A Cost-Benefit Analysis of COVID-19 Vaccination in Catalonia.

(1) Background: In epidemiological terms, it has been possible to calculate the savings in health resources and the reduction in the health effects of COVID vaccines. Conducting an economic evaluation, some studies have estimated its cost-effectiveness; the vaccination shows highly favorable results, cost-saving in some cases. (2) Methods: Cost-benefit analysis of the vaccination campaign in the North Metropolitan Health Region (Catalonia). An epidemiological model based on observational data and before and after comparison is used. The information on the doses used and the assigned resources (conventional hospital beds, ICU, number of tests) was extracted from administrative data from the largest primary care provider in the region (Catalan Institute of Health). A distinction was made between the social perspective and the health system. (3) Results: the costs of vaccination are estimated at 137 million euros (€48.05/dose administered). This figure is significantly lower than the positive impacts of the vaccination campaign, which are estimated at 470 million euros (€164/dose administered). Of these, 18% corresponds to the reduction in ICU discharges, 16% to the reduction in conventional hospital discharges, 5% to the reduction in PCR tests and 1% to the reduction in RAT tests. The monetization of deaths and cases that avoid sequelae account for 53% and 5% of total savings, respectively. The benefit/cost ratio is estimated at 3.4 from a social perspective and 1.4 from a health system perspective. The social benefits of vaccination are estimated at €116.67 per vaccine dose (€19.93 from the perspective of the health system). (4) Conclusions: The mass vaccination campaign against COVID is cost-saving. From a social perspective, most of these savings come from the monetization of the reduction in mortality and cases with sequelae, although the intervention is equally widely cost-effective from the health system perspective thanks to the reduction in the use of resources. It is concluded that, from an economic perspective, the vaccination campaign has high social returns.

Relationship between the ABO blood group and COVID-19 susceptibility, severity and mortality in two cohorts of patients.

BACKGROUND: Several articles reported the existence of an association between ABO blood groups and COVID-19 susceptibility. Group A and group O individuals showed a higher and lower risk, respectively, of becoming infected. No association was observed between ABO groups and mortality. To verify this association, we performed a retrospective study of two cohorts of patients with different demographic and clinical characteristics. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 854 regular blood donors were recruited for convalescent plasma donation after recovering from a mild COVID-19 infection, and a group of 965 patients more severely affected who were transfused during hospitalisation were also included. We also investigated the potential role of the different risk factors on patient outcome and death. To eliminate the confounding effect of risk factors on mortality, a propensity score analysis was performed. RESULTS: Blood group A and blood group O COVID-19 blood donors showed a higher and lower risk, respectively, for acquiring COVID-19. In contrast, this association was not found in the group of patients transfused during hospitalisation, probably due to the great differences in demographic and clinical characteristics between the two groups. Regarding severity, age was one of the most significant risk factors. ABO blood groups were also seen to represent important risk factors for COVID-19 severity and mortality. Mortality risk in group A individuals was significantly higher than in group O individuals (OR: 1.75, 95% CI: 1.22-2.51). DISCUSSION: The association between the ABO blood groups and the susceptibility to acquire COVID-19 infection was confirmed in the group of blood donors. ABO blood groups were also associated to COVID-19 severity and mortality in the group of patients transfused during hospitalisation. Therefore, blood groups A and O are two important factors to be considered when evaluating the prognosis of patients with COVID-19.

[Notification of incidents related to patient safety in hospitals in Catalonia, Spain during the period 2010-2013]. / Notificación de incidentes relacionados con la seguridad del paciente en los hospitales de Cataluña durante el período 2010-2013.

The aim of this paper is to discover the aggregated results of a general notification system for incidents related to patient safety implemented in Catalan hospitals from 2010 to 2013. Observational study describing the incidents notified from January 2010 to December 2013 from all hospitals in Catalonia forming part of the project to create operational patient safety management units. The Patient Safety Notification and Learning System (SiNASP) was used. This makes it possible to classify incidents depending on the area where they occur, the type of incident notified, the consequences, the seriousness according to the Severity Assessment Code (SAC) and the profession of the notifying party, as the principal variables. The system was accessed via the Internet (SiNASP portal). Access was voluntary and anonymous or with a name given and later removed. During the study period, notification of a total of 5,948 incidents came from 22-29 hospitals. 5,244 of the incidents were handled by the centres and these are the ones analysed in the study. 64% (3,380) affected patients, 18% (950) created a situation capable of causing an incident and 18% (914) did not affect patients. 26% of incidents that affected patients (864) caused some kind of harm. Most incidents occurred during hospitalisation (54%) and in casualty (15%), followed by the ICU (9%) and the surgical block (8%). The most frequent notifying parties were nurses (71%) followed by doctors (15%) and pharmacists (9%). In terms of severity, most incidents were classified as low-risk (37%) or incidents that did not affect the patient (36%). However, 40 cases (0.76%) of extreme risk should be highlighted. In terms of the types of incident notified, most were due to a medication error (26.8%), followed by falls (16.3%) and patient identification (10.6%). The majority of notifications were incidents that affected patients and, of these, 26% caused harm. In general, they occurred in hospitalisation units and notification was mostly given by nurses. The incident notification system is a tool that complements others for promoting a patient safety culture and defining the risk profile of a health organisation. The opportunity for learning from experience is the reason for the existence of the notification system.

[Design, implementation and evaluation of a management model of patient safety in hospitals in Catalonia, Spain]. / Diseño, implantación y evaluación de un modelo de gestión de la seguridad del paciente en hospitales de Cataluña.

Since its inception in 2006, the Alliance for Patient Safety in Catalonia has played a major role in promoting and shaping a series of projects related to the strategy of the Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality, for improving patient safety. One such project was the creation of functional units or committees of safety in hospitals in order to facilitate the management of patient safety. The strategy has been implemented in hospitals in Catalonia which were selected based on criteria of representativeness. The intervention was based on two lines of action, one to develop the model framework and the other for its development. Firstly the strategy for safety management based on EFQM (European Foundation for Quality Management) was defined with the development of standards, targets and indicators to implement security while the second part involved the introduction of tools, methodologies and knowledge to the management support of patient safety and risk prevention. The project was developed in four hospital areas considered higher risk, each assuming six goals for safety management. Some of these targets such as the security control panel or system of adverse event reporting were shared. 23 hospitals joined the project in Catalonia. Despite the different situations in each centre, high compliance was achieved in the development of the objectives. In each of the participating areas the security control panel was developed. Stable structures for safety management were established or strengthened. Training in patient safety played and important role, 1415 professionals participated. Through these kind of projects not only have been introduced programs of proven effectiveness in reducing risks, but they also provide to the facilities a work system that allows autonomy in diagnosis and analysis of the different risk situations or centre specific safety issues.

[Accreditation model for acute hospital care in Catalonia, Spain]. / Modelo de acreditación de centros de atención hospitalaria aguda de Cataluña.

The implementation of an accreditation model for healthcare centres in Catalonia which was launched for acute care hospitals, leaving open the possibility of implementing it in the rest of lines of service (mental health and addiction, social health, and primary healthcare centres) is described. The model is based on the experience acquired over more tan 31 years of hospital accreditation and quality assessment linked to management. In January 2006 a model with accreditation methodology adapted to the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) model was launched. 83 hospitals are accredited, with an average of 82.6% compliance with the standards required for accreditation. The number of active assessment bodies is 5, and the accreditation period is 3 years. A higher degree of compliance of the so-called "agent" criteria with respect to "outcome" criteria is obtained. Qualitative aspects for implementation to be stressed are: a strong commitment both from managers and staff in the centres, as well as a direct and fluent communication between the accreditation body (Ministry of Health of the Government of Catalonia) and accredited centres. Professionalism of audit bodies and an optimal communication between audit bodies and accredited centres is also added.

[Catalonia's primary healthcare accreditation model: a valid model]. / El modelo de acreditación de atención primaria de Catalunya: un modelo válido.

There are few experiences of accreditation models validated by primary care teams (EAP). The aim of this study was to detail the process of design, development, and subsequent validation of the consensus EAP accreditation model of Catalonia. An Operating Committee of the Health Department of Catalonia revised models proposed by the European Foundation for Quality Management, the Joint Commission International and the Institut Català de la Salut and proposed 628 essential standards to the technical group (25 experts in primary care and quality of care), to establish consensus standards. The consensus document was piloted in 30 EAP for the purpose of validating the contents, testing standards and identifying evidence. Finally, we did a survey to assess acceptance and validation of the document. The Technical Group agreed on a total of 414 essential standards. The pilot selected a total of 379. Mean compliance with the standards of the final document in the 30 EAP was 70.4%. The standards results were the worst fulfilment percentage. The survey target that 83% of the EAP found it useful and 78% found the content of the accreditation manual suitable as a tool to assess the quality of the EAP, and identify opportunities for improvement. On the downside they highlighted its complexity and laboriousness. We have a model that fits the reality of the EAP, and covers all relevant issues for the functioning of an excellent EAP. The model developed in Catalonia is a model for easy understanding.

Visión y evolución de la seguridad del paciente en Cataluña / No disponible

No disponible

Diseño, implantación y evaluación de un modelo de gestión de la seguridad del paciente en hospitales de Cataluña / Design, implementation and evaluation of a management model of patient safety in hospitals in Catalonia, Spain

Desde su creación en 2006, la Alianza para la Seguridad del Paciente ha tenido en Cataluña un papel muy destacado para impulsar y dar forma a una serie de proyectos relacionados con la estrategia del Ministerio de Sanidad, Servicios Sociales e Igualdad para la mejora de la seguridad del paciente. Uno de estos ha sido el proyecto de creación de unidades funcionales o comisiones de seguridad en los hospitales con el objetivo de facilitar la gestión de la seguridad del paciente. La estrategia se planteó en un determinado número de hospitales de Cataluña seleccionados en función de criterios de representatividad. La intervención se basó en 2 líneas de actuación: una, para enmarcar el modelo y otra, para su desarrollo. En el primer caso se definió la estrategia de gestión de la seguridad basada en el modelo EFQM (European Foundation for Quality Management) con la elaboración de estándares, objetivos e indicadores de seguridad que se proponía implementar, mientras que la segunda línea supuso la introducción de herramientas, metodologías y conocimientos como soporte a la gestión de la seguridad del paciente y a la prevención de riesgos. El proyecto se desarrolló en las 4 áreas del hospital consideradas de mayor riesgo, asumiendo cada una de ellas 6 objetivos de gestión de la seguridad. Algunos de estos objetivos, como el cuadro de mando o el sistema de notificación de eventos adversos, fueron compartidos por las 4 áreas. Se adhirieron al proyecto 23 hospitales de Cataluña. A pesar de las diferentes situaciones de cada centro se alcanzó un alto cumplimiento en el desarrollo de los objetivos. Se elaboró el cuadro de mando de seguridad en cada una de las áreas participantes. Se crearon o reforzaron estructuras estables para la gestión de la seguridad. La formación en seguridad del paciente, que tuvo un papel prioritario, llegó a 1.415 profesionales. A través de este tipo de proyectos no solo se introducen y desarrollan programas de efectividad contrastada en la reducción de riesgos, sino que se dota a los centros de una sistemática de trabajo que les permite la autonomía en el diagnóstico y análisis de las diferentes situaciones de riesgo o problemas de seguridad propios de cada centro (AU)

Since its inception in 2006, the Alliance for Patient Safety in Catalonia has played a major role in promoting and shaping a series of projects related to the strategy of the Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality, for improving patient safety. One such project was the creation of functional units or committees of safety in hospitals in order to facilitate the management of patient safety. The strategy has been implemented in hospitals in Catalonia which were selected based on criteria of representativeness. The intervention was based on two lines of action, one to develop the model framework and the other for its development. Firstly the strategy for safety management based on EFQM (European Foundation for Quality Management) was defined with the development of standards, targets and indicators to implement security while the second part involved the introduction of tools, methodologies and knowledge to the management support of patient safety and risk prevention. The project was developed in four hospital areas considered higher risk, each assuming six goals for safety management. Some of these targets such as the security control panel or system of adverse event reporting were shared. 23 hospitals joined the project in Catalonia. Despite the different situations in each centre, high compliance was achieved in the development of the objectives. In each of the participating areas the security control panel was developed. Stable structures for safety management were established or strengthened. Training in patient safety played and important role, 1415 professionals participated. Through these kind of projects not only have been introduced programs of proven effectiveness in reducing risks, but they also provide to the facilities a work system that allows autonomy in diagnosis and analysis of the different risk situations or centre specific safety issues (AU)

Notificación de incidentes relacionados con la seguridad del paciente en los hospitales de Cataluña durante el período 2010-2013 / Notification of incidents related to patient safety in hospitals in Catalonia, Spain during the period 2010-2013

El objetivo de este artículo es describir los resultados agregados de un sistema de notificación genérico de incidentes relacionados con la seguridad del paciente, implantado en los hospitales catalanes desde 2010 a 2013. Se trata de un estudio observacional, descriptivo de los incidentes notificados desde enero de 2010 a diciembre de 2013, de todos los hospitales de Cataluña adheridos al proyecto de creación de unidades funcionales de gestión de la seguridad del paciente. Se utilizó el Sistema de Notificación y Aprendizaje para la Seguridad del Paciente (SiNASP), que permite clasificar los incidentes en función del área donde se producen, el tipo de incidente notificado, las consecuencias, la gravedad según el Severity Assessment Code (SAC) y la profesión del notificante como principales variables. El acceso al sistema se realizó a través de internet (portal SiNASP), fue voluntario y anónimo o nominativo con posterior anonimización. Durante el período de estudio notificaron entre 22 y 29 hospitales, con un total de 5.948 incidentes, de los cuales 5.244 fueron gestionados por los centros y son los que se analizan en el estudio. Un 64% (3.380) llegó al paciente, un 18% (950) creó una situación con capacidad de causar un incidente y un 18% (914) no llegó al paciente. De los incidentes que llegaron al paciente, un 26% (864) ocasionó algún daño. La mayoría de incidentes ocurrió en hospitalización (54%) y urgencias (15%), seguidos de UCI (9%) y bloque quirúrgico (8%). Los que más notificaron fueron los enfermeros (71%), seguidos de los médicos (15%) y de los farmacéuticos (9%). Atendiendo a la gravedad, la mayoría fueron clasificados de riesgo bajo (37%) o que el incidente no llegó al paciente (36%). No obstante destacan 40 casos (0,76%) de riesgo extremo. En relación con el tipo de incidente notificado, la mayoría fue por error en la medicación (26,8%), seguido por caídas (16,3%) e identificación del paciente (10,6%). La mayoría de las notificaciones fueron incidentes que llegaron al paciente y de ellos, un 26% ocasionó daño. En general ocurrieron en las unidades de hospitalización y fueron los enfermeros los que más notificaron. El sistema de notificación de incidentes es una herramienta complementaria a otras para promocionar una cultura de seguridad del paciente y definir el perfil de riesgos de una organización sanitaria. La oportunidad para aprender de la propia experiencia es la razón de ser del sistema de notificación (AU)

The aim of this paper is to discover the aggregated results of a general notification system for incidents related to patient safety implemented in Catalan hospitals from 2010 to 2013. Observational study describing the incidents notified from January 2010 to December 2013 from all hospitals in Catalonia forming part of the project to create operational patient safety management units. The Patient Safety Notification and Learning System (SiNASP) was used. This makes it possible to classify incidents depending on the area where they occur, the type of incident notified, the consequences, the seriousness according to the Severity Assessment Code (SAC) and the profession of the notifying party, as the principal variables. The system was accessed via the Internet (SiNASP portal). Access was voluntary and anonymous or with a name given and later removed. During the study period, notification of a total of 5,948 incidents came from 22-29 hospitals. 5,244 of the incidents were handled by the centres and these are the ones analysed in the study. 64% (3,380) affected patients, 18% (950) created a situation capable of causing an incident and 18% (914) did not affect patients. 26% of incidents that affected patients (864) caused some kind of harm. Most incidents occurred during hospitalisation (54%) and in casualty (15%), followed by the ICU (9%) and the surgical block (8%). The most frequent notifying parties were nurses (71%) followed by doctors (15%) and pharmacists (9%). In terms of severity, most incidents were classified as low-risk (37%) or incidents that did not affect the patient (36%). However, 40 cases (0.76%) of extreme risk should be highlighted. In terms of the types of incident notified, most were due to a medication error (26.8%), followed by falls (16.3%) and patient identification (10.6%). The majority of notifications were incidents that affected patients and, of these, 26% caused harm. In general, they occurred in hospitalisation units and notification was mostly given by nurses. The incident notification system is a tool that complements others for promoting a patient safety culture and defining the risk profile of a health organisation. The opportunity for learning from experience is the reason for the existence of the notification system (AU)

Modelo de acreditación de centros de atención hospitalaria aguda de Cataluña / Accreditation model for acute hospital care in Catalonia, Spain

Se describe la implantación de un modelo de acreditación para centros sanitarios de Catalunya que se inicia para hospitales de agudos y deja abierta la posibilidad de aplicación al resto de líneas de servicios: centros de salud mental y adicciones, sociosanitarios y atención primaria. El modelo se basa en la experiencia adquirida a lo largo de más de 31 años de acreditación de hospitales y de la evaluación de la calidad ligada a la gestión. En enero de 2006 se pone en marcha un modelo con metodología de acreditación, adaptado al modelo de la European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM). Se acreditan 83 hospitales, con una media del 82,6% de cumplimiento de los estándares necesarios para acreditarse. El número de entidades evaluadoras en activo es de 5 y el período de acreditación es de 3 años. Se obtiene un mayor grado de cumplimiento de los denominados criterios "de agentes" respecto a los "de resultados". Como aspectos cualitativos, destacar en la implantación una gran implicación, tanto a nivel directivo como del personal de los centros, así como una comunicación directa y fluida entre órgano acreditador (Departament de Salut) y centros acreditados. Se añade también la profesionalidad de las entidades auditoras y una óptima comunicación entre entidades auditoras y centros acreditados (AU)

The implementation of an accreditation model for healthcare centres in Catalonia which was launched for acute care hospitals, leaving open the possibility of implementing it in the rest of lines of service (mental health and addiction, social health, and primary healthcare centres) is described. The model is based on the experience acquired over more tan 31 years of hospital accreditation and quality assessment linked to management. In January 2006 a model with accreditation methodology adapted to the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) model was launched. 83 hospitals are accredited, with an average of 82.6% compliance with the standards required for accreditation. The number of active assessment bodies is 5, and the accreditation period is 3 years. A higher degree of compliance of the so-called "agent" criteria with respect to "outcome" criteria is obtained. Qualitative aspects for implementation to be stressed are: a strong commitment both from managers and staff in the centres, as well as a direct and fluent communication between the accreditation body (Ministry of Health of the Government of Catalonia) and accredited centres. Professionalism of audit bodies and an optimal communication between audit bodies and accredited centres is also added (AU)

El modelo de acreditación de atención primaria de Catalunya: un modelo válido / Catalonia's primary healthcare accreditation model: a valid model

Hay pocas experiencias de modelos de acreditación validados para equipos de atención primaria (EAP). El objetivo de este estudio fue detallar el proceso de diseño, elaboración, consenso y posterior validación del modelo de acreditación para equipos de atención primaria de Catalunya. Un Comité Operativo del Departament de Salut de Catalunya revisó modelos propuestos por la European Foundation for Quality Management, la Joint Commission International y el Institut Català de la Salut, y propuso 628 estándares a un grupo técnico de 25 expertos en atención primaria y calidad asistencial, para consensuar estándares esenciales para acreditar EAP. Con el documento consensuado se realizó una prueba piloto en 30 EAP, con el propósito de validar contenidos, probar los estándares e identificar evidencias. Finalmente se pasó una encuesta para valorar la aceptación y la validación del documento. El Grupo Técnico consensuó un total de 414 estándares esenciales. La prueba piloto seleccionó un total de 379. La media de cumplimiento de los estándares del documento definitivo en los 30 equipos fue del 70,4%. Los estándares con peor porcentaje de cumplimiento fueron los correspondientes a criterios de resultados. La encuesta realizada objetivó que el 83% de los equipos lo encontró útil y el 78% encontró adecuado el contenido del manual de acreditación como herramienta para evaluar la calidad de los EAP e identificar oportunidades de mejora. Como aspecto negativo destacó su complejidad y laboriosidad. Disponemos de un modelo que se ajusta a la realidad de los EAP, y contempla todos los aspectos relevantes para el funcionamiento de un equipo excelente. El modelo elaborado en Catalunya es un modelo de fácil comprensión (AU)

There are few experiences of accreditation models validated by primary care teams (EAP). The aim of this study was to detail the process of design, development, and subsequent validation of the consensus EAP accreditation model of Catalonia. An Operating Committee of the Health Department of Catalonia revised models proposed by the European Foundation for Quality Management, the Joint Commission International and the Institut Català de la Salut and proposed 628 essential standards to the technical group (25 experts in primary care and quality of care), to establish consensus standards. The consensus document was piloted in 30 EAP for the purpose of validating the contents, testing standards and identifying evidence. Finally, we did a survey to assess acceptance and validation of the document. The Technical Group agreed on a total of 414 essential standards. The pilot selected a total of 379. Mean compliance with the standards of the final document in the 30 EAP was 70.4%. The standards results were the worst fulfilment percentage. The survey target that 83% of the EAP found it useful and 78% found the content of the accreditation manual suitable as a tool to assess the quality of the EAP, and identify opportunities for improvement. On the downside they highlighted its complexity and laboriousness. We have a model that fits the reality of the EAP, and covers all relevant issues for the functioning of an excellent EAP. The model developed in Catalonia is a model for easy understanding (AU)

Reproductive development, GnRHa-induced spawning and egg quality of wild meagre (Argyrosomus regius) acclimatised to captivity.

The objective of the study was to acclimatise wild-caught meagre (Argyrosomus regius) to captivity to produce viable eggs for aquaculture production. Twelve meagre (3 males and 9 females, mean weight = 20 ± 7 kg) were caught and transported to a land-based facility on 26 October 2006. During, March to June 2007, all three males were spermiating and five of the nine females were in vitellogenesis with mean maximum oocyte diameter ≥550 µm. No spontaneous spawning was observed. Two hormone treatments, either a single injection of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa, 20 µg kg(-1) for females and 10 µg kg(-1) for males) or a slow-release implant loaded with the same GnRHa (50 µg kg(-1) for females and 25 µg kg(-1) for males), were used to induce spawning on three different dates on 26 March 2007, 4 May 2007 and 18 April 2008. From each spawning event, the following parameters were determined: fecundity, number of floating eggs, egg size, fertilisation and hatching success, unfed larval survival, and proximal composition and fatty acid profile of the eggs. In 2007, two females that were injected on 26 March and 4 May spawned a total of 5 times producing 9,019,300 floating eggs and a relative fecundity of 198,200 eggs kg(-1) and two different females that were implanted on the same dates spawned 14 times producing 12,430,000 floating eggs and a relative fecundity of 276,200 eggs kg(-1). In 2008, a pair that was implanted spawned five times producing a total of 10,211,900 floating eggs and a relative fecundity of 527,380 eggs kg(-1). The latency period was 48-72 h. Parameters were compared between hormone treatments, date of hormone induction and parents determined by microsatellites. Percentage hatch and egg size were 70 ± 0.3% and 0.99 ± 0.02 mm, respectively, for GnRHa-implanted fish and were significantly higher (P < 0.05) compared to 30 ± 0.3% and 0.95 ± 0.03 mm, respectively, for injected fish. Few differences were observed in proximal composition and fatty acid profile and for all spawns mean (% dry weight) lipid content was 17.3 ± 3.0%, carbohydrate was 4.4 ± 1.9% and protein was 31.5 ± 6.4% and the essential fatty acids: Arachidonic acid (ARA, 20:4n-6) ranged between 0.9 and 1% (of total fatty acids), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA 20:5n-3) 7.7-10.4% and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA 22:6n-3), 28.6-35.4%. All good quality spawns were obtained in the second and/or third spawn after GnRHa treatment, whereas all bad quality spawns were obtained either on the first spawn or after the fifth spawn. Both spawning protocols gave commercially viable (1,000,000+) numbers of good quality eggs that could form the basis of a hatchery production.