[Personal experiences with induced abortions in private clinics in Northeast Brazil]. / Experiências de abortos provocados em clínicas privadas no Nordeste brasileiro.

Based on a qualitative study conducted in 2012, the article analyzes middle-class individuals' experiences with induced abortions performed in private clinics. Thirty-four stories of induced abortions were narrated by 19 women and five men living in two state capitals in Northeast Brazil. Thematic analysis revealed differences in types of clinics and care provided by the physicians. The article shows that abortion in private clinics fails to guarantee safe or humane care. The narratives furnish descriptions of diverse situations and practices, ranging from flaws such as lack of information on medicines to others involving severe abuses like procedures performed without anesthesia. The article concludes that criminalization of abortion in Brazil allows clinics to operate with no state regulation; it does not prevent women from having abortions, but exposes them to total vulnerability and violation of human rights.

Experiências de abortos provocados em clínicas privadas no Nordeste brasileiro / Personal experiences with induced abortions in private clinics in Northeast Brazil / Experiencias de abortos practicados en clínicas privadas del nordeste brasileño

Resumo Baseado numa investigação qualitativa desenvolvida em 2012, o artigo analisa experiências de abortos provocados de pessoas de estratos sociais médios realizados em clínicas privadas. Foram narradas 34 histórias de gravidezes interrompidas em clínicas por 19 mulheres e cinco homens, residentes em duas capitais do Nordeste brasileiro. Uma análise temática revela que existem diferentes tipos de clínicas e de atendimento prestados pelos médicos. O artigo mostra que a realização de um aborto em uma clínica privada não é garantia de um atendimento humanizado e seguro. As narrativas fornecem descrições de diversas situações e práticas, desde aquelas com algumas falhas, como a falta de informações sobre os medicamentos, até outras com abusos graves, como procedimentos realizados sem anestesia. Assim, conclui-se que a ilegalidade da prática do aborto, no Brasil, permite que as clínicas funcionem sem qualquer tipo de regulação do Estado, não impedindo que as mulheres realizem abortos, mas as expondo a situações de total vulnerabilidade e de violação dos direitos humanos.

Abstract Based on a qualitative study conducted in 2012, the article analyzes middle-class individuals' experiences with induced abortions performed in private clinics. Thirty-four stories of induced abortions were narrated by 19 women and five men living in two state capitals in Northeast Brazil. Thematic analysis revealed differences in types of clinics and care provided by the physicians. The article shows that abortion in private clinics fails to guarantee safe or humane care. The narratives furnish descriptions of diverse situations and practices, ranging from flaws such as lack of information on medicines to others involving severe abuses like procedures performed without anesthesia. The article concludes that criminalization of abortion in Brazil allows clinics to operate with no state regulation; it does not prevent women from having abortions, but exposes them to total vulnerability and violation of human rights.

Resumen En base a una investigación cualitativa, desarrollada en 2012, el artículo analiza experiencias abortivas practicadas en personas de estratos sociales medios, realizadas en clínicas privadas. 19 mujeres y cinco hombres residentes en dos capitales del nordeste brasileño narraron 34 historias de embarazo interrumpido en clínicas de estas zonas. El análisis temático revela que existen diferentes tipos de clínicas y de atención, donde ejercen su labor los médicos. El artículo muestra que la práctica de un aborto en una clínica no es garantía de una atención humanizada y segura. Las historias describen diversas situaciones y prácticas, desde aquellas con algunos fallos tales como la falta de información sobre los medicamentos, hasta otras con abusos graves como procedimientos abortivos realizados sin anestesia. Por ello, se concluye que la ilegalidad de la práctica del aborto en Brasil permite que las clínicas funcionen sin ningún tipo de regulación del Estado, lo que no impide que las mujeres realicen abortos, exponiéndolas a situaciones de total vulnerabilidad y violación de sus derechos humanos.

[Adapting a private health care facility to the new Peruvian Public Health Sistem. Quality rating in a Middle Income Economy country]. / L'adeguamento di una struttura sanitaria privata alla nuova sanità pubblica Peruviana. Valutazione di qualità in un paese a Middle Income Economy.

The aim of the study is the Assessment of Quality Sevices provided by a no-profit Medical Center in Peruvian Sierra, through an evidence-based decision-making process to identify infrastructure and capacity building interventions, to achieve accreditation and economic sustainability and increase competitiveness in the renewed Peruvian National Health System. The quali-quantitative collection of data shows how is fundamental an Healthcare Management focused on the responsiveness of services to the real needs and the local culture to reach the goals.

Evaluation of common operator errors in panoramic radiography in Trinidad and Tobago: a comparison of formally vs informally trained operators / La evaluación de los errores comunes de los operadores de radiografía panorámica en Trinidad y Tobago comparación de los operadores adiestrados formalmente frente a los adiestrados informalmente

AIM: To evaluate and compare the frequency of common operator errors seen on panoramic radiographs in dental private practices and in the dental hospital (taken by informally and formally trained operators, respectively) in Trinidad and Tobago. METHOD: One thousand panoramic radiographs of patients over the age of 10 years were included in this study. These comprised 500 from the dental hospital and 500 from dental private practices. The radiographs were reviewed using standardized criteria to identify the most common operator errors. RESULTS: There were only 21 (4.2%) error free radiographs in the dental private practice sample and 29 (5.8%) in the dental hospital sample. Frequencies of specific errors were significantly higher in the dental private practice sample in each category except for "Chin tipped too low" (Chi-square p < 0.05) CONCLUSION: This study supports the need for the introduction of statutory guidelines with respect to the use of ionizing radiation in dentistry in Trinidad and Tobago and in particular, the implementation of formally assessed dedicated dental radiography training for all operators of dental X-ray equipment.

OBJETIVO: Evaluar y comparar la frecuencia de los errores comunes de los operadores, observados en las radiografías panorámicas en las clínicas dentales privadas y en el hospital de odontología (tomadas por operadores adiestrados formalmente e informalmente, de forma respectiva) en Trinidad y Tobago. MÉTODO: Mil radiografías panorámicas de pacientes de más de 10 años de edad, fueron incluidas en este estudio. Las mismas comprendían 500 provenientes del hospital odontológico y 500 provenían de las prácticas privadas de dentistas. Las radiografías fueron examinadas a partir de criterios estandarizados, a fin de identificar los errores más comunes de los operadores. RESULTADOS: Hubo sólo 21 (4.2%) radiografías sin errores en la muestra de la clínica dental privada, y 29 (5.8%) en la muestra del hospital de odontología. Las frecuencias de errores específicos fueron significativamente más altas en la muestra de la clínica dental privada en cada categoría, salvo el caso del "mentón inclinado excesivamente hacia abajo" (Chi-cuadrado p < 0.05) CONCLUSIÓN: Este estudio subraya la necesidad de introducir pautas reglamentarias con respecto al uso de la radiación ionizante en la cirugía dental en Trinidad y Tobago, particularmente en lo que concierne al adiestramiento especializado en radiografía dental, formalmente evaluado, para todos los operadores de equipos de rayos x para el trabajo dental.

Evaluation of common operator errors in panoramic radiography in Trinidad and Tobago: a comparison of formally vs informally trained operators.

AIM: To evaluate and compare the frequency of common operator errors seen on panoramic radiographs in dental private practices and in the dental hospital (taken by informally and formally trained operators, respectively) in Trinidad and Tobago. METHOD: One thousand panoramic radiographs of patients over the age of 10 years were included in this study. These comprised 500 from the dental hospital and 500 from dental private practices. The radiographs were reviewed using standardized criteria to identify the most common operator errors. RESULTS: There were only 21 (4.2%) error free radiographs in the dental private practice sample and 29 (5.80%) in the dental hospital sample. Frequencies of specific errors were significantly higher in the dental private practice sample in each category except for "Chin tipped too low" (Chi-square p < 0.05) CONCLUSION: This study supports the need for the introduction of statutory guidelines with respect to the use of ionizing radiation in dentistry in Trinidad and Tobago and in particular, the implementation of formally assessed dedicated dental radiography training for all operators of dental X-ray equipment.

Standards of teeth preparations for anterior resin bonded all-ceramic crowns in private dental practice in Jordan

OBJECTIVES: To investigate if general dental practitioners (GDPs) in private practice in Jordan follow universal guidelines for preparation of anterior teeth for resin bonded all-ceramic crowns (RBCs). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A sample (n=100) of laboratory models containing 208 tooth preparations for IPS Empress and In Ceram, featuring work from different GDPs, was obtained from 8 commercial dental laboratories. Aspects of preparations were quantified and compared with accepted criteria defined following a review of the literature and recommendations of the manufactures' guidelines. RESULTS: Subgingival margins on the buccal aspect were noticed in 36 percent of the preparations, 54 percent demonstrated overpreparation with a tendency to overprepare the teeth on the mesiodistal plane more than buccolingual plane. Twenty percent of samples presented a shoulder finish line while a chamfer margin design was noticed in 39 percent. Twenty-nine percent and 12 percent of samples had either a feathered or no clear margin design respectively. Incisal underpreparation was observed in 18 percent of dies of each type. Only 17 percent of all preparations were found to follow the recommended anatomical labial preparations while 29 percent of the RBC preparations were found to have the recommended axial convergence angle. In total, 43 percent of preparations were found to have the recommended depth of the finish line. CONCLUSIONS: It was found that relevant guidelines for RBC preparations were not being fully adhered to in private practice in Jordan.

Standards of teeth preparations for anterior resin bonded all-ceramic crowns in private dental practice in Jordan.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate if general dental practitioners (GDPs) in private practice in Jordan follow universal guidelines for preparation of anterior teeth for resin bonded all-ceramic crowns (RBCs). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A sample (n=100) of laboratory models containing 208 tooth preparations for IPS Empress and In Ceram, featuring work from different GDPs, was obtained from 8 commercial dental laboratories. Aspects of preparations were quantified and compared with accepted criteria defined following a review of the literature and recommendations of the manufactures' guidelines. RESULTS: Subgingival margins on the buccal aspect were noticed in 36% of the preparations, 54% demonstrated overpreparation with a tendency to overprepare the teeth on the mesiodistal plane more than buccolingual plane. Twenty percent of samples presented a shoulder finish line while a chamfer margin design was noticed in 39%. Twenty-nine percent and 12% of samples had either a feathered or no clear margin design respectively. Incisal underpreparation was observed in 18% of dies of each type. Only 17% of all preparations were found to follow the recommended anatomical labial preparations while 29% of the RBC preparations were found to have the recommended axial convergence angle. In total, 43% of preparations were found to have the recommended depth of the finish line. CONCLUSIONS: It was found that relevant guidelines for RBC preparations were not being fully adhered to in private practice in Jordan.

Does a competitive voucher program for adolescents improve the quality of reproductive health care? A simulated patient study in Nicaragua.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about how sexual and reproductive (SRH) health can be made accessible and appropriate to adolescents. This study evaluates the impact and sustainability of a competitive voucher program on the quality of SRH care for poor and underserved female adolescents and the usefulness of the simulated patient (SP) method for such evaluation. METHODS: 28,711 vouchers were distributed to adolescents in disadvantaged areas of Managua that gave free-of-charge access to SRH care in 4 public, 10 non-governmental and 5 private clinics. Providers received training and guidelines, treatment protocols, and financial incentives for each adolescent attended. All clinics were visited by female adolescent SPs requesting contraception. SPs were sent one week before, during (with voucher) and one month after the intervention. After each consultation they were interviewed with a standardized questionnaire. Twenty-one criteria were scored and grouped into four categories. Clinics' scores were compared using non-parametric statistical methods (paired design: before-during and before-after). Also the influence of doctors' characteristics was tested using non-parametric statistical methods. RESULTS: Some aspects of service quality improved during the voucher program. Before the program started 8 of the 16 SPs returned 'empty handed', although all were eligible contraceptive users. During the program 16/17 left with a contraceptive method (p = 0.01). Furthermore, more SPs were involved in the contraceptive method choice (13/17 vs.5/16, p = 0.02). Shared decision-making on contraceptive method as well as condom promotion had significantly increased after the program ended. Female doctors had best scores before- during and after the intervention. The improvements were more pronounced among male doctors and doctors older than 40, though these improvements did not sustain after the program ended. CONCLUSION: This study illustrates provider-related obstacles adolescents often face when requesting contraception. The care provided during the voucher program improved for some important outcomes. The improvements were more pronounced among providers with the weakest initial performance. Shared decision-making and condom promotion were improvements that sustained after the program ended. The SP method is suitable and relatively easy to apply in monitoring clinics' performance, yielding important and relevant information. Objective assessment of change through the SP method is much more complex and expensive.

Most successful practice building pearls [abstract]

Buying into a practice does not assure one's success. A successful practice is built and the investment in your training demands your best effort at "Brand Name" development. THE PHYSICIAN: -introduce and present your self to sources of referral; -be responsive; -communicate; -what's your gimmick? THE AMBIENCE: -Location; -A plesant purpose-built office layout; -Facilitate patient flow; -Image is important; -Use technology (Computerized system) THE STAFF: -You get what you pay for; -Inferior staff never leave; THE SERVICES -Control appointment system; -Plan 6 to 12 months ahead; -Information brochures; MARKETING: -Brand Name development; - Use the subtle media; -Develop own strategies; -Niche markets; -Feed back to sources; -Use of the Internet. (AU)

The quality of private and public primary health care management of children with diarrhoea and acute respiratory infections in Tlaxcala, Mexico.

In Tlaxcala, Mexico, 80% of the children who died from diarrhoea or acute respiratory infections (ARI) in 1992-1993 received medical care; in more than 70% of cases it was provided by a private general practitioner (GP). The present study evaluated the quality of case management by private and public GPs to children under five years of age with diarrhoea and ARI. During the clinical observation, the treatment and counselling given to the mother were assessed with the WHO guidelines as reference standard. A total of 41 private and 40 public GPs were evaluated for the management of diarrhoea, and 59 private and 40 public GPs for the management of ARI. For diarrhoea, half of the private GPs gave inadequate rehydration therapy, 63% gave incorrect advice on diet, 66% and 49% made an incorrect correct decision in the prescription of antimicrobial and symptomatic drugs, respectively. Public GPs generally performed better in diarrhoea management: 7% gave inadequate rehydration therapy, 13% gave wrong advice on diet, 3% made a wrong decision in the prescription of symptomatic drugs and 28% gave a wrong decision in antimicrobial prescription. In the management of ARI, 66% and 58% of private GPs made a wrong decision in the prescription of antimicrobial and symptomatic drugs, respectively, compared to 30% and 20% of public GPs, respectively. Counselling to the mother given by both private and public GPs was considered inadequate in most cases of diarrhoea and ARI. These results clearly show that private doctors, as important providers of medical care, need to be included in the strategies to improve the quality of care of children with diarrhoea and ARI. Future research needs to address the determinants of the clinical practice of private doctors in countries like Mexico.

Diabetes care in middle-income countries: a Caribbean case study.

Many middle-income countries now have a high prevalence of diabetes and need to address the problem of providing care for people with diabetes within limited resources. This study evaluated standards of preventive care in primary settings in three Caribbean countries. We studied case records at 17 clinics in 15 government health centres and 17 private general practitioners' offices in Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago and Tortola (British Virgin Islands). A census of all attenders over a 4 to 7 week period identified 1661 attenders with diabetes mellitus, approximately two-thirds were women with a median age over 60 years. Overall 676/1342 (50%) had 'poor' blood glucose control (> or = 8 mmol l-1 fasting or > or = 10 mmol l-1 random). The proportion with BP > or = 160/95 mmHg or receiving treatment for hypertension was 943/1661 (57%), of whom 781/943 (83%) were prescribed drug treatment. Among those treated for hypertension only 181/781 (23%) had blood pressures < 140/90 mmHg. Surveillance for complications affecting the feet (11%) or eyes (2%) was not performed systematically in any setting. Only 533 (32%) had recorded dietary advice and 79 (5%) had recorded exercise advice in the last 12 months. To begin to address some of these problems at a regional level, we incorporated results from this survey into a series of workshops held in collaboration with health ministries in 10 Caribbean countries, with participants from 13 countries. At these workshops health care workers participated in the process of developing guidelines for diabetes management in primary care. The guidelines have subsequently been widely disseminated through health ministries and non-governmental organizations in the region. Further research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of this approach, the constraints on diabetes care, and the most cost-effective means of addressing them.

Diabetes care in middle-income countries: a Caribbean case study

Many middle-income countries now have a high prevalence of diabetes and need to address the problem of providing care for people with diabetes within limited resources. This study evaluated standards of preventive care in primary settings in three Caribbean countries. We studied case records at 17 clinics in 15 government health centres and 17 private general practitioners' offices in Barbados Trinidad and Tobago and Tortola (British Virgin Islands). A census of all attenders over 4 to 7 week period identified 1661 attenders with diabetes mellitus, approximately two-thirds were women with a median age of over 60 years. Overall 676/1342 (50 percent) had 'poor' blood glucose control (> or + 8 mmol 1-1 fasting or > or = 10 mmol 1-1 random). The proportion with BP > or = 160/95 mmHg or receiving treatment for hypertension was 943/1661 (57 percent), of whom 781/943 (83 percent) were prescribed drug treatment. Among those treated for hypertension only 181/781 (23 percent) had blood pressures , 140/90 mmHg. Surveillance for complications affecting the feet (11 percent) or eyes (2 percent) was not performed systematically in any setting. Only 533 (32 percent) had recorded dietary advice and 79 95 percent) had recorded exercise advice in the last 12 months. To begin to address some of these problems at the regional level, we incorporated results from this survey into a series of workshops held in collaboration with health ministries in 10 Caribbean countries, with participants from 13 countries. At these workshops health care workers participated in the process of developing guidelines for diabetes management in primary care. The guidelines have subsequently been widely disseminated through health ministries and non-governmental organizations in the region. Further research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of this approach, the constraints of diabetes care, and the most cost-effective means of addressing them (Au).

A quality assurance program for the measurement of capillary blood cholesterol levels in private pediatric practices. The Children's Health Project.

OBJECTIVE: To develop an easy to use quality assurance program for the measurement of capillary blood cholesterol levels in private pediatric practices. The program needed to comply with the guidelines laid down by the National Cholesterol Education Program. DESIGN: Intervention study. SETTING: Nine private pediatric practices in and around northern Philadelphia, Pa. PARTICIPANTS: The analysts included clinic staff members with laboratory expertise ranging from none to some previous experience. None of the participants had previous experience with a quality assurance program. INTERVENTIONS: Progress was reported monthly to the Lipid Research Laboratory, Philadelphia, and action was taken to correct inaccuracies in bias or variance. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Compliance with the analytical guidelines laid down by the National Cholesterol Education Program in that the coefficient of variation was no greater than 5% and the bias was no greater than +/- 5% in the first year of the study. RESULTS: Within the first year of the study, there were 152 monthly quality assurance returns for each of two lyophilized control materials. On four occasions the coefficient of variation was greater than 5% while the overall bias was within the desired +/- 5% on 143 (94%) of 152 occasions. After the first 3 months of the study, as user confidence increased, intervention by the Lipid Research Laboratory became minimal. The internal quality assurance was further evaluated by a successful performance in a quarterly external quality assurance program. CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to devise an easy to use quality assurance program for extra laboratory measurement of cholesterol levels in children, and, with minimal assistance, maintain acceptable standards of cholesterol analysis. The quality assurance improved following the first 3 months of training and education. Subsequent continuous quality improvement was maintained with minimal involvement of the specialist center. Should the controversial issue of private office measurement of blood cholesterol levels become universally acceptable, the implication from our study is that standards acceptable to the National Cholesterol Education Program and the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 are possible using a suitable quality assurance program.

Nurses' attitudes toward control over nursing practice.

A random sample of 323 nurses registered in Illinois was used to examine nurses' attitudes toward nurse control over nursing practice. Most supported nurse autonomy, independent practice, and third-party reimbursement, though a fairly sizable minority did not, particularly with regard to independent practice. Regression analyses found that favorable attitudes were associated with a more college-based initial nursing program, a more recent year of initial licensure, a greater attachment to the labor force, and a stronger commitment to a nursing career. Neither family status, current employment situation, nor future career plans had any significant effect.