COVID-19 pandemic on coronary artery and cerebrovascular diseases in Southern Spain: interrupted time series analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Healthcare systems have been put under intense pressure by the COVID-19 pandemic, although some studies have shown a decline in hospital admissions for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases during the first and second wave of the pandemic. In addition, studies analyzing gender and procedural differences are scarce. The present study aimed to determine the impact of the pandemic on hospital admissions for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and cerebrovascular disease (CVD) in Andalusia (Spain) and analyzed differences by gender and by percutaneous coronary interventions performed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: An interrupted time series analysis of AMI and CVD hospital admissions in Andalusia (Spain) was carried out to measure the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak. AMI and CVD cases admitted daily in public hospitals of Andalusia between January 2018 and December 2020 were included. RESULTS: During the pandemic, significant reductions in AMI [-19%; 95% confidence interval (CI): (-29%, -9%), p<0.001] and CVD [-17%; 95% CI: (-26%, -9%); p<0.01] in daily hospital admissions were observed. Differences were also produced according to the diagnosis (ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction, Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction, other AMI and stroke), with a greater reduction in females for AMI and in males for CVD. Although there were more percutaneous coronary interventions during the pandemic, no significant reductions were observed. CONCLUSIONS: A decline in AMI and CVD daily hospital admissions during the first and second wave of COVID-19 pandemic was noted. Gender differences were observed, but no clear impact was observed in percutaneous interventions.

Estrategia para optimizar la seguridad del paciente en el servicio de dispensación en farmacia comunitaria. Propuesta de listados de verificación / Strategy to optimize patient safety in community pharmacy dispensing service. Checklists Proposed

La dispensación es el servicio más demandado e importante dentro de las labores que realiza el farmacéutico, en su día a día, en la farmacia comunitaria. El objetivo de la dispensación es garantizar el acceso del paciente al medicamento de manera adecuada y controlada. En dicho proceso, el farmacéutico comunitario tiene la obligación, como profesional de la salud, de participar de forma activa y comprometida en la detección de posibles errores de medicación o relacionados con la misma. El Grupo de Trabajo de Seguridad del Paciente de SEFAC ha elaborado, como comienzo de una serie de futuros proyectos, unos listados de verificación y decálogos de buenas prácticas sobre medicamentos formulados en forma de parches transdérmicos, comprimidos bucodispersables o formas de liberación modificada. Con esta iniciativa se pretende, mediante una entrevista previa con el paciente y el uso de estas herramientas, minimizar en la medida de lo posible, los errores o problemas que puedan surgir con dichos medicamentos velando finalmente por la seguridad del paciente. A lo largo del 2023 se espera comenzar un pilotaje en farmacias comunitarias colaboradoras con el Grupo de Trabajo de Seguridad del paciente de SEFAC y así poder recoger y notificar los resultados que se obtengan (AU)

Empiema pleural iatrogénico por Salmonella tras biopsia renal / Iatrogenic pleural empyema by Salmonella after renal biopsy

El empiema pleural es una infección localizada en la que se produce acumulación de pus en el espacio pleural. La mayoría de los empiemas se deben a una infección pleural consecutiva a neumonía, pero con frecuencia un derrame no infeccioso puede contaminarse por una ejecución no adecuada de los procedimientos y una técnica no estéril durante una punción o drenaje quirúrgico. El empiema pleural debido a la bacteriemia por Salmonella spp. no tifoidea, es una infección localizada rara que generalmente se asocia con inmunodeficiencia subyacente, anemia de células falciformes, enfermedad pulmonar o pleural previa, y cáncer de pulmón. Se presenta el caso de un varón de 76 años de edad que al poco tiempo de practicarle una biopsia renal, comienza con regular estado general, dificultad respiratoria y fiebre, diagnosticándose empiema pleural por Salmonella spp. La mayoría de los casos descritos de empiema pleural por Salmonella spp, son en pacientes con inmunidad comprometida, factores predisponentes o enfermedad pleuropulmonar previa, siendo raros los casos en pacientes no inmunocomprometidos o en pacientes que carecen de otros factores de riesgo conocidos. (AU)

Pleural empyema is a localized infection with collection of pus in the pleural space. Most empyema is due to a pleural infection secondary to pneumonia, but often a non-infectious effusion can be contaminated by poor performance of the procedures and a non-sterile technique during a surgical puncture or drainage. Pleural empyema due to nontyphoidal Salmonella spp. bacteremia is a rare localized infection that is usually associated with underlying immunodeficiency, sickle cell anemia, previous lung or pleural disease, and lung cancer. We present the case of a 76-year-old man who, shortly after performing a renal biopsy, he started with worsening overall status, respiratory distress and fever, so the patient was diagnosed with pleural empyema due to Salmonella spp. Most of cases described of pleural empyema due to Salmonella spp. are in immunocompromised patients, predisposing factors or previous pleuropulmonary disease, with rare cases in non-immunocompromised patients or patients lacking other known risk factors. (AU)

Dalbavancina como tratamiento prolongado de rescate en infección protésica articular / Dalbavancin as prolonged-salvage treatment in prosthetic joint infection

Dalbavancina es un agente antibacteriano perteneciente al grupo de los lipoglicopéptidos semisintéticos de larga vida media, con gran actividad sobre microorganismos grampositivos y con un perfil de efectos adversos aceptable. Hasta la fecha, ha sido autorizada para el tratamiento de infecciones de piel y tejidos blandos en adultos, sin indicación en infecciones de hueso y articulaciones.La mayoría de los casos de infección protésica articular descritos en la literatura con dalbavancina en tratamiento prolongado, han sido durante un periodo no superior a 4 semanas.Se describen una serie de casos de infección osteoarticular de material protésico tratados de forma prolongada y como rescate con dalbavancina. (AU)

Dalbavancin is an antibacterial agent that belongs to the group of semi-synthetic lipoglicopeptides of long half-life, with great activity in gram-positive microorganisms and with an acceptable adverse effects profile. To date, it has been authorized for the treatment of skin and soft tissue infections in adults, with no indication of bone and joint infections.Most cases of joint prosthetic infection described in the literature with dalbavancin in prolonged treatment have been for a period not exceeding 4 weeks.A series of cases of prosthetic joint infection treated for a long time and as salvage with dalbavancin are described. (AU)

Primary Sjögren's syndrome: Extraglandular manifestations and hydroxychloroquine therapy.

The use of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) in Primary Sjögren's Syndrome (pSS) has been assessed in different studies over the last years, with conflicting results regarding its efficacy in sicca syndrome and extraglandular manifestations (EGM). The goal of this study was to compare the incidence rate of EGM in pSS patients with and without HCQ therapy.We performed a multicenter retrospective study, including patients with pSS (European classification criteria) with at least 1 year of follow-up. Subjects with concomitant fibromyalgia, autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis, and primary sclerosing cholangitis were excluded. Demographics and pSS characteristics were recorded. The EGM were defined by EULAR-SS disease activity index (ESSDAI). Patients were divided into two groups according to their use or not of HCQ therapy. We evaluated the use of HCQ and its relationship to EGM. HCQ therapy was defined as the continuous use of the drug for at least 3 months. A descriptive analysis of demographics and pSS characteristics was performed. We compared the incidence of EGM between groups defined by HCQ therapy using chi2 test or Fisher's exact test. A total of 221 patients were included (97.3% women), mean age, 55.7 years (SD 14). Mean age at diagnosis, 48.8 years (SD 15); median disease duration, 60 months (IQR 35-84). One hundred and seventy patients (77%) received HCQ. About half of the patients had at least one EGM during the course of the disease, 20% of them developed an EGM before the onset of the sicca syndrome and 26% simultaneously with dryness symptom. Overall, EGM were less frequent in those on HCQ therapy (36.5% vs 63.5%, p < 0.001). Considering each EGM individually, the following manifestations were more frequent in the non-treated group: arthritis (p < 0.001), fatigue (p < 0.001), purpura (p = 0.01), Raynaud phenomenon (p = 0.003), and hypergammaglobulinemia (p = 0.006). Immunosuppressive treatment was indicated on 28 patients (12.7%), 13 of which were receiving also HCQ. The first reason for those treatments was the presence of arthritis in 12/28 patients (42.8%), and the drug used in all the cases was methotrexate. Only three patients required immunosuppressive therapy with cyclophosphamide, due to the presence of glomerulonephritis, vasculitis, and interstitial lung disease. None of the patients received biologic therapy. The lower incidence of EGM was observed in patients on HCQ therapy supports its efficacy in pSS. However, further large scale prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Correlación de diferentes métodos de valoración de la rigidez matinal con índices de actividad y discapacidad en pacientes con artritis reumatoidea / Correlation of different methods of assessment of morning stiffness with activity and disability indexes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

La rigidez matinal (RM) es un síntoma complejo en los pacientes con AR. Existen diferentes formas de valorar la RM. Sin embargo, la mejor manera de evaluarla es aún controversial. Objetivos: Comparar la severidad y la duración de la RM, evaluada por el médico y por cuestionarios autorreportados, con la actividad de la enfermedad y la capacidad funcional en pacientes con AR. Métodos: Estudio observacional de corte transversal. Se incluyeron pacientes con diagnóstico de AR. Se consignaron datos demográficos, características de la AR y medidas clinimétricas. Los pacientes fueron asignados aleatoriamente a uno de dos grupos: el primer grupo fue interrogado sobre la duración de la RM en minutos; el segundo grupo fue evaluado mediante un cuestionario autorreportado que cuantificaba la severidad de la RM (EVA numérica y no numérica) y la duración (en minutos y en escala de Likert). Resultados: Participaron 111 pacientes (86% mujeres). La edad media fue de 52 años y la mediana de duración de la enfermedad fue 8 años. El 51% presentaba RM. La correlación de la RM en minutos medida por el médico fue buena con HAQ-A y aceptable con DAS28 y CDAI; mientras que la severidad medida por EVA correlacionó mejor con los índices de actividad de la AR que con discapacidad. Cuando la intensidad de la RM fue evaluada por EVA se observó que un valor >5,5 cm se asoció con actividad severa de la enfermedad (Sensibilidad: 44%; Especificidad: 100%). Conclusión: La duración de la rigidez matinal, evaluada en minutos por el médico, estaría relacionada tanto con la actividad de la enfermedad como con la discapacidad. La intensidad de la rigidez matinal se asoció más fuertemente con la actividad inflamatoria en los pacientes con AR

Desempeño del RAPID3 (Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data) en pacientes con osteoartritis de rodilla, cadera o mano / RAPID3 (Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data) performance in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee, hip or hand

RAPID3 es un cuestionario autorreportado desarrollado originalmente para valorar pacientes con AR. Recientemente fue empleado en pacientes con OA de rodillas y/o caderas con buenos resultados. Objetivo: Determinar si existe correlación entre el RAPID3 y otros cuestionarios en pacientes con OA de manos (AUSCAN), cadera y/o rodilla (WOMAC) y comparar el tiempo para su realización y cálculo. Material y métodos: Estudio analítico observacional de corte transversal. Se incluyeron pacientes consecutivos ≥50 años con diagnóstico de OA de rodillas, caderas y/o manos que completaron el RAPID3; además el AUSCAN y/o WOMAC según la localización de la OA. Se midió el tiempo para completar y calcular los cuestionarios. Resultados: Se incluyeron 104 pacientes. Al comparar RAPID3 con WOMAC y AUSCAN se observó una correlación de 0,66 y 0,62 respectivamente (p<0,01). Al evaluar RAPID3 con la subescala de función del WOMAC, la correlación fue de 0,75 (p<0,01) y con WOMAC Ab de 0,68 (p<0,001). El tiempo para completar y calcular el RAPID3 fue menor que para los otros cuestionarios. Conclusión: Se observó buena correlación entre RAPID3, WOMAC y AUSCAN, requiriendo un menor tiempo para su realización y cálculo. Por lo tanto, podría ser una herramienta útil para evaluar pacientes con OA de rodilla, caderas y/o manos

Implementación de un Plan de Seguridad del Paciente en un Servicio de Cirugía Pediátrica. Primeros resultados / Implementation of a Plan of Patient Safety in Service of Pediatric Surgery. First results

Objetivos. Durante el año 2014 se aplica el Plan de Seguridad del Paciente en un Servicio de Cirugía Pediátrica, elaborado previamente por nuestro Servicio. Se describen los resultados. Material y métodos. El método empleado para la medición de eventos adversos (EAs) es una modificación del Global Trigger Tool del Institute for Health care Improvement. Población analizada: pacientes intervenidos quirúrgicamente con hospitalización. Con una periodicidad mensual, se realizaron 12 auditorias de las historias clínicas correspondientes a los pacientes dados de alta en la semana anterior al día de la evaluación. El equipo evaluador estaba compuesto por: un cirujano pediátrico experto, dos enfermeras de planta más un médico y una enfermera del Servicio de Calidad. Resultados. Se revisaron 95 historias y 406 días de estancia. 31 pacientes (32,6%) sufrieron uno o más eventos adversos. Total EAs: 43. Número EAs/1.000 pacientes/día: 105,9. Los 3 EA más frecuentes fueron: vómitos, prurito y dolor. 28 EAs fueron de gravedad leve y 3 moderada, según la clasificación del National Coordinating Council for Medication Error Reporting and Prevention. Ningún EA fue grave o crítico. Conclusiones. La determinación de la prevalencia mediante evaluaciones regulares de historias clínicas es un método que permite obtener información de forma fácil sobre la frecuencia de aparición, el conocimiento exacto de los tipos de EAs y la aplicación de medidas correctoras. Este método tiene como limitación principal la posible falta de recogida EAs graves así como registro y análisis de eventos centinelas que pueden ocurrir en el periodo entre evaluaciones

Objectives. In 2014 our department starts to apply the PatientSafety Strategic in Pediatric Surgery. Our aim is to describe the results obtained. Methods. For the measurement of adverse events (AE) we used a modification of the Global Trigger Tool of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement. Population analysed: patients undergoing surgery with hospitalization. On a monthly basis, audits of the medical records of 12 patients discharged in the prior week of the assessment were performed. The evaluation team was composed by experienced pediatric surgeon, two staff nurses, and a doctor and nurse from the Quality Department. Results. 95 clinical records and a total of 406 days of hospital stay were reviewed. 31 patients (32.6%) experienced one or more AE. Total AE: 43. The AE/1000 patients/day ratio: 105.9. The most common AE were: vomiting, itching and pain. 28 EA were considerd mild and 3 moderate in severity, according to the classification of the National Coordinating Council for Medication Error Reporting and Prevention. No EA were considered serious or critical. Conclusions. The analysis of prevalence through regular assessments of medical records is an easy method to obtain information about the frequency of occurrence, exact understanding of the AE types and the implementation of corrective measures. The main limitation of this method is that it can miss some of the serious EA and miss the records and analysis of sentinel events that may occur in the period between assessments

[Implementation of a Plan of Patient Safety in Service of Pediatric Surgery. First results]. / Implementación de un Plan de Seguridad del Paciente en un Servicio de Cirugía Pediátrica. Primeros resultados.

OBJECTIVES: In 2014 our department starts to apply the PatientSafety Strategic in Pediatric Surgery. Our aim is to describe the results obtained. METHODS: For the measurement of adverse events (AE) we used a modification of the Global Trigger Tool of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement. Population analysed: patients undergoing surgery with hospitalization. On a monthly basis, audits of the medical records of 12 patients discharged in the prior week of the assessment were performed. The evaluation team was composed by experienced pediatric surgeon, two staff nurses, and a doctor and nurse from the Quality Department. RESULTS: 95 clinical records and a total of 406 days of hospital stay were reviewed. 31 patients (32.6%) experienced one or more AE. Total AE: 43. The AE/1000 patients/day ratio: 105.9. The most common AE were: vomiting, itching and pain. 28 EA were considerd mild and 3 moderate in severity, according to the classification of the National Coordinating Council for Medication Error Reporting and Prevention. No EA were considered serious or critical. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis of prevalence through regular assessments of medical records is an easy method to obtain information about the frequency of occurrence, exact understanding of the AE types and the implementation of corrective measures. The main limitation of this method is that it can miss some of the serious EA and miss the records and analysis of sentinel events that may occur in the period between assessments.

OBJETIVOS: Durante el año 2014 se aplica el Plan de Seguridad del Paciente en un Servicio de Cirugía Pediátrica, elaborado previamente por nuestro Servicio. Se describen los resultados. MATERIAL Y METODOS: El método empleado para la medición de eventos adversos (EAs) es una modificación del Global Trigger Tool del Institute for Health care Improvement. Población analizada: pacientes intervenidos quirúrgicamente con hospitalización. Con una periodicidad mensual, se realizaron 12 auditorias de las historias clínicas correspondientes a los pacientes dados de alta en la semana anterior al día de la evaluación. El equipo evaluador estaba compuesto por: un cirujano pediátrico experto, dos enfermeras de planta más un médico y una enfermera del Servicio de Calidad. RESULTADOS: Se revisaron 95 historias y 406 días de estancia. 31 pacientes (32,6%) sufrieron uno o más eventos adversos. Total EAs: 43. Número EAs/1.000 pacientes/día: 105,9. Los 3 EA más frecuentes fueron: vómitos, prurito y dolor. 28 EAs fueron de gravedad leve y 3 moderada, según la clasificación del National Coordinating Council for Medication Error Reporting and Prevention. Ningún EA fue grave o crítico. CONCLUSIONES: La determinación de la prevalencia mediante evaluaciones regulares de historias clínicas es un método que permite obtener información de forma fácil sobre la frecuencia de aparición, el conocimiento exacto de los tipos de EAs y la aplicación de medidas correctoras. Este método tiene como limitación principal la posible falta de recogida EAs graves así como registro y análisis de eventos centinelas que pueden ocurrir en el periodo entre evaluaciones.

Estudio piloto sobre correlación clínica, radiológica y ecográfica en pacientes con artritis reumatoidea / Pilot study on clinical, radiographic and ecographic correlation in patients with rehumatoid arthritis

El objetivo de este estudio piloto fue evaluar la correlación entre las evaluaciones clínicas, radiológica y ecográfica en pacientes con AR. Material y métodos: Estudio de corte transversal realizado en el marco de un taller de clinimetría y ecografía para médicos reumatólogos. Se incluyeron pacientes ≥ a 18 años de edad, con diagnóstico de AR. Los pacientes fueron evaluados a través de autocuestionarios validados: actividad de la enfermedad (RADAI), capacidad funcional (HAQ-A y HAQ-II) y RAPID-3; escala visual análoga (EVA) para dolor, evaluación global de la enfermedad y rigidez matinal (RM) y recuento articular (28) por dos médicos reumatólogos. Estos dos médicos también determinaron la evaluación global de la enfermedad de los pacientes (EVA). Se consignó valor de eritrosedimentación (ERS) dentro de la semana previa al examen. Se calculó el índice compuesto DAS28. Radiografías de manos y pies (en posición frente) efectuadas dentro de la semana previa al examen fueron leídas por otros dos médicos reumatólogos mediante método de Sharp modificado por van der Heijde (SvdH) y método SENS (Simplified Erosion and Narrowing Score). A todos los pacientes se les realizó ecografía articular Modo B y Doppler de poder (PD) de 12 por 5 médicos experimentados. Se determinó presencia de derrame de líquido sinovial (DS), hipertrofia sinovial (HS) y señal (PD). A la presencia de cada uno de estos hallazgos se les asignaba 1 punto y el índice ecográfico total resultaba de la suma de los puntos positivos (rango 0-36).

The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the correlation betweenclinical, radiological and ultrasound assessments in patients withRA.Material and methods: Cross-sectional study conducted in theframework of a clinimetric and ultrasound workshop for rheumatologists.We included patients with rheumatoid arthritis (ACR1987) ≥ 18 years of age. Patients were evaluated using validatedquestionnaires: disease activity (RADAI), functional capacity (HAQ-Aand HAQ-II) and RAPID-3; visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, globalassessment of disease and morning stiffness (MS) and joint count(28) by two rheumatologists who also determined the global assessmentof the patient’s disease (VAS). Sedimentation rate (ESR)in the week before the exam was recorded. DAS28 composite indexwas calculated. Radiographs of hands and feet (front position) performedwithin one week before the examination were read by tworheumatologists using the Sharp method modified by van der Heijde(SvdH) and SENS (Simplified Erosion and Narrowing Score) method.All patients underwent joint ultrasonography B Mode and PowerDoppler (PD) of 12 joints by 5 experienced physicians. Presence ofeffusion of synovial fluid (SF), synovial hypertrophy (SH) and signal(PD) were determined. To the presence of each of these findingswere assigned 1 point and the total ultrasound index was the sumof the positive points (range 0-36).

La forma farmacéutica un factor a valorar en el SFT / No disponible

No disponible

Enseñando soporte vital básico a la población general. Análisis de las intervenciones de los alumnos / Teaching basic life support to the general population. Alumni intervention analysis

OBJETIVOS: Estudiar la tasa de detección e intervención en situaciones de urgencia extrahospitalaria por parte de los alumnos de cursos de soporte vital básico (SVB). Definir variables de los alumnos asociados a una mayor tasa de detección e intervención. Estudio de eficiencia de las intervenciones. DISEÑO: Estudio descriptivo transversal. Ámbito: Comarca del Poniente de Almería. PACIENTES: Alumnos de un plan de formación masiva en SVB a población general «Plan Salvavidas» desarrollado entre 2003 y 2009. Intervención: En 2010 se encuestó a los alumnos del «Plan Salvavidas» sobre si habían presenciado situaciones de urgencia y datos relacionados con dichas situaciones. Variables principales: Tasa de detección de situación de urgencias. Intervención en situaciones de urgencias. Perfil sociodemográfico de intervinientes. RESULTADOS: Tres mil ochocientos sesenta y cuatro alumnos formados fueron llamados por teléfono: obtuvimos respuestas de 1.098, el 63,9% fueron mujeres, la edad media fue 26,61 ± 10,6. Un 11,75% habían presenciado situaciones de urgencia, de media 3 años tras el curso. Un 23,3% de las urgencias fueron paradas cardíacas. Los alumnos intervinieron en un 98% de los casos posibles. La relación de los alumnos con la víctima era inexistente en el 63% de los casos, la mayoría se presenciaron fuera del domicilio. Se asoció a una mayor tasa de detección de situaciones de urgencia: ser trabajador del ámbito sanitario y ser mayor de 18 años. CONCLUSIONES: En nuestra serie la tasa de urgencias extrahospitalarias presenciadas tras los cursos de SVB fue del 11,75%. El intervencionismo fue alto. La población diana más eficiente fueron los trabajadores del ámbito sanitario

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the rate at which the alumni of basic life support courses witnessed and intervened in out-of-hospital emergency situations, and to identify the variables characterizing those alumni associated with a greater number of witnessing events and interventions. An analysis of the efficiency of the courses was also carried out. DESIGN: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was made. SETTING: A district in the province of Almería (Spain). PATIENTS: Alumni of a mass basic life support training program targeted to the general population «Plan Salvavidas» conducted between 2003-2009. INTERVENTIONS: In 2010 the alumni were administered a telephone survey asking whether they had witnessed an emergency situation since attending the program, with the collection of information related to this emergency situation. Main variables of interest: Rate of out-of-hospital emergencies witnessed by the alumni. Rate of intervention of the alumni in emergency situations. Variables characterizing alumni with a greater likelihood of witnessing an emergency situation. RESULTS: A total of 3,864 trained alumni were contacted by telephone. Of 1,098 respondents, 63.9% were women, and the mean age was 26.61 ± 10.6 years. Of these alumni, 11.75% had witnessed emergency situations, an average of three years after completing the course. Of these emergencies, 23.3% were identified as cardiac arrest. The alumni intervened in 98% of the possible cases. In 63% of the cases, there was no connection between the alumni and the victim. The majority of the emergency situations occurred in the street and in public spaces. A greater likelihood of witnessing an emergency situation was associated with being a healthcare worker and with being over 18 years of age. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of out-of-hospital emergencies witnessed by these alumni after the course was 11.75%. The level of intervention among the alumni was high. The most efficient target population consisted of healthcare workers

Elaboración de un plan de seguridad del paciente en un Servicio de Cirugía Pediátrica / Design of a plan for patient safety in Pediatric Surgery Service

Introducción. La seguridad del paciente constituye una prioridad en la gestión de la calidad de cualquier servicio sanitario. Todo paciente tiene derecho a una atención eficaz y segura. Objetivo. Diseñar un plan de seguridad del paciente en un Servicio de Cirugía Pediátrica. Material y método. Revisión bibliográfica, constitución de un grupo de trabajo compuesto por profesionales sanitarios de los Servicios de Cirugía Pediátrica, Calidad y Documentación Clínica. Identificación de los eventos adversos potenciales, sus fallos y causas y su ponderación mediante el Análisis Modal de Fallos y Efectos. Construcción del mapa de riesgos y elaboración del plan de acciones preventivas para la disminución del riesgo. Designación de responsables para la ejecución efectiva del plan. Resultado. El número de eventos adversos identificados para la totalidad del Servicio de Cirugía Pediátrica fue de 58. Se detectaron hasta 128 fallos, producidos por 211 causas. El grupo hizo una propuesta de 424 medidas concretas en forma de acciones preventivas y/o correctoras que, refinadas, hicieron un total de 322. Se planificó la aplicación efectiva del programa, actualmente en ejecución. Conclusiones. La metodología empleada ha permitido disponer de una información clave para la mejora de la seguridad del paciente y la elaboración de un plan de acciones preventivas y/o correctoras. Dichas medidas son aplicables en la práctica, ya que su diseño ha sido efectuado mediante propuestas y acuerdos de los profesionales que participan directamente en el proceso de asistencia a los niños con patología quirúrgica

Introduction. Patient safety is a key priority in quality management for healthcare services providers. Every patient is entitled to receive safe and effective healthcare. Aims. The aim of this study was to design a patient safety plan for a Paediatric Surgery Department. Methods. We carried out a literature review and we established a work group that included healthcare professionals from the Paediatric Surgery Department and the Quality and Medical Records Department. The group identified potential adverse events, failures and causes and established a rating using Failure Mode Effects Analysis. Potential risks were mapped out and a plan was designed establishing actions to reduce risks. We designated leaders to ensure the effective implementation of the plan. Results. A total of 58 adverse events were identified in the Paediatric Surgery Department. We detected 128 failures that were produced by 211 different causes. The group developed a proposal with 424 specific measures to carry out preventive and/or remedial actions that were then narrowed down to 322. The group designed a plan to apply the programme, which is currently being implemented. Conclusions. The methodology used enabled obtaining key information for improvement of patient safety and developing preventive and/or remedial actions. These measures are applicable in practice, as they were designed using proposals and agreements with professionals that take active part in the care of children with surgical conditions

Validation of laughter for diagnosis and evaluation of depression.

BACKGROUND: In the medical field, laughter has been studied for its beneficial effects on health and as a therapeutic method to prevent and treat major medical diseases. However, very few works, if any, have explored the predictive potential of laughter and its potential use as a diagnostic tool. METHOD: We registered laughs of depressed patients (n=30) and healthy controls (n=20), in total 934 laughs (517 from patients and 417 from controls). All patients were tested by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS). The processing was made in Matlab, with calculation of 8 variables per laugh plosive. General and discriminant analysis distinguished patients, controls, gender, and the association between laughter and HDRS test. RESULTS: Depressed patients and healthy controls differed significantly on the type of laughter, with 88% efficacy. According to the Hamilton scale, 85.47% of the samples were correctly classified in males, and 66.17% in women, suggesting a tight relationship between laughter and the depressed condition. LIMITATIONS: (i) The compilation of humorous videos created to evoke laughter implied quite variable chances of laughter production. (ii) Some laughing subjects might not feel comfortable when recording. (iii) Evaluation of laughter episodes depended on personal inspection of the records. (iv) Sample size was relatively small and may not be representative of the general population afflicted by depression. CONCLUSIONS: Laughter may be applied as a diagnostic tool in the onset and evolution of depression and, potentially, of neuropsychiatric pathologies. The sound structures of laughter reveal the underlying emotional and mood states in interpersonal relationships.

[Teaching basic life support to the general population. Alumni intervention analysis]. / Enseñando soporte vital básico a la población general. Análisis de las intervenciones de los alumnos.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the rate at which the alumni of basic life support courses witnessed and intervened in out-of-hospital emergency situations, and to identify the variables characterizing those alumni associated with a greater number of witnessing events and interventions. An analysis of the efficiency of the courses was also carried out. DESIGN: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was made. SETTING: A district in the province of Almería (Spain). PATIENTS: Alumni of a mass basic life support training program targeted to the general population «Plan Salvavidas¼ conducted between 2003-2009. INTERVENTIONS: In 2010 the alumni were administered a telephone survey asking whether they had witnessed an emergency situation since attending the program, with the collection of information related to this emergency situation. MAIN VARIABLES OF INTEREST: Rate of out-of-hospital emergencies witnessed by the alumni. Rate of intervention of the alumni in emergency situations. Variables characterizing alumni with a greater likelihood of witnessing an emergency situation. RESULTS: A total of 3,864 trained alumni were contacted by telephone. Of 1,098 respondents, 63.9% were women, and the mean age was 26.61±10.6 years. Of these alumni, 11.75% had witnessed emergency situations, an average of three years after completing the course. Of these emergencies, 23.3% were identified as cardiac arrest. The alumni intervened in 98% of the possible cases. In 63% of the cases, there was no connection between the alumni and the victim. The majority of the emergency situations occurred in the street and in public spaces. A greater likelihood of witnessing an emergency situation was associated with being a healthcare worker and with being over 18 years of age. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of out-of-hospital emergencies witnessed by these alumni after the course was 11.75%. The level of intervention among the alumni was high. The most efficient target population consisted of healthcare workers.

[Design of a plan for patient safety in pediatric surgery service]. / Elaboración de un plan de seguridad del paciente en un Servicio de Cirugía Pediátrica.

INTRODUCTION: Patient safety is a key priority in quality management for healthcare services providers. Every patient is entitled to receive safe and effective healthcare. AIMS: The aim of this study was to design a patient safety plan for a Paediatric Surgery Department. METHODS: We carried out a literature review and we established a work group that included healthcare professionals from the Paediatric Surgery Department and the Quality and Medical Records Department. The group identified potential adverse events, failures and causes and established a rating using Failure Mode Effects Analysis. Potential risks were mapped out and a plan was designed establishing actions to reduce risks. We designated leaders to ensure the effective implementation of the plan. RESULTS: A total of 58 adverse events were identified in the Paediatric Surgery Department. We detected 128 failures that were produced by 211 different causes. The group developed a proposal with 424 specific measures to carry out preventive and/or remedial actions that were then narrowed down to 322. The group designed a plan to apply the programme, which is currently being implemented. CONCLUSIONS: The methodology used enabled obtaining key information for improvement of patient safety and developing preventive and/or remedial actions. These measures are applicable in practice, as they were designed using proposals and agreements with professionals that take active part in the care of children with surgical conditions.

Taste and olfactory status in a gourmand with a right amygdala lesion.

In a patient with a lesion of the right amygdala and temporal pole who had the characteristics of the gourmand syndrome, sensory and hedonic testing was performed to examine the processing of taste, olfactory, and some emotional stimuli. The gourmand syndrome describes a preoccupation with food and a preference for fine eating and is associated with right anterior lesions. It was found that the taste thresholds for sweet, salt, bitter, and sour were normal; that the patient did not dislike the taste of salt (NaCl) at low and moderate concentrations as much as age-matched controls; that this also occurred for monosodium glutamate (MSG); that there were some olfactory differences from normal controls; and that there was a marked reduction in the ability to detect face expressions of disgust.