Guía de principios y métodos de las redes centinelas sanitarias en España / Guide to the principles and methods of health sentinel networks in Spain

Las redes centinelas sanitarias son cada vez más utilizadas en el estudio de problemas relacionados con la salud. Este documento tiene como objetivo la presentación de una guía metodológica para la instauración y desarrollo de redes centinelas sanitarias, que ha sido elaborada por gestores de las redes centinelas autonómicas a partir de los resultados obtenidos de un estudio Delphi. Los principales apartados recogidos en la guía son: definición de una red centinela sanitaria; descripción de la red –objetivos y composición–; modo de selección de los centinelas participantes; descripción de los procesos de salud adecuados para su estudio mediante esta metodología –incidencia, definición de casos, criterios de inclusión y exclusión–; descripción de la población diana; establecimiento de indicadores de calidad; periodicidad de la recogida de datos; diffusion de la información –periodicidad y métodos–, e incorporación de los participantes en los órganos de decisión a través de comisiones multidisciplinarias. La guía tiene como fin contribuir al desarrollo de redes con una metodología común en las diferentes comunidades autónomas. Asimismo, se considera de gran utilidad contar con un modelo para la implantación de nuevas redes en nuestro país. Por último, se concluye que es importante dar a conocer el concepto de red centinela sanitaria, difundir la información que generan y potenciar su uso desde la Administración (AU)

Health sentinel networks are being increasingly used in the study of health-related problems. The present article aims to provide a methodological guide – designed by regional sentinel network managers and based on the results of a Delphi study – that can be used to set up and develop a health sentinel network. The main topics in the guide are the following: definition of a health sentinel network; network description: aims and structure; methods for the selection of sentinel participants; description of health processes suitable for study through this methodology: incidence, case definition, exclusion and inclusion criteria; description of the target population: the denominator for incidence rates estimates; quality indicators; periodicity of data collection; dissemination of the information: periodicity and methods, and incorporation of the participants in the decision- making process through multidisciplinary commissions. This guide aims to contribute to the development of sentinel networks in the autonomous communities by providing a common methodology, which could be highly useful when introducing new networks in Spain. Finally, we conclude that it is important to raise awareness of the concept of health sentinel networks, disseminate the information generated, and promote its use by public health administration (AU)

Redes centinela sanitarias en España. Consenso para una guía de principios y métodos / Health sentinel networks in Spain. Consensus for a guide of principles and methods

Las redes centinela sanitarias han estado activas en nuestro país desde la década de los años ochenta, con variados objetivos, metodología y diferente grado de desarrollo en las comunidades autónomas donde se han implantado. La necesidad de normalizar el funcionamiento y de armonizar los indicadores ha propiciado un proyecto de investigación de redes centinela sanitarias españolas, uno de cuyos objetivos es establecer una guía de principios y métodos de trabajo. Se ha procedido a realizar un estudio con el método Delphi, en el que un panel de 23 expertos ha consensuado, en 3 fases consecutivas, la definición de red centinela, los objetivos, los principios que deben regirlas y otros aspectos relacionados con la organización y funcionamiento. En conjunto se plantearon 41 cuestiones sobre la base de un primer borrador, las cuales necesitaban un 80% de consenso en una primera fase y un 70% en la segunda. Todos los expertos participaron en la primera fase, 22 en la segunda y 20 en la tercera. Se alcanzó un consenso en 36 cuestiones en la primera fase y en 4 de las 5 restantes en la segunda. En la tercera fase se dio forma definitiva al documento de la guía. El método de consenso Delphi ha resultado extremadamente útil en la resolución de discrepancias y divergencias, obteniéndose una guía válida para redes centinela. Los expertos ajenos a los sistemas centinela del panel seleccionado aportaron una visión más extensa sobre los objetivos y la aplicabilidad de las redes centinela sanitarias en España

Since the eighties, health sentinel networks have been active in our country, but with a variety of objectives, methods and different development levels in the autonomous communities. The necessity of standardising the management and harmonising the indicators has concluded in a research project on the Spanish health sentinel networks, one of whose objectives is to establish a guide for work principles and methods. A panel of 23 experts has made a study using the Delphi method to agree, in three consecutive phases, a definition of sentinel network, the objectives and the management principles and other aspects related to the organisation and functioning. Altogether, 41 questions were gathered from a previous draft which needed 80% of consensus in the first phase and 70% in the second. All the experts participated in the first phase, 22 in the second and 20 in the third. A consensus was achieved on 36 questions in the first phase and in 4 of the remaining ones in the second. In the third phase the shape of the guide document was given. The Delphi consensus method has been extremely useful in the resolution of discrepancies and divergences. The experts who were selected outside of the sentinel networks contributed with a wider vision on the objectives and applicability of the health sentinel networks in Spain

[Guide to the principles and methods of health sentinel networks in Spain]. / Guía de principios y métodos de las redes centinelas sanitarias en España.

Health sentinel networks are being increasingly used in the study of health-related problems. The present article aims to provide a methodological guide - designed by regional sentinel network managers and based on the results of a Delphi study - that can be used to set up and develop a health sentinel network. The main topics in the guide are the following: definition of a health sentinel network; network description: aims and structure; methods for the selection of sentinel participants; description of health processes suitable for study through this methodology: incidence, case definition, exclusion and inclusion criteria; description of the target population: the denominator for incidence rates estimates; quality indicators; periodicity of data collection; dissemination of the information: periodicity and methods, and incorporation of the participants in the decision-making process through multidisciplinary commissions. This guide aims to contribute to the development of sentinel networks in the autonomous communities by providing a common methodology, which could be highly useful when introducing new networks in Spain. Finally, we conclude that it is important to raise awareness of the concept of health sentinel networks, disseminate the information generated, and promote its use by public health administration.

[Health sentinel networks in Spain. Consensus for a guide of principles and methods]. / Redes centinela sanitarias en España. Consenso para una guía de principios y métodos.

Since the eighties, health sentinel networks have been active in our country, but with a variety of objectives, methods and different development levels in the autonomous communities. The necessity of standardising the management and harmonising the indicators has concluded in a research project on the Spanish health sentinel networks, one of whose objectives is to establish a guide for work principles and methods. A panel of 23 experts has made a study using the Delphi method to agree, in three consecutive phases, a definition of sentinel network, the objectives and the management principles and other aspects related to the organisation and functioning. Altogether, 41 questions were gathered from a previous draft which needed 80% of consensus in the first phase and 70% in the second. All the experts participated in the first phase, 22 in the second and 20 in the third. A consensus was achieved on 36 questions in the first phase and in 4 of the remaining ones in the second. In the third phase the shape of the guide document was given. The Delphi consensus method has been extremely useful in the resolution of discrepancies and divergences. The experts who were selected outside of the sentinel networks contributed with a wider vision on the objectives and applicability of the health sentinel networks in Spain.