Child Care Center Hand Hygiene Programs' Cost-Effectiveness in Preventing Respiratory Infections.

BACKGROUND: We previously demonstrated that a hand hygiene program, including hand sanitizer and educational measures, for day care center (DCC) staff, children, and parents was more effective than a soap-and-water program, with initial observation, in preventing respiratory infections (RIs) in children attending DCCs. We analyzed the cost-effectiveness of these programs in preventing RIs. METHODS: A cluster, randomized, controlled and open study of 911 children aged 0 to 3 years, attending 24 DCCs in Almeria. Two intervention groups of DCC-families performed educational measures and hand hygiene, one with soap-and-water (SWG) and another with hand sanitizer (HSG). The control group (CG) followed usual hand-washing procedures. RI episodes, including symptoms, treatments, medical contacts, complementary analyses, and DCC absenteeism days, were reported by parents. A Bayesian cost-effectiveness model was developed. RESULTS: There were 5201 RI episodes registered. The adjusted mean societal costs of RIs per child per study period were CG: €522.25 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 437.10 to 622.46); HSG: €374.53 (95% CI: 314.90 to 443.07); SWG: €494.51 (95% CI: 419.21 to 585.27). The indirect costs constituted between 35.7% to 43.6% of the total costs. Children belonging to the HSG had an average of 1.39 fewer RI episodes than the CG and 0.93 less than the SWG. It represents a saving of societal cost mean per child per study period of €147.72 and €119.15, respectively. The HSG intervention was dominant versus SWG and CG. CONCLUSIONS: Hand hygiene programs that include hand sanitizer and educational measures for DCC staff, children, and parents are more effective and cost less than a program with soap and water and initial observation in children attending DCCs.

Análisis de las intervenciones nutricionales en el proceso asistencial del paciente oncológico en Andalucía: el proyecto NOA / Analysis of nutritional interventions in the care process of oncological patients in Andalusia - The NOA project

Introducción: la desnutrición en los pacientes oncológicos puede conllevar una reducción de la calidad de vida del paciente y un aumento de la morbimortalidad y de los costes sanitarios asociados. Objetivos: analizar las intervenciones nutricionales en las diferentes fases del proceso oncológico, integrando las necesidades de los pacientes y las de los profesionales sanitarios. Material y métodos: se utilizaron técnicas de Design Thinking para abordar el análisis de la situación actual e identificar los aspectos clave. Participaron 13 profesionales de 8 centros sanitarios (endocrinología y nutrición, oncología médica y radioterápica, atención primaria (AP), enfermería y dietética) públicos de Andalucía. Resultados: no se realiza cribado nutricional de forma sistemática en las diferentes fases del proceso oncológico, y no existe consenso universal en los protocolos de actuación e intervención nutricional. Existe un cumplimiento generalizado de los circuitos y tiempos de derivación de los procesos seleccionados. En la fase terapéutica se dispone de la posibilidad de consultar a la Unidad de Nutrición Clínica y Dietética (UNCYD) y el 75 % disponen de protocolos específicos de derivación. La enfermera gestora de casos está presente en todos los hospitales y en AP. El acceso del paciente al psicólogo del centro era posible en el 87 % de los hospitales. Escasa participación de la UNCYD en los Comités de Tumores (solo en el 25 % de los centros). En todos los centros existe algún tipo de colaboración y apoyo de las asociaciones de pacientes y de la Escuela de Pacientes, especialmente en las fases terapéuticas y de control y seguimiento. Conclusiones: se observan variaciones entre los diferentes hospitales y territorios de Andalucía, tanto en la disposición de medios y estructuras como en las actividades y procedimientos. Se han seleccionado y priorizado puntos clave para mejorar la atención nutricional en oncología. (AU)

Introduction: malnutrition in cancer patients can lead to a reduction in patient quality of life, increased morbidity and mortality, and associated healthcare costs. Objective: to analyze nutritional interventions in the different phases of the oncological process, integrating the needs of patients and those of healthcare professionals. Material and methods: "Design Thinking" techniques were used to address the analysis of the current situation and identify key aspects. Thirteen professionals from 8 public health centers (endocrinology and nutrition, medical and radiotherapy oncology, primary care (PC), nursing and dietetics) participated in the study. Results: nutritional screening is not carried out in a systematic way in the different phases of the oncological process, and there is no universal consensus on the protocols for action and nutritional intervention. A wide compliance with the pathways and referral times of the selected processes has been observed. In the therapeutic phase, there is the possibility of consulting the Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics Unit (UNCYD) and 75 % have specific referral protocols. The nurse case manager is present in all hospitals and in PC. Patient access to the center psychologist was possible in 87 % of the hospitals. Participation of the UNCYD in Tumor Committees was low (only in 25 % of the centers). In all centers there is some kind of collaboration and support by patient associations and the School of Patients, especially in the therapeutic and the control and follow-up phases. Conclusions: variations are observed between the different hospitals and areas in Andalusia, both in terms of means and structures and in activities and procedures. Key points have been selected and prioritized to improve nutritional care in oncology. (AU)

[Analysis of nutritional interventions in the care process of oncological patients in Andalusia - The NOA project]. / Análisis de las intervenciones nutricionales en el proceso asistencial del paciente oncológico en Andalucía: el proyecto NOA.

INTRODUCTION: Introduction: malnutrition in cancer patients can lead to a reduction in patient quality of life, increased morbidity and mortality, and associated healthcare costs. Objective: to analyze nutritional interventions in the different phases of the oncological process, integrating the needs of patients and those of healthcare professionals. Material and methods: "Design Thinking" techniques were used to address the analysis of the current situation and identify key aspects. Thirteen professionals from 8 public health centers (endocrinology and nutrition, medical and radiotherapy oncology, primary care (PC), nursing and dietetics) participated in the study. Results: nutritional screening is not carried out in a systematic way in the different phases of the oncological process, and there is no universal consensus on the protocols for action and nutritional intervention. A wide compliance with the pathways and referral times of the selected processes has been observed. In the therapeutic phase, there is the possibility of consulting the Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics Unit (UNCYD) and 75 % have specific referral protocols. The nurse case manager is present in all hospitals and in PC. Patient access to the center psychologist was possible in 87 % of the hospitals. Participation of the UNCYD in Tumor Committees was low (only in 25 % of the centers). In all centers there is some kind of collaboration and support by patient associations and the School of Patients, especially in the therapeutic and the control and follow-up phases. Conclusions: variations are observed between the different hospitals and areas in Andalusia, both in terms of means and structures and in activities and procedures. Key points have been selected and prioritized to improve nutritional care in oncology.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Introducción: la desnutrición en los pacientes oncológicos puede conllevar una reducción de la calidad de vida del paciente y un aumento de la morbimortalidad y de los costes sanitarios asociados. Objetivos: analizar las intervenciones nutricionales en las diferentes fases del proceso oncológico, integrando las necesidades de los pacientes y las de los profesionales sanitarios. Material y métodos: se utilizaron técnicas de Design Thinking para abordar el análisis de la situación actual e identificar los aspectos clave. Participaron 13 profesionales de 8 centros sanitarios (endocrinología y nutrición, oncología médica y radioterápica, atención primaria (AP), enfermería y dietética) públicos de Andalucía. Resultados: no se realiza cribado nutricional de forma sistemática en las diferentes fases del proceso oncológico, y no existe consenso universal en los protocolos de actuación e intervención nutricional. Existe un cumplimiento generalizado de los circuitos y tiempos de derivación de los procesos seleccionados. En la fase terapéutica se dispone de la posibilidad de consultar a la Unidad de Nutrición Clínica y Dietética (UNCYD) y el 75 % disponen de protocolos específicos de derivación. La enfermera gestora de casos está presente en todos los hospitales y en AP. El acceso del paciente al psicólogo del centro era posible en el 87 % de los hospitales. Escasa participación de la UNCYD en los Comités de Tumores (solo en el 25 % de los centros). En todos los centros existe algún tipo de colaboración y apoyo de las asociaciones de pacientes y de la Escuela de Pacientes, especialmente en las fases terapéuticas y de control y seguimiento. Conclusiones: se observan variaciones entre los diferentes hospitales y territorios de Andalucía, tanto en la disposición de medios y estructuras como en las actividades y procedimientos. Se han seleccionado y priorizado puntos clave para mejorar la atención nutricional en oncología.

Effectiveness of a hand hygiene program to reduce acute gastroenteritis at child care centers: A cluster randomized trial.

We aimed to assess the effectiveness of an educational and hand hygiene program in daycare centers (DCCs) and homes on acute gastroenteritis (AGE) incidence in children attending DCCs. METHODS: A randomized, controlled, and open study of 911 children aged 0-3 years attending 24 DCCs in Almería (Spain) with an 8-month follow-up was employed. Two intervention groups of DCCs families performed educational and hand hygiene measures, 1 with soap and water (soap and water group; n = 274), another with hand sanitizer (hand sanitizer group [HSG]; n = 339), and the control group (CG; n = 298) followed usual handwashing procedures. We compared AGE episode rates with Poisson regression model. RESULTS: seven hundred fourteen AGE episodes were registered, significant differences between HSG and CG children were found during December and January. A multivariate model was applied and the adjusted incidence rate ratios by rotavirus vaccination found significant differences when children were previously vaccinated, the children in the soap and water group had a higher risk of AGE episodes (incidence rate ratio: 1.28, 95% confidence interval:1.0-1.64), compared with those in the HSG. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that hand hygiene programs that included hand sanitizer were most effective in the winter months. Further, the largest reduction of AGE episodes occurred in the children that followed hand hygiene programs including hand sanitizer and educational measures for DCC staff, parents, and children, and were vaccinated for rotavirus.