Predictive potential of SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentration in wastewater to assess the dynamics of COVID-19 clinical outcomes and infections.

Coronavirus disease 2019 - caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) -, has triggered a worldwide pandemic resulting in 665 million infections and over 6.5 million deaths as of December 15, 2022. The development of different epidemiological tools have helped predict new outbreaks and assess the behavior of clinical variables in different health contexts. In this study, we aimed to monitor concentrations of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater as a tool to predict the progression of clinical variables during Waves 3, 5, and 6 of the pandemic in the Spanish city of Xátiva from September 2020 to March 2022. We estimated SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations in 195 wastewater samples using the RT-PCR Diagnostic Panel validated by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. We also compared the trends of several clinical variables (14-day cumulative incidence, positive cases, hospital cases and stays, critical cases and stays, primary care visits, and deaths) for each study wave against wastewater SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations using Pearson's product-moment correlations, a two-sided Mann-Whitney U test, and a cross-correlation analysis. We found strong correlations between SARS-CoV-2 concentrations with 14-day cumulative incidence and positive cases over time. Wastewater RNA concentrations showed strong correlations with these variables one and two weeks in advance. There were significant correlations with hospitalizations and critical care during Wave 3 and Wave 6; cross-correlations were stronger for hospitalization stays one week before during Wave 6. No association between vaccination percentages and wastewater viral concentrations was observed. Our findings support wastewater SARS-CoV-2 concentrations as a potential surveillance tool to anticipate infection and epidemiological data such as 14-day cumulative incidence, hospitalizations, and critical care stays. Public health authorities could use this epidemiological tool on a similar population as an aid for health care decision-making during an epidemic outbreak.

In Situ Simulation: A Strategy to Restore Patient Safety in Intensive Care Units after the COVID-19 Pandemic? Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Patient safety is a public health problem worldwide. In situ simulation (ISS) arises as a learning strategy that allows health professionals to immerse themselves in a real environment without endangering the patients until they have learned the skills needed, thus increasing the quality of care. This systematic review aimed to verify the efficacy of the use of "in situ simulation" as a method that will allow health professionals to increase patient safety in Intensive Care Units after the situation experienced during the pandemic caused by the COVID-19 virus. METHODS: Seven studies were reviewed using the PRISMA methodology for systematic reviews. The CASPe guide was used to assess the quality of the manuscripts. RESULTS: The main topics that emerged from this review in relation to in situ simulation were as follows: looking at aspects such as patient self-perception of safety, adverse events, interprofessional communication and health system organization in relation to in situ simulation. CONCLUSIONS: The adequate implementation of in situ simulation after the COVID-19 pandemic in ICU services is shown to be an efficient and effective strategy to promote improvement in the attitudes on a culture of safety and teamwork of professionals.

Valoración de necesidades formativas de nivel básico en cuidados paliativos en enfermeras de atención primaria en España / Assessment of basic training needs in palliative care in primary healthcare nurses in Spain

Objetivo: Valorar la formación, la percepción de preparación y las necesidades formativas en cuidados paliativos (CP) teóricas y prácticas de las enfermeras de atención primaria en España. Diseño: Estudio descriptivo transversal. Emplazamiento: Centros de atención primaria en España con acceso online. Participantes: Enfermeras de atención primaria en España durante enero y febrero de 2021. De las 344 respuestas, 339 cumplían criterios de inclusión. Mediciones principales: Se analizaron variables sociodemográficas, formación en CP, necesidades de formación mediante cuestionario online de Google Forms e Instrumento INCUE. Se realizaron análisis descriptivos y se compararon los resultados mediante test de simetría exacto y test de Mann-Whitney. Resultados: Mayoritariamente mujeres (82,6%) con una media de edad de 45,5años. El 86,1% de las enfermeras encuestadas tenían formación en CP, siendo básica en el 45,4%. Solo el 40,5% se sienten bastante o muy preparadas para cuidar de pacientes paliativos. Demandaban mayor formación en psicoemocional y duelo y afrontamiento de pérdidas. Superaron el bloque teórico el 83,76%, frente el 43,36% del práctico, detectándose mayores necesidades formativas en este último (p<0,001). Las proporciones de capacitados variaban en función del nivel formativo. Conclusiones: La formación enfermera en CP en atención primaria continúa siendo deficitaria sobre todo en su aplicación práctica, siendo necesaria formación dirigida para que repercuta en el cuidado de las personas con necesidades paliativas y sus familias.(AU)

Aim: Asses training, perception of readiness and training needs in palliative care (PC) theoretical and practical of primary care nurses in Spain, through descriptive cross-sectional study. Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Setting: Primary care nurses in Spain with online access. Participants: Primary care nurses in Spain, January and February 2021. 344 responses, 339 met the inclusion criteria. Main neasurements: Sociodemographic variables, PC training, training needs were analyzed. Through Google Forms online questionnaire and INCUE Instrument. Descriptive analyses were performed and the results were compared using the exact symmetry test and the Mann-Whitney test. Results: 82,6% women, with an average age of 45.5years. 86.1% of the nurses had training in PC, been basic in the 45.4%. Only 40.5% feel quite or very prepared to take care for palliative patients. Nurses demanded more training in psycho-emotional and grief and coping with losses. 83.76% passed the theoretical block compared to 43.36% of the practical, detecting higher training needs in the last (P<.001). The passed rates varied depending on the educational level. Conclusions: Nursing training in PC in primary care continues to be deficient, especially in practical application. Targeted training is necessary to have an impact on the care of people with palliative needs and their families.(AU)

[Assessment of basic training needs in palliative care in primary healthcare nurses in Spain]. / Valoración de necesidades formativas de nivel básico en cuidados paliativos en enfermeras de atención primaria en España.

AIM: Asses training, perception of readiness and training needs in palliative care (PC) theoretical and practical of primary care nurses in Spain, through descriptive cross-sectional study. DESIGN: Descriptive cross-sectional study. SETTING: Primary care nurses in Spain with online access. PARTICIPANTS: Primary care nurses in Spain, January and February 2021. 344 responses, 339 met the inclusion criteria. MAIN NEASUREMENTS: Sociodemographic variables, PC training, training needs were analyzed. Through Google Forms online questionnaire and INCUE Instrument. Descriptive analyses were performed and the results were compared using the exact symmetry test and the Mann-Whitney test. RESULTS: 82,6% women, with an average age of 45.5years. 86.1% of the nurses had training in PC, been basic in the 45.4%. Only 40.5% feel quite or very prepared to take care for palliative patients. Nurses demanded more training in psycho-emotional and grief and coping with losses. 83.76% passed the theoretical block compared to 43.36% of the practical, detecting higher training needs in the last (P<.001). The passed rates varied depending on the educational level. CONCLUSIONS: Nursing training in PC in primary care continues to be deficient, especially in practical application. Targeted training is necessary to have an impact on the care of people with palliative needs and their families.

Use of the Ultrasound Technique as Compared to the Standard Technique for the Improvement of Venous Cannulation in Patients with Difficult Access.

(1) Objective. We aimed to demonstrate that the use of the ultrasound-guided technique facilitates peripheral venous cannulation as compared to the standard technique in patients with difficult access at emergency services. (2) Method. A case-control study, randomized research. Variables were collected from a population with non-palpable or not visible veins, classified into size risk groups for 6 months. In the comparative analysis, the patients were divided into two groups: the cases group was composed of patients to whom the peripheral venous cannulation was performed with the ultrasound-guided technique (UST), while the control was composed of patients with whom the standard technique (ST) was performed. The ultrasound LOGIQ P5 750VA from General Electric Healthcare, with an 11 mHz linear probe, was utilized, along with peripheral venous catheters model InsyteTM AutoguardTM with gauges of 14G to 26G. (3) Results. Seventy-two cases. The use of the ultrasound decreased the time (618.34s ST, 126s UST) and the number of punctures (2.92 ST, 1.23 UST); about 25% of the patients did not have complications with the UST, as compared to 8% with the ST. The use of the ultrasound decreased the pain experienced by 1.44 points in the visual analog scale, as compared to 0.11 points with the ST. The rate of success of the first try with the UST was 76%, as compared to 16% of the ST. The gauge of the catheter increased with the UST, with successful cannulations obtained with 20G (56%) and 18G (41%) gauges. (4) Conclusions. The use of ultrasound facilitates venous cannulation according to the variables of the study. The ultrasound visualization of the vessels is associated with the selection of the catheter gauge. There was no relation between the complications and the depth of the blood vessels.

Design and Validation of the INCUE Questionnaire: Assessment of Primary Healthcare Nurses' Basic Training Needs in Palliative Care.

Many instruments have been created to measure knowledge and attitudes in palliative care. However, not only is it important to acquire knowledge, but also that this knowledge should reach patients and their relatives through application in clinical practice. This study aimed to develop and psychometrically test the INCUE questionnaire (Investigación Cuidados Enfermeros/Investigation into Nurses' Care Understanding of End-of-Life) to assess the basic training needs of primary or home healthcare nurses in palliative care. A questionnaire was developed based on the classical theory of tests and factor analysis models. Initially, 18 experts developed 67 items in two blocks and determined content validity by two rounds of expert panels. Exploratory factor analysis and reliability testing were conducted with a non-probabilistic sample of 370 nurses. Some items were observed to have very low homogeneity indices or presented convergence problems and were eliminated. Questionnaire reliability was 0.700 in the theoretical block (KR20 Index) and 0.941 in the practical block (Cronbach's alpha). The model converges and shows an adequate fit, specifically CFI = 0.977, TLI = 0.977 and RMSEA = 0.05. The correlation between the two factors in the model is ρ = 0.63. The questionnaire objectively evaluates primary or home healthcare nurses' knowledge of palliative care and its practical application, thereby facilitating more efficient training plans.

Study of the Strengths and Weaknesses of Nursing Work Environments in Primary Care in Spain.

BACKGROUND: Nursing work environments are defined as the characteristics of the workplace that promote or hinder the provision of professional care by nurses. Positive work environments lead to better health outcomes. Our study aims to identify the strengths and weaknesses of primary health care settings in Spain. METHODS: Cross-sectional study carried out from 2018 to 2019. We used the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index and the TOP10 Questionnaire of Assessment of Environments in Primary Health Care for data collection. The associations between sociodemographic and professional variables were analyzed. RESULTS: In total, 702 primary care nurses participated in the study. Responses were obtained from 14 out of the 17 Spanish Autonomous Communities. Nursing foundation for quality of care, management and leadership of head nurse and nurse-physician relationship were identified as strengths, whereas nurse participation in center affairs and adequate human resources to ensure quality of care were identified as weaknesses of the nursing work environment in primary health care. Older nurses and those educated to doctoral level were the most critical in the nursing work environments. Variables Age, Level of Education and Managerial Role showed a significant relation with global score in the questionnaire. CONCLUSION: Interventions by nurse managers in primary health care should focus on improving identified weaknesses to improve quality of care and health outcomes.

Sociodemographic Determinants for the Health-Related Quality of Life of Patients with Vascular Amputations as Determined with the Prosthesis Evaluation Questionnaire.

BACKGROUND: To identify the sociodemographic variables independently related to the different dimensions of the Prosthesis Evaluation Questionnaire (PEQ). METHODS: An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted, with a sample of 61 Spanish vascular amputees (Valencia, Spain). Included in this study are the results of the PEQ and explanatory-sociodemographic variables, as well as a descriptive and analytic analysis. RESULTS: Gender differences were observed in "appearance" and "perception of appearance" (significantly higher levels for men). Older patients tended to have worse scores in "utility", "frustration", "social burden" and "deambulation". More favorable scores were obtained for those residing in rural areas in "social burden" and "deambulation". Educational level had a positive correlation with scores. CONCLUSION: Gender, age, place of residence, and educational level could be considered determinants of the quality of health related to prosthesis adaptation in vascular amputees. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Knowing the influential variables in the process of prosthetization will allow better adaptation and an improvement in the quality of life.