Implementation of the WHO Safe Childbirth Checklist: a scoping review protocol.

INTRODUCTION: The WHO Safe Childbirth Checklist (WHO SCC) was developed to accelerate adoption of essential practices that prevent maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality during childbirth. This study aims to summarise the current landscape of organisations and facilities that have implemented the WHO SCC and compare the published strategies used to implement the WHO SCC implementation in both successful and unsuccessful efforts. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This scoping review protocol follows the guidelines of the Joanna Briggs Institute. Data will be collected and reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews report. The search strategy will include publications from the databases Scopus, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL and Web of Science, in addition to a search in grey literature in The National Library of Australia's Trobe, DART-Europe E-Theses Portal, Electronic Theses Online Service, Theses Canada, Google Scholar and Theses and dissertations from Latin America. Data extraction will include data on general information, study characteristics, organisations involved, sociodemographic context, implementation strategies, indicators of implementation process, frameworks used to design or evaluate the strategy, implementation outcomes and final considerations. Critical analysis of implementation strategies and outcomes will be performed with researchers with experience implementing the WHO SCC. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study does not require an ethical review due to its design as a scoping review of the literature. The results will be submitted for publication to a scientific journal and all relevant data from this study will be made available in Dataverse. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/RWY27.

Motivational drivers for health professionals in a large quality improvement collaborative project in Brazil: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: The success of collaborative quality improvement (QI) projects in healthcare depends on the context and engagement of health teams; however, the factors that modulate teams' motivation to participate in these projects are still unclear. The objective of the current study was to explore the barriers to and facilitators of motivation; the perspective was health professionals in a large project aiming to implement evidence-based infection prevention practices in intensive care units of Brazilian hospitals. METHODS: This qualitative study was based on content analysis of semistructured in-depth interviews held with health professionals who participated in a collaborative QI project named "Improving patient safety on a large scale in Brazil". In accordance with the principle of saturation, we selected a final sample of 12 hospitals located throughout the five regions of Brazil that have implemented QI; then, we conducted videoconference interviews with 28 health professionals from those hospitals. We encoded the interview data with NVivo software, and the interrelations among the data were assessed with the COM-B model. RESULTS: The key barriers identified were belief that improvement increases workload, lack of knowledge about quality improvement, resistance to change, minimal involvement of physicians, lack of supplies, lack support from senior managers and work overload. The primary driver of motivation was tangible outcomes, as evidenced by a decrease in infections. Additionally, factors such as the active participation of senior managers, teamwork, learning in practice and understanding the reason for changes played significant roles in fostering motivation. CONCLUSION: The motivation of health professionals to participate in collaborative QI projects is driven by a variety of barriers and facilitators. The interactions between the senior manager, quality improvement teams, and healthcare professionals generate attitudes that modulate motivation. Thus, these aspects should be considered during the implementation of such projects. Future research could explore the cost-effectiveness of motivational approaches.

Improvement project to reduce surgical site infections: a retrospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Surgical site infections are one of the main problems related to health care. In Brazil, they are responsible for 14 to 16% of infections related to health care. This study sought to analyze the effect of implementing a package of measures to reduce surgical site infections (SSI) in heart surgeries, kidney transplants and herniorrhaphies and to evaluate adherence to the safe surgery checklist in a university hospital. METHODS: this is a retrospective cohort study with data collection in a time series for the period from 2018 to 2020. RESULTS: we analyzed 222 medical records referring to the surgeries under study performed in the year 2020, in which data were collected from the patients and the care package prevention measures. SSI data and adherence to the safe surgery checklist were analyzed in the years 2018, 2019 and 2020, totaling 268, 300 and 222 procedures analyzed, respectively. CONCLUSION: the study showed a significant reduction in the SSI rate with greater adherence to the protocol, which was not maintained and was influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, the sustainability of this action represents a challenge to be overcome, in order to establish a safer environment for the patient and a better quality of service.

Validation of surgical care quality indicators in the Brazilian Unified Health System.

OBJECTIVE: To validate a set of indicators for monitoring the quality of surgical procedures in the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS). METHODS: Validation study developed in 5 stages: 1) literature review; 2) prioritization of indicators; 3) content validation of indicators by RAND/UCLA consensus method; 4) pilot study for reliability analysis; and 5) development of instruction for tabulation of outcome indicators for monitoring via official information systems. RESULTS: From the literature review, 217 indicators of surgical quality were identified. The excluded indicators were: those based on scientific evidence lower than 1A, similar, specific, which corresponded to sentinel events; and those that did not apply to the SUS context. Twenty-six indicators with a high level of scientific evidence were submitted to expert consensus. Twenty-two indicators were validated, of which 14 process indicators and 8 outcome indicators with content validation index ≥80%. Of the validated process indicators, 6 were considered substantially reliable (Kappa coefficient between 0.6 and 0.8; p < 0.05) and 2 had almost perfect reliability (Kappa coefficient > 0.8, p < 0.05), when the inter-rater agreement was analyzed. One could measure and establish tabulation mechanism for TabWin for 7 outcome indicators. CONCLUSION: The study contributes to the development of a set of potentially effective surgical indicators for monitoring the quality of care and patient safety in SUS hospital services.

Improvement project to reduce surgical site infections: a retrospective cohort study / Projeto de melhoria para redução de infecções de sítio cirúrgico: um estudo de coorte retrospectivo

ABSTRACT Introduction: Surgical site infections are one of the main problems related to health care. In Brazil, they are responsible for 14 to 16% of infections related to health care. This study sought to analyze the effect of implementing a package of measures to reduce surgical site infections (SSI) in heart surgeries, kidney transplants and herniorrhaphies and to evaluate adherence to the safe surgery checklist in a university hospital. Methods: this is a retrospective cohort study with data collection in a time series for the period from 2018 to 2020. Results: we analyzed 222 medical records referring to the surgeries under study performed in the year 2020, in which data were collected from the patients and the care package prevention measures. SSI data and adherence to the safe surgery checklist were analyzed in the years 2018, 2019 and 2020, totaling 268, 300 and 222 procedures analyzed, respectively. Conclusion: the study showed a significant reduction in the SSI rate with greater adherence to the protocol, which was not maintained and was influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, the sustainability of this action represents a challenge to be overcome, in order to establish a safer environment for the patient and a better quality of service.

RESUMO Introdução: as infecções do sítio cirúrgico são um dos principais agravos relacionados à assistência à saúde. No Brasil, são responsáveis por 14 a 16% das infecções relacionadas à assistência à saúde. Esse estudo buscou analisar o efeito da implementação de um pacote de medidas para redução de infecções de sítio cirúrgico (ISC) em cirurgias cardíacas, transplantes renais e herniorrafias e avaliar adesão ao checklist de cirurgia segura em um hospital universitário. Métodos: trata-se de um estudo de coorte retrospectivo com coleta de dados em série temporal relativo ao período de 2018 a 2020. Resultados: foram analisados 222 prontuários referentes às cirurgias em estudo realizadas no ano de 2020, nos quais foram coletados dados dos pacientes e do pacote de medidas de prevenção. Dados de ISC e adesão ao checklist de cirurgia segura foram analisados nos anos de 2018, 2019 e 2020, totalizando 268, 300 e 222 procedimentos analisados, respectivamente. Conclusão: o estudo evidenciou uma redução significativa da taxa de ISC com a maior adesão ao protocolo, a qual não foi mantida e sofreu influência da pandemia de COVID-19. Assim, a sustentabilidade dessa ação representa um desafio a ser contornado, a fim de estabelecer um ambiente mais seguro para o paciente e uma melhor qualidade do serviço.

Validation of surgical care quality indicators in the Brazilian Unified Health System / Validação de indicadores de qualidade do cuidado cirúrgico no Sistema Único de Saúde

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To validate a set of indicators for monitoring the quality of surgical procedures in the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS). METHODS Validation study developed in 5 stages: 1) literature review; 2) prioritization of indicators; 3) content validation of indicators by RAND/UCLA consensus method; 4) pilot study for reliability analysis; and 5) development of instruction for tabulation of outcome indicators for monitoring via official information systems. RESULTS From the literature review, 217 indicators of surgical quality were identified. The excluded indicators were: those based on scientific evidence lower than 1A, similar, specific, which corresponded to sentinel events; and those that did not apply to the SUS context. Twenty-six indicators with a high level of scientific evidence were submitted to expert consensus. Twenty-two indicators were validated, of which 14 process indicators and 8 outcome indicators with content validation index ≥80%. Of the validated process indicators, 6 were considered substantially reliable (Kappa coefficient between 0.6 and 0.8; p < 0.05) and 2 had almost perfect reliability (Kappa coefficient > 0.8, p < 0.05), when the inter-rater agreement was analyzed. One could measure and establish tabulation mechanism for TabWin for 7 outcome indicators. CONCLUSION The study contributes to the development of a set of potentially effective surgical indicators for monitoring the quality of care and patient safety in SUS hospital services.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Validar um conjunto de indicadores para monitoramento da qualidade dos procedimentos cirúrgicos no Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). MÉTODOS Estudo de validação desenvolvido em 5 etapas: 1) revisão de literatura; 2) priorização de indicadores; 3) validação de conteúdo dos indicadores por método de consenso RAND/UCLA; 4) estudo piloto para análise da confiabilidade; e 5) desenvolvimento de instrutivo para tabulação dos indicadores de resultado para monitoramento via sistemas de informações oficiais. RESULTADOS A partir da revisão de literatura, foram identificados 217 indicadores de qualidade cirúrgica. Os indicadores excluídos foram: indicadores baseados em evidências científicas inferiores a 1A, similares, específicos, que correspondiam a eventos sentinelas; e aqueles que não se aplicavam ao contexto do SUS. Foram submetidos ao consenso de especialistas 26 indicadores com alto nível de evidência científica. Foram validados 22 indicadores, dos quais 14 indicadores de processo e 8 indicadores de resultado com índice de validação de conteúdo ≥80%. Dos indicadores de processo validados, 6 foram considerados confiáveis substancialmente (Coeficiente de Kappa entre 0,6 e 0,8; p < 0,05) e 2 tiveram confiabilidade quase perfeita (coeficiente de Kappa > 0,8, p < 0,05), quando analisada a concordância interavaliador. Foi possível mensurar e estabelecer mecanismo de tabulação para TabWin para 7 indicadores de resultado. CONCLUSÃO O estudo contribui com o desenvolvimento de um conjunto de indicadores cirúrgicos potencialmente eficazes para o monitoramento da qualidade do cuidado e segurança do paciente nos serviços hospitalares do SUS.

Avaliação formativa no internato de Medicina / Formative assessment in Medical internship

Resumo Introdução: A avaliação formativa é um processo multifacetado que visa contribuir para a formação de um profissional autônomo e reflexivo. É um recurso poderoso na educação médica. Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivo conhecer o processo de avaliação formativa no internato do curso de graduação em Medicina do campus Natal da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte. Método: Trata-se de uma pesquisa observacional com abordagem quantitativa, por meio de aplicação de questionário aos docentes e discentes do internato em modos on-line e presencial, no período de julho a dezembro de 2021. Resultado: Responderam ao questionário 27 docentes e 79 discentes. Os docentes têm uma percepção mais positiva que seus alunos, pois 51,9% deles assumiram realizar avaliação formativa, enquanto apenas 41,7% dos discentes do quinto ano e 35,5% dos discentes do sexto ano reconhecem que a realizam. Em relação à definição dos objetivos de aprendizagem, 70,4% dos docentes afirmaram que os apresentam, enquanto apenas 25% e 16,1% dos discentes, respectivamente do quinto e sexto anos, reconheceram que são apresentados a eles. Os docentes e discentes também têm percepções diferentes em relação ao feedback e ao uso de TIC na avaliação formativa, pois, enquanto 70,4% dos docentes assumiram que realizam feedback, apenas 27,1% e 16,1% dos internos do quinto e sexto anos, respectivamente, reconheceram receber com frequência o feedback. Já o uso de TIC foi percebido como razoável por 44,4% dos docentes e muito utilizado pela maioria dos discentes. Discussão de casos foi o método de avaliação formativa mais reconhecido por ambos. Conclusão: Os docentes e discentes têm percepções distintas sobre a realização de avaliação formativa no internato de Medicina, e ambos concordam que a capacitação docente é imprescindível para melhorar o processo avaliativo. Percebe-se a necessidade de mais discussões sobre o tema para criar uma cultura de avaliação formativa que mobilize docentes e discentes.

Abstract Introduction: Formative assessment is a multifaceted process, which aims to contribute to the formation of an autonomous and reflective professional. It is a powerful resource in medical education. Objective: To learn about the formative assessment process in the undergraduate medical internship program at the Natal campus of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte. Method: This is an observational study with a quantitative approach, involving the online and in-person application of a questionnaire to teachers and student interns, from July to December 2021. Result: Twenty-seven teachers and 79 students answered the questionnaire. The teachers reported a more positive perception than their students, since 51.9% of them have delivered formative assessment, while only 41.7% of 5th year students and 35.5% of 6th year students recognize its performance. Likewise in relation to the definition of learning objectives: 70.4% of teachers stated that they present these objectives, whereas only 25% and 16.1% of the 5th and 6th year students, respectively, recognize such presentation. The teachers and students also have different perceptions in relation to feedback and the use of ICTs in formative assessment: whereas 70.4% of the teachers considered that they provide feedback, only 27.1% and 16.1% of the 5th and 6th year interns respectively, acknowledged receipt of frequent feedback. The use of ICTs was perceived as reasonable by 44.4% of the teachers and widely used by most students. The discussion of cases was the formative assessment method most widely recognized by both groups. Conclusion: Teachers and students have different perceptions about the execution of formative assessment in medical internships, and both agree on the need for teacher training to improve the assessment process. There is a need for more discussions on the subject to create a culture of formative assessment that engages teachers and students.

Impact of the implementation of the WHO Safe Childbirth Checklist on essential birth practices and adverse events in two Brazilian hospitals: a before and after study.

OBJECTIVE: The WHO Safe Childbirth Checklist (SCC) is a promising initiative for safety in childbirth care, but the evidence about its impact on clinical outcomes is limited. This study analysed the impact of SCC on essential birth practices (EBPs), obstetric complications and adverse events (AEs) in hospitals of different profiles. DESIGN: Quasi-experimental, time-series study and pre/post intervention. SETTING: Two hospitals in North-East Brazil, one at a tertiary level (H1) and another at a secondary level (H2). PARTICIPANTS: 1440 women and their newborns, excluding those with congenital malformations. INTERVENTIONS: The implementation of the SCC involved its cross-cultural adaptation, raising awareness with videos and posters, learning sessions about the SCC and auditing and feedback on adherence indicators. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Simple and composite indicators related to seven EBPs, 3 complications and 10 AEs were monitored for 1 year, every 2 weeks, totalling 1440 observed deliveries. RESULTS: The checklist was adopted in 83.3% (n=300) of deliveries in H1 and in 33.6% (n=121) in H2. The hospital with the highest adoption rate for SCC (H1) showed greater adherence to EBPs (improvement of 50.9%;p<0.001) and greater reduction in clinical outcome indicators compared with its baseline: percentage of deliveries with severe complications (reduction of 30.8%;p=0.005); Adverse Outcome Index (reduction of 25.6%;p=0.049); Weighted Adverse Outcome Score (reduction of 39.5%;p<0.001); Severity Index (reduction of 18.4%;p<0.001). In H2, whose adherence to the SCC was lower, there was an improvement of 24.7% compared with before SCC implementation in the composite indicator of EBPs (p=0.002) and a reduction of 49.2% in severe complications (p=0.027), but there was no significant reduction in AEs. CONCLUSIONS: A multifaceted SCC-based intervention can be effective in improving adherence to EBPs and clinical outcomes in childbirth. The context and adherence to the SCC seem to modulate its impact, working better in a hospital of higher complexity.

Adverse obstetric outcomes in two Brazilian maternity hospitals.

PURPOSE: Obstetric adverse outcomes (AOs) are an important topic and the use of composite measures may favor the understanding of their impact on patient safety. The aim of the present study was to estimate AO frequency and obstetric care quality in low and high-risk maternity hospitals. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: A one-year longitudinal follow-up study in two public Brazilian maternity hospitals. The frequency of AOs was measured in 2,880 randomly selected subjects, 1,440 in each institution, consisting of women and their newborn babies. The frequency of 14 AOs was estimated every two weeks for one year, as well as three obstetric care quality indices based on their frequency and severity as follows: the Adverse Outcome Index (AOI), the Weighted Adverse Outcome Score and the Severity Index. FINDINGS: A significant number of mothers and newborns exhibited AOs. The most prevalent maternal AOs were admission to the ICU and postpartum hysterectomy. Regarding newborns, hospitalization for > seven days and neonatal infection were the most common complications. Adverse outcomes were more frequent at the high-risk maternity, however, they were more severe at the low-risk facility. The AOI was stable at the high-risk center but declined after interventions during the follow-up year. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: High AO frequency was identified in both mothers and newborns. The results demonstrate the need for public patient safety policies for low-risk maternity hospitals, where AOs were less frequent but more severe.

Massive online open course como estratégia para o ensino de segurança no processo de medicação / Massive online open course as a strategy for teaching medication safety

Resumo: Introdução: Erros de medicação são comuns e causam sofrimento e custos que podem ser evitados. A mitigação da ocorrência de eventos adversos a medicamentos é tratada como prioridade pela Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS), que recomenda a inclusão do tema segurança do paciente nos currículos das profissões de saúde como medida para minimizar danos aos pacientes. Um curso on-line aberto e massivo (MOOC) sobre segurança no processo de medicação foi desenvolvido como estratégia educacional para a área da saúde e disponibilizado no Ambiente Virtual de Aprendizagem do Sistema Único de Saúde (Avasus), em março de 2018. Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a satisfação e o aprendizado dos participantes que concluíram o curso. Método: Trata-se de estudo de delineamento quase experimental não controlado. O MOOC possui uma carga horária de 30 horas e aborda temas sobre segurança na prescrição, dispensação, administração e notificação de incidentes relacionados a medicamentos. Aplicaram-se um pré-teste e um pós-teste de múltipla escolha para avaliar o nível de conhecimento dos participantes, e um questionário de satisfação foi respondido ao término do curso. Analisaram-se a confiabilidade dos instrumentos de medida, a significância da melhoria do conhecimento e os fatores associados (sexo, idade e profissão). Resultados: Dos 7.135 participantes inscritos no período de março a dezembro de 2018, 2.902 (40,7%) responderam aos instrumentos de pesquisa. A confiabilidade do questionário de satisfação foi boa (alfa de Cronbach = 0,83), e o curso foi bem avaliado como estratégia educacional (96,1%). Em relação ao nível de conhecimento, observou-se aumento significativo (antes = 8,10; depois = 8,74; p < 0,05) com melhoria relativa de 32%. O fator idade esteve diretamente associado à aprendizagem (β = 1,36; IC 95% = 0,35-2,36; p = 0,008). Conclusão: A utilização do MOOC mostrou-se efetiva para o ensino de segurança no processo de medicação, ferramenta que pode ser utilizada para a inserção do tema segurança do paciente nos currículos das profissões de saúde.

Abstract: Introduction: Medication errors are common and cause suffering and costs that can be prevented. The mitigation of adverse drug events is treated as a priority by the World Health Organization (WHO), which recommends including the subject of patient safety in the curricula of health profession courses to minimize harm to patients. An open and massive online course (MOOC) on safety in the medication process was developed as an educational strategy for the health area, which was made available through the SUS Virtual Learning Environment (AVASUS) in March 2018. Objective: To estimate the satisfaction and learning of the participants who finished the course. Method: Uncontrolled quasi-experimental design study. The MOOC consists of 30 hours of learning and addresses topics on safety in prescription, dispensing, administration and notification of incidents related to medications. Multiple choice questions were applied pre-and post-test to assess the participants' level of knowledge and a satisfaction survey was answered at the end of the course. The reliability of the measurement instruments, the significance of improved knowledge and associated factors (sex, age and profession) were analyzed. Results: Of the 7,135 registered participants, from March to December 2018, 2,902 (40.7%) responded to the survey instruments. The reliability of the satisfaction questionnaire was good (Cronbach's alpha = 0.83) and the course was well evaluated as an educational strategy (96.1%). Regarding the level of knowledge, a significant increase was observed (before = 8.10; after = 8.74; p <0.05) with a relative improvement of 32%. The age factor was directly associated with learning (β = 1.36; 95% CI = 0.35-2.36; p = 0.008). Conclusion: The use of MOOC proved to be effective for teaching patient safety in the medication process, a tool that can be used to insert this subject in the curricula of health profession courses.

The WHO Safe Childbirth Checklist implementation: impact on the prescription of magnesium sulphate through a one-year longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: Preeclampsia is a relatively frequent condition during pregnancy and childbirth. The administration of magnesium sulphate as a prophylactic and treatment measure is an evidence-based practice for eclampsia; however, it is not consistently used, compromising the health of pregnant women. This study aimed to assess compliance with recommendations of the International Society for the Study of Hypertension in Pregnancy (ISSHP) for the use of MgSO4 in pregnant women with preeclampsia, before and after the implementation of the World Health Organization Safe Childbirth Checklist (SCC). METHODS: This quasi-experimental study was conducted between July 2015 and July 2016 at a third-level maternity hospital in northeastern Brazil, where the SCC was implemented. Compliance (underuse and overuse of MgSO4) was assessed in biweekly samples of 30 deliveries assessed 6 months before and 6 months after SCC implementation, using indicators based on international guidelines. A total of 720 deliveries were assessed over 1 year using an ad hoc application for reviewing medical records. Aggregated adequate use was estimated for the study period, and the time series measurements were compared to a control chart to assess change. RESULTS: The incidence of preeclampsia was 39.9% (287/720). Among these, 64.8% (186/287) had severe signs or symptoms and needed MgSO4. Underuse (no prescription when needed) of MgSO4 was observed in 74.7% (139/186) of women who needed the drug. Considering all women, non-compliance with the prescription protocol (underuse and overuse) was 20.0% (144/720). After introducing the SCC, the use of MgSO4 in women with preeclampsia with severe features increased from 19.1 to 34.2% (p = 0.025). Longitudinal analysis showed a significant (p < 0.05) ascending curve of adequate use of MgSO4 after the SCC was implemented. CONCLUSIONS: Compliance with recommendations for the use of MgSO4 in preeclampsia was low, but improved after implementation of the SCC. Interventions to improve compliance based on diagnosis and treatment reminders may help in the implementation of this good practice.

AGRASS Questionnaire: Assessment of Risk Management in Health Care.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the development and the validity analysis of the Assessment of Risk Management in Health Care Questionnaire (AGRASS). METHODS: This is a validation study of a measurement instrument following the stages: 1) Development of conceptual model and items; 2) Formal multidisciplinary assessment; 3) Nominal group for validity analysis with national specialists; 4) Development of software and national pilot study in 62 Brazilian hospitals 5) Delphi for validity analysis with the users of the questionnaire. In stages 3 and 5, the items were judged based on face validity, content validity, and utility and viability, by a 1-7 Likert scale (cut-off point: median < 6). Accuracy and reliability of the questionnaire were analyzed with the Confirmatory Factor Analysis and the Cronbach's alpha. RESULTS: The initial version of the instrument (98 items) was adapted during stages 1 to 3 for the final version with 40 items, which were considered relevant, of adequate content, useful, and viable. The instrument has 2 dimensions and 9 subdimensions, and the items have closed-ended questions (yes or no). The software for the automatic collection and analysis generates indicators, tables, and automatic graphs for the assessed institution and aggregated data. The adjustment indices confirmed a bi-dimensional model composed of structure and process (X2/gl = 1.070, RMSEA ≤ 0.05 = 0.847, TLI = 0.972), with high reliability for the AGRASS Questionnaire (α = 0.94) and process dimension (α = 0.93), and adequate for the structural dimension (α = 0.70). CONCLUSIONS: The AGRASS Questionnaire is a potentially useful instrument for the surveillance and monitoring of the risk management and patient safety in health services.

Agrass questionnaire: Assessment of risk management in health care / Questionário agrass: Avaliação da gestão de riscos assistenciais em serviços de saúde

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE This study aims to assess the development and the validity analysis of the Assessment of Risk Management in Health Care Questionnaire (AGRASS). METHODS This is a validation study of a measurement instrument following the stages: 1) Development of conceptual model and items; 2) Formal multidisciplinary assessment; 3) Nominal group for validity analysis with national specialists; 4) Development of software and national pilot study in 62 Brazilian hospitals 5) Delphi for validity analysis with the users of the questionnaire. In stages 3 and 5, the items were judged based on face validity, content validity, and utility and viability, by a 1-7 Likert scale (cut-off point: median < 6). Accuracy and reliability of the questionnaire were analyzed with the Confirmatory Factor Analysis and the Cronbach's alpha. RESULTS The initial version of the instrument (98 items) was adapted during stages 1 to 3 for the final version with 40 items, which were considered relevant, of adequate content, useful, and viable. The instrument has 2 dimensions and 9 subdimensions, and the items have closed-ended questions (yes or no). The software for the automatic collection and analysis generates indicators, tables, and automatic graphs for the assessed institution and aggregated data. The adjustment indices confirmed a bi-dimensional model composed of structure and process (X2/gl = 1.070, RMSEA ≤ 0.05 = 0.847, TLI = 0.972), with high reliability for the AGRASS Questionnaire (α = 0.94) and process dimension (α = 0.93), and adequate for the structural dimension (α = 0.70). CONCLUSIONS The AGRASS Questionnaire is a potentially useful instrument for the surveillance and monitoring of the risk management and patient safety in health services.

RESUMO OBJETIVO O estudo objetiva descrever a construção e análise da validade do Questionário Avaliação da Gestão de Riscos Assistenciais em Serviços de Saúde (AGRASS). MÉTODOS Trata-se de estudo de validação de um instrumento de medida nas etapas: 1. construção do modelo conceitual e itens; 2. apreciação formal multidisciplinar; 3. grupo nominal para análise da validade com especialistas da esfera nacional; 4. desenvolvimento de softwares e estudo-piloto nacional em 62 hospitais do Brasil; 5. Delphi para análise da validade com utilizadores do questionário. Nas etapas 3 e 5, os itens foram julgados quanto à validade de face e conteúdo, utilidade e viabilidade, em uma escala Likert de 1 a 7 (ponto de corte: mediana < 6). A validade de construto e a confiabilidade foram analisadas com análise fatorial confirmatória e coeficientes α de Cronbach. RESULTADOS A versão inicial do instrumento (98 itens) foi adaptada durante as etapas 1 a 3 para a versão com 40 itens considerados relevantes, de conteúdo adequado, úteis e viáveis. O instrumento tem duas dimensões e nove subdimensões, e os itens têm opção de resposta fechada (sim ou não). Os softwares para coleta e análise automática geram indicadores, tabelas e gráficos automáticos para a instituição avaliada e conjuntos agregados. Os índices de ajuste confirmaram o modelo bidimensional de estrutura e processo (X2/gl = 1,070, RMSEA ≤ 0,05 = 0,847; TLI = 0,972), havendo confiabilidade alta para o Questionário AGRASS (α = 0,94) e a dimensão processo (α = 0,93) e aceitável para a dimensão estrutura (α = 0,70). CONCLUSÃO O Questionário AGRASS é um instrumento potencialmente útil para a vigilância e monitoramento da gestão de riscos e segurança do paciente em serviços de saúde.

HIV testing and HIV knowledge among men who have sex with men in Natal, Northeast Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Men who have sex with men (MSM) account for the highest prevalence of HIV in Brazil. HIV testing allows to implement preventive measures, reduces transmission, morbidity, and mortality. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study to evaluate HIV testing during lifetime, factors associated with the decision to test, knowledge about HIV transmission, and use of condoms between MSM from the city of Natal, northeast Brazil. RESULTS: Out of 99 participants, 62.6% had been tested for HIV during lifetime, 46.2% in the last year. The most frequent reported reason to be tested for HIV infection was curiosity (35.5%). Correct knowledge about HIV was observed in only 9.2% of participants. In multivariate analysis, age (PR 0.95; 95%CI, 0.91-0.99; p=0.041) and previous syphilis test (PR 4.21; 95%CI, 1.52-11.70; p=0.006) were associated with HIV testing. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of HIV testing among MSM from Natal is rather low, especially in younger MSM, and knowledge about HIV transmission is inappropriate.

HIV testing and HIV knowledge among men who have sex with men in Natal, Northeast Brazil

ABSTRACT Background: Men who have sex with men (MSM) account for the highest prevalence of HIV in Brazil. HIV testing allows to implement preventive measures, reduces transmission, morbidity, and mortality. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study to evaluate HIV testing during lifetime, factors associated with the decision to test, knowledge about HIV transmission, and use of condoms between MSM from the city of Natal, northeast Brazil. Results: Out of 99 participants, 62.6% had been tested for HIV during lifetime, 46.2% in the last year. The most frequent reported reason to be tested for HIV infection was curiosity (35.5%). Correct knowledge about HIV was observed in only 9.2% of participants. In multivariate analysis, age (PR 0.95; 95%CI, 0.91-0.99; p = 0.041) and previous syphilis test (PR 4.21; 95%CI, 1.52-11.70; p = 0.006) were associated with HIV testing. Conclusions: The frequency of HIV testing among MSM from Natal is rather low, especially in younger MSM, and knowledge about HIV transmission is inappropriate.

Multicentre cross-sectional study on adverse events and good practices in maternity wards in Brazil and Mexico: same problems, different magnitude.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the quality of delivery care in maternity wards in Brazil and Mexico based on good practices (GP) and adverse events (AE), in order to identify priorities for improvement. DESIGN: A multicentre cross-sectional study with data collection from medical records between 2015 and 2016 to compare indicators of maternal and neonatal GP and EA based on the Safe Childbirth Checklist and standardised obstetric quality indicators. Two Brazilian and five Mexican maternity wards participated in the study. Descriptive statistics and χ2 tests were performed to assess performance and significant differences between the hospitals investigated. SAMPLING: We analysed 720 births in Brazil and 2707 in Mexico, which were selected using a systematic random sampling of 30 medical records every fortnight for 12 2-week periods in Brazil and 18 2-week periods in Mexico. We included women and their newborns, excluding those with congenital malformations. RESULTS: The Mexican hospitals showed greater adherence to GP (58.2%) and a lower incidence of AE (12.9%) than the participating institutions in Brazil (26.8% compliance with GP and 16.0% AE). In spite of these differences, the relative importance of particular quality problems and type of AE are similar in both countries. Tertiary hospitals, caring for women at higher risk, have significantly (p<0.001) higher rates of AE (27.2% in Brazil and 29.6% in Mexico) than institutions attending women at lower risk, where the frequency of AE ranges from 4.7% to 11.2%. Differences were significant (p<0.001) for most indicators of GP and AE. CONCLUSION: Data from outcome and process measures revealed similar types of failures in the quality of childbirth care in both countries and indicate the need of rationalising the use of antibiotics for the mother and episiotomy, encouraging greater adherence to partograph and to the use of magnesium sulfate for the treatment of severe preeclampsia/eclampsia.

Chronic cavitary pneumonia by Rhodococcus equi in a highly prevalent tuberculosis country: a diagnosis challenge.

Rhodococcus equi is a facultative aerobic, intracellular, non-motile, non-spore-forming, Gram-positive, weakly acid-fast coccobacillus belonging to the group of nocardioform actinomycetes. R. equi infections are rare opportunistic illnesses in patients with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), associated with a high mortality rate. The most common clinical presentation of R. equi infections is a chronic cavitary pneumonia. Due to its acid-fastness, R. equi can be mistaken for others acid-fast organisms, as Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In turn, R. equi is also a gram-positive pleomorphic bacteria and can be mistaken for diphtheroids or Micrococcus organisms, being accidentally disregarded as oral contaminants in sputum cultures. Therefore, in Brazil, a highly prevalent tuberculosis (TB) country, pulmonary infections caused by R. equi may mimic pulmonary TB and represent a diagnostic challenge. Here, we report on a case of chronic cavitary pneumonia by R. equi in a Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-infected patient, focusing on diagnostic aspects.

Adaptation and validation of the World Health Organization's on Safe Childbirth Checklist for the Brazilian context / Adaptação e validação da lista de verificação do parto seguro da Organização Mundial da Saúde para o contexto brasileiro

Abstract Objectives: to culturally adapt and validate the WHO Safe Childbirth Checklist (SCC) in Brazilian hospitals. Methods: a methodological study was carried out with consensus techniques and cross-cultural adaptation stages. The original SCC underwent three adaptation and validation stages: 1- nominal group with a panel of experts; 2- consensus conference at two maternity schools, in meetings with professionals who would use the list; 3- pre-test with a structured questionnaire for health professionals from both maternities (n=40) after 30 days of using the checklist. Validation criteria contemplated the content validity, adequated to Brazilian protocols, terminology and feasibility for local context. Results: the adapted SCC in Brazil was called the Lista de Verificação para o Parto Seguro - Brasil (LVPS-BR) (Checklist for Safe Childbirth -Brazil) and included 49 items. In the first stage, the 29 items of the original SCC were approved with some adaptations (e.g. CD4 was replaced by the Rapid HIV Test). In the second stage, some of the 29 items were adjusted and added 24 items more. In the third stage, three items were excluded, two were grouped and one more was added. Conclusions: the validation process provided a potentially useful LVPS for the Brazilian context, presenting validity and feasibility evidences for the Brazilian context.

Resumo Objetivos: adaptar culturalmente e validar o Safe Childbirth Checklist (SCC) da OMS para os hospitais brasileiros. Métodos: realizou-se uma pesquisa metodológica com técnicas de consenso e etapas de adaptação transcultural. O SCC original passou por três etapas de adaptação e validação: 1- grupo nominal com painel de especialistas; 2- conferência de consenso em duas maternidades escolas, em reuniões com profissionais que utilizariam a lista; 3- pré-teste com questionário estruturado aos profissionais de saúde das duas maternidades (n=40) após 30 dias de sua utilização. Critérios de validação contemplaram as validades de face e conteúdo, adequação aos protocolos nacionais, terminologia e viabilidade no contexto local. Resultados: o SCC adaptado para o Brasil foi denominado Lista de Verificação para o Parto Seguro - Brasil (LVPS-BR), contendo 49 itens. Na primeira etapa, os 29 itens do SCC original foram aprovados com algumas adaptações (ex.: CD4 substituído por Teste Rápido para HIV). Na segunda etapa, ocorreram ajustes em alguns dos 29 itens e acrescentaram-se 24 itens. Na terceira etapa, excluíram-se três itens, agruparam-se dois e acrescentou-se um. Conclusões: o processo de validação disponibilizou uma LVPS potencialmente útil para o contexto brasileiro, apresentando indícios de validade e viabilidade para o contexto nacional.

School of Medicine of Federal University of Rio Grande Do Norte: A traditional curriculum with innovative trends in medical education.

INTRODUCTION: The Medical School of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN) is one of the biggest public medical schools in Northeast Brazil. In the last decade, significant investment in faculty development, innovative learning methodologies and student engagement has been key milestones in educational improvement at this medical school, harnessed to recent political changes that strengthened community-based and emergency education. This study describes how curriculum changes in UFRN Medical School have been responsible for major improvements in medical education locally and which impacts such transformations may have on the educational community. METHODS: A group of students and teachers revised the new curriculum and established the key changes over the past years that have been responsible for the local enhancement of medical education. This information was compared and contrasted to further educational evidences in order to define patterns that can be reproduced in other institutions. RESULTS: Improvements in faculty development have been fairly observed in the institution, exemplified by the participation of a growing number of faculty members in programs for professional development and also by the creation of a local masters degree in health education. Alongside, strong student engagement in curriculum matters enhanced the teaching-learning process. CONCLUSIONS: Due to a deeper involvement of students and teachers in medical education, it has been possible to implement innovative teaching-learning and assessment strategies over the last ten years and place UFRN Medical School at a privileged position in relation to undergraduate training, educational research and professional development of faculty staff.