Efficacy of a joint didactic intervention using the Junta De Andalucía School for Patients method to control prothrombin time in patients taking anticoagulants: protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Oral anticoagulant drugs represent an essential tool in the prevention of thromboembolic events. The ones in widespread use are vitamin K antagonists, whose plasma level is monitored by measuring prothrombin time using the international normalized ratio. If its values are out of the recommended range, the patient will have a higher risk of suffering from thromboembolic or hemorrhagic complications. Previous research has shown that approximately 33% of patients keep having values at an inappropriate level. The purpose of the proposed study is to improve the international normalized ratio control results by a joint didactic intervention based on the Junta de Andalucía School for Patients method that will be implemented by anticoagulated patients themselves. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial will be undertaken at primary care centers from one healthcare area in Málaga (Andalusia, Spain). STUDY POPULATION: patients participating in an oral anticoagulant therapy program of vitamin K antagonists. First step: identification of patients in the oral anticoagulation therapy program with international normalized ratio control of the therapeutic level at 65% or less over total time. Second step: patients with international normalized ratio (INR) control figures under 2 or above 3 will be assigned to two different groups: Group 1 or joint intervention group: patients will be instructed in the joint didactic "from peer to peer," by a previously trained and expert anticoagulant patient. Group 2 or control group: the control group will receive the usual clinical practice. They will be evaluated by nurses about once a month, except for cases in which their INR figures are under 2 or above 3, and those patients will be evaluated more frequently. A total of 312 individuals will be required (156 in each group) to detect differences in INR figures equal to or higher than 15% between the groups. STUDY VARIABLES: time on therapeutic levels before and after the intervention; sociodemographic variables; vital signs; the existence of cardiovascular risk factors or accompanying diseases in the clinical records; laboratory test including complete blood counts, bleeding time, and prothrombin time or partial thromboplastin time; and blood chemistry, other prescribed drugs, and social support. A quasi-experimental analytic study with before-after statistical analysis of the intervention will be conducted. Linear regression models will be applied for the main variable results (international normalized ratio value, time on therapeutic level) inputting sociodemographic variables, accompanying diseases, and social support. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03647254 . Registered on 27 August 2018.

Dermatoporosis en estadio IV: a propósito de un caso / Stage IV dermatoporosis: a case report

Paciente de 79 años, remitida a consulta de enfermería para valoración de lesión postraumática en miembro inferior derecho de una semana de evolución, tratada con vendaje elástico y heparina de bajo peso molecular. OBJETIVO: Conocer el rol de la enfermería en la prevención y tratamiento de la dermatoporosis, a propósito de un caso clínico. METODOLOGÍA: Caso clínico con planteamiento metodológico, con consentimiento informado de la paciente y fotografías del caso. RESULTADO: La cicatrización se consiguió en un periodo de 65 días, con una correcta preparación del lecho de la herida para el posterior éxito del injerto cutáneo, controlando el edema, exudado y dolor durante las curas, realizadas cada 2-3 días de acuerdo con la efectividad del tratamiento. DISCUSIÓN: La dermatoporosis exige un mayor esfuerzo en prevención primaria y secundaria desde Atención Primaria, sobre todo a partir de la detección de las manifestaciones clínicas y complicaciones iniciales derivadas de la misma

A 79-year-old patient referred to a nursing consultation to evaluate a traumatic lesion in the right lower limb for one week, treated with elastic bandage and low molecular weight heparin. OBJECTIVE: Knowing the role of nursing in the prevention and treatment of dermatoporosis, in relation to a clinical case. METHODOLOGY: Clinical case with methodological approach, with informed consent of the patient and photographs. RESULT:The healing was achieved in a period of 65 days, with a correct preparation of the wound bed for the subsequent success of the skin graft, treating the edema, exudate and pain during the cures, made every 2-3 days in accordance with the effectiveness of the treatment. DISCUSSION: Dermatoporosis requires a greater effort in primary and secondary prevention from primary care, especially from the detection of clinical manifestations and initial complications derived from it

Análisis de una intervención para la mejora de resultados en salud en EPOC agudizada en atención primaria / Analysis of an intervention to improve health outcomes in acute exacerbations of COPD in primary care

OBJETIVO: Analizar la efectividad de una intervención en profesionales sanitarios de atención primaria (AP) en la mejora de resultados de salud de pacientes agudizadores de EPOC (AEPOC). DISEÑO: Observacional, con análisis retrospectivo y prospectivo. Emplazamiento. Distrito Sanitario Málaga-Guadalhorce (DSMG). PARTICIPANTES: Pacientes EPOC agudizados atendidos por los dispositivos móviles de urgencias del DSMG (n = 523; 21% pérdidas). INTERVENCIONES: Formación a los profesionales en la práctica clínica habitual e inclusión de indicadores de proceso de EPOC en objetivos ligado a incentivos. Mediciones principales. Comparación de variables de proceso y de resultado mediante auditoría de la historia clínica. Variable respuesta: diferencia de agudizaciones en 2 periodos analizados. Análisis bivariante y multivariante. RESULTADOS: Edad media 75 (±9,3) años; varones 63,7%, con un IMC de 29,4 (± 7,1); fumadores activos 21%. El FEV1 medio fue del 48,2% (± 18,7). La media de agudizaciones en el primer período fue de 2,86 (± 2,29) y en el segundo, de 1,36 (± 1,56) (p < 0,001). La media de ingresos en el primer y segundo periodos fue 0,56 (± 0,94) y 0,31 (± 0,66) (p < 0,001), respectivamente. La disminución del número de agudizaciones se relacionó de forma directa con haber tenido ≥2 agudizaciones en el primer período, exacerbación revisada en atención primaria y de forma inversa con tener insuficiencia cardiaca y ≥ 2 agudizaciones en el segundo período (coeficiente de determinación R2 = 0,28; p < 0,001). CONCLUSIONES: El número de agudizaciones y de ingresos entre ambos periodos evaluados disminuyó significativamente. Sin embargo, no mejoraron los indicadores de proceso evaluados. Se precisan estudios prospectivos de intervención para establecer la posible relación causal

OBJECTIVE: To examine the impact of an intervention by Primary Care (PC) professionals of a Health District on the clinical outcomes for treating COPD exacerbations using a process and outcome indicators analysis (clinical audit). DESIGN: Observational, retrospective and prospective analysis cross-sectional audit of clinical practice. SETTING: Malaga-Guadalhorce Sanitary District (DSMG). Participants. Patients with COPD exacerbations treated by the extra-hospital emergency services (n = 523; 21% losses). INTERVENTIONS: Professional training in the usual clinical practice and inclusion of process indicators of COPD targets in relation to incentives. Principal measurements. Comparison of external audit results (process and outcomes variables) from medical records and Health Outcomes (exacerbations, admissions). Variable response: Difference in exacerbations and admissions in 2 periods analysed. Bivariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Mean age was 75 (± 9.3), 63.7% males with a BMI of 29.4 (±7.1), and 21% active smokers. Mean FEV1, 48.2% (± 18.7). Mean exacerbations in the first period, 2.86 (± 2.29) and in the second 1.36 (± 1.56) (P <. 001). Mean hospital admissions in the first and second period, 0.56 (±0.94) and 0.31 (± 0.66) (P < .001), respectively. The decrease in the number of exacerbations was directly associated with having ≥ 2 exacerbations in the first period, reviewed in Primary Care, and inversely with heart failure and with having ≥ 2 exacerbations in the second period (R2 = 0.28; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The number of exacerbations and admissions decreased significantly in both periods assessed. However, the evaluated process indicators did not improve. Prospective intervention studies are necessary to establish the possible causal relationshi

[Analysis of an intervention to improve health outcomes in acute exacerbations of COPD in primary care]. / Análisis de una intervención para la mejora de resultados en salud en EPOC agudizada en atención primaria.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the impact of an intervention by Primary Care (PC) professionals of a Health District on the clinical outcomes for treating COPD exacerbations using a process and outcome indicators analysis (clinical audit). DESIGN: Observational, retrospective and prospective analysis cross-sectional audit of clinical practice SETTING: Malaga-Guadalhorce Sanitary District (DSMG). PARTICIPANTS: Patients with COPD exacerbations treated by the extra-hospital emergency services (n=523; 21% losses). INTERVENTIONS: Professional training in the usual clinical practice and inclusion of process indicators of COPD targets in relation to incentives. PRINCIPAL MEASUREMENTS: Comparison of external audit results (process and outcomes variables) from medical records and Health Outcomes (exacerbations, admissions). Variable response: Difference in exacerbations and admissions in 2 periods analysed. Bivariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Mean age was 75 (±9.3), 63.7% males with a BMI of 29.4 (±7.1), and 21% active smokers. Mean FEV1, 48.2% (±18.7). Mean exacerbations in the first period, 2.86 (±2.29) and in the second 1.36 (±1.56) (P<.001). Mean hospital admissions in the first and second period, 0.56 (±0.94) and 0.31 (±0.66) (P<.001), respectively. The decrease in the number of exacerbations was directly associated with having ≥2 exacerbations in the first period, reviewed in Primary Care, and inversely with heart failure and with having ≥2 exacerbations in the second period (R2=0.28; P<.001) CONCLUSIONS: The number of exacerbations and admissions decreased significantly in both periods assessed. However, the evaluated process indicators did not improve. Prospective intervention studies are necessary to establish the possible causal relationship.