Competências gerenciais: conhecimento de enfermeiros / Managerial competencies: knowledge of nurses / Competencias de gestión: conocimiento de las enfermeras

Introdução: A enfermagem é considerada uma das ocupações mais versáteis dentro da força de trabalho de saúde. A gestão dos serviços de enfermagem é essencial para o sucesso da instituição de saúde e para a qualidade e segurança da assistência ao paciente. O enfermeiro gestor precisa ser apto a trabalhar e conduzir com cooperação e dinamismo a sua equipe, com respaldo em conhecimento técnico e valores éticos. Objetivo: Investigar o conhecimento dos enfermeiros quanto às competências gerenciais. Método: Estudo descritivo, exploratório, de abordagem qualitativa, realizado com enfermeiros, de um hospital universitário de pequeno porte, situado na região noroeste do estado do Paraná. As entrevistas foram pautadas na seguinte questão norteadora "Fale-me sobre as competências gerenciais executadas pelo enfermeiro?", após coleta dos dados, os mesmos foram transcritos e analisados segundo análise de conteúdo de Bardin. Resultados: Participaram do estudo sete enfermeiros, com idades entre 22 a 35 anos, a maioria desses profissionais terminaram a graduação em menos de três anos e atuavam naquela unidade de saúde, há menos de menos de um ano. A partir da análise das entrevistas emergiram três categorias, sendo elas: Habilidades para gestão; Dificuldades para gerenciar; e, Potencialidades/Facilidades para gerenciar. Principais resultados: por meio deste estudo foi possível notar que as percepções acerca das atribuições dos enfermeiros foram bem esclarecidas, demonstrando que a gerência está ligada às questões técnicas e burocráticas, e da sua relevância na condução eficiente da equipe sob sua liderança. Conclusão: Observa-se que há a necessidade de os profissionais de enfermagem compreenderem que a formação teórica e prática das atividades de educação continuada devem ser buscadas com afinco e não devem somente aguardar que os serviços de saúde as ofereçam.

Objective: To investigate nurses' knowledge of managerial skills. Method: Descriptive, exploratory study, with a qualitative approach, carried out with nurses from a small university hospital, located in the northwest region of the state of Paraná. The interviews were guided by the following guiding question "Tell me about the managerial competences performed by the nurse?", after collecting the data, they were transcribed and analyzed according to Bardin's content analysis. Results: Seven nurses participated in the study, aged between 22 and 35 years, most of these professionals finished their graduation in less than three years and worked in that health unit for less than less than a year. From the analysis of the interviews, three categories emerged, namely: Management skills; Difficulties to manage; and, Potential/Facilities to manage. Main results: through this study, it was possible to notice that the perceptions about the nurses' attributions were well clarified, demonstrating that the management is linked to technical and bureaucratic issues, and their relevance in the efficient management of the team under their leadership. Conclusion: It is observed that there is a need for nursing professionals to understand that the theoretical and practical training of continuing education activities should be pursued diligently and should not just wait for the health services to offer them.

Introducción: La enfermería se considera una de las ocupaciones más versátiles dentro del personal sanitario. La gestión de los servicios de enfermería es esencial para el éxito de la institución sanitaria y para la calidad y seguridad de la atención al paciente. El enfermero gestor debe ser capaz de trabajar y dirigir a su equipo con cooperación y dinamismo, apoyándose en conocimientos técnicos y valores éticos. Objetivo: Investigar los conocimientos de las enfermeras sobre las competencias de gestión. Método: Estudio descriptivo, exploratorio, de abordaje cualitativo, realizado con enfermeros, de un hospital universitario de pequeño porte, situado en la región noroeste del estado de Paraná. Las entrevistas se basaron en la siguiente pregunta orientadora: "Háblame de las competencias directivas que desempeñan las enfermeras". Tras la recogida de datos, se transcribieron y analizaron según el análisis de contenido de Bardin. Resultados: Participaron en el estudio siete enfermeros, con edades comprendidas entre los 22 y los 35 años, la mayoría de estos profesionales terminaron el grado en menos de tres años y permanecieron en la unidad de salud, por lo menos un año. Del análisis de las entrevistas surgieron tres categorías, a saber Habilidades para la gestión; Dificultades para la gestión; y, Potencialidades/Facilidades para la gestión. Principales resultados: a través de este estudio se ha podido constatar que las percepciones sobre las atribuciones de los enfermeros se han esclarecido, demostrando que la gerencia está ligada a las cuestiones técnicas y brocráticas, y a su relevancia en la conducción eficiente del equipo bajo su liderazgo. Conclusión: Se observa que existe la necesidad de que los profesionales de la enfermería comprendan que la formación teórica y práctica de las actividades de educación continuada debe ser buscada con afán y no debe aguantar que los servicios de salud los ofrezcan.

Consultorio de Salud Ambiental en un Hospital Privado de Comunidad de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires / Environmental Health consulting office in a Private Community Hospital of the Buenos Aires City

En los últimos años surge el concepto de Una Sola Salud que reconoce la interdependencia sistémica al observar que los cambios en la salud humana se expresan de manera sincrónica e indivisible de la salud del ambiente. Nuevas enfermedades y daños crónicos inespecíficos ocurren a la par de la pérdida de biodiversidad y vitalidad. En las últimas décadas venimos observando el surgimiento de "adaptaciones sistémicas" que requieren un abordaje desde la clínica y la toxicología a nivel individual y desde la epidemiología de la complejidad a nivel poblacional. Luego de un largo recorrido de investigaciones, el Hospital Italiano formalizó el consultorio de Salud Ambiental con la intención de brindar respuesta a la demanda de pacientes que atribuyen síntomas y signos a la polución ambiental. (AU)

In recent years, the concept of One Health has emerged, recognizing the systemic interdependence and the changes in human health that are expressed synchronously and indivisible from the environment. New diseases and nonspecific chronic damage are occuring in parallel with the loss of biodiversity and vitality.In recent decades we have observed the appearance of "systemic adaptations" that require a clinical and toxicological approach at the individual level, and address the population level from an epidemiological and complexity science paradigm. After many years of research, the Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires formalized the Environmental Health consulting office and the measurement of glyphosate levels, giving answer to the demand of patients who associate their signs and symptoms to environmental pollution. (AU)

Identification and assessment of a comprehensive set of structural factors associated with hospital costs in Switzerland.

Structural factors can influence hospital costs beyond case-mix differences. However, accepted measures on how to distinguish hospitals with regard to cost-related organizational and regional differences are lacking in Switzerland. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify and assess a comprehensive set of hospital attributes in relation to average case-mix adjusted costs of hospitals. Using detailed hospital and patient-level data enriched with regional information, we derived a list of 23 cost predictors, examined how they are associated with costs, each other, and with different hospital types, and identified principal components within them. Our results showed that attributes describing size, complexity, and teaching-intensity of hospitals (number of beds, discharges, departments, and rate of residents) were positively related to costs and showed the largest values in university (i.e., academic teaching) and central general hospitals. Attributes related to rarity and financial risk of patient mix (ratio of rare DRGs, ratio of children, and expected loss potential based on DRG mix) were positively associated with costs and showed the largest values in children's and university hospitals. Attributes characterizing the provision of essential healthcare functions in the service area (ratio of emergency/ ambulance admissions, admissions during weekends/ nights, and admissions from nursing homes) were positively related to costs and showed the largest values in central and regional general hospitals. Regional attributes describing the location of hospitals in large agglomerations (in contrast to smaller agglomerations and rural areas) were positively associated with costs and showed the largest values in university hospitals. Furthermore, the four principal components identified within the hospital attributes fully explained the observed cost variations across different hospital types. These uncovered relationships may serve as a foundation for objectifying discussions about cost-related heterogeneity in Swiss hospitals and support policymakers to include structural characteristics into cost benchmarking and hospital reimbursement.

[Adaptation of headache units in Andalusia to the COVID-19 pandemic. Analysis of the Andalusian Neurology Society's Headache Study Group]. / Adaptación de las unidades de cefalea de Andalucía a la pandemia por COVID-19. Análisis del Grupo de Estudio de Cefaleas de la Sociedad Andaluza de Neurología.

INTRODUCTION: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has given rise to a major change in healthcare and brought teleconsultation to the forefront. In neurology, headaches are the most frequent reason for visits. AIM: To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the structure of headache units in Andalusia and the adaptations made to healthcare that are potentially useful innovations that can continue to be developed when the pandemic is over. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional observational study using an online survey of neurologists responsible for headache units and specialised consultations in Andalusia. RESULTS: During the state of alarm, all respondents used teleconsultation. The vast majority (92.8%) maintained some face-to-face activity, mostly for invasive techniques and new patients, using individual protection measures and as a way to avoid crowds. Half of them (50%) maintained botulinum toxin administrations at the scheduled times and 78.6% continued to prescribe monoclonal antibodies against calcitonin gene-related peptide. Altogether 78.5% are generally satisfied with the use of teleconsultation and 57.1% think it could be quite useful in the future. The main advantages reported were avoiding the need for the patient to travel and time savings; the disadvantages were the absence of physical examinations and difficulties in communicating. The most frequently expressed need for improvement was the use of video-calls. CONCLUSIONS: Some of the changes adopted during this time could continue to be useful in the future and, in the case of headaches, teleconsultation could be used as an option for following up patients who have already been diagnosed and do not require any invasive techniques.

TITLE: Adaptación de las unidades de cefalea de Andalucía a la pandemia por COVID-19. Análisis del Grupo de Estudio de Cefaleas de la Sociedad Andaluza de Neurología.Introducción. La pandemia por SARS-CoV-2 ha supuesto un gran cambio en la atención sanitaria y ha dado protagonismo a la teleconsulta. En neurología, las cefaleas constituyen el motivo más frecuente de consulta. Objetivo. Evaluar el impacto de la pandemia por COVID-19 en la estructura de las unidades de cefaleas de Andalucía y las adaptaciones asistenciales potencialmente útiles tras ella. Materiales y métodos. Estudio observacional transversal mediante encuesta en línea a los neurólogos responsables de las unidades y consultas monográficas de cefaleas de Andalucía. Resultados. Durante el estado de alarma, todos los encuestados usaron teleconsulta. El 92,8% mantuvo alguna actividad presencial, fundamentalmente para técnicas invasivas y pacientes nuevos, utilizando medidas de protección individual y para evitar aglomeraciones. El 50% mantuvo las administraciones de toxina botulínica en los tiempos adecuados y el 78,6% siguió prescribiendo anticuerpos monoclonales frente al péptido relacionado con el gen de la calcitonina. El 78,5% se encuentra globalmente satisfecho con el uso de la teleconsulta y el 57,1% considera que podría ser bastante útil de cara al futuro. Las principales ventajas expresadas fueron evitar el desplazamiento de los pacientes y el ahorro de tiempo; los inconvenientes, la ausencia de exploración física y la dificultad de comunicación. La necesidad de mejora más expresada fue el uso de videollamada. Conclusiones. Algunos de los cambios adoptados en este tiempo podrían seguir siendo útiles en el futuro y, en el caso de las cefaleas, la teleconsulta se podría emplear como opción para el seguimiento de pacientes ya diagnosticados y que no requieran técnicas invasivas.

Estratégias para o enfrentamento da pandemia de COVID-19 em hospitais universitários: estudo descritivo / Strategies for coping with the COVID-19 pandemic in university hospitals: a descriptive study / Estrategias para enfrentar la pandemia de COVID-19 en hospitales universitarios: estudio descriptivo

OBJETIVO: Descrever estratégias desenvolvidas para o enfrentamento da pandemia de COVID-19 em hospitais universitários. MÉTODO: Pesquisa descritiva, com abordagem quanti-qualitativa, desenvolvida a partir de um survey online com 104 enfermeiros de três hospitais universitários brasileiros. O processamento dos dados foi realizado por meio de análise textual com auxílio do software IRAMUTEQ®. RESULTADOS: Foram obtidas seis classes semânticas que representam as principais estratégias desenvolvidas para o enfrentamento da pandemia de COVID-19 no ambiente hospitalar: 1) Fornecimento de Equipamentos de Proteção Individual (17,2%); 2) Capacitações da equipe para o cuidado (18,8%); 3) Treinamento da equipe de apoio (15,6%); 4) Aquisição de equipamentos com boa qualidade (14,1%); 5) Definição de fluxos institucionais (20,5%) e 6) Promoção de apoio psicológico (14,1%). CONCLUSÃO: As estratégias elencadas pelos enfermeiros têm contribuído para a qualidade da assistência prestada aos pacientes, bem como a manutenção da saúde do trabalhador.

OBJECTIVE: To describe strategies developed to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic in university hospitals. METHOD: A descriptive research study with a quantitative and qualitative approach, developed from an online survey with 104 nurses from three Brazilian university hospitals. Data processing was performed through textual analysis with the aid of the IRAMUTEQ® software. RESULTS: Six semantic classes were obtained that represent the main strategies developed to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic in the hospital environment: 1) Provision of Personal Protective Equipment (17.2%); 2) Training of the team for the care to be provided (18.8%); 3) Training of the support team (15.6%); 4) Acquisition of good quality equipment (14.1%); 5) Definition of institutional flows (20.5%); and 6) Promotion of psychological support (14.1%). CONCLUSION: The strategies listed by the nurses have contributed to the quality of the care provided to the patients, as well as to preserving the workers' health.

OBJETIVO: Describir las estrategias que se desarrollaron en los hospitales universitarios para enfrentar la pandemia de COVID-19. MÉTODO: Investigación descriptiva, con enfoque cuantitativo y cualitativo, desarrollada a partir de survey online con 104 enfermeros de tres hospitales universitarios brasileños. El procesamiento de datos se realizó mediante análisis textual con la ayuda del software IRAMUTEQ®. RESULTADOS: Se obtuvieron seis clases semánticas que representan las principales estrategias desarrolladas para enfrentar la pandemia de COVID-19 en el ámbito hospitalario: 1) Suministro de Equipos de Protección Personal (17,2%); 2) Capacitación del equipo para la atención (18,8%); 3) Entrenamiento del equipo de apoyo (15,6%); 4) Adquisición de equipos de buena calidad (14,1%); 5) Definición de flujos institucionales (20,5%) y 6) Promoción de apoyo psicológico (14,1%). CONCLUSIÓN: Las estrategias enumeradas por los enfermeros han contribuido a la calidad de la atención que se les prestó a los pacientes y a mantener la salud de los trabajadores.

"I need to have a fulfilling job": A qualitative study of surgeon well-being and professional fulfillment.

BACKGROUND: Burnout, often regarded as an individual failing, rather than a systemic one, negatively impacts quality of care, patient safety and healthcare costs. Focusing on improving well-being can help mitigate burnout. This study examined protective factors that promote well-being and professional fulfillment in surgeons. METHODS: Using a purposive sample, 32 semi-structured 30-60-min interviews were conducted with surgeons of varying sub-specialties and rank. Abductive exploratory analysis was used to code and interpret interview transcripts and to build a conceptual model of surgeon well-being. RESULTS: Emergent protective factors were placed into one of three levels of implementation: individual, team-level, and institutional (figure). Individual factors for well-being included autonomy and adequate time to pursue non-clinical endeavors. Team-level factors consisted of adaptability, boundaries, and cohesion. Institutional factors related to diversifying performance evaluations and celebrating and recognizing individual value and contributions. CONCLUSIONS: The conceptual model developed from the results of this study highlights factors important to surgeons' professional well-being. This model can be used to guide quality improvement efforts.

Analysis of potential drug interactions in medical clinic sector in a Hospital of João Pessoa - PB

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate drug interactions based on medical records of patients hospitalized in University Hospital Lauro Wanderley (UHLW) in João Pessoa-PB, Brazil. This was a quantitative, descriptive study with a cross-sectional design. This research was conducted in the medical clinic of the above hospital by analyzing pharmaceutical intervention in medical records. The investigated samples consisted of all medical profiles with drug interaction information of patients hospitalized from June 2016 to June 2017. Most of these drug interactions were determined and classified by Micromedex® Solutions database. This research was approved by the Ethics Committee in Institutional Human Research, protocol number 2.460.206. In total, 331 drug interactions were found in 131 medical profiles. Dipyrone, enoxaparin, sertraline, ondansetron, quetiapine, tramadol, bromopride, amitriptyline, and simvastatin were medications that showed highest interactions. According to Anatomical Therapy Classification (ATC), drugs that act on the central nervous system result in more interactions. The most prevalent interaction was between dipyrone and enoxaparin. Some limitations of this study are the lack of notifications and data on drug interactions.

[Implementation of the "Best Practice Spotlight Organization" Program at the Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital.] / Implantación del programa "Centros Comprometidos con la Excelencia en Cuidados" en el Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves. Rev Esp Salud Pública.

The objective of this work was to describe the implantation project presented by the Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital (Granada, Spain) to be selected as a candidate for "Best Practice Spotlight Organization"® (in Spain CCEC®) program in the cohort (2015-2017) to implement three guidelines for Nurses Association of Canada Ontario (RNAO) clinical practice of care. The methodology used was the model called "knowledge for action" and the actions developed for each of the phases of the action cycle for applying knowledge to practice were described: 1) identification of the problem, 2) adaptation to the local context, 3) evaluation of facilitators and barriers, 4) adaptation and implementation of interventions, 5) monitoring and evaluation of results and 6) sustainability. This work adds to the set of studies that address the improvement and maintenance of evidence-based practice programs in nursing, and in health services in general. It shows the application of a framework for the implementation of clinical practice guidelines for care in a specific health environment for its replication in other different health settings. It has been shown that it is essential to dedicate efforts to planning the implementation of this type of programs, taking into account the context in which they are developed, the specific characteristics of the population being served, identifying the different barriers and facilitators that may affect during the course of the program. process and defining actions to make the changes in practice sustainable.

El objetivo de este trabajo fue describir el proyecto de implantación presentado por el Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves (Granada, España) para ser seleccionado candidato del programa "Centros Comprometidos con la Excelencia en Cuidados" (CCEC)® en la cohorte (2015-2017) para implantar tres guías de práctica clínica de cuidados de la Asociación de Enfermeras de Ontario de Canadá (RNAO). La metodología utilizada fue el modelo denominado "conocimiento para la acción" y se describieron las actuaciones desarrollas para cada una de las fases de las que consta el ciclo de acción para la aplicación de conocimientos a la práctica: 1) identificación del problema, 2) adaptación al contexto local, 3) evaluación de los facilitadores y barreras, 4) adaptación e implantación de las intervenciones, 5) monitorización y evaluación de resultados y 6) sostenibilidad. Este trabajo se suma al conjunto de estudios que abordan la mejora y el mantenimiento de programas de prácticas basadas en la evidencia en enfermería, y en los servicios de salud en general. Muestra la aplicación de un marco de implantación de guías de práctica clínica de cuidados en un entorno sanitario específico para su replicación en otros escenarios de salud diferentes. Se ha demostrado que resulta esencial dedicar esfuerzos en planificar la implantación de este tipo de programas atendiendo al contexto en el que se desarrollan, a las características específicas de la población a la que se atiende, identificando las diferentes barreras y facilitadores que pueden afectar durante el proceso y definiendo acciones para hacer sostenible los cambios en la práctica.

Child and adolescent Liaison-Consultation Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine in a Clinical-Teaching Hospital. / Psiquiatría de Enlace y Medicina Psicosomática Infanto Juvenil en un Hospital Clínico-Docente.

Psychosomatic medicine explores the psychological, behavioral, and social elements that influence people's health and quality of life. This discipline develops skills and knowledge used in the evalua tion and management of psychosocial elements interfering in the process of illness and healing. The Child and Adolescent Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry (CACLP) is a discipline that has been empi rically installed in order to favor adherence to treatments and recovery of children and teenagers du ring the process of illness. There is a need for developing this discipline in Chile, but so far there are limited national and international records and literature dedicated to it. The objective of this article is to update the concepts of structure and describe how a CACLP unit in a high complexity teaching hospital works in general, discussing the clinical challenges involved in these issues.

Comparison of emergency department utilization trends between the COVID-19 pandemic and control period.

ABSTRACT: Infectious disease pandemics has a great impact on the use of medical facilities. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the use of emergency medical facilities in the Republic of Korea. This single-center, retrospective observational study was conducted in a tertiary teaching hospital located in Incheon Metropolitan City, Republic of Korea. We set the pandemic period as February 19, 2020 to April 18, 2020, and the control period was set to the same period in 2018 and 2019. All consecutive patients who visited the emergency department (ED) during the study period were included. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to age (pediatric patients, younger adult patients and older adult patients). The total number, demographics, clinical data, and diagnostic codes of ED patients were analyzed. The total number of ED patients in the pandemic period was lower than that in the control period, which was particularly pronounced for pediatric patients. The proportion of patients who used the 119 ambulances increased in all 3 groups (P  = .002, P < .001, and P = .001), whereas the proportion of patients who visited on foot was decreased (P  = .006, P < .001, and P = .027). In terms of diagnostic codes, a significant decrease was observed in the proportion of certain infectious or parasitic diseases (A00-B99), and respiratory diseases (J00-J99) in the pediatric and younger adult patient groups (P < .001 and P < .001, respectively). The COVID-19 pandemic reduced the number of ED patients; however, the proportion of patients using ambulances increased. In particular, the proportion of patients with diagnostic codes for infectious and respiratory diseases significantly decreased during the pandemic period.

Successfully controlling the incidence of multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa through antibiotic stewardship and infection control programmes at a Chinese university hospital.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of imposing infection control programmes (ICPs) and antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) by monitoring the antimicrobial resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. METHODS: Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed in accordance with the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute and European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing guidelines. ICPs and AMS were initiated at the Fourth Hospital from 2013 to 2018. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: A total of 2,886 P. aeruginosa isolates were assessed. The antimicrobial resistance trends of the P. aeruginosa strains improved after the intervention measures. Multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) P. aeruginosa contributed to 18.5% and 3.5% of the total P. aeruginosa strains, respectively. Colistin was the most effective antibiotic against 97.6% of XDR-P. aeruginosa and 99.41% of MDR-P. aeruginosa. The consumption of alcohol-based hand gel (ABHG) increased from 0.6 L to 10.8 L per 1,000 patient-days (PD) (p = 0.005). The yearly consumption of antibiotics decreased from 45 to 37.5 defined daily doses (DDD) per 1,000 PD(p = 0.04). After 2013, the incidence rate of MDR-P. aeruginosa showed a significant decrease from 22% to 14.1% (p = 0.04), and XDR-P. aeruginosa decreased from 5.8% to 0.9%. The use of ABHG was negatively related to MDR-P. aeruginosa morbidity (r = -0.86; p = 0.021). The consumption of antibiotics was positively related to MDR-P. aeruginosa morbidity (r = 0.86; p = 0.021). WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: Successful control of MDR-P. aeruginosa resistance was achieved by imposing comprehensive ICPs and AMS.

Emergency department reorganisation to cope with COVID-19 outbreak in Milan university hospital: a time-sensitive challenge.

BACKGROUND: In March 2020 we faced a huge spread of the epidemic of SARS-CoV2 in northern Italy; the Emergency Departments (ED) and the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) were overwhelmed by patients requiring care. The hospitals were forced to reorganize their services, and the ED was the focal point of this challenge. As Emergency Department in a metropolitan area of the region most affected, we saw an increasing number of patients with COVID-19, and we made some structural and staff implementations according to the evolution of the epidemic. METHODS: We analysed in a narrative way the weaknesses and the point of strength of our response to COVID-19 first outbreak, focusing point by point on main challenges and minor details involved in our ED response to the pandemics. RESULTS: The main stems for our response to the pandemic were: use of clear and shared contingency plans, as long as preparedness to implement them; stockage of as much as useful material can be stocked; training of the personnel to be prepared for a fast response, trying to maintain divided pathway for COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients, well-done isolation is a key factor; preparedness to de-escalate as soon as needed. CONCLUSIONS: We evaluated our experience and analysed the weakness and strength of our first response to share it with the rest of the scientific community and colleagues worldwide, hoping to facilitate others who will face the same challenge or similar challenges in the future. Shared experience is the best way to learn and to avoid making the same mistakes.

The impact of organizational culture on professional fulfillment and burnout in an academic department of medicine.

Physician wellness is vital to career satisfaction, provision of high quality patient care, and the successful education of the next generation of physicians. Despite this, the number of physicians experience symptoms of burnout is rising. To assess the impact of organizational culture on physicians' professional fulfillment and burnout, we surveyed full-time Department of Medicine members at the University of Toronto. A cross-sectional survey assessed: physician factors (age, gender, minority status, disability, desire to reduce clinical workload); workplace culture (efforts to create a collegial environment, respectful/civil interactions, confidence to address unprofessionalism without reprisal, witnessed and/or personally experienced unprofessionalism); professional fulfillment and burnout using the Stanford Professional Fulfillment Index. We used multivariable linear regression to examine the relationship of measures of workplace culture on professional fulfillment and burnout (scores 0-10), controlling for physician factors. Of 419 respondents (52.0% response rate), we included 400 with complete professional fulfillment and burnout data in analyses (60% ≤ age 50, 45% female). Mean scores for professional fulfillment and burnout were 6.7±1.9 and 2.8±1.9, respectively. Controlling for physician factors, professional fulfillment was associated with satisfaction with efforts to create a collegial environment (adjusted beta 0.45, 95% CI 0.21 to 0.70) and agreement that colleagues were respectful/civil (adjusted beta 0.85, 95% CI 0.53 to 1.17). Lower professional fulfillment was associated with higher burnout scores. Controlling for professional fulfillment and physician factors, lower confidence in taking action to address unprofessionalism (adjusted beta -0.22, 95% CI -0.40 to -0.03) was associated with burnout. Organizational culture and physician factors had an impact on professional fulfillment and burnout. Professional fulfillment partially mediated the relationship between organizational culture and burnout. Strategies that promote inclusion, respect and civility, and safe ways to report workplace unprofessionalism are needed in academic medicine.

Variants translating reduced expression of the beta estrogen receptor gene were associated with increased carotid intima media thickness: A cross-sectional study in late postmenopausal women.

ABSTRACT: There is debate on the role of estrogens in modulating the risk for atherosclerosis in women. Our purpose was to investigate whether the size of the estrogenic impact was independently associated with variation of carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in healthy late postmenopausal women. The levels of circulating estrogens have been used in previous studies but the influence of SNPs of the estrogen receptors (ER) α and ß have not been investigated.We performed a crossed-sectional study of 91 women in a university hospital. We used a double approach in which, in addition to the measurement of estradiol levels by ultrasensitive methods, genetic variants (SNPs) associated with differing expression of the ER α and ß genes were assessed. Multivariable analysis was used to examine the association of candidate factors with the value of IMT and plaque detection at both the carotid wall and the sinus.A genotype combination translating reduced gene expression of the ERß was directly associated with IMT at both the carotid wall (P = .001) and the sinus (P = .002). Other predictors of IMT were the levels of glucose, positively associated with IMT at both the carotid wall (P < .001) and the sinus (P = .001), age positively associated with IMT at the sinus (P = .003), and levels of vitamin D, positively associated with IMT at the carotid wall (P = .04).Poorer estrogenic impact, as concordant with a SNP variant imposing reduced expression of the ERß, was directly associated with IMT at both the carotid wall and the sinus. Glucose level, vitamin D only for the carotid wall, and age only for the sinus, also emerged as independent factors in the IMT variance.

Quality of care and outcomes in internal medicine patients bedspaced to noninternal medicine units.

ABSTRACT: Hospital overcrowding has led to a practice known as bedspacing (in which admitted patients are placed on a different specialty's inpatient ward), yet little is known about the impact of this practice on healthcare quality.We investigated whether hospital outcome measures differ between bedspaced general internal medicine (GIM) patients vs nonbedspaced patients.Our retrospective study included patients admitted to GIM wards at 2 academic hospitals (2012-2014), comparing bedspaced to nonbedspaced patients, and identifying adverse events from the hospital's Electronic Patient Record.We compared these groups with respect to actual length of stay vs the expected length of stay (% ELOS), which is defined as length of stay (LOS) divided by expected length of stay (ELOS), 30-day readmission, adverse events (falls, medication-related incidents, equipment-related incidents, first treatment related incidents, laboratory-related incidents, and operative/invasive events), and in-hospital mortality.There were 22,519 patients analyzed with 15,985 (71%) discharged from a medical ward and 6534 (29%) discharged from a non-medical ward. Bedspaced patients had shorter lengths of stay (4.1 vs 6.2 days, P < .001) and expected lengths of stay (ELOS) (6.1 vs 6.4 days, P < .001). Bedspaced patients had a lower percentage of ELOS (% ELOS) than nonbedspaced patients (70% vs 91%, P < .001), similar readmission rates (9.8 vs 10.3 events per 100 patients, P = .24), lower in-hospital mortality rates (2.6 vs 3.3 events per 100 patients, P = .003) and fewer adverse events (0.20 vs 0.60 events per 100 patient days, P < .01).Bedspacing of patients is common. Patients who are bedspaced to off-service wards have better outcomes. This may relate to preferential allocation practices.

[Collaboration experience between hospitals and long-term care facilities for the care of COVID-19 patients.] / Experiencia de colaboración entre hospital y centros socio-sanitarios para la atención de pacientes con COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: The disease produced by SARS-CoV-2 has led to severe situations and mortality in elderly people. The objective of this study was to describe the collaboration between hospital professionals and nursing homes when applying preventive measures for the transmission of COVID-19 and in the assistance of institutionalized patients. METHODS: A descriptive study was carried out in 4 centers with information collected by researchers in two moments of the COVID-19 pandemic. The information collected was related to the resources and knowledge of infection prevention, details about face-to-face and telematic assistance from the hospital team, as well as material, drugs provided, and clinical results. The variables studied were described by means of percentages, absolute frequencies and ratios; statistical chi-square tests and McNemar'test were used. RESULTS: The study was conducted in 4 centers with a total of 640 residents and an initial occupancy between 62% and 85%. Differences were found regarding the ratio of staff and knowledge of preventive measures of the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection, which was improved in the second period of the study. The number of face-to-face visits (from 5 to 22) and telematic visits (between 42 and 109 patients) were different in the 4 nursing homes, as well as the material provided, adapted to the needs of each center. The percentage of infected patients ranged from 6.1% to 90.2%, and the accumulated mortality in the second period ranged from 15.38% to 38.35% of the residents at the beginning of the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: The collaboration between the professionals of healthcare centers and the hospital, adapted to the needs of each center, has allowed to improve the assistance to the residents and the coordination between the professionals, optimizing the available resources.

OBJETIVO: La enfermedad producida por SARS-CoV-2 ha provocado situaciones de mayor gravedad y mortalidad en las personas mayores. El objetivo de este estudio fue describir la colaboración entre profesionales del hospital y de las residencias en la aplicación de medidas de prevención de la transmisión de COVID- 19 y en la asistencia de pacientes institucionalizados. METODOS: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo en 4 centros sociosanitarios con información recogida por los investigadores en dos momentos de la pandemia por COVID-19. Se recogió información relacionada con los recursos y conocimiento de la prevención de infecciones, detalles sobre la asistencia presencial y telemática del equipo del hospital, así como material, fármacos suministrados y resultados clínicos. Las variables estudiadas se describieron mediante porcentajes, frecuencias absolutas y ratios y se utilizaron las pruebas estadísticas de chi cuadrado y el test de Mc-Nemar. RESULTADOS: Se realizó el estudio en 4 centros con un total de 640 residentes y una ocupación inicial entre el 62% y 85%. Se encontraron diferencias respecto al ratio de personal, conocimiento de medidas de prevención de transmisión de la infección por SARS-Cov 2, mejorando este último en el segundo periodo de estudio. El número de consultas presenciales (de 5 a 22) y telemáticas (entre 42 y 109 pacientes) fueron diferentes en las 4 residencias, así como el material aportado, adaptándonos a las necesidades de cada centro. El porcentaje de pacientes contagiados varió entre el 6,1% y el 90,2% y la mortalidad acumulada en el segundo periodo osciló entre el 15,38% y el 38,35% de los residentes que había al principio de la pandemia. CONCLUSIONES: La colaboración entre los profesionales de los centros sociosanitarios y del hospital adaptada a las necesidades de cada centro ha permitido mejorar la asistencia a los residentes y la coordinación entre los profesionales, optimizando los recursos disponibles.

Surgical management of diaphragmatic and thoracic endometriosis': A French multicentric descriptive study.

INTRODUCTION: Surgical management of Diaphragmatic and thoracic endometriosis (DTE) is still controversial, a thoracic or an abdominal approach can be proposed. METHODS: We conducted a multicentric retrospective study in 8 thoracic, gynecology or digestive surgery units in 5 French university hospitals. The main objective was to review the current management of DTE. RESULTS: 50 patients operated for DTE from 2010 to 2017 were included: 26 with a thoracic approach and 24 with an abdominal approach. Preoperative pelvic endometriosis (PE) concerned 25 patients. In 38 patients, DTE diagnosis was made on clinical symptoms (pneumothorax (n = 19), chronic or catamenial chest pain (n = 18) or hemopneumothorax (n = 1)). Median time from onset of symptoms to diagnosis was 47 months (0-212). PE surgery concurrently occurred in 22 patients. We report diaphragmatic nodules, pleuropulmonary nodules and diaphragmatic perforations in 42, 5 and 22 women respectively. Lesions were right-sided in 45 patients. Nodules were destructed in 12 cases and resected in 38 cases. When a diaphragmatic reconstruction was needed (n = 31), a simple suture was performed in 26 patients, while 5 patients needed a mesh repair. Pleural symphysis was performed for all patients who received a thoracic approach. DTE resection was considered complete in 46 patients. Three patients had severe 30-days complications of DTE surgery. Median follow-up was 20 months (range 1-69). Recurrence occurred in 10 patients. CONCLUSION: The results emphasize the importance of systematically looking for chest pain in patients suffering from PE and underline the lack of a standardized procedure and treatment in DTE.

Evaluation of Chemotherapy Regimen Management Practice by Oncology-Specialized and Non-specialized Pharmacists Collaboration.

Chemotherapy regimen management is one of the most important oncology pharmacy practices, because chemotherapy is conducted according to the registered regimens. In this study, we evaluated the pharmaceutical practice that assumes the initial confirmation of chemotherapy regimens and the quality of practice sharing between oncology-specialized and non-specialized pharmacists in regimen management committee. Pharmacists initially confirmed the applied regimen prescribed by physicians regarding chemotherapeutic agents and prophylactic supportive care medicines. Following confirmation, the regimens were reviewed by the Hokkaido University Hospital Regimen Management Committee. A total of 233 regimens were reviewed by the committee over three years. In total, 110 pharmaceutical inquiries were conducted, 45% of inquiries were concerning chemotherapeutic agents, of which approximately half were regarding supportive care medicines. Most inquiries were regarding premedication, followed by those on administration time, solvent of infusion medicines, and dosage. Correction was performed for 84.5% of inquiries. There was no significant difference in inquiry rates between practice and trial regimens. We have entrusted the first basic regimen review according to the checklist, creation of the chemotherapy plan document, and registry of the adopted regimens in the ordering system from oncology-certified pharmacists to non-certified pharmacists. Basic regimen review was well conducted by a non-certified pharmacist, and a more advanced review was additionally performed by certified pharmacists. In conclusion, we demonstrated the utility of pharmaceutical confirmation in a chemotherapeutic regimen review, suitable review coverage, and quality practice sharing between oncology-certified and non-certified pharmacists, which is one of the recommended methods in chemotherapy regimen review.

First Into the Lifeboats: Protecting Medical Student Education During the Hahnemann University Hospital Closure.

The announcement of the closure of Philadelphia's Hahnemann University Hospital in June 2019 sent shock waves through the academic community. The closure had a devastating impact on the residents and fellows who trained there, the patients who had long received their care there, and faculty and staff who had provided care there for decades. Since its beginnings, the hospital, established as part of Hahnemann Medical College in 1885, was a major site for medical student education. The authors share the planning before and actions during the crisis that protected the educational experiences of third- and fourth-year medical students at Drexel University College of Medicine assigned to Hahnemann University Hospital. The lessons they learned can be helpful to leadership in academic health systems in the United States facing a diminishing number of clinical training sites for medical and other health professions students, a situation that is likely to worsen as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to weaken the health care ecosystem.