La regulación de la eutanasia en España y el farmacéutico de hospital: estado de la cuestión / The regulation of euthanasia in Spain and the hospital pharmacist: state of the art

Objetivo: Conocer la realidad del farmacéutico de hospital en relación a la Ley Orgánica 3/2021 de regulación de la eutanasia. Método: Se diseñó una encuesta de 22 preguntas acerca de la Ley de regulación de la eutanasia y se difundió via on-line a los farmacéuticos hospitalarios pertenecientes a la Sociedad Española de Farmacia Hospitalaria. La solicitud de participación se llevó a cabo en mayo 2022. Resultados: Se recopilaron 242 respuestas siendo un 66% facultativos especialistas de área. Cabe destacar que el 81% afirmaban conocer la Ley Orgánica 3/2021 de regulación de la eutanasia y el 63% no se declararía objetor de conciencia. Los protocolos de actuación para la prestación de ayuda para morir sólo existían antes de tener el primer caso en el 31% de los hospitales. Conclusiones: Solo conociendo el pronunciamiento del profesional facultativo ante la prestación de ayuda para morir puede conocerse la realidad y mejorar la asistencia. Ante las incógnitas y falta de desarrollo normativo se crea la necesidad de contar con equipos de profesionales formados que lleven a cabo esta prestación. (AU)

Objective: To know the reality of the hospital pharmacist in relation to the Spanish Law 3/2021, of regulation of euthanasia Methods: A 22-question survey regarding the Law that regulates euthanasia in Spain was designed and spread online to hospital pharmacists belonging to the Spanish Society of Hospital Pharmacy. The request for participation was sent in May 2022. Results: 242 responses were collected, 66% of which came from area specialists. It is important to highlight that 81% claimed to be aware of the Spanish Law 3/2021 and the results showed that 63% of the respondents would not declare themselves a conscientious objector. The action protocols for the provision of Aid in Dying only existed before the first case was carried out in 31% of the hospitals in Spain. Conclusions: Only by knowing the pronouncement of the health professionals regarding the provision of Aid in Dying, the current situation can be known and, therefore, the patient care been improved. Given the unknowns and lack of normative development, the need for teams of trained professionals to carry out the provision for the service is needed. (AU)

The reason for having a code of pharmaceutical ethics: Spanish Pharmacists Code of Ethics / El porqué de un código de ética farmacéutica: Código Español de Ética Farmacéutica

The pharmacist profession needs its own code of conduct set out in writing to serve as a stimulus to pharmacists in their day-to-day work in the different areas of pharmacy, in conjunction always with each individual pharmacist´s personal commitment to their patients, to other healthcare professionals and to society. An overview is provided of the different codes of ethics for pharmacists on the national and international scale, the most up-to-date code for 2015 being presented as a set of principles which must guide a pharmacutical conduct from the standpoint of deliberative judgment. The difference between codes of ethics and codes of practice is discussed. In the era of massive-scale collaboration, this code is a project holding bright prospects for the future. Each individual pharmacutical attitude in practicing their profession must be identified with the pursuit of excellence in their own personal practice for the purpose of achieving the ethical and professional values above and beyond complying with regulations and code of practice (AU)

Se necesita un código de conducta propio y escrito, que dinamice la realidad de la profesión farmacéutica en el trabajo cotidiano en sus distintas áreas, siempre como un compromiso individual del farmacéutico con el paciente, con otros profesionales sanitarios y con la sociedad. Se hace una panorámica de los diversos códigos de ética farmacéutica a nivel nacional e internacional, presentando el más actualizado, de 2015, como un conjunto de principios que debe guiar el comportamiento del farmacéutico desde la prudencia deliberativa. Se plantea la diferencia ante los códigos de ética y deontología. En la era de la colaboración masiva, el código es un proyecto de futuro de oportunidades. La actitud del farmacéutico en su ejercicio profesional deberá identificarse con la búsqueda de la excelencia en la práctica individual, que tiene como objetivo alcanzar los valores éticos y profesionales que van más allá del cumplimiento de la normativa legal y los códigos deontológicos (AU)

The reason for having a code of pharmaceutical ethics: Spanish Pharmacists Code of Ethics.

The pharmacist profession needs its own code of conduct set out in writing to serve as a stimulus to pharmacists in their day-to-day work in the different areas of pharmacy, in conjunction always with each individual pharmacist´s personal commitment to their patients, to other healthcare professionals and to society. An overview is provided of the different codes of ethics for pharmacists on the national and international scale, the most up-to-date code for 2015 being presented as a set of principles which must guide a pharmacutical conduct from the standpoint of deliberative judgment. The difference between codes of ethics and codes of practice is discussed. In the era of massive-scale collaboration, this code is a project holding bright prospects for the future. Each individual pharmacutical attitude in practicing their profession must be identified with the pursuit of excellence in their own personal practice for the purpose of achieving the ethical and professional values above and beyond complying with regulations and code of practice.

Se necesita un código de conducta propio y escrito, que dinamice la realidad de la profesión farmacéutica en el trabajo cotidiano en sus distintas áreas, siempre como un compromiso individual del farmacéutico con el paciente, con otros profesionales sanitarios y con la sociedad. Se hace una panorámica de los diversos códigos de ética farmacéutica a nivel nacional e internacional, presentando el más actualizado, de 2015, como un conjunto de principios que debe guiar el comportamiento del farmacéutico desde la prudencia deliberativa. Se plantea la diferencia ante los códigos de ética y deontología. En la era de la colaboración masiva, el código es un proyecto de futuro de oportunidades. La actitud del farmacéutico en su ejercicio profesional deberá identificarse con la búsqueda de la excelencia en la práctica individual, que tiene como objetivo alcanzar los valores éticos y profesionales que van más allá del cumplimiento de la normativa legal y los códigos deontológicos.

Chemotherapy near the end of life; assessment of the clinical practise in onco-hematological in adult patients.

OBJECTIVE: ensure a good quality of life in the last phase of onco- hematological patients should be the primary goal, despite this, we have little data at European level and published studies are contradictory. Nevertheless, most of them agree saying that administrating chemotherapy near the end of life impacts negatively in the patients quality of life. The main objective of this study is to analyze the treatment non-aggressiveness parameters in onco-hematological patients. The secondary objective is to do a describing study of the clinical variables of the patients who receive chemotherapy at the end of life and the treatments more used. METHODS: a retrospective observational study was conducted in a tertiary hospital. Both, oncological and hematological patients receiving chemotherapy (oral or intravenous) between January and December 2013 who were receiving chemotherapy in the last 90 days before death, were included. RESULTS: there were 823 patients that were threated between January and December of 2013. Of these 106 (13%) met the inclusion criteria to be analyzed. There were a 14.1% (n = 93) of oncological and a 8.4% (n = 13) of hematologic patients that maintained the antineoplasic treatment during the last three months before death. A 21.7% (n = 23) of the patients received chemotherapy in the last two weeks of life, 41.5% (n = 44) in the last 30 days and 78.3% (n = 83) in the last two months of life. There was a 67.9% (n = 72) of patients that had hospital admissions during their last three months of life, 47,2% (n = 50) during the last month, 33% (n = 35) during the last two weeks and 10,4% (n = 11) during the last three days of life. A 25,5% (n = 27) of patients had more than one hospital admission during their last 90 days. CONCLUSIONS: according to the Earle et al. criteria, our population had been treated aggressively. We need more scientific evidence with consolidate date that allows us to establish a unified criteria for the selection of patients with advanced cancer who may benefit from receiving antineoplasic treatments.

Objetivo: garantizar una buena calidad de vida en la última fase de los pacientes onco-hematológicos debería ser nuestro principal objetivo; a pesar de ello, disponemos de pocos datos a nivel europeo y los estudios publicados son contradictorios. No obstante, la mayoría coinciden en que administrar quimioterapia en la etapa final de la vida impacta de forma negativa en la calidad de vida del paciente. El objetivo principal del estudio es analizar los indicadores de no agresividad del tratamiento en pacientes onco-hematológicos. Como objetivo secundario, realizar un estudio descriptivo de las variables clínicas de los pacientes a los que se les administra quimioterapia en la fase final de la vida y los esquemas más utilizados. Método: se realizó un estudio observacional retrospectivo en un hospital de tercer nivel. Se incluyeron todos los pacientes oncológicos y hematológicos que recibieron quimioterapia (oral o intravenosa) entre enero y diciembre de 2013, a los que se les administró la última quimioterapia en los 90 días previos al fallecimiento. Resultados: se analizaron 823 pacientes que recibieron tratamiento entre enero y diciembre de 2013. De ellos, 106 (13%) cumplían los criterios de inclusión. Un 14,1% (n = 93) de los pacientes oncológicos y un 8,4% (n = 13) de los hematológicos que habían recibido quimioterapia durante el último año de vida lo seguían haciendo en los últimos tres meses. Un 21,7% (n = 23) de los pacientes recibieron quimioterapia en las dos últimas semanas, 41,5% (n = 44) en los últimos 30 días y 78,3% (n = 83) en los últimos dos meses de vida. El 67,9% (n = 72) de los pacientes ingresaron en el hospital durante los últimos tres meses de vida, el 47,2% (n = 50) lo hicieron durante el último mes, el 33% (n = 35) durante las dos últimas semanas y el 10,4% (n = 11) durante los últimos tres días de vida. El 25,5% (n = 27) de los pacientes ingresaron en más de una ocasión durante los 90 días previos al fallecimiento. Conclusiones: según los criterios establecidos por Earle et al, la población del estudio se trató de manera agresiva al final de la vida. Es necesario disponer de una evidencia científica, que todavía en la actualidad carece de una base consolidada, con la que establecer criterios para la selección de pacientes con cáncer en estadios avanzados que puedan beneficiarse de recibir tratamientos antineoplásicos.

Chemotherapy near the end of life; assessment of the clinical practise in onco-hematological in adult patients / Quimioterapia al final de la vida; análisis de la práctica clínica en pacientes adultos onco-hematológicos con cáncer

Objective: ensure a good quality of life in the last phase of onco-hematological patients should be the primary goal, despite this, we have little data at European level and published studies are contradictory. Nevertheless, most of them agree saying that administrating chemotherapy near the end of life impacts negatively in the patients quality of life. The main objective of this study is to analyze the treatment non-aggressiveness parameters in onco-hematological patients. The secondary objective is to do a describing study of the clinical variables of the patients who receive chemotherapy at the end of life and the treatments more used. Methods: a retrospective observational study was conducted in a tertiary hospital. Both, oncological and hematological patients receiving chemotherapy (oral or intravenous) between January and December 2013 who were receiving chemotherapy in the last 90 days before death, were included. Results: there were 823 patients that were threated between January and December of 2013. Of these 106 (13%) met the inclusion criteria to be analyzed. There were a 14.1% (n=93) of oncological and a 8.4% (n=13) of hematologic patients that maintained the antineoplasic treatment during the last three months before death. A 21.7% (n=23) of the patients received chemotherapy in the last two weeks of life, 41.5% (n=44) in the last 30 days and 78.3% (n=83) in the last two months of life. There was a 67.9% (n=72) of patients that had hospital admissions during their last three months of life, 47,2% (n=50) during the last month, 33% (n=35) during the last two weeks and 10,4% (n=11) during the last three days of life. A 25,5% (n=27) of patients had more than one hospital admission during their last 90 days. Conclusions: according to the Earle et al. criteria, our population had been treated aggressively. We need more scientific evidence with consolidate date that allows us to establish a unified criteria for the selection of patients with advanced cancer who may benefit from receiving antineoplasic treatments (AU)

Objetivo: garantizar una buena calidad de vida en la última fase de los pacientes onco-hematológicos debería ser nuestro principal objetivo; a pesar de ello, disponemos de pocos datos a nivel europeo y los estudios publicados son contradictorios. No obstante, la mayoría coinciden en que administrar quimioterapia en la etapa final de la vida impacta de forma negativa en la calidad de vida del paciente. El objetivo principal del estudio es analizar los indicadores de no agresividad del tratamiento en pacientes onco-hematológicos. Como objetivo secundario, realizar un estudio descriptivo de las variables clínicas de los pacientes a los que se les administra quimioterapia en la fase final de la vida y los esquemas más utilizados. Método: se realizó un estudio observacional retrospectivo en un hospital de tercer nivel. Se incluyeron todos los pacientes oncológicos y hematológicos que recibieron quimioterapia (oral o intravenosa) entre enero y diciembre de 2013, a los que se les administró la última quimioterapia en los 90 días previos al fallecimiento. Resultados: se analizaron 823 pacientes que recibieron tratamiento entre enero y diciembre de 2013. De ellos, 106 (13%) cumplían los criterios de inclusión. Un 14,1% (n=93) de los pacientes oncológicos y un 8,4% (n=13) de los hematológicos que habían recibido quimioterapia durante el último año de vida lo seguían haciendo en los últimos tres meses. Un 21,7% (n=23) de los pacientes recibieron quimioterapia en las dos últimas semanas, 41,5% (n=44) en los últimos 30 días y 78,3% (n=83) en los últimos dos meses de vida. El 67,9% (n=72) de los pacientes ingresaron en el hospital durante los últimos tres meses de vida, el 47,2% (n=50) lo hicieron durante el último mes, el 33% (n=35) durante las dos últimas semanas y el 10,4% (n=11) durante los últimos tres días de vida. El 25,5% (n=27) de los pacientes ingresaron en más de una ocasión durante los 90 días previos al fallecimiento. Conclusiones: según los criterios establecidos por Earle et al, la población del estudio se trató de manera agresiva al final de la vida. Es necesario disponer de una evidencia científica, que todavía en la actualidad carece de una base consolidada, con la que establecer criterios para la selección de pacientes con cáncer en estadios avanzados que puedan beneficiarse de recibir tratamientos antineoplásicos (AU)

[Relationship health care professional-patient from personalistic perspective. To know how to communicate is like ethical imperative]. / La relación con el paciente desde la perspectiva personalista. saber comunicar, un imperativo ético.

The ability to communicate with patients is part of health care practice and contributes to the humanization of such care and to the objectives. With basic coaching tools and personalized attention, the life of the patient can be transformed from the first moments of intervention. Beyond words, patient, in all their multidimensionality, need to be comforted and fell that they are being taken care of. The health care professionals transmits information verbally and non-verbally. ″Positive″ consultations are described as warm, friendly, firm and reassuring, and there exists an emphatic response to the cognitive and emotional concerns of the patient. The opposite approach involves the assumption of roles and a lack of empathy (paternalism, servility, authoritarianism, laissez-faire, etc.). The ability to communicate is an ethical need in health care training. A personalized perspective, open to transcendence, is especially suitable in the health field, where communication must take into account the complex reality that the patient is living.

Conciliación e información de medicación al alta hospitalaria en un servicio de urología / Conciliation and medication information at the moment of hospital discharge in a service of urology

Analizar los resultados de un programa de conciliación e información de medicación al alta hospitalaria en un servicio de urología. Material y Método: Fueron incluidos los pacientes ingresados en el servicio de urología durante 2009 con mayor complejidad en su tratamiento domiciliario. Éste fue registrado, confirmándose previamente mediante una entrevista con el paciente la adherencia al mismo, así como problemas relacionados con la medicación habitual (PRMs). A partir de la epicrisis, se concilió la medicación prescrita con el tratamiento ambulatorio, resolviendo las discrepancias con el facultativo responsable. Por último, se entregó al paciente un cronopictograma con el listado completo de su medicación a partir del episodio asistencial y recomendaciones sobre su tratamiento con la explicación verbal del mismo. Realizamos una encuesta de satisfacción a los facultativos para conocer el conocimiento del programa y su valoración. Resultados: Se seleccionaron 260 pacientes, de los cuales en 102 (39 por ciento) se detectaron PRMs. Las discrepancias más frecuentes fueron: prescripción incompleta (28 por ciento), administración inadecuada (22 por ciento), medicamento no indicado (18 por ciento) y duplicidad (16 por ciento). Los PRM’s se clasificaron en orden a la severidad, de las 102 discrepancias: el 68 por ciento no habrían causado daño al paciente y el 32 por ciento habría requerido monitorización. La valoración global del programa fue muy positiva para los facultativos. Conclusión: La conciliación de medicación reduce los PRM’s, sobre todo en las transiciones asistenciales de los pacientes. Creemos que esta actividad asistencial debería realizarse de manera habitual en los hospitales, para aumentar la seguridad de los pacientes, en el marco de un sistema de reducción de riesgos para la salud y mejora de la calidad asistencial.

To analyze the results of a medication reconciliation and drug information program at discharge, in an urology department. Materials and Methods: Patients with more complexity in their home treatment, admitted in this facility during 2009, were included in the study. Preadmission regimens were recorded and the patients were asked about drug-related problems (DRP) and drug adherence. On the day of discharge, prescribed medication was reconciled with the outpatient treatment, resolving discrepancies with the prescribers. Finally, the patients were given a complete list of their medications and oral recommendations. We conducted a survey with physicians to enquire about their reconciliation program knowledge and their assessment. Results: 260 patients were selected, of which in 102 (42 percent) DRP were detected. The most frequent discrepancies were: incomplete prescription (28 percent), incorrect administration (22 percent), inappropriate medication (18 percent) and therapeutic duplication (16 percent ). The DRP were classified according to their severity, of the 102 discrepancies, 68 percent would not have caused harm to the patient and 32 percent would require monitoring. On the survey, about the overall evaluation of the program, it was highly regarded for the most of the physicians. Conclusion: Medication reconciliation reduces the DRP, especially at transition in healthcare of patients. We believe that activity should be carried out routinely in hospitals, to increase the patients safety, as part of a system to reduce health risks and improving the quality of care.

[Correlation, in previously treated HIV-1 positive patients, between hypersensitivity reaction to abacavir and the presence of the HLA-B*5701 allele]. / Correlación, en pacientes infectados por el VIH-1 y previamente tratados, entre la reacción de hipersensibilidad a abacavir y el alelo HLA-B*5701.

INTRODUCTION: Hypersensitivity reaction to abacavir (a powerful inverse transcriptase inhibitor) is a serious adverse effect that limits its use in antiretroviral treatment and requires a high level of clinical surveillance. Certain haplotypes of the primary histocompatibility complex proteins (HLA-B*5701) are very significant predictors of the risk of hypersensitivity to this drug. The purpose of this study is to identify the cases where a probable hypersensitivity reaction to abacavir presented the HLA-B*5701 allele. METHOD: A retrospective study was conducted in all HIV-1 positive adult patients infected treated with abacavir between January 2000 and December 2007, in Department 6 of the Agencia Valenciana de Salud (Valencia Health Agency). The adverse effects developed by the patients were collected to determine which cases presented a probable clinically diagnosed hypersensitivity reaction. Finally, these 39 patients were screened for HLA-B*5701. RESULTS: In total, 323 patients were treated with abacavir between 2000 and 2007. The treatment was discontinued in 12.1 % (n = 39 patients) presenting a hypersensitivity reaction. Nine (23.1 %) of these were HLA-B*5701 positive. Eight patients presented skin rash and positivity was observed in only single patient with gastrointestinal symptoms and fever. CONCLUSIONS: The administration of the HLA-B*5701 gene test may be of benefit in clinical practice, because it prevents diagnostic errors of the hypersensitivity reaction and enables more accurate interpretation of the symptoms.

Correlación, en pacientes infectados por el VIH-1 y previamente tratados, entre la reacción de hipersensibilidad a abacavir y el alelo HLA-B*5701 / Correlation, in previously treated HIV-1 positive patients, between hypersensitivity reaction to abacavir and the presence of the HLA-B*5701 allele

Introducción: La reacción de hipersensibilidad a abacavir (un potente inhibidor de la transcriptasa inversa) es un efecto adverso importante que limita su uso en la terapia antirretroviral y precisa un elevado grado de vigilancia clínica. Determinados haplotipos de las proteínas del complejo principal de histocompatibilidad (HLA-B*5701) predicen, de forma muy significativa, el riesgo de hipersensibilidad a este fármaco. El objetivo del estudio es identificar los casos que, después de desarrollar una probable reacción de hipersensibilidad a abacavir, presentaban el alelo HLA-B*5701. Métodos: Se ha realizado un estudio retrospectivo a todos los pacientes adultos infectados por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana 1 (VIH-1) que recibieron tratamiento con abacavir entre enero de 2000 y diciembre de 2007, en el Departamento 6 de la Agencia Valenciana de Salud. Se recogieron los efectos adversos desarrollados por los pacientes para identificar los casos con probable reacción de hipersensibilidad diagnosticada clínicamente. Finalmente, se realizó la tipificación de HLA-B*5701 a estos 39 pacientes. Resultados: En total, 323 pacientes recibieron tratamiento con abacavir entre 2000 y 2007. Se retiró el tratamiento por reacción de hipersensibilidad a 39 pacientes (12,1 %); 9 (23,1 %) de ellos resultaron HLA-B*5701 positivo; 8 pacientes manifestaron exantema y únicamente se observó positividad en un paciente con síntomas gastrointestinales y fiebre. Conclusiones: La realización del test genético HLA-B*5701 podría ser favorable para la práctica clínica habitual, ya que evita errores en el diagnóstico de la reacción de hipersensibilidad y permite interpretar los síntomas con más seguridad (AU)

Introduction: Hypersensitivity reaction to abacavir (a powerful inverse transcriptase inhibitor) is a serious adverse effect that limits its use in antiretroviral treatment and requires a high level of clinical surveillance. Certain haplotypes of the primary histocompatibility complex proteins (HLA-B*5701) are very significant predictors of the risk of hypersensitivity to this drug. The purpose of this study is to identify the cases where a probable hypersensitivity reaction to abacavir presented the HLA-B*5701 allele. Method: A retrospective study was conducted in all HIV-1 positive adult patients infected treated with abacavir between January 2000 and December 2007, in Department 6 of the Agencia Valenciana de Salud (Valencia Health Agency). The adverse effects developed by the patients were collected to determine which cases presented a probable clinically diagnosed hypersensitivity reaction. Finally, these 39 patients were screened for HLA-B*5701. Results: In total, 323 patients were treated with abacavir between 2000 and 2007. The treatment was discontinued in 12.1 % (n = 39 patients) presenting a hypersensitivity reaction. Nine (23.1 %) of these were HLA-B*5701 positive. Eight patients presented skin rash and positivity was observed in only single patient with gastrointestinal symptoms and fever. Conclusions: The administration of the HLA-B*5701 gene test may be of benefit in clinical practice, because it prevents diagnostic errors of the hypersensitivity reaction and enables more accurate interpretation of the symptoms (AU)

[Results of a medication reconciliation project in routine medical treatment after surgical discharge]. / Resultados de un proyecto de control y adecuación del tratamiento médico habitual tras el alta quirúrgica.

OBJECTIVE: To reduce the number of medication-related problems by ensuring reconciliation between ambulatory treatment and surgical prescription and to increase patients' understanding of drug therapy and treatment adherence. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Information on ambulatory medication was obtained through a personal interview and a review of the patient's personal and pharmacotherapeutic history. A dossier was created that included detailed information on each medication and a chronopictogram with all doses. On the day of discharge, a second interview with the patient was performed in which information was obtained orally and in writing about all treatment. The process was evaluated through a satisfaction questionnaire. Two weeks after discharge a telephone interview was carried out to detect post-discharge medication-related problems. RESULTS: During the study period (April-December 2006) 544 patients were included. There were 658 pharmaceutical interventions: 87% educational, 8% safety, 5% efficiency. A total of 346 satisfaction questionnaires were properly completed (63% of those distributed). Responses to questionnaires were evaluated from 0 (completely dissatisfied) to 5 (highly satisfied). Interest in the information received was scored 4.75, understanding of the information 4.67, and satisfaction with the intervention 4.59. CONCLUSIONS: Including the pharmacist in the surgical team ensures reconciliation between ambulatory treatment and surgical prescription and reduces medication errors. Providing information to patients about their medication at discharge increases their understanding of drug treatment and adherence.

Resultados de un proyecto de control y adecuación del tratamiento médico habitual tras el alta quirúrgica / Results of a medication reconciliation project in routine medical treatment after surgical discharge

Objetivos. Reducir el número de problemas relacionados con la medicación asegurando la conciliación del tratamiento. Aumentar la comprensión y el cumplimiento del tratamiento del paciente. Material y método. Se obtiene la medicación ambulatoria del paciente mediante una entrevista personal y la revisión de su historia clínica y farmacoterapéutica. Se elabora un dossier que incluye información detallada de cada medicamento y un cronopictograma con las pautas posológicas. El día del alta se realiza una segunda entrevista con el paciente, donde se le informa oralmente y por escrito sobre todo su tratamiento. El proceso se valora mediante un cuestionario de satisfacción. A las 2 semanas del alta se realiza una encuesta telefónica para detectar problemas relacionados con la medicación posteriores al alta hospitalaria. Resultados. Durante el período de estudio (abril-diciembre de 2006) se incluyó a 544 pacientes. Se realizaron 658 intervenciones farmacéuticas; el 87%, educativas; el 5%, de eficacia, y el 8%, de seguridad. Se recuperaron 346 cuestionarios de satisfacción debidamente cumplimentados (el 63% de los repartidos). Las respuestas del cuestionario se puntúan de 0 (nada satisfecho) a 5 (muy satisfecho). Interés por la información recibida, 4,75; grado de comprensión de la información, 4,67; satisfacción con la intervención, 4,59. Conclusiones. La inclusión del farmacéutico en el equipo quirúrgico asegura la conciliación entre el tratamiento ambulatorio del paciente y el prescrito por el cirujano y disminuye los errores de medicación. Proporcionar información al paciente sobre su medicación en el momento del alta aumenta su comprensión del tratamiento farmacológico y su cumplimiento (AU)

Objective. To reduce the number of medication-related problems by ensuring reconciliation between ambulatory treatment and surgical prescription and to increase patients' understanding of drug therapy and treatment adherence. Material and method. Information on ambulatory medication was obtained through a personal interview and a review of the patient's personal and pharmacotherapeutic history. A dossier was created that included detailed information on each medication and a chronopictogram with all doses. On the day of discharge, a second interview with the patient was performed in which information was obtained orally and in writing about all treatment. The process was evaluated through a satisfaction questionnaire. Two weeks after discharge a telephone interview was carried out to detect post-discharge medication-related problems. Results. During the study period (April-December 2006) 544 patients were included. There were 658 pharmaceutical interventions: 87% educational, 8% safety, 5% efficiency. A total of 346 satisfaction questionnaires were properly completed (63% of those distributed). Responses to questionnaires were evaluated from 0 (completely dissatisfied) to 5 (highly satisfied). Interest in the information received was scored 4.75, understanding of the information 4.67, and satisfaction with the intervention 4.59. Conclusions. Including the pharmacist in the surgical team ensures reconciliation between ambulatory treatment and surgical prescription and reduces medication errors. Providing information to patients about their medication at discharge increases their understanding of drug treatment and adherence (AU)

Efficacy and safety of ivermectin and thiabendazole in the treatment of strongyloidiasis.

Treatment of strongyloidiasis has been traditionally based on thiabendazole, despite its frequent gastrointestinal side effects and failure to achieve eradication of the parasite from faeces in approximately 30% of cases. Ivermectin has been shown to be more effective for treating chronic uncomplicated strongyloidiasis. The efficacy and tolerability of these drugs in a series of patients treated from 1999 to 2002 at the Oliva Health Centre, Valencia, Spain, are reported. A total of 88 patients diagnosed of strongyloidiasis were treated using the following regimens: thiabendazole 25 mg/kg/12 h for 3 consecutive days in 31 patients; ivermectin 200 mug/kg as a single dose in 22 patients; and ivermectin 200 mug/kg for 2 consecutive days in 35 patients. The efficacy and side effects were recorded. A total of 65 patients were male, and 23 female. The mean age was 64 +/- 12 years. Of the patients, 44 had worked barefoot in rice fields. Among the 31 patients treated with thiabendazole, 25 (78%) met the criteria for cure (the absence of parasite in faeces after examination of three samples collected on alternate days), and 5 (16%) experienced side effects (asthenia, epigastralgia and disorientation). Of the 22 patients treated with ivermectin on a single day, 17 (77%) met the criteria for cure, and 2 (9%) reported side effects (dizziness, dyspepsia). Among the 35 patients treated with ivermectin on 2 consecutive days, 100% met the criteria for cure, and 0% experienced side effects. In chronic uncomplicated strongyloidiasis, a treatment regimen consisting of ivermectin 200 mug/kg for 2 consecutive days provided the best results with regard to efficacy and tolerability. When the eosinophilia continued after treatment, we observed a high percentage of not-cure rate (7 of 9 patients, 77%).

Analgesic use for postoperative pain: differences arise when comparing departments of surgery.

PURPOSE: The goal of the study is to analyse whether the analgesic therapy of postoperative pain during the first 2 days after surgery differs among the different surgical departments. METHODS: Patients were randomly chosen from among all those who underwent elective surgery. Characteristics of analgesic treatment (drug, dosage, schedule) and pain intensity were determined at the postoperative anaesthetic care unit and in the first and second postoperative days on the ward. All comparisons were carried out by surgical departments. RESULTS: Six hundred and twenty-three patients from six surgical departments were studied. Analgesic treatment orders varied greatly among the different departments, and these differences were statistically significant regarding number of drugs, type of drugs, analgesic schedule, and completeness of medical orders. Some differences were also observed regarding drug dosage. Patients from gynaecology and obstetrics, traumatology and orthopaedics and general surgery reported the most severe pain. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment of postoperative pain differs among the surgical departments, especially regarding analgesic schedules and completeness of analgesic orders. Analgesic therapy may often be based more on customary habits than on the patients' pain intensity.