Epidemiology and healthcare resource utilization in atopic dermatitis in Colombia: A retrospective analysis of data from the National Health Registry from 2015 to 2020 / Epidemiología y uso de recursos de salud en dermatitis atópica en Colombia: análisis retrospectivo de datos del Registro Nacional de Salud de 2015 a 2020

Introduction: Atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema or atopic eczema, is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder characterized by the presence of pruritus accompanied by itching. In Colombia, epidemiological and healthcare resource utilization information regarding this pathology is limited. Objective: To describe atopic dermatitis epidemiological characteristics and healthcare resource utilization patterns in Colombia. Materials and methods: A retrospective database study using real-world data obtained from the national claims database SISPRO (Sistema de Información para la Protección Social) for the 2015-2020 period was carried out. Sociodemographic (age, and health services delivery), epidemiological (incidence, prevalence, and comorbidities), and healthcare resource utilization data were extracted from the SISPRO database. Results: The epidemiological results showed increased incidence and prevalence of atopic dermatitis in Colombia in the 2018-2019 period compared to 2015-2017. Accordingly, the number of medical consultations (particularly with specialists), the number of procedures, and the number of hospitalizations of patients with atopic dermatitis increased. Topic and systemic corticoids were the most frequently prescribed drugs. Conclusions: Diagnoses of atopic dermatitis in Colombia increased with a concomitant increase in healthcare resource utilization during 2015-2020, which was possibly slowed down by the arrival of the Covid-19. This study may help physicians gaining a better understanding of the disease, improving atopic dermatitis patient management.

Introducción. La dermatitis atópica, también conocida como eczema o eczema atópico, es un trastorno inflamatorio crónico de la piel caracterizado por la presencia de prurito acompañado de picor. En Colombia, la información epidemiológica y de utilización de recursos sanitarios sobre esta enfermedad es limitada. Objetivo. Describir las características epidemiológicas y los patrones de utilización de recursos sanitarios para la dermatitis atópica en Colombia. Materiales y métodos. Se trata de un estudio retrospectivo en el cual se utilizan datos de la práctica clínica real obtenidos del registro nacional SISPRO (Sistema de Información para la Protección Social) en el período 2015-2020. Se extrajeron datos sociodemográficos (incluida la edad y la prestación de servicios de salud), epidemiológicos (incluidos la incidencia, la prevalencia y las comorbilidades) y los correspondientes a la utilización de los recursos sanitarios. Resultados. Los resultados epidemiológicos han demostrado un aumento de la incidencia y prevalencia de la dermatitis atópica en Colombia en el periodo 20182019, en comparación con el periodo 2015-2017. Aumentó el número de consultas médicas (particularmente, con especialistas) de pacientes con dermatitis atópica, el de procedimientos y el de hospitalizaciones. Los corticoides tópicos y sistémicos fueron los medicamentos más prescritos. Conclusiones. Los diagnósticos de dermatitis atópica en Colombia aumentaron con un incremento concomitante en la utilización de recursos sanitarios durante 2015-2020, que posiblemente se vio atenuado por la llegada del Covid-19. Este estudio puede ayudar a los médicos a tener un mejor conocimiento de la enfermedad y, por lo tanto, mejorar el tratamiento de los pacientes con dermatitis atópica.

Razão oferta/necessidade de consultas médicas, exames de diagnóstico e acompanhamento da doença renal crônica no Sistema Único de Saúde: estudo descritivo, estado de São Paulo, 2019 / Relación oferta/necesidad de consultas médicas, pruebas diagnósticas y seguimiento de la enfermedad renal crónica en el Sistema Único de Salud: estudio descriptivo, São Paulo, Brasil, 2019 / Supply/demand ratio for medical consultations, diagnostic tests and chronic kidney disease monitoring in the Brazilian National Health System: a descriptive study, state of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019

Objetivo: Determinar a razão oferta/necessidade de procedimentos relacionados com o diagnóstico e assistência à doença renal crônica no Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), no estado de São Paulo, Brasil, 2019. Métodos: Estudo descritivo, utilizando dados dos sistemas de informações ambulatoriais e hospitalares do SUS. Os números de consultas médicas e exames diagnósticos e de acompanhamento da doença renal realizados no período foram comparados com as estimativas de necessidade obtidas por diretrizes ministeriais. Resultados: Usuários exclusivos do SUS eram 28.791.244, e indivíduos com hipertensão e/ou diabetes mellitus, 5.176.188. O número de procedimentos realizados e a razão entre esse número e a necessidade da população foram de 389.414 consultas com nefrologista (85%); 11.540.371 dosagens de creatinina sérica (223%); 705.709 dosagens de proteinúria (14%); 438.123 ultrassonografias renais (190%); e 1.045 biópsias renais (36%). Conclusão: Na assistência à doença renal crônica no SUS existem, simultaneamente, falta de oferta, desperdício e rastreamento deficiente de procedimentos importantes.

Objetivo: Determinar la relación oferta/necesidad de procedimientos relacionados con el diagnóstico y atención de la enfermedad renal crónica en Sistema Único de Salud (SUS) del Estado de São Paulo, Brasil, en 2019. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo utilizando datos de los sistemas de información ambulatoria y hospitalaria del SUS. Se comparó el número de consultas médicas, pruebas de diagnóstico y seguimiento de la enfermedad renal realizados con las estimaciones de necesidad recomendadas por directrices ministeriales. Resultados: Los usuarios exclusivos de SUS fueron 28.791.244 e hipertensos y/o diabéticos, 5.176.188. El número de procedimientos realizados y la relación entre este número y la necesidad de la población fueran de 389.414 consultas con nefrólogo (85%); 11.540.371 determinaciones de creatinina sérica (223%); 705.709 determinaciones de proteinuria (14%); 438.123 ecografías renales (190%); y 1.045 biopsias renales (36%). Conclusión: En la atención de enfermedad renal en SUS existe, simultáneamente, falta de oferta, desperdicio y seguimiento deficiente de procedimientos importantes.

Objective: To determine the supply/demand ratio for procedures related to diagnosis and treatment for chronic kidney disease in the Brazilian National Health System (SUS), in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019. Methods: This was a descriptive study, using data from the SUS outpatient and hospital information systems. The numbers of medical consultations, diagnostic and chronic kidney disease monitoring tests, performed in the period, were compared with the demand estimation, obtained through ministerial guidelines. Results: Exclusive SUS users were 28,791,244, and individuals with arterial hypertension and/or diabetes mellitus, 5,176,188. The number of procedures performed and the ratio between this number and the needs of the population were 389,414 consultations with nephrologists (85%); 11,540,371 serum creatinine tests (223%); 705,709 proteinuria tests (14%); 438,123 kidney ultrasounds (190%); and 1,045 kidney biopsies (36%). Conclusion: In the chronic kidney disease care in the SUS it could be seen simultaneous existence of lack of supply, waste and inadequate screening of important procedures.

Diagnóstico de situación de la evaluación de tecnologías sanitarias en instituciones de ámbito de la salud en Argentina / Diagnosis of the situation of health technology assessment in health care institutions of Argentina

INTRODUCCIÓN: La Evaluación de Tecnologías Sanitarias (ETS) es el proceso sistemático de valorización de las propiedades, los efectos y el impacto de la tecnología utilizada. La institucionalización de la ETS es una herramienta fundamental para llevar adelante las políticas de salud y conseguir mejores resultados con mayor eficiencia y equidad. El objetivo del estudio fue describir el estado actual en la institucionalización de la ETS a nivel nacional y conocer las características de estas organizaciones. MÉTODOS: Se efectuó un estudio exploratorio transversal descriptivo a través de una encuesta autoadministrada para identificar organizaciones que realizan ETS y describir sus características, recursos, producción y procesos. RESULTADOS: Se recibieron encuestas de 70 instituciones, de las cuales 39 realizan informes de ETS. Entre las limitaciones referidas para su implementación se señaló la falta de recursos humanos capacitados y de financiamiento específico. Según el 80%, para mejorar el impacto de las recomendaciones es importante incrementar el apoyo organizacional, dinamizar las estructuras de toma de decisiones y estimular los canales de comunicación y redes establecidas. DISCUSIÓN: Existe una considerable capacidad institucional para desarrollar ETS en Argentina. Los datos obtenidos permiten guiar el esfuerzo para fomentar el uso de la ETS en la toma de decisiones, fortalecer los vínculos entre las organizaciones identificadas, incrementar el intercambio de información y articular esfuerzos

INTRODUCTION: Health Technology Assessment (HTA) is the systematic process of assessing the properties, effects and impact of the technology used. The institutionalization of the HTA is a fundamental tool to carry out health policies and achieve better results with more efficiency and equity. The objective of the study was to describe current state of the institutionalization of HTA in Argentina and to know the characteristics of these organizations. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional exploratory study was conducted through a selfadministered survey to identify organizations and to describe their characteristics, resources, production and processes for the development of HTA. RESULTS: A total of 70 surveys were received, 39 of those institutions carry out HTA reports. The lack of trained human resources and the lack of specific financing were among the limitations for the implementation of HTA. According to 80% of respondents, it is important to increase organizational support, streamline decision-making structures and foster the established communication channels and networks in order to improve the impact of the recommendations. DISCUSSION: There is a significant institutional capacity to develop HTA in Argentina. The data obtained can serve as a reference to promote the use of HTA in decision-making, strengthen the links between the organizations identified, increase information exchange and coordinate efforts

Assessment of the prescription of red blood cell concentrates in the pediatric age group.

OBJECTIVE: To verify the adequacy of red blood cell (RBC) prescription to pediatric patients in different sectors of a pediatric hospital. METHOD: A retrospective study was conducted including 837/990 RBC transfusion requisition forms for children and adolescents (0 to 13 years old) filed in between January 2007 and April 2015 by the pediatricians of the emergency room (ER), infirmary ward and intensive care unit (pICU). Transfusion requisition forms belonging to patients with chronic anemia or acute hemorrhage, as well as incompletes requisition forms, were excluded. RESULTS: Trigger, prescribed volume and subtype of RBC concentrates were adequate in 532 (65.3%), 460 (58.8%) and 805 (96.2%) of the transfusions, respectively. When the clinical picture was considered, prescription adequacy was higher compared to the use of the hemoglobin level alone (70.9% vs. 41%). The pICU had the highest correct trigger percentage (343 [71.6%]; p<0.001) while the ER showed more often adequate prescribed volumes (119 [66.1%]; p=0.020). The most common inadequacy regarding volume was that of prescriptions above the recommendation > 15 mL/kg found in 309 cases (36.9%). Thirty-two (32) RBC subtypes were requested and none were consistent with current recommendations. CONCLUSION: The results obtained in our study showed that RBC transfusion occurred more appropriately when the clinical picture was taken into account at request. There was a tendency to prescribe higher volumes and RBC subtypes without the justification of current protocols. Hemotherapic teachings at undergraduate level and medical residency must be improved.

Assessment of the prescription of red blood cell concentrates in the pediatric age group / Avaliação da prescrição de concentrados de hemácias na faixa etária pediátrica

Summary Objective: To verify the adequacy of red blood cell (RBC) prescription to pediatric patients in different sectors of a pediatric hospital. Method: A retrospective study was conducted including 837/990 RBC transfusion requisition forms for children and adolescents (0 to 13 years old) filed in between January 2007 and April 2015 by the pediatricians of the emergency room (ER), infirmary ward and intensive care unit (pICU). Transfusion requisition forms belonging to patients with chronic anemia or acute hemorrhage, as well as incompletes requisition forms, were excluded. Results: Trigger, prescribed volume and subtype of RBC concentrates were adequate in 532 (65.3%), 460 (58.8%) and 805 (96.2%) of the transfusions, respectively. When the clinical picture was considered, prescription adequacy was higher compared to the use of the hemoglobin level alone (70.9% vs. 41%). The pICU had the highest correct trigger percentage (343 [71.6%]; p<0.001) while the ER showed more often adequate prescribed volumes (119 [66.1%]; p=0.020). The most common inadequacy regarding volume was that of prescriptions above the recommendation > 15 mL/kg found in 309 cases (36.9%). Thirty-two (32) RBC subtypes were requested and none were consistent with current recommendations. Conclusion: The results obtained in our study showed that RBC transfusion occurred more appropriately when the clinical picture was taken into account at request. There was a tendency to prescribe higher volumes and RBC subtypes without the justification of current protocols. Hemotherapic teachings at undergraduate level and medical residency must be improved.

Resumo Objetivo: Verificar a adequação na prescrição de concentrado de hemácias (CH) por pediatras em diferentes setores de um hospital pediátrico. Método: Realizou-se estudo retrospectivo onde avaliamos 837/990 fichas de requisição de CH para crianças e adolescentes (0 a 13 anos), preenchidas entre janeiro de 2007 e abril de 2015 pelos médicos pediatras do pronto-socorro (PS), da enfermaria e da unidade de terapia intensiva (UTI). Excluíram-se as transfusões realizadas em portadores de anemia crônica, crianças com hemorragia aguda e requisições incompletas. Resultados: Gatilho, volume prescrito e subtipo de concentrado de hemácias foram adequados em 532 (65,3%), 460 (58,8%) e 805 (96,2%) das transfusões, respectivamente. Quando foi considerado o quadro clínico, a adequação foi maior em comparação à prescrição pelo valor isolado da hemoglobina (70,9% vs. 41%). A UTI teve o maior percentual de acerto no gatilho (343 [71,6%]; p<0,001) e o PS, no volume prescrito (119 [66,1%]; p=0,020). A inadequação mais comum, em relação ao volume, foi a prescrição acima da recomendação (> 15 mL/kg, 309 [36,9%]). Foram solicitados 32 subtipos de CH e nenhum estava de acordo com as indicações atuais. Conclusão: Os resultados obtidos mostram que a transfusão de CH aconteceu de forma mais adequada quando a situação clínica era levada em conta na solicitação. Houve uma tendência à prescrição de volumes elevados e de subtipos de hemácias não justificados segundo os protocolos atuais. É necessário melhorar o ensino de hemoterapia na graduação e residência médica.

Diagnóstico de situación sobre evaluación de tecnología sanitaria en Argentina / Diagnosis of the situation on health technology assessment in Argentina

INTRODUCCIÓN La Evaluación de Tecnologías Sanitarias (ETS) es el proceso sistemático de valorización de las propiedades, los efectos y/o los impactos de la tecnología utilizada. Tiene como objetivo aportar información para que sea aplicada a la toma de decisiones en salud. La institucionalización de la ETS es una herramienta fundamental para llevar adelante las políticas de salud y conseguir mejores resultados con mayor aprovechamiento de los recursos. OBJETIVO Describir el estado actual en la institucionalización de la ETS a nivel nacional y conocer las características de estas organizaciones en cuanto a recursos humanos, financieros, técnicos así como sus productos y alcances. MÉTODOS Se realizó un estudio exploratorio transversal descriptivo a través de una encuesta auto administrada para identificar organizaciones vinculadas al área de salud, describir sus características institucionales, recursos, producción y procesos para el desarrollo de ETS. RESULTADOS Se recibieron 65 encuestas, 40 de esas instituciones identificadas realizan informes ETS o informes de evidencia. Dentro de las limitaciones más importantes referidas para la implementación de la ETS se señalaron la falta de recurso humano capacitado y la falta de financiamiento específico. El 80% de los encuestados indica que para mejorar el impacto de las recomendaciones es importante aumentar el apoyo organizacional, las estructuras de toma de decisiones y estimular los canales de comunicación y redes establecidas. DISCUSIÓN Hubo avances claros en la institucionalización de la ETS en el país pero, persisten barreras que requieren ser superadas. Es de vital importancia tener en cuenta los datos obtenidos como referencia para guiar el esfuerzo del uso de la ETS en la toma de decisiones, establecer estrategias de capacitación considerando la demanda de determinadas regiones del país, fortalecer los vínculos entre las organizaciones identificadas e incrementar el intercambio de información

Opportunities for improvement on current nuclear cardiology practices and radiation exposure in Latin America: Findings from the 65-country IAEA Nuclear Cardiology Protocols cross-sectional Study (INCAPS).

BACKGROUND: Comparison of Latin American (LA) nuclear cardiology (NC) practice with that in the rest of the world (RoW) will identify areas for improvement and lead to educational activities to reduce radiation exposure from NC. METHODS AND RESULTS: INCAPS collected data on all SPECT and PET procedures performed during a single week in March-April 2013 in 36 laboratories in 10 LA countries (n = 1139), and 272 laboratories in 55 countries in RoW (n = 6772). Eight "best practices" were identified a priori and a radiation-related Quality Index (QI) was devised indicating the number used. Mean radiation effective dose (ED) in LA was higher than in RoW (11.8 vs 9.1 mSv, p < 0.001). Within a populous country like Brazil, a wide variation in laboratory mean ED was found, ranging from 8.4 to 17.8 mSv. Only 11% of LA laboratories achieved median ED <9 mSv, compared to 32% in RoW (p < 0.001). QIs ranged from 2 in a laboratory in Mexico to 7 in a laboratory in Cuba. Three major opportunities to reduce ED for LA patients were identified: (1) more laboratories could implement stress-only imaging, (2) camera-based methods of ED reduction, including prone imaging, could be more frequently used, and (3) injected activity of 99mTc could be adjusted reflecting patient weight/habitus. CONCLUSIONS: On average, radiation dose from NC is higher in LA compared to RoW, with median laboratory ED <9 mSv achieved only one third as frequently as in RoW. Opportunities to reduce radiation exposure in LA have been identified and guideline-based recommendations made to optimize protocols and adhere to the "as low as reasonably achievable" (ALARA) principle.

Evaluating the Feasibility of Using Mobile Devices for Nurse Documentation.

The use of electronic health records (EHR) has changed the quality of clinical documentation and improved quality of patient assistance, allowing better communication between health professionals and increased data recording that helps the nursing assistance process. The use of mobile devices for compiling data at the assistance moment has increased, and more studies have demonstrated its usefulness. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of mobile devices in the nursing staff of the Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, in a pilot test to measure their use and user satisfaction.

Budget impact of applying appropriateness criteria for myocardial perfusion scintigraphy: The perspective of a developing country.

Myocardial perfusion imaging is widely used for the risk stratification of coronary artery disease. In view of its cost, besides radiation issues, judicious evaluation of the appropriateness of its indications is essential to prevent an unnecessary economic burden on the health system. We evaluated, at a tertiary-care, public Brazilian hospital, the appropriateness of myocardial perfusion scintigraphy indications, and estimated the budget impact of applying appropriateness criteria. An observational, cross-sectional study of 190 patients with suspected or known coronary artery disease referred for myocardial perfusion imaging was conducted. The appropriateness of myocardial perfusion imaging indications was evaluated with the Appropriate Use Criteria for Cardiac Radionuclide Imaging published in 2009. Budget impact analysis was performed with a deterministic model. The prevalence of appropriate requests was 78%; of inappropriate indications, 12%; and of uncertain indications, 10%. Budget impact analysis showed that the use of appropriateness criteria, applied to the population referred to myocardial perfusion scintigraphy within 1 year, could generate savings of $ 64,252.04 dollars. The 12% inappropriate requests for myocardial perfusion scintigraphy at a tertiary-care hospital suggest that a reappraisal of MPI indications is needed. Budget impact analysis estimated resource savings of 18.6% with the establishment of appropriateness criteria for MPI.

Not All Clefts Are Created Equal: Patterns of Hospital-Based Care Use among Children with Cleft Lip and Palate within 4 Years of Initial Surgery.

BACKGROUND: This study compares hospital-based care and associated charges among children with cleft lip, cleft palate, or both, and identifies subgroups generating the greatest cumulative hospital charges. METHODS: The authors conducted a retrospective cohort study of cleft lip, cleft palate, or cleft lip and palate who underwent initial surgery from 2006 to 2008 in four U.S. states. Primary outcome was hospital-based care-emergency, outpatient, inpatient-within 4 years of surgery. Regression models compared outcomes and classification tree analysis identified patients at risk for being in the highest quartile of cumulative hospital charges. RESULTS: The authors identified 4571 children with cleft lip (18.2 percent), cleft palate (39.2 percent), or cleft lip and palate (42.6 percent). Medical comorbidity was frequent across all groups, with feeding difficulty (cleft lip, 2.4 percent; cleft palate, 13.4 percent; cleft lip and palate, 6.0 percent; p < 0.001) and developmental delay (cleft lip, 1.8 percent; cleft palate, 9.4 percent; cleft lip and palate, 3.6 percent; p < 0.001) being most common. Within 30 days of surgery, those with cleft palate were most likely to return to the hospital (p < 0.001). Hospital-based care per 100 children within 4 years was lowest among the cleft lip group, yet comparable among those with cleft palate and cleft lip and palate (p < 0.001). Cumulative 4-year charges, however, were highest among the cleft palate cohort (cleft lip, $56,966; cleft palate, $106,090; cleft lip and palate, $91,263; p < 0.001). Comorbidity, diagnosis (cleft lip versus cleft palate with or without cleft lip), and age at initial surgery were the most important factors associated with the highest quartile of cumulative hospital charges. CONCLUSIONS: Cleft lip and palate children experience a high rate of hospital-based care early in life, with degree of medical comorbidity being a significant burden. Understanding this relationship and associated needs may help deliver more efficient, patient-centered care.

Validating the Access to an Electronic Health Record: Classification and Content Analysis of Access Logs.

Electronic Health Records (EHRs) have made patient information widely available, allowing health professionals to provide better care. However, information confidentiality is an issue that continually needs to be taken into account. The objective of this study is to describe the implementation of rule-based access permissions to an EHR system. The rules that were implemented were based on a qualitative study. Every time users did not meet the specified requirements, they had to justify access through a pop up window with predetermined options, including a free text option ("other justification"). A secondary analysis of a deidentified database was performed. From a total of 20,540,708 hits on the electronic medical record database, 85% of accesses to the EHR system did not require justification. Content analysis of the "Other Justification" option allowed the identification of new types of access. At the time to justify, however, users may choose the faster or less clicks option to access to EHR, associating the justification of access to the EHR as a barrier.

Electronic Dental Records System Adoption.

The use of Electronic Dental Records (EDRs) and management software has become more frequent, following the increase in prevelance of new technologies and computers in dental offices. The purpose of this study is to identify and evaluate the use of EDRs by the dental community in the São Paulo city area. A quantitative case study was performed using a survey on the phone. A total of 54 offices were contacted and only one declinedparticipation in this study. Only one office did not have a computer. EDRs were used in 28 offices and only four were paperless. The lack of studies in this area suggests the need for more usability and implementation studies on EDRs so that we can improve EDR adoption by the dental community.

Usability Testing of PROCEnf-USP: A Clinical Decision Support System.

Decision support systems (DSSs) are recognized as important tools, capable of processing high volumes of data and increasing productivity. The usability of these tools affects their effectiveness. By evaluating the interactions between registered nurses (RNs) and the DSSs, this study explores how they impact RN decision-making. This study analyzed 24 months (2011-2012) of data collected in Brazil in two units of a large, public, urban hospital in São Paulo that uses a nurse documentation system with an embedded DSS based on NANDA-I. Using mixed effects logistic regression, this study analyzed the agreement between RNs and a DSS when selecting nursing diagnoses. Results suggest that the agreement is mediated by characteristics of the RNs (education and experience) as well as units and year of encounter. Surprisingly, disagreement between RN and DSS when selecting defining characteristics (DC) had positive effects on the odds of agreement on diagnoses. Our results suggest that DSSs support nurses' clinical decision making, but the nurse's clinical judgment is the mediating factor. More research is necessary.

Problem Oriented Medical Record: Characterizing the Use of the Problem List at Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires.

Problem oriented medical record (POMR) was born in late sixties. Expecting an ordered, complete and updated medical record were some of the goals of its founder. Several healthcare institutions have included problem list into their clinical records but some concerns have been reported. These concerns are in reference to their voluminosity, incompleteness and outdatedness. This study attempts to understand how healthcare professionals are using the problem list at Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires (HIBA). We believe it is essential to understand the local reality applied to our own applications and cultural instances of documentation. This report is the basis from which several improvements could be made in order to meet the goals of Weed's proposal.

Health Interoperability into Practice: Results of the Development of a Consent Form in a Pilot Project in a Health District in São Paulo, Brazil.

Interoperability of health information systems is a centerpiece of the "E-Health" Brazilian Ministry of Health strategy. It aims to solve at least partially the health information technology puzzle that we face today. This paper describes a health information exchange pilot project in a health district of the city of São Paulo. It discusses the results of the development of an informed consent form for health information exchange. This consent form showed excellent results, with median application time of 3 minutes and with 97.8% of patients feeling fully clarified. The patients' perception when faced with options of consent to share their data is also described.

Participatory design for drug-drug interaction alerts.

The utilization of decision support systems, in the point of care, to alert drug-drug interactions has been shown to improve quality of care. Still, the use of these systems has not been as expected, it is believed, because of the difficulties in their knowledge databases; errors in the generation of the alerts and the lack of a suitable design. This study expands on the development of alerts using participatory design techniques based on user centered design process. This work was undertaken in three stages (inquiry, participatory design and usability testing) it showed that the use of these techniques improves satisfaction, effectiveness and efficiency in an alert system for drug-drug interactions, a fact that was evident in specific situations such as the decrease of errors to meet the specified task, the time, the workload optimization and users overall satisfaction in the system.

Nurses' expectations and perceptions of a redesigned Electronic Health Record.

When a new Electronic Health Record is implemented or modifications are made, the full acceptance by end users depends on their expectations and perceptions about the possible benefits and the potential impacts on care quality. The redesign of an electronic nurse chart should consider the inherent characteristics of nurses' practice and the variables that may influence the implementation and use of the new chart. In this study, a qualitative method evaluated nurses' expectations and perceptions about the implementation impacts of a redesigned nurse chart in an electronic health record at Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires. Seventy-four nurses participated in three operative groups. Following ground theory, three analytic dimensions were found: impact at work, communication and chart quality. In addition, time was a recurrent topic. Nurses found it difficult to think positively if reduction in time of documentation was not assured.

Health Information Systems: evaluation and performance of a Help Desk.

UNLABELLED: A Help Desk (HD) is crucial in a computerized hospital. OBJECTIVE: to describe the performance of a HD. DESIGN: retrospective cohort study. RESULTS: the sociodemographic characteristics of users, as well as their relationship with the institution influence behaviour when requesting support to a HD. Also we observed a relationship between the flow of users request and the functioning of hospital services. CONCLUSIONS: complexity of HD process realizes the need to identify and define standards to ensure quality of service.

Attributes and circumstances that induce inappropriate health services demand: a study of the health sector in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: The current economic and social context has required health systems to provide top quality services and to be efficient in controlling costs. An obstacle to achieve these goals is the inappropriate health services demand. This study aims to present these inappropriate health service demand determinants from data on telephone calls made to a medical advice call centre. METHODS: This study used a Brazilian medical advice call centre data sample in the period of November and December 2012 (n = 19690), which supplied data on the user's initial request, the physician's recommendation, information on the patient and circumstances (the day and time of the day of the telephone call). The convergence between user intent and medical recommendation consists in adequate demand; otherwise the divergence consists in an inadequate one. In this way, using a logistic regression model, the critical factors that determine inappropriate health services request could be estimated. RESULTS: In general, the user's initial intent is the most critical for the inappropriate health system demand occurrence: the greater the complexity of the patient's initial intent, the greater the chance the intent is wrong: (OR: 1.160; 95% CI: 1.113-1.210). With regard to the social characteristics, men are more likely to make inappropriate requests (OR: 1.102; 95% CI: 1038-1169); as well as youngsters are more likely to use the system incorrectly (OR = .993; 95% CI: .992 - .994). Regarding the circumstances (day and time of the call), requests in the final hours of the day and on days close to the weekend are more likely to be the inappropriate ones (OR: 1.082 for each six hour increase; 95% CI: 1.049-1.116) and weekday (OR: 1.017 for each day increase; 95% CI: 1.002-1.032). CONCLUSIONS: The critical profile for the inappropriate use occurrence consists of males and youngsters, who use the health service in the final hours of the day and at weekends, and mainly want to use more complex services. A practical implication of this research is to provide health systems managers, supporting information to the most critical users in order to assist them in making a decision when asking for health care.

Computerized provider order entry reduces length of stay in a community hospital.

OBJECTIVE: Does computerized provider order entry (CPOE) improve clinical, cost, and efficiency outcomes as quantified in shortened hospital length of stay (LOS)? Most prior studies were done in university settings with home-grown electronic records, and are now 20 years old. This study asked whether CPOE exerts a downward force on LOS in the current era of HITECH incentives, using a vendor product in a community hospital. METHODS: The methodology retrospectively evaluated correlation between CPOE and LOS on a perpatient, per-visit basis over 22 consecutive quarters, organized by discipline. All orders from all areas were eligible, except verbals, and medication orders in the emergency department which were not available via CPOE. These results were compared with quarterly case mix indices organized by discipline. Correlational and regression analyses were cross-checked to ensure validity of R-square coefficients, and data were smoothed for ease of display. Standard models were used to calculate the inflection point. RESULTS: Gains in CPOE adoption occurred iteratively house-wide, and in each discipline. LOS decreased in a sigmoid shaped curve. The inflection point shows that once CPOE adoption approaches 60%, further lowering of LOS accelerates. Overall there was a 20.2% reduction in LOS correlated with adoption of CPOE. Case mix index increased during the study period showing that reductions in LOS occurred despite increased patient complexity and resource utilization. CONCLUSIONS: There was a 20.2% reduction in LOS correlated with rising adoption of CPOE. CPOE contributes to improved clinical, cost, and efficiency outcomes as quantified in reduced LOS, over and above other processes introduced to lower LOS. CPOE enabled a reduction in LOS despite an increase in the case mix index during the time frame of this study.