Cost of illness due to respiratory syncytial virus acute lower respiratory tract infection among infants hospitalized in Argentina.

BACKGROUND: Information is scarce regarding the economic burden of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease in low-resource settings. This study aimed to estimate the cost per episode of hospital admissions due to RSV severe disease in Argentina. METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study that collected information regarding 256 infants under 12 months of age with acute lower respiratory tract infection (ALRTI) due to RSV in two public hospitals of Buenos Aires between 2014 and 2016. Information on healthcare resource use was collected from the patient's report and its associated costs were estimated based on the financial database and account records of the hospitals. We estimated the total cost per hospitalization due to RSV using the health system perspective. The costs were estimated in US dollars as of December 2022 (1 US dollar = 170 Argentine pesos). RESULTS: The mean costs per RSV hospitalization in infants was US$587.79 (95% confidence interval [CI] $535.24 - $640.33). The mean costs associated with pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission more than doubled from those at regular pediatric wards ($1,556.81 [95% CI $512.21 - $2,601.40] versus $556.53 [95% CI $514.59 - $598.48]). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows the direct economic impact of acute severe RSV infection on the public health system in Argentina. The estimates obtained from this study could be used to inform cost-effectiveness analyses of new preventive RSV interventions being developed.

Communication of medical errors in a simulated clinical scenario. Experience with a pediatric residency group.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the performance of groups of pediatric residents from a Buenos Aires hospital, in terms of correct recognition and communication of a medical error (ME), in a high-fidelity simulation scenario. To describe the reactions and communication attempts following the ME and the self-perception by the trainees before and after a debriefing. METHODS: Quasi-experimental uncontrolled study conducted in a simulation center. First- and third-year pediatric residents participated. We designed a simulation case in which an ME occurred and the patient deteriorated. During the simulation, participants had to provide information on communicating the ME to the patient's father. We assessed communication performance and, additionally, participants completed a self-perception survey about ME management before and after a debriefing. RESULTS: Eleven groups of residents participated. Ten (90.9%) identified the ME correctly, but only 27.3% (n=3) of them reported that a ME had occurred. None of the groups told the father they were going to give him important news concerning his son's health. All 18 residents who actively participated in this communication completed the self-perception survey, with an average score before and after debriefing of 5.00 and 5.05 (out of 10) (p=0.88). CONCLUSIONS: We observed a high number of groups that recognized the presence of a ME, but the communication action was substantially low. Communication skills were insufficient and residents' self-perception of error management was regular and not modified by the debriefing.

Responding to Higher-Than-Expected Infant Mortality Rates from Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV): Improving Treatment and Reporting Strategies.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has a major role in respiratory infections in young infants around the world. However, substantial progress has been made in recent years in the field of RSV. A wide variety of observational studies and clinical trials published in the past decade provide a thorough idea of the health and economic burden of RSV disease in the developing world. In this review, we discuss the impact of RSV burden of disease, major gaps in disease estimations, and challenges in generating new therapeutic options and an immune response against the virus, and briefly describe next generation technologies that are being evaluated.

Communication of medical errors in a simulated clinical scenario. Experience with a pediatric residency group / Comunicação de erros médicos em cenário clínico simulado. Experiência com residentes em Pediatria

ABSTRACT Objective: To determine the performance of groups of pediatric residents from a Buenos Aires hospital, in terms of correct recognition and communication of a medical error (ME), in a high-fidelity simulation scenario. To describe the reactions and communication attempts following the ME and the self-perception by the trainees before and after a debriefing. Methods: Quasi-experimental uncontrolled study conducted in a simulation center. First- and third-year pediatric residents participated. We designed a simulation case in which an ME occurred and the patient deteriorated. During the simulation, participants had to provide information on communicating the ME to the patient's father. We assessed communication performance and, additionally, participants completed a self-perception survey about ME management before and after a debriefing. Results: Eleven groups of residents participated. Ten (90.9%) identified the ME correctly, but only 27.3% (n=3) of them reported that a ME had occurred. None of the groups told the father they were going to give him important news concerning his son's health. All 18 residents who actively participated in this communication completed the self-perception survey, with an average score before and after debriefing of 5.00 and 5.05 (out of 10) (p=0.88). Conclusions: We observed a high number of groups that recognized the presence of a ME, but the communication action was substantially low. Communication skills were insufficient and residents' self-perception of error management was regular and not modified by the debriefing.

RESUMO Objetivo: Determinar o desempenho de grupos de residentes pediátricos de um hospital de Buenos Aires, em termos de reconhecimento e comunicação correta de um erro médico (EM),em cenário de simulação. Descrever as reações e tentativas de comunicação após o EM e a autopercepção pelos estagiários antes e depois de um questionário. Métodos: Estudo quase experimental não controlado realizado em centro de simulação. Participaram residentes pediátricos do primeiro e terceiro anos. Concebeu-se um caso de simulação em que ocorreu um EM com deterioração de um paciente. Durante a simulação, os participantes tiveram que fornecer informações relacionadas à comunicação do EM ao pai do paciente. Avaliou-se o desempenho da comunicação e, adicionalmente, os participantes completaram um inquérito de autopercepção sobre a gestão da EM, antes e depois de um questionário. Resultados: Onze grupos de residentes participaram. Dez (90,9%) identificaram corretamente o EM, mas apenas 27,3% (n=3) deles comunicaram que havia ocorrido o EM. Nenhum dos grupos disse ao pai que iria dar notícias importantes sobre a saúde do seu filho. Todos os 18 residentes que participaram ativamente da comunicação completaram o questionário de autopercepção com uma pontuação média antes e depois do questionário de 5,00 e 5,05 (máximo: 10 pontos) (p=0,88). Conclusões: Observamos elevado número de grupos que reconheceram a presença de um EM, mas a ação de comunicação foi rara. A capacidade de comunicação foi insuficiente e a autopercepção da gestão de erros por parte dos residentes foi regular, não sendo modificada pelo debriefing.

Relevamiento de drogas en carros de emergencia de un hospital pediátrico. Estudio antes-después de una intervención educativa / Assessment of emergency trolley drugs in a children's hospital. Before and after study on an educational intervention

Introducción. El abordaje de las emergencias pediátricas requiere recursos especializados y son frecuentes los errores relacionados con la medicación.Objetivos. Describir el contenido de los carros de emergencia (CE) en un hospital pediátrico y compararlo luego de una intervención educativa.Métodos. Se incluyeron CE de 9 salas de internación. Se elaboró una lista de cotejo con 30 drogas. Se relevaron los CE determinando presencia o ausencia de drogas y si las cantidades eran suficientes. Luego se realizó una intervención educativa y relevamientos 30 y 90 días posintervención.Resultados. La medición basal arrojó una proporción global de drogas adecuadas del 43,9 % (intervalo de confianza ­IC­ del 95 %: 38,4-49,4) con una variación entre CE del 29 % al 54,8 % y del 15 % al 85 % en los grupos de drogas. A los 30 días, la proporción correcta alcanzó el 70,3 % (IC 95 %: 65,2-75,4), con amplia variación entre los diferentes CE y grupos de drogas (del 51,6 % al 93,5 % y del 50 % al 95 %, respectivamente). A los 90 días, los porcentajes fueron similares. La comparación entre la primera y segunda medición mostró mejoría en todos los CE (rango: del 3,2 % al 45,1 %), odds ratio 3,73 (IC 95 %: 2,5-5,6), p < 0,001. Los resultados fueron similares entre la segunda y tercera medición.Conclusiones. En la medición inicial, se evidenció bajo nivel de adecuación de drogas de los CE. Luego de la intervención, mejoró significativamente y se mantuvo durante el período evaluado.

Introduction. The approach to pediatric emergencies requires specialized resources, and medication errors are common.Objectives. To describe the contents of emergency trolleys (ETs) in a children's hospital and compare them after an educational intervention.Methods. The ETs from 9 hospitalization wards were included. A checklist of 30 drugs was developed. ETs were assessed by determining whether drugs were present or absent and their amount. An educational intervention was conducted and assessments were repeated 30 and 90 days after the intervention.Results. The baseline measurement indicated an overall ratio of adequate drugs of 43.9 % (95 % confidence interval [CI]: 38.4-49.4) with a variation among ETs from 29 % to 54.8 %, and from 15 % to 85 % among drug groups. At 30 days, the adequate ratio reached 70.3 % (95 % CI: 65.2-75.4), with a wide variation among the different ETs and drug groups (from 51.6 % to 93.5 % and from 50 % to 95 %, respectively). At 90 days, the percentages were similar. The comparison between the first and second measurementshowed an improvement in all ETs (range: 3.2 %-45.1 %), odds ratio: 3.73 (95 % CI: 2.5-5.6), p < 0.001. Results were similar between the second and third measurement.Conclusions. The baseline measurement showed a low level of adequate ET drugs. After the intervention, this improved significantly and was maintained during the studied period

Assessment of emergency trolley drugs in a children's hospital. Before and after study on an educational intervention. / Relevamiento de drogas en carros de emergencia de un hospital pediátrico. Estudio antes-después de una intervención educativa.

INTRODUCTION: The approach to pediatric emergencies requires specialized resources, and medication errors are common. OBJECTIVES: To describe the contents of emergency trolleys (ETs) in a children's hospital and compare them after an educational intervention. METHODS: The ETs from 9 hospitalization wards were included. A checklist of 30 drugs was developed. ETs were assessed by determining whether drugs were present or absent and their amount. An educational intervention was conducted and assessments were repeated 30 and 90 days after the intervention. RESULTS: The baseline measurement indicated an overall ratio of adequate drugs of 43.9 % (95 % confidence interval [Cl]: 38.4-49.4) with a variation among ETs from 29 % to 54.8 %, and from 15 % to 85 % among drug groups. At 30 days, the adequate ratio reached 70.3 % (95 % CI: 65.275.4), with a wide variation among the different ETs and drug groups (from 51.6 % to 93.5 % and from 50 % to 95 %, respectively). At 90 days, the percentages were similar. The comparison between the first and second measurement showed an improvement in all ETs (range: 3.2 %-45.1 %), odds ratio: 3.73 (95 % CI: 2.5-5.6), p < 0.001. Results were similar between the second and third measurement. CONCLUSIONS: The baseline measurement showed a low level of adequate ET drugs. After the intervention, this improved significantly and was maintained during the studied period.

Introducción. El abordaje de las emergencias pediátricas requiere recursos especializados y son frecuentes los errores relacionados con la medicación. Objetivos. Describir el contenido de los carros de emergencia (CE) en un hospital pediátrico y compararlo luego de una intervención educativa. Métodos. Se incluyeron CE de 9 salas de internación. Se elaboró una lista de cotejo con 30 drogas. Se relevaron los CE determinando presencia o ausencia de drogas y si las cantidades eran suficientes. Luego se realizó una intervención educativa y relevamientos 30 y 90 días posintervención. Resultados. La medición basal arrojó una proporción global de drogas adecuadas del 43,9 % (intervalo de confianza -IC- del 95 %: 38,449,4) con una variación entre CE del 29 % al 54,8 % y del 15 % al 85 % en los grupos de drogas. A los 30 días, la proporción correcta alcanzó el 70,3 % (IC 95 %: 65,2-75,4), con amplia variación entre los diferentes CE y grupos de drogas (del 51,6 % al 93,5 % y del 50 % al 95 %, respectivamente). A los 90 días, los porcentajes fueron similares. La comparación entre la primera y segunda medición mostró mejoría en todos los CE (rango: del 3,2 % al 45,1 %), odds ratio 3,73 (IC 95 %: 2,55,6), p < 0,001. Los resultados fueron similares entre la segunda y tercera medición. Conclusiones. En la medición inicial, se evidenció bajo nivel de adecuación de drogas de los CE. Luego de la intervención, mejoró significativamente y se mantuvo durante el período evaluado.

Hepatomegalia como forma de presentación en pericarditis constrictiva: Caso clínico pediátrico / Hepatomegaly as a form of presentation in constrictive pericarditis: A pediatric clinical case

La pericarditis constrictiva es una entidad poco frecuente en pediatría, en la cual existe una limitación para la diástole cardíaca por fibrosis del pericardio. El origen etiopatogénico de esta patología es múltiple, encontrándose en primer lugar, la pericarditis constrictiva idiopática y, en segundo, la infección por Mycobacterium tuberculosis. El diagnóstico constituye un desafío clínico, ya que requiere de un alto grado de sospecha. Suele presentarse de forma oligosintomática. La presencia de edema, ascitis y alteración de la función hepática suele orientar el estudio hacia una enfermedad hepática primaria. Una cuidadosa historia clínica y examen físico, junto con estudios por imágenes adecuados, constituyen las piedras angulares del diagnóstico. El tratamiento quirúrgico realizado de forma oportuna resulta curativo en la gran mayoría de los pacientes. Se presenta el caso de un paciente de 16 años que inicia estudios por hallazgo de hepatomegalia asociada a disnea grado 1-2 en un control de salud habitual.

Constrictive pericarditis is a rare entity in pediatrics in which there is a limitation for cardiac diastole due to fibrosis of the pericardium. The etiopathogenic origin of this pathology is multiple, finding idiopathic constrictive pericarditis firstly and Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection secondly. Diagnosis is a clinical challenge since it requires a high degree of suspicion. It usually presents as oligosymptomatic or with signs and symptoms of low cardiac output. The presence of edema, ascites and impaired liver function usually guides the study towards primary liver disease. A careful clinical history and physical examination together with adequate imaging studies are the cornerstones of the diagnosis. Surgical treatment is curative in the vast majority of patients. We present the case of a 16-year-old patient with hepatomegaly and dyspnea grade 1-2 found in a routine health check-up.

[Hepatomegaly as a form of presentation in constrictive pericarditis. A pediatric clinical case]. / Hepatomegalia como forma de presentación en pericarditis constrictiva. Caso clínico pediátrico.

Constrictive pericarditis is a rare entity in pediatrics in which there is a limitation for cardiac diastole due to fibrosis of the pericardium. The etiopathogenic origin of this pathology is multiple, finding idiopathic constrictive pericarditis firstly and Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection secondly. Diagnosis is a clinical challenge since it requires a high degree of suspicion. It usually presents as oligosymptomatic or with signs and symptoms of low cardiac output. The presence of edema, ascites and impaired liver function usually guides the study towards primary liver disease. A careful clinical history and physical examination together with adequate imaging studies are the cornerstones of the diagnosis. Surgical treatment is curative in the vast majority of patients. We present the case of a 16-yearold patient with hepatomegaly and dyspnea grade 1-2 found in a routine health check-up.

La pericarditis constrictiva es una entidad poco frecuente en pediatría, en la cual existe una limitación para la diástole cardíaca por fibrosis del pericardio. El origen etiopatogénico de esta patología es múltiple, encontrándose en primer lugar, la pericarditis constrictiva idiopática y, en segundo, la infección por Mycobacterium tuberculosis. El diagnóstico constituye un desafío clínico, ya que requiere de un alto grado de sospecha. Suele presentarse de forma oligosintomática. La presencia de edema, ascitis y alteración de la función hepática suele orientar el estudio hacia una enfermedad hepática primaria. Una cuidadosa historia clínica y examen físico, junto con estudios por imágenes adecuados, constituyen las piedras angulares del diagnóstico. El tratamiento quirúrgico realizado de forma oportuna resulta curativo en la gran mayoría de los pacientes. Se presenta el caso de un paciente de 16 años que inicia estudios por hallazgo de hepatomegalia asociada a disnea grado 1-2 en un control de salud habitual.