Prevención de pancreatitis recurrentes por deficiencia de lipoprotein lipasa mediante tratamiento antioxidante / Prevention of recurrent pancreatitis in lipoprotein lipase deficiency with antioxidant therapy

La hipertrigliceridemia por deficiencia de lipoprotein lipasa (LPL) es una enfermedad rara que se asocia a pancreatitis recurrente. La evidencia sugiere que la inflamación del páncreas podría estar relacionada con el daño por radicales libres. Existe bibliografía que avala el uso de antioxidantes en su prevención, en concreto la combinación de selenio, L-metionina, ácido ascórbico y tocoferol. A continuación se presenta el caso de un paciente con hipertrigliceridemia asociada a baja actividad de LPL con pancreatitis recurrentes. A partir de los 23 años comienza a sufrir episodios de pancreatitis aguda de repetición (más de 14 ingresos). Destaca un periodo de 4 años y medio en los que no presenta ningún episodio coincidiendo con el cese del hábito tabáquico. A los 46 años inicia tratamiento antioxidante; para ello se elaboran como fórmula magistral cápsulas de L-metionina y ácido ascórbico 480/120 mg y por otra parte cápsulas de selenometionina 600 mg. A lo largo del tratamiento los valores de triglicéridos se mantienen estables. Desde entonces no ha vuelto a presentar ningún diagnóstico de pancreatitis aguda. La asociación entre hipertrigliceridemia y pancreatitis es bien conocida, siendo además ésta última potencialmente mortal. En nuestro caso, la combinación de antioxidantes se muestra como una opción segura y efectiva. A tenor de los resultados y estudios parece también fundamental evitar el hábito tabáquico. Además, es esencial destacar la importancia de la formulación magistral. Sin embargo, serían recomendables estudios de eficacia y seguridad con mayor número de pacientes y durante un periodo de tiempo más prolongado

Hypertriglyceridemia due to lipoprotein lipase deficiency (LPL) is a rare disease associated with recurrent pancreatitis. Evidence suggests that inflammation of the pancreas could be related to damage by free radicals. Bibliography supports the use of antioxidants in its prevention, specifically the combination of selenium, L-methionine, ascorbic acid and tocopherol. The following is the case of a patient with hypertriglyceridemia associated with low LPL activity with recurrent pancreatitis. From the age of 23, he begins to suffer episodes of recurrent acute pancreatitis (more than 14 admissions). It highlights a period of 4 and a half years in which there is no episode coinciding with the cessation of smoking. At the age of 46, he starts antioxidants treatment. For this purpose, master formula L-methionine and ascorbic acid capsules 480/120 mg and selenomethionine capsules 600 mg were performed. Throughout the treatment the values of triglycerides remain stable. Since then he has not presented any diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. The association between hypertriglyceridemia and pancreatitis is well known, and the latter is potentially fatal. In our case, the combination of antioxidants is shown as a safe and effective option. In view of the results and studies, it also seems essential to avoid smoking. In addition, it is essential to highlight the importance of the master formula. However, efficacy and safety studies with a greater number of patients and for a longer period of time would be recommended

Análisis del impacto económico, de consumo y de calidad en el uso de los medicamentos, tras la implantación de la prescripción electrónica y de un sistema automatizado de dispensación / Economic impact and acceptance of electronic prescription and dispensing automation

OBJETIVO: Evaluar el impacto en el gasto, consumo y aceptabilidad tras la implantación de prescripción electrónica y un sistema de dispensación automático en una unidad de hospitalización. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio retrospectivo pre-post implantación, comparativo en consumo (unidades) y gasto (euros) de medicamentos durante los periodos enero-noviembre 2017 y enero-noviembre 2018. Se midió impacto económico de la implantación aplicando costes de 2017 a la actividad 2018. Se realizó una encuesta de valoración de la seguridad, calidad asistencial y aceptación al personal de enfermería. RESULTADOS: El consumo en medicamentos tras la implantación fue un 5,76% inferior con respecto al periodo anterior. La distribución porcentual del consumo de unidades según vía de administración fue similar entre ambos periodos. Durante el periodo 2018, el gasto fue un 2,76% superior, asociado a un aumento en la actividad y al incremento del coste por unidad de medicamento. Sin embargo, el gasto y consumo ponderados por ingreso, fueron un 10% y 16,5% inferiores, respectivamente. El impacto económico de la implantación supuso una disminución del gasto en medicamentos de 15.656 euros. El resultado de las encuestas arrojó una valoración positiva en seguridad, más del 70% de los encuestados consideraron que los armarios previenen administraciones innecesarias, alergias y errores en la selección de medicamentos. CONCLUSIÓN: La implantación de la prescripción electrónica y de un sistema automatizado de dispensación disminuye los costes asociados al consumo de medicamentos. Mejora la adaptación de las presentaciones farmacéuticas a la prescripción y la seguridad en el uso de los medicamentos

OBJECTIVE: Impact evaluation of expenditure, consumption and acceptability in the implementation of the electronic prescription and the automatic dispensing cabinet in a hospitalization unit. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Pre-post implantation comparative retrospective study, in which the consumption (units) and expenditure (euros) of drugs were compared during 2 periods, pre-period (January-November 2017) and post-period (January-November 2018). The economic impact of the implementation was measured by applying the costs of 2017 to the activity of 2018. A survey was also carried out to assess the safety, quality of care and acceptability of nursing staff of the unit. RESULTS: Total units of drugs consumed after implementation were 5.76% lower compared to the previous period. The distribution of unit consumption according to the route of administration was similar between both periods. During the period of 2018, spending on medicines was 2.76% higher, associated with an increase in activity, spending and consumption weighted by income, 10% and 16.5% lower, respectively. The economic impact of the implementation meant a decrease in the cost of medicines of 15,656 euros. The result of the surveys yielded a positive evaluation in security, more than 70% of the nurses considered the automated dispensing cabinet prevent administration in case the allergies and the errors in the selection of medicines. CONCLUSIONS: complementation of electronic prescription and automatic dispensing cabinet produce a decrease in the healthcare costs. As well as a better adaptation to the prescription and an increase in the safety use of medicines. The nursing staff recognizes this new system as safer than the manual floor stock system

Apertura de una Unidad de Atención Farmacéutica a pacientes externos durante la pandemia COVID-19 / Setting-up of a hospital outpatient Pharmaceutical Care Unit during the COVID-19 pandemic

OBJETIVOS: Describir y analizar los cambios organizativos para la apertura de una nueva Unidad de Atención Farmacéutica a pacientes externos (UFPE) de un hospital "limpio" de SARS-COV-2 durante la pandemia y medir su impacto. MÉTODOS: Estudio llevado a cabo en un hospital de 86 camas (uso no COVID-19) dependiente de un hospital de 652 camas (con atención a pacientes COVID-19), desde el 11 de marzo al 21 de junio. Se comparó la actividad con el mismo período del año anterior y se encuestó a los pacientes. La plantilla se reforzó temporalmente con un especialista en farmacia hospitalaria. RESULTADOS: Se realizaron 886 dispensaciones a 448 pacientes, frente a 34 dispensaciones a 9 pacientes el año previo. Se encuestó a 60 pacientes, donde un 60% expresó que de haber tenido que desplazarse al hospital habitual no habrían recogido la medicación. Un 93% opinó sentirse seguro en su visita a la nueva UFPE. La evaluación de la satisfacción fue excelente. El sistema de reposición mediante método Kanban permitió reducir la solicitud de medicación al hospital principal. CONCLUSIONES: La apertura de la UFPE permitió continuar con la actividad no-COVID-19 minimizando el riesgo de contagio, mejorando así la adherencia. El método Kanban supuso un buen método de control de existencias en cantidad y tiempo. La crisis sanitaria por SARS-COV-2 ha supuesto un gran desafío y la farmacia hospitalaria ha demostrado una elevada capacidad de adaptación. El futuro inmediato en el ámbito sanitario se muestra incierto por lo que es fundamental mantenerse abierto a la incorporación de nuevas estrategias que refuercen la asistencia sanitaria

OBJECTIVE: Describe and analyze the organizational changes for the setting up of a new outpatient Pharmaceutical Care Unit (OPCU) of a "clean" SARSCOV-2 hospital during the pandemic and measure their impact. METHODS: Study carried out in an 86- bed hospital (non-COVID-19 use) dependent on a 652-bed hospital (with care for COVID-19 patients), from March 11 to June 21. Activity was compared with the same period of the previous year and patients were surveyed. The staff was temporarily reinforced with a hospital pharmacist. RESULTS: A total of 886 dispensations were made to 448 patients, compared to 34 dispensations to 9 patients the previous year. 60 patients were surveyed, where 60% expressed that if they had to go to the usual hospital they would not have collected the medication. 93% said they felt safe on their visit to the new OPCU. Satisfaction evaluation was excellent. The Kanban replenishment system reduced the request for medication to the main hospital. CONCLUSIONS: Setting-up of the OPCU allowed to continue with the non-COVID-19 activity, minimizing the risk of infection, thus improving adherence. The Kanban method was a good method of inventory control in quantity and time. Health crisis due to SARS-COV-2 has been a great challenge and the hospital pharmacy has demonstrated a high capacity for adaptation. The immediate future in the health field is uncertain, so it is essential to remain open to the incorporation of new strategies that strengthen health care

[Central venous catheters-related infections in patients with parenteral nutrition]. / Infecciones relacionadas con el catéter venoso central en pacientes con nutrición parenteral total.

INTRODUCTION: Infections related to central venous catheters (CVC) are complications with a high prevalence and possible serious consequences. Administration of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is a risk factor, although the information available for these patients and conventional inpatient units is scarce. OBJECTIVE: To determine the rate of catheter-related bacteremia (CRB) in patients with TPN and to identify possible relationships with administration route or place of insertion, to determinate the current situation and identify possible preventive measures. METHOD: Prospective-observational study of 13 months. All adult patients who received TPN were included. Infection rate used was the CRB per 1,000 days of CVC. RESULTS: 176 CVC were registered in 159 patients. In 47% of CVC, vein access was jugular vein, despite being a location of greatest risk of infection. In critically ill patients, which followed a zero bacteremia project, there was no cases of infection. In other patients, bacteremia rate was 13.10 per 1,000 days of CVC. The average time elapsed between catheter insertion and infection was 11 days (range: 4-22) and the most frequent species were S. epidermidis (38%) and S. hominis (19%). DISCUSSION: In our environment there is a high rate of BRC in non-critical patients, with a high proportion of CVC in locations with higher risk of infection, despite not having found in the sample a higher rate of infection depending on the access route. Place of insertion, operating room face ward, is related to a lower rate of BRC. Measures to standardize clinical practice may reduce its incidence. The zero bacteremia project is confirmed as a highly effective method.

Infecciones relacionadas con el catéter venoso central en pacientes con nutrición parenteral total / Central venous catheters-related infections in patients with parenteral nutrition

Introducción: Las infecciones relacionadas con el uso de catéteres venosos centrales (CVC) son complicaciones con una alta prevalencia y posibles consecuencias graves. La administración de nutrición parenteral total (NPT) constituye un factor de riesgo, aunque la información disponible para este tipo de pacientes en unidades de hospitalización convencionales es escasa. Objetivos: Determinar la tasa de bacteriemia relaciona con catéter (BRC) en pacientes hospitalizados con NPT y establecer posibles relaciones entre el tipo de vía o el lugar de canalización, determinar la situación actual y establecer posibles medidas preventivas. Métodos: Estudio prospectivo-observacional de 13 meses de duración. Se incluyeron todos los pacientes adultos ingresados que recibieron NPT. La tasa de infección empleada fue las BRC por 1.000 días de CVC. Resultados: Se analizaron 176 CVC en 159 pacientes. En el 47% de las canalizaciones la vía de acceso fue la vena yugular, a pesar de ser una localización de mayor riesgo de infección. En pacientes críticos, donde se siguió un protocolo de bacteriemia zero, no hubo ningún caso de infección. En el resto de enfermos, la tasa de bacteriemia fue de 13,10 por 1.000 días de CVC. La media de tiempo entre la inserción del catéter y la infección fue de 11 días (rango: 4-22) y las especies más frecuentes, S. epidermidis (38%) y S. hominis (19%). Discusión: En nuestro medio existe una elevada tasa de BRC en pacientes no críticos, con una elevada proporción de CVC en localizaciones con mayor riesgo de infección, a pesar de no haber encontrado en la muestra analizada una mayor tasa de infección en función de la vía canalizada. El lugar de canalización, quirófano frente a planta, se relaciona con una menor tasa de BRC. Medidas para estandarizar la práctica clínica podrían disminuir su incidencia. El proyecto Bacteriemia zero se confirma como un método altamente efectivo (AU)

Introduction: Infections related to central venous catheters (CVC) are complications with a high prevalence and possible serious consequences. Administration of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is a risk factor, although the information available for these patients and conventional inpatient units is scarce. Objective: To determine the rate of catheter-related bacteremia (CRB) in patients with TPN and to identify possible relationships with administration route or place of insertion, to determinate the current situation and identify possible preventive measures. Method: Prospective-observational study of 13 months. All adult patients who received TPN were included. Infection rate used was the CRB per 1,000 days of CVC. Results: 176 CVC were registered in 159 patients. In 47% of CVC, vein access was jugular vein, despite being a location of greatest risk of infection. In critically ill patients, which followed a zero bacteremia project, there was no cases of infection. In other patients, bacteremia rate was 13.10 per 1,000 days of CVC. The average time elapsed between catheter insertion and infection was 11 days (range: 4-22) and the most frequent species were S. epidermidis (38%) and S. hominis (19%). Discussion: In our environment there is a high rate of BRC in non-critical patients, with a high proportion of CVC in locations with higher risk of infection, despite not having found in the sample a higher rate of infection depending on the access route. Place of insertion, operating room face ward, is related to a lower rate of BRC. Measures to standardize clinical practice may reduce its incidence. The zero bacteremia project is confirmed as a highly effective method (AU)

Implantación de un programa sistemático de revisión de prescripciones electrónicas / Implementation of a systematic review program of electronic prescriptions

Objetivo: Implantar un programa de revisión sistemática de prescripciones electrónicas para potenciar el uso seguro y eficiente de los medicamentos. Material y método: Proyecto que comenzó en mayo de 2010 en un distrito sanitario de Atención Primaria que da cobertura a medio millón de habitantes aproximadamente. Consiste en la revisión y seguimiento estrecho de las prescripciones electrónicas por los médicos de familia. En esta revisión se incluyó a todos los pacientes con prescripciones electrónicas, priorizando a aquellos polimedicados. Este programa, que desde su implantación fue considerado como punto crítico para mejorar el uso de los medicamentos, fue diseñado e impulsado por la Dirección del Distrito y el Servicio de Farmacia, y contó con el seguimiento de los directores de cada centro de salud. Para dimensionar su impacto, se analizaron como indicadores de seguimiento: el importe/TAFE estimado anual y el número de recetas/TAFE estimado anual. La TAFE es la tarjeta sanitaria ponderada según la edad del usuario y su peso en farmacia asociado. Resultados: El objetivo del proyecto se ha alcanzado con éxito, lo que se ha visto reflejado en el elevado número de pacientes revisados, la disminución del número de recetas estimadas anuales y por tanto, del importe generado por ellas. Conclusión: La receta electrónica es una herramienta importante para conseguir una gestión más eficiente de las consultas médicas, pero la falta de seguimiento por parte de los médicos de los tratamientos prescritos durante períodos prolongados conduce a una utilización inadecuada de los recursos terapéuticos, que es necesario abordar con estrategias como la realizada (AU)

Objective: To implement a systematic review of electronic prescriptions with a view to promoting the safe and efficient use of drugs. Materials and method: This scheme was introduced in May 2010 in a Primary Healthcare District serving a population of approximately half a million inhabitants, and involved the analysis and close monitoring of the electronic prescriptions generated by general practitioners. All patients receiving electronic prescriptions were included in the study, and priority was given to patients on multiple medication. From its very inception the project was considered crucial to improving the safe and efficient use of prescription drugs, and was designed and promoted by the Directors of the Primary Healthcare District and by the members of its Pharmacy Department, with monitoring provided by the Directors of each Primary Healthcare Centre. To measure its impact, we employed the following as monitoring indicators: estimated annual cost/TAFE and estimated annual number of prescriptions/TAFE. TAFE relates to the individual healthcare card weighted in accordance with the age of the user and his or her related pharmaceutical cost. Results: The original aim was successfully achieved, and is reflected in the large number of patients reviewed, in a decrease in the estimated annual number of prescriptions, and, consequently, in the corresponding pharmaceutical cost. Conclusion: Electronic prescribing is an important tool in developing more effective management of the general practitioner clinic, but failure by the physician to monitor prescribed treatments over prolonged periods leads to the inappropriate use of therapeutic resources and, to avoid this, it is essential to implement strategies such as the one described (AU)

[Outbreak of schistosomiasis in a group a travellers returning from Burkina Faso]. / Brote de esquistosomiasis en un grupo de viajeros procedentes de Burkina Fasso.

BACKGROUND: Schistosomiasis in Spain is always an imported disease mainly presented in travellers from endemic areas with a history of having bathed in fresh water and in immigrants from these areas. A group of travellers presenting infection by schistosomes following an 8-day journey to Burkina Faso. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The travellers, residents of Gran Canaria (Spain), who had bathed in fresh water were studied by schistosomiasis serology and parasitologic examination in stools and urine. RESULTS: A total of 29 travellers were studied, 20 (69%) of whom were considered to be infected, on presenting positive serology and/or coproparasitologic examination. Fourteen of the infected patients presented clinical symptomatology compatible with the Katayama syndrome, while 6 were asymptomatic. The mean time to appearance of the symptoms was 27 days and these were most frequently fever, headache, neck pain, diarrhea and arthromyalgia together with eosinophilia achieving a mean value of 3,513 eosinophils/microliter. All the infected travellers presented positive serology and in 5 eggs of a Schistosoma mansoni were observed in stools. All the infected patients were treated with praziquantel. CONCLUSIONS: Limited exposure by bathing in fresh water in this group of travellers led to a high rate of infection. The diagnosis of schistosomiasis should be considered in any traveller from an endemic area with a history of having bathed in fresh water. In the case of an outbreak, investigation of all the travellers who had bathed is recommendable given that the infection may be asymptomatic.

[Propionibacterium acnes infection in patients with CSF shunts]. / Infección por Propionibacterium acnes en pacientes portadores de sistemas derivación de LCR.

BACKGROUND AND METHODS: Propionibacterium acnes is a common inhabitant of human skin rarely associated with clinical disease. However it has been recognized as a cause of shunt and postneurosurgical infections. From January 1992 to June 1995, 5,947 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were cultured in our laboratory. We carried out a clinical-epidemiological study in patients where P. acnes was isolated from CSF. RESULTS: P, acnes was isolated from 11 CSF samples which corresponded to 7 episodes of shunt infection in 6 patients. Five were men; the mean age was 28.5 years. The mean time of onset of infection after the last shunt manipulation was 104 weeks. All of them presented symptomatology associated with infection. All episodes but one, where P. acnes was considered to be a contaminant, were treated with systemic and intraventricular antibiotic therapy and complete shunt removal. Four patients made an uneventful recovery and two patients died due to causes not directly related with the infection. CONCLUSIONS: P. acnes is frequently isolated in patients with shunt infections. Its isolation must be seriously considered not viewed as a contaminant without an exhaustive investigation.

[Clinical characteristics and epidemiologic study of a listeriosis outbreak in Grand Canary]. / Características clínicas y estudio epidemiológico de un brote de listeriosis en Gran Canaria.

BACKGROUND AND METHODS: Human infections caused by Listeria monocytogenes often present as sporadic cases without any epidemiological relationship among them; however they also appear as outbreaks that are usually detected by an increase in the number of cases diagnosed by hospitals of the geographic area. Between December 1991 and May 1993, twenty four cases of listeriosis were detected in three hospitals of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria; and they were classified as an outbreak. Our report describes its clinical, epidemiological and microbiological aspects. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Twenty four cases of listeriosis were diagnosed, 12 occurred in pregnant women or neonates (5 and 7 respectively) and 12 in non pregnant adults. All adult infections were community-acquired. The incidence rate was, for the epidemic area, 76.3 cases per million population during the period considered (18 months). Among non pregnant adults, 9/12 patients had some underlying disease and 9/12 presented CNS affection (meningitis and/or cerebritis). In the group of pregnant women, 4 cases occurred in the second trimester and fetal loss was caused; one case was detected in the third trimester and four weeks later the patient delivered an unaffected infant. All cases of neonatal listeriosis presented as early-onset sepsis. Of the 24 strains of L. monocytogenes, 21 were serotype 4, two were serotype 1 and one was not typeable. Strains from 12 patients were available for epidemiological analysis, seven of which corresponded to the same pattern and there were three more different patterns.

[Hemorrhagic colitis caused by verotoxigenic Escherichia coli. Presentation of 9 cases]. / Colitis hemorrágica por Escherichia coli verotoxigénica. Presentación de 9 casos.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of nine patients with enteritis caused by verocytotoxin-producing E. coli O157. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Clinical data of patients was collected retrospectively, the isolated strains were tested for verotoxin production (VT) using Vero cell culture line, and presence of VT1 and VT2 gene sequences was detected using amplification techniques (PCR), biotype was also determined using twelve biochemical tests, and genomic macrorestriction profile (PFGE). RESULTS: The patients' age ranged from 11 months to 70 years. The mean duration of diarrhea was 4.7 days. All patients but one had abdominal cramps, seven of nine reported hemorrhagic stools and six had fever. Three patients were affected of haematologycal neoplasia and two of them developed hemolytic-uremic syndrome as a complication. All strains produced VT2 and two of them also produced VT1. Epidemiological link between patients has not been established. Three different biotypes had been distinguished between the nine isolated strains. All but two had different macrorestriction profiles. DISCUSSION: The results obtained showed that clinical manifestations are rather inespecific, including fever (6/9 patients) and there is high association of severe complications. The heterogeneity in PFGE results obtained confirms that the cases are not related.