Perception on phone medical report to family members of patients admitted by COVID-19 to emergency observation rooms of a tertiary hospital: A cross-sectional study. / Percepción sobre informe médico telefónico a familiares de pacientes ingresados por COVID-19 en salas de observación de emergencias de un hospital terciario: estudio transversal.

Introduction: Medical reports of patients admitted to the emergency services has been modified due to the social distancing needed in the COVID-19 epidemic. For this reason, it is essential to know the family members' perceptions about telephone medical reports. Objective: To determine the perception of care by family members of patients hospitalized due to COVID-19 on telephone medical reports in a tertiary hospital's emergency room in Lima, Peru. Methods: A non-experimental cross-sectional study, through a survey of family members of patients with COVID-19 admitted during July and August 2020. The "External user satisfaction survey of the Ministry of Health" adapted to this setting was used due to the absence of similar studies. Information, respect for the user, efficiency, accessibility, suitability, security, and overall satisfaction were considered. The sample size for finite populations was selected from 2 936 family members, obtaining 347 surveys from 641 calls. Relatives were called by phone, and after acceptance, the survey was sent to them via WhatsApp in Google Forms format. Once the survey was received, it was analyzed using descriptive statistical techniques. Results: We made 641 telephone calls with a response rate of 54.1%, obtaining 347 surveys. The mean age was 40.12 years (standard deviation: 11.93 years), with 61.4% of females and 38.0% married. We found that 65.1% received higher education and that Chorrillos was the most prevalent district (10.1%). Moreover, 42.4% of those surveyed were children of hospitalized patients, 17.3% were spouses, and 85% were not health personnel. We found a high level of agreement in overall satisfaction (73.2%) and in most dimensions, including information (88.8%), respect for the user (82.1%), efficiency (70.3%), accessibility (75.8%), suitability (79.0%), and security (87.9%). Conclusion: The telephone medical reports to relatives of patients hospitalized due to COVID-19 in the emergency room found an overall satisfaction of 73.2% . Telephone medical reports are essential alternatives to improve the quality of care during the COVID-19 epidemic.

Introducción: El informe médico sobre el estado de salud del paciente ingresado a los servicios de emergencia se ha modificado, debido al necesario distanciamiento por la epidemia de COVID-19. Por esto, es importante conocer la percepción que tienen los familiares informados sobre el reporte médico telefónico implementado. Objetivo: Determinar la percepción de los parientes sobre la atención de pacientes internados por COVID-19, a través del informe médico telefónico entregado a las familias en el servicio de emergencia de un hospital terciario del Seguro Social de Salud (EsSalud), Lima, Perú. Métodos: Estudio transversal observacional, mediante encuesta a familiares de pacientes con COVID-19 ingresados durante los meses de julio y agosto del año 2020. Se usó como base la "Encuesta de satisfacción de usuario externo del Ministerio de Salud" adaptada a esta realidad, no habiéndose realizado ningún trabajo similar a este en forma previa. Se consideraron las dimensiones información, respeto al usuario, eficacia, accesibilidad, oportunidad, seguridad y satisfacción global. Se seleccionó la muestra para poblaciones finitas de 2936 familiares, obteniéndose 347 encuestas de 641 llamadas realizadas. Se les llamó telefónicamente y, previa aceptación, se les envió la encuesta vía en formato . Recibida la encuesta, se procedió a su análisis mediante técnicas de estadística descriptiva. Resultados: Se realizaron 641 llamadas telefónicas con una tasa de respuesta de 54,1% obteniéndose 347 encuestas. La edad promedio fue de 40,12 años (desviación estándar de 11,93), de los cuales 61,4% era del sexo femenino y 38% estaban casados. El 65,1% de los entrevistados tenía educación superior. Dentro de los distritos de procedencia, Chorrillos tuvo más encuestados con 10,1%. El 42,4% de los encuestados fueron hijos de los pacientes internados, 17,3% fueron cónyuges y el 85% no era personal de salud. Las dimensiones con percepción de acuerdo fueron: información 88,8%, respeto de usuario 82,1%, eficacia 70,3%; accesibilidad 75,8%; oportunidad 79,0% y seguridad 87,9%. La satisfacción global obtuvo un 73,2% de acuerdo. Conclusiones: La información médica telefónica entregada a los familiares de pacientes internados por COVID-19 en las salas de emergencia, encontró una satisfacción global de 73,2% de acuerdo. La información médica telefónica es una alternativa importante para mejorar la calidad de atención durante la epidemia por COVID-19.

Percepción sobre informe médico telefónico a familiares de pacientes ingresados por COVID-19 en salas de observación de emergencias de un hospital terciario: estudio transversal / Perception on phone medical report to family members of patients admitted by COVID-19 to emergency observation rooms of a tertiary hospital: a cross-sectional study

Introducción: El informe médico sobre el estado de salud del paciente ingresado a los servicios de emergencia se ha modificado, debido al necesario distanciamiento por la epidemia de COVID-19. Por esto, es importante conocer la percepción que tienen los familiares informados sobre el reporte médico telefónico implementado. Objetivo: Determinar la percepción de los parientes sobre la atención de pacientes internados por COVID-19, a través del informe médico telefónico entregado a las familias en el servicio de emergencia de un hospital terciario del Seguro Social de Salud (EsSalud), Lima, Perú. Métodos: Estudio transversal observacional, mediante encuesta a familiares de pacientes con COVID-19 ingresados durante los meses de julio y agosto del año 2020. Se usó como base la "Encuesta de satisfacción de usuario externo del Ministerio de Salud" adaptada a esta realidad, no habiéndose realizado ningún trabajo similar a este en forma previa. Se consideraron las dimensiones información, respeto al usuario, eficacia, accesibilidad, oportunidad, seguridad y satisfacción global. Se seleccionó la muestra para poblaciones finitas de 2936 familiares, obteniéndose 347 encuestas de 641 llamadas realizadas. Se les llamó telefónicamente y, previa aceptación, se les envió la encuesta vía en formato . Recibida la encuesta, se procedió a su análisis mediante técnicas de estadística descriptiva. Resultados: Se realizaron 641 llamadas telefónicas con una tasa de respuesta de 54,1% obteniéndose 347 encuestas. La edad promedio fue de 40,12 años (desviación estándar de 11,93), de los cuales 61,4% era del sexo femenino y 38% estaban casados. El 65,1% de los entrevistados tenía educación superior. Dentro de los distritos de procedencia, Chorrillos tuvo más encuestados con 10,1%. El 42,4% de los encuestados fueron hijos de los pacientes internados, 17,3% fueron cónyuges y el 85% no era personal de salud. Las dimensiones con percepción de acuerdo fueron: información 88,8%, respeto de usuario 82,1%, eficacia 70,3%; accesibilidad 75,8%; oportunidad 79,0% y seguridad 87,9%. La satisfacción global obtuvo un 73,2% de acuerdo. Conclusiones: La información médica telefónica entregada a los familiares de pacientes internados por COVID-19 en las salas de emergencia, encontró una satisfacción global de 73,2% de acuerdo. La información médica telefónica es una alternativa importante para mejorar la calidad de atención durante la epidemia por COVID-19.

Introduction: Medical reports of patients admitted to the emergency services has been modified due to the social distancing needed in the COVID-19 epidemic. For this reason, it is essential to know the family members' perceptions about telephone medical reports. Objective: To determine the perception of care by family members of patients hospitalized due to COVID-19 on telephone medical reports in a tertiary hospital's emergency room in Lima, Peru. Methods: A non-experimental cross-sectional study, through a survey of family members of patients with COVID-19 admitted during July and August 2020. The "External user satisfaction survey of the Ministry of Health" adapted to this setting was used due to the absence of similar studies. Information, respect for the user, efficiency, accessibility, suitability, security, and overall satisfaction were considered. The sample size for finite populations was selected from 2 936 family members, obtaining 347 surveys from 641 calls. Relatives were called by phone, and after acceptance, the survey was sent to them via WhatsApp in Google Forms format. Once the survey was received, it was analyzed using descriptive statistical techniques. Results: We made 641 telephone calls with a response rate of 54.1%, obtaining 347 surveys. The mean age was 40.12 years (standard deviation: 11.93 years), with 61.4% of females and 38.0% married. We found that 65.1% received higher education and that Chorrillos was the most prevalent district (10.1%). Moreover, 42.4% of those surveyed were children of hospitalized patients, 17.3% were spouses, and 85% were not health personnel. We found a high level of agreement in overall satisfaction (73.2%) and in most dimensions, including information (88.8%), respect for the user (82.1%), efficiency (70.3%), accessibility (75.8%), suitability (79.0%), and security (87.9%). Conclusion: The telephone medical reports to relatives of patients hospitalized due to COVID-19 in the emergency room found an overall satisfaction of 73.2% . Telephone medical reports are essential alternatives to improve the quality of care during the COVID-19 epidemic.

Development of a point-of-use fortification technology for delivery of micronutrients in Honduras.

BACKGROUND: Micronutrient deficiencies continue to afflict children rural populations around the world. A micronutrient delivery vehicle (MDV) was developed as a point-of-use technology for fortification of meals for school-age children beneficiaries of the Healthy Schools Program (HSP) in Honduras. RESULTS: MDV combines micronutrient powder through a traditional dough-making process, using staple flours (wheat and nixtamalized corn), oil and water as ingredients. After mixing the ingredients and kneading, dough is extruded through a specially designed hand press into noodles. After drying (overnight, 23°C), noodles are broken into small pieces, mixed (1:100 w/w) with rice and cooked as customary. Dispersion studies with NaFeEDTA showed adequate distribution (<10% RSD) and recovery (>90%) in white rice. Color changes in MDV due to addition of vitamin A and iron (NaFeEDTA) carried forward into cooked rice. In Honduras, children from two rural schools (N = 47, 6-12 years) were not able to differentiate (triangle test) between control and unfortified MDV mixed (1:100 w/w) with white rice. Children from four schools (N = 83, 7-12 years) accepted control and iron fortified rice (3 mg Fe per serving) based on color and flavor similarly. CONCLUSION: This is a feasible point-of-use fortification technology for improvement of meals provided by the HSP in Honduras.

Comparative efficacy of ezetimibe/simvastatin, rosuvastatin, and atorvastatin in uncontrolled hyperlipidemia patients.

OBJECTIVE: Treatment of dyslipidemia in high-risk patients specifies a low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol <100 mg/dL. The efficacy of higher-potency regimens in clinical practice in patients who have not achieved their LDL goal on generic therapy is not well characterized. The primary objective of this study was to determine the LDL-lowering efficacy of higher-potency strategies (ezetimibe/simvastatin, rosuvastatin, and atorvastatin) in high-risk patients who were switched from simvastatin therapy. Secondary objectives were to evaluate patient adherence to these therapies, determine the efficacy of these interventions on other lipid parameters, and define the incidence of adverse effects. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective data analysis derived from the Veterans Affairs Health Care System VISN 21 over a 3-year time period. METHODS: Lipid data were assessed prior to and within 2 to 6 months following the conversion from simvastatin. Adherence to therapy was determined by medication refill data. RESULTS: Treatment with ezetimibe/simvastatin resulted in significantly greater reductions in LDL compared with rosuvastatin or atorvastatin (37 vs 25 and 26 mg/dL, respectively; P <0.05). Adherence to therapy was 51% of all patients studied. All treatments significantly lowered total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, and triglycerides when compared with simvastatin. There was no difference between treatment groups in the number of adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: At the doses used in this population, ezetimibe/simvastatin resulted in greater LDL reductions than rosuvastatin or atorvastatin. The clinical impact of these differences is as yet undetermined.

Resistant hypertension and undiagnosed primary hyperaldosteronism detected by use of a computerized database.

A pharmacy database was used to identify patients with resistant hypertension who could then be tested for the presence of primary hyperaldosteronism. Inclusion criteria were: (1) resistant hypertension defined as uncontrolled hypertension and use of 3 antihypertensive medication classes or ≥ 4 antihypertensive classes regardless of blood pressure; (2) low or normal potassium levels (≤ 4.9 mEq/L); and (3) continuous health care from October 1, 2008, to February 28, 2009. Exclusion criteria were: (1) past or current use of an aldosterone antagonist, or (2) a medication possession ratio (adherence) <80% for any antihypertensive drug. Hyperaldosteronism was classified as an aldosterone/renin ratio (ARR) ≥ 30. Using the computer, 746 patients were identified who met criteria. After manual chart review to verify inclusion and exclusion criteria, 333 patients remained. Of 184 individuals in whom an ARR was obtained, 39 (21.2%) had a ratio of ≥ 30. A computer database is useful to identify patients with resistant hypertension and those who may have primary aldosteronism.

Reduction in self-monitoring of blood glucose in persons with type 2 diabetes results in cost savings and no change in glycemic control.

OBJECTIVE: Recent Veterans Affairs (VA) guidelines recommend that persons with stable type 2 diabetes controlled on oral agents or diet therapy perform self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) twice weekly. We assessed the impact of a modification of these guidelines on hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and monitoring cost. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective, noncrossover clinical trial. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We instructed persons with type 2 diabetes to perform SMBG testing according to modified adapted VA guidelines. We compared patients' baseline average testing frequency and HbA1c with those obtained during a 6-month interval beginning 2 months after implementation of the modified guidelines. The impact on the cost of monitoring was calculated. RESULTS: At baseline, 913 of 1,213 SMBG users with diabetes on oral hypoglycemic agents had HbA1c tested (HbA1c = 7.83% +/- 1.34%); their frequency of SMBG was 1.36 +/- 0.95 strips per patient per day. Postimplementation, 974 of 1,278 persons with diabetes had HbA1c tested (HbA1c = 7.86% +/- 1.54%; P= .63 vs baseline); frequency of SMBG decreased by 46% to 0.74 +/- 0.50 strips per patient per day (P < .0001). At baseline, 154 of 254 SMBG users with diabetes on diet therapy had HbA1c tested (HbA1c = 6.85% +/- 0.97%); their frequency of SMBG was 1.07 +/- 0.90 strips per patient per day. Postimplementation, 177 of 282 diet-treated persons with diabetes had HbA1c tested (HbA1c = 6.78% +/- 1.20%; P = .56 vs baseline); frequency of SMBG decreased by 35% to 0.70 +/- 0.51 strips per patient per day (P < .0001). Similar findings were observed in a cohort of 421 drug-treated patients with paired HbA1c data before and after implementation, and a cohort of 50 diet-treated patients with paired HbA1c data. Linear regression analysis showed no significant impact on individuals' HbA1c with reduction in strip use. Average monthly cost savings were $8,800, or $6.37 per patient per month. CONCLUSIONS: This program decreased the frequency of SMBG in persons with type 2 diabetes, resulting in substantial cost savings without affecting glucose control.