Attending to the Mental Health of People Who Are Homeless by Mobile Telephone Follow-Up: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: More than 20% of the world's population has no decent or suitable home. People who are homeless have more health problems than the rest of the population, especially mental health-type problems. The main objective of this study was to identify follow-up interventions by using mobile telephones to improve the mental health of people who are homeless and to analyze their efficiency. METHODS: To do so, a systematic review was carried out in the Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Ebscohost, and PsyInfo databases. RESULTS: Studies conclude that mobile phone use is a suitable means to improve adherence to medication and the mental health of the homeless. However, significant attempts to demonstrate health benefits by means of reliable and valid instruments that supplement qualitative satisfaction and feedback instruments appear to be lacking. CONCLUSIONS: The literature about mental health benefits through technology for people who are homeless is scarce and shows methodological limitations that can lead to failure when setting up methodologies in clinical practice.

Implantación de la guía de práctica clínica Valoración y manejo de las lesiones por presión para equipos interprofesionales / Implementation of the clinical practice guideline “Risk assessment and prevention of pressure ulcers for interprofessional teams

Objetivo: evaluar la implantación de la guía Valoración y manejo de las lesiones por presión para equipos interprofesionales de la Asociación Profesional de Enfermeras de Ontario (RNAO®) en el Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves (Granada, España), con objeto de identificar mejoras producidas en la formación de profesionales, en el proceso de cuidados y en los resultados en salud de los pacientes con lesiones por presión (LPP). Método: estudio descriptivo longitudinal retrospectivo (2018-2022). Variables: formación impartida, materiales elaborados, edad, sexo, valoración del riesgo de LPP, plan de cuidados especifico, uso de superficie especial para el manejo de la presión, LPP previas y nuevas, categoría de LPP, cicatrización y días de estancia de hospitalización. Resultados: la formación pasó de tres actividades y 86 asistentes a 16 actividades y 229 asistentes, y se elaboraron nueve materiales de apoyo a la formación. La valoración del riesgo y el plan de cuidados se realizó a más del 88% de la muestra. La aplicación de superficies especiales descendió en 2021 a 57,1%. Un 49,2% de pacientes tuvo una nueva lesión durante su estancia hospitalaria, siendo predominante la categoría II y presentaron signos de cicatrización un 42,6% de las lesiones tratadas. Conclusiones: la implantación ha supuesto un incremento de la actividad formativa en actualización de conocimientos sobre metodología de implantación de evidencia y en el manejo de LPP. El proceso de cuidados del paciente con LPP se realiza conforme a alguna de las recomendaciones de la guía, siendo necesario mejorar. Hay indicios que apuntan a que las cifras de LPP nosocomiales están disminuyendo.(AU)

Objectives: to assess the implementation of the guideline "Risk assessment and prevention of pressure ulcers (PU) for interprofessional teams” by the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO®) at the Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves (Granada, Spain), with the objective of identifying any improvements made in professional training, in the care process, and in the health outcomes for patients with PU. Method: a descriptive longitudinal retrospective study (2018-2022). Variables: training given, materials prepared, age, gender, risk assessment for PU, specific care plan, use of a special surface for pressure management, previous and new PU, PU categories, PU healing, and hospitalization days.Results: training went from three activities and 86 attendees to 16 activities and 229 attendees, and nine support materials were prepared. Risk assessment and care plan were applied to >88% of the sample. The use of special surfaces was reduced to 57.1% in 2021; 49.2% of patients presented a new lesion during their hospital stay, with Category II as the predominant; 42.6% of the lesions treated presented healing signs. Conclusions: the implementation has represented an increase in training activities for updating the knowledge regarding methodology for evidence implementation and in PU management. The process of care for patients with PU is conducted following only some of the recommendations in the guideline, and an improvement is required. There are signs pointing to a reduction in the number of hospital PU.(AU)

Calidad de vida al alta hospitalaria de pacientes con sobrepeso ingresados en servicios de medicina interna / Quality of life at discharge of patients with overweight admitted to internal medicine departments

Objetivo: Evaluar la calidad de vida (CVRS) al alta hospitalaria de pacientes con sobrepeso en los servicios de medicina interna de 4 hospitales españoles. Material y método: Estudio descriptivo transversal con los datos de pacientes con índice de masa corporal ≥25kg/m2, de ≥18 años, no diabéticos, ingresados en cuatro servicios de medicina interna a lo largo de un año. El día del ingreso se les recogió variables sociodemográficas y el Índice de Comorbilidad de Charlson [ICC] el día del alta, la CVRS (cuestionario EQ-5D-5L) y los días de hospitalización. Resultados: muestra final de 168 pacientes. Con la Escala Visual Analógica del EQ-5D-5L, los pacientes del hospital de la ciudad de Granada presentaron una mediana de puntuación de 45, y de 60 en el resto de hospitales (0=peor a 100= mejor estado de salud). En los hospitales de la ciudad de Granada, Baza, Ceuta y Motril se obtuvieron unas medianas de días de estancia de 8, 6, 9 y 8, con unas medianas de edad de 81, 71, 51 y 72 años y unas medianas en el ICC de 5, 3, 0 y 1, respectivamente. No existió correlación entre los días de hospitalización con el Índice de Comorbilidad de Charlson (Coef. -0.57, p=0.48), edad (Coef -0.09, p=0.25), ni escala EVA (Coef. -0.65, p=0.43). Conclusiones: Hay gran heterogeneidad en la CVRS y en casi todas las características estudiadas en los pacientes entre los hospitales incluidos. Los pacientes del hospital de la ciudad de Granada tienen las peores valoraciones en la CVRS, son los de más edad y tienen peor ICC. Los pacientes del hospital de Ceuta son los de menos edad y tienen mejor ICC. Recomendaciones: las intervenciones en atención primaria que tengan en cuenta la CVRS al alta hospitalaria, podría mejorar la gestión clínica y sanitaria. (AU)

Objective: To evaluate the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) at hospital discharge of patients with overweight in internal medicine departments of four Spanish hospitals. Material and Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study of non-diabetic patients aged ≥18 years with body mass index (BMI) ≥25 Kg/m2 admitted to four internal medicine departments over a one-year period. Data were gathered on sociodemographic variables and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) at admission and on HRQoL (EQ-5D-5L questionnaire) and length of hospital stay at discharge. Results: The final sample included 168 patients. The median EQ-5D-5L visual analog scale score was median of 45 in Granada hospital, and median of 60 in the rest. (0 = worst to 100 = best imaginable). Median lengths of hospital stay were 8, 6, 9, and 8 days in Granada, Baza, Ceuta, and Motril hospitals, respectively, median ages were 81, 71, 51, and 72 years, respectively, and median CCI values were 5, 3, 0, and 1, respectively. No correlation was observed between length of hospital stay and CCI (coefficient -0.57, p=0.48), age (coefficient -0.09, p=0.25), or VAS (coefficient -0.65, p=0.43). Conclusions There is a wide heterogeneity in the HRQoL and almost all studied characteristics among participating centers. Patients in the hospital in Granada city have the worst HRQoL, highest age, and worst CCI value. The patients of the Ceuta hospital have lowest age and the best CCI. Recommendations: primary care interventions that take account of the HRQoL at hospital discharge could improve clinical and health care management. (AU)

Hospital Intervention to Reduce Overweight with Educational Reinforcement after Discharge: A Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity and overweight affect more than one-third of the world's population and pose a major public health problem. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of an educational intervention on dietary habits and physical exercise in patients with overweight admitted to departments of internal medicine, comprising a pre-discharge educational session with follow-up and reinforcement by telephone at 3, 6, and, 12 months post-discharge. Outcome variables were weight, systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressures, health-related quality of life (HRQOL), hospital readmissions, emergency department visits, and death. METHOD: A randomized experimental study with a control group was performed in hospitalized non-diabetic adults aged ≥18 years with body mass index (BMI) ≥25 Kg/m2. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The final sample included 273 patients. At three months post-discharge, the intervention group had lower SBP and DPB and improved dietary habits (assessed using the Pardo Questionnaire) and VAS-assessed HRQOL in comparison to the control group but a worse EQ-5Q-5L-assessed HRQOL. There were no between-group differences in hospital readmissions, emergency department visits, or mortality at any time point. Both groups evidenced a progressive improvement over the three follow-up periods in weight, SBP, and dietary habits but a worsening of EQ-5D-5L-value-assessed HRQOL. DISCUSSION: The intervention group showed greater improvements over the short term, but between-group differences disappeared at 6 and 12 months. Weight loss and improvements in key outcomes were observed in both groups over the follow-up period. Further research is warranted to determine whether a minimum intervention with an educational leaflet, follow-up phone calls, and questionnaires on overweight-related healthy habits, as in the present control group, may be an equally effective strategy without specific individual educational input.

Differences in Dietary Habits, Physical Exercise, and Quality of Life between Male and Female Patients with Overweight.

Overweight can be an additional problem in patients admitted to hospital. OBJECTIVE: To analyze gender differences in pre-admission dietary habits and physical exercise and in HRQoL at hospital discharge among hospitalized adults with overweight. METHODS: Cross-sectional study in non-diabetic patients enrolled in a clinical trial with body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 Kg/m2 at admission. Bivariate analyses used Pearson's chi-square test and Fisher's exact test for qualitative variables and the Mann-Whitney test for numerical variables. RESULTS: The study included 148 males and 127 females. At admission, women had higher BMI (p = 0.016) than men and a larger percentage consumed drugs for depression (p = 0.030) and anxiety (p = 0.049), and followed a religion-based diet (p = 0.022). Pre-admission, women had healthier habits related to dietary caloric intake (p = 0.009) and greater adherence to recommendations for a healthy diet (p = 0.001). At discharge, women described worse self-perceived health (p = 0.044) and greater pain/discomfort (p = 0.004) in comparison to men. CONCLUSIONS: Pre-admission, women had better habits related to a healthy diet and did not differ from men in habits related to physical exercise but had a higher BMI. At discharge, women reported worse self-perceived health and greater pain/discomfort. These differences should be considered for the adequate clinical management of patients with overweight.

On What Do the Homeless Base Their Happiness?

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between the characteristics and experiences of homeless persons and their state of happiness as a basis for designing appropriate social support strategies. DESIGN: Exploratory observational study with an analytical and descriptive qualitative design. SETTING: Participants were contacted, administered with questionnaires, and interviewed in the street (central and northern areas of the city) or at the "Asociación Calor y Café" center in Granada (Spain) between April 2017 and February 2018. PARTICIPANTS: Selected by intentional sampling, 25 participants completed questionnaires in the first study and 14 of these were administered with questionnaires and interviewed in the second study. METHOD: General and specific questionnaires were administered to determine the state of happiness and other variables. Descriptive statistics were followed by an analysis of the relationships between variables and the content analysis of semi-structured interviews. RESULTS: A feeling of happiness was described by 64% of participants and confirmed by a happiness scale score of 50%. Participants who felt satisfied with their life were 4.5-fold more likely to feel happy (p = 0.021). Expectations for the future were not associated with happiness or satisfaction with life. Content analysis of interviews revealed three main themes: conditions for happiness, own happiness/unhappiness, and self-esteem. CONCLUSIONS: Many homeless people describe themselves as feeling happy and satisfied with their life. Material aspects, affective situations, daily life concerns, and self-esteem predominate in their discourse on happiness.

Differences in Dietary Habits, Physical Exercise, and Quality of Life between Patients with Obesity and Overweight.

BACKGROUND: Overweight and obesity differ in their repercussions on the health and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients. The objective of this study was to compare physical activity levels and dietary habits before admission and HRQoL at discharge between patients with obesity and overweight. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was undertaken among participants in a clinical trial on education for healthy eating and physical activity, enrolling non-diabetic patients admitted to Internal Medicine Departments. These were classified by body mass index (BMI) as having overweight (25-29.9 Kg/m2) or obesity (≥30 kg/m2). Data were gathered on sociodemographic characteristics, clinical variables (medication for anxiety/depression, Charlson Comorbidity Index, length of hospital stay), physical exercise and diet (International Physical Activity and Pardo Questionnaires), and HRQoL (EQ-5D-5L). The study included 98 patients with overweight (58.2% males) and 177 with obesity (52% males). RESULTS: In comparison to patients with obesity, those with overweight obtained better results for regular physical exercise (p = 0.007), healthy diet (p = 0.004), and "emotional eating" (p = 0.017). No between-group difference was found in HqoL scores. CONCLUSION: Patients with overweight and obesity differ in healthy dietary and physical exercise behaviors. Greater efforts are warranted to prevent an increase in the BMI of patients, paying special attention to their state of mind.

The Grief of Relatives of Missing Migrants and Supportive Interventions: A Narrative Review.

This review aims to determine the impact of the disappearance of migrants on their family members, to identify their grief management needs, and to describe interventions carried out to date, exploring reports on the grief of relatives of people who disappear in any context. A search of the literature retrieved 24 publications. It was found that the disappearance produced an impact at individual, family, and community level. The primary requisite of relatives was knowledge of the location of their loved one, besides the need for emotional, social, and economic support and recognition of their suffering. There have been few reports of family support interventions, although recommendations have been proposed for their design and implementation. The relatives of migrants are especially vulnerable due to geographic, political, and legal obstacles. The impact of the disappearance and the need for support were found to be highly varied. Further research and interventions on this issue are required.

A prospective study of the association of patient expectations with changes in health-related quality of life outcomes, following total joint replacement.

BACKGROUND: Patient expectations regarding surgery may be related to outcomes in total joint replacement (TJR). The aim of this study was to determine the association of patient expectations with health related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes measured by Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and Short Form 12 (SF-12) and satisfaction with current symptoms measured on a 4-point Likert scale, one year after surgery, adjusting for Body Mass Index (BMI), age, gender, joint, education, previous intervention and baseline scores. METHODS: Consecutive patients preparing for TJR of the knee or hip due to primary osteoarthritis (OA) in 15 hospitals in Spain were recruited for the study. Patients completed questionnaires before surgery and 12 months afterwards: five questions about expectations before surgery; an item to measure satisfaction; two HRQoL instruments-WOMAC and SF-12; as well as questions about sociodemographic information. To determine the association of patient expectations at baseline, with changes in HRQoL 12 months after surgery and with satisfaction, general linear models and logistic regression analysis were performed. RESULTS: A total of 892 patients took part in the study. Patients who had higher pain relief or ability to walk expectations improved more in HRQoL at 12 months. Moreover, patients with high daily activity expectations were more satisfied. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with higher baseline expectations for TJR, improved more in HRQoL at one year and had more likelihood to be satisfied than patients with lower expectations, adjusted for BMI, age, gender, joint, education, previous intervention and HRQoL baseline scores.

[Total knee and hip prosthesis: variables associated with costs]. / Prótesis total de rodilla y cadera: variables asociadas al costo.

BACKGROUND: The elevated prevalence of osteoarthritis in Western countries, the high costs of hip and knee arthroplasty, and the wide variations in the clinical practice have generated considerable interest in comparing the associated costs before and after surgery. OBJECTIVE: To determine the influence of a number of variables on the costs of total knee and hip arthroplasty surgery during the hospital stay and during the one-year post-discharge. METHODS: A prospective multi-center study was performed in 15 hospitals from three Spanish regions. Relationships between the independent variables and the costs of hospital stay and postdischarge follow-up were analyzed by using multilevel models in which the "hospital" variable was used to group cases. Independent variables were: age, sex, body mass index, preoperative quality of life (SF-12, EQ-5 and Womac questionnaires), surgery (hip/knee), Charlson Index, general and local complications, number of beds and economic-institutional dependency of the hospital, the autonomous region to which it belongs, and the presence of a caregiver. RESULTS: The cost of hospital stay, excluding the cost of the prosthesis, was 4,734 Euros, and the post-discharge cost was 554 Euros. With regard to hospital stay costs, the variance among hospitals explained 44-46% of the total variance among the patients. With regard to the post-discharge costs, the variability among hospitals explained 7-9% of the variance among the patients. CONCLUSIONS: There is considerable potential for reducing the hospital stay costs of these patients, given that more than 44% of the observed variability was not determined by the clinical conditions of the patients but rather by the behavior of the hospitals.

antecedentes: la alta prevalencia de artrosis en los países occidentales, el elevado costo de las intervenciones de artroplastia de cadera y rodilla y las amplias variaciones en la práctica médica generan gran interés por comparar los costos asociados antes y después de la cirugía. Objetivo: conocer el costo de las intervenciones de reemplazo total de cadera y rodilla durante la estancia hospitalaria y al año de seguimiento posterior al alta. material y métodos: estudio multicéntrico y prospectivo efectuado en 15 hospitales de tres comunidades autónomas. La relación entre las variables independientes con el costo de la estancia y costo post-alta, se analizó con modelos multinivel y para agrupar los casos se utilizó la variable "hospital." Las variables independientes fueron: edad, sexo, índice de masa corporal, calidad de vida prequirúrgica (cuestionarios ED-5D, SF-12 y Womac), intervención (cadera-rodilla), índice Charlson, complicaciones, número de camas y dependencia económico-institucional del hospital, comunidad autó-noma y presencia de cuidador. Resultados: el costo promedio por paciente, sin incluir el costo de la prótesis, fue de 4,734 Euros ± 2,136 y el costo del seguimiento post alta de 554 Euros ± 509. Si se incluye el costo de la prótesis, al final del año el costo total asciende a 7,645 Euros ± 2,248. Conclusiones: existe un margen considerable en la reducción de los costos de estancia; más de 44% de la variabilidad observada no está determinada por las condiciones clínicas de los pacientes sino por el comportamiento de los centros hospitalarios.

Validación de una escala reducida de capacidad funcional del cuestionario WOMAC / Validation of a short form of the function dimension of the WOMAC questionnaire

Objetivos El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar la validez, la fiabilidad y la sensibilidad al cambio de la versión española de la dimensión reducida de 7 ítems de capacidad funcional del Western Ontario McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Métodos Estudio prospectivo con seguimiento de 1 año realizado con 459 pacientes en lista de espera para prótesis de cadera o rodilla. Se enviaron los cuestionarios WOMAC y EQ-5D en cuatro tiempos: basal, 3, 6 y 12 meses postintervencion. Se realizó el proceso de validación, análisis Rasch y acuerdo medido por el gráfico de Bland-Altman. Resultados Los valores de los coeficientes rho de Spearman y de concordancia de Lin entre la versión completa y la reducida estuvieron entre 0,96 y 0,98. Se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p<0,001) entre los tres grupos de gravedad medidos por una pregunta del EQ-5D. Ambos gráficos de Bland-Altman mostraron que no había diferencias sistemáticas y que las diferencias entre ambas escalas no dependen de la gravedad. La escala reducida se ajusta al modelo Rasch. Los valores α de Cronbach fueron superiores a 0,85. El estudio de la sensibilidad al cambio dio valores superiores a 1,27 en la prótesis total de rodilla y a 1,72 en la de cadera. Conclusiones La versión española de la escala reducida de capacidad funcional del WOMAC es válida, fiable y sensible al cambio en los pacientes con remplazo articular. Su uso disminuirá la carga de los pacientes, tanto en estudios como en la práctica clínica(AU)

Objective The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the validity, reliability and responsiveness of the Spanish version of the 7-item short-form of the function dimension of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC).Methods We conducted a prospective 1-year cohort study that included 459 patients on the waiting list for total knee or hip replacement. The WOMAC and EQ-5D questionnaires were sent at four time points: baseline and at 3, 6 and 12 months post-surgery. Based on a previously shortened scale, we performed a validation process with Rasch analysis and agreement measured by Bland-Altman plots. Results The values of Spearman's rho and Lin concordance coefficients between the full and short-form ranged from 0.96 to 0.98. Differences were statistically significant (p<0.001) among the three groups of severity measured by a item in the EQ-5D. The two Bland-Altman plots showed no systematic differences and agreement was not dependent on the severity score. The short form fitted the Rasch model. Cronbach's α coefficients were higher than 0.85. Responsiveness was higher than 1.27 and 1.72 in knee and hip replacement, respectively. Conclusions The Spanish 7-item short form of the WOMAC function dimension is valid, reliable and responsive for patients with total joint replacement. The use of this version will reduce the burden on patients in both clinical studies and clinical practice (AU)

[Validation of a short form of the function dimension of the WOMAC questionnaire]. / Validación de una escala reducida de capacidad funcional del cuestionario WOMAC.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the validity, reliability and responsiveness of the Spanish version of the 7-item short-form of the function dimension of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). METHODS: We conducted a prospective 1-year cohort study that included 459 patients on the waiting list for total knee or hip replacement. The WOMAC and EQ-5D questionnaires were sent at four time points: baseline and at 3, 6 and 12 months post-surgery. Based on a previously shortened scale, we performed a validation process with Rasch analysis and agreement measured by Bland-Altman plots. RESULTS: The values of Spearman's rho and Lin concordance coefficients between the full and short-form ranged from 0.96 to 0.98. Differences were statistically significant (p < 0.001) among the three groups of severity measured by a item in the EQ-5D. The two Bland-Altman plots showed no systematic differences and agreement was not dependent on the severity score. The short form fitted the Rasch model. Cronbach's α coefficients were higher than 0.85. Responsiveness was higher than 1.27 and 1.72 in knee and hip replacement, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The Spanish 7-item short form of the WOMAC function dimension is valid, reliable and responsive for patients with total joint replacement. The use of this version will reduce the burden on patients in both clinical studies and clinical practice.

Efecto de un programa de atención telefónica tras el alta hospitalaria de una unidad de cirugía traumatológica / Effect of a telephone care program after hospital discharge from a trauma surgery unit

Objetivo: Determinar el impacto, sobre la utilización de servicios sanitarios y la ansiedad del paciente,de un programa de atención telefónica durante el mes siguiente al alta hospitalaria de una unidad de cirugía traumatológica, junto con análisis presupuestario.Método: Estudio experimental en 604 pacientes, que constituyeron los grupos experimental y control.El grupo experimental dispuso de atención telefónica para solventar dudas durante el mes siguiente alalta. Al finalizar se registraron, en ambos grupos, si habían acudido a urgencias, al médico de familia o reingresado, y el resultado de un test de ansiedad, que constituyeron las variables resultado. El análisis dedatos incluyó análisis multivariados de regresión logística y lineal, y cálculo del impacto presupuestario del programa en tres escenarios (Hospital, Servicio Andaluz de Salud, Sistema Nacional de Salud).Resultados: Se atendieron 73 consultas telefónicas de 60 pacientes, casi la mitad de ellas por dudas respecto al régimen terapéutico. Para la variable resultado «asistencia a los servicios de urgencias», en el análisis multivariado los pacientes sin atención telefónica tenían una odds ratio de 1,8, ajustada por lasvariables «días de estancia hospitalaria», «ansiedad del paciente» y «comprensión de las indicaciones alalta». Para el resto de las variables resultado no hubo diferencias entre ambos grupos. El análisis de costes demostró la posibilidad de implantar el programa con un coste de 1,65 euros por paciente intervenido.Conclusiones: El programa fue eficaz para disminuir las visitas a urgencias, a un coste reducido (AU)

Objective: To determine the impact of a 1-month telephone care program after hospital discharge from a trauma surgery unit on health services utilization and patient anxiety and to perform a budgetaryanalysis. Methods: We carried out an experimental study in 604 patients who formed an experimental and a control group. The experimental group was offered telephone care to resolve doubts during the firstmonth after discharge. After this period, data were collected from both groups on the following outcomevariables: visits to the emergency department or family physician, hospital readmissions, and the resultsof an anxiety test. Data analyses included logistic and linear multivariate analyses and calculation of thebudgetary impact of the program on the hospital, the Andalusian Health Service, and the National Health System.Results: A total of 73 telephone consultations were conducted with 60 patients, almost half for doubts about the therapeutic regimen. For the outcome variable “visit to emergency department”, the groupwithout telephone care had an odds ratio of 1.8 in the multivariate analysis adjusted for the other independentvariables: days of hospital stay, patient anxiety and comprehension of discharge indications.No differences between groups were found in the remaining outcome variables. The budgetary analysis demonstrated the possibility of implementing the program at a cost of 1.65 D per patient.Conclusions: This program proved effective in reducing visits to the emergency department at a low cost (AU)

[Effect of a telephone care program after hospital discharge from a trauma surgery unit]. / Efecto de un programa de atención telefónica tras el alta hospitalaria de una unidad de cirugía traumatológica.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of a 1-month telephone care program after hospital discharge from a trauma surgery unit on health services utilization and patient anxiety and to perform a budgetary analysis. METHODS: We carried out an experimental study in 604 patients who formed an experimental and a control group. The experimental group was offered telephone care to resolve doubts during the first month after discharge. After this period, data were collected from both groups on the following outcome variables: visits to the emergency department or family physician, hospital readmissions, and the results of an anxiety test. Data analyses included logistic and linear multivariate analyses and calculation of the budgetary impact of the program on the hospital, the Andalusian Health Service, and the National Health System. RESULTS: A total of 73 telephone consultations were conducted with 60 patients, almost half for doubts about the therapeutic regimen. For the outcome variable "visit to emergency department", the group without telephone care had an odds ratio of 1.8 in the multivariate analysis adjusted for the other independent variables: days of hospital stay, patient anxiety and comprehension of discharge indications. No differences between groups were found in the remaining outcome variables. The budgetary analysis demonstrated the possibility of implementing the program at a cost of 1.65 € per patient. CONCLUSIONS: This program proved effective in reducing visits to the emergency department at a low cost.

Variability of indication criteria in knee and hip replacement: an observational study.

BACKGROUND: Total knee (TKR) and hip (THR) replacement (arthroplasty) are effective surgical procedures that relieve pain, improve patients' quality of life and increase functional capacity. Studies on variations in medical practice usually place the indications for performing these procedures to be highly variable, because surgeons appear to follow different criteria when recommending surgery in patients with different severity levels. We therefore proposed a study to evaluate inter-hospital variability in arthroplasty indication. METHODS: The pre-surgical condition of 1603 patients included was compared by their personal characteristics, clinical situation and self-perceived health status. Patients were asked to complete two health-related quality of life questionnaires: the generic SF-12 (Short Form) and the specific WOMAC (Western Ontario and Mcmaster Universities) scale. The type of patient undergoing primary arthroplasty was similar in the 15 different hospitals evaluated.The variability in baseline WOMAC score between hospitals in THR and TKR indication was described by range, mean and standard deviation (SD), mean and standard deviation weighted by the number of procedures at each hospital, high/low ratio or extremal quotient (EQ5-95), variation coefficient (CV5-95) and weighted variation coefficient (WCV5-95) for 5-95 percentile range. The variability in subjective and objective signs was evaluated using median, range and WCV5-95. The appropriateness of the procedures performed was calculated using a specific threshold proposed by Quintana et al for assessing pain and functional capacity. RESULTS: The variability expressed as WCV5-95 was very low, between 0.05 and 0.11 for all three dimensions on WOMAC scale for both types of procedure in all participating hospitals. The variability in the physical and mental SF-12 components was very low for both types of procedure (0.08 and 0.07 for hip and 0.03 and 0.07 for knee surgery patients). However, a moderate-high variability was detected in subjective-objective signs. Among all the surgeries performed, approximately a quarter of them could be considered to be inappropriate. CONCLUSIONS: A greater inter-hospital variability was observed for objective than for subjective signs for both procedures, suggesting that the differences in clinical criteria followed by surgeons when indicating arthroplasty are the main responsible factors for the variation in surgery rates.

Relationship between anxiety level of patients and their satisfaction with different aspects of healthcare.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to explore the possible association between the anxiety level of patients and their satisfaction with different aspects of healthcare. METHOD: This analytical cross-sectional study included 301 patients undergoing scheduled trauma surgery from October 2004 to May 2005 at the Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital in Granada (Spain). They completed a sociodemographic and clinical questionnaire before their discharge and, at 15 days after discharge, they responded to an ad hoc questionnaire comprising three items (satisfaction with information received, privacy and comfort of the setting, and friendliness of healthcare professionals), and were scored on an interviewer-administered Zung anxiety scale. Descriptive analysis and unadjusted logistic regression were performed for each factor, followed by multivariate logistic regression to model the association between satisfaction and anxiety with study of confounding variables. RESULTS: For each higher point in the Zung test, patients had a 4% higher risk of feeling dissatisfied with the information received, an 8% higher risk of dissatisfaction with the hospital setting and a 6% higher risk of dissatisfaction with the friendliness of healthcare personnel. CONCLUSION: A higher anxiety level in the patient was associated with greater dissatisfaction with the three healthcare aspects studied.

[Evaluation of a health care programme with nursing tutor in a hospital traumatological facility in a hospital, Granada, Spain, 2004]. / Evaluación de un programa de atención sanitaria con enfermera tutora en cirugía de traumatologia en un hospital de Granada, 2004.

BACKGROUND: The current trend in patient care is towards a more humanized and higher-quality healthcare. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the results of implementing a programme of healthcare with a reference nurse who welcomes the patient at hospital admission, visits regularly during hospital stay, and resolves doubts and problems. METHODS: Quasi-experimental study (149 cases and 454 non-tutored controls) in patients admitted for scheduled trauma surgery at the Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital, Granada. Sociodemographic and clinical data were gathered at admission. At 15 days after discharge, patients were administered with an interviewer-administered Zung score and an ad hoc questionnaire on satisfaction with different healthcare aspects during hospital stay and understanding of information received. Bivariate analyses and linear and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed with a study of confounding variables. RESULTS: For the outcome variable anxiety level non-tutored patients had a B coefficient of 2.64 (p<0,01) in the multivariate linear regression analysis controlling for the other variables in the final model: sex, presence of informal career, professional activity, days of hospital stay and understanding of health information. For the outcome variable inadequate understanding information non-tutored patients showed an odds ratio of 3.48 in the multivariate analysis controlling for educational level and presence of informal career. Satisfaction with he friendliness of health care personnel and with the hospital setting did not significantly difference, although the percentage of dissatisfied patients was higher in the non-tutored group: 15% vs 11% (p= 0.34) and 18% vs 12 % (p= 0.11) respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The implemented continued care programme proved effective for these patients, increasing their understanding of information received and reducing anxiety levels.

Evaluación de un programa de atención sanitaria con enfermera tutora en cirugía de traumatología en un hospital de Granada, 2004 / Evaluation of a health care programme with nursing tutor in a hospital traumatological facility in a hospital. Granada, Spain, 2004

Fundamento: La tendencia actual en la atención al paciente es hacia un aumento de la calidad en los servicios sanitarios. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar los resultados de la aplicación de un programa de atención sanitaria a través de una enfermera de referencia que acogía al paciente al ingreso hospitalario, le visitaba regularmente durante su estancia y le resolvía dudas y problemas. Métodos: Estudio cuasi-experimental realizado en pacientes (149 casos y 454 controles) ingresados para cirugía traumatológica en el Hospital Virgen de las Nieves de Granada. Al ingreso se recogieron variables sociodemográficas y clínicas. A los 15 días tras el alta se les administró la "Escala heteroevaluada de ansiedad de Zung" y un cuestionario ad hoc sobre la satisfacción con diferentes aspectos de la atención sanitaria durante la estancia en el hospital y la comprensión de la información recibida. Se realizó análisis bivariante y análisis de regresión lineal y regresión logística multivariante con estudio de variables confundentes. Resultados: Para la variable nivel de ansiedad los pacientes no tutorizados en el análisis de regresión lineal multivariante tenían un coeficiente B=2,64 (p<0,01), controlando por la otras variables en el modelo final: sexo, presencia de cuidador informal actividad profesional, días de estancia, y comprensión de la información sanitaria. Para la variable de resultado insuficiente comprensión de la información los pacientes no tutorizados tenían una Odds Ratio de 3,48 en el análisis de regresión logística multivariante controlando por educación y presencia de cuidador informal. La satisfacción con la amabilidad del personal y con el medio hospitalario no se modificó significativamente aunque el porcentaje de insatisfacción fue mayor en el grupo no tutorizado, 15% frente a 11% (p= 0,34), y 18% frente a 12% (p=0,11) respectivamente. Conclusiones: El programa de atención continuada aplicado se ha manifestado eficaz para los pacientes, aumentando la comprensión de la información y disminuyendo los niveles de ansiedad (AU)

Background: The current trend in patient care is towards a more humanized and higher-quality healthcare. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the results of implementing a programme of healthcare with a reference nurse who welcomes the patient at hospital admission, visits regularly during hospital stay, and resolves doubts and problems. Methods: Quasi-experimental study (149 cases and 454 non-tutored controls) in patients admitted for scheduled trauma surgery at the Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital, Granada. Sociodemographic and clinical data were gathered at admission. At 15 days after discharge, patients were administered with an interviewer-administered Zung score and anad hoc questionnaire on satisfaction with different healthcare aspects during hospital stay and understanding of information received. Bivariate analyses and linear and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed with a study of confunding variables. Results: For the outcome variable anxiety level non-tutored patiens had a B coeficient of 2.64 (p<0,01) in the multivariate linear regression analisys controlling for the other variables in the final model: sex, presence of informal carer, professional activitiy, days of hospital stay and understanding of health information. For the outcome variable inadequate understanding information non-tutored patients showed an odds ratio of 3.48 in the multivariate analysis controlling for educational level and presence of informal carer. Satisfaction with he friendliness of health care personnel and with the hospital setting did not significantly diference, although the percentage of dissatisfied patiens was higher in the non-tutored group: 15% vs 11% (p= 0.34) and 18% vs 12 % (p= 0.11) respectively. Conclusions: The implemented continued care programme proved effective for these patients, increasing their understanding of information received and reducing anxiety levels (AU)

Textural analysis in the diagnosis of benign and malignant breast cells.

OBJECTIVE: To study the discriminatory capacity of textural variables to classify the nuclei of breast tumor cells as benign or malignant, using a statistical approach. STUDY DESIGN: Image analysis techniques were used to automatically segment nuclei of cells obtained by fine needle aspiration and Papanicolaou stained. The sample comprised 95 cases of malignant lesions and 47 cases of benign lesions (approximately 25 nuclei per case), and 27 textural variables were measured. Two methods were used to analyze the data: classification and regression trees (CART) and discriminant analysis. RESULTS: The variance in gray levels was the most decisive variable in the CART analysis, correctly classifying 57% and 97% of benign and malignant cases, respectively. Discriminant analysis yielded the best results, correctly classifying 79% and 85% of benign and malignant cases, respectively. CONCLUSION: The classifier obtained by a statistical approach to the textural analysis of Papanicolaou-stained nuclei did not prove useful for diagnostic discrimination. Staining techniques that are not chromatin specific are highly variable, and other features have proven more effective with this type of staining.

Información recibida por los pacientes acerca de su estado de salud y su comprensión, antes y durante su hospitalización / Information received by patients on their health status and their understanding of it, before and during hospital admission

Objetivos. Determinar la cantidad de información que reciben los pacientes acerca de su estado de salud antes de su ingreso en el hospital y durante su estancia en él, su comprensión de la información y la relación de estas variables con el perfil sociodemográfico. Método. Estudio trasversal en el que se incluyeron 289 pacientes, de 16 años o más, ingresados desde octubre de 2004 hasta junio de 2005 en cirugía traumatológica programada, con buen estado cognitivo y capacidad auditiva para contestar preguntas por teléfono. Se recogieron variables sociodemográficas, grado de información y comprensión acerca de su problema de salud previo al ingreso y durante su estancia en el hospital. Resultados. En el análisis univariante tenían más riesgo de no comprender la información (p < 0,05) las personas que consideraron que habían sido poco o nada informadas acerca de su problema de salud, las que no tenían estudios o tenían sólo estudios primarios y las que vivían en áreas urbanas con menos de 10.000 habitantes. En el análisis multivariante, la percepción acerca de la cantidad de información recibida y el nivel de estudios mantuvieron la asociación con la comprensión previa de la información. Conclusiones. La información al paciente durante la estancia en el hospital es mejor comprendida que la recibida antes de su ingreso. La percepción de la cantidad de información recibida acerca de su salud es la variable más fuertemente relacionada con la comprensión de la información

Objective. To determine the amount of information received by patients on their health status before and during their hospital stay and their understanding of this information, and to relate these variables to their sociodemographic profile. Method. We performed a cross sectional study that included 289 patients aged >= 16 years old admitted for elective trauma surgery from october 2004 to june 2005. The patients had good cognitive status and sufficient auditory capacity to answer questions by telephone. Data were gathered on demographic variables, the amount of information received, and patients' understanding of their health problems before and during hospital stay. Results. In the univariate analysis, individuals who considered that that they had been little- or uninformed about their health problem or who had only primary schooling and lived in urban areas with < 10,000 inhabitants were at highest risk of not understanding the information (p < 0.05). In the multivariate analysis, perception of the amount of information received and educational level maintained the association with prior understanding of the information. Conclusions. Patients understand information given to them during hospital stay better than that received before hospital admission. Patients' perception of the amount of information received on their health is the variable most strongly related to their understanding of the information