Introduction of short course treatment for latent tuberculosis infection at a primary care facility for refugees in Winnipeg, Canada: A mixed methods evaluation.

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) End TB strategy document 'Toward tuberculosis elimination: an action framework for low incidence countries'-like Canada- identifies screening and treatment of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) for groups at increased risk for TB disease as a priority, including newcomers from endemic countries. In 2015, the clients-centered model offered at a primary care facility for refugees, BridgeCare Clinic, Winnipeg, Canada was evaluated. The model included LTBI screening, assessment, and treatment, and originally offered 9-months of isoniazid as treatment. This mixed methods evaluation investigates LTBI program outcomes since the introduction of two short-course treatment regimens: 4-months of rifampin, and 3-months of isoniazid and rifapentine. Methods: This study combined a retrospective analysis of program administrative data with structured interviews of clinic staff. We included LTBI treatment eligibility, the treatment regimen offered, treatment initiation, and completed treatment from January 1, 2015 to August 6, 2020. Results: Seven hundred and one people were screened, and infection rates varied from 34.1% in 2015 to 53.3% in 2020. Most people living with LTBI came from high TB burden countries in Africa and South-East Asia WHO regions and were younger than 45 years old. Treatment eligibility increased 9% (75% in 2015 to 86% in 2016-2020) and most people diagnosed with LTBI took the short course treatments offered. There was an increase of 14.5% in treatment initiation (75.6 vs. 90.1%), and an increase of 8% in treatment completion (82.4 vs. 90.4%) after short-course regimens were introduced. The final model showed that the treatment regimen tends to affect the frequency of treatment completion, but there are other factors that influence this outcome, in this population. With the new treatments, BridgeCare Clinic achieved the 90% of treatment coverage, and the 90% treatment completion rate targets recommended in the End TB Strategy. Qualitative interviews with clinic staff further affirm the higher acceptability of the new treatments. Conclusion: While these results are limited to government-sponsored refugees in Winnipeg, they highlight the acceptability and value of short-course LTBI treatment as a possibility for reaching End TB targets in primary care settings.

Cultura de la seguridad del paciente en seis centros quirúrgicos de Antioquia / Patient Safety Culture Observed at Six Surgical Centers in Antioquia / Colombia Cultura da segurança do paciente em seis centros cirúrgicos em Antioquia

Introducción: Colombia, como otros países promueve políticas de seguridad al paciente para reducir y, de ser posible, eliminar la ocurrencia de eventos adversos. Objetivo: identificar la cultura de seguridad en seis centros quirúrgicos de Antioquia a través de las dimensiones descritas por el instrumento Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture. Materiales y Métodos: Estudio multicéntrico transversal descriptivo realizado en instituciones de 2, 3 y 4 nivel complejidad del departamento de Antioquia; de noviembre de 2016 a noviembre de 2018. Se aplicó el instrumento Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture propuesto por la Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) a 514 trabajadores del área de la salud. Resultados: En una escala de cero a diez, el promedio del clima de seguridad en los servicios de cirugía es 8. El 62% de las respuestas sobre la percepción de la cultura de la seguridad fue positiva. Las de mayor puntuación fueron: aprendizaje organizacional/mejora continua en 82,94% de los trabajadores; en el trabajo en equipo en el servicio, 82,94%. Las de menor puntuación fueron: respuesta no punitiva a errores 46,25%; y franqueza en comunicación 45,38%. Discusión: las dimensiones con mayor y menor puntuación reportadas en la investigación son comparables con las reportadas en otros estudios y requiere atención del sistema de salud y de las direcciones de las instituciones. Conclusión: Se detectaron fortalezas y debilidades en la cultura de seguridad de los pacientes. En cuanto a las Fortalezas: el Aprendizaje organizacional/mejora continua y el Trabajo en equipo en la Unidad/Servicio.

Introduction: Colombia, just like other countries, promotes patient safety policies to reduce and, if possible, eliminate the occurrence of adverse events. Objective: To identify the patient safety culture at six surgical centers located in Antioquia using the dimensions described in the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture instrument. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional multicenter study was conducted at different healthcare institutions providing secondary, tertiary and quaternary levels of care between November 2016 and November 2018 in the department of Antioquia. The Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture instrument proposed by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) was applied to 514 health workers. Results: On a scale of zero to ten, the average safety perception in surgical services is 8. 62% of the responses regarding the perception of safety culture were positive. The highest scores were organizational learning/continuous improvement in 82.94% of the workers and service teamwork in 82.94%. The lowest scores were a nonpunitive response to errors in 46.25% and communication openness in 45.38%. Discussion: The dimensions with the highest and lowest scores reported in the research are comparable to those reported in other studies and require attention from the healthcare system and the directors of the institutions. Conclusion: Strengths and weaknesses in the patient safety culture were detected. The strengths were organizational learning/continuous improvement and teamwork at the unit/service.

Introduction: Colombia, just like other countries, promotes patient safety policies to reduce and, if possible, eliminate the occurrence of adverse events. Objective: To identify the patient safety culture at six surgical centers located in Antioquia using the dimensions described in the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture instrument. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional multicenter study was conducted at different healthcare institutions providing secondary, tertiary and quaternary levels of care between November 2016 and November 2018 in the department of Antioquia. The Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture instrument proposed by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) was applied to 514 health workers. Results: On a scale of zero to ten, the average safety perception in surgical services is 8. 62% of the responses regarding the perception of safety culture were positive. The highest scores were organizational learning/continuous improvement in 82.94% of the workers and service teamwork in 82.94%. The lowest scores were a nonpunitive response to errors in 46.25% and communication openness in 45.38%. Discussion: The dimensions with the highest and lowest scores reported in the research are comparable to those reported in other studies and require attention from the healthcare system and the directors of the institutions. Conclusion: Strengths and weaknesses in the patient safety culture were detected. The strengths were organizational learning/continuous improvement and teamwork at the unit/service.