Percutaneous Foraminal Neuroplasty Using Reference Spinal Needles: Technical Description.

BACKGROUND: Lumbar foraminal stenosis is a common cause of chronic lower back pain and radiculopathy often treated by epidural steroid injections. In the absence of imaging findings with a positive physical exam demonstrating symptoms, percutaneous neuroplasty (PNP) may be an alternative to transforaminal epidural steroid injections that have otherwise failed. CASE PRESENTATION: We present two cases (55-year-old man and 65-year-old woman) with chronic low back pain and radiculopathy with otherwise normal imaging demonstrating no lumbar foraminal stenosis refractory to transforaminal epidural steroid injections. PNP was performed using reference spinal needles with both patients achieving sustained > 50-75% pain relief. CONCLUSION: PNP offers interventional chronic pain physicians and patients with refractory chronic low back pain with lumbar radiculopathy due to fibrosis an alternative, safe treatment that offers sustained results. Furthermore, this is the first of its kind to offer a step-by-step procedural step of PNP using a reference spinal needle.

Bipolar radiofrequency ablation for cancer pain in the trigeminal distribution.

Tumours in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) are associated with a more significant decrease in quality of life compared with the rest of patients with cancer. We present a patient with pain due to HNC successfully treated with bipolar radiofrequency ablation. A man in his 70s presented with a tumour in the left V2 and V3 region, with disabling pain, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score of 10/10, pain on swallowing, chewing and speaking, 3 months of evolution. The patient was evaluated in the pain management department, and the interventional treatment proposed consisted of bipolar pulsed radiofrequency, followed by bipolar thermal radiofrequency of the left V2 and V3 branches with fluoroscopic guidance to achieve better control and coverage of the affected trigeminal branches. Immediately after the procedure, the patient reported a significant improvement in pain with a 0-10 VAS; hypoesthesia in the affected V2 and V3 territory was identified, but no motor weakness. The improvement in pain was maintained for 6 months with a significant improvement in quality of life and pain, which allowed him to speak, chew and swallow without pain. Later, the patient died from complications associated with the disease. The treatment approach in these patients is both pain treatment and achieving independence by allowing better speech ability and improving eating, the above as a pillar of treatment focused on improving the patient's quality of life. This approach is a potential tool in the early stage of the disease in patients with pain due to HNC.

The Gut Microbiota-Brain Axis during Aging, Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia: Role of Tau Protein, ß-Amyloid and LPS in Serum and Curli Protein in Stool.

Currently, there is an increasing number of people with mild cognitive (MCI) impairment and dementia (D). In the present work we studied the role of tau protein, ß-amyloid, LPS (lipopolysaccharide), and curli protein of elderly adults with MCI or D and the contribution of gut microbiota. Four groups were studied: young subjects, healthy adults older than 60 years (A), elderly adults with MCI (MCI), and elderly adults with dementia (D). A preclinical study was conducted in old male Wistar rats to evaluate the impact of gut microbiota on curli protein abundance in feces and brain. The results showed that with increasing age, tau protein, ß-amyloid, and LPS significantly increased in serum during MCI and D, and this was associated with an increase in the abundance of E. coli that synthesize the amyloid protein curli, that may promote the aggregation of amyloid proteins. Rats showed a clear increase in the abundance of curli protein in the brain during aging. Thus, cognitive impairment and dementia are in part due to an alteration in the gut microbiota-brain axis via increase in curli protein and LPS leading to an increase in tau and ß-amyloid protein.

Obesogenic Diet-Induced Neuroinflammation: A Pathological Link between Hedonic and Homeostatic Control of Food Intake.

Obesity-induced neuroinflammation is a chronic aseptic central nervous system inflammation that presents systemic characteristics associated with increased pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 1 beta (IL-1ß) and interleukin 18 (IL-18) and the presence of microglia and reactive astrogliosis as well as the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. The obesity pandemic is associated with lifestyle changes, including an excessive intake of obesogenic foods and decreased physical activity. Brain areas such as the lateral hypothalamus (LH), lateral septum (LS), ventral tegmental area (VTA), and nucleus accumbens (NAcc) have been implicated in the homeostatic and hedonic control of feeding in experimental models of diet-induced obesity. In this context, a chronic lipid intake triggers neuroinflammation in several brain regions such as the hypothalamus, hippocampus, and amygdala. This review aims to present the background defining the significant impact of neuroinflammation and how this, when induced by an obesogenic diet, can affect feeding control, triggering metabolic and neurological alterations.

A practical access for fluoroscopically-guided percutaneous sacroplasty: Case report.

BACKGROUND: Sacral metastases represent the lowest percentage of invasion to the spine, however, as chemotherapy treatments progress, the cancer survival rate has become higher, and the percentage of sacral metastases has increased. Treatment options for sacrum metastases are surgery, radiotherapy, and minimally invasive techniques such as sacroplasty and radiofrequency ablation. Knowing the repercussions that advancing the needle anteriorly (viscera) or medially (sacral roots) can have during the sacroplasty we are describing a technique to perform c-arm sacroplasty in coaxial vision, to identify the anterior sacral cortical bone that is in the limits of the pelvic viscera as well as the sacral foraminal line. CASE PRESENTATION: In the current report, we present a 75-year-old male patient with prostate cancer metastatic to S1, S2, S3 and iliac, with severe lumbar axial pain VAS 8/10. With a caudal tilt between 35-45 degrees until aligning the sacrum in a coaxial view, a 11-gauge Jamshidi needle is advanced from s3 to s1. The trajectory of the needle during the procedure is corroborated in AP and lateral, S1 is cemented, and the needle is withdrawn to cement S2 and S3. After the sacroplasty with the coaxial access, the patient reported VAS 1-2/10. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to offer an adequate quality of life to patients with sacral fractures, whether associated with cancer or sacral insufficiency fractures (SIF). Sacroplasty, being a recently described technique, can be a very viable option for these patients, that's why it is important to have safe and reliable techniques to complement the approach of this minimally invasive technique.The coaxial access may be a safe and practical way to perform sacroplasty in these patients.

Bienestar laboral y condiciones de trabajo en docentes de primaria y secundaria / Well-being at work and working conditions in primary and secondary school teachers

Resumen Las condiciones laborales hacen referencía a las particularidades del entorno o ambiente en el que se realizan las actividades de trabajo. A lo largo de la história, las condiciones laborales de los docentes han experimentado contínuas transformaciones bajo distintas reformas educativas, que repercuten en su grado de bienestar en el trabajo. El objetivo de la presente investigación es analizar la relación entre la valoración de las condiciones de trabajo y el bienestar laboral percibido en 132 docentes de primaria y secundaria de colegios públicos y privados de la ciudad de Cali, Colombia. Para tal efecto se utilizó una metodología cuantitativa con diseño correlacional y muestreo no probabilístico intencional. Se evidenció un aumento en el tiempo dedicado a realizar la función docente, la organización y la carga laboral, lo cual genera en los docentes afectaciones en su bienestar laboral. Se encontró una relación significativa entre las condiciones de trabajo y el bienestar laboral de los docentes, de manera que el tipo de contratación temporal genera en ellos inseguridad, inestabilidad y algunos efectos colaterales como somatizaciones y agotamiento, perjudicando su rendimiento laboral, salud y bienestar.

Abstract Working conditions refer to the particularities of the environment in which work activities are carried out. Throughout history, teachers' working conditions have undergone continuous transformations under different educational reforms, which have an impact on their well-being at work. The research objective was to analyze the relationship between the assessment of working conditions and perceived occupational well-being in 132 primary and secondary teachers from public and private schools in the city of Cali, Colombia. It was carried out by means of a quantitative methodology with a correlational design and intentional non-probabilistic sampling. It was evidenced that increasing in the time devoted to performing the teaching function, organization and workload affects teachers´ welfare. Additionally, a significant relationship was found between the working conditions and the labor well-being of teachers. The type of short-term contracting generates job insecurity and instability and some collateral effects such as somatization and exhaustion, which are detrimental to their work performance, health, and wellbeing.

Priapismo refractario y necrosis de glande secundario a COVID- 19 / Refractory priapism and glans necrosis secondary to COVID-19

La pandemia causada por el SARS -COV 2 ha sido uno de los hitos más importantes de la última década, provocando desestabilización de los sistemas económicos, salud y educación. La infección por SARS COV2 se característica principalmente por la afección del sistema respiratorio, sin embargo, logra afectar muchos órganos extrapulmonares, aunque la fisiopatología no está totalmente dilucidada se evidencia una gran incidencia de eventos tromboembólicos en pacientes complicados. La infección por SARS-Cov2 tienen un amplio abanico de signos y síntomas, durante la pandemia debemos sospechar de esta viremia en pacientes con priapismo refractario presentamos el caso por la inédita presentación y por el curso atípico de la enfermedad.

Caracterización epidemiológica y clínica de los pacientes intervenidos en una cirugía de revascularización miocárdica / Epidemiological and clinical characterization of patients undergoing myocardial revascularization surgery

Resumen Introducción: La cardiopatía isquémica es un problema de salud pública y puede tratarse por medio de la revascularización miocárdica. Objetivo: Estructurar el primer perfil epidemiológico y clínico de los pacientes intervenidos en Tolima. Materiales y método: Es un estudio de corte transversal, de 183 pacientes mayores de 18 años programados para revascularización miocárdica entre septiembre de 2018 y septiembre de 2019. Se eligieron variables clínicas y demográficas. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo, un análisis bivariado para mortalidad y circulación extracorpórea, y una regresión logística para la mortalidad intrahospitalaria. Resultados: La edad media de los pacientes fue de 66.7 años y un 68.85% correspondió a la población femenina. Se presentó HA en 80.33%, tabaquismo en 49.18%, dislipidemia en 44.81% y DM en 40.98%. Se registró mayor proporción de complicaciones en los pacientes intervenidos sin CEC, como complicaciones pulmonares, FA de novo y una estancia intrahospitalaria y posoperatoria mayor. Los pacientes que fallecieron tuvieron mayor proporción de complicaciones, mayor estancia hospitalaria, mayor cantidad de reintervenciones y tiempo de ventilación mecánica. El modelo de regresión reveló una relación con mortalidad para los pacientes que tuvieron requerimiento de diálisis (OR = 8.7) complicaciones pulmonares (OR = 10.5) y desarrollo de FA de novo (OR = 11.3). Conclusiones: Este estudio caracteriza a la población para generar marcos de referencia en un grupo poco estudiado como el tolimense. De modo adicional, se presentaron mejores desenlaces en los pacientes llevados a revascularización miocárdica con circulación extracorpórea, y unas relaciones claras de mortalidad y complicaciones posoperatorias.

Abstract Introduction: The ischemic cardiopathy is a public health issue, that can be treated with a coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Objective: To present the first clinical and epidemiological profile of CABG treated patients in Tolima, Colombia. Materials and method: We conduct a cross sectional study, including 183 patients driven to a CABG procedure, between September 2018-2019. We chose clinical and demographic variables. And posteriorly, performed a descriptive and bivariate analysis, including mortality and extracorporeal circulation. Besides, we completed a logistic regression for intrahospital mortality. Results: The average age of our patients was 66,7 years, and 68.85% were female. They presented in an 80.33% arterial hypertension, smoked an 49.18%, had dyslipidemia and diabetes 44.81% and 40.95% respectively. There were more complications in patients who were drove into on pump CABG, primarily pulmonary complications, atrial fibrillation, mayor intrahospital and post-operatory stay. The patients who died, present more complications, intrahospital stay, reinterventions and mechanic ventilation time. Our regression model evidenced mortality association with post-operatory dialysis (OR = 8.7), pulmonary complications (OR = 10.5) and new atrial fibrillation (OR = 11.3). Conclusions: This study aim to characterize the Tolima's population, creating a reference in this less studied population. On the other side, the study discuss the better outcomes in patients taken to myocardial bypass with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. And the association between dead and certain postoperative complications.

PPARα/RXRα downregulates amino acid catabolism in the liver via interaction with HNF4α promoting its proteasomal degradation.

The preservation of body proteins is essential to guarantee their functions in organisms. Therefore, the utilization of amino acids as energy substrates is regulated by a precise fine-tuned mechanism. Recent evidence suggests that the transcription factors peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) and hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha (HNF4α) are involved in this regulatory mechanism. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine how these transcription factors interact to regulate the expression of amino acid catabolism genes. In vivo studies using PPARα-knockout mice (Pparα-null) fed different amounts of dietary protein showed that in the absence of PPARα, there was a significant increase in HNF4α abundance in the liver, which corresponded with an increase in amino acid catabolizing enzyme (AACE) expression and the generation of increased amounts of postprandial urea. Moreover, this effect was proportional to the increase in dietary protein consumed. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays showed that HNF4α can bind to the promoter of AACE serine dehydratase (SDS), an effect that was potentiated by dietary protein in the Pparα-null mice. The mechanistic studies revealed that the presence of retinoid X receptor alpha (RXRα) is essential to repress HNF4α activity in the presence of PPARα, and this interaction accelerates HNF4α degradation via the proteasome pathway. These results showed that PPARα can downregulate liver amino acid catabolism in the presence of RXRα by inhibiting HNF4α activity.

Efecto en la transfusión posoperatoria de pacientes con artroplastia de rodilla mediante dosis única de ácido tranexámico preoperatorio entre los años 2010 - 2016 en una institución hospitalaria / Effect in the postoperative transfusion of patients with knee arthroplasty using a single dose of preoperative tranexamic acid in the HUCSR year 2010 to 2016

Introducción La transfusión posoperatoria es una complicación frecuente de la artroplastia de rodilla. El ácido tranexámico (AT) ha demostrado eficacia en disminuir la probabilidad de sangrado, sin embargo, son pocos los estudios en cuanto al tema. Los objetivos del estudio son: 1) Comparar el efecto de dosis única de 1g de ácido tranexámico preoperatoria en la tasa de transfusión en pacientes a quienes se realizó artroplastia de rodilla entre enero de 2010 y diciembre de 2016. 2) Caracterizar población de pacientes a quienes se realizó artroplastia de rodilla. 3) Determinar tasa de transfusión sanguínea en grupos de estudio. 4) Determinar factores de riesgo para transfusión sanguínea en pacientes con artroplastia de rodilla. Materiales y Metodos Estudio observacional descriptivo de tipo corte transversal analítico retrospectivo. Resultados Tasa de transfusión en grupo sin AT=15,2%; en grupo con AT=1,2%. La sangre perdida y el tiempo quirúrgico no presentaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los grupos (p>0,05). Se consideran factores de riesgo: anticoagulación (OR 3,52; IC95% 1,28-9,65), insuficiencia renal crónica (OR 5,91; IC95% 1,11-31,27) y artritis reumatoidea (OR 55,83; IC95% 18,34-169,91). Discusión Según regresión logística, la cantidad de sangre perdida y administración del AT pueden predecir con un 97.5% de acierto la probabilidad de transfusión ante presencia de artritis reumatoide. La pérdida sanguínea mayor a 400 cc aumenta significativamente la probabilidad de transfusión cuando no se administra AT. El uso de AT preoperatorio es efectivo en reducir la tasa de transfusión sanguínea en pacientes a quienes se realiza ATR. Nivel de Evidencia: III

Background Postoperative transfusion is a common complication of knee arthroplasty. Tranexamic acid has shown efficacy in reducing the probability of bleeding, however, there are few studies on the subject. The aims of the study are: 1) To compare the effect of a single dose of 1g of preoperative tranexamic acid on the transfusion rate in patients who underwent knee arthroplasty between January 2010 and December 2016. 2) Characterize the population of patients who underwent knee arthroplasty. 3) Determine blood transfusion rate in study groups. 4) Determine risk factors for blood transfusion in patients with knee arthroplasty. Methods A descriptive observational study of a retrospective analytical cross section type was performed. Results Group transfusion rate without TA=15.2%, group transfusion rate with TA=1.2%. The blood loss and the surgical time did not show statistically significant differences between the groups (p>0.05). The following are considered risk factors: anticoagulation (OR: 3.52; 95%CI 1.28-9.65), chronic renal failure (OR: 5.91; 95%CI 1.11-31.27) and rheumatoid arthritis (OR: 55.83; 95%CI 18.34-169.91). Discussion According to logistic regression, the amount of blood lost and administration of the TA can predict with a 97.5% accuracy the probability of transfusion in the presence of rheumatoid arthritis. Blood loss greater than 400 cc significantly increases the probability of transfusion when TA is not administered. The use of preoperative TA is effective in reducing the rate of blood transfusion in patients who undergo ATR Evidence Level: III

Estudio comparativo de equipos INR capilar "point of care" versus INR venoso, en pacientes en tratamiento con antagonistas de vitamina K / Comparison of point of care capillary international normalized ratio (INR) with INR measured in venous samples

Background: INR is used to monitor the treatment with vitamin K antagonists. A strategy to reduce waiting times for sampling is to measure INR in a capillary sample using a portable point of care (POC) type coagulometer. Aim: To evaluate the correlation of CoaguChek Pro II™, Xprecia™ and microINR™ with venous INR measured at the clinical laboratory and their ease of use. Materials and Methods: Patients provided capillary and venous blood samples for parallel tests comparing Xprecia™ Stride with CoaguChek Pro II™ and with venous INR, microINR™ with CoaguChek Pro IITM and with venous INR. The devices' ease of use was assessed surveying the sampling staff. Results: The three tested devices had good correlation coefficients with venous INR: CoaguChek Pro IITM 0.953 and 0.962; Xprecia™ of 0.912 and microINR™ of 0.932. The correlation coefficient of Xprecia™ with CoaguChek Pro IITM was 0.937 and microINR™ with CoaguChek Pro IITM was 0.976. Conclusions: CoaguChek Pro IITM, Xprecia™ and microINR™ results had a good correlation coefficient with INR measured at the laboratory. Our results indicate that, in the hands of trained users, POC-type coagulometers are reliable and acceptable for routine use in anticoagulant treatment control.

[Comparison of point of care capillary international normalized ratio (INR) with INR measured in venous samples]. / Estudio comparativo de equipos INR capilar "point of care" versus INR venoso, en pacientes en tratamiento con antagonistas de vitamina K.

BACKGROUND: INR is used to monitor the treatment with vitamin K antagonists. A strategy to reduce waiting times for sampling is to measure INR in a capillary sample using a portable point of care (POC) type coagulometer. AIM: To evaluate the correlation of CoaguChek Pro II™, Xprecia™ and microINR™ with venous INR measured at the clinical laboratory and their ease of use. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients provided capillary and venous blood samples for parallel tests comparing Xprecia™ Stride with CoaguChek Pro II™ and with venous INR, microINR™ with CoaguChek Pro IITM and with venous INR. The devices' ease of use was assessed surveying the sampling staff. RESULTS: The three tested devices had good correlation coefficients with venous INR: CoaguChek Pro IITM 0.953 and 0.962; Xprecia™ of 0.912 and microINR™ of 0.932. The correlation coefficient of Xprecia™ with CoaguChek Pro IITM was 0.937 and microINR™ with CoaguChek Pro IITM was 0.976. CONCLUSIONS: CoaguChek Pro IITM, Xprecia™ and microINR™ results had a good correlation coefficient with INR measured at the laboratory. Our results indicate that, in the hands of trained users, POC-type coagulometers are reliable and acceptable for routine use in anticoagulant treatment control.

Imaging-Associated Radiation Trends in a Puerto Rican Pediatric Surgical Population: Is Over-Radiation an Issue in Our Emergency Departments?

The increased use of CT scans has raised concerns regarding the risks of early radiation exposure in the Puerto Rico pediatric population. Available literature sustains that repeated exposure to imaging-related radiation in the pediatric population is associated with a 3-fold increase in the risk of developing pediatric hematogenous and central nervous system malignancies. It is for this reason that an international effort known as the Image Gently Campaign was created, mostly based on the "As Low As Reasonably Achievable" (ALARA) principle described by the Center for Disease Control. With this in mind, our aim was to identify whether there are any discrepancies in imaging tendencies outside our pediatric academic center in Puerto Rico and to determine whether our patients are at increased risk of over-radiation. There were 181 patients; five were excluded because of incomplete data. Our results show that children with appendicitis who are evaluated at nontertiary centers are more likely to have a CT scan performed (93%, OR: 4.054; 95% confidence interval: 2.6-6.4), as opposed to a nonradiating imaging study. In the Pediatric University Hospital, a CT scan was performed as the initial study in 23 per cent of the patients (OR: 0.09; 95% confidence interval: 0.05-0.18), favoring ultrasound as the diagnostic modality of choice. Our concern is that if this trend does not change, our pediatric population might have an increased risk of developing associated malignancies. We believe a local effort toward educational strategies should be implemented to prevent radiation overexposure in our pediatric patients.

Identification of psychosocial risk factors at a highly complex clinic / Identificación de factores de riesgo psicosocial en una clínica de alta complejidad

Resumen El objetivo general de la presente investigación fue identificar los factores psicosociales in-tralaborales y extralaborales en los trabajadores de una institución del sector salud que presta servicios de alta complejidad (nivel III) de la ciudad de Cali, Colombia. La investigación fue de tipo descriptivo, con un diseño transversal. Se aplicaron la forma A y B del Cuestionario de Factores de Riesgo Psicosocial Intralaboral y el Cuestionario de Factores de Riesgo Psicosocial Extralaboral (Ministerio de Protección Social & Pontificia Universidad Javeriana Bogotá, 2010) a una muestra de 183 trabajadores. Los resultados de la investigación indican que los dominios donde se presenta mayor riesgo psicosocial son demandas del trabajo y control sobre el trabajo. A nivel extralaboral, las condiciones que presentan mayor riesgo son: tiempo fuera del trabajo, situación económica del grupo familiar, características de la vivienda y de su entorno, y desplazamiento vivienda-trabajo. Se concluye a nivel general que la clínica se encuentra en un nivel de riesgo psicosocial alto, por lo cual se requiere la implementación de un Programa de Vigilancia Epidemiológica en Riesgo Psicosocial para prevenir respuestas de estrés y enfermedades asociadas.

Abstract The purpose of this research study was to identify the psychosocial in-workplace and out-of-workplace risk factors in the workers of a health sector institution that provides high complexity services (level III) in the city of Cali, Colombia. This was a study with a descriptive cross-sectional research design. Form A and B of the Questionnaire of Psychosocial Risk Factors In-workplace and the Questionnaire of Factors of Psychosocial and Out-of-workplace Risk (Ministry of Social Protection & Pontificia Universidad Javeriana Bogotá, 2010) were applied to a sample of 183 workers. The results show that the domains where psychosocial risk is most prevalent are labor demands and control over work. At the out-of-workplace level, the conditions that represent the greatest risk are: time away from work, financial situation of the family group, characteristics of the home and its environment, and commuting. We concluded that the clinic is at a high level of psychosocial risk, for which the implementation of an Epidemiological Surveillance Program for Psychosocial Risk is required to prevent stress responses and associated diseases.

Estrés laboral en personal asistencial de cuatro instituciones de salud nivel III de Cali, Colombia / Occupational stress in healthcare staff of four level III health institutions of Cali in Colombia

Resumen Introducción: El estrés entendido como el conjunto de respuestas fisiológicas, comportamentales, emocionales y cognoscitivas, que resultan en el proceso de adaptación frente a las demandas derivadas de las condiciones de trabajo ante las cuales las personas evalúan que sus recursos de afrontamiento son insuficientes. Objetivo: Identificar el nivel de estrés laboral en personal con cargos asistenciales de cuatro instituciones de salud nivel III de la ciudad de Cali-Colombia. Materiales y métodos: El estudio fue de tipo descriptivo, con diseño transversal. Se aplicó el cuestionario para la evaluación del estrés tercera versión del Ministerio de la Protección Social a una muestra de 595 participantes, con cargo asistencial que implica la atención sanitaria al paciente, en procedimientos de alta complejidad como cirugía, hospitalización, urgencias, cuidados intensivos. Resultados: El personal con cargo asistencial de las cuatro instituciones de salud nivel III presenta nivel alto de estrés laboral, concretamente en los síntomas fisiológicos, e intelectuales y laborales. Conclusiones: La prevalencia de estrés laboral en el personal asistencial puede asociarse con las características de rol, las condiciones laborales y la exposición permanente a enfermedades contagiosas propias del contexto de las instituciones de salud.

Abstract Introduction: Stress is understood as the set of physiological, behavioral, emotional and cognitive responses, which result in the process of adaptation to the demands derived from the working conditions, before which people evaluate that their coping resources are insufficient. Objective: To identify the level of occupational stress in staff with care positions of four level III health institutions in the city of Cali, Colombia. Materials and methods: A descriptive study with transversal design was made. The third version stress assessment questionnaire was applied Ministry of Social Protection. The sample was 595 participants with care charge, which involves the patient's health care in procedures of high complexity such as surgery, hospitalization, emergencies, intensive care. Results: The staff with healthcare charge of the four level III health institutions presents high level of occupational stress, particularly in the physiological, intellectual and labor symptoms. Conclusions: The prevalence of occupational stress in health care personnel can be associated with the characteristics of role, working conditions and the permanent exposure to communicable diseases inherent in the context of healthcare institutions.