ABC-GOALScl score predicts admission to the intensive care unit and mortality of COVID-19 patients over 60 years of age.

BACKGROUND: One of the risk factors for getting seriously ill from COVID-19 and reaching high mortality rates is older age. Older age is also associated with comorbidities, which are risk factors for severe COVID-19 infection. Among the tools that have been evaluated to predict intensive care unit (ICU) admission and mortality is ABC-GOALScl. AIM: In the present study we validated the utility of ABC-GOALScl to predict in-hospital mortality in subjects over 60 years of age who were positive for SARS-CoV-2 virus at the moment of admission with the purpose of optimizing sanitary resources and offering personalized treatment for these patients. METHODS: This was an observational, descriptive, transversal, non-interventional and retrospective study of subjects (≥ 60 years of age), hospitalized due to COVID-19 infection at a general hospital in northeastern Mexico. A logistical regression model was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Two hundred forty-three subjects were included in the study, whom 145 (59.7%) passed away, while 98 (40.3%) were discharged. Average age was 71, and 57.6% were male. The prediction model ABC-GOALScl included sex, body mass index, Charlson comorbidity index, dyspnea, arterial pressure, respiratory frequency, SpFi coefficient (Saturation of oxygen/Fraction of inspired oxygen ratio), serum levels of glucose, albumin, and lactate dehydrogenase; all were measured at the moment of admission. The area under the curve for the scale with respect to the variable of discharge due to death was 0.73 (IC 95% = 0.662-0.792). CONCLUSION: The ABC-GOALScl scale to predict ICU admission in COVID-19 patients is also useful to predict in-hospital death in COVID-19 patients ≥ 60 years old.

Designing and describing an electronic referral system to facilitate direct hospital admissions.

BACKGROUND: In France, the progressive use of emergency departments (EDs) by primary care providers (PCPs) as a point of access to hospitalization for nonurgent patients is one of the many causes of their overcrowding. To increase the proportion of direct hospital admissions, it is necessary to improve coordination between PCPs and hospital specialists. The objective of our work was to describe the design and implementation of an electronic referral system aimed at facilitating direct hospital admissions. METHODS: This initiative was conducted in a French area (Hauts-de-Seine Sud) through a partnership between the Antoine-Béclère University Hospital, the Paris-Saclay University Department of General Medicine and the local health care network. The implementation was carried out in 3 stages, namely, conducting a survey of PCPs in the territory about their communication methods with the hospital, designing and implementing a web-based application called "SIPILINK" (Système d'Information de la Plateforme d'Intermédiation Link) and an innovative organization for hospital management of the requests, and analysing through descriptive statistics the platform use 9 months after launch. RESULTS: The e-referral platform was launched in November 2019. First, a PCP filled out an electronic form describing the reason for his or her request. Then, a hospital specialist worked to respond within 72 h. Nine months after the launch, 132 PCPs had registered for the SIPILINK platform, which represented 36.6% of PCPs in this area. Of the 124 requests made, 46.8% corresponded to a hospitalization request (conventional or day hospitalization). The most requested specialty was internal medicine (48.4% of requests). The median time to first response was 43 min, and 43.5% of these requests resulted in direct admission (conventional or day hospitalization). CONCLUSIONS: This type of system responds to a need for coordination in the primary-secondary care direction, which is less often addressed than in the secondary-primary care direction. The first results show the potential of the system to facilitate direct admissions within a short time frame. To make the system sustainable, the next step is to extend its use to other hospitals in the territory.

Hospitalizations from covid-19: a health planning tool / Ingresos hospitalarios por covid-19: una herramienta de planificación sanitaria

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE Estimate the future number of hospitalizations from Covid-19 based on the number of diagnosed positive cases. METHOD Using the covid-19 Panel data recorded in Spain at the Red Nacional de Vigilancia Epidemiológica, Renave (Epidemiological Surveillance Network), a regression model with multiplicative structure is adjusted to explain and predict the number of hospitalizations from the lagged series of positive cases diagnosed from May 11, 2020 to September 20, 2021. The effect of the time elapsed since the vaccination program starting on the number of hospitalizations is reviewed. RESULTS Nine days is the number of lags in the positive cases series with greatest explanatory power on the number of hospitalizations. The variability of the number of hospitalizations explained by the model is high (adjusted R2: 96.6%). Before the vaccination program starting, the expected number of hospitalizations on day t was 20.2% of the positive cases on day t-9 raised to 0.906. After the vaccination program started, this percentage was reduced by 0.3% a day. Using the same model, we find that in the first pandemic wave the number of positive cases was more than six times that reported on official records. CONCLUSIONS Starting from the covid-19 cases detected up to a given date, the proposed model allows estimating the number of hospitalizations nine days in advance. Thus, it is a useful tool for forecasting the hospital pressure that health systems shall bear as a consequence of the disease.

RESUMEN OBJETIVO Predecir el número futuro de hospitalizaciones por covid-19 a partir del número de casos positivos diagnosticados. MÉTODO Usando datos del Panel covid-19 registrados en España en la Red Nacional de Vigilancia Epidemiológica (Renave), se ajusta un modelo de regresión con estructura multiplicativa para explicar y predecir el número de hospitalizaciones a partir de la serie retardada de casos positivos diagnosticados durante el periodo entre el 11 de mayo de 2020 y el 20 de septiembre de 2021. Se analiza el efecto sobre el número de hospitalizaciones del tiempo transcurrido desde el inicio del programa de vacunación. RESULTADOS El número de retardos de la serie de casos positivos que mayor capacidad explicativa tiene sobre el número de hospitalizaciones es de nueve días. La variabilidad del número de hospitalizaciones explicada por el modelo es elevada (R2 ajustado: 96,6%). Antes del inicio del programa de vacunación, el número esperado de ingresos hospitalarios en el día t era igual al 20,2% de los casos positivos del día t-9 elevado a 0,906. Iniciado el programa de vacunación, este porcentaje se redujo un 0,3% diario. Con el mismo modelo se obtiene que en la primera ola de la pandemia el número de casos positivos fue más de seis veces el que figura en los registros oficiales. CONCLUSIONES Partiendo de los casos de covid-19 detectados hasta una fecha, el modelo propuesto permite estimar el número de hospitalizaciones con nueve días de antelación. Ello lo convierte en una herramienta útil para prever con cierta anticipación la presión hospitalaria que el sistema sanitario tendrá que soportar como consecuencia de la enfermedad.

Síndrome de burnout en el personal de enfermería en hospitales del departamento del Atlántico / Burnout syndrome in the nursing personal in health care institutions of the Atlantic department

RESUMEN Objetivo Determinar la prevalencia del síndrome de burnout en el personal de enfermería en hospitales del Departamento del Atlántico (Colombia). Materiales y Métodos Se realizó un estudio cuantitativo, descriptivo transversal, en 117 profesionales y 229 auxiliares de enfermería de cuatro hospitales del Departamento del Atlántico (Colombia), dos públicos y dos privados. Se empleó una encuesta anónima con datos sociodemográficos y la escala de Maslach. Resultados La prevalencia global del síndrome de burnout o desgaste profesional fue de 65%. En profesionales de enfermería, fue de 63,2% y en auxiliares de enfermería, de 65,9%. El 13,3% de los participantes presentó un grado elevado de burnout para el cansancio emocional; el 9,2%, para la despersonalización; y el 62,7% obtuvo puntuaciones bajas para la realización personal. En los profesionales de enfermería, el 12,7% obtuvo una puntuación alta para cansancio emocional; 7,4% para despersonalización, y 64,2% obtuvo puntuaciones bajas para la realización personal. Por su parte, en los auxiliares de enfermería el comportamiento en algunas subescalas fue muy similar; el 14,5% obtuvo una puntuación alta para cansancio emocional; 12,8%, para despersonalización y 59,8% obtuvo puntuaciones bajas para la realización personal. Conclusiones La presencia del síndrome de burnout en la población estudiada es alta. Es similar tanto en enfermeros como en auxiliares de enfermería. La dimensión más afectada fue la realización personal en ambos grupos estudiados, lo cual corresponde a sentimientos altos del "quemado".

ABSTRACT Objective To determine the prevalence of burnout syndrome in the nursing staff in four hospitals located in the State of Atlántico (Colombia). Material and Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted and included as participants 117 nursing professionals and 229 nursing auxiliaries from four hospitals located in the State of Atlantico (Colombia), two public and two privates. An anonymous self-study survey was used on sociodemographic, labor data and Maslach Scale. Results The overall prevalence of Burnout Syndrome or professional burnout was 65%. In nursing professionals it was 63,2% and in nursing auxiliaries 65,9%. At least 13,3% of the participants had a high degree of Burnout from emotional exhaustion, 9.2% for depersonalization, and 62,7% had low scores for personal fulfillment. In nursing professionals, 12,7% had a high score for emotional exhaustion, 7,4% for depersonalization, and 64,2% obtained low scores for personal fulfillment. On the other hand, in nursing auxiliaries the behavior in some subscales was very similar, 14,5% had a high score for emotional exhaustion, 12,8% for depersonalization and 59,8% had low scores for personal fulfillment. Conclusions The presence of burnout syndrome is high in the studied population, it is similar in both, nurses and nursing auxiliaries. The most affected dimension was the personal fulfillment in both groups, which corresponds to high feelings of the "burned".

Door-to-balloon Time in Cardiovascular Emergency Care in a Hospital of Northern Brazil

Abstract Background The use of an adequate door-to-balloon time (≤ 90 minutes) is crucial in improving the quality of care provided to patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Objective To determine the door-to-balloon time in the management of STEMI patients in a cardiovascular emergency department in a hospital of northern Brazil. Methods This was a cross-sectional study based on review of medical records. A total of 109 patients with STEMI admitted to the emergency department of a referral cardiology hospital in Pará State, Brazil, between May 2017 and December 2017. Correlations of the door-to-balloon time with length of hospital stay and mortality rate were assessed, as well as whether the time components of the door-to-balloon time affected the delay in performing primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Quantitative variables were analyzed by Spearman correlation and the G test was used for categorical variables. A p<0.05 was set as statistically significant. Results Median door-to-balloon time was 104 minutes. No significant correlation was found between door-to-balloon time and length of hospital stay or deaths, but significant correlations were found between door-to-balloon time and door-to-ECG time (p<0.001) and ECG-to-activation (of an interventional cardiologist) time (p<0.001). Conclusion The door-to-balloon time was longer the recommended and was not correlated with the length of hospital stay or in-hospital mortality. Door-to-ECG time and ECG-to-activation time contributed to the delay in performing the primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Int J Cardiovasc Sci. 2020; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0

Usability in the admission monitoring system of an emergency room / Usabilidade de um sistema de monitoramento das internações em pronto-socorro

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To develop and evaluate the usability of the admission monitoring system in an emergency room. METHODS This applied research intends to develop a software product and evaluate its usability. The development followed four stages: systematic review, structuring of the system framework, construction of system forms, and evaluation of the information generated. In the evaluation, the experts simulated the use of the system by inserting data from a fictitious medical record. We measured usability using the System Usability Scale (SUS). Scores and scores were calculated individually and globally. We propose these evaluation standards: worst case scenario, poor, average, good, excellent, and best-case scenario. RESULTS The Sistema de Informação e Monitoramento das Internações em Pronto-Socorro (SIMIPS - Information and Monitoring System for Emergency Room Admissions) monitors the epidemiological profile of admissions to the emergency room, time management, clinical deterioration, incidence of adverse events, and human resource management. The usability of SIMIPS, evaluated by 17 experts, reached the SUS Score 86.5 (best case scenario), and some suggestions for modifications were accepted. CONCLUSIONS We consider SIMIPS an easy-to-use tool, with real importance in the management of emergencies in view of overcrowding and congestion problems faced in Brazil.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Desenvolver e avaliar a usabilidade de um sistema de monitoramento das internações em pronto-socorro. MÉTODOS Trata-se de uma pesquisa aplicada, com desenvolvimento de um produto de software e avaliação de sua usabilidade por enfermeiros especialistas. O desenvolvimento seguiu quatro etapas: revisão sistemática, estruturação do arcabouço do sistema, construção dos formulários do sistema e avaliação das informações geradas. Na avaliação, os especialistas simularam a utilização do sistema com a inserção de dados de um prontuário fictício, e a usabilidade foi medida pelo System Usability Scale (SUS). A pontuação e os escores foram calculados de forma individual e global. O sistema foi avaliado nos padrões: pior imaginável, pobre, mediano, bom, excelente e melhor imaginável. RESULTADOS O Sistema de Informação e Monitoramento das Internações em Pronto-Socorro (SIMIPS) realiza o monitoramento do perfil epidemiológico das internações no pronto-socorro, gestão de tempo, deterioração clínica, incidência de eventos adversos e gestão de recursos humanos. A usabilidade do SIMIPS, avaliada por 17 especialistas, atingiu o Score SUS 86,5 (melhor imaginável), e algumas sugestões de modificações foram acatadas. CONCLUSÕES O SIMIPS foi avaliado como uma ferramenta de fácil utilização, com real importância na gestão das urgências frente aos problemas de superlotação e congestão, enfrentados no Brasil.

Identificação do paciente recém-nascido: revisão de escopo / Newborn patient identification: scoping review

Objetivo: Mapear quais as evidências disponíveis na literatura sobre as formas de identificação de recém-nascidos hospitalizados. Método: Revisão de escopo baseada nos pressupostos do método de revisão do Instituto Joanna Briggs. O levantamento bibliográfico foi realizado em 22 bases de dados relacionadas a área da saúde. Resultados: Identificou-se inicialmente 785 estudos, sendo que apenas 11 compuseram a amostra. Verificou-se majoritariamente a utilização de pulseiras de identificação, com exceção de um estudo que levantou a segurança em realizar amostragem de Ácido Desoxirribonucleico. Observou-se variação tanto da estrutura física das pulseiras como das informações nelas contidas. Conclusão: Destaca-se a importância da escolha correta do método de identificação em recém-nascidos, especialmente ao considerar as peculiaridades que essa população apresenta.

Objective: To map the evidence available in the literature on ways to identify hospitalized newborns. Methodology: Scoping review based on the assumptions of the Joanna Briggs Institute review method. The bibliographic survey was carried out in 22 databases related to health. Results: 785 studies were initially identified, 11 of which comprised the final sample. The use of identification wristbands was mostly verified by the studies. One study raised the safety of performing Deoxyribonucleic Acid sampling. Variation was observed both in the physical structure of the wristbands and in the information contained therein. Conclusion: The importance of choosing the correct identification method in newborns is highlighted, especially when considering the peculiarities that this population presents.

COVID-19 tents: specialized triage service, a temporal analysis of the patients' profile / Tienda COVID-19: servicio de triaje especializado, un análisis temporal del perfil de pacientes atendidos / Tenda COVID-19: serviço de triagem especializado, uma análise temporal do perfil de pacientes atendidos

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the change in the clinical-epidemiological profile of patients attended at the specialized triage service for COVID-19 (COVID-19 tent) in the first three months of operation. Methods: Cross-sectional study, with users attended from March 2020 to May 2020 (n=379) at the COVID-19 tent in the city of Ponta Grossa, Paraná. Data collection was retrieved from an electronic form fed by tent professionals, which included sociodemographic characteristics, symptoms, risk factors of exposure, means of search and clinical conduct. Trend tests and chi-square tests were performed. Results: March showed a greater demand (n=197), motivated by mild symptoms and direct search (p<0.05). In the following months, there was a decrease in demand (n=93; n=89), however the search for referrals, ambulances and conditions that required medical attention, observation and hospitalization increased (p<0.05). The search resulting from exposure to risk factors has not changed (p>0.05). Conclusion: the profile has changed over time, reflecting, in the end, severe and critical symptoms, requiring intervention.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Analizar el cambio del perfil clínico-epidemiológico de pacientes atendidos en el servicio de triaje especializado para COVID-19 (Tienda COVID-19) en sus primeros tres meses de funcionamiento. Métodos: Estudio transversal, con usuarios atendidos de marzo a mayo de 2020 (n=379) en la Tienda COVID-19 de Ponta Grossa, Paraná. Datos recolectados de formulario electrónico completado por profesionales de la Tienda, contemplando características sociodemográficas, sintomatología, factores de riesgo de exposición, medio de búsqueda y conducta clínica. Se aplicaron tests de tendencia y Chi-cuadrado. Resultados: Hubo mayor concurrencia en marzo (n=197), con sintomatología leve y búsqueda directa (p<0,05). En los meses siguientes se redujo la concurrencia (n=93; n=89) aumentando igualmente la búsqueda referenciada, ambulancia y cuadros requiriendo atención médica, observación e internación (p<0,05). La búsqueda derivada de exposición a factores de riesgo no cambió (p>0,05). Conclusión: El perfil cambió con el tiempo, reflejando finalmente cuadros sintomatológicos graves y críticos, demandando intervención.

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar a mudança no perfil clínico-epidemiológico de pacientes atendidos no serviço de triagem especializado para COVID-19 (Tenda COVID-19) nos três primeiros meses de funcionamento. Métodos: Estudo transversal, com usuários atendidos de março a maio de 2020 (n=379) na Tenda COVID-19 de Ponta Grossa, Paraná. Foram coletados dados de formulário eletrônico alimentado por profissionais da Tenda, contemplando características sociodemográficas, sintomatologia, fatores de risco de exposição, meio de busca e conduta clínica, e realizados teste de tendência e qui-quadrado. Resultados: Houve maior procura em março (n=197), motivada por sintomatologia leve e busca direta (p<0,05). Nos meses subsequentes, a procura diminuiu (n=93; n=89), mas aumentou a busca de forma referenciada, ambulância e quadros que requereram atendimento médico, observação e internação (p<0,05). A busca decorrente de exposição a fatores de riscos não sofreu mudanças (p>0,05). Conclusão: o perfil mudou ao longo do tempo, refletindo, ao final, quadros sintomatológicos graves e críticos, demandando intervenção.

Hospital care for elderly COVID-19 patients / Atendimento hospitalar ao idoso com COVID-19 / Atención hospitalaria al adulto mayor con COVID-19

Objective: to analyze the newspaper articles on hospital care for elderly COVID-19 patients in online newspapers. Method: documentary, retrospective, descriptive and exploratory research. The data were collected from articles published on open-access websites of 12 newspapers from the following countries: Brazil, Spain, United States, France, Italy and Portugal. Results: out of 4,220 newspaper articles identified in this regard, 101 were selected after applying the inclusion criteria, the majority coming from Italy. The data analysis revealed three thematic categories: the care for patients with COVID-19 in the health system; the work process of the health team and its concern with contagion; and ethical dilemma in care for the elderly during hospitalization. Conclusion: the COVID-19 pandemic presented itself quickly and was widely reported in all countries. The health systems need to reorganize for care to the global population, especially the elderly, considering their weaknesses and also the lack of prior professional training to offer care to this population.

Objetivo: analisar as matérias jornalísticas sobre o atendimento hospitalar aos idosos com COVID-19 nos veículos de comunicação online. Método: pesquisa documental, retrospectiva, descritiva e exploratória. Os dados foram coletados de matérias publicadas em websites de acesso livre de 12 jornais dos seguintes países: Brasil, Espanha, Estados Unidos, França, Itália e Portugal. Resultados: do total de 4.220 matérias jornalísticas identificadas a esse respeito, 101 foram selecionadas após aplicação dos critérios de inclusão, a maioria proveniente da Itália. A análise dos dados revelou três categorias temáticas: O atendimento ao paciente com COVID-19 no sistema de saúde; Processo de trabalho da equipe de saúde e sua preocupação com o contágio; e Dilema ético no atendimento ao idoso durante a internação hospitalar. Conclusão: a pandemia da COVID-19 se apresentou de forma rápida e foi bastante noticiada em todos os países. É necessário que os sistemas de saúde se reorganizem para o atendimento à população mundial, sobretudo ao idoso, considerando suas fragilidades e também a ausência de capacitação profissional prévia para oferecer assistência a essa população.

Objetivo: analizar las noticias periodísticas sobre la atención hospitalaria a los adultos mayores con COVID-19 en los medios de comunicación on-line. Método: estudio documental, retrospectivo, descriptivo y exploratorio. Los datos fueron recolectados de materias publicadas en las páginas web de libre acceso de 12 periódicos de Brasil, España, Estados Unidos, Francia, Italia y Portugal. Resultados: de 4,220 noticias periodísticas identificadas sobre el tema de estudio, 101 fueron seleccionados posterior a los criterios de inclusión, siendo la mayoría de Italia. Al análisis de los datos se identificó tres categorías temáticas: La atención al paciente con COVID-19 en el sistema de salud; Proceso del trabajo del equipo de salud y su preocupación al contagio y Dilema ético en la atención al adulto mayor durante su hospitalización. Conclusión: la pandemia de COVID-19 se presentó de forma rápida y fue difundida en todos los países. Es necesario que los sistemas de salud se reorganicen para la atención de la población en el mundo, especialmente al adulto mayor, tomando en cuenta su fragilidad y también la ausencia de una previa capacitación profesional para ofrecer atención a esta población.

Patient safety culture from the perspective of all the workers of a general hospital / Cultura de seguridad del paciente desde la perspectiva de todos los trabajadores de un hospital general / Cultura de segurança do paciente na perspectiva de todos os trabalhadores de um hospital geral

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess the patient safety culture among the workers of a hospital institution in southern Brazil. Method: This is a cross-sectional study, which was performed with 630 hospital workers, at Santa Rosa, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, through the Safety Attitudes Questionnaire tool, in the month of April 2017. Results: We found positive scores in all the safety culture domains, except for the perceived stress domain. Conclusion: Job satisfaction and teamwork spirit showed better scores for nursing and health professionals, when compared to the support team. Schooling, gender, operation time and the choice of workplace positively influenced the safe atmosphere.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Evaluar la cultura de seguridad del paciente entre los trabajadores de una institución hospitalaria de Santa Rosa, Río Grande del Sur, Brasil. Método: Estudio transversal, el cual se desarrolló con un equipo multidisciplinario de una institución hospitalaria, mediante el instrumento Safety Attitudes Questionnaire, en el mes de abril de 2017. Resultados: Se encontraron puntuaciones positivas en todos los dominios de la cultura de seguridad, excepto para el dominio sobre la percepción del estrés. Conclusión: La satisfacción laboral y el clima de trabajo en equipo demostraron mejores puntuaciones para profesionales de la enfermería y del área de la salud, en comparación con el equipo de apoyo. La escolaridad, el género, el tiempo activo en la profesión y la elección por el sitio de trabajo influenciaron el clima de seguridad de manera positiva.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a cultura de segurança do paciente entre todos os trabalhadores de uma instituição hospitalar no sul do Brasil. Método: Estudo transversal, realizado com 630 trabalhadores de um hospital de Santa Rosa, no Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, por meio do instrumento Safety Attitudes Questionnaire, no mês de abril de 2017. Resultados: Encontraram-se escores positivos em todos os domínios da cultura de segurança, exceto para o domínio percepção do estresse. Conclusão: A satisfação do trabalho e o clima de trabalho em equipe demonstraram melhores escores para profissionais da enfermagem e da área da saúde, se comparado à equipe de apoio. Escolaridade, gênero, tempo de atuação e a escolha pela unidade de trabalho influenciaram positivamente o clima de segurança.

Hospitalizations of children with sickle cell disease in the Brazilian Unified Health System in the state of Minas Gerais / Internações de crianças com doença falciforme no Sistema Único de Saúde no Estado de Minas Gerais

Abstract Objective: To identify and characterize hospital admissions and readmissions in the Brazilian Unified Public Health System (Sistema Único de Saúde [SUS]) in children with sickle cell disease diagnosed by the Minas Gerais Newborn Screening Program between 1999 and 2012. Methods: Hospital Admission Authorizations with the D57 (International Classification of Diseases-10) code in the fields of primary or secondary diagnosis were retrieved from the SUS Databank (1999-2012). There were 2991 hospitalizations for 969 children. Results: 73.2% of children had hemoglobin SS/Sβ0-thalassemia and 48% were girls. The mean age was 4.3 ± 3.2 years, the mean number of hospitalizations, 3.1 ± 3.3, and the hospital length of stay, 5 ± 3.9 days. Hospital readmissions occurred for 16.7% of children; 10% of admissions were associated with readmission within 30 days after discharge; 33% of readmissions occurred within seven days post-discharge. There were 41 deaths, 95% of which were in-hospital. Secondary diagnoses were not recorded in 96% of admissions, making it impossible to know the reason for admission. In 62% of cases, hospitalizations occurred in the child's county of residence. The total number of hospitalizations of children under 14 with sickle cell disease relative to the total of pediatric hospitalizations increased from 0.12% in 1999 to 0.37% in 2012. Conclusions: A high demand for hospital care in children with sickle cell disease was evident. The number of hospitalizations increased from 1999 to 2012, suggesting that the disease has become more "visible." Knowledge of the characteristics of these admissions can help in the planning of care for these children in the SUS.

Resumo Objetivo: Identificar e caracterizar as internações e reinternações hospitalares pelo Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) de crianças com doença falciforme, diagnosticadas pelo Programa de Triagem Neonatal de Minas Gerais entre 1999 e 2012. Métodos: Extraíram-se do banco de dados do SUS as Autorizações de Internação Hospitalar com o código D57 (Classificação Internacional de Doenças10) nos campos de diagnóstico primário ou secundário (1999-2012). Identificaram-se 969 crianças, total de 2.991 internações. Resultados: Das crianças, 73,2% tinham hemoglobina SS/Sβ0- talassemia e 48% eram meninas. A média foi de 4,3 ± 3,2 anos, a do número de internações, 3,1 ± 3,3 e a do tempo de permanência, 5 ± 3,9 dias. As readmissões hospitalares ocorreram em 16,7% das crianças; 10% das internações se associaram à readmissão em até 30 dias pós-alta; 33% das readmissões ocorreram em até 7 dias pós-alta. Ocorreram 41 óbitos, 95% em ambiente hospitalar. O diagnóstico secundário não foi registrado em 96% das internações, impossibilitou conhecer o motivo da internação. Em 62% dos casos, as internações ocorreram no município de residência da criança. O total de internações de crianças até 14 anos com doença falciforme em relação ao total das internações pediátricas passou de 0,12% em 1999 para 0,37% em 2012. Conclusões: Constatou-se elevada demanda por cuidados hospitalares, cujo aumento relativo entre 1999 e 2012 sugere incremento da "visibilidade" da doença falciforme. O conhecimento das características dessas internações pode contribuir para o planejamento do cuidado na rede assistencial do SUS.

Hospitalizations of children with sickle cell disease in the Brazilian Unified Health System in the state of Minas Gerais.

OBJECTIVE: To identify and characterize hospital admissions and readmissions in the Brazilian Unified Public Health System (Sistema Único de Saúde [SUS]) in children with sickle cell disease diagnosed by the Minas Gerais Newborn Screening Program between 1999 and 2012. METHODS: Hospital Admission Authorizations with the D57 (International Classification of Diseases-10) code in the fields of primary or secondary diagnosis were retrieved from the SUS Databank (1999-2012). There were 2991 hospitalizations for 969 children. RESULTS: 73.2% of children had hemoglobin SS/Sß0-thalassemia and 48% were girls. The mean age was 4.3±3.2 years, the mean number of hospitalizations, 3.1±3.3, and the hospital length of stay, 5±3.9 days. Hospital readmissions occurred for 16.7% of children; 10% of admissions were associated with readmission within 30 days after discharge; 33% of readmissions occurred within seven days post-discharge. There were 41 deaths, 95% of which were in-hospital. Secondary diagnoses were not recorded in 96% of admissions, making it impossible to know the reason for admission. In 62% of cases, hospitalizations occurred in the child's county of residence. The total number of hospitalizations of children under 14 with sickle cell disease relative to the total of pediatric hospitalizations increased from 0.12% in 1999 to 0.37% in 2012. CONCLUSIONS: A high demand for hospital care in children with sickle cell disease was evident. The number of hospitalizations increased from 1999 to 2012, suggesting that the disease has become more "visible." Knowledge of the characteristics of these admissions can help in the planning of care for these children in the SUS.

An observational study of critical care physicians' assessment and decision-making practices in response to patient referrals.

Previous studies of critical care admissions have largely compared patients that have been granted or declined admission. To better understand the decision process itself, our ethnographic approach combined observation of and interviews with critical care physicians in a large English hospital. We observed 30 critical care doctors managing 71 referrals and conducted ten interviews with senior decision-makers to explore the themes raised by our observations. We analysed data using the constant comparative method. We found that the decision to move a patient to critical care was just one way in which the trajectory of critical illness could be modified. When patients were admitted to critical care, it was not always for invasive monitoring or advanced organ support, with some admitted for more general medical and/or nursing care. When patients were declined admission, they were not simply forgotten or left behind; they nevertheless underwent careful assessment and follow-up. Thus, depicting admission or refusal as a binary event is misleading. We suggest that prescriptive admission algorithms are problematic for clinicians, in that they may not take into account the complexity of clinical practice.

Cultura de segurança do paciente em instituições hospitalares na perspectiva da enfermagem / Evaluación de la cultura seguridad del paciente en las instituciones hospitalarias en perspectiva de enfermería / Patient safety culture in hospitals within the nursing perspective

RESUMO Objetivo Avaliar o clima de segurança do paciente na perspectiva dos profissionais de enfermagem atuantes em hospitais no interior do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Métodos Estudo transversal, com 637 profissionais de enfermagem de duas instituições hospitalares. Coleta de dados pelo Questionário de Atitude de Segurança, Safety Atitudes Questionnaire, no segundo semestre de 2014. Ponto de corte para avaliação positiva foi ≥75 pontos. Resultados Os escores por domínios na avaliação geral foram: 76 (clima de trabalho em equipe), 73 (clima de segurança), 88 (satisfação no trabalho), 59 (percepção do estresse), 66 (percepção da gerência da unidade), 65 (percepção da gerência do hospital) e 80 (condições de trabalho). Ao comparar médias entre as instituições, evidenciaram-se melhores condições de trabalho na instituição privada. Conclusões Os resultados podem servir para o planejamento e a organização das ações, tendo em vista os baixos escores em relação ao clima de segurança, gerência e percepção de estresse.

RESUMEN Objetivo Evaluar el clima de seguridad del paciente desde la perspectiva de las enfermeras que trabajan en hospitales en el interior del Estado de Rio Grande do Sul. Método Estudio transversal, con 637 profesionales de enfermería de dos hospitales. Para la recolección de datos se utilizó el Cuestionario de Actitud de Seguridad, Safety Atitudes Questionnaire, en el segundo semestre de 2014. El punto de corte para la evaluación positiva fue ≥75 puntos. Resultados Las calificaciones de dominios de la evaluación de conjunto fueron: 76 (clima de trabajo en equipo), 73 (clima de seguridad), 88 (satisfacción en el trabajo), 59 (estrés percibido), 66 (percepción de la gestión de la unidad), 65 (percepción gestión hospitalaria) y 80 (condiciones de trabajo). Al comparar los promedios entre las instituciones fue evidente mejores condiciones de trabajo en la institución privada. Conclusión Resultados pueden servir para la planificación y organización de acciones, de seguridad, gestión y percepción de estrés.

ABSTRACT Objective Evaluate the atmosphere regarding patient safety from the perspective of active nurses in hospitals in a country town of Rio Grande do Sul State. Methods Cross-sectional study with 637 nursing professionals from two hospitals. Data collection through Safety Attitudes Questionnaire, in the second half of 2014. Cutoff for positive assessment was ≥75 points. Results The scores for domains in the overall assessment were: 76 (team work atmosphere), 73 (safety atmosphere), 88 (job satisfaction), 59 (perceived stress), 66 (perception of unit management), 65 (perception of hospital management) and 80 (work conditions). When comparing averages between institutions, the private institution showed better working conditions. Conclusions Results can be used to plan and organize actions, given the low scores in relation to the safety atmosphere, management and stress perception.

Differences of Reasons for Alert Overrides on Contraindicated Co-prescriptions by Admitting Department.

OBJECTIVES: To reveal differences in drug-drug interaction (DDI) alerts and the reasons for alert overrides between admitting departments. METHODS: A retrospective observational study was performed using longitudinal Electronic Health Record (EHR) data and information from an alert and logging system. Adult patients hospitalized in the emergency department (ED) and general ward (GW) during a 46-month period were included. For qualitative analyses, we manually reviewed all reasons for alert overrides, which were recorded as free text in the EHRs. RESULTS: Among 14,780,519 prescriptions, 51,864 had alerts for DDIs (0.35%; 1.32% in the ED and 0.23% in the GW). The alert override rate was higher in the ED (94.0%) than in the GW (57.0%) (p < 0.001). In an analysis of the study population, including ED and GW patients, 'clinically irrelevant alert' (52.0%) was the most common reason for override, followed by 'benefit assessed to be greater than the risk' (31.1%) and 'others' (17.3%). The frequency of alert overrides was highest for anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatic drugs (89%). In a sub-analysis of the population, 'clinically irrelevant alert' was the most common reason for alert overrides in the ED (69.3%), and 'benefit assessed to be greater than the risk' was the most common reason in the GW (61.4%). CONCLUSIONS: We confirmed that the DDI alerts and the reasons for alert overrides differed by admitting department. Different strategies may be efficient for each admitting department.

Emergency department lengths of stay: characteristics favouring a delay to the admission decision as distinct from a delay while awaiting an inpatient bed.

BACKGROUND: A prolonged stay for a patient within the emergency department (ED) can adversely affect the outcome of their ensuing hospital admission. AIMS: To investigate the characteristics of those eventual general medical hospital inpatients who stay in the ED awaiting a decision to be admitted and then await a bed. METHODS: Data from Flinders Medical Centre's patient journey database were analysed. The analysis was carried out on 19 476 patients admitted as an emergency under the General Medicine units. RESULTS: A less urgent Australian Triage Scale category significantly prolonged triage-to-admit time but did not affect boarding time. The decision to admit a patient took 29% longer for patients who presented to the ED outside of working hours. However, a decision to admit taken outside working hours meant the boarding time was over 3 h shorter than if the decision had been taken inside working hours. For every additional patient in the ED at the time of presentation, the admission decision was delayed by about half a minute. Every additional patient in the ED at the time of an admission decision increased boarding time by almost 10 min. CONCLUSION: Outside of working hours, patients presenting to ED have longer triage-to-admit times while patients for admission have shorter boarding times. ED congestion delays admission decisions only slightly and prolongs patients' boarding times to a greater extent. Strategies to reduce the time patients spend in ED should differ depending on whether a decision to admit the patient has been reached.

Possible adverse drug events leading to hospital admission in a Brazilian teaching hospital

OBJECTIVES: Drug safety problems can lead to hospital admission. In Brazil, the prevalence of hospitalization due to adverse drug events is unknown. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of hospitalization due to adverse drug events and to identify the drugs, the adverse drug events, and the risk factors associated with hospital admissions. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was performed in the internal medicine ward of a teaching hospital in São Paulo State, Brazil, from August to December 2008. All patients aged ≥18 years with a length of stay ≥24 hours were interviewed about the drugs used prior to hospital admission and their symptoms/complaints/causes of hospitalization. RESULTS: In total, 248 patients were considered eligible. The prevalence of hospitalization due to potential adverse drug events in the ward was 46.4%. Overprescribed drugs and those indicated for prophylactic treatments were frequently associated with possible adverse drug events. Frequently reported symptoms were breathlessness (15.2%), fatigue (12.3%), and chest pain (9.0%). Polypharmacy was a risk factor for the occurrence of possible adverse drug events. CONCLUSION: Possible adverse drug events led to hospitalization in a high-complexity hospital, mainly in polymedicated patients. The clinical outcomes of adverse drug events are nonspecific, which delays treatment, hinders causality analysis, and contributes to the underreporting of cases. .

Differences of Reasons for Alert Overrides on Contraindicated Co-prescriptions by Admitting Department / 대한의료정보학회지

OBJECTIVES: To reveal differences in drug-drug interaction (DDI) alerts and the reasons for alert overrides between admitting departments. METHODS: A retrospective observational study was performed using longitudinal Electronic Health Record (EHR) data and information from an alert and logging system. Adult patients hospitalized in the emergency department (ED) and general ward (GW) during a 46-month period were included. For qualitative analyses, we manually reviewed all reasons for alert overrides, which were recorded as free text in the EHRs. RESULTS: Among 14,780,519 prescriptions, 51,864 had alerts for DDIs (0.35%; 1.32% in the ED and 0.23% in the GW). The alert override rate was higher in the ED (94.0%) than in the GW (57.0%) (p < 0.001). In an analysis of the study population, including ED and GW patients, 'clinically irrelevant alert' (52.0%) was the most common reason for override, followed by 'benefit assessed to be greater than the risk' (31.1%) and 'others' (17.3%). The frequency of alert overrides was highest for anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatic drugs (89%). In a sub-analysis of the population, 'clinically irrelevant alert' was the most common reason for alert overrides in the ED (69.3%), and 'benefit assessed to be greater than the risk' was the most common reason in the GW (61.4%). CONCLUSIONS: We confirmed that the DDI alerts and the reasons for alert overrides differed by admitting department. Different strategies may be efficient for each admitting department.

Clinical significance of national patients sample analysis: factors affecting mortality and length of stay of organophosphate and carbamate poisoned patients.

OBJECTIVES: This study considered whether there could be a change of mortality and length of stay as a result of inter-hospital transfer, clinical department, and size of hospital for patients with organophosphates and carbamates poisoning via National Patients Sample data of the year 2009, which was obtained from Health Insurance Review and Assessment Services (HIRA). The utility and representativeness of the HIRA data as the source of prognosis analysis in poisoned patients were also evaluated. METHODS: Organophosphate and carbamate poisoned patients' mortality and length of stay were analyzed in relation to the initial and final treating hospitals and departments, as well as the presence of inter-hospital transfers. RESULTS: Among a total of 146 cases, there were 17 mortality cases, and the mean age was 56.8 ± 19.2 years. The median length of stay was 6 days. There was no inter-hospital or inter-departmental difference in length of stay. However, it significantly increased when inter-hospital transfer occurred (transferred 11 days vs. non-transferred 6 days; p = 0.037). Overall mortality rate was 11.6%. The mortality rate significantly increased when inter-hospital transfer occurred (transferred 23.5% vs. non-transferred 7.0%; p = 0.047), but there was no statistical difference in mortality on inter-hospital and inter-department comparison at the initial treating facility. However, at the final treating facility, there was a significant difference between tertiary and general hospitals (5.1% for tertiary hospitals and 17.3% for general hospitals; p = 0.024), although there was no significant inter-departmental difference. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that hospital, clinical department, length of stay, and mortality could be analyzed using insurance claim data of a specific disease group. Our results also indicated that length of stay and mortality according to inter-hospital transfer could be analyzed, which was previously unknown.