EcoHealth Center: reduce, reuse, recycle!

INTRODUCTION: Climate change is a topic of growing interest and should guide our actions in society. Clinical practice must improve sustainability and ecological behavior as an opportunity. We intend to show how measures were implemented to reduce resource consumption in a health center in Gonçalo, a small village in the center of Portugal, with the support of local government spreading these practices across the community. METHODS: The first step was to account for daily resource use in Gonçalo's Health Center. Opportunities for improvement were listed in a multidisciplinary team meeting and subsequently implemented. Local government was very cooperative in the implementation of such measures, helping us spread the intervention to the community. RESULTS: A considerable reduction in resource consumption was verified, mainly the reduction of consumption of paper. Before this intervention, there was neither separation nor recycling of waste, which was initiated by this program. This change was implemented in the building of the Parish Council, at the Health Center and School Center of Gonçalo, where health education activities were promoted. DISCUSSION: In a rural area, the health center is an integral part of the life of the community in which it operates. Thus, their behaviors have the power to influence that same community. By showing our interventions and through practical examples, we intend to influence other health units to be an agent for change within their communities. By reducing, reusing and recycling, we intend to be a role model.

'Consultas em dia': consultations at the day care center for the elderly.

INTRODUCTION: Gonçalo, a village with 1316 inhabitants of which 573 are 65 years old or older, presents itself as the 'Cradle of Fine Basketry'. Its population, rich in culture and stories to tell, has the support of a day care center for the elderly, where around 20 elderly people spend their days and find social connection. These patients make individual trips to access medical and nursing consultations. METHODS: Creation of a monthly consultation at the day care center for the elderly patients there. RESULTS: Reduction in the number of individual trips by the elderly patients, through the displacement of the family team;Optimizing the management of each individual health plan with the support of the day center's technical director, including therapeutic management and carrying out complementary diagnostic tests;Observation of the elderly patients in a safer way, avoiding traveling and maintaining a familiar space;Closer ties between the elderly patients and healthcare team; and Training of day care center professionals. DISCUSSION: At the heart of the practice of a healthcare team is the health and well-being of each patient. Therefore, meeting their needs, reallocating resources and involving the community will lead to health gains. The 'Consultas em Dia' project reflects this same onjective: the need of each elderly person to have access to GP/family nurse consultations joined with the healthcare team's willingness to provide an adapted response. Together we improved access and care delivery … we improved the health of our community!

Comparison of COVID-19 hospitalization costs across care pathways: a patient-level time-driven activity-based costing analysis in a Brazilian hospital.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic raised awareness of the need to better understand where and how patient-level costs are incurred in health care organizations, as health managers and other decision-makers need to plan and quickly adapt to the increasing demand for health care services to meet patients' care needs. Time-driven activity-based costing offers a better understanding of the drivers of cost throughout the care pathway, providing information that can guide decisions on process improvement and resource optimization. This study aims to estimate COVID-19 patient-level hospital costs and to evaluate cost variability considering the in-hospital care pathways of COVID-19 management and the patient clinical classification. METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study that applied time-driven activity-based costing (TDABC) in a Brazilian reference center for COVID-19. Patients hospitalized during the first wave of the disease were selected for their data to be analyzed to estimate in-hospital costs. The cost information was calculated at the patient level and stratified by hospital care pathway and Ordinal Scale for Clinical Improvement (OSCI) category. Multivariable analyses were applied to identify predictors of cost variability in the care pathways that were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 208 patients were included in the study. Patients followed five different care pathways, of which Emergency + Ward was the most followed (n = 118, 57%). Pathways which included the intensive care unit presented a statistically significant influence on costs per patient (p <  0.001) when compared to Emergency + Ward. The median cost per patient was I$2879 (IQR 1215; 8140) and mean cost per patient was I$6818 (SD 9043). The most expensive care pathway was the ICU only, registering a median cost per patient of I$13,519 (IQR 5637; 23,373) and mean cost per patient of I$17,709 (SD 16,020). All care pathways that included the ICU unit registered a higher cost per patient. CONCLUSIONS: This is one of the first microcosting study for COVID-19 that applied the TDABC methodology and demonstrated how patient-level costs vary as a function of the care pathways followed by patients. These findings can be used to develop value reimbursement strategies that will inform sustainable health policies in middle-income countries such as Brazil.

Quality of life and coping in children with cancer / Qualidade de vida e coping em crianças com câncer

Objective: Cancer illness is a stressful event that affects children's quality of life. This study verified the association between coping and quality of life in 13 children with cancer (6 to 12 years old) from a public hospital in the Southeastern region of the country. Methods: The participants answered the Hospitalization Coping Scale and Pediatric Quality of Life 3.0 (Cancer Module). Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were applied. A high average of adaptive coping and coping behaviors, such as talking, playing, and taking medicine, were observed. Results: The results suggest a potential positive correlation between quality of life related to the domain nausea, which also showed high scores, and adaptive coping, demonstrating children's difficulty in dealing with nausea, even after using adaptive coping strategies, and this domain was significant in reducing the quality of life perceived. Conclusion: Understanding coping and qualitywww of life may steer intervention in Pediatric Oncology.

Objetivo: O adoecimento por câncer é um evento estressor que afeta a qualidade de vida das crianças. Este estudo verificou associações entre coping e qualidade de vida em 13 crianças com câncer (6 a 12 anos), atendidas em um hospital público da região sudeste do país. Método: Os participantes responderam a Escala de Coping da Hospitalização e Pediatric Quality of Life 3.0 (Cancer Module). Análises estatísticas descritivas e inferenciais foram aplicadas. Médias elevadas de coping adaptativo e de comportamentos de coping, como conversar, brincar e tomar remédio, foram verificadas. Resultados: Os resultados sugerem uma possível correlação positiva entre qualidade de vida relacionada ao domínio "enjoo", que também apresentou escores altos, e coping adaptativo, demonstrando a dificuldade das crianças para lidarem com náuseas, mesmo usando estratégias de coping adaptativo, sendo esse domínio significativo na diminuição da qualidade de vida percebida. Conclusão: Foi concluído que a compreensão do coping e da qualidade de vida pode direcionar a assistência psicológica em Oncologia Pediátrica.

The Economic Impact of COVID-19 Treatment at a Hospital-level: Investment and Financial Registers of Brazilian Hospitals.

Background: The economic impact associated with the treatment strategies of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) patients by hospitals and health-care systems in Brazil is unknown and difficult to estimate. This research describes the investments made to absorb the demand for treatment and the changes in occupation rates and billing in Brazilian hospitals. Methods: This research covers the initial findings of "COVID-19 hospital costs and the proposition of a bundled reimbursement strategy for the health-care system," which includes 10 hospitals. The chief financial officer, the chief medical officer, and hospital executives of each participating hospital provided information regarding investments attributed to COVID-19 patient treatment. The analysis included variations in occupation rates and billing from 2019 to 2020 observed in each institution, and the investments for medical equipment, individual protection materials and building construction per patient treated. Results: The majority of hospitals registered a decrease in hospitalization rates and revenue from 2019 to 2020. For intensive care units (ICUs), the mean occupancy rate ranged from 88% to 83%, and for wards, it ranged from 85% to 73%. Monthly average revenue decreased by 10%. The mean hospital investment per COVID-19 inpatient was I$6800 (standard deviation 7664), with the purchase of ventilators as the most common investment. For this item, the mean, highest and lowest acquisition cost per ventilator were, respectively, I$31 468, I$48 881 and I$17 777. Conclusion: There was significant variability in acquisition costs and investments by institution for responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings highlight the importance of continuing microeconomic studies for a comprehensive assessment of hospital costs. Only with more detailed analyses, will it be possible to define and drive sustainable strategies to manage and reimburse COVID-19 treatment in health-care systems.

Correlates of metabolic syndrome among young Brazilian adolescents population.

BACKGROUND: Findings available in literature indicate that metabolic syndrome (MetS) diagnosed in young ages tends to remain in adulthood. The aim of the study was to identify demographic, nutritional, anthropometric and behavioral correlates of MetS in a sample of adolescents from Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. METHODOLOGY: This is a cross-sectional school-based study involving 274 participants aged 12-18 years (186 girls and 88 boys). Anthropometric measurements were performed and a questionnaire with structured questions was applied for data collection. MetS was identified according to criteria proposed by the International Diabetes Federation. Data were statistically treated using bivariate analysis and hierarchical multiple regression. RESULTS: The proportion of adolescents identified with MetS was equivalent to 4.7% [95% CI (3.6-6.0)]. Multivariate analysis showed that older age (OR = 1.22 [1.04-1.73]) and higher economic class (OR = 1.25 [1.07-1.96]) were significantly associated with MetS. Among behavioral factors, longer recreational screen time (OR = 1.26 [1.05-1.94]) and low fruits/vegetables intake (OR = 1.49 [1.23-2.41]) were independently associated with MetS. Likewise, excess body weight (OR = 1.52 [1.24-2.41]) was significantly associated with the outcome. CONCLUSION: The high proportion of adolescents with MetS and the identification of their correlates reinforce the need for early life style intervention and awareness programs in this population group.

Epidemiologia dos acidentes vasculares encefálicos atendidos por meio do serviço de atendimento móvel de urgência / Epidemiology of brain vascular accidents served through the urgency mobile service / Epidemiología de los accidentes vasculares cerebrales atendidos a través del servicio móvil de urgencia

Objetivo: levantar a epidemiologia dos acidentes vasculares encefálicos atendidos pelo serviço de atendimento móvel de urgência. Método: estudo epidemiológico, descritivo, retrospectivo, compondo 117 prontuários das vítimas de acidentes vasculares encefálicos. A análise dos dados foi efetivada pela estatística descritiva utilizando o Teste de Qui-quadrado de Person. A pesquisa teve aprovado o projeto pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa, CAAE: 12188112.6.0000.5188. Resultados: o estudo revelou que 59% dos AVEs ocorreram no sexo feminino; com prevalência em idosos (77,1%); a maior parte dos chamados ocorreu no distrito sanitário III do município de João Pessoa-PB (24,8%); o fator de risco mais evidenciado foi a idade elevada (32,8%), dentre os sinais inicialmente apresentados destaca-se a hemiparesia (42,5%). Conclusão: os resultados do presente estudo nos levam a concluir que é fundamental o planejamento de ações no âmbito da prevenção e promoção da saúde.(AU)

Objective: surveying the epidemiology of brain strokes attended through the emergency mobile service. Method: an epidemiological, descriptive, retrospective study comprising 117 medical records of victims of strokes. Data analysis was conducted through descriptive statistics using the Chi-square test of Person. The research had its project approved by the Research Ethics Committee, CAAE: 12188112.6.0000.5188. Results: the study revealed that 59% of strokes occurred in females; with prevalence in the elderly (77,1%); most calls occurred in the sanitary district III in the city of João Pessoa, PB (24,8%); the most common risk factor was high age (32,8%), among the signs initially presented highlights the hemiparesis (42,5%). Conclusion: the results of this study lead us to conclude that is essential the planning of actions for prevention and health promotion.(AU)

Objetivo: examinar la epidemiología de los accidentes cerebrovasculares atendidos a través del servicio móvil de urgencia. Método: un estudio epidemiológico, descriptivo, retrospectivo que comprende 117 historias clínicas de las víctimas de accidentes cerebrovasculares. Los datos se analizaron mediante estadística descriptiva con la prueba de Chi-cuadrado de Person. La investigación tuve el proyecto aprobado por el Comité de Ética en la Investigación, CAAE: 12188112.6.0000.5188. Resultados: el estudio reveló que el 59% de los derrames se produjeron en las mujeres; con prevalencia en los ancianos (77,1%); la mayoría de las llamadas se produjeron en el área sanitaria III en la ciudad de João Pessoa, PB (24,8%); el factor de riesgo más común fue la alta edad (32,8%), entre los signos inicialmente presentados se destaca la hemiparesia (42,5%). Conclusión: los resultados de este estudio nos llevan a concluir que la planificación de acciones en la prevención y promoción de la salud es esencial.(AU)

Euro 2012 European Football Championship Finals: planning for a health legacy.

The revised international health regulations offer a framework that can be used by host countries to organise public health activities for mass gatherings. From June 8, to July 1, 2012, Poland and Ukraine jointly hosted the Union of European Football Associations European Football Championship Finals (Euro 2012). More than 8 million people from around the world congregated to watch the games. Host countries and international public health agencies planned extensively to assess and build capacity in the host countries and to develop effective strategies for dissemination of public health messages. The effectiveness of public health services was maximised through rapid sharing of information between parties, early use of networks of experienced individuals, and the momentum of existing national health programmes. Organisers of future mass gatherings for sporting events should share best practice and their experiences through the WHO International Observer Program. Research about behaviour of large crowds is needed for crowd management and the evidence base translated into practice. A framework to measure and evaluate the legacy of Euro 2012 is needed based on the experiences and the medium-term and long-term benefits of the tournament.

Effects of the antimycobacterial compound 2-phenoxy-1-phenylethanone on rat hepatocytes and formation of metabolites.

CONTEXT: Neolignans are usually dimers formed by oxidative coupling of allyl and propenyl phenols, and the neolignan analogue, 2-phenoxy-1-phenylethanone (LS-2) is a promising antimycobacterial compound showing very weak cytotoxicity in mammalian cells and lack of acute toxicity in murine models. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the mechanism of action of LS-2 in rat hepatocytes by evaluating the activity levels of enzymes related to oxidation status and drug-metabolizing activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hepatocytes were treated with LS-2 from 0.05 up to 1 mM, for 24 and 48 h, and reduced glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation and cytochrome P450 enzyme (CYP450) activity were assayed. A homologous series of phenoxazone ethers were used as substrates to measure the enzymatic profile. The biotransformation of LS-2 was studied in hepatocytes by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for detection and analysis of possible metabolites. RESULTS: Hepatocytes treated with LS-2 up to 1 mM for 24 or 48 h did not induce the formation of GSH and lipid peroxidation. O-Dealkylation activities of the isoenzymes CYP4501A1, CYP4501A2, CYP4502B1 and CYP4502B2 were also not detected in the hepatocytes treated with LS-2 for 24 or 48 h. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The results indicate that LS-2 or its two detected metabolites, 2-phenoxy-1-phenylethanol and 2,4-(2-hydroxy-2-phenylethoxy)phenol, are not cytotoxic to rat hepatocytes. These compounds maintain a balance between the production of pro-oxidant agents and their respective antioxidant systems. The data show that enzymes related to oxidation status and drug-metabolizing activities are not involved in the mechanism of action of LS-2.

Abrigo e abrigados: construções e desconstruções de um estigma / Shelter and sheltered: construction and deconstruction of the one stigma

Partindo de uma pesquisa bibliográfica acerca das produções acadêmicas referentes às temáticas abrigamento, convivência e destituição do poder familiar, entre os anos de 2000 a 2008, constatamos que alguns artigos atribuíam às crianças e aos adolescentes abrigados uma identidade particular, segundo certas concepções psicológicas que os aprisionam em determinadas formas de ser. Esse artigo coloca em análise a construção de estigmas institucionais, dentre eles, déficits nas crianças e jovens abrigados: problemas de atenção, dificuldade de aprendizagem, prejuízos em relação a mecanismos de defesa, excesso de agressividade, embaraços nas relações afetivas, dificuldade de expressão, carência de afetos. A análise do discurso foi a opção escolhida por nos possibilitar compreender todo um leque de relações que atravessam as falas dos especialistas e que participam da produção, reprodução, manutenção ou transformação das práticas sociais e das relações de saber-poder com as suas implicações ético-políticas.(AU)

Starting from a bibliographic research on the academic productions regarding the themes sheltering, living with family and the dismissal of the family values, we verified that some articles attributed to sheltered children and teenagers a particular identity to sheltered children e and teenagers, according to some psychological concepts which imprison them in certain ways of being. This article places in analysis the construction of the stigma of institutions, among them, the shelters and the sheltered. The analysis of the discourse was the option chosen given that it allowed us to comprehend all of the innumerous relations that go through the speech of specialists and that participate of the production, reproduction, maintenance, and transformation of social practices and the relations of the knowing-power with the ethic-political implications.(AU)

Abrigo e abrigados: construções e desconstruções de um estigma / Shelter and sheltered: construction and deconstruction of the one stigma

Partindo de uma pesquisa bibliográfica acerca das produções acadêmicas referentes às temáticas abrigamento, convivência e destituição do poder familiar, entre os anos de 2000 a 2008, constatamos que alguns artigos atribuíam às crianças e aos adolescentes abrigados uma identidade particular, segundo certas concepções psicológicas que os aprisionam em determinadas formas de ser. Esse artigo coloca em análise a construção de estigmas institucionais, dentre eles, déficits nas crianças e jovens abrigados: problemas de atenção, dificuldade de aprendizagem, prejuízos em relação a mecanismos de defesa, excesso de agressividade, embaraços nas relações afetivas, dificuldade de expressão, carência de afetos. A análise do discurso foi a opção escolhida por nos possibilitar compreender todo um leque de relações que atravessam as falas dos especialistas e que participam da produção, reprodução, manutenção ou transformação das práticas sociais e das relações de saber-poder com as suas implicações ético-políticas

Starting from a bibliographic research on the academic productions regarding the themes sheltering, living with family and the dismissal of the family values, we verified that some articles attributed to sheltered children and teenagers a particular identity to sheltered children e and teenagers, according to some psychological concepts which imprison them in certain ways of being. This article places in analysis the construction of the stigma of institutions, among them, the shelters and the sheltered. The analysis of the discourse was the option chosen given that it allowed us to comprehend all of the innumerous relations that go through the speech of specialists and that participate of the production, reproduction, maintenance, and transformation of social practices and the relations of the knowing-power with the ethic-political implications

Análises de produções escritas sobre abrigos para crianças e adolescentes / Analyses of written productions about children and adolescents’ shelters

O artigo traz algumas análises feitas a partir de uma pesquisa bibliográfica que teve como objetivo discutir as diferentes instituições que atravessam as produções acadêmicas sobre abrigo de crianças e jovens. Para tanto, foi realizado levantamento de textos (livros, artigos, dissertações e teses), material que possibilitou a explicitação de alguns analisadores, dentre os quais três foram escolhidos para debates mais aprofundados no presente artigo: “Ditos do ECA e cotidiano dos abrigos”, “Rede de proteção a crianças e adolescentes” e “Estigma institucional”. Esses analisadores possibilitaram problematizar os discursos/práticas construídos a respeito dos abrigos e os efeitos dessa construção (AU)

The article presents some analyses based on a bibliographical research, which aimed to discuss the different institutions that cross the academic productions regarding children and youngsters’ shelters. For that, texts were collected (books, articles, dissertations, and theses), a material that made it possible to disclose some analyzers, among which three were chosen for a deeper debate in the present article: "ECA's (Children and Adolescents’ Statute) statements and daily life in the shelters", "Protection network for children and adolescents", and "Institutional stigma". These analyzers allowed us to set up the problems of the discourses/practices built concerning the shelters and the effects of such construction (AU)

Análises de produções escritas sobre abrigos para crianças e adolescentes / Analyses of written productions about children and adolescents’ shelters

O artigo traz algumas análises feitas a partir de uma pesquisa bibliográfica que teve como objetivo discutir as diferentes instituições que atravessam as produções acadêmicas sobre abrigo de crianças e jovens. Para tanto, foi realizado levantamento de textos (livros, artigos, dissertações e teses), material que possibilitou a explicitação de alguns analisadores, dentre os quais três foram escolhidos para debates mais aprofundados no presente artigo: “Ditos do ECA e cotidiano dos abrigos”, “Rede de proteção a crianças e adolescentes” e “Estigma institucional”. Esses analisadores possibilitaram problematizar os discursos/práticas construídos a respeito dos abrigos e os efeitos dessa construção.

The article presents some analyses based on a bibliographical research, which aimed to discuss the different institutions that cross the academic productions regarding children and youngsters’ shelters. For that, texts were collected (books, articles, dissertations, and theses), a material that made it possible to disclose some analyzers, among which three were chosen for a deeper debate in the present article: "ECA's (Children and Adolescents’ Statute) statements and daily life in the shelters", "Protection network for children and adolescents", and "Institutional stigma". These analyzers allowed us to set up the problems of the discourses/practices built concerning the shelters and the effects of such construction.

Exposition to smoking and attitudes: comparison between inquiries applied to adult population in São Paulo City, 1987 and 2002.

BACKGROUND: Periodic monitoring of tobacco smoking in the population is of public health interest. OBJECTIVES: To compare the prevalence of smoking habits and attitudes toward tobacco smoking from a sample of residents of the City of Sao Paulo, in 1987 and 2002. METHODS: Two random sampling household surveys were carried out among residents of the City of Sao Paulo, in 1987 and 2002, respectively with 1,471 and 2,103 participants aged 15-59 years RESULTS: Age-adjusted prevalence of tobacco smoking dropped from 41.8% (in 1987) to 25.5% (in 2002) among males and, respectively, from 30.6% to 19.8% among females, and such reduction was observed in all education levels. There was a decrease in the mean number of cigarettes smoked a day among men (but an increase among women), There was a growth in the preference for low tar cigarettes, an increase in those who quit smoking in the last 10 years, a growth among those who seriously tried to quit smoking, and an increase in those who believe in that "smoking is dangerous for your health". CONCLUSION: There was a favorable change in the situation of smoking habits in the City of Sao Paulo from 1987 to 2002.

Exposição ao tabagismo e atitudes: comparação entre inquéritos realizados na população adulta do município de São Paulo em 1987 e 2002 / Exposition to smoking and attitudes: comparison between inquiries applied to adult population in São Paulo City, 1987 and 2002

FUNDAMENTO: O monitoramento periódico do tabagismo na população é de interesse para a saúde pública. OBJETIVOS: Comparar a prevalência do tabagismo e atitudes em relação ao tabagismo em uma amostra de residentes do município de São Paulo, em 1987 e em 2002. MÉTODOS: Foram realizados dois inquéritos domiciliários por amostragem probabilística em residentes do município de São Paulo, em 1987 e em 2002, respectivamente com 1.471 e 2.103 entrevistados na faixa etária de 15 a 59 anos. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de tabagismo ajustada para idade caiu de 41,8 por cento (em 1987) para 25,5 por cento (em 2002) no sexo masculino e, respectivamente, de 30,6 por cento para 19,8 por cento no sexo feminino. Houve redução do tabagismo em todos os níveis de escolaridade, diminuição da média diária de cigarros no sexo masculino (mas elevação no feminino), crescimento pela procura de cigarros com baixo teor, aumento dos que deixaram de fumar havia mais de 10 anos, crescimento dos que tentaram seriamente parar de fumar, aumento dos que cogitavam em parar totalmente e aumento do reconhecimento de que "fumar faz mal para a saúde". CONCLUSÃO: Houve mudança favorável na situação do tabagismo na cidade de São Paulo de 1987 para 2002.

BACKGROUND: Periodic monitoring of tobacco smoking in the population is of public health interest. OBJECTIVES: To compare the prevalence of smoking habits and attitudes toward tobacco smoking from a sample of residents of the City of Sao Paulo, in 1987 and 2002. METHODS: Two random sampling household surveys were carried out among residents of the City of Sao Paulo, in 1987 and 2002, respectively with 1,471 and 2,103 participants aged 15-59 years RESULTS: Age-adjusted prevalence of tobacco smoking dropped from 41.8 percent (in 1987) to 25.5 percent (in 2002) among males and, respectively, from 30.6 percent to 19.8 percent among females, and such reduction was observed in all education levels. There was a decrease in the mean number of cigarettes smoked a day among men (but an increase among women), There was a growth in the preference for low tar cigarettes, an increase in those who quit smoking in the last 10 years, a growth among those who seriously tried to quit smoking, and an increase in those who believe in that "smoking is dangerous for your health". CONCLUSION: There was a favorable change in the situation of smoking habits in the City of Sao Paulo from 1987 to 2002.

Assessment of healthcare professionals' adherence to hand hygiene after alcohol-based hand rub introduction at an intensive care unit in São Paulo, Brazil.

We analyzed the impact of introducing an alcohol-based hand gel and an educational program on hand hygiene adherence among healthcare workers in an intensive care unit. Adherence to hand hygiene was significantly higher after the intervention for the night shift work period (P=.001), among nursing assistants (P=.001), among nurses (P=.007) on weekend days (P=.016), and for invasive procedures (P=.012).

Evidence for a pseudo-outbreak of Candida guilliermondii fungemia in a university hospital in Brazil.

Fungal infections due to Candida species represent an important cause of nosocomial bloodstream infections. We report a large pseudo-outbreak of Candida guilliermondii fungemia that occurred in a university hospital in Brazil. C. guilliermondii was identified in 64 (43%) of the 149 blood samples drawn between June 2003 and July 2004. The samples were from patients in different wards of the hospital but concentrated in pediatric units. None of the patients had clinical signs of fungemia, and observational analysis revealed errors in the collection of blood samples. During the investigation of the pseudo-outbreak, C. guilliermondii was isolated from environmental surfaces and from the skin and nails of members of the nursing team. Through a subtyping analysis it was found that some of the nonpatient isolates were highly related to the patient isolates, and all the patient isolates were highly related. This is consistent with the hypothesis that the pseudo-outbreak was from a limited number of common sources. The adoption of intervention measures was effective in resolving the outbreak, supporting the hypothesis that the outbreak was due to poor techniques of drawing blood samples for culture.

Compliance with handwashing at two intensive care units in São Paulo.

Handwashing compliance was compared at two medical- surgical intensive care units (ICUs) of a teaching and a non-teaching hospital. The mean compliance was 22.2% and 42.6%, respectively. Respiratory therapists at the non-teaching hospital had the best handwashing compliance (52.6%). Nursing assistants at the teaching hospital had the worst compliance (11.5%). Nursing assistant was the only health-care worker category with a significant difference between the two ICUs (odds ratio = 6.0; 95% confidence interval = 3.83-9.43; p< 0.001).

Compliance with handwashing at two intensive care units in São Paulo

Handwashing compliance was compared at two medical- surgical intensive care units (ICUs) of a teaching and a non-teaching hospital. The mean compliance was 22.2 percent and 42.6 percent, respectively. Respiratory therapists at the non-teaching hospital had the best handwashing compliance (52.6 percent). Nursing assistants at the teaching hospital had the worst compliance (11.5 percent). Nursing assistant was the only health-care worker category with a significant difference between the two ICUs (odds ratio = 6.0; 95 percent confidence interval = 3.83-9.43; p< 0.001).

Prevalence and factors associated with rectal vancomycin-resistant enterococci colonization in two intensive care units in São Paulo, Brazil.

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are important pathogens causing nosocomial infections, and there is reason for concern about their resistance and great ability to spread in hospital environments, especially intensive-care units (ICU). To determine the prevalence of rectal colonization by VRE, and the risk factors associated with their presence, rectal surveillance swabs were taken from patients under treatment in two intensive-care units (one medical and another both medical and surgical) at São Paulo Hospital, over a two-year period. Thirty-three percent of the 147 patients evaluated had VRE. The only significant variable in the logistic regression was the length of stay in the ICU.