de Feridas de um hospital universitário, entre abril e dezembro de 2013. Foram identificadas categorias de custo, definidos valores monetários e realizados cálculos baseados no consumo dos materiais no ambulatório e dispensados para o domicílio. O estudo foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa do hospital sob o número 196/08. RESULTADOS: Após 84 dias de seguimento, os custos do tratamento ambulatorial foram maiores do que os custos do tratamento domiciliar, e a principal responsável por essa diferença é a mão de obra do enfermeiro. CONCLUSÃO: É necessário definir estratégias para a realização de consultas de enfermagem efetivas com orientações para o tratamento domiciliar e dispensação do material para o paciente.

AIM: To compare the direct costs of treatment of venous ulcers involving the use of carboxymethylcellulose gel in domiciliary and outpatient environments. METHOD: This is a descriptive study, in which 96 consultations were performed in the Wound Healing Clinic of a university hospital between April and December 2013. Cost categories were identified, monetary values were defined and calculations were based on the consumption of materials used in the clinic and later released to the patients' homes. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the hospital under the number 196/08. RESULTS: After 84 days of follow-up, outpatient treatment costs were higher than the home care costs, and the main reason for this difference was nursing manpower. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to define strategies for conducting effective nursing consultations and these strategies should include guidelines for home care and the dispensing of the material for patients.

OBJETIVO: Comparar los gastos directos del tratamiento de úlceras venosas con gel de Carboximetilcelulosa en los ambientes domiciliario y ambulatorio. MÉTODO: Estudio descriptivo, con realización de 96 consultas en el Ambulatorio de Reparación de heridas de un hospital universitario, entre abril y diciembre de 2013. Fueron identificadas categorías de costo, definidos valores monetarios y realizados cálculos basados en el consumo de los materiales en el ambulatorio y dispensados para el domicilio. El estudio fue aprobado por el Comité de Ética en Pesquisa del hospital con el número 196/08. RESULTADOS: Después de 84 días de seguimiento, los gastos del tratamiento ambulatorio fueron mayores de que los gastos del tratamiento domiciliario, y la principal responsable por esa diferencia es la mano de obra del enfermero. CONCLUSIÓN: Es necesario definir estrategias para realizar consultas de enfermería efectivas con orientaciones para el tratamiento domiciliario y la dispensación del material para el paciente.

Tratamento da úlcera varicosa dos membros inferiores mediante cirurgia e bota de Unna: uma economia para o sistema de saúde brasileiro / Treatment of varicose ulcer of the lower limbs by surgery and Unna boot: savings for the Brazilian healthcare system

Objective: To perform an analysis of the costs of treatment of varicose ulcers by radical surgery of varices and the use of Unna boot. Methods: Fifteen outpatients were selected to receive treatment of varicose ulcers with radical surgery and Unna boot. The total cost of treatment was calculated (hospitalization, surgery, dressings, and outpatient?s follow-up visits) and compared to the cost of clinical follow-up with daily simple dressing changes. Results: The proposed treatment was on average 55.71% more economical than the management with daily dressings (approximately US$452.32 versus US$1,021.39). Conclusion: Radical varicose vein surgery associated with the useof the Unna boot proved meaningly less expensive for the public health system than clinical follow-up with daily dressings.

Objetivo: Realizar uma análise de custo do tratamento da úlcera varicosa mediante cirurgia radical de varizes e uso de bota de Unna. Métodos: quinze pacientes foram selecionados ambulatorialmente para receber o tratamento da úlcera varicosa com cirurgia radical de varizes e bota de Unna, sendo o custo total do tratamento contabilizado (internação, cirurgia, curativos e retornos ambulatoriais) e comparado ao custo do acompanhamento clínico com curativos simples trocados diariamente. Resultados: O tratamento proposto foi em média 55,71% mais econômico que o manejo com curativos diários (R$ 717,84 x R$ 1.620,95 ou aproximadamente US$ 452.32 x US$ 1,021.39). Conclusão: O emprego da cirurgia radical de varizes associado ao uso de bota de Unna provou-se expressivamente menos dispendioso para a saúde pública do que o acompanhamento clínico com curativos diários.

Tamponamento cardíaco causado por cateter central de inserção periférica em recém-nascido / Cardiac tamponade due to peripheral inserted central catheter in newborn

This article reports the case of an adverse event of cardiac tamponade associated with central catheter peripheral insertion in a premature newborn. The approach was pericardial puncture, which reversed the cardiorespiratory arrest. The newborn showed good clinical progress and was discharged from hospital with no complications associated with the event.

Este artigo relata um evento adverso de tamponamento cardíaco associado a cateter central de inserção periférica em recém-nascido prematuro. A abordagem foi punção pericárdica que reverteu o quadro de parada cardiorrespiratória. O recém-nascido apresentou boa evolução clínica e recebeu alta hospitalar sem complicações associadas ao evento.

Cost survey of procedure with Unna boot in patients with venous ulcer.

Aims was to identify the social-demographic characteristics and the lesions of patients with venous ulcer (VU), as well as to estimate the total direct cost of materials and nursing personnel necessary for the procedure with unna boot, by the average total direct cost (ATDC) and the observed cost (OTDC). The theoretical referential adopted for cost calculation was the costing system by absorption of procedure or product. This study was conducted at the University Hospital of Sao Paulo University (HU) Ambulatory. The sample was constituted by 65 procedures in nine patients with VU. The results show that the predominant age groups were 49 to 56 years (33,33%) and 65 to 72 years (33,33%), in female patients (77,78%). Regarding associated diseases, there was a predominance of Systemic Arterial Hypertension (33,33%) and Diabetes Mellitus (22,22%). The ATDC was 107,99 R dollars and the OTDC was 96,47 R dollars.

Direct health care costs of 4 common skin ulcers in New Mexico Medicaid fee-for-service patients.

OBJECTIVE: To determine health care costs associated with pressure ulcers, ulcers of the lower limbs, other chronic ulcers, and venous leg ulcers from the New Mexico Medicaid fee-for-service program perspective. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of claims database MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Physician visit, hospital, and prescription costs were determined for New Mexico Medicaid patients with a primary and/or secondary diagnosis of 1 of 4 identified categories of skin ulcers from January 1, 1994, through December 31, 1998. Costs were determined in terms of mean and median annual cost per patient and total costs per year. Zero dollar claims were included within the cost calculations. All costs are expressed in 2000-dollar values. MAIN RESULTS: Mean annual physician visit costs per patient ranged from $71 (standard deviation [SD] = $60) for venous leg ulcers in 1998 to $520 (SD = $1228) for pressure ulcers in 1996. Mean annual hospital costs per patient ranged from $266 (SD = $348) for other chronic ulcers in 1998 to $15,760 (SD = $30,706) for pressure ulcers in 1998. Mean annual prescription costs per patient ranged from $145 (SD = $282) for other chronic ulcers in 1998 to $654 (SD = $1488) for pressure ulcers in 1994. CONCLUSION: The New Mexico Medicaid fee-for-service system incurred a total cost of approximately $11.6 million (in 2000 dollars) from 1994 through 1998 for the treatment of the 4 categories of skin ulcers studied. The data showed that the majority of wounds were coded as pressure ulcers, which had the highest associated costs.

Tratamiento ambulatorio de la úlcera venosa / Ambulatory treatment of venous ulcers

Objetivo: Presentar los resultados de 5 años de trabajo en el tratamiento de la úlcera venosa en 608 pacientes desde un enfoque institucional y ambulatorio. Material y métodos: Criterios de inclusión: úlcera venosa, paciente capaz de caminar, sin patología arterial, cualquier localización, cualquier tamaño, cualquier "edad" de la úlcera. Tratamiento: educación del paciente y familia sobre su enfermedad, medidas anti estasis venosa, curación diaria con pomada de óxido de zinc y vendaje elástico permanente (50-60 mm Hg en tobillo), consultas mensuales hasta cierre total. Pacientes: 423 mujeres con edad promedio 68,5 años y 185 hombres con edad promedio 66,5 años. Tamaño de úlcera en cm2: 5,5 (mediana) 2,4 - 17,3 (rango intercuartil). "Edad" de la úlcera en meses: 3 (mediana) 2 - 12 (rango intercuartil). Resultados: Al final del 4º mes 66 por ciento de las úlceras estan cerradas; al 5º mes 71 por ciento; al 6º mes 77 por ciento; al 7º mes 80 por ciento cerradas. Factores de riesgo para el cierre tardío: "Edad" de la úlcera > 12 meses: al final del 6º mes sólo el 37 por ciento están cerradas. Tamaño de la úlcera > 10 cm2: al final de 6º mes sólo el 53 por ciento están cerradas. Recidiva de úlcera: 10,5 por ciento. Costo de 6 meses de tratamiento: U$S 360. Conclusiones: 1) El tratamiento ambulatorio es bien aceptado por pacientes y familia. 2) La educación y el vendaje compresivo son las medidas más importantes. 3) El porcentaje de curación es alto. 4) El porcentaje de recidiva es bajo. 5) La "edad" y el tamaño de la úlcera son factores de riesgo para el cierre tardío. 6) El análisis actuarial se mostró idóneo para evaluar y comparar los tratamientos

Tratamiento ambulatorio de la úlcera venosa / Ambulatory treatment of venous ulcers

Objetivo: Presentar los resultados de 5 años de trabajo en el tratamiento de la úlcera venosa en 608 pacientes desde un enfoque institucional y ambulatorio. Material y métodos: Criterios de inclusión: úlcera venosa, paciente capaz de caminar, sin patología arterial, cualquier localización, cualquier tamaño, cualquier "edad" de la úlcera. Tratamiento: educación del paciente y familia sobre su enfermedad, medidas anti estasis venosa, curación diaria con pomada de óxido de zinc y vendaje elástico permanente (50-60 mm Hg en tobillo), consultas mensuales hasta cierre total. Pacientes: 423 mujeres con edad promedio 68,5 años y 185 hombres con edad promedio 66,5 años. Tamaño de úlcera en cm2: 5,5 (mediana) 2,4 - 17,3 (rango intercuartil). "Edad" de la úlcera en meses: 3 (mediana) 2 - 12 (rango intercuartil). Resultados: Al final del 4º mes 66 por ciento de las úlceras estan cerradas; al 5º mes 71 por ciento; al 6º mes 77 por ciento; al 7º mes 80 por ciento cerradas. Factores de riesgo para el cierre tardío: "Edad" de la úlcera > 12 meses: al final del 6º mes sólo el 37 por ciento están