28 NICUs participating in a quality improvement collaborative targeting early-onset sepsis antibiotic use.

OBJECTIVE: There is widespread overuse of antibiotics in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). The objective of this study was to safely reduce antibiotic use in participating NICUs by targeting early-onset sepsis (EOS) management. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty-eight NICUs participated in this statewide multicenter antibiotic stewardship quality improvement collaborative. The primary aim was to reduce the total monthly mean antibiotic utilization rate (AUR) by 25% in participant NICUs. RESULT: Aggregate AUR was reduced by 15.3% (p < 0.001). There was a wide range in improvement among participant NICUs. There were no increases in EOS rates or nosocomial infection rates related to the intervention. CONCLUSION: Participation in this multicenter NICU antibiotic stewardship collaborative targeting EOS was associated with an aggregate reduction in antibiotic use. This study informs efforts aimed at sustaining improvements in NICU AURs.

Racial/ethnic disparities in costs, length of stay, and severity of severe maternal morbidity.

BACKGROUND: In contrast to other high-resource countries, the United States has experienced increases in the rates of severe maternal morbidity. In addition, the United States has pronounced racial and ethnic disparities in severe maternal morbidity, especially for non-Hispanic Black people, who have twice the rate as non-Hispanic White people. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine whether the racial and ethnic disparities in severe maternal morbidity extended beyond the rates of these complications to include disparities in maternal costs and lengths of stay, which could indicate differences in the case severity. STUDY DESIGN: This study used California's linkage of birth certificates to inpatient maternal and infant discharge data for 2009 to 2011. Of the 1.5 million linked records, 250,000 were excluded because of incomplete data, for a final sample of 1,262,862. Cost-to-charge ratios were used to estimate costs from charges (including readmissions) after adjusting for inflation to December 2017. Mean diagnosis-related group-specific reimbursement was used to estimate physician payments. We used the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention definition of severe maternal morbidity, including readmissions up to 42 days after delivery. Adjusted Poisson regression models estimated the differential risk of severe maternal morbidity for each racial or ethnic group, compared with the non-Hispanic White group. Generalized linear models estimated the associations of race and ethnicity with costs and length of stay. RESULTS: Asian or Pacific Islander, Non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic, and other race or ethnicity patients all had higher rates of severe maternal morbidity than non-Hispanic White patients. The largest disparity was between non-Hispanic White and non-Hispanic Black patients, with unadjusted overall rates of severe maternal morbidity of 1.34% and 2.62%, respectively (adjusted risk ratio, 1.61; P<.001). Among patients with severe maternal morbidity, the adjusted regression estimates showed that non-Hispanic Black patients had 23% (P<.001) higher costs (marginal effect of $5023) and 24% (P<.001) longer hospital stays (marginal effect of 1.4 days) than non-Hispanic White patients. These effects changed when cases, such as cases where a blood transfusion was the only indication of severe maternal morbidity, were excluded, with 29% higher costs (P<.001) and 15% longer length of stay (P<.001). For other racial and ethnic groups, the increases in costs and length of stay were smaller than those observed for non-Hispanic Black patients, and many were not significantly different from non-Hispanic White patients. Hispanic patients had higher rates of severe maternal morbidity than non-Hispanic White patients; however, Hispanic patients had significantly lower costs and length of stay than non-Hispanic White patients. CONCLUSION: There were racial and ethnic differences in the costs and length of stay among patients with severe maternal morbidity across the groupings that we examined. The differences were especially large for non-Hispanic Black patients compared with non-Hispanic White patients. Non-Hispanic Black patients experienced twice the rate of severe maternal morbidity; in addition, the higher relative costs and longer lengths of stay for non-Hispanic Black patients with severe maternal morbidity support greater case severity in that population. These findings suggest that efforts to address racial and ethnic inequities in maternal health need to consider differences in case severity in addition to the differences in the rates of severe maternal morbidity and that these differences in case severity merit additional investigation.

Vignettes Identify Variation in Antibiotic Use for Suspected Early Onset Sepsis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There is widespread unwarranted antibiotic use and large individual provider variation in antibiotic use in NICUs. Vignette-based research methodology offers a unique method of studying variation in individual provider decisions. The objective with this study was to use a vignette-based survey to identify specific areas of provider antibiotic use variation in newborns being evaluated for early onset sepsis. METHODS: This study was undertaken as part of a statewide multicenter neonatal antibiotic stewardship quality improvement project led by a perinatal quality improvement collaborative. A web-based vignette survey was administered to identify variation in decisions to start and discontinue antibiotics in cases of early onset sepsis. RESULTS: The largest variation was noted in 3 of the 6 vignette cases. These cases highlighted variation in (1) decisions to start antibiotics in a case describing a well-appearing newborn with risk factors and an elevated C-reactive protein, (2) decisions to start antibiotics in the case of a newborn with risk factors plus mild respiratory signs at birth, and (3) decisions to stop antibiotics in the case of the newborn with a history of sepsis risk factors and mild clinical respiratory signs that resolved after 72 hours. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical vignette assessment identified specific areas of variation in individual provider antibiotic use decisions in cases of suspected early onset sepsis. Vignettes are a valuable method of describing individual provider variation and highlighting antibiotic stewardship improvement opportunities in NICUs.

Understanding the Heterogeneity of Labor and Delivery Units: Using Design Thinking Methodology to Assess Environmental Factors that Contribute to Safety in Childbirth.

OBJECTIVE: There is limited research exploring the relationship between design and patient safety outcomes, especially in maternal and neonatal care. We employed design thinking methodology to understand how the design of labor and delivery units impacts safety and identified spaces and systems where improvements are needed. STUDY DESIGN: Site visits were conducted at 10 labor and delivery units in California. A multidisciplinary team collected data through observations, measurements, and clinician interviews. In parallel, research was conducted regarding current standards and codes for building new hospitals. RESULTS: Designs of labor and delivery units are heterogeneous, lacking in consistency regarding environmental factors that may impact safety and outcomes. Building codes do not take into consideration workflow, human factors, and patient and clinician experience. Attitude of hospital staff may contribute to improving safety through design. Three areas in need of improvement and actionable through design emerged: (1) blood availability for hemorrhage management, (2) appropriate space for neonatal resuscitation, and (3) restocking and organization methods of equipment and supplies. CONCLUSION: Design thinking could be implemented at various stages of health care facility building projects and during retrofits of existing units. Through this approach, we may be able to improve hospital systems and environmental factors.

Analyzing the heterogeneity of labor and delivery units: A quantitative analysis of space and design.

This study assessed labor and delivery (L&D) unit space and design, and also considered correlations between physical space measurements and clinical outcomes. Design and human factors research has increased standardization in high-hazard industries, but is not fully utilized in medicine. Emergency department and intensive care unit space has been studied, but optimal L&D unit design is undefined. In this prospective, observational study, a multidisciplinary team assessed physical characteristics of ten L&D units. Design measurements were analyzed with California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative (CMQCC) data from 34,161 deliveries at these hospitals. The hospitals ranged in delivery volumes (<1000->5000 annual deliveries) and cesarean section rates (19.6%-39.7%). Within and among units there was significant heterogeneity in labor room (LR) and operating room (OR) size, count, and number of configurations. There was significant homogeneity of room equipment. Delivery volumes correlated with unit size, room counts, and cesarean delivery rates. Relative risk of cesarean section was modestly increased when certain variables were above average (delivery volume, unit size, LR count, OR count, OR configuration count, LR to OR distance, unit utilization) or below average (LR size, OR size, LR configuration count). Existing variation suggests a gold standard design has yet to be adopted for L&D. A design-centered approach identified opportunities for standardization: 1) L&D unit size and 2) room counts based on current or projected delivery volume, and 3) LR and OR size and equipment. When combined with further human factors research, these guidelines could help design the L&D unit of the future.

A prospective clinical study of Primo-Lacto: A closed system for colostrum collection.

BACKGROUND: Colostrum is the first nutritional liquid that comes out of the breast during lactation. Colostrum collection can be challenging due to the small volume produced, and because breast pumps are not designed for colostrum collection. Besides pumping colostrum, the generally accepted practice is to use any available container to hand-express colostrum. Transfer between containers may lead to contamination, higher chance of infection and loss of colostrum. Our aim was to understand if a dedicated colostrum collection system (Primo-Lacto, Maternal Life, LLC, Palo Alto, CA) is more effective than standard hospital practice. METHODS: Mothers who delivered preterm infants < 34 weeks gestation and mothers with non-latching infants were approached within 24 hours of delivery. Surveys were distributed to participating patients (n = 67), and nurses or lactation consultants (n = 89). Mothers compared ease of use, their confidence level and satisfaction with the amount collected during standard practice vs. the colostrum collection system. Nurses or lactation consultants compared ease of use, differences in colostrum loss and time invested collecting. Quantitative data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test and qualitative data were analyzed with grounded theory methods. RESULTS: For mothers, ease of use and confidence were significantly better when they used the colostrum collection system than when they used the standard collection procedure, and this difference was true for both hand and pump expression (p<0.01). Nurses and lactation consultants perceived that ease of use was better, and percent of colostrum lost was significantly less with the colostrum collection system for both hand and pump expression. The collection times were not significantly different between the colostrum collection system and standard practice. CONCLUSION: The colostrum collection system is a tool to help facilitate successful colostrum collection and improve the experience both for clinicians and patients.

Transcutaneous bilirubinometer use and practices surrounding jaundice in 150 California newborn intensive care units.

OBJECTIVES: Transcutaneous bilirubin measurements (TcBs) provide a noninvasive method for screening infants for hyperbilirubinemia and have been used extensively in term and late preterm newborns in well baby nurseries, offices, and outpatient clinics. Several studies have also demonstrated the utility of TcBs as a screening tool for infants > 28 weeks' gestation and their ability to reduce the need for blood sampling. The objectives of this study are to identify how often TcBs are used among California Newborn Intensive Care Units (NICUs) in preterm, late preterm and term infants, and other aspects of jaundice management. METHODS: We conducted a survey on TcB use and practices relating to jaundice management in 150 California NICUs between April and October 2016. RESULTS: TcB screening is routinely used in 28% (42/150) of NICUs. Only 7% (11/150) of NICUs use TcB in preterm infants < 28 weeks. Practice varied similarly across NICU levels of care. Among the subset of NICUs that responded to questions related to phototherapy and screening practices, prophylactic phototherapy was used in 38% (23/59) and 90% (55/61) screened for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency based on race, ethnicity, and/or family history. CONCLUSION(S): Despite studies validating the accuracy of TcB in preterm infants > 28 weeks, only 28% of California NICUs routinely use TcB devices. TcB screening in infants < 28 weeks gestation is not widely used and no recommendation can be made in this regard until there is more experience with its application using a standardized protocol in these infants and on a large scale.

A Qualitative Analysis of Challenges and Successes in Retinopathy of Prematurity Screening.

Objective The objective of this study is to identify characteristics of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) practice that influence successful retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening. Study Design In this qualitative study, top, improved, and bottom performing NICUs in the California Perinatal Quality Care Collaborative were identified based on ROP screening rates and invited to participate. NICU personnel were interviewed using a semistructured questionnaire. Using thematic analysis, key factors that influence ROP screening were identified. Results Themes found in top performing hospitals include a commitment to quality improvement, a committed ophthalmologist, and a system of double checks. Improved NICUs had a common theme of utilizing telemedicine for exams and identification of eligible neonates on admission. The bottom performing hospital struggled with education and identification of eligible neonates and a lack of a dedicated ophthalmologist. Conclusion Structure, culture, education, and commitment all contribute to the success of ROP screening in the NICU.

Cross-sectional study on the utilization of the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization Policy on Research for Health

[ABSTRACT]. This report contributes towards the monitoring and evaluation of the Pan American Health Organization/ World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) Policy on Research for Health (CD49/10), specifically, how it has been used by Member States and how it has influenced their policies, strategies, research, and relevant stakeholders. This cross-sectional study examined the frequency, method of utilization, region of interest or “scope,” and rationale behind citing the Policy in PAHO/WHO documents, databases, government websites, and internal documents. The extent of utilization was measured through an ordinal scale; the country or region of interest was systematically extracted. Of the 993 documents that were identified through the search strategy, 95 met the inclusion criteria. There was a significant relationship between type of document and scope (χ2 = 69.5; P < 0.001), with web pages and scientific articles covering the Americas more frequently mentioning the Policy. The Policy was most often used at the country level in government documents and at the regional level in webpages and journal articles. Although the Policy has been utilized by several countries, many countries have yet to integrate it with their national health research initiatives. Additional research should focus on understanding why Policy utilization differs among countries. To promote better cohesion across sectors and levels of governance, researchers and policymakers should seize opportunities to integrate the Policy with the research process, research governance, and policy development. The protocol developed for this study can be applied to similar analyses of other PAHO/WHO policies to gain a greater understanding of their influence.

[RESUMEN]. El presente informe contribuye al seguimiento y la evaluación de la Política de investigación para la salud de la Organización Panamericana de la Salud/Organización Mundial de la Salud (OPS/OMS) (documento CD49/10), específicamente, para determinar cómo han empleado dicha política los Estados Miembros y cómo ha influido en sus políticas, estrategias e investigación y en los interesados directos pertinentes. En este estudio transversal se examinaron la frecuencia, el método de utilización, la región de interés o “alcance” y la justificación mencionados al citar la política en los documentos de la OPS/OMS, las bases de datos, los sitios web gubernamentales y los documentos internos. El grado de utilización se midió con una escala ordinal; se extrajeron sistemáticamente el país o la región de interés. De los 993 documentos que se encontraron mediante la estrategia de búsqueda, 95 cumplían con los criterios de inclusión. Hubo una relación significativa entre el tipo de documento y el alcance (χ2 = 69,5; P < 0.001); las páginas web y los artículos científicos relativos a la Región de las Américas fueron los que más mencionaron la política. La política se usó con mayor frecuencia a nivel de país en los documentos gubernamentales, y a nivel regional, en las páginas web y los artículos de revistas. Si bien varios países han utilizado la política, muchos otros todavía no la han integrado en sus iniciativas nacionales de investigación en salud. Las futuras investigaciones deben centrarse en comprender por qué el uso de la política varía entre los países. Para fomentar una mejor cohesión entre los distintos sectores y niveles de gobernanza, los investigadores y los responsables de formular políticas deben aprovechar las oportunidades de integrar la política en el proceso de investigación, la gobernanza de la investigación y la formulación de políticas. El protocolo elaborado para el presente estudio puede aplicarse a análisis similares de otras políticas de la OPS/OMS, a fin de comprender mejor su influencia.

[RESUMO]. Este informe visa contribuir com o monitoramento e avaliação da política de pesquisa para a saúde da Organização Pan-Americana da Saúde/Organização Mundial da Saúde (OPAS/OMS) (CD49/10), em particular, como ela vem sendo aplicada pelos Estados Membros e como tem influenciado políticas, estratégias, pesquisa e interesados diretos relevantes. Trata-se de um estudo transversal que examinou a frequência e forma de aplicação da política, região de interesse ou “alcance” e justificação para citar a política em documentos da OPAS/OMS, bancos de dados, sites do governo e documentos internos. O nível de aplicação foi medido em uma escala ordinal e o país ou a região de interesse foram obtidos com a coleta sistemática. Dos 993 documentos identificados com a estratégia de busca, 95 satisfizeram os critérios de inclusão. Observou-se uma relação significativa entre o tipo de documento e o alcance (χ2 = 69,5; P < 0,001) e maior ocorrência de menção da política em sites e artigos científicos relacionados às Américas. A política foi mais comumente aplicada ao nível nacional em documentos do governo e ao nível regional em sites e artigos de periódicos. Apesar de vários países terem aplicado a política de pesquisa para a saúde, muitos ainda precisam integrá-la às próprias iniciativas nacionais de pesquisa em saúde. Outros estudos devem ser realizados para investigar por que a aplicação da política é distinta entre os países. Para melhorar a coesão entre os diversos setores e níveis de governança, os pesquisadores e os responsáveis por políticas devem aproveitar as oportunidades para integrar esta política ao processo de pesquisa, governança em pesquisa e formulação de políticas. O protocolo preparado para este estudo pode ser empregado em análises semelhantes de outras políticas da OPAS/OMS para um entendimento mais aprofundado da influência que elas têm.

Medical Device Design Education: Identifying Problems Through Observation and Hands-On Training.

Experiential learning, which may include hands-on learning paired with observation and reflection, has been applied in several industries; however, the impact of experiential learning in design education is not well known. We investigated how the type of simulation-based learning could affect the acquisition of knowledge and the ability to synthesize that understanding into insights for medical design innovation. One workshop included observational learning and the other experiential learning with hands-on training. Each course included 14-16 multidisciplinary undergraduate and graduate students. During both workshops, we measured student comprehension of two procedures- infant resuscitation and management of maternal hemorrhage. We focused on the first two phases of design thinking: "Understanding" and "Defining the Problems". Although the course focused on "medical device design", we encouraged students to look beyond the tool to imagine how their design change could impact the entire system. We did not find a significant difference between the scores given to students in the two courses by industry experts. Although the quality of the ideas and execution were similar between both workshops, the instructors noticed that the integration of hands-on training into the second workshop created a higher level of excitement in the class. The methodology and the approach adopted may be relevant to many design problems. In order to better understand the impact of observational learning versus hands-on training, both workshops could be expanded into full quarter classes that allow students to expand their design thinking skills to prototype and test their ideas in the real world.

Cross-sectional study on the utilization of the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization Policy on Research for Health.

This report contributes towards the monitoring and evaluation of the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) Policy on Research for Health (CD49/10), specifically, how it has been used by Member States and how it has influenced their policies, strategies, research, and relevant stakeholders. This cross-sectional study examined the frequency, method of utilization, region of interest or "scope," and rationale behind citing the Policy in PAHO/WHO documents, databases, government websites, and internal documents. The extent of utilization was measured through an ordinal scale; the country or region of interest was systematically extracted. Of the 993 documents that were identified through the search strategy, 95 met the inclusion criteria. There was a significant relationship between type of document and scope (χ2 = 69.5; P < 0.001), with web pages and scientific articles covering the Americas more frequently mentioning the Policy. The Policy was most often used at the country level in government documents and at the regional level in webpages and journal articles. Although the Policy has been utilized by several countries, many countries have yet to integrate it with their national health research initiatives. Additional research should focus on understanding why Policy utilization differs among countries. To promote better cohesion across sectors and levels of governance, researchers and policymakers should seize opportunities to integrate the Policy with the research process, research governance, and policy development. The protocol developed for this study can be applied to similar analyses of other PAHO/WHO policies to gain a greater understanding of their influence.

El presente informe contribuye al seguimiento y la evaluación de la Política de investigación para la salud de la Organización Panamericana de la Salud/Organización Mundial de la Salud (OPS/OMS) (documento CD49/10), específicamente, para determinar cómo han empleado dicha política los Estados Miembros y cómo ha influido en sus políticas, estrategias e investigación y en los interesados directos pertinentes. En este estudio transversal se examinaron la frecuencia, el método de utilización, la región de interes o "alcance" y la justificación mencionados al citar la política en los documentos de la OPS/OMS, las bases de datos, los sitios web gubernamentales y los documentos internos. El grado de utilización se midió con una escala ordinal; se extrajeron sistemáticamente el país o la región de interes. De los 993 documentos que se encontraron mediante la estrategia de búsqueda, 95 cumplían con los criterios de inclusión. Hubo una relación significativa entre el tipo de documento y el alcance (χ2 = 69,5; P < 0.001); las páginas web y los artículos científicos relativos a la Región de las Américas fueron los que más mencionaron la política. La política se usó con mayor frecuencia a nivel de país en los documentos gubernamentales, y a nivel regional, en las páginas web y los artículos de revistas.Si bien varios países han utilizado la política, muchos otros todavía no la han integrado en sus iniciativas nacionales de investigación en salud. Las futuras investigaciones deben centrarse en comprender por qué el uso de la política varía entre los países. Para fomentar una mejor cohesión entre los distintos sectores y niveles de gobernanza, los investigadores y los responsables de formular políticas deben aprovechar las oportunidades de integrar la política en el proceso de investigación, la gobernanza de la investigación y la formulación de políticas. El protocolo elaborado para el presente estudio puede aplicarse a análisis similares de otras políticas de la OPS/OMS, a fin de comprender mejor su influencia.

Este informe visa contribuir com o monitoramento e avaliação da política de pesquisa para a saúde da Organização Pan-Americana da Saúde/Organização Mundial da Saúde (OPAS/OMS) (CD49/10), em particular, como ela vem sendo aplicada pelos Estados Membros e como tem influenciado políticas, estratégias, pesquisa e interessados diretos relevantes. Trata-se de um estudo transversal que examinou a frequência e forma de aplicação da política, região de interesse ou "alcance" e justificação para citar a política em documentos da OPAS/OMS, bancos de dados, sites do governo e documentos internos. O nível de aplicação foi medido em uma escala ordinal e o país ou a região de interesse foram obtidos com a coleta sistemática. Dos 993 documentos identificados com a estratégia de busca, 95 satisfizeram os criterios de inclusão. Observou-se uma relação significativa entre o tipo de documento e o alcance (χ2 = 69,5; P < 0,001) e maior ocorrência de menção da política em sites e artigos científicos relacionados às Americas. A política foi mais comumente aplicada ao nível nacional em documentos do governo e ao nível regional em sites e artigos de periódicos.Apesar de vários países terem aplicado a política de pesquisa para a saúde, muitos ainda precisam integrá-la às próprias iniciativas nacionais de pesquisa em saúde. Outros estudos devem ser realizados para investigar por que a aplicação da política é distinta entre os países. Para melhorar a coesão entre os diversos setores e níveis de governança, os pesquisadores e os responsáveis por políticas devem aproveitar as oportunidades para integrar esta política ao processo de pesquisa, governança em pesquisa e formulação de políticas. O protocolo preparado para este estudo pode ser empregado em análises semelhantes de outras políticas da OPAS/OMS para um entendimento mais aprofundado da influência que elas têm.

Cross-sectional study on the utilization of the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization Policy on Research for Health / Estudio transversal sobre la utilización de la Política de investigación para la salud de la Organización Panamericana de la Salud/Organización Mundial de la Salud / Estudo transversal da aplicação da política de pesquisa para a saúde da Organização Pan-Americana da Saúde/Organização Mundial da Saúde

ABSTRACT This report contributes towards the monitoring and evaluation of the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) Policy on Research for Health (CD49/10), specifically, how it has been used by Member States and how it has influenced their policies, strategies, research, and relevant stakeholders. This cross-sectional study examined the frequency, method of utilization, region of interest or "scope," and rationale behind citing the Policy in PAHO/WHO documents, databases, government websites, and internal documents. The extent of utilization was measured through an ordinal scale; the country or region of interest was systematically extracted. Of the 993 documents that were identified through the search strategy, 95 met the inclusion criteria. There was a significant relationship between type of document and scope (χ2 = 69.5; P < 0.001), with web pages and scientific articles covering the Americas more frequently mentioning the Policy. The Policy was most often used at the country level in government documents and at the regional level in webpages and journal articles. Although the Policy has been utilized by several countries, many countries have yet to integrate it with their national health research initiatives. Additional research should focus on understanding why Policy utilization differs among countries. To promote better cohesion across sectors and levels of governance, researchers and policymakers should seize opportunities to integrate the Policy with the research process, research governance, and policy development. The protocol developed for this study can be applied to similar analyses of other PAHO/WHO policies to gain a greater understanding of their influence.

RESUMEN El presente informe contribuye al seguimiento y la evaluación de la Política de investigación para la salud de la Organización Panamericana de la Salud/Organización Mundial de la Salud (OPS/OMS) (documento CD49/10), específicamente, para determinar cómo han empleado dicha política los Estados Miembros y cómo ha influido en sus políticas, estrategias e investigación y en los interesados directos pertinentes. En este estudio transversal se examinaron la frecuencia, el método de utilización, la región de interes o "alcance" y la justificación mencionados al citar la política en los documentos de la OPS/OMS, las bases de datos, los sitios web gubernamentales y los documentos internos. El grado de utilización se midió con una escala ordinal; se extrajeron sistemáticamente el país o la región de interes. De los 993 documentos que se encontraron mediante la estrategia de búsqueda, 95 cumplían con los criterios de inclusión. Hubo una relación significativa entre el tipo de documento y el alcance (χ2 = 69,5; P < 0.001); las páginas web y los artículos científicos relativos a la Región de las Américas fueron los que más mencionaron la política. La política se usó con mayor frecuencia a nivel de país en los documentos gubernamentales, y a nivel regional, en las páginas web y los artículos de revistas. Si bien varios países han utilizado la política, muchos otros todavía no la han integrado en sus iniciativas nacionales de investigación en salud. Las futuras investigaciones deben centrarse en comprender por qué el uso de la política varía entre los países. Para fomentar una mejor cohesión entre los distintos sectores y niveles de gobernanza, los investigadores y los responsables de formular políticas deben aprovechar las oportunidades de integrar la política en el proceso de investigación, la gobernanza de la investigación y la formulación de políticas. El protocolo elaborado para el presente estudio puede aplicarse a análisis similares de otras políticas de la OPS/OMS, a fin de comprender mejor su influencia.

RESUMO Este informe visa contribuir com o monitoramento e avaliação da política de pesquisa para a saúde da Organização Pan-Americana da Saúde/Organização Mundial da Saúde (OPAS/OMS) (CD49/10), em particular, como ela vem sendo aplicada pelos Estados Membros e como tem influenciado políticas, estratégias, pesquisa e interessados diretos relevantes. Trata-se de um estudo transversal que examinou a frequência e forma de aplicação da política, região de interesse ou "alcance" e justificação para citar a política em documentos da OPAS/OMS, bancos de dados, sites do governo e documentos internos. O nível de aplicação foi medido em uma escala ordinal e o país ou a região de interesse foram obtidos com a coleta sistemática. Dos 993 documentos identificados com a estratégia de busca, 95 satisfizeram os criterios de inclusão. Observou-se uma relação significativa entre o tipo de documento e o alcance (χ2 = 69,5; P < 0,001) e maior ocorrência de menção da política em sites e artigos científicos relacionados às Americas. A política foi mais comumente aplicada ao nível nacional em documentos do governo e ao nível regional em sites e artigos de periódicos. Apesar de vários países terem aplicado a política de pesquisa para a saúde, muitos ainda precisam integrá-la às próprias iniciativas nacionais de pesquisa em saúde. Outros estudos devem ser realizados para investigar por que a aplicação da política é distinta entre os países. Para melhorar a coesão entre os diversos setores e níveis de governança, os pesquisadores e os responsáveis por políticas devem aproveitar as oportunidades para integrar esta política ao processo de pesquisa, governança em pesquisa e formulação de políticas. O protocolo preparado para este estudo pode ser empregado em análises semelhantes de outras políticas da OPAS/OMS para um entendimento mais aprofundado da influência que elas têm.