Lessons from COVID-19 for future disasters: an opinion paper / Lecciones de la COVID-19 para futuras catástrofes: un documento de opinión

A “Pandemic/Disaster Law” is needed to condense and organize the current dispersed and multiple legislation. The State must exercise a single power and command appropriate to each situation, with national validity. The production of plans for the use of land and real estate as potential centers for health care, shelter or refuge is recommended. There should be specific disaster plans at least for Primary Health Care, Hospitals and Socio-sanitary Centers. The guarantee of the maintenance of communication and supply routes is essential, as well as the guarantee of the autochthonous production of basic goods. The pandemic has highlighted the need to redefine the training plans for physicians who, in their different specialties, have to undertake reforms that allow a more versatile and transversal training. National research must have plans to be able to respond quickly to questions posed by the various crises, using all the nation’s resources and in particular, all the data and capabilities of the health sector. Contingency plans must consider ethical aspects, and meet the needs of patients and families with a humanized approach. In circumstances of catastrophe, conflicts increase and require a bioethical response that allows the best decisions to be made, with the utmost respect for people’s values. Rapid, efficient and truthful communication systems must be contained in a special project for this sector in critic circumstances. Finally, we believe that the creation of National Coordination Centers for major disasters and Public Health can contribute to better face the crises of the future. (AU)

Es necesaria una “Ley de Pandemias/catástrofes” que condense y ordene la dispersa y múltiple legislación actual. El Estado tiene que ejercer un poder y mando único adecuado a cada situación, con vigencia nacional. Se recomienda la confección de planes de utilización de suelo e inmuebles como centros potenciales de asistencia sanitaria, refugio o albergue. Deberán existir planes de catástrofes específicos al menos para la Atención Primaria, Atención Hospitalaria y Centros Sociosanitarios. La garantía del mantenimiento de las vías de comunicación y abastecimiento es esencial, así como la garantía de producción autóctona de materias de primera necesidad. La pandemia ha puesto de manifiesto la necesidad de redefinir los planes de formación de los médicos que en sus distintas especialidades tienen que asumir reformas que permitan un entrenamiento más versátil y transversal. La investigación nacional debe tener planes para poder responder con rapidez a preguntas que planteen las distintas crisis, utilizando para ello, todos los recursos de la nación y en particular todos los datos y capacidades del sector sanitario. Los planes de contingencia deben considerar los aspectos éticos, y cubrir las necesidades de pacientes y familias con un enfoque humanizado. En circunstancias de catástrofe aumentan los conflictos que requieren una respuesta bioética que permita tomar las mejores decisiones, con el máximo respeto a los valores de las personas. La comunicación, rápida, eficiente y veraz debe estar contenida en un proyecto especial para este sector en circunstancias de crisis. Pensamos finalmente que la creación de un Centro coordinador nacional de grandes catástrofes y Salud Pública puede contribuir a enfrentarnos mejor a las crisis del futuro. (AU)

Achieving quadruple aim goals through clinical networks: A systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Clinical Networks are complex interventions that enable healthcare professionals from various disciplines to work in a coordinated manner in the context of multiple care settings, to provide a high quality response to a specific disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate if clinical networks are able to improve effectiveness, efficiency, patients' satisfaction and professionals' behavior in the health care settings, namely the "quadruple aim" quality goals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic review of documents published until February 28, 2018, in Medline, Embase and CINAHL was performed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses approach. A specific research strategy was created to identify studies evaluating effectiveness, efficiency, patient satisfaction and professionals well-being obtained through clinical networks implementation. RESULTS: 14249 studies were identified; 12 of these were eligible to the evaluation of "Quadruple Aim" outcomes. 9 studies focused on patients' outcomes improvement and 4 on network efficiency. Professionals' and patients' experience were not considered in any study. CONCLUSIONS: There are some evidences that clinical network can improve patients' outcomes and health funds allocation in a small number of moderate-low quality studies. Further rigorous studies are needed to confirm these findings and to evaluate patients' and professionals' experience, taking into account also networks' structural features that could influence outcomes achievement.

[Asymmetries in the hospital treatment of acute ischemic stroke]. / Asimetrías en el tratamiento hospitalario del ictus isquémico en fase aguda.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the degree of implementation of the protocolized care for acute stroke in the Spanish emergency departments and to discuss the territorial differences in the treatment of stroke. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Multicenter national survey conducted to evaluate the current treatment of ischemic stroke in emergency departments. The main variables analyzed were focused at evaluating the participation of ERs in the performance of thrombolysis, interventional treatment and destination of patients with stroke. RESULTS: 42 emergency services participated. 90.5% have stroke protocol. In 52.4% is identified an emergency physician referent in cerebrovascular pathology. In 2016 2090 thrombolysis were performed, we observe a great variability in the number of treatments per hospital [0-222]. 11.9% were admitted in the Observation area. Only one-third of the hospitals currently treat stroke with thrombectomy. 31% have a telemedicine service available. CONCLUSIONS: Urgencies plays a fundamental role in the chain of care of stroke treatment. There is a worrying variability between centers in the management of the stroke.

Evaluation of the implementation of an integrated program for musculoskeletal system care. / Evaluación de la implementación de un programa integrado de atención a las enfermedades del aparato locomotor.

INTRODUCTION: The chronic nature of musculoskeletal diseases requires an integrated care which involves the Primary Care and the specialities of Rheumatology, Traumatology and Rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to assess the implementation of an integrated organizational model in osteoporosis, low back pain, shoulder disease and knee disease using Deming's continuous improvement process and considering referrals and resource consumption. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A simulation model was used in the planning to predict the evolution of musculoskeletal diseases resource consumption and to carry out a Budget Impact Analysis from 2012 to 2020 in the Goierri-Alto Urola region. In the checking stage the status of the process in 2014 was evaluated using statistical analysis to check the degree of achievement of the objectives for each speciality. RESULTS: Simulation models showed that population with musculoskeletal disease in Goierri-Alto Urola will increase a 4.4% by 2020. Because of that, the expenses for a conventional healthcare system will have increased a 5.9%. However, if the intervention reaches its objectives the budget would decrease an 8.5%. The statistical analysis evidenced a decline in referrals to Traumatology service and a reduction of successive consultations in all specialities. DISCUSSION: The implementation of the integrated organizational model in osteoporosis, low back pain, shoulder disease and knee disease is still at an early stage. However, the empowerment of Primary Care improved patient referrals and reduced the costs.

[Integrated Management Area of Vascular Risk: A new organisational model for global control of risk factors]. / Área de Atención Integrada de Riesgo Vascular: un nuevo modelo organizativo para el control global de los factores de riesgo.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD), is a major cause of morbidity and mortality that increases the cost of care. Currently there is a low degree of control of the main cardiovascular risk factors, although we have a good therapeutic arsenal. To achieve the improvement of this reality, a good coordination and multidisciplinary participation are essential. The development of new organizational models such as the Integrated Management Area of Vascular Risk can facilitate the therapeutic harmonization and unification of the health messages offered by different levels of care, based on clinical practice guidelines, in order to provide patient-centred integrated care.

Una mirada sobre la atención psicomotriz en los servicios de salud pública / A look at psychomotricity care in public health services / Um olhar sobre os cuidados psicomotrizes nos serviços de saúde pública

En las Instituciones de salud pública de la provincia de Córdoba se observa una participación asimétrica entre las profesiones médicas y otras profesiones como la psicomotricidad. Realidad que se detecta en los centros de atención pública de la ciudad de Río Cuarto. Se reflexiona críticamente acerca de la definición de los procesos de salud-enfermedad confrontando los actuales paradigmas vigentes y la teoría Psicomotríz e indagando las formas en que se concibe la inclusión de la disciplina en las políticas públicas y legislaciones vigentes provinciales. La investigación se desarrolló a través de un trabajo de campo para conocer las opiniones y valoraciones respecto de la atención de la salud, la psicomotricidad y su marco legal en un procedimiento de encuestas y entrevistas a los actores sociales de la salud, entre ellos, médicos y funcionarios locales. Se percibe que la conformación de los equipos de salud es incompleta, existiendo una parcialidad profesional que sigue prioritariamente constituida por las ciencias médicas. La intención de este análisis es poner en contraste el saber médico y el saber psicomotor para instalar espacios de reflexión que motiven posibles transformaciones necesarias para atender la recuperación, la prevención y la promoción de la salud.

At public health institutions in the province of Cordoba, we can observe an asymmetric participation between medical professions and other professions such as psychomotricity. This reality is observed in public health care centers in the city of Rio Cuarto. We critically think about the definition of the health-illness processes, comparing the current paradigms and Psychmotricity theory and asking about the ways in which the inclusion of this discipline is understood in the provincial public policies and in the legislation in force. The research was carried out through field work to get to know the opinion and assessment regarding health care and psychomotricity care and its legal framework by means of surveys and interviews to health social actors: doctors and local civil servants, among others. It is observed that the constitution of the health teams is incomplete; there exists professional bias which is still priorly constituted by the medical sciences. The intention of our analysis is to contrast medical knowledge and psychomotricity knowledge to set up reflection spaces which will allow the necessary transformations to take care of health recovery, prevention and promotion.

Percebe-se nas instituições de saúde pública da província de Córdoba uma participa- ção assimétrica entre as profissões médicas e outras profissões, como a psicomotricidade. Trata-se de uma realidade que é detectada em centros de saúde públicos da cidade de Rio Cuarto. Reflete-se criticamente sobre a definição dos processos de saúde- doença que confrontando os atuais paradigmas existentes e a teoria Psicomotriz e investigando as formas em que a inclusão da disciplina nas políticas públicas e legislações provinciais é concebida. A pesquisa foi realizada por meio de um trabalho no local analisado para conhecer as opiniões e conceitos sobre cuidados de saúde, a psicomotricidade e seu quadro legal em um processo de enquêtes e entrevistas com as atores sociais da saúde, dentre eles, os médicos e autoridades locais da saúde. Percebe-se que a formação de equipes de saúde é incompleta, existindo um perfil profissional que ainda é essencialmente constituído por profissionais das ciências médicas. A intenção desta análise é contrastar o conhecimento médico e o saber psicomotor para instalar espaços de reflexão que incentivem as mudan- ças necessárias para enfrentar a possível recuperação, prevenção e promoção da saúde.

[Design and validation of the CSR-Hospital-SP scale to measure corporate social responsibility]. / Diseño y validación de la escala RSC-HospitalES para medir responsabilidad social corporativa.

OBJECTIVE: To design and validate a scale (CSR-Hospital-SP) to determine health professionals' views on the approach of management to corporate social responsibility (CSR) in their hospital. METHODS: The literature was reviewed to identify the main CSR scales and select the dimensions to be evaluated. The initial version of the scale consisted of 25 items. A convenience sample of a minimum of 224 health professionals working in five public hospitals in five autonomous regions were invited to respond. Floor and ceiling effects, internal consistency, reliability, and construct validity were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 233 health professionals responded. The CSR-Hospital-SP scale had 20 items grouped into four factors. The item-total correlation was higher than 0.30; all factor loadings were greater than 0.50; 59.57% of the variance was explained; Cronbach's alpha was 0.90; Spearman-Brown's coefficient was 0.82. CONCLUSION: The CSR-Hospital-SP scale is a tool designed for hospitals that implement accountability mechanisms and promote socially responsible management approaches.

Organización y financiamiento del sistema de salud en la Argentina / The Argentine Health System: Organization and financial features

El sistema de salud argentino se caracteriza por los siguientes rasgos: a) la organización federal del país, donde las provincias se encargan de administrar salud y educación; b) coexistencia de servicios públicos y privados, tanto ambulatorios como de internación; c) entidades fragmentadas de seguridad social, en su mayoría de origen extra-estatal. Se describen y se calculan los componentes del sistema; se analiza la distribución del poder de decisión entre la autoridad sanitaria nacional y las provinciales y se comparan con la organización de otros países. Se muestran datos estadísticos sobre distribución del gasto en salud y cobertura de servicios en la población. Asimismo se presentan flujos financieros entre las diversas fuentes de recursos, aseguradores, prestadores y los usuarios de cada sector.

The Argentine health system is defined by the following features: a) federal country organization; b) coexistence of public and private services with either outpatients or inpatients; c) fragmented entities of social security, most of these originated outside of the state organization. Components of the system are described and weighed; making decisions strength between national and provincial health authorities is analyzed and the Argentine system is compared with that of other countries. Statistical data on distribution of health expenditures and coverage of health services are presented as well as financial flow among diverse funding sources, insurers, providers and users of each sector.

Organización y financiamiento del sistema de salud en la Argentina / The Argentine Health System: Organization and financial features

El sistema de salud argentino se caracteriza por los siguientes rasgos: a) la organización federal del país, donde las provincias se encargan de administrar salud y educación; b) coexistencia de servicios públicos y privados, tanto ambulatorios como de internación; c) entidades fragmentadas de seguridad social, en su mayoría de origen extra-estatal. Se describen y se calculan los componentes del sistema; se analiza la distribución del poder de decisión entre la autoridad sanitaria nacional y las provinciales y se comparan con la organización de otros países. Se muestran datos estadísticos sobre distribución del gasto en salud y cobertura de servicios en la población. Asimismo se presentan flujos financieros entre las diversas fuentes de recursos, aseguradores, prestadores y los usuarios de cada sector.(AU)

The Argentine health system is defined by the following features: a) federal country organization; b) coexistence of public and private services with either outpatients or inpatients; c) fragmented entities of social security, most of these originated outside of the state organization. Components of the system are described and weighed; making decisions strength between national and provincial health authorities is analyzed and the Argentine system is compared with that of other countries. Statistical data on distribution of health expenditures and coverage of health services are presented as well as financial flow among diverse funding sources, insurers, providers and users of each sector.(AU)

Cómo evitar quemarse (o padecer el síndrome de burnout) en un servicio de cirugía general / How to avoid burnout syndrome in a general surgical service

El síndrome de burnout puede afectar a más de 50 % de los médicos y se caracteriza por sentimiento de vacío y actitudes negativas hacia el trabajo y la vida. La actividad laboral de los cirujanos presenta factores causales específicos que determinan que el profesional pueda padecer esta enfermedad, con la consiguiente repercusión sociolaboral y para el resto del servicio. Estos factores pueden ser externos, ligados a la organización sanitaria, o internos, que dependen de la actividad laboral del cirujano en el hospital. En este trabajo se analizan dichos factores causales de burnout y se proponen algunas estrategias de afrontamiento para mejorar la salud de los profesionales.

Burnout syndrome may affect >50% of physicians and is characterized by feelings of emptiness and negative attitudes towards work and life. The work of surgeons presented some specific causal factors that determine that the physician (as a professional) can "burn out" and suffer from this disease with the consequent social/laborial impact, affecting also the rest of the surgical service. These may include external factors linked to the health organization or to internal factors that are directly dependent on the type of work performed by the hospital surgeon. This study analyzes these causal factors of burnout and offers some simple coping strategies in order to improve the health of professionals.

Aspecto médico social del Plan General de Trabajos Públicos Trienio 1947-1948 de la Provincia de Buenos Aires / Medical social aspect of the General Plan of Public Works Triennium 1947-1948 of the Province of Buenos Aires

"En nuestro carácter de Ministro de Salud Pública y Asistencia Social de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, y de Jefe de Estadística , hemos interpretado que el presente trabajo constituye una información de interés general dado que contempla el problema de !a Sanidad en el aspecto asistencial hospitalario visto desde el organismo encargado de dirigirla. El Plan General de Trabajos Públicos, prevísto en la Ley 5142, promul­gada con fecha 22 de agosto de 1947 para su ejecución en el lapso comprendido en el trienio 1947-49, abarca la realización de obras específicas con el fin inmediato de satisfacer necesidades urgentes que contribuyen a mejorar las posibilidades ambientales para el desenvolvimiento de una vida superior, tal como el pueblo bonaerense merece. La concepción del plan, que en capítulos posteriores será desarrollado responde a sentidas necesidades puestas de manifiesto en las distintas zonas y es un verdadero trabajo de síntesis por todos los organismos técnicos que constituyen el engranaje de la administración pública provincial, tratando de satisfacer, en primer término, aquellas que per­miten acrecentar el poderío, no solamente económico, sino también la riqueza espiritual, forjada sobre sus habitantes poseedores de una inquebrantable salud física, sólido punto de partida para la apreciación del "capital humano, que tiene el privilegio de ser el que impulsa las distintas manifestaciones de la riqueza y la base donde se cimenta el poderío económico-social de un pueblo". Se propone en este plan el "aumento del número de establecimientos asistenciales, ampliación y mejor do­tación de los que actualmente se encuentran en funcionamiento mediante una buena distribución racional en todo el territorio de la provincia como así también la coordinación con aquellos nosocomios que se hallan fuera de la órbita del Ministerio a efectos de disponer de una red sanitaria provincial correctamente planificada"