Software-guided (PREVEDEL) cognitive stimulation to prevent delirium in hospitalised older adults: study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Delirium is a clinical condition characterised by acute and fluctuating deterioration of the cognitive state, generally secondary to an acute pathology. Delirium is associated with negative outcomes in older adults, such as longer hospitalisations, higher mortality, and short and medium-term institutionalisation. Randomised clinical trials have shown that delirium is preventable through non-pharmacological prevention measures, decreasing its incidence by 30-50%. These interventions include promoting physical activity, facilitating the use of glasses and hearing aids, cognitive stimulation, and providing frequent reorientation of time and space, among others. These measures are currently seldom applied in hospitals in Chile and around the world for reasons including the heavy workload of clinical staff, the lack of trained personnel, and in general the absence of a systematic implementation processes. We developed a software called PREVEDEL, which includes non-pharmacological strategies such as cognitive stimulation, early mobilisation, orientation, and pain assessment. We propose a randomised clinical trial to evaluate whether cognitive stimulation guided by PREVEDEL software prevents delirium status (full/subsyndromal delirium) in hospitalised older adults. METHOD: A randomised controlled trial, with parallel, multicentre groups. We will recruite patients 65 years or older who have been hospitalised for less than 48 h in the general ward or the intermediate care units of four hospitals in Santiago, Chile. The participants in the intervention group will use a tablet with cognitive stimulation software for delirium prevention for five continuous days versus the control group who will use the tablet without the software. We will evaluate the incidence, duration, density of delirium, subsyndromal delirium with the Confusion Assessment Method, cognitive with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, and functional status with the Functional Independence Measure at discharge. Moreover, we will evaluate the adherence to prevention measures, as well as demographic variables of interest. DISCUSSION: The use of cognitive PREVEDEL software could increase and improve the implementation of non-pharmacological prevention measures for delirium in hospitalised older adults, thus reducing its incidence and contributing to patients and health professionals. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT05108207 ClinicalTrials.gov. Registered 4 November 2021.

Non-pharmacological prevention of postoperative delirium by occupational therapy teams: A randomized clinical trial.

Background: Patients who develop postoperative delirium (POD) have several clinical complications, such as increased morbidity, increased hospital stays, higher hospital costs, cognitive and functional impairment, and higher mortality. POD is a clinical condition preventable by standard non-pharmacological measures An intensive Occupational Therapy (OT) intervention has been shown to be highly effective in preventing delirium in critically ill medical patients, but it is unknown the effect in surgical patients. Thus, we designed a prospective clinical study with the aim to determine whether patients undergoing intervention by the OT team have a lower incidence of POD compared to the group treated only with standard measures. Methods: A multicenter, single-blind, randomized clinical trial was conducted between October 2018 and April 2021, in Santiago of Chile, at a university hospital and at a public hospital. Patients older than 75 years undergoing elective major surgery were eligible for the trial inclusion. Patients with cognitive impairment, severe communication disorder and cultural language limitation, delirium at admission or before surgery, and enrolled in another study were excluded. The intervention consisted of OT therapy twice a day plus standard internationally recommended non-pharmacological prevention intervention during 5 days after surgery. Our primary outcome was development of delirium and postoperative subsyndromal delirium. Results: In total 160 patients were studied. In the interventional group, treated with an intensive prevention by OT, nine patients (12.9%) developed delirium after surgery and in the control group four patients (5.5%) [p = 0.125, RR 2.34 CI 95 (0.75-7.27)]. Whereas subsyndromal POD was present in 38 patients in the control group (52.1%) and in 34 (48.6%) in the intervention group [p = 0.4, RR 0.93 CI95 (0.67-1.29)]. A post hoc analysis determined that the patient's comorbidity and cognitive status prior to hospitalization were the main risk factors to develop delirium after surgery. Discussion: Patients undergoing intervention by the OT team did not have a lower incidence of POD compared to the group treated only with standard non-pharmacological measures in adults older than 75 years who went for major surgery. Clinical trial registration: www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT03704090.

Mortality in patients with severe COVID-19 who underwent tracheostomy due to prolonged mechanical ventilation / Mortalidad en pacientes con COVID-19 grave sometidos a traqueostomía por ventilación mecánica prolongada

BACKGROUND: The usefulness of tracheostomy has been questioned in patients with COVID-19 and prolonged invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). AIM: To compare the 90-day mortality rate of patients who underwent a tracheostomy due prolonged IMV with those that did not receive this procedure. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied a historical cohort of 92 patients with COVID-19 and prolonged IMV (> 10 days). The primary outcome was the 90-day mortality rate. Secondary outcomes included days on IMV, hospital/intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay, frequency of nosocomial infections, and thrombotic complications demonstrated by images. A logistic regression was performed to adjust the effect of tracheostomy by SOFA score and days on IMV. RESULTS: Forty six patients aged 54 to 66 years (72% males) underwent tracheostomy. They had a median of two comorbidities, and received the procedure after a median of 20.5 days on IMV (interquartile range: 17-26). 90-day mortality was lower in patients who were tracheostomized than in the control group (6.5% vs. 32.6%, p-value < 0.01). However, after controlling for confounding factors, no differences were found in mortality between both groups (relative risk = 0.303, p-value = 0.233). Healthcare-associated infections and hospital/ICU length of stay were higher in patients with tracheostomy than in controls. Thrombotic complications occurred in 42.4% of the patients, without differences between both groups. No cases of COVID-19 were registered in the healthcare personnel who performed tracheostomies. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with COVID-19 undergoing prolonged IMV, performing a tracheostomy is not associated with excess mortality, and it is a safe procedure for healthcare personnel.

ANTECEDENTES: La utilidad de la traqueostomía en pacientes COVID-19 sometidos a ventilación mecánica invasiva (VMI) prolongada ha sido cuestionada. OBJETIVO: Comparar la mortalidad a 90 días en estos pacientes, con y sin traqueostomía. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudiamos una cohorte histórica de 92 pacientes COVID-19 con VMI prolongada (>10 días). El desenlace prima-rio fue mortalidad a 90 días. Se consideraron desenlaces secundarios los días en VMI, estadía hospitalaria/UCI, frecuencia de infecciones nosocomiales, y eventos trombóticos. Mediante regresión logística se ajustó el efecto de la traqueostomía en la mortalidad, por SOFA y días de VMI. RESULTADOS: Cuarenta y seis pacientes de 54 a 66 años (72% hombres) fueron traqueostomizados. Ellos tenían una mediana de dos comorbilidades, y recibieron el procedimiento luego de una mediana de 20,5 días en VMI (rango intercuartílico: 17-26). En el análisis crudo, la mortalidad a 90 días fue menor en los pacientes con traqueostomía que en el grupo control (6,5% vs. 32,6%; p < 0,001). No obstante, luego de controlar por factores de confusión, no se encontraron diferencias en mortalidad (riesgo relativo 0,303; p = 0,233). Las infecciones asociadas a la atención de salud y la estadía en hospital/UCI fueron mayores en los pacientes traqueostomizados que en los controles. Los eventos trombóticos ocurrieron en el 42,4% de los pacientes, sin diferencias entre grupos. No hubo casos de COVID-19 en el personal de salud que realizó las traqueostomías. CONCLUSIONES: En pacientes con COVID-19 sometidos a VMI prolongada, la realización de una traqueostomía no se asocia a un exceso de mortalidad, y es un procedimiento seguro para el personal sanitario.

Epidemiology of delirium in hospitalized patients in Latin America: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Accurate epidemiological data are essential for the planning of policies aimed at the identification, prevention, and management of delirium. The reported occurrence of delirium in hospitalized patients varies widely among studies, ranging between 5% to more than 80% in the international literature. The exact occurrence in Latin America is not well described. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to conduct a systematic analysis of the published data on the epidemiology of delirium in hospitalized patients in Latin America. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review following PRISMA guidelines. Both MEDLINE and LILACS databases were searched for original research articles reporting the occurrence of delirium among adult hospitalized patients in Latin American countries. Studies including pediatric populations were excluded from this analysis. Two authors independently applied eligibility criteria, assessed quality, and extracted data. The corresponding authors of the original articles were contacted to obtain relevant information about the study when this was not present in the published manuscripts. RESULTS: Seven hundred and eighteen original articles were identified. After screening titles and abstracts, 149 studies were included in the final analysis. The occurrence of delirium varied depending on the clinical scenario: (1) in the general medico-surgical wards, it ranged from 2.1% to 60.4%, (2) in the Intensive Care Units (ICUs), from 9.6% to 94.8%, (3) in the post-operatory population, from 5.45% and 52.3%, and (4) it was found to be between 10.7% and 62% in the emergency department setting. The most used delirium assessment tools were the "Confusion Assessment Method" (CAM; in the general population), and the "Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU" (CAM-ICU). Fourteen out of 149 studies were conducted in clinical settings who actively implemented some form of non-pharmacological delirium prevention bundles, most of them as part of ICU sedation-analgesia protocols. CONCLUSION: Delirium occurs frequently in hospitalized patients in Latin America throughout a variety of clinical scenarios, including ICU, general wards, post-operatory populations, and among the emergency department setting. The CAM and the CAM-ICU are the most used delirium assessment tools. Bundles of non-pharmacological interventions to prevent delirium are not universally implemented.

Mortality in patients with severe COVID-19 who underwent tracheostomy due to prolonged mechanical ventilation.

BACKGROUND: The usefulness of tracheostomy has been questioned in patients with COVID-19 and prolonged invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). AIM: To compare the 90-day mortality rate of patients who underwent a tracheostomy due prolonged IMV with those that did not receive this procedure. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied a historical cohort of 92 patients with COVID-19 and prolonged IMV (> 10 days). The primary outcome was the 90-day mortality rate. Secondary outcomes included days on IMV, hospital/intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay, frequency of nosocomial infections, and thrombotic complications demonstrated by images. A logistic regression was performed to adjust the effect of tracheostomy by SOFA score and days on IMV. RESULTS: Forty six patients aged 54 to 66 years (72% males) underwent tracheostomy. They had a median of two comorbidities, and received the procedure after a median of 20.5 days on IMV (interquartile range: 17-26). 90-day mortality was lower in patients who were tracheostomized than in the control group (6.5% vs. 32.6%, p-value < 0.01). However, after controlling for confounding factors, no differences were found in mortality between both groups (relative risk = 0.303, p-value = 0.233). Healthcare-associated infections and hospital/ICU length of stay were higher in patients with tracheostomy than in controls. Thrombotic complications occurred in 42.4% of the patients, without differences between both groups. No cases of COVID-19 were registered in the healthcare personnel who performed tracheostomies. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with COVID-19 undergoing prolonged IMV, performing a tracheostomy is not associated with excess mortality, and it is a safe procedure for healthcare personnel.

Electroencephalography spectral edge frequency and suppression rate-guided sedation in patients with COVID-19: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Sedation in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients has been identified as a major challenge. We aimed to investigate whether the use of a multiparameter electroencephalogram (EEG) protocol to guide sedation in COVID-19 patients would increase the 30-day mechanical ventilation-free days (VFD). Methods: We conducted a double-blind randomized clinical trial. We included patients with severe pneumonia due to COVID-19 who required mechanical ventilation (MV) and deep sedation. We randomized to the control (n = 25) or multiparameter group (n = 25). Sedation in the intervention group was administered following the standard institutional protocols together with a flow chart designed to reduce the propofol administration dose if the EEG suppression rate was over 2% or the spectral edge frequency 95 (SEF95) was below 10 Hz. We performed an intention-to-treat analysis to evaluate our primary outcome (30-day VFD). Results: There was no difference in VFD at day 30 (median: 11 [IQR 0-20] days in the control group vs. 0 [IQR 0-21] days in the BIS multiparameter group, p = 0.87). Among secondary outcomes, we documented a 17% reduction in the total adjusted propofol administered during the first 5 days of the protocol [median: 2.3 (IQR 1.9-2.8) mg/k/h in the control group vs. 1.9(IQR 1.5-2.2) mg/k/h in the MP group, p = 0.005]. This was accompanied by a higher average BIS value in the intervention group throughout the treatment period. Conclusion: A sedation protocol guided by multivariate EEG-derived parameters did not increase the 30-day VFD. However, the intervention led to a reduction in total propofol administration.

Desarrollo de ventiladores mecánicos en Chile. Crónica de la iniciativa "Un Respiro para Chile", durante la primera ola de la pandemia COVID-19 / Development of mechanical ventilators in Chile. Chronicle of the initiative "Un Respiro para Chile"

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in Chile, in March 2020, a projection indicated that a significant group of patients with pneumonia would require admission to an Intensive Care Unit and connection to a mechanical ventilator. Therefore, a paucity of these devices and other supplies was predicted. The initiative "Un respiro para Chile" brought together many people and institutions, public and private. In the course of three months, it allowed the design and building of several ventilatory assistance devices, which could be used in critically ill patients.

Practices in sedation, analgesia, mobilization, delirium, and sleep deprivation in adult intensive care units (SAMDS-ICU): an international survey before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Since the publication of the 2018 Clinical Guidelines about sedation, analgesia, delirium, mobilization, and sleep deprivation in critically ill patients, no evaluation and adequacy assessment of these recommendations were studied in an international context. This survey aimed to investigate these current practices and if the COVID-19 pandemic has changed them. METHODS: This study was an open multinational electronic survey directed to physicians working in adult intensive care units (ICUs), which was performed in two steps: before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS: We analyzed 1768 questionnaires and 1539 (87%) were complete. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, we received 1476 questionnaires and 292 were submitted later. The following practices were observed before the pandemic: the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) (61.5%), the Behavioral Pain Scale (BPS) (48.2%), the Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale (RASS) (76.6%), and the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit (CAM-ICU) (66.6%) were the most frequently tools used to assess pain, sedation level, and delirium, respectively; midazolam and fentanyl were the most frequently used drugs for inducing sedation and analgesia (84.8% and 78.3%, respectively), whereas haloperidol (68.8%) and atypical antipsychotics (69.4%) were the most prescribed drugs for delirium treatment; some physicians regularly prescribed drugs to induce sleep (19.1%) or ordered mechanical restraints as part of their routine (6.2%) for patients on mechanical ventilation; non-pharmacological strategies were frequently applied for pain, delirium, and sleep deprivation management. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the intensive care specialty was independently associated with best practices. Moreover, the mechanical ventilation rate was higher, patients received sedation more often (94% versus 86.1%, p < 0.001) and sedation goals were discussed more frequently in daily rounds. Morphine was the main drug used for analgesia (77.2%), and some sedative drugs, such as midazolam, propofol, ketamine and quetiapine, were used more frequently. CONCLUSIONS: Most sedation, analgesia and delirium practices were comparable before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, the intensive care specialty was a variable that was independently associated with the best practices. Although many findings are in accordance with evidence-based recommendations, some practices still need improvement.

[Development of mechanical ventilators in Chile. Chronicle of the initiative "Un Respiro para Chile"]. / Desarrollo de ventiladores mecánicos en Chile. Crónica de la iniciativa "Un Respiro para Chile", durante la primera ola de la pandemia COVID-19.

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in Chile, in March 2020, a projection indicated that a significant group of patients with pneumonia would require admission to an Intensive Care Unit and connection to a mechanical ventilator. Therefore, a paucity of these devices and other supplies was predicted. The initiative "Un respiro para Chile" brought together many people and institutions, public and private. In the course of three months, it allowed the design and building of several ventilatory assistance devices, which could be used in critically ill patients.

Dysregulated Immune Responses in COVID-19 Patients Correlating With Disease Severity and Invasive Oxygen Requirements.

The prognosis of severe COVID-19 patients has motivated research communities to uncover mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis also on a regional level. In this work, we aimed to understand the immunological dynamics of severe COVID-19 patients with different degrees of illness, and upon long-term recovery. We analyzed immune cellular subsets and SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody isotypes of 66 COVID-19 patients admitted to the Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile, which were categorized according to the WHO ten-point clinical progression score. These included 29 moderate patients (score 4-5) and 37 severe patients under either high flow oxygen nasal cannula (18 patients, score 6), or invasive mechanical ventilation (19 patients, score 7-9), plus 28 convalescent patients and 28 healthy controls. Furthermore, six severe patients that recovered from the disease were longitudinally followed over 300 days. Our data indicate that severe COVID-19 patients display increased frequencies of plasmablasts, activated T cells and SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies compared to moderate and convalescent patients. Remarkably, within the severe COVID-19 group, patients rapidly progressing into invasive mechanical ventilation show higher frequencies of plasmablasts, monocytes, eosinophils, Th1 cells and SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG than patients under high flow oxygen nasal cannula. These findings demonstrate that severe COVID-19 patients progressing into invasive mechanical ventilation show a distinctive type of immunity. In addition, patients that recover from severe COVID-19 begin to regain normal proportions of immune cells 100 days after hospital discharge and maintain high levels of SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG throughout the study, which is an indicative sign of immunological memory. Thus, this work can provide useful information to better understand the diverse outcomes of severe COVID-19 pathogenesis.

[Analgesia, sedation, neuromuscular blockade and delirium management practices in Chilean intensive care units]. / Prácticas nacionales de analgesia, sedación y delirium en las Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos de adultos en Chile.

BACKGROUND: The appropriate use of analgesia, sedation, neuromuscular blockade and the diagnosis and prevention of delirium (ASBD) are associated with better outcomes in critically ill patients at Intensive Care Unit (ICUs). AIM: To know the practices about analgesia, sedation, delirium, and neuromuscular blockade use among healthcare professionals working in adult ICUs in Chile. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An electronic survey was sent to 812 professionals working in ICUs using a previously published instrument, which was adapted and authorized by the author. RESULTS: We received 278 surveys. Fifty two percent of respondents were physicians, 34% nurses and 11% physical therapists. Their age ranged between 30 and 39 years in 43% and was over 50 years in 9%. Eighty four percent evaluated pain routinely, but only 26% use a validated scale. Sedation was routinely evaluated with a validated scale and 73% referred to have a protocol. Neuromuscular block is seldom used, and little monitoring occurs (43%). Delirium is routinely evaluated by 48% of respondents, usually using the CAM-ICU scale. CONCLUSIONS: There is a heterogeneous adherence to the ASBD recommended practices. The main gaps are in the assessment of pain, monitoring of neuromuscular blockade and diagnosis of delirium through validated instruments.

Prácticas nacionales de analgesia, sedación y delirium en las Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos de adultos en Chile / Analgesia, sedation, neuromuscular blockade and delirium management practices in Chilean intensive care units

Background: The appropriate use of analgesia, sedation, neuromuscular blockade and the diagnosis and prevention of delirium (ASBD) are associated with better outcomes in critically ill patients at Intensive Care Unit (ICUs). Aim: To know the practices about analgesia, sedation, delirium, and neuromuscular blockade use among healthcare professionals working in adult ICUs in Chile. Material and Methods: An electronic survey was sent to 812 professionals working in ICUs using a previously published instrument, which was adapted and authorized by the author. Results: We received 278 surveys. Fifty two percent of respondents were physicians, 34% nurses and 11% physical therapists. Their age ranged between 30 and 39 years in 43% and was over 50 years in 9%. Eighty four percent evaluated pain routinely, but only 26% use a validated scale. Sedation was routinely evaluated with a validated scale and 73% referred to have a protocol. Neuromuscular block is seldom used, and little monitoring occurs (43%). Delirium is routinely evaluated by 48% of respondents, usually using the CAM-ICU scale. Conclusions: There is a heterogeneous adherence to the ASBD recommended practices. The main gaps are in the assessment of pain, monitoring of neuromuscular blockade and diagnosis of delirium through validated instruments.

Extracorporeal CO2 removal and renal replacement therapy in acute severe respiratory failure in COVID-19 pneumonia: Case report.

The COVID-19 pandemic significates an enormous number of patients with pneumonia that get complicated with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), some of them with refractory hypercapnia and hypoxemia that need mechanical ventilation (MV). Those patients who are not candidate to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), the extracorporeal removal of CO2 (ECCO2 R) can allow ultra protective MV to limit the transpulmonary pressures and avoid ventilatory induced lung injury (VILI). We report a first case of prolonged ECCO2 R support in 38 year male with severe COVID-19 pneumonia refractory to conventional support. He was admitted tachypneic and oxygen saturation 71% without supplementary oxygen. The patient's clinical condition worsens with severe respiratory failure, increasing the oxygen requirement and initiating MV in the prone position. After 21 days of protective MV, PaCO2 rise to 96.8 mmHg, making it necessary to connect to an ECCO2 R system coupled continuous veno-venous hemodialysis (CVVHD). However, due to the lack of availability of equipment in the context of the pandemic, a pediatric gas exchange membrane adapted to CVVHD allowed to maintain the removal of CO2 until completing 27 days, being finally disconnected from the system without complications and with a satisfactory evolution.

Effects of intraoperative adrenergic administration on postoperative hyperlactatemia in open colon surgery: an observational study.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative Hyperlactatemia (PO-HL) is a frequent condition associated with poor prognosis. In recent years, there has been growing evidence that adrenergic stimulation may contribute to increased lactate levels. The use of adrenergic agonists for the control of intraoperative hypotension is frequent, and its impact on the development of PO-HL is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether the use of intraoperative adrenergic agents is associated with the occurrence of PO-HL. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study. The inclusion criteria were undergoing elective open colon surgery, being ≥60 years old and signing informed consent. The exclusion criteria were cognitive impairment, unplanned surgery, and anticipated need for postoperative mechanical ventilation. Baseline and intraoperative variables were collected, and arterial lactate data were collected at baseline and every 6 hours postoperatively for 24 hours. Hyperlactatemia was defined as lactate >2.1 mEq.L-1. RESULTS: We studied 28 patients, 61% of whom developed hyperlactatemia. The variables associated with PO-HL in the univariate analysis were anesthetic time, the total dose of intraoperative ephedrine, and lower intraoperative central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2). Multivariate analysis confirmed the association between the use of ephedrine (p = 0.004), intraoperative hypotension (p = 0.026), and use of phenylephrine (p = 0.001) with PO-HL. CONCLUSIONS: The use of intraoperative ephedrine, phenylephrine and intraoperative hypotension were independently associated with the development of PO-HL. This finding should lead to new studies in this field, as well as a judicious interpretation of the finding of a postoperative increase in lactate levels.

Consolidated framework for advancing implementation science for the implementation process and adherence assessment of a non-pharmacological delirium prevention program.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the contribution of applying the theoretical framework of implementation science for adherence to non-pharmacological interventions to prevent delirium. METHODS: A quasi-experimental prospective design was conducted from March 2017 to October 2018 in a teaching hospital. Participants included 149 healthcare staff and 72 elderly inpatients. A non-pharmacological delirium prevention program was designed, applied and evaluated in accordance with the consolidated framework for advancing implementation research (CFIR). The primary outcome was the global adherence rate to 12 predefined indicators, comparing measurements at baseline (O1), after training (O2) and at a 6-month follow-up (O3) assessed by an external reviewer. Staff knowledge and beliefs about delirium were assessed using a validated tool, and delirium incidence was evaluated using the confusion assessment method. RESULTS: Overall adherence increased from 58.2% (O1) to 77.9% (O2) and 75.6% (O3) (O2 vs. O1: p < 0.001 and O3 vs. O1: p < 0.001). Staff perceptions regarding implementation of non-pharmacological interventions increased from 74.8% to 81.9% (p = 0.004). Delirium incidence was non-significantly reduced from 20% (O1) to 16% (O3) (p = 0.99). CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of a delirium prevention program using a CFIR model was useful in improving adherence to activities included in this program, as well as improving the knowledge and beliefs regarding delirium by healthcare workers. The impact of this implementation strategy on the incidence of delirium should be evaluated in a larger scale multicenter trial.

Acute pancreatitis in Chile: A multicenter study on epidemiology, etiology and clinical outcome. Retrospective analysis of clinical files.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiology of acute pancreatitis (AP) is variable in different geographical regions. OBJECTIVES: To compare etiology and severity of AP to published data from South America and the rest of world, study impact of demographical factors and treatment on its outcome in Chilean hospitals. METHODS: Multicenter observational study. Data of consecutive patients with AP were collected at the moment of discharge from 11 centers and retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Data of 962 patients were included in the analysis, 447 men and 515 women. Mean age was 48,2 years. Biliary etiology was significantly more frequent in women (70%) than in men (52%). Conversely, alcohol was responsible for about 17% of AP in men but exceptional in women. Mild AP was seen in 73.4%, moderately severe in 14.1% and severe in 13%. The overall mortality was 2.5% (24 of 962): 0.3%, 3.1% and 15.1% in mild, moderately severe and severe cases, respectively. No difference was found in the mortality and severity of biliary versus alcoholic AP, while hypertriglyceridemia induced AP was more severe, without increased mortality. Severity and mortality increased with age. ERCP was performed in 16% of biliary pancreatitis. Adherence to main guidelines was heterogeneous: more than half of mild AP patients were admitted to critical care units and antibiotics were used in about 25% them. CONCLUSION: This is the first multicenter study in Chile on AP. When compared to literature, we found similar severity distribution and an acceptably low mortality. Biliary etiology was dominant, but alcohol was also important in men.

Delirium en el adulto mayor hospitalizado / Delirium in elderly hospitalized patients

El delirium corresponde a un síndrome clínico frecuente y relevante en el adulto mayor hospitalizado. Su incidencia e impacto han sido reconocidos desde hace más de 30 años y su importancia en la atención del adulto mayor hospitalizado es creciente debido a que abarca diferentes escenarios clínicos (atención de urgencia, en pacientes hospitalizados por patologías médicas o quirúrgicas, en pacientes admitidos a unidades de cuidados intensivos, entre otros), y al envejecimiento poblacional, que ha conducido a que la atención hospitalaria moderna concentre cada vez una mayor cantidad de adultos mayores portadores de diversas condiciones crónicas, con grados diversos de fragilidad y discapacidad que requieren de nuestra mejor atención, de forma de reducir la aparición u optimizar el manejo de esta condición que puede ser devastadora para la evolución del adulto mayor posterior al egreso hospitalario. El presente capítulo pretende resumir el estado del arte de esta condición señalando, cuando corresponda, algunos de los elementos en controversia y donde nos parece necesario que la investigación nos señale innovadoras respuestas que permitan reducir su impacto.

Delirium is a frequent and relevant clinical syndrome in the elderly hospitalized. Incidence and impact has been recognized for more than 30 years, and its importance in the care of hospitalized older adults is increasing because it occurs in different clinical units (patients admitted in units of emergency, medical or surgical rooms, to intensive care units, among others), and the ageing population, which has led to modern hospital care concentrating a greater number of older adults with various chronic conditions, with varying degrees of frailty and disability that require our better attention, in order to reduce the occurrence or optimize the management of this condition, that can be devastating for the evolution of the elderly after hospital discharge. This chapter aims to summarize the state of the art of this condition, pointing out some controversial elements and where it seems necessary that the research shows us innovative answers that reduce its impact

A software to prevent delirium in hospitalised older adults: development and feasibility assessment.

BACKGROUND: non-pharmacological interventions to prevent delirium are useful in hospitalised older adults. However, they are poorly implemented in clinical practice. We aimed to develop a software for bedside use by hospitalised older adults and to improve their access to these interventions. METHODS: a transdisciplinary team composed of healthcare professionals, designers, engineers and older adults participated in the development of the software. Scrum methodology was used to coordinate the work of the team, and the software was evaluated in a feasibility study. RESULTS: a software for touchscreen mobile devices that supports Android 5.0 or later was produced, including modules for time-spatial re-orientation, cognitive stimulation, early mobilisation, sensorial support use promotion, sleep hygiene and pain management optimisation. Horizontal disposition, use of colour contrast and large interaction areas were used to improve accessibility. The software's usability and accessibility were evaluated in 34 older adults (average age 73.2 ± 9.1 years) showing that 91.1% of them got access to all the software functions without previous instructions. The clinical feasibility assessment showed that 83.3% of the 30 enrolled hospitalised patients (76 ± 8 years) completed the 5-day protocol of software usage during hospitalisation. Software use was associated with a decreased trend in delirium incidence of 5 of 32 (15.6%) at baseline to 2 of 30 (6.6%) after its implementation. CONCLUSION: a highly accessible and implementable software, designed to improve access to non-pharmacological interventions to prevent delirium in hospitalised older adults, was developed. The effectiveness of the software will be evaluated in a randomised clinical trial.

Stimulated Adsorption of Humic Acids on Capped Plasmonic Ag Nanoparticles Investigated by Surface-Enhanced Optical Techniques.

The adsorption of humic substances on Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) is of crucial environmental importance and determines the toxicity of these NPs and the structure of adsorbed organic matter. In this work, the adsorption of two standard soil and leonardite International Humic Substances Society humic acids was studied on AgNPs of different sizes, shapes (spherical and star-like), and interfacial chemical compositions. Surface-enhanced optical (Raman and fluorescence) spectroscopies were used to follow the specific chemical groups involved in this adsorption. By means of the latter optical techniques, information regarding the binding mechanism and the macromolecular aggregation can be deduced. The influence of the surface chemical composition induced by the different functionalizations of the interfaces of these NPs is highly important regarding the chemical interactions of these complex organic macromolecules. The surface functionalization with positively charged alkyl diamines led to a large increase in the adsorption as well as a strong structural rearrangement of the macromolecule once adsorbed onto the surface.