Pilot study to validate a standard operating procedure for providing health education to diabetic patients.

Introduction: The lack of standard operating procedures (SOPs) to provide health education to patients with diabetes means that this service is provided in a heterogeneous, isolated and intermittent manner, thus limiting quality. Objective: To validate a SOP to provide health education to diabetic patients using Delphi methodology and determining its efficacy in clinical practice by performing a pilot study. Methods: The SOP was designed from a theoretical analysis of the available literature; a participatory brainstorming technique was used to define the processes included in the SOP. The research was carried out at the Comprehensive Pharmaceutical Care Polyclinic of a Mexican Institute of Health Sciences, from August 2017 to March 2020. The pilot test was carried out on 15 outpatients with diabetes type 1 and 2. The validation was carried out by a panel of experts using Delphi methodology, the consensus among the experts was estimated by determining Kendall's coefficient of concordance. The practice clinical efficacy of the SOP was determined by a pilot study in 15 diabetic patients using process indicators. Results: The SOP was structured in nine sections with the process approach described in the ISO 9001:2008 standards. The criteria issued by the experts relating to content, records and data extraction tools allowed improvement of the SOP. The pilot test showed that health education, following the SOP, improved metabolic control, level of knowledge, therapeutic adherence and the attitudes of more than 80% of patients. Conclusions: The SOP designed and validated by experts was effective in educating patients with diabetes due to the high impact achieved with the intervention and incorporates indicators to guarantee the quality of the health service provided.

Development of a comprehensive Percutaneous Dilatational Tracheostomy process model for procedural training: A Delphi-based experts consensus.

BACKGROUND: Deconstructing a complex procedure improves skills learning, but no model has covered all relevant Percutaneous Dilatational Tracheostomy (PDT) procedural aspects. Moreover, the heterogeneity of techniques described may hinder trainees' competency acquisition. Our objective was to develop a PDT model for procedural training that includes a comprehensive step-by-step design. METHODS: Procedural descriptions were retrieved after a structured search in medical databases. Activities were extracted and the adherence to McKinley's dimensions of procedural competence was analyzed. We developed a comprehensive PDT model, which was further validated through a Delphi-based consensus of Spanish-speaking international experts. RESULTS: The 14 descriptions retrieved for analysis presented a median [interquartile range] of 18 [11-22] steps, covering 3 [2-4] of McKinley's dimensions. The Delphi panel's first model included all McKinley's dimensions, and was answered by 25 experts from nine countries, ending in the second round. The final model included 59 activities divided into six stages (51 from the initial model and eight proposed by experts) and performed by two operators (bronchoscopy and tracheostomy). CONCLUSIONS: We have presented a PDT model that includes necessary competence dimensions to be considered complete. The model was validated by an experts' consensus, allowing to improve procedural training to promote safer patient care.

Consenso para la apertura y cierre de laparotomía media supra-infraumbilical utilizando metodología Delphi / Midline laparotomy technique consensus using the Delphi method

INTRODUCCIÓN: Una de las vías de acceso a la cavidad abdominal es la laparotomía media, siendo uno de los riesgos más temidos las complicaciones postoperatorias, las cuales pueden disminuirse con difusión de una adecuada técnica quirúrgica. OBJETIVO: Generar un consenso de expertos con pasos clave para realizar una laparotomía media supra-infraumbilical, a través de la metodología Delphi. MATERIALES Y MÉTODO: Por medio de una revisión de la literatura se extrajo el detalle de 37 pasos considerados en el procedimiento, organizado en secciones de preparación, apertura y cierre, siendo evaluados por un grupo de cirujanos de 7 hospitales docentes de Chile, mediante una encuesta online. RESULTADOS: El consenso se alcanzó en dos rondas, con 28 de los 37 pasos extraídos de la literatura, considerados importantes o muy importantes para la enseñanza de la técnica. Discusión: De los 28 pasos identificados como importantes, existe un alto grado de acuerdo para la preparación y apertura de una laparotomía, a diferencia del cierre en el cual no se observa una preferencia clara entre el cierre en una o varias capas entre el peritoneo y la fascia, debiendo analizarse en cada caso específico. CONCLUSIÓN: La identificación de 28 pasos estandarizados constituye un aporte en los programas de formación de residentes y en el desarrollo de modelos de simulación adecuados para la replicación del procedimiento. El aprendizaje correcto de la técnica basado en evidencia es fundamental para disminuir el riesgo de complicaciones asociadas, especialmente en el postoperatorio.

INTRODUCTION: Traditionally, the main surgical technique to access the abdominal cavity has been midline incision laparotomy, being postoperative complications a main concern. Proper teaching-learning methods could help improving the success of this procedure. AIM: Establish an expert's consensus throughout the Delphi Methodology regarding the main steps that need to be considered in a midline laparotomy. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Literature review was conducted, 37 steps were identified and grouped in 3 sections; preparation of the skin, opening incision, and closure. These steps were evaluated online by surgeons of 7 teaching hospitals in Chile. RESULTS: Consensus was reached in two rounds, 28 of the 37 steps were identified as important or very important for the procedure. DISCUSSION: There is a high level of agreement in steps related to preparation of the skin and opening incision. However, there is not a consensus regarding closure of the peritoneum and fascia in one or more layers, being a case to case decision. CONCLUSIONS: Establishment of 28 standardized steps constitutes a contribution to resident teaching programs and the development of simulation materials as an active learning strategy. Satisfactory learning outcomes have a direct impact in the success of the procedure and a lower rate of complications.

Content design and validation of a Standard Operating Procedure to provide pharmacotherapy follow-up for the elderly in Cuba

ABSTRACT Incorporating methodological tools that allow uniform and standardized development from the clinical pharmacy services to the Pharmaceutical Care practice, is nowadays a necessity. Considering the importance of pharmaceutical care provision to elderly patients, this manuscript introduces the design and content validation of a standard operating procedure to provide pharmacotherapy follow-up to the elderly in nursing homes in Cuba. The procedure was designed based on a deep analysis of documents relative to experiences focused on holistic care to elderly patients, criteria for the identification and assessment of potentially inappropriate prescriptions and the relationship between functional geriatric evaluation and the use of drugs. The content validation was conducted by a panel of experts, using the Delphi methodology, through two working sessions. In addition, we used Likert-type scale to evaluate the procedure by experts, in line with the indicators described. In general, the criteria issued by the experts were very appropriate and allowed us to modify, add or keep several elements of the instrument for the final version. The findings demonstrated that the instrument can be used at any level of health care.

Vigilância da Qualidade da Água para Consumo Humano: avaliando o grau de implementação das ações / Surveillance of drinking-water quality: assessing the degree of implementation of actions

O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a implementação do Sistema de Vigilância da Qualidade da Água para Consumo Humano (VQACH), na Colômbia. O estudo foi realizado mediante a metodologia de avaliação da implementação, integrando avaliação normativa e pesquisa de avaliação. Para a avaliação foi desenvolvida metodologia Delphi, permitindo definir uma matriz avaliativa, composta por 14 atributos e 62 critérios, e a construção de um sistema de escores e parâmetros, que possibilitou a avaliação de cada um dos critérios definidos. A coleta de dados envolveu a realização de entrevistas semiestruturadas com atores institucionais de 39 unidades territoriais. A avaliação mostrou que o sistema de VQACH está parcialmente implementado, com diferentes estados de implementação nas unidades territoriais. O sistema mostra um fortalecimento nas ações relacionadas com produção de dados sobre as condições da qualidade da água, com ausência de ações que permitam o aproveitamento desses dados para o melhoramento da qualidade de água, e de ações de VQACH na perspectiva de promoção da saúde. Foram identificadas algumas limitações conceituais nas legislações, o que afeta o cumprimento da universalidade das ações de VQACH.

This study aims to evaluate the Drinking-Water Quality Surveillance Programme (DWQS) implemented in Colombia. The study was conducted using methodology for assessing the implementation, integrating a normative assessment and evaluation research. For this assessment, Delphi methodology was developed that allowed the definition of an evaluation matrix, composed of 14 attributes and 62 criteria, as well as the building of a score system and parameters that permitted the evaluation of each of the defined criteria. Data collection involved conducting semi-structured interviews with institutional actors from 39 territorial units. The system evaluation showed that the DWQS in Colombia is partially implemented, with different stages of implementation in territorial units. The system showed a strengthening in actions related to data production on the aspect for improving water quality and DWQS actions from the standpoint of health promotion. However, some conceptual limitations were identified in terms of legislation thereby affecting the fulfilment of the universality of DWQS actions.