[Experiencia en la vacunación frente a la COVID-19 en personas con antecedentes de alergia.] / Experience in vaccination against covid-19 in people with a history of allergy.

OBJECTIVE: A common consultation since the beginning of the vaccination campaign against COVID-19 was related to people with a history of allergy to drugs or other vaccines. The objective of the study was to describe what happened after the administration of the vaccine against COVID-19 in people with a history of moderate and severe allergy, vaccinated against COVID-19 in a Primary Care Emergency Center (PCEC). METHODS: Observational descriptive study with sixty-four people with a history of moderate and severe allergy was carried out, vaccinated in PCEP, between May and October 2021, in the Barcelonés Nord and Maresme (Barcelona province), after assessment by primary care pharmacologists and pharmacists. The percentage of people with adverse events that occurred after vaccination during their stay in the PCEP, the types detected and severity were calculated. Subsequently, a telephone survey was conducted to determine patient satisfaction. A descriptive analysis (calculation of proportions) was performed. RESULTS: The mean age of 49.7 years (from twelve to ninety-four years) and 90.6% were women. 87.5% of the administered vaccines were Comirnaty®. Adverse events occurring after vaccination were detected in fifteen patients (23.4%), of whom four (6.25%) were manifestations of hypersensitivity, all classified as mild. The reasons for vaccination were a history of allergy to NSAIDs (45.3%), antibiotics (32.8%), analgesics (17.2%), vaccines (28.1%), other substances (40.6%) and anaphylaxis (26.6%). The degree of general satisfaction was 9.11 (out of 10). CONCLUSIONS: The percentage of patients with a history of anaphylaxis and allergic drug reactions who present hypersensitivity reactions to COVID-19 vaccines is 6.25% and all are mild.

OBJETIVO: Una consulta habitual desde el inicio de la campaña de vacunación frente a la COVID-19 fue la relacionada con personas que tienen antecedentes de alergia a fármacos u otras vacunas. El objetivo del estudio fue describir lo ocurrido tras la administración de la vacuna frente a la COVID-19 en personas con antecedentes de alergia moderada y grave, en un Centro de Urgencias de Atención Primaria (CUAP). METODOS: Se realizó un estudio observacional descriptivo con sesenta y cuatro personas que tenían antecedentes de alergia moderada y grave, vacunadas en CUAP, entre mayo y octubre de 2021, en el Barcelonés Nord i Maresme (provincia de Barcelona), previa valoración por farmacólogos y farmacéuticos de Atención Primaria. Se calculó el porcentaje de personas con acontecimientos adversos ocurridos tras la vacunación en el transcurso de su estancia en el CUAP, los tipos detectados y la gravedad. Posteriormente, se realizó una encuesta telefónica para conocer la satisfacción de los pacientes. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo (cálculo de proporciones). RESULTADOS: La media de edad de las personas participantes fue de 49,7 años (de doce a noventa y cuatro años) y el 90,6% fueron mujeres. El 87,5% de las vacunas administradas fue Comirnaty®. Se detectaron acontecimientos adversos ocurridos tras la vacunación en quince pacientes (23,4%), de los que en cuatro casos (6,25%) fueron manifestaciones de hipersensibilidad, todas catalogadas como leves. Los motivos de vacunación fueron antecedentes de alergia a AINE (45,3%), antibióticos (32,8%), analgésicos (17,2%), vacunas (28,1%), otras sustancias (40,6%) y anafilaxia (26,6%). El grado de satisfacción general fue de 9,11 (sobre 10). CONCLUSIONES: El porcentaje de pacientes con antecedentes de anafilaxia y reacciones alérgicas a medicamentos que presentan reacciones de hipersensibilidad a las vacunas frente a la COVID-19 es del 6,25% y todas son leves.

Experiencia en la vacunación frente a la COVID-19 en personas con antecedentes de alergia / Experience in vaccination against COVID-19 in people with a history of allergy

Fundamentos: Una consulta habitual desde el inicio de la campaña de vacunación frente a la COVID-19 fue la relacionada con personas que tienen antecedentes de alergia a fármacos u otras vacunas. El objetivo del estudio fue describir lo ocurrido tras la administración de la vacuna frente a la COVID-19 en personas con antecedentes de alergia moderada y grave, en un Centro de Urgencias de Atención Primaria (CUAP). Métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional descriptivo con sesenta y cuatro personas que tenían antecedentes de alergia moderada y grave, vacunadas en CUAP, entre mayo y octubre de 2021, en el Barcelonés Nord i Maresme (provincia de Barcelona), previa valoración por farmacólogos y farmacéuticos de Atención Primaria. Se calculó el porcentaje de personas con acontecimientos adversos ocurridos tras la vacunación en el transcurso de su estancia en el CUAP, los tipos detectados y la gravedad. Posteriormente, se realizó una encuesta telefónica para conocer la satisfacción de los pacientes. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo (cálculo de proporciones). Resultados: La media de edad de las personas participantes fue de 49,7 años (de doce a noventa y cuatro años) y el 90,6% fueron mujeres. El 87,5% de las vacunas administradas fue Comirnaty ®. Se detectaron acontecimientos adversos ocurridos tras la vacunación en quince pacientes (23,4%), de los que en cuatro casos (6,25%) fueron manifestaciones de hipersensibilidad, todas catalogadas como leves. Los motivos de vacunación fueron antecedentes de alergia a AINE (45,3%), antibióticos (32,8%), analgésicos (17,2%), vacunas (28,1%), otras sustancias (40,6%) y anafilaxia (26,6%). El grado de satisfacción general fue de 9,11 (sobre 10). Conclusiones: El porcentaje de pacientes con antecedentes de anafilaxia y reacciones alérgicas a medicamentos que presentan reacciones de hipersensibilidad a las vacunas frente a la COVID-19 es del 6,25% y todas son leves.(AU)

Background: A common consultation since the beginning of the vaccination campaign against COVID-19 was related to people with a history of allergy to drugs or other vaccines. The objective of the study was to describe what happened after the administration of the vaccine against COVID-19 in people with a history of moderate and severe allergy, vaccinated against COVID-19 in a Primary Care Emergency Center (PCEC). Methods/ Observational descriptive study with sixty-four people with a history of moderate and severe allergy was carried out, vaccinated in PCEP, between May and October 2021, in the Barcelonés Nord and Maresme (Barcelona province), after assessment by primary care pharmacologists and pharmacists. The percentage of people with adverse events that occurred after vaccination during their stay in the PCEP, the types detected and severity were calculated. Subsequently, a telephone survey was conducted to determine patient satisfaction. A descriptive analysis (calculation of proportions) was performed. Results: The mean age of 49.7 years (from twelve to ninety-four years) and 90.6% were women. 87.5% of the administered vaccines were Comirnaty ® . Adverse events occurring after vaccination were detected in fifteen patients (23.4%), of whom four (6.25%)were manifestations of hypersensitivity, all classified as mild. The reasons for vaccination were a history of allergy to NSAIDs (45.3%), antibiotics (32.8%), analgesics (17.2%), vaccines (28.1%), other substances (40.6%) and anaphylaxis (26.6%). The degree of generalsatisfaction was 9.11 (out of 10). Conclusions: The percentage of patients with a history of anaphylaxis and allergic drug reactions who present hypersensitivityreactions to COVID-19 vaccines is 6.25% and all are mild.(AU)

Implantación de una Unidad de Enlace Centralizada de Vacunación contra la COVID-19 gestionada por farmacéuticos-farmacólogos de Atención Primaria / Implementation of a Centralized COVID-19 Vaccination Liaison Unit managed by Primary Care pharmacist-pharmacologists

Introducción: La Unidad de Enlace Centralizada de Vacunación contra la COVID19 (UECeV) de la Dirección de Atención Primaria Metropolitana Nord del Institut Català de la Salut se creó para resolver las consultas de usuarios y/o profesionales sa-nitarios relacionadas con la vacunación contra el virus SARS-CoV-2. El objetivo principal del presente análisis fue describir la actividad de la UECeV.Método: Realizamos un estudio observacional retrospectivo a partir del registro de consultas aten-didas desde la UECeV entre 31 de abril y 31 de oc-tubre de 2021. Población de referencia: 1.139.411 habitantes adultos asignados. La UECeV se creó en tres sedes territoriales atendidas cada una por dos farmacéuticos/farmacólogos de Atención Primaria (FAP) y un administrativo. La atención telefónica fue a jornada completa adaptable según actividad. Variable principal del análisis: número y tipos de consultas atendidas. Se calculó valores absolutos y porcentajes, medianas y desviación estándar para las variables cuantitativas y para las variables cuali-tativas se realizó un análisis descriptivo.Resultados: 3.103 consultas gestionadas de 3.030 usuarios; 2.180 (70,25%) contestadas por el FAP. Consulta más frecuente: compatibilidad vacuna según patología/medicación de base 1.008 (32,5%). 2.830 (93,4%) usuarios se vacunaron después de la intervención (2.210 consultaron antes de la primera dosis y 618 antes de la segunda). La vacuna mayo-ritaria fue la Comirnaty®. Conclusiones: Las UECeV coordinadas por el FAP con atención directa a los usuarios y/o profesiona-les sanitarios constituyen un elemento de apoyo a los equipos de vacunación de atención primaria para la gestión experta de las consultas de vacuna-ción contra la COVID19. (AU)

Introduction: The North Metropolitan Primary Care Direction of the Institut Català de la Salut crea-ted the Centralized Liaison Unit for anti-COVID19 vaccination (UECeV) to solve queries from users and/or health professionals related to vaccination against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The main objective of the present analysis was to describe the activity of UECeV.Method: We carried out a retrospective observa-tional study based on the registry of consultations attended from the UECeV between April 31st and October 31, 2021. We have an equal or above 18 years old reference population of 1,139,411 inha-bitants. The UECeV was set up in three territorial offices, each attended by two Primary Care phar-macists/pharmacologists (FAP) and one adminis-trative staff member. The telephone service was full-time and could be adapted according to activity. The main variable of the analysis was the number and types of queries attended. Absolute values and percentages, medians and standard deviation were calculated for the quantitative variables and a descriptive analysis was performed for qualitative variables.Results: 3,103 queries were managed out of 3,030 users; 2,180 (70.25%) were answered by the FAP. Most frequent consultation was: vaccine compa-tibility according to pathology/basic medication 1,008 (32.5%). 2,830 (93.4%) users were vaccinated after the consultation (2,210 consulted before the first dose and 618 before the second). The majority vaccine was Comirnaty® Conclusions: The UECeV coordinated by the FAP with direct attention to users and/or health profes-sionals constitutes a support element for primary care vaccination teams for the expert management of AntiCOVID19 vaccination consultations. (AU)

Estudio cuasi experimental de una intervención sobre el manejo farmacológico del dolor crónico no oncológico en atención primaria / Quasi-experimental study of an intervention on the pharmacological management of non-oncological chronic pain in Primary Care

OBJETIVO: Analizar el impacto de una intervención formativa/informativa sobre el tratamiento del dolor crónico no oncológico en atención primaria. DISEÑO: Estudio cuasi experimental antes-después y seguimiento de la cohorte de pacientes. Emplazamiento: Sesenta y cuatro equipos de atención primaria (770 médicos). PARTICIPANTES: Pacientes ≥ 14 años sin diagnóstico oncológico con: 1) fentanilo citrato, 2) opioides mayores y ≥ 2 ansiolíticos-hipnóticos, 3) opioides mayores y menores de forma crónica, 4) lidocaína transdérmica fuera de indicación. Intervención: Difusión de recomendaciones del tratamiento del dolor crónico no oncológico y facilitación de las incidencias de sus pacientes a cada médico. MEDICIONES PRINCIPALES: Números de incidencias en 2 cortes transversales (junio 2017 y junio 2018). Número de incidencias en junio de 2017 y que se mantienen en junio de 2018 (cohorte prospectiva). RESULTADOS: De las 2.465 incidencias detectadas en 2017 se produjo una reducción del 21,1% tras la intervención. La reducción fue superior (61,8%; p ≤ 0,0001) en la cohorte prospectiva. En números absolutos, la reducción más importante fue en incidencias de parches de lidocaína fuera de indicación (1.032 incidencias). La indicación aprobada constaba en menos del 8% de los tratados. CONCLUSIONES: La intervención redujo el número de pacientes con incidencias y la disminución fue mayor en la cohorte prospectiva, lo que confirma la eficacia de enviar información sobre pacientes con incidencias. La incorporación de nuevos tratamientos durante el año de seguimiento ha sido importante, por lo que estas intervenciones deben perpetuarse en el tiempo

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the impact of a formative / informative intervention on the treatment of non-oncological chronic pain in Primary Care. DESIGN: Quasi-experimental study before-after, and follow-up of the patient cohort. LOCATION: 64 Primary Care teams/centres (770 physicians). PARTICIPANTS: Patients ≥ 14 years without an oncological diagnosis on: 1) fentanyl citrate, 2) major opioids and ≥ 2 anxiolytics-hypnotics, 3) long-term major and minor opioids, 4) transdermal lidocaine, out of indication. Intervention: Dissemination of recommendations for the treatment of non-oncological chronic pain and the reporting of the incidents of their patients to each doctor. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Number of incidents in 2 cross sections (June 2017 and June 2018). Number of incidents in June 2017, which were maintained in June 2018 (prospective cohort). RESULTS: Of the 2,465 incidents detected in 2017, there was a 21.1% reduction after the intervention. The reduction was higher (61.8%, p < .001) in the prospective cohort. In absolute values, the most important reduction was in incidences of lidocaine patches outside of indication (1,032 incidences). The approved indication was found in less than 8% of the treated patients. CONCLUSIONS: The intervention reduced the number of patients with incidences, and this reduction was higher in the prospective cohort, confirming the efficacy of sending information about patients with incidences to their physicians. The incorporation of new treatments during the follow-up year was significant, so these interventions should be perpetuated over time

[Quasi-experimental study of an intervention on the pharmacological management of non-oncological chronic pain in Primary Care]. / Estudio cuasi experimental de una intervención sobre el manejo farmacológico del dolor crónico no oncológico en atención primaria.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the impact of a formative / informative intervention on the treatment of non-oncological chronic pain in Primary Care. DESIGN: Quasi-experimental study before-after, and follow-up of the patient cohort. LOCATION: 64 Primary Care teams/centres (770 physicians). PARTICIPANTS: Patients≥14 years without an oncological diagnosis on: 1) fentanyl citrate, 2) major opioids and≥2 anxiolytics-hypnotics, 3) long-term major and minor opioids, 4) transdermal lidocaine, out of indication. INTERVENTION: Dissemination of recommendations for the treatment of non-oncological chronic pain and the reporting of the incidents of their patients to each doctor. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Number of incidents in 2 cross sections (June 2017 and June 2018). Number of incidents in June 2017, which were maintained in June 2018 (prospective cohort). RESULTS: Of the 2,465 incidents detected in 2017, there was a 21.1% reduction after the intervention. The reduction was higher (61.8%, p<.001) in the prospective cohort. In absolute values, the most important reduction was in incidences of lidocaine patches outside of indication (1,032 incidences). The approved indication was found in less than 8% of the treated patients. CONCLUSIONS: The intervention reduced the number of patients with incidences, and this reduction was higher in the prospective cohort, confirming the efficacy of sending information about patients with incidences to their physicians. The incorporation of new treatments during the follow-up year was significant, so these interventions should be perpetuated over time.

Adecuación del tratamiento de la osteoporosis en prevención primaria. Estudio cuantitativo y cualitativo / Adequacy of treatment for osteoporosis in primary prevention. Quantitative and qualitative study

Objetivo: Estudio cuantitativo: conocer la prevalencia de inadecuación del tratamiento para la osteoporosis en prevención primaria (OPP) en mujeres de 60-74 años. Estudio cualitativo: conocer los criterios diagnósticos y de tratamiento de la OPP y su variabilidad en médicos de atención primaria (AP) y especialistas. Material y método: Estudio cuantitativo: estudio observacional, transversal y retrospectivo. Población: mujeres de 60-74 años con tratamiento activo para la OPP (n = 424) en mayo del 2012. Se consideró inadecuación si presentaban ≤ 2 factores de riesgo con DXA realizada o con DXA T-score ≥ −2,4. Estudio cualitativo: técnica Delphi (15 ítems) y dos rondas de consulta. Periodo: marzo-abril del 2014. Población: médicos AP, reumatólogos y traumatólogos (n = 251). Muestreo aleatorio. Resultados: Estudio cuantitativo: grado de inadecuación del 63,4%. En el 43,2% no constaba diagnóstico de osteoporosis. En el 82,3% no constaban factores de riesgo. Tratamiento: 40,3% con bisfosfonatos y 47,9% con calcio + vitamina D. Estudio cualitativo: el 23% respondieron a la primera ronda y, de estos, el 67% a la segunda ronda. Los ítems con mayor acuerdo fueron valoración de factores de riesgo para el diagnóstico y bisfosfonatos como tratamiento. Los ítems con menor consenso fueron utilización del FRAX y densitometría y tratamiento solo con calcio + vitamina D. Conclusiones: El porcentaje de inadecuación es alto. El grado de registro en historia clínica es bajo. La metodología Delphi es útil para detectar discrepancias entre recomendaciones de guías de práctica clínica y resultados (AU)

Objective: Quantitative study: To assess the prevalence of inadequacy of treatment for osteoporosis in primary prevention (OPP) in women aged 60-74 years. Qualitative study: To evaluate the diagnostic and treatment criteria of the OPP and it's variability in primary care physicians (PC) and specialists. Material and methods: Quantitative study: observational, cross-sectional and retrospective study. Population: women aged 60 -74 years with active treatment for OPP (n = 424) in May 2012. Inadequacy if they had ≤ 2 risk factors with a DXA or DXA T-score ≥ −2.4. Qualitative study: Delphi technique (15items) and two rounds of consultation. Period: March-April 2014. Population: PC physicians, rheumatologists and orthopaedic surgeons (n = 251). Random sampling. Results: Quantitative study: degree of inadequacy is 63.4%. In 43.2% isn’t mention a diagnosis of osteoporosis. In 82.3% there isn’t mention of risk factors. Treatment: bisphosphonate 40.3% and calcium + vitamin D 47.9%. Qualitative study: 23% respond to the first round, and of these 67% the second round. Items with higher agreement were the important of the evaluation of risk factors for diagnosis and bisphosphonates for treatment. Items with fewer consensuses were using the FRAX and densitometry and treatment with only calcium + vitamin D. Conclusions: The percentage of inadequacy is high. The degree of registration in medical history is low. The Delphi method is useful for detecting discrepancies between recommendations of clinical practice guidelines and results (AU)

[Adequacy of treatment for osteoporosis in primary prevention. Quantitative and qualitative study]. / Adecuación del tratamiento de la osteoporosis en prevención primaria. Estudio cuantitativo y cualitativo.

OBJECTIVE: Quantitative study: To assess the prevalence of inadequacy of treatment for osteoporosis in primary prevention (OPP) in women aged 60-74years. Qualitative study: To evaluate the diagnostic and treatment criteria of the OPP and it's variability in primary care physicians (PC) and specialists. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Quantitative study: observational, cross-sectional and retrospective study. POPULATION: women aged 60-74years with active treatment for OPP (n=424) in May 2012. Inadequacy if they had ≤2 risk factors with a DXA or DXA T-score ≥-2.4. Qualitative study: Delphi technique (15items) and two rounds of consultation. PERIOD: March-April 2014. POPULATION: PC physicians, rheumatologists and orthopaedic surgeons (n=251). Random sampling. RESULTS: Quantitative study: degree of inadequacy is 63.4%. In 43.2% isn't mention a diagnosis of osteoporosis. In 82.3% there isn't mention of risk factors. TREATMENT: bisphosphonate 40.3% and calcium +vitaminD 47.9%. Qualitative study: 23% respond to the first round, and of these 67% the second round. Items with higher agreement were the important of the evaluation of risk factors for diagnosis and bisphosphonates for treatment. Items with fewer consensuses were using the FRAX and densitometry and treatment with only calcium +vitaminD. CONCLUSIONS: The percentage of inadequacy is high. The degree of registration in medical history is low. The Delphi method is useful for detecting discrepancies between recommendations of clinical practice guidelines and results.

Programa de colaboración entre la Farmacia de Atención Primaria y la Farmacia Comunitaria del Collegi Oficial de Farmacèutics de Barcelona. Documento de consenso / Cooperation Program between the Primary Care Pharmacy and the Community Pharmacy of the Official Association of Pharmacists of Barcelona's province: abstract of the consensus document

La colaboración entre el farmacéutico comunitario (FC) y el farmacéutico de atención primaria (FAP) es necesaria para fomentar una política farmacéutica común y coherente que permita ofrecer mensajes únicos e inequívocos a la población. En este artículo presentamos los principales contenidos del documento de consenso "Programa de colaboración Farmacia de Atención Primaria y Farmacia Comunitaria: protocolo de comunicación" del Collegi de Farmacèutics de Barcelona (COFB). Este documento pretende ser una herramienta de ayuda para el FC y para el FAP para implantar una atención farmacéutica integradora e integral en estos dos ámbitos asistenciales. El objetivo principal es establecer canales de coordinación entre profesionales farmacéuticos del ámbito asistencial comunitario y los de la atención primaria (AP) que faciliten la colaboración y mejoren la atención farmacéutica ofrecida a la población. El presente protocolo hace una propuesta de actuación entre la FC y la FAP para cubrir estas necesidades de comunicación. Se trata de analizar las necesidades reales de comunicación, describir los canales utilizables para llevarla a cabo y hacer una propuesta de cómo actuar aplicable en los diferentes contextos. Es una propuesta que define líneas generales de actuación que posteriormente requerirá un desarrollo más detallado y específico según la realidad de cada territorio. El texto ha sido desarrollado de forma consensuada entre farmacéuticos de AP y FC, médicos especialistas en medicina de familia y profesionales expertos del COFB. El grupo de trabajo ha sido liderado por las responsables de las vocalías de Oficina de Farmacia y de la de FAP

The cooperation between the community pharmacist (CP) and the primary care pharmacist (PCP) is necessary to boost a common and coherent drug policy that offers unique and unequivocal messages to the population. In this article we come up with the main contents of the consensus document "Cooperation Program Primary Care Pharmacy and Community Pharmacy: communication protocol" of the Official Association of Pharmacists of Barcelona (OAPB). This document pretends to be a support tool to the CP and to the PCP so that they carry out an integrating pharmaceutical care in this two areas of health. The main objective is to establish coordination channels between pharmacists of the community healthcare area and the ones from the primary care (PCP) in order to facilitate the collaboration and improve the pharmaceutical care offered to the population. This protocol presents a proposal for action between the CP and the PCP to cover all needs of communication. It is based on analysing the real communication needs, describing the channels to communicate and showing a proposal for action suitable in the different contexts. It is a proposal that define the general lines of action. Subsequently, it will need a more detailed and specific development according to the reality of each area. The text have been developed in a consensual way between PCP and CP, doctors specialized in family medicine and skilled professionals of the OAPB. The working group has been headed for the people responsible for the Pharmacy Office and the ones from the PCP

Intervention for control of hypertension in Catalonia, Spain (INCOTECA Project): results of a multicentric, non-randomised, quasi-experimental controlled intervention study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a quality improvement (QI) plan aimed at primary healthcare teams (PHCTs) to optimise hypertension control and to compare it with standard clinical care. METHODS: Design Multicentric, non-randomised, quasi-experimental controlled intervention study. Setting 5 PHCTs in the intervention and 13 in the standard care group in the province of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. Participants This is a population-based study in which all patients over 18 years of age with a diagnosis of hypertension before 1 January 2006 were included (n=9877 in the intervention group and n=21 704 in the control group). Intervention A QI plan that targeted primary care professionals. The plan included training sessions, implementation of recommended clinical practice guidelines for the management of hypertensive patients and audit and feedback to health professionals. Main outcome measure Prevalence of hypertensive patients with an adequate blood pressure (BP) control. RESULTS: The adjusted difference between intervention and standard care groups in the odds of BP control was 1.3 (95% CI 1.1 to 1.6, p=0.003). Results of the mixed model on repeated measures showed that, on average, an individual in the intervention group had an increase of 92% in the odds of BP control (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.7 to 2.1). CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of a QI plan can improve BP control. This strategy is potentially feasible for up-scaling within the existing PHCTs. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov MS: 1998275938244441.

A quality improvement plan for hypertension control: the INCOTECA Project (INterventions for COntrol of hyperTEnsion in CAtalonia).

BACKGROUND: Different studies have shown insufficient blood pressure (BP) control in hypertensive patients. Multiple factors influence hypertension management, and the quality of primary care is one of them. We decided therefore to evaluate the effectiveness of a quality improvement plan directed at professionals of Primary Health Care Teams (PHCT) with the aim to achieve a better control of hypertension. The hypothesis of the study is that the implementation of a quality improvement plan will improve the control of hypertension. The primary aim of this study will be to evaluate the effectiveness of this plan. DESIGN: multicentric study quasi-experimental before - after with control group. The non-randomised allocation of the intervention will be done at PHCT level. SETTING: 18 PHCT in the Barcelona province (Spain). SAMPLE: all patients with a diagnosis of hypertension (population based study). EXCLUSION CRITERIA: patients with a diagnosis of hypertension made later than 01/01/2006 and patients younger than 18 years. INTERVENTION: a quality improvement plan, which targets primary health care professionals and includes educational sessions, feedback to health professionals, audit and implementation of recommended clinical practice guidelines for the management of hypertensive patients. MEASUREMENTS: age, sex, associated co-morbidity (diabetes mellitus type I and II, heart failure and renal failure). The following variables will be recorded: BP measurement, cardiovascular risk and antihypertensive drugs used. Results will be measured before the start of the intervention and twelve months after the start of the study. Dependent variable: prevalence of hypertensive patients with poor BP control. ANALYSIS: Chi-square test and Student's t-test will be used to measure the association between independent qualitative and quantitative variables, respectively. Non-parametric tests will be used for the analysis of non-normally distributed variables. Significance level (alpha) will be set at < 0.05. Outcomes will be analysed on an intention-to-treat basis. DISCUSSION: The implementation of a quality improvement plan might benefit the coordination of different professionals of PHCTs and may also improve blood pressure control. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This protocol has been registered at clinicaltrials.gov with the ID number MS: 1998275938244441.

¿Se consumen todos los medicamentos que se prescriben? / Are all drugs that prescribed taken?

Objetivo: evaluar la cantidad y el impacto económicoque suponen los medicamentos desechadosy no consumidos por los pacientes en unCentro de Atención Primaria durante un año.Material y método: estudio descriptivo transversalde los medicamentos desechados por losusuarios durante un año en el contenedor de reciclajedel Centro de Atención Primaria Serraparera(Cerdanyola del Vallés). Se obtuvo informaciónsobre el número de envases, tipo demedicación, precio e indicación de la misma.Resultados: el total de cajas desechadas sin habersido utilizadas fue de 5.228 unidades conun coste global de 67.471,64 euros(11.226.336 ptas). Dentro de esta medicacióndestacaban con un coste superior a los 6.000euros, los medicamentos antihipertensivos, losfármacos para el tratamiento de las enfermedadesrespiratorias y los antidepresivos. Costosmás reducidos se observaron en el resto de gruposcomo los protectores de la mucosa gástrica,hipolipemiantes, antidiabéticos, hormonas, antibióticos,fármacos utilizados en la patología cardiovascular,antiinflamatorios y analgésicos.Conclusiones: los resultados del presente estudiodemuestran la importancia del coste económicoque supone los medicamentos desechados porlos pacientes sin haber sido utilizados. La extrapolaciónde estos resultados a una área sanitariamayor, evidencia la magnitud real del gasto quecomporta. Por este motivo, una mejora en la políticade prescripción y un control adecuado de lostratamientos farmacológicos parece necesaria

Objective: to evaluate the amount andeconomic impact that disregarded and non consumeddrugs represent in a primary care centreduring a period of one year.Material and method: cross-sectional descriptivestudy of drugs disregarded by the users duringone year into the recycling container of theSerraparera primary care centre (Cerdanyola delVallés). Information was obtained on the numberof packages, type of medication, price andindication for the medication.Results: the total number of disregarded boxeswithout use was 5.228 units with a total overallcost of 67,471.64 euros (11.226.336 pesetas).Within this medication, the most importantones with a cost above 6.000 euros werehigh blood pressure medications, drugs for thetreatment of respiratory diseases and antidepressants.Lower costs were observed in theother groups such as stomach mucosa protectors,hypolipemiants, antidiabetics, hormones,antibiotics, drugs used in cardiovascular disorders,anti-inflammatory agents and pain killers.Conclusions: the results yielded by this studyshow the importance of the economic cost thatdrugs disregarded by the users without consumptionrepresent. Extrapolation of these resultsto a larger health area shows the realmagnitude of the expense that such practice entails.Because of this, an improvement in thepolicy for the prescribing of drugs as well as anadequate control of pharmacological treatmentsappears to be necessary measures

Utilización de los absorbentes para incontinencia en 2 residencias geriátricas / Use of absorbent products for incontinence in 2 geriatric nursing homes

Objetivo. Conocer la distribución de frecuencia de uso de los distintos tipos de absorbentes, en función de las características físicas del residente y su nivel de autonomía, tras la implementación de la guía sobre el uso de absorbentes en la incontinencia urinaria del Institut Català de la Salut (ICS). Método. Estudio observacional, descriptivo, transversal, de 12 meses de duración en 2 residencias geriátricas de Cerdanyola del Vallès (Barcelona). Se incluyeron a los residentes con diagnóstico de incontinencia y en tratamiento paliativo con absorbentes. Variables principales: proporción de tipos de absorbente utilizados; proporción de residentes con una selección de talla de absorbente incorrecta; número de cambios diarios y estado del absorbente; número de cambios según valor del índice de Barthel. Resultados. Del total de residentes (n = 74), el 74,3% (55) presentaba incontinencia urinaria y fecal; el 89,2% (66) utilizaba 2 tipos de absorbente (mayoritariamente combinación tipo día con tipo noche elástico); en el 21,6% (16) de los residentes la talla utilizada no era la recomendada por la guía del ICS. La media global del número de cambios diarios de absorbente por residente fue de 4,1 (desviación estándar [DE] = 1,76) y la media de fugas 0,11 (DE = 0,37). En los residentes con un índice de Barthel < 33 puntos, la media de cambios diarios fue de 4,48 (DE = 1,58). Conclusiones. Los residentes incontinentes con menor autonomía necesitaban un mayor número de cambios de absorbente, hecho que debería considerarse cuando se analiza el consumo de los absorbentes en las residencias. En general hubo un correcto seguimiento de las recomendaciones de la guía del ICS

Objective. To assess the frequency distribution of the use of absorbent products among nursing home residents, adjusted by physical characteristics and level of autonomy, after the implementation of the clinical practice guideline (CPG) on urinary incontinence at the Institut Català de la Salut (ICS) in Spain. Method. We performed an observational, descriptive, cross sectional study over a 12-month period in two nursing homes in Cerdanyola del Vallès. Inclusion criteria: nursing home residents with a diagnosis of incontinence and current use of absorbent products. Principal outcomes: the percentage distribution of different absorbent products, the percentage of residents using inadequately sized absorbent products, the number of diapers changed daily, and the number of daily changes adjusted by Barthel's Index. Results. There were 74 participants, of whom 55 (74.3%) had urinary and fecal incontinence. Sixty-six participants (89.2%) used two different kinds of diaper (mainly a combination of a daily type and a night elastic type). In 16 nursing home residents (21.6%) diaper size was not in accordance with the recommendations of the CPG. The overall mean number of daily diaper changes per resident was 4.1 (SD = 1.76) and the mean number of daily leaks was 0.11 (SD = 0.37). Residents with a Barthel Index score of less than 33 points had a mean of 4.48 (SD = 1.58) daily diaper changes. Conclusions. Nursing home residents with less autonomy need a greater number of diaper changes. This finding should be considered when analyzing consumption of absorbent products in nursing homes. In general, the ICS's CPG on the use of absorbent products were correctly implemented