Transitioning the COVID-19 response in the WHO African region: a proposed framework for rethinking and rebuilding health systems.

The onset of the pandemic revealed the health system inequities and inadequate preparedness, especially in the African continent. Over the past months, African countries have ensured optimum pandemic response. However, there is still a need to build further resilient health systems that enhance response and transition from the acute phase of the pandemic to the recovery interpandemic/preparedness phase. Guided by the lessons learnt in the response and plausible pandemic scenarios, the WHO Regional Office for Africa has envisioned a transition framework that will optimise the response and enhance preparedness for future public health emergencies. The framework encompasses maintaining and consolidating the current response capacity but with a view to learning and reshaping them by harnessing the power of science, data and digital technologies, and research innovations. In addition, the framework reorients the health system towards primary healthcare and integrates response into routine care based on best practices/health system interventions. These elements are significant in building a resilient health system capable of addressing more effectively and more effectively future public health crises, all while maintaining an optimal level of essential public health functions. The key elements of the framework are possible with countries following three principles: equity (the protection of all vulnerable populations with no one left behind), inclusiveness (full engagement, equal participation, leadership, decision-making and ownership of all stakeholders using a multisectoral and transdisciplinary, One Health approach), and coherence (to reduce the fragmentation, competition and duplication and promote logical, consistent programmes aligned with international instruments).

Inclusion in limited distribution drug network reduces time to dalfampridine access in patients with multiple sclerosis at a health-system specialty pharmacy.

BACKGROUND: Dalfampridine improves walking speed in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), but accessing specialty medications such as dalfampridine can be hindered by insurance restrictions, high costs, and limited distribution networks (LDNs) imposed by manufacturers. Some integrated health-systems specialty pharmacies (HSSPs) embed pharmacists in clinics and dispense medications from their internal pharmacies if included within the LDN. OBJECTIVE: To assess access to dalfampridine in patients at an HSSP before and after gaining admission to the LDN. METHODS: This study was conducted at Vanderbilt Specialty Pharmacy (VSP), an integrated HSSP at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) with 2 clinical pharmacists embedded in the MS clinic. VSP gained access to the dalfampridine LDN on May 1, 2018, at which time the embedded pharmacists began to manage the comprehensive therapy initiation process. We performed a retrospective review of adult patients with MS who were prescribed dalfampridine from March 2010 to December 2018. Eligible prescriptions were new starts (no previous use) or restarts (after previous use and discontinuation). Prescriptions were classified as pre-VSP and post-VSP, which differentiates before and after VSP gained access to dispense dalfampridine. Study outcomes were insurance approval, initiation of therapy, and time from treatment decision to medication access. We used a proportional odds logistic regression model for time to medication access using the following covariates: pre-VSP versus post-VSP time period, insurance prior authorization (PA) denied versus approved/not needed, and baseline timed 25-foot walk. RESULTS: We included 262 patients and 290 prescriptions (260 pre-VSP and 30 post-VSP). In pre-VSP and post-VSP prescriptions, 97% were approved by insurance, and 93% of patients started therapy. Median time to medication access was 22 days (IQR = 11-45) for pre-VSP prescriptions and 1 day (IQR = 0-3) for post-VSP prescriptions. In the proportional odds logistic regression model, the odds of having a longer medication access time were significantly higher for pre-VSP prescriptions (OR = 83.219, P < 0.001) and prescriptions whose PA was initially denied (OR = 9.50, P < 0.001); 25-foot walk time was not significant (OR = 0.95, P = 0.277). CONCLUSIONS: After obtaining access to dispense dalfampridine, the time to access therapy was reduced, suggesting that LDNs delay patient access to therapy at HSSPs. DISCLOSURES: No funding was provided for this study. The authors have no conflicting interests to disclose. Preliminary results have been previously presented at the American Society of Health-Systems Pharmacy Midyear Meeting in December 2019, the Vanderbilt Health Systems Specialty Pharmacy Outcomes Research Summit in August 2020, and the National Association of Specialty Pharmacy Annual Meeting in September 2020.

Documento sobre la situación del modelo español de Medicina Intensiva. Plan estratégico SEMICYUC 2018-2022 / Document on the state of affairs of the Spanish model of Intensive Care Medicine. SEMICYUC Strategic Plan 2018-2022

El modelo español de Medicina Intensiva requiere una revisión y reflexión continuas. Tenemos valores y fortalezas que se concretan en nuestra actividad y en el importante papel que realizamos a diario a nivel hospitalario. Otras especialidades pugnan por compartir actividades de cuidados del paciente crítico y otras circunstancias pueden hacer mermar esa actividad. Este artículo es el reflejo de la reflexión de un importante número de miembros del Grupo de Trabajo de Planificación, Organización y Gestión de nuestra Sociedad (GTPOG-SEMICYUC). Se afrontan las acciones que se deben llevar a cabo para la actualización del modelo de Medicina Intensiva, hacia un modelo más abierto de UCI sin paredes o UCI extendida. Se aborda desde tres puntos de vista que deben ser complementarios: las acciones a nivel de la Administración, las acciones a nivel de nuestra Sociedad Científica y las llevadas a cabo por cada uno de los Servicios (liderados por sus representantes), tanto a nivel hospitalario como a nivel de las autoridades sanitarias en cada comunidad autónoma

The role of Critical Care Medicine in Spain requires continuous revision and reflection. We have values and strengths that are evidenced in our daily work and by their important effects in routine hospital activity. Other medical specialties seeking to assume activities referred to critical patient care, as well as a number of other circumstances, may have a negative impact upon our routine duties. This article reflects the impressions of an important number of members of the Planning, Organization and Management Task Force of the Spanish Society of Critical Medicine Society (Grupo de Trabajo de Planificación, Organización y Gestión; GTPOG-SEMICYUC). The actions required to upgrade our Critical Care Medicine model are presented, evolving towards a broader view such as the 'ICU without walls' or 'Expanded ICU'. The subject is addressed from three complementary standpoints: actions involving the administrative authorities; actions required on the part of our scientific Society; and initiatives to be implemented locally in each Intensive Care Unit (led by the corresponding Unit representatives) at both hospital level and involving the regional authorities

Application of Constrained Optimization Methods in Health Services Research: Report 2 of the ISPOR Optimization Methods Emerging Good Practices Task Force.

BACKGROUND: Constrained optimization methods are already widely used in health care to solve problems that represent traditional applications of operations research methods, such as choosing the optimal location for new facilities or making the most efficient use of operating room capacity. OBJECTIVES: In this paper we illustrate the potential utility of these methods for finding optimal solutions to problems in health care delivery and policy. To do so, we selected three award-winning papers in health care delivery or policy development, reflecting a range of optimization algorithms. Two of the three papers are reviewed using the ISPOR Constrained Optimization Good Practice Checklist, adapted from the framework presented in the initial Optimization Task Force Report. The first case study illustrates application of linear programming to determine the optimal mix of screening and vaccination strategies for the prevention of cervical cancer. The second case illustrates application of the Markov Decision Process to find the optimal strategy for treating type 2 diabetes patients for hypercholesterolemia using statins. The third paper (described in Appendix 1) is used as an educational tool. The goal is to describe the characteristics of a radiation therapy optimization problem and then invite the reader to formulate the mathematical model for solving it. This example is particularly interesting because it lends itself to a range of possible models, including linear, nonlinear, and mixed-integer programming formulations. From the case studies presented, we hope the reader will develop an appreciation for the wide range of problem types that can be addressed with constrained optimization methods, as well as the variety of methods available. CONCLUSIONS: Constrained optimization methods are informative in providing insights to decision makers about optimal target solutions and the magnitude of the loss of benefit or increased costs associated with the ultimate clinical decision or policy choice. Failing to identify a mathematically superior or optimal solution represents a missed opportunity to improve economic efficiency in the delivery of care and clinical outcomes for patients. The ISPOR Optimization Methods Emerging Good Practices Task Force's first report provided an introduction to constrained optimization methods to solve important clinical and health policy problems. This report also outlined the relationship of constrained optimization methods relative to traditional health economic modeling, graphically illustrated a simple formulation, and identified some of the major variants of constrained optimization models, such as linear programming, dynamic programming, integer programming, and stochastic programming. The second report illustrates the application of constrained optimization methods in health care decision making using three case studies. The studies focus on determining optimal screening and vaccination strategies for cervical cancer, optimal statin start times for diabetes, and an educational case to invite the reader to formulate radiation therapy optimization problems. These illustrate a wide range of problem types that can be addressed with constrained optimization methods.

Adapting and Evaluating a Health System Intervention From Kaiser Permanente to Improve Hypertension Management and Control in a Large Network of Safety-Net Clinics.

BACKGROUND: Nearly half of Americans with diagnosed hypertension have uncontrolled blood pressure (BP) while some integrated healthcare systems, such as Kaiser Permanente Northern California, have achieved control rates upwards 90%. METHODS AND RESULTS: We adapted Kaiser Permanente's evidence-based treatment protocols in a racially and ethnically diverse population at 12 safety-net clinics in the San Francisco Health Network. The intervention consisted of 4 elements: a hypertension registry, a simplified treatment intensification protocol that included fixed-dose combination medications containing diuretics, standardized BP measurement protocol, and BP check visits led by registered nurse and pharmacist staff. The study population comprised patients with hypertension who made ≥1 primary care visits within the past 24 months (n=15 917) and had a recorded BP measurement within the past 12 months. We conducted a postintervention time series analysis from August 2014 to August 2016 to assess the effect of the intervention on BP control for 24 months for the pilot site and for 15 months for 11 other San Francisco Health Network clinics combined. Secondary outcomes were changes in use of guideline-recommended medication prescribing. Rates of BP control increased at the pilot site (68%-74%; P<0.01) and the 11 other San Francisco Health Network clinic sites (69%-74%; P<0.01). Statistically significant improvements in BP control rates (P<0.01) at the 11 San Francisco Health Network clinic sites occurred in all racial and ethnic groups (blacks, 60%-66%; whites, 69%-75%; Latinos, 67%-72%; Asians, 78%-82%). Use of fixed-dose combination medications increased from 10% to 13% (P<0.01), and the percentage of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor prescriptions dispensed in combination with a thiazide diuretic increased from 36% to 40% (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Evidence-based system approaches to improving BP control can be implemented in safety-net settings and could play a pivotal role in achieving improved population BP control and reducing hypertension disparities.

17 A. Atentado terrorista en Barcelona: primeras impresiones / August 17: First reflections after the terrorist attack in Barcelona

No disponible

Primary Care and Public Health Perspectives on Integration at the Local Level: A Multi-State Study.

OBJECTIVE: The Institute of Medicine argues that the integration of primary care (PC) and public health (PH) is of paramount importance. We undertook this qualitative study to better understand how these collaborations function. DATA SOURCES: Investigators from PC and PH practice-based research networks in Colorado, Minnesota, Washington, and Wisconsin identified 40 key informants from the PH and PC fields within their respective states. STUDY DESIGN: The key informants participated in standardized, semistructured interviews. DATA COLLECTION: Coinvestigators from each state conducted telephone interviews. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using NVivo 10. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Participants described 2 main types of themes. One, which we have termed "foundational" aspects of partnership, includes leadership, communication, mutual awareness, formal processes, history and values. The other, which we have characterized as "energizing" aspects of partnerships, includes having a shared strategic vision, opportunity, and the shifting culture in PC and PH. While the vast majority of participants described the value of foundational aspects of partnership, those who reported having more active collaborations were more likely to also describe the energizing aspects of partnerships. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that interactions between foundational aspects and energizing aspects of partnerships are dynamic. Further exploration of these aspects may help us to understand how best to support the integration of PC and PH.

Architectural frameworks: defining the structures for implementing learning health systems.

BACKGROUND: The vision of transforming health systems into learning health systems (LHSs) that rapidly and continuously transform knowledge into improved health outcomes at lower cost is generating increased interest in government agencies, health organizations, and health research communities. While existing initiatives demonstrate that different approaches can succeed in making the LHS vision a reality, they are too varied in their goals, focus, and scale to be reproduced without undue effort. Indeed, the structures necessary to effectively design and implement LHSs on a larger scale are lacking. In this paper, we propose the use of architectural frameworks to develop LHSs that adhere to a recognized vision while being adapted to their specific organizational context. Architectural frameworks are high-level descriptions of an organization as a system; they capture the structure of its main components at varied levels, the interrelationships among these components, and the principles that guide their evolution. Because these frameworks support the analysis of LHSs and allow their outcomes to be simulated, they act as pre-implementation decision-support tools that identify potential barriers and enablers of system development. They thus increase the chances of successful LHS deployment. DISCUSSION: We present an architectural framework for LHSs that incorporates five dimensions-goals, scientific, social, technical, and ethical-commonly found in the LHS literature. The proposed architectural framework is comprised of six decision layers that model these dimensions. The performance layer models goals, the scientific layer models the scientific dimension, the organizational layer models the social dimension, the data layer and information technology layer model the technical dimension, and the ethics and security layer models the ethical dimension. We describe the types of decisions that must be made within each layer and identify methods to support decision-making. CONCLUSION: In this paper, we outline a high-level architectural framework grounded in conceptual and empirical LHS literature. Applying this architectural framework can guide the development and implementation of new LHSs and the evolution of existing ones, as it allows for clear and critical understanding of the types of decisions that underlie LHS operations. Further research is required to assess and refine its generalizability and methods.

Fukushima after the Great East Japan Earthquake: lessons for developing responsive and resilient health systems.

BACKGROUND: On 11 March 2011, the Great East Japan Earthquake, followed by a tsunami and nuclear-reactor meltdowns, produced one of the most severe disasters in the history of Japan. The adverse impact of this 'triple disaster' on the health of local populations and the health system was substantial. In this study we examine population-level health indicator changes that accompanied the disaster, and discuss options for re-designing Fukushima's health system, and by extension that of Japan, to enhance its responsiveness and resilience to current and future shocks. METHODS: We used country-level (Japan-average) or prefecture-level data (2005-2014) available from the portal site of Official Statistics of Japan for Fukushima, Miyagi, and Iwate, the prefectures that were most affected by the disaster, to compare trends before (2005-2010) and after (2011-2014) the 'disaster'. We made time-trend line plots to describe changes over time in age-adjusted cause-specific mortality rates in each prefecture. FINDINGS: All three prefectures, and in particular Fukushima, had lower socio-economic indicators, an older population, lower productivity and gross domestic product per capita, and less higher-level industry than the Japan average. All three prefectures were 'medically underserved', with fewer physicians, nurses, ambulance calls and clinics per 100 000 residents than the Japan average. Even before the disaster, age-adjusted all-cause mortality in Fukushima was in general higher than the national rates. After the triple disaster we found that the mortality rate due to myocardial infarction increased substantially in Fukushima while it decreased nationwide. Compared to Japan average, spikes in mortality due to lung disease (all three prefectures), stroke (Iwate and Miyagi), and all-cause mortality (Miyagi and Fukushima) were also observed post-disaster. The cause-specific mortality rate from cancer followed similar trends in all three prefectures to those in Japan as a whole. Although we found a sharp rise in ambulance calls in Iwate and Miyagi, we did not see such a rise in Fukushima: a finding which may indicate limited responsiveness to acute demand because of pre-existing restricted capacity in emergency ambulance services. CONCLUSIONS: We analyze changes in indicators of health and health systems infrastructure in Fukushima before and five years following the disaster, and explored health systems' strengths and vulnerabilities. Spikes in mortality rates for selected non-infectious conditions common among older individuals were observed compared to the national trends. The results suggest that poorer reserves in the health care delivery system in Fukushima limited its capacity to effectively meet sudden unexpected increases in demand generated by the disaster.

Situación actual de los Cuidados Paliativos Pediátricos en Asturias, Cantabria y Castilla y León: un largo camino por recorrer / Current status of pediatric palliative cares in asturias, cantabria and castilla y león: a long way to go

No disponible

Goal directed hemodynamic therapy: the time to implement is now / Terapia hemodinámica por objetivos: es el momento de ponerla en práctica

No disponible

Ministerio de Salud: Plan de Salud 2016-2019: Equipos de salud territoriales

Lineamientos estratégicos para desarrollar una atención primaria de acceso universal, equitativo, y oportuno. La visión del plan es desarrollar una red de cuidados integrales y progresivos, basada en las necesidades y la participación de la comunidad, que brinde servicios de calidad y eficientes en pos de la satisfacción ciudadana.

Estrategia de Bioética en el Plan Integral de Salud Mental de Andalucía / Bioethical strategy in the comprehensive mental health plan of Andalucia

Las personas que padecen un trastorno mental pueden sufrir problemas de exclusión social y sus derechos humanos pueden ser violados en diferentes esferas. Por paternalismo, prejuicio o ignorancia, esta situación puede darse también en la atención que prestan los profesionales. La provisión de servicios profesionales de calidad implica un enfoque que promueva el conocimiento y la protección de los derechos fundamentales de las personas atendidas, facilitándose así la lucha contra el estigma y el desarrollo de un modelo de recuperación. A través del presente artículo de revisión: 1. Se reflexiona sobre la protección de los derechos y las consecuencias sobre el estigma y la recuperación de las personas que padecen un trastorno mental. 2. Son considerados algunos de los aspectos relacionados con la capacidad, el consentimiento informado y la planificación anticipada de decisiones. 3. Se plantean elementos de discusión sobre el Tratamiento Ambulatorio Involuntario (TAI) y sus posibles alternativas (AU)

Persons with a mental disorder may suffer problems of social exclusion and their rights can be violated in different spheres. By paternalism, ignorance or prejudice, this situation can also occur in the care provided by professionals. The provision of high quality professional services implies an approach that promotes the knowledge and the protection of the fundamental rights of persons attended, facilitating in this way the fight against stigma and the development of a recovery model. The aim in though this review is: 1. Reflect on the protection of the rights and the consequences of stigma in the recovery process of persons suffering from a mental disorder. 2. Consider some aspects related to capacity, informed consent and the Psichiatric Advance Directives. 3. Bring up elements for discussion on involuntary outpatient treatment and possible alternatives (AU)