A survey of the knowledge, perceptions of and attitudes to digital health of healthcare professionals in 14 Bulgarian hospitals: First large-scale study on digital health in Bulgarian inpatient facilities.

Objective: To explore the knowledge, perceptions of and attitudes to digital health of Bulgarian hospital professionals in the first study of digital health in this professional group. Methods: A paper-based questionnaire was administered to doctors, trainee doctors, nurses, midwives, and laboratory assistants working in multiprofile or specialized hospitals. Topics included the following: state, objectives, benefits, and future of digital health; data storage, access, security, and sharing; main software used; patient-held Personal Information System (PIS); and telemedicine. A total of 1187 participants from 14 hospitals completed the survey in two phases: September 2013-April 2014 and May 2015-April 2017. Data were analyzed through descriptive statistics and multilevel logistic regression. Results: Three-quarters of participants evaluated the state of development of digital health in Bulgaria as subpar (36.0% negative; 38.9% passable; 24.5% positive). 27.2% (323) endorsed patients having unconditional access to their data. In contrast, 89.5% (1062) of participants considered it appropriate to have full access to patient data recorded by colleagues. Doctors were more likely to endorse patients having access to their data than healthcare specialists (OR = 1.79 at facility, OR = 1.77 at location). Conclusion: The largely negative or lukewarm attitudes toward the state of development of digital health in Bulgaria are likely to result from the high number of failed projects, unmet expectations, misunderstood benefits, and unforeseen challenges. This study provides a much-needed stimulus and baseline for researching the ways in which the digital health landscape in Bulgaria has matured-or not.

Pandemia no Hospital: Cartilha para Enfrentamento do Estresse / PANDEMIA EN EL HOSPITAL: CARTILLA PARA EL ENFRENTAMIENTO DEL ESTRÉS / Pandemic at the hospital: Booklet for coping with stress

Healthcare workers have been under intense stress in the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic when they faced situations that threatened or challenged their basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness, and they may present mental health problems. Seeking to help these pro-fessionals in the hospital context, this article presents the theoretical bases and procedures for the devel-opment of a psychoeducational booklet for coping with stress. An integrative literature review and an online survey with 141 healthcare workers from hospitals in Brazil, Colombia, Peru, and Argentina were carried out to identify the main stressors and coping strategies. This material was organized according to the motivational theory of coping into charts with recommendations on what to do and avoid and boards for alternative communication. The booklet was evaluated by 17 expert health judges, obtaining good correlation coefficients for relevance content (.98) and for clarity of language (.92). With a Spanish version, its application possibilities are expanded.

Profissionais de saúde estiveram sob estresse intenso na pandemia da coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) ao enfrentarem situações que ameaçaram ou desafiaram suas necessidades psicológicas básicas de auto-nomia, competência e relacionamento, podendo apresentar problemas de saúde mental. Procurando au-xiliar esses profissionais no contexto hospitalar, este artigo apresenta as bases teóricas e o procedimento de elaboração de uma cartilha psicoeducacional para o enfrentamento do estresse. Realizou-se uma revi-são integrativa da literatura e um levantamento on-line com 141 profissionais de saúde em hospitais do Brasil, da Colômbia, do Peru e da Argentina, para identificação dos principais estressores e estratégias de enfrentamento. Esse material foi organizado pela teoria motivacional do coping em quadros, com reco-mendações sobre o que fazer e evitar, e quadros para comunicação alternativa. A cartilha foi avaliada por 17 juízes especialistas em saúde, obtendo-se bons coeficientes de correlação para relevância do conteúdo (0,98) e clareza de linguagem (0,92). Com versão em espanhol, ampliam-se suas possibilidades de aplicação.

Los profesionales de la salud han estado bajo un estrés intenso en la pandemia del coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), cuando enfrentaron situaciones que amenazaban o desafiaban sus necesidades psicológicas básicas de autonomía, competencia y relaciones, y pueden presentar problemas de salud mental. Buscando ayudar a estos profesionales en el contexto hospitalario, este artículo presenta las bases teóricas y el pro-cedimiento para la elaboración de una cartilla psicoeducativa para el afrontamiento del estrés. Se realizó una revisión integradora de la literatura y una encuesta online con 141 profesionales de la salud en los hospitales de Brasil, Colombia, Perú y Argentina, para identificar los principales estresores y estrategias de afrontamiento. Este material se organizó de acuerdo con la teoría motivacional del afrontamiento en ta-blas con recomendaciones sobre qué hacer y evitar, y tableros de comunicación alternativa. La cartilla fue evaluada por 17 expertos en salud, obteniendo buenos coeficientes de correlación para la relevancia del contenido (0,98) y la claridad del lenguaje (0,92). Con una versión en español, se amplían sus posibilidades de aplicación.

Dois anos de pandemia da COVID-19: implicações para as salas de hemodinâmica e suas práticas atuais / Two years into the COVID-19 pandemic: implications for the cardiac catheterization laboratory and its current practices

A COVID-19 continua a sobrecarregar os sistemas de saúde. No auge da pandemia, os serviços de hemodinâmica do mundo todo tiveram redução significativa no volume de procedimentos devido a vários motivos, incluindo redistribuição de recursos médicos, alocação dos cardiologistas intervencionistas em alas da COVID-19 e preocupações dos médicos e pacientes com a transmissão viral. Em especial, as intervenções para doença cardíaca estrutural tiveram queda importante ­ de mais de 90% do volume. Para enfrentar esses desafios, os sistemas de saúde empregaram novas medidas de segurança e protocolos, incluindo pré-teste com reação em cadeia da polimerase para COVID-19, Equipamentos de Proteção Individuais e exigência de vacinação para garantir a segurança de pacientes e trabalhadores da saúde. Embora tais medidas tenham abordado parcialmente as questões de segurança, o diagnóstico e o tratamento da injúria miocárdica aguda permaneceram desafiadores durante a pandemia. Enquanto os mecanismos fisiopatológicos que causam injúria miocárdica não estão completamente elucidados, a maioria dos estudos sugere que a COVID-19 seja uma doença pró-inflamatória, associada a um estado de hipercoagulabilidade. Os estudos randomizados em andamento avaliam a eficácia de regimes antitrombóticos mais agressivos na COVID-19. Além disso, a apresentação de síndrome coronariana aguda junto da COVID-19 é variável, mais provavelmente atípica, tardia e está associada a altas taxas de eventos cardiovasculares adversos e óbito. É necessário implementar protocolos para agilizar diagnóstico, triagem e tratamento de pacientes com síndrome coronariana aguda, e também minimizar o risco de transmissão viral para os funcionários do hospital. A intervenção coronariana percutânea robótica oferece uma solução em potencial para as diversas questões de segurança enfrentadas pelos cardiologistas intervencionistas na era da COVID-19. Porém, ela também se apresenta com seu conjunto de limitações.

COVID-19 continues to overwhelm healthcare systems. During the peak of the pandemic, cardiac catheterization labs across the world observed a significant decrease in procedure volumes due to several reasons, including reallocation of medical resources, deployment of interventional cardiologists to the COVID-19 wards, and physician and patient concerns about viral transmission. In particular, structural heart disease interventions experienced a significant reduction in volume by more than 90%. To address these challenges, healthcare systems employed new safety measures and protocols, including COVID-19 rapid polymerase chain reaction pretesting, Personal Protective Equipment, and vaccination mandates to ensure safety of patients and healthcare workers. Although these measures partly addressed safety concerns, diagnosis and management of acute myocardial injury remained challenging throughout the pandemic. While the pathophysiological mechanisms leading to myocardial injury is not fully elucidated, most studies have suggested COVID-19 is a pro-inflammatory disease associated with a hypercoagulable state. Ongoing randomized studies are evaluating the efficacy of more aggressive antithrombic regimens in COVID-19. In addition, the presentation of acute coronary syndrome with concomitant COVID-19 infection is variable, more likely atypical, delayed, and is associated with higher rates of adverse cardiovascular events and death. It was necessary to implement protocols to expedite diagnosis, triage and management of patients with acute coronary syndrome, while minimizing the risk of viral transmission to hospital staff. Robotic percutaneous coronary intervention may offer in the future a potential solution to many of the safety concerns faced by interventional cardiologists during the COVID-19 era; however, it has its own set of limitations.

Health practitioner practices and their influence on nutritional intake of hospitalised patients.

OBJECTIVES: In the hospital setting, poor dietary intake interacts with disease and represents a major and modifiable cause of malnutrition. Understanding barriers to adequate dietary intake is an important strategy to guide the development of interventions to improve nutrition intake. The aim of this study reported in this paper was to explore patient, family and health care professionals' perceptions of barriers to and enablers of adequate nutrition care and dietary intake of medical inpatients. METHODS: An exploratory qualitative study design incorporating group and individual interviews of patients (n = 14), their family members (n = 4), and health care professionals (n = 18) was undertaken. Participants were recruited pragmatically, using a mix of convenience and purposive sampling. A theoretically informed, semi-structured interview schedule was based on observations of practice and the Theoretical Domains Framework. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed inductively using a general inductive approach. RESULTS: Three key themes emerged from analysing participant interviews. Siloed approaches to nutrition care reflected the diverse range of health care professionals responsible for nutrition care but who often worked in isolation from their colleagues. Competing work priorities for nurses reflected the challenge in prioritise nutrition care which was often constrained because of other care needs or work-related pressures. Helping patients to eat highlighted that nurses were often the only health care professional who would provide assistance to patients at mealtimes and lack of available staff could negatively influence patients' nutrition intakes. CONCLUSIONS: We have identified many complex and interrelated barriers which preclude adequate dietary intake in acute medical patients. These predominantly reflect issues inherent in the hospital culture and environment. Multi-faceted and sustainable interventions that support a facilitating nutrition culture and multidisciplinary collaboration, inclusive of patients and families, are needed to address these underlying barriers.

Challenges of Cooperation between the Pre-hospital and In-hospital Emergency services in the handover of victims of road traffic accidents: A Qualitative Study.

OBJECTIVES: To take a deep look at the challenges of cooperation between the pre-hospital and in-hospital emergency services in the handover of victims of road traffic accidents. METHODS: This is a qualitative study and the method used is of content analysis type. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect the data. Through purposive sampling, fifteen employees from ambulance personnel and hospital emergency staff were selected and interviewed. They expressed their experiences of cooperation between these two teams in the handover of traffic accident casualties. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and content analysis method was used to explain and interpret the content of the interviews. RESULTS: Three major categories were derived from the analysis of interviews: Shortage of infrastructure resources (Shortage of equipment, Shortage of physical space, and Shortage of manpower); Inefficient and unscientific management (Shaky accountability, Out-of-date information based activities, Poor motivation, and Manpower low productivity); and Non-common language (Difference in understanding and empathy, and Difference in training and experience). CONCLUSIONS: The obtained results of this study suggest that the careful planning of resources, the promotion of managerial practices as well as empowerment program of the staff, healthcare managers and policymakers can take a pace forward in order to enter into a hearty coordination between these two services for the attention of victims of road traffic accidents.

The ethical climate in paediatric oncology-A national cross-sectional survey of health-care personnel.

OBJECTIVE: To describe health-care personnel's (HCP's) perceptions of the ethical climate at their workplace in paediatric oncology. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using the Swedish version of the shortened Hospital Ethical Climate Survey (HECS-S). HCP at all six paediatric oncology centres (POCs) in Sweden were invited to participate. Analysis included descriptive statistics, the Mann-Whitney U test (differences between groups) and Spearman's rank correlation. Informed consent was assumed when the respondents returned the survey. RESULTS: A high response rate was achieved as 278 HCP answered the questionnaire. Medical doctors perceived the ethical climate to be more positive than registered nurses and nursing assistants. At the POC with the significantly lowest values concerning immediate manager, no significant correlation with the other items was found. At the POC with the poorest ethical climate, HCP also had the lowest perception of the possibility of practicing ethically good care. CONCLUSIONS: Differences between centres and professional groups have been demonstrated. A negative perception of the immediate manager does not necessarily mean that the ethical climate is poor, but the manager's ability to provide the conditions for an open dialogue within the health-care team is key to achieving an ethical climate.

[Smoking among hospital staff and the impact of the November, No Smoking Month campaign on this population]. / Tabagisme chez les agents d'un hôpital et impact de la campagne Novembre, mois sans tabac sur cette population.

INTRODUCTION: Smoking cessation is a public health priority. Several prevention campaigns exist, including this one of the "month without tobacco", made in November in France. Healthcare workers have an important role to play in stopping smoking, while many of the healthcare workers are themselves smokers. The purpose of this article is to study the prevalence of tobacco consumption among hospital staff and to evaluate its effects. MATERIAL AND METHOD: It is a transversal study, carried out among the 734 agents of a French hospital, between December 2016 and January 2017, by anonymous self-questionnaires. The study included all hospital employees, whether they were caregivers or not. RESULTS: The participation rate was 35%, of whom 193 (75.7%) were health care workers, 46 (17.6%) were administrative and 17 (6.7%) were working in technical services. There were 31% smokers and 26% forming smokers. There were no significant differences in smoking by age, or socio-occupational category. During this campaign, 66.7% of smokers had plans to quit, and 29% tried to quit. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of smoking in this hospital was comparable to that of the general population, and among the highest in hospital in the literature. The campaign of the month without tobacco has influenced the consumption of smokers. Other studies need to analyze how to handle this population.

Generalizable items and modular structure for computerised physician staffing calculation on intensive care units.

Intensive care medicine remains one of the most cost-driving areas within hospitals with high personnel costs. Under the scope of limited budgets and reimbursement, realistic needs are essential to justify personnel staffing. Unfortunately, all existing staffing models are top-down calculations with a high variability in results. We present a workload-oriented model, integrating quality of care, efficiency of processes, legal, educational, controlling, local, organisational and economic aspects. In our model, the physician's workload solely related to the intensive care unit depends on three tasks: Patient-oriented tasks, divided in basic tasks (performed in every patient) and additional tasks (necessary in patients with specific diagnostic and therapeutic requirements depending on their specific illness, only), and non patient-oriented tasks. All three tasks have to be taken into account for calculating the required number of physicians. The calculation tool further allows to determine minimal personnel staffing, distribution of calculated personnel demand regarding type of employee due to working hours per year, shift work or standby duty. This model was introduced and described first by the German Board of Anesthesiologists and the German Society of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine in 2008 and since has been implemented and updated 2012 in Germany. The modular, flexible nature of the Excel-based calculation tool should allow adaption to the respective legal and organizational demands of different countries. After 8 years of experience with this calculation, we report the generalizable key aspects which may help physicians all around the world to justify realistic workload-oriented personnel staffing needs.

Outsourcing and "dismantling" of steady jobs at hospitals / La tercerización y el "desmonte" del empleo estable en hospitales / A terceirização e o "desmonte" do emprego estável em hospitais

Abstract OBJECTIVE To relate hospitals' organizational structure as the core of a web of outsourced services and flexible employment bonds among healthcare professionals in the context of finance capitalism, analyzing work arrangements based mainly on the type of employment bond. METHOD Qualitative research through ethnography, interviews, data analysis, and case studies. The case studies were concentrated in 3 hospitals located in the São Paulo metropolitan region under different management types: public administration; outsourced administration via a healthcare social organization (HSO); and private administration. RESULTS This study highlights a trend in outsourcing, dismantling of steady jobs, and shaping working relations asymmetrically in terms of healthcare professions. CONCLUSION These aspects are characteristic of contemporary capitalism and post-Fordist work organization. In this context, the state under sponsorship cripples the very existence of an effective human resources policy, creating a favorable environment for outsourcing and flexibility of employment bonds among healthcare workers.

Resumen OBJETIVO Relacionar la estructura organizativa de los hospitales como núcleo de una red de servicios subcontratados y la flexibilización de vínculos contractuales de los profesionales sanitarios en el marco del capitalismo financierizado, analizando los regímenes laborales condicionados centralmente por el vínculo de empleo. MÉTODO Investigación cualitativa mediante etnografía, realización de entrevistas, análisis de datos y utilización de estudio de caso. Los estudios de caso se concentran en tres hospitales ubicados en la Región Metropolitana de São Paulo con gestiones distintas: administración pública; administración tercerizada para Organización Social de Salud (OSS); y administración privada. RESULTADOS Destacamos la tendencia de la tercerización, del desmonte del empleo estable y la conformación de relaciones laborales asimétricas para las profesiones sanitarias. CONCLUSIÓN Dichos aspectos son característicos del período del capitalismo contemporáneo y la organización post-fordista del trabajo. En ese marco, la subfinanciación del Estado inviabiliza una política de recursos humanos efectiva, configurando el ambiente propicio para las tercerizaciones y la flexibilidad del vínculo de empleo para los trabajadores de la salud.

Resumo OBJETIVO Relacionar a estrutura organizativa dos hospitais como núcleo de uma rede de serviços subcontratados e a flexibilização dos vínculos contratuais dos profissionais de saúde no contexto de capitalismo financeirizado, analisando os regimes de trabalho condicionados centralmente pelo vínculo empregatício. MÉTODO Pesquisa qualitativa através de etnografia, realização de entrevistas, análise de dados e utilização de estudo de caso. Os estudos de caso concentram-se em três hospitais localizados Região Metropolitana de São Paulo com gestões distintas: administração pública; administração terceirizada para Organização Social de Saúde (OSS); e administração privada. RESULTADOS Destacamos a tendência da terceirização, do desmonte do emprego estável e a conformação de relações trabalhistas assimétricas para as profissões em saúde. CONCLUSÃO Esses aspectos são característicos do período do capitalismo contemporâneo e da organização pós-fordista do trabalho. Nesse contexto, o subfinanciamento do Estado inviabiliza uma política de recursos humanos efetiva, configurando o ambiente propício para as terceirizações e flexibilidade do vínculo empregatício para os trabalhadores de saúde.

Gestão do trabalho nos hospitais da 9ª região de saúde do Paraná / Work management in hospitals of Paraná's 9th health region

Objetivou-se analisar a gestão do trabalho em 12 hospitais da 9ª Região de Saúde do Paraná. Estudo exploratório, por meio de entrevista semiestruturada com 116 profissionais: 52,59% de nível superior; 56,43% ingressaram por processo seletivo; 19,82% possuem mais de um vínculo; 21,43% com vínculos desprotegidos; 19,29% participam de atividades de educação permanente; nenhum hospital possui Plano de Carreira, Cargos e Salários. Conclui-se ser fundamental o Estado exercer seu papel de regulador, fiscalizador e controlador dos serviços de saúde, independentemente da titularidade de quem os execute, necessidades que podem interferir em melhores condições de trabalho, com impacto na qualidade da assistência.

We aimed to analyze work management in 12 hospitals of Paraná's 9th Health Region. Exploratory study, conducted through semi-structured interview with 116 professionals: 52,59% of higher education; 56,43% enrolled through a selective process; 19,82% have more than one bond; 21,43% precarious bonds; 19,29% participate in ongoing activities of continuing education; no institution has a career plan formally instituted. We conclude that it is essential that the State to exercise its role as regulator, supervising and controlling health services, regardless of the ownership of those who perform them, needs that may interfere with better working conditions, impacting the quality of care.

Avaliação de desempenho na opinião da equipe de enfermagem de hospital universitário público / Performance evaluation under the opinion of the nursing staff from a public university hospital

Objetivou-seconhecer a opinião da equipe de enfermagem de um hospital universitário público sobre o processo deavaliação de desempenho. Trata-se de um estudo transversal com abordagem quantitativa, realizadoem hospital universitário do norte do Paraná. A amostra foi composta por 70 participantes, pertencentes às categorias de auxiliares, técnicos de enfermagem e enfermeiros das unidades de internação de adultos e de moléstias infecciosas. Para a coleta de dados utilizou-se um instrumento adaptado. Osdados foram analisados por meio de estatística descritiva. A maioria dos participantes demonstrou satisfação com a avaliação de desempenho, entretanto, alguns indivíduos relataram aspectos negativos, dentre os quais o momento de avaliação entre pares. Concluiu-se que o sucesso da avaliação estárelacionado ao significado e à satisfação que o participante atribui a esse processo. Quando utilizada de forma adequada, a avaliação de desempenho proporciona benefícios tanto para a instituição quanto para o desenvolvimento profissional e pessoal dos funcionários.

This study intended to know the opinion of the nursing staff of a public university hospital on the performance assessment process. Cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach, performed at a university hospital in the north of Paraná. The sample consisted of 70 participants, categorized as nursing assistants, nursing technicians and nurses from the inpatient units for adults and infectious diseases. For data collection it was used an adapted instrument. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Most participants showed satisfaction with the performance evaluation, although, some subjects reported negative aspects, among them the moment of evaluation between pairs. It was concluded that the evaluation success is related to the meaning and satisfaction that the participant attributes to this process. When used properly, the performance appraisal provides benefits for both, for the institution and for the professional and personal development of employees.

Satisfação profissional dos trabalhadores de enfermagem recém-admitidos em hospital público / Work satisfaction of newly hired nursing workers in a public hospital / Satisfaccíon profesional del personal de enfermería recién admitido en un hospital público

Estudo descritivo exploratório, de abordagem quantitativa, realizado de maio a junho de 2011, objetivou avaliar a satisfação profissional detrabalhadores de enfermagem recém-admitidos em um hospital público. Participaram 133 profissionais que responderam ao questionário Índicede Satisfação no Trabalho. A maioria dos trabalhadores era do sexo feminino, casada e com 36,6 anos em média. No que se refere à satisfaçãoatribuída, os componentes de maior pontuação foram a autonomia para enfermeiros e a remuneração para técnicos. O status profissional foipontuado por ambos como componente de menor importância. Quanto à satisfação percebida os enfermeiros pontuaram a remuneraçãocomo mais importante e os técnicos os requisitos do trabalho. A interação apresentou menor satisfação percebida pelos participantes. Concluiuseque tomada de decisão e a recompensa financeira são importantes fatores de satisfação, enquanto o baixo reconhecimento da profissão e adeficiência no relacionamento interpessoal acarretam menor satisfação no trabalho de recém admitidos.

This was a descriptive and exploratory study, with a quantitative approach, performed from May to June of 2011 that aimed to verify the worksatisfaction of nursing workers newly hired in a public hospital. A total of 133 professionals were submitted to the Index of Work Satisfactionquestionnaire. Most were females, married, and 36.6 years old in average. The results highlight that according to nurses, autonomy is the mostimportant factor for work satisfaction, whereas, for nurse technicians, it is the remuneration factor. Both categories agreed that professional statusis the least important factor for work satisfaction. Nurses considered remuneration as a satisfying factor, whereas nurse technicians considered jobrequirements. Interaction was pointed as a criterion with the least perceived satisfaction by both categories. We conclude that freedom in decisionmaking,development of actions, and financial reward was important for work satisfaction. However, lack of professional social recognition anddifficulties in interpersonal relationships lead to dissatisfaction.

Estudio exploratorio descriptivo cuantitativo realizado con el fin de verificar la satisfacción laboral del personal de enfermería, recién admitidoen un hospital público. Participaron 133 profesionales que contestaron la encuesta Satisfacción en el trabajo. La mayoría de los participantesera de mujeres, casados y con promedio de 36,6 años. Los enfermeros le atribuyeron mucha importancia a la autonomía y los técnicos deenfermería a la remuneración. Ambas categorías le dieron menos importancia al componente status profesional. La mayor satisfacción para lasenfermeras fue la autonomía y para los tecnicos de enfermería la remuneracion. Ambos consideraron menos importante el status profesional.Como factor de satisfacción los enfermeros indican la remuneración y los técnicos de enfermería los requisitos de trabajo. Interacción presentómenor satisfacción percibida por las dos categorís. Se concluye que la libertad en la toma de decisiones, las actividades y la compensacióneconómica son importantes para que los profesionales se sienten satisfechos, pero la falta de reconocimiento social de la profesión y la deficienciaen las relaciones interpersonales los lleva a la insatisfacción laboral.

Determinación fenotípica de staphylococcus aureus resistente a meticilina en trabajadores de UCI de tres centros de atención medica en Tunja (Colombia) / Phenotypic determination of Staphylococcus aureus resitant to methicillin from workers belonging to three ICU of medical care centers in Tunja (Colombia)

El presente estudio tuvo como propósito determinar fenotípicamente la portación de Staphylococcus aureus resistente a meticilina (SARM) en trabajadores de la salud que laboran en Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI) de tres centros de atención médica en Tunja (Colombia). A los sujetos en estudio (84) se les practicó un hisopado nasal con el fin de aislar cepas de SARM. Las muestras se inocularon en agar manitol-salado, las cepas fermentadoras de manitol se identificaron por medio de pruebas morfológicas (Gram) y bioquímicas tales como catalasa, coagulasa y DNAsa. Para determinar su resistencia a la meticilina se realizó la prueba de susceptibilidad usando el método de difusión con disco de cefoxitina de 30µg, según el protocolo M02-A11 del CLSI. Se usaron las cepas de Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 43300 como control de resistencia y ATCC 33862 como control de sensibilidad. Una encuesta fue realizada con el fin de determinar posibles factores de riesgo que pudieran estar asociados con la presencia portadores asintomáticos del microorganismo. Del estudio se obtuvo que la prevalencia de SARM fue del 1,2%, los factores asociados a la portación nasal son: ser médico (p=0,025) y la ausencia de lavado de manos después de procesos invasivos (p=0,003). Podría concluirse que aunque la portación nasal asintomática de SARM en este estudio fue baja, el solo hallazgo de una cepa de SARM representa un peligro potencial para los usuarios de las UCI, debido al riesgo de transmisión y la posible generación de infecciones multiresistentes que empeoran el pronóstico del paciente.

Carriers of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in healthcare workers of intensive care units (ICUs) belonging to three medical centers in Tunja (Colombia) were phenotypically determined. All subjects under study (84) we performed a nasal swab in order to isolate strains of MRSA. Samples were inoculated onto mannitol salt agar; mannitol-fermenting strains were identified by morphological evidence (Gram) and biochemical such as catalase, coagulase and DNase. To determine their resistance to methicillin was performed a susceptibility test using disk diffusion method with 30 μg cefoxitin disc, according to CLSI M02-A11 protocol. Staphylococcus aureus strains ATCC 43300 and ATCC resistance control and sensitivity control 33 862 were used. A survey was conducted in order to determine possible risk factors that might be associated with the presence of asymptomatic carriers of MRSA. Prevalence of MRSA was 1.2%, factors associated with nasal carriage are: to be a physician (p = 0.025) and the absence of handwashing after invasive procedures (p=0,003). Although asymptomatic nasal carriage of MRSA in this study was low, the finding of a single MRSA strain represents a potential hazard to users of the ICU, due to risk of transmission and possible generation of multi-resistant infections that worsen prognosis of users.

Frecuencia de portadores nasales de Staphylococcus aureus resistente a meticilina en personal de salud de hospitales de Nicaragua / Frequency of nasal carriers of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus among health workers in Nicaraguan hospitals

Objetivo. Conocer la frecuencia de portadores nasales de cepas de Staphylococcus aureus resistentes a meticilina (SARM) y el patrón de resistencia antimicrobiana de esas cepas obtenidas de trabajadores de la salud de cuatro hospitales de Nicaragua. Métodos. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, transversal, en el período del 1 de junio de 2009 al 30 de septiembre de 2010. Los hisopados nasales de los trabajadores de la salud que aceptaron voluntariamente participar en el estudio fueron cultivados en medio agar base de detección de resistencia a oxacilina (ORSAB). La identificación de los aislados de S. aureus se realizó por métodos cotidianos y la resistencia a meticilina se determinó por la presencia del gen mecA con la técnica de reacción en cadena de polimerasa. El patrón de resistencia antimicrobiana se detectó por difusión en disco. Cada participante firmó un consentimiento informado con anterioridad a la toma de la muestra. Resultados. Participaron en el estudio 569 trabajadores de la salud, de los cuales 208 eran del hospital de León, 155 de dos hospitales de Chinandega y 206 del de Managua. La frecuencia de portadores nasales de SARM fue de 9,6% en León, 11,6% en Chinandega y 6,7% en Managua. El perfil de resistencia de las cepas SARM fue similar en los cuatro hospitales y todas las cepas fueron sensibles a vancomicina. Del total de cepas SARM aisladas, 15% fueron multirresistentes. El porcentaje de resistencia a eritromicina fue el más alto, seguido del de clindamicina. Conclusiones. Los resultados del estudio se pueden considerar una advertencia sobre la circulación de cepas SARM entre el personal de salud de los hospitales participantes y aportan información relevante en relación al perfil de resistencia de las cepas SARM.

Objective. To determine the frequency of nasal carriers of strains of methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and the antimicrobial resistance pattern of these strains, obtained from health workers from four hospitals in Nicaragua. Methods. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between 1 June 2009 and 30 September 2010. Nasal swabs were taken from health workers who voluntarily agreed to participate in the study, and were cultured on an oxacillin-resistant screening agar base (ORSAB) medium. The S. aureus isolates were identified using ordinary methods, and methicillin resistance was confirmed based on the presence of the mecA gene using the polymerase chain reaction technique. The antimicrobial resistance pattern was detected by the disk diffusion method. Each participant signed an informed consent form before the samples were taken. Results. A total of 569 health workers participated in the study: 208 from one hospital in León, 155 from two hospitals in Chinandega, and 206 from one hospital in Managua. The frequency of nasal MRSA carriers was 9.6% in León, 11.6% in Chinandega, and 6.7% in Managua. The MRSA resistance profile was similar in the four hospitals, and all the strains were sensitive to vancomycin. Of the total MRSA strains isolated, 15% were multi-drug resistant. Erythromycin had the highest percentage of resistance, followed by clindamycin. Conclusions. The results of the study may be regarded as a warning that MRSA strains are circulating among health workers in the participating hospitals. The study also contributes important information regarding the resistance profile of MRSA strains.

Educação permanente de profissionais de saúde em instituições públicas hospitalares / Educación en el trabajo de los profisionales de la salud en hospitales públicos / Permanent education of health professionals in public hospital organizations

Estudo exploratório-descrito cujos objetivos foram identificar, caracterizar e analisar as atividades educativas desenvolvidas com profissionais de saúde, à luz das concepções de integralidade, trabalho em equipe e educação permanente. A coleta de dados ocorreu em três hospitais do Município de São Paulo, através de entrevista dirigida a informantes-chave, representantes de todas as categorias profissionais. As entrevistas foram gravadas e transcritas, as informações sistematizadas em categorias operacionais e armazenadas em banco de dados. Os resultados mostram que predominaram atividades educativas voltadas às ações de recuperação da saúde, com participação de profissionais de áreas específicas, revelando um distanciamento da concepção de integralidade e de trabalho em equipe. Concluiu-se que as ações de educação dos profissionais de saúde reiteram o modelo clínico de assistência individual, com fragmentação das ações. Recomenda-se que elas sejam repensadas como estratégia integradora de saberes, capazes de promover a integralidade na atenção hospitalar.

The objectives of this descriptive exploratory study were to identify, characterize and analyze educational activities developed with health professionals based on integrality, teamwork and permanent education. Data collection was carried out in three hospitals of the city of São Paulo, by means of key-informant interviews, representing all the professional categories. Interviews were recorded and transcribed, information was systematized into operational categories and storage in data bank. The results showed that educational activities aiming actions to recover health with the assistance of professionals of specific areas, revealed a distance from the integrality conception and team work. It was concluded that actions aiming education of health professionals emphasizes the individual clinical model, with fragmented actions of professional categories. So, we suggest reconsidering the integrated strategies of knowledge to promote integrality of hospital attention.

Estudio exploratorio-descriptivo cuyos objetivos fueron identificar, caracterizar y analisar las actividades educativas desarrolladas con profisionales de la salud, a la luz de concepciones de integralidad, trabajo en equipo y educación permanente.La colecta de datos ocurrió en tres hospitales del Municipio de São Paulo, a través de entrevista dirigida a informantes-clave, representantes de todas las categorías profisionales. Las entrevistas fueron grabadas y transcritas, las informaciones sistematizadas en categorías operacionales y almacenadas en banco de datos. Los resultados muestran que predominaron las actividades educativas hacia acciones de recuperación de la salud, con participación de profisionales de áreas específicas, revelando un distanciamiento de la concepción de integralidad y de trabajo en equipo. Concluyóse que las acciones de educación de los profisionales de salud reiteran el modelo clínico individual, con fragmentación de las acciones en las categorías profisionales. Estas acciones deberían ser repensadas como estrategia integradora de saberes, capazes de promover la integralidad en la atención hospitalaria.

Avaliação das condições de trabalho em Hospitais de Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil / Evaluación de las condiciones de trabajo en Hospitales de Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil / Assessment of the work conditions in hospitals of Natal, Rio Grande do Norte State, Brazil

Buscou-se identificar como os profissionais de saúde avaliam as condições de trabalho em hospitais de diferentes naturezas, e verificar como estas condições interferem na satisfação laboral. A amostra foi composta por 213 profissionais de diferentes categorias. A análise dos resultados evidenciou um perfil distinto entre os hospitais no tocante as condições de trabalho. De forma geral, apontou as menores médias no hospital estadual, enquanto as maiores foram observadas no hospital filantrópico; resultado que corrobora o atual cenário da saúde pública do País. Ressalta-se ainda, uma associação significativa entre satisfação no trabalho e as variáveis renda familiar e hospital em que o profissional atua. Acredita-se que os conflitos nesse cenário são inevitáveis, frente à precária estrutura de algumas instituições públicas, contudo, são previsíveis e passíveis de solução se o hospital dispuser de um canal de expressão livre e acessível a todos os agentes.

This study identified how health professionals assess work conditions in different hospitals and verified how these conditions affect labor satisfaction. The sample was composed of 213 professionals from several healthcare fields. The analysis of the results indicated a distinct profile among the hospitals when it comes to work conditions. In a general perspective, the study observed low labor quality averages in State-run hospitals, while the highest ones were observed in the philanthropic hospital. This result corroborates the current condition of Brazilian public health. It also significantly associates labor satisfaction with the variables of family income and workplace. Therefore, conflicts in this scenario are considered as inevitable due to the precarious structure of some public health institutions; however, these problems can be foreseen and solved if hospitals create a free, accessible expression channel to all agents.

Se buscó identificar como los profesionales de la salud evalúan las condiciones de trabajo en hospitales de diferentes naturalezas y verificar como estas condiciones interfieren en la satisfacción laboral. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 213 profesionales de diferentes categorías. El análisis de los resultados evidenció un perfil distinto entre los hospitales en lo que se refiere a las condiciones de trabajo. De forma general, apuntó los menores promedios en el hospital estatal, en cuanto las mayores fueron observadas en el hospital filantrópico; resultado que corrobora el actual escenario de la salud pública del país. También, se resalta una asociación significativa entre la satisfacción en el trabajo y las variables renta familiar y hospital en que el profesional actúa. Se piensa que los conflictos en ese escenario son inevitables, frente a la precaria estructura de algunas instituciones públicas, sin embargo, son previsibles y pasibles de solución si el hospital dispusiese de un canal de expresión libre y accesible a todos los agentes.

Viabilidade de unidades psiquiátricas em hospitais gerais no Brasil / Viabilidad de unidades psiquiátricas en hospitales generales en Brasil / Feasibility of general hospitals psychiatric units in Brazil

OBJETIVO: Compreender o estigma voltado aos portadores de transtornos mentais na cultura de hospitais gerais enquanto fator limitante para a implantação de unidades psiquiátricas em hospitais gerais no Brasil. PROCEDIMENTOS METODOLÓGICOS: Foi delineada uma pesquisa social, de natureza qualitativa. Adotou-se como estratégia a pesquisa-ação para a implantação de uma unidade psiquiátrica em um hospital geral em Taubaté, SP, 2005-2006. As evidências foram obtidas por meio de entrevistas, observação participante e palestras sobre o projeto da unidade psiquiátrica para o corpo clínico do hospital. RESULTADOS: O investimento do órgão gestor possibilitou que as concepções estigmatizantes presentes na cultura do hospital estudado (violência, fraqueza moral e intratabilidade) fossem ressignificadas por meio de discussões clínicas e sanitárias, viabilizando a implantação da unidade psiquiátrica. A análise mostrou que essas concepções eram reatualizadas pelo contexto assistencial, no qual o acesso dos portadores de transtornos mentais era restrito. CONCLUSÕES: A postura assumida pelo órgão gestor, que decidiu pelo financiamento adequado da unidade psiquiátrica e exerceu sua ascendência sobre o hospital prestador, foi decisiva para o desfecho do caso. A principal dificuldade para a implantação das unidades psiquiátricas não é o estigma presente na cultura dos hospitais gerais, mas uma limitação de ordem estratégica: a falta de uma política afirmativa para essas unidades.

OBJECTIVE: To comprehend the stigma against people with mental disorders still persists in the culture of general hospitals and acts as a limiting factor in the implementation of psychiatric units in general hospitals in Brazil. METHODOLOGICAL PROCEDURES: A qualitative social survey was outlined based on action research strategy as of the agreement to adopt a psychiatric unit in a general hospital in Taubaté, Southeastern Brazil. Data was obtained through interviews, participant observation and talks on the psychiatric unit project given to the hospital's clinical staff. RESULTS: The investment made by the healthcare authority enabled the stigmatizing conceptions (violence, moral weakness and untreatability) present in the hospital culture in question to be resignified by means of clinical and sanitary discussions, which enabled the implementation of the psychiatric unit. The analysis showed that these concepts persist in this context because of a healthcare system that limits the access of people with mental disorders. CONCLUSIONS: The attitude of the healthcare authority, who decided to adequately fund the general hospital's psychiatric unit and exerted his influence over the hospital, was decisive for the outcome of the case. The main difficulty in implementing psychiatric units at general hospitals is not the overcoming the existing stigma in the culture of general hospitals, but rather a difficulty which is strategic in nature: the lack of an affirmative policy for these units.

OBJETIVO: Comprender el estigma dirigido a los portadores de trastornos mentales en la cultura de hospitales generales con relación al factor limitante para la implantación de unidades psiquiátricas en hospitales generales en Brasil. PROCEDIMIENTOS METODOLÓGICOS: Fue delineada una pesquisa social, de naturaleza cualitativa. Se adoptó como estrategia la pesquisa-acción para la implantación de una unidad psiquiátrica en un hospital general en Taubate (Sureste de Brasil), 2005-2006. Las evidencias fueron obtenidas por medio de entrevistas, observación participante y palestras sobre el proyecto de la unidad psiquiátrica para el cuerpo clínico del hospital. RESULTADOS: La inversión del órgano gestor posibilitó que las concepciones estigmatizantes presentes en la cultura del hospital estudiado (violencia, debilidad moral e intratabilidad) fueran resignificadas por medio de discusiones clínicas y sanitarias, viabilizando la implantación de la unidad psiquiátrica. El análisis mostró que esas concepciones eran reactualizadas por el contexto asistencial, en el cual el acceso de los portadores de trastornos mentales era restringido. CONCLUSIONES: La postura asumida por el órgano gestor, que decidió por el financiamiento adecuado de la unidad psiquiátrica y ejerció su ascendencia sobre el hospital prestador, fue decisiva para el desenlace del caso. La principal dificultad para la implantación de las unidades psiquiátricas no es el estigma presente en la cultura de los hospitales generales, pero una limitación de orden estratégica: la falta de una política afirmativa para esas unidades.

Prevalencia del "síndrome de quemarse por el trabajo" (burnout) en pediatras de hospitales generales / Burnout prevalence in pediatricians of general hospitals

OBJETIVO: Analizar la prevalencia del síndrome de quemarse por el trabajo (burnout) en pediatras de hospitales generales siguiendo criterios de diferentes países. MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal, no aleatorio, realizado en Buenos Aires, Argentina, en 2006. La muestra la formaron 123 pediatras que trabajaban en Servicios de Pediatría de hospitales generales, 89 fueron mujeres (72,4 por ciento) y 34 hombres (27,6 por ciento). Los datos fueron recogidos mediante un cuestionario anónimo y autoadministrado. El SQT fue diagnosticado utilizando el Maslach Burnout Inventory, con diferentes criterios para establecer su prevalencia. RESULTADOS: La prevalencia del SQT, varió en función del criterio utilizado: siguiendo los puntos de corte del manual de Estados Unidos, la prevalencia fue del 10,6 por ciento de 24,4 por ciento siguiendo los criterios de España, 37,4 por ciento siguiendo los criterios de Argentina y considerando los criterios clínicos establecidos en Holanda, el porcentaje fue del 3,2 por ciento. CONCLUSIONES: Los niveles de prevalencia variaron significativamente en función de los criterios aplicados debido a influencias transculturales.

Humanização hospitalar: satisfação dos profissionais de um hospital pediátrico / Hospital humanization: professional satisfaction in a pediatric hospital

Objetivou-se avaliar a satisfação dos profissionais de um hospital pediátrico municipal de Fortaleza quanto à assistência humanizada, conforme Programa Nacional de Humanização da Assistência Hospitalar preconizado pelo Ministério da Saúde. O estudo descritivo teve como amostra 38 profissionais. Utilizou-se um questionário para coleta de dados, sendo apresentados em quadros. Detectou-se interação entre gestão hospitalar e profissionais pelas discussões internas para avaliar o serviço. Consideram o ambiente de trabalho confortável para exercerem suas funções, mas alguns relataram necessidade de melhoria. O apoio aos profissionais foi visto como passível de melhora. Os profissionais sugeriram treinamentos, melhoria do ambiente hospitalar e qualidade do atendimento. Espera-se que este estudo forneça subsídios para o planejamento de ações que favoreçam a humanização da assistência hospitalar.

It was aimed at evaluating the professionals' satisfaction of a municipal pediatric hospital of Fortaleza with relationship to the humanization of the attendance in the hospital, as National Program of Humanization of the Hospital Assistance extolled by ministry of Health. The descriptive study had as sample 38 professionals. The data collection was carried out by a questionnaire, being the data presented in tables. Interaction was detected between the administration of the hospital and the professionals by internal discussions to evaluate the service. They consider the work environment is confortable for their work practice, therefore some improvement was indicated. The support for the professionalswas suggested as an improvement point. The professionals suggested trainings, improvement of the atmosphere of the hospital and quality of the attendance. It is expected that this study supplies subsidies for the planning of actions favorable for the humanization of hospital assistance.

Se objetivó evaluar la satisfacción de los profesionales de un hospital pediátrico municipal de Fortaleza cuánto a la asistencia humanizada, conforme Programa Nacional de Humanización de la Asistencia Hospitalaria preconizado por el Ministerio de la Salud. El estudio descriptivo tuvo como informantes 38 profesionales. Se utilizó un cuestionario para colecta de datos, siendo presentados en cuadros. Se detectó interacción entre gestión hospitalaria y profesionales por las discusiones internas para evaluar el servicio. Consideran el ambiente de trabajo confortable para que ejerzan sus funciones, pero algunos relataron necesidad de mejoría. El apoyo a los profesionales fue visto como sensible de mejora. Los profesionales sugirieron entrenamientos, mejoría del ambiente hospitalario y calidad de la atención. Se espera que este estudio suministre subsidios para la planificación de acciones que favorezcan la humanización de la asistencia hospitalaria.

[Occupational safety of cleaning personnel in Palestinian district hospitals]

This study examined occupational safety among cleaning workers in Palestinian hospitals and its relation with the medical waste management in these hospitals. The level of occupational safety was below standard requirements, as protective equipment and clothes are not available for most workers. Over 40% of workers had been pricked with needles while handling medical waste. There was no clear policy for vaccination of workers against infectious diseases and no medical examination for workers before or during employment. Only 37.2% were trained in handling medical waste and 23.2% were working 15 hours per day or more; 55.8% had spent 1 year or less in their work