Explaining the successes and failures of tuberculosis treatment programs; a tale of two regions in rural eastern Uganda.

BACKGROUND: Optimally performing tuberculosis (TB) programs are characterized by treatment success rate (TSR) of at least 90%. In rural eastern Uganda, and elsewhere in sub Saharan Africa, TSR varies considerably across district TB programs and the reasons for the differences are unclear. This study explored factors associated with the low and high TSR across four districts in rural eastern Uganda. METHODS: We interviewed District TB and Leprosy Supervisors, Laboratory focal persons, and health facility TB focal persons from four districts in eastern Uganda as key informants. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and imported into ATLAs.ti where thematic content analysis was performed and results were summarized into themes. RESULTS: The emerging themes were categorized as either facilitators of or barriers to treatment success. The emerging facilitators prevailing in the districts with high rates of treatment success were using data to make decisions and design interventions, continuous quality improvement, capacity building, and prioritization of better management of people with TB. The barriers common in districts with low rates of treatment success included lack of motivated and dedicated TB focal persons, scarce or no funding for implementing TB activities, and a poor implementation of community-based directly observed therapy short course. CONCLUSION: This study shows that several factors are associated with the differing rates of treatment success in rural eastern Uganda. These factors should be the focus for TB control programs in Uganda and similar settings in order to improve rates of treatment success.

Social incentives for adherence to tuberculosis treatment / Incentivos sociales en la adhesión al tratamiento de la tuberculosis / Incentivos sociais na adesão ao tratamento da tuberculose

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the influence of social incentives for adherence to tuberculosis (TB) treatment. Method: Qualitative study, in which 26 primary health care professionals of São Paulo were interviewed in 2015.Their testimonies were submitted to the speech analysis technique. The theoretical reference was the social determination of the health-disease process. Ethical procedures were observed. Results: TB is related to precarious living conditions. Incentives such as the basic food basket and transportation stipends are relevant for patients' adherence to treatment, as well as to the create bonds between the patient and the health team. Final considerations: The incentives strengthened adherence to TB treatment. However, interventions in the context of public measures must transcend the remedial dimension and be guided towards the transformation of the TB situation, which means supporting processes that modify living conditions.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Analizar la influencia de los incentivos sociales en la adhesión al tratamiento de la tuberculosis (TB). Método: Estudio cualitativo, en el que 26 profesionales de la Atención Primaria a la Salud del municipio de São Paulo fueron entrevistados en 2015, y sus testimonios fueron sometidos a la técnica de análisis de discurso. El referencial teórico fue la determinación social del proceso salud-enfermedad. Se han resguardado los procedimientos éticos. Resultados: La TB se relaciona con las condiciones precarias de la vida, siendo que los incentivos como la canasta básica y la ayuda para el transporte son relevantes para la adhesión del paciente al tratamiento, así como para el vínculo entre el paciente y el equipo de salud. Consideraciones finales: Los incentivos fortalecen la adhesión al tratamiento de la TB. Sin embargo, las intervenciones en el marco de medidas públicas deben trascender la dimensión paliativa y orientarse para transformar la situación de la TB, lo que significa apoyar procesos que modifiquen las condiciones de vida.

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar a influência de incentivos sociais na adesão ao tratamento da tuberculose (TB). Método: Estudo qualitativo, em que 26 profissionais da Atenção Primária à Saúde do município de São Paulo foram entrevistados em 2015, e seus depoimentos foram submetidos à técnica de análise de discurso. O referencial teórico foi a determinação social do processo saúde-doença. Os procedimentos éticos foram resguardados. Resultados: A TB está relacionada às condições precárias de vida, sendo que incentivos como a cesta básica e o vale-transporte são relevantes para a adesão do paciente ao tratamento, assim como para o vínculo entre o paciente e a equipe de saúde. Considerações finais: Os incentivos fortalecem a adesão ao tratamento da TB. Contudo, intervenções no âmbito de medidas públicas devem transcender a dimensão paliativa e orientarem-se para transformar a situação da TB, o que significa apoiar processos que modifiquem as condições de vida.

Social incentives for adherence to tuberculosis treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the influence of social incentives for adherence to tuberculosis (TB) treatment. METHOD: Qualitative study, in which 26 primary health care professionals of São Paulo were interviewed in 2015.Their testimonies were submitted to the speech analysis technique. The theoretical reference was the social determination of the health-disease process. Ethical procedures were observed. RESULTS: TB is related to precarious living conditions. Incentives such as the basic food basket and transportation stipends are relevant for patients' adherence to treatment, as well as to the create bonds between the patient and the health team. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: The incentives strengthened adherence to TB treatment. However, interventions in the context of public measures must transcend the remedial dimension and be guided towards the transformation of the TB situation, which means supporting processes that modify living conditions.

Smartphone-enabled video-observed versus directly observed treatment for tuberculosis: a multicentre, analyst-blinded, randomised, controlled superiority trial.

BACKGROUND: Directly observed treatment (DOT) has been the standard of care for tuberculosis since the early 1990s, but it is inconvenient for patients and service providers. Video-observed therapy (VOT) has been conditionally recommended by WHO as an alternative to DOT. We tested whether levels of treatment observation were improved with VOT. METHODS: We did a multicentre, analyst-blinded, randomised controlled superiority trial in 22 clinics in England (UK). Eligible participants were patients aged at least 16 years with active pulmonary or non-pulmonary tuberculosis who were eligible for DOT according to local guidance. Exclusion criteria included patients who did not have access to charging a smartphone. We randomly assigned participants to either VOT (daily remote observation using a smartphone app) or DOT (observations done three to five times per week in the home, community, or clinic settings). Randomisation was done by the SealedEnvelope service using minimisation. DOT involved treatment observation by a health-care or lay worker, with any remaining daily doses self-administered. VOT was provided by a centralised service in London. Patients were trained to record and send videos of every dose ingested 7 days per week using a smartphone app. Trained treatment observers viewed these videos through a password-protected website. Patients were also encouraged to report adverse drug events on the videos. Smartphones and data plans were provided free of charge by study investigators. DOT or VOT observation records were completed by observers until treatment or study end. The primary outcome was completion of 80% or more scheduled treatment observations over the first 2 months following enrolment. Intention-to-treat (ITT) and restricted (including only patients completing at least 1 week of observation on allocated arm) analyses were done. Superiority was determined by a 15% difference in the proportion of patients with the primary outcome (60% vs 75%). This trial is registered with the International Standard Randomised Controlled Trials Number registry, number ISRCTN26184967. FINDINGS: Between Sept 1, 2014, and Oct 1, 2016, we randomly assigned 226 patients; 112 to VOT and 114 to DOT. Overall, 131 (58%) patients had a history of homelessness, imprisonment, drug use, alcohol problems or mental health problems. In the ITT analysis, 78 (70%) of 112 patients on VOT achieved ≥80% scheduled observations successfully completed during the first 2 months compared with 35 (31%) of 114 on DOT (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 5·48, 95% CI 3·10-9·68; p<0·0001). In the restricted analysis, 78 (77%) of 101 patients on VOT achieved the primary outcome compared with 35 (63%) of 56 on DOT (adjusted OR 2·52; 95% CI 1·17-5·54; p=0·017). Stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting were the most common adverse events reported (in 16 [14%] of 112 on VOT and nine [8%] of 114 on DOT). INTERPRETATION: VOT was a more effective approach to observation of tuberculosis treatment than DOT. VOT is likely to be preferable to DOT for many patients across a broad range of settings, providing a more acceptable, effective, and cheaper option for supervision of daily and multiple daily doses than DOT. FUNDING: National Institute for Health Research.

High Completion Rate for 12 Weekly Doses of Isoniazid and Rifapentine as Treatment for Latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection in the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

CONTEXT: Correctional facilities provide unique opportunities to diagnose and treat persons with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). Studies have shown that 12 weekly doses of isoniazid and rifapentine (INH-RPT) to treat LTBI resulted in high completion rates with good tolerability. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate completion rates and clinical signs or reported symptoms associated with discontinuation of 12 weekly doses of INH-RPT for LTBI treatment. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: During July 2012 to February 2015, 7 Federal Bureau of Prisons facilities participated in an assessment of 12 weekly doses of INH-RPT for LTBI treatment among 463 inmates. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Fisher exact test was used to assess the associations between patient sociodemographic characteristics and clinical signs or symptoms with discontinuation of treatment. RESULTS: Of 463 inmates treated with INH-RPT, 424 (92%) completed treatment. Reasons for discontinuation of treatment for 39 (8%) inmates included the following: 17 (44%) signs/symptoms, 9 (23%) transfer or release, 8 (21%) treatment refusal, and 5 (13%) provider error. A total of 229 (49.5%) inmates reported experiencing at least 1 sign or symptom during treatment; most frequently reported were fatigue (16%), nausea (13%), and abdominal pain (7%). Among these 229 inmates, signs/symptoms significantly associated with discontinuation of treatment included abdominal pain (P < .001), appetite loss (P = .02), fever/chills (P = .01), nausea (P = .03), sore muscles (P = .002), and elevation of liver transaminases 5× upper limits of normal or greater (P = .03). CONCLUSIONS: The LTBI completion rates were high for the INH-RPT regimen, with few inmates discontinuing because of signs or symptoms related to treatment. This regimen also has practical advantages to aid in treatment completion in the correctional setting and can be considered a viable alternative to standard LTBI regimens.

A National Survey on the Use of Electronic Directly Observed Therapy for Treatment of Tuberculosis.

CONTEXT: An increasing number of tuberculosis (TB) programs are adopting electronic directly observed therapy (eDOT), the use of technology to supervise patient adherence remotely. Pilot studies show that treatment adherence and completion were similar with eDOT compared with the standard in-person DOT. OBJECTIVE: In December 2015, the National Tuberculosis Controllers Association administered an online survey to determine the extent to which eDOT is used in the United States. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-eight Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-funded health department TB programs across the United States and a convenient sample of local health department TB programs. RESULTS: Fifty-six (82%) of 68 CDC-funded health department TB programs and an additional 57 local TB programs responded to the survey. Forty-seven (42%) of 113 TB programs are currently using eDOT, 41 (36%) are planning to implement it in the next year, and 25 (22%) have no plans to implement eDOT. Of the 47 TB programs using eDOT, 31 (66%) use synchronous video DOT, 4 (9%) asynchronous video DOT, 11 (23%) a combination of both, and 1 (2%) ingestible sensor to conduct electronic observations. Forty-one (87%) indicated that treatment adherence and 40 (85%) indicated that treatment completion were about the same or higher than in-person DOT. More than 80% indicated that eDOT resulted in program cost savings, and almost all (91%) reported benefits in patient and staff satisfaction. However, 25 (53%) of the 47 TB programs that use eDOT encountered technical challenges and 37 (79%) offer eDOT to less than a third of their patients. CONCLUSIONS: Results from this survey indicate that eDOT is a promising tool that can be utilized to efficiently and effectively manage TB treatment. Findings will inform other TB programs interested in implementing eDOT. However, further evaluation is needed to assess eDOT acceptability to understand barriers to eDOT implementation from the patient and provider perspectives.

Tuberculosis treatment / Tratamento da tuberculose

ABSTRACT Tuberculosis treatment remains a challenge due to the need to consider, when approaching it, the context of individual and collective health. In addition, social and economic issues have been shown to be variables that need to be considered when it comes to treatment effectiveness. We conducted a critical review of the national and international literature on the treatment of tuberculosis in recent years with the aims of presenting health care workers with recommendations based on the situation in Brazil and better informing decision-making regarding tuberculosis patients so as to minimize morbidity and interrupt disease transmission.

RESUMO O tratamento da tuberculose permanece um desafio em função da necessidade de que, em sua abordagem, seja considerado o contexto da saúde do indivíduo e da saúde coletiva. Adicionalmente, as questões sociais e econômicas têm-se mostrado como variáveis a ser consideradas na efetividade do tratamento. Ao revisarmos de forma crítica a literatura científica nacional e internacional sobre o tratamento da tuberculose nos últimos anos, tivemos como objetivos apresentar aos profissionais da área de saúde as recomendações baseadas na realidade brasileira e fornecer os subsídios necessários para a melhor tomada de decisão frente ao paciente com tuberculose, de modo a minimizar a morbidade e interromper a transmissão da doença Em função disso, o TDO é recomendado.

How do we measure adherence to anti-tuberculosis treatment?

INTRODUCTION: Completion of anti-tuberculosis (TB) treatment is of paramount importance for TB patients, as well as for the global efforts of TB control. However, there is neither a gold-standard measure to monitor adherence to TB treatment nor a widely used definition for different levels of adherence. Areas covered: in this review we aim to describe the different methods used to measure patients' adherence to anti-TB treatment, identifying their main strengths and limitations, with a focus on low resource settings. Expert commentary: there is a need for continuing the quest for a low cost, reliable and acceptable measure of adherence to TB treatment. We should harmonize treatment adherence measurement to allow adequate comparison of different interventions aimed at increasing adherence to TB treatment, although the way we ensure adherence can affect adherence endpoints themselves. The accuracy of adherence measurement is of importance in the context of drug clinical development.

A New Method to Directly Observe Tuberculosis Treatment: Skype Observed Therapy, a Patient-Centered Approach.

CONTEXT: Tuberculosis (TB) treatment completion is in part determined by patient's adherence to long-term drug regimens. To best ensure compliance, directly observed therapy (DOT) is considered the standard of practice. Nassau County Department of Health TB Control is responsible for providing DOT to patients with TB. OBJECTIVE: Tuberculosis Control sought to use and evaluate Skype Observed Therapy (SOT) as an alternative to DOT for eligible patients. DESIGN: The evaluation included analysis of patient's acceptance and adherence to drug regimen using SOT. Tuberculosis Control assessed staff efficiency and cost savings for this program. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Percentages of SOT of patients and successful SOT visits, mileage, and travel time savings. RESULTS: Twenty percent of the caseload used SOT and 100% of patients who were eligible opted in. Average SOT success was 79%. Total mileage savings and time saved were $9,929.07 and 614 hours. CONCLUSIONS: Because SOT saves cost and time and is a suitable alternative to DOT for patients, it should be considered as part of new policies and practices in TB control programs.

Tuberculosis treatment.

Tuberculosis treatment remains a challenge due to the need to consider, when approaching it, the context of individual and collective health. In addition, social and economic issues have been shown to be variables that need to be considered when it comes to treatment effectiveness. We conducted a critical review of the national and international literature on the treatment of tuberculosis in recent years with the aims of presenting health care workers with recommendations based on the situation in Brazil and better informing decision-making regarding tuberculosis patients so as to minimize morbidity and interrupt disease transmission.

Experiences of patients having tuberculosis (TB) regarding the use of Directly Observed Treatment Short-Course (DOTS) in the North West Province, South Africa.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) management remains a major challenge despite the implementation of Directly Observed Treatment Short-Course (DOTS). Some of the challenges include defaulting treatment, low TB cure rates and relapse after patients had been treated under DOTS. OBJECTIVES: This study explored and described experiences of patients having TB regarding the use of DOTS in Doctor Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District of North West Province, South Africa. The study describes and recommends support required by patients having TB who are using DOTS. METHODS: A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual design was used. The population consisted of all patients having TB under DOTS who had taken treatment for 2 months and more in one of the community health centres in Doctor Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District. Purposive sampling technique was applied to select participants receiving DOTS service. In-depth unstructured individual interviews were conducted, and data saturation occurred after having interviewed 15 participants. Ethical considerations were ensured throughout the study, and data were analysed using Tesch's method of coding and analysis. RESULTS: Two themes emerged from data and these are discussed as concerns related to ineffective use of DOTS and lack of resources as contributory factor to ineffective use of DOTS. Among other categories, poor nurse-patient relationships and difficulties in accessing the community health centre emerged as consistent themes related to default and inconsistent use of DOTS. CONCLUSION: Ineffective use of DOTS contributed to TB treatment default and low cure rate. Therefore, recommendations focused on strengthening effective use of DOTS for the management of TB.

Effect of early goal-directed therapy on mortality in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether patients with severe sepsis or septic shock could benefit from a strict and early goal-directed therapy (EGDT) protocol recommended by Surviving Sepsis Campaign (SSC) Guidelines. METHODS: MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE/OVID and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) were searched between March 1983 and March 2015. Eligible studies evaluated the outcomes of EGDT versus usual care or standard therapy in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock. The primary outcomes were mortality within 28 days, 60 days and 90 days. Included studies must report at least one metric of mortality. RESULTS: 5 studies that enrolled 4303 patients with 2144 in the EGDT group and 2159 in the control group were included in this meta-analysis. Overall, there were slight decreases of mortality within 28 days, 60 days and 90 days in the random-effect model in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock receiving EGDT resuscitation. However, none of the differences reached statistical significance (RR=0.86; 95% CI 0.69 to 1.06; p=0.16; p for heterogeneity=0.008, I(2)=71%; RR=0.94; 95% CI 0.81 to 1.10; p=0.46; p for heterogeneity=0.16, I(2)=43%; RR=0.98; 95% CI 0.88 to 1.10; p=0.75; p for heterogeneity=0.87, I(2)=0%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The current meta-analysis pooled data from five RCTs and found no survival benefit of EGDT in patients with sepsis. However, the included trials are not sufficiently homogeneous and potential confounding factors in the negative trials (ProCESS, ARISE and ProMISe) might bias the results and diminish the treatment effect of EGDT. Further well-designed studies should eliminate all potential source of bias to determine if EGDT has a mortality benefit.

Legal briefing: coerced treatment and involuntary confinement for contagious disease.

This issue's "Legal Briefing" column covers recent legal developments involving coerced treatment and involuntary confinement for contagious disease. Recent high profile court cases involving measles, tuberculosis, human immunodeficiency virus, and especially Ebola, have thrust this topic back into the bioethics and public spotlights. This has reignited debates over how best to balance individual liberty and public health. For example, the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues has officially requested public comments, held open hearings, and published a 90-page report on "ethical considerations and implications" raised by "U.S. public policies that restrict association or movement (such as quarantine)." Broadly related articles have been published in previous issues of The Journal of Clinical Ethics. We categorize recent legal developments on coerced treatment and involuntary confinement into the following six categories: 1. Most Public Health Confinement Is Voluntary 2. Legal Requirements for Involuntary Confinement 3. New State Laws Authorizing Involuntary Confinement 4. Quarantine Must Be as Least Restrictive as Necessary 5. Isolation Is Justified Only as a Last Resort 6. Coerced Treatment after Persistent Noncompliance.

[Nursing performance in the policy transfer of directly observed treatment of tuberculosis]. / Atuação da Enfermagem na transferência da política d otratamento diretamente observado da tuberculose.

OBJECTIVE: Analyzing the policy transfer of directly observed treatment of tuberculosis from the perspective of nursing. METHOD: This is a descriptive study with qualitative approach, which had 10 nurses of the Family Health Strategy in São Paulo as subjects. The interviews were carried out between May and June 2013, and were adopted the technique of thematic content analysis and the referential of policy transfer. RESULTS: On the signification of this treatment, are related the senses of disciplinary monitoring, the bond and approximation to the context of patients' lives. Operationally, nurses, community health agents and nursing technicians stand out as agents of implementation of this policy, developing multiple actions of user embracement. The nurse is evidenced as an educator in health, leader in the family health team, and capable of creating emotional bond with users. CONCLUSION: It was found that the innovations proposed in the treatment are incipient in the daily work of nurses.

Performance evaluation of primary care services for the treatment of tuberculosis / Evaluación del desempeño de servicios de la atención básica para el tratamiento de la tuberculosis / Avaliação de desempenho de Serviços da Atenção Básica para o tratamento da tuberculose

Objective Evaluating the performance of primary care services for the treatment of tuberculosis according to the assessment referential of health services (structure/process) in Cabedelo, a port city in the state of Paraíba. Method An evaluation quantitative, cross-sectional study, in which were carried out 117 interviews with health professionals using a structured instrument. The analysis was based on the construction of indicators using a standardized value for the reduced variable (z=1). Results The structural indicators showed regular performance for the following variables: professional training, access to record instruments and coordination with other services. The process indicators related to external actions and information about the disease had unsatisfactory performance. The directly observed treatment and the flows of reference/counter-reference had regular performance. Conclusion The focused professional qualification, the fragmentation of practices and the unsystematic home care constitute obstacles for carrying out actions aimed at providing expanded, continuous and resolute care.

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Objetivo Avaliar o desempenho dos serviços de Atenção Básica para o tratamento da tuberculose segundo o referencial de avaliação dos serviços de saúde (estrutura/processo) em Cabedelo, município portuário da Paraíba. Método Pesquisa avaliativa, quantitativa, de corte transversal onde foram realizadas 117 entrevistas com os profissionais de saúde, através de um instrumento estruturado. A análise pautou-se na construção de indicadores, utilizando-se valor padronizado para a variável reduzida (z=1). Resultados Os indicadores estruturais apresentaram desempenho regular para as variáveis: capacitação profissional; acesso a instrumentos de registro; articulação com outros serviços. Quanto ao processo, os indicadores relacionados às ações externas e informações sobre a doença apresentaram desempenho insatisfatório. O tratamento diretamente observado e os fluxos de referência/contrarreferência tiveram desempenho regular. Conclusão A qualificação profissional focalizada, a fragmentação das práticas e a atenção domiciliária assistemática, constituem em obstáculos para o desempenho de ações voltadas à prestação do cuidado ampliado, contínuo e resolutivo. .

Objetivo Evaluar el desempeño de los servicios de Atención Básica para el tratamiento de la tuberculosis según el marco de referencia de evaluación de los servicios de salud (estructura/proceso) en Cabedelo, municipio portuario de Paraíba. Método Investigación evaluativa, cuantitativa, de corte transversal en donde se llevaron a cabo 117 entrevistas con los profesionales de salud, mediante un instrumento estructurado. El análisis se pautó en la construcción de indicadores, utilizándose valor estandarizado para la variable reducida (z=1). Resultados Los indicadores estructurales presentaron desempeño regular para las variables: capacitación profesional; acceso a instrumentos de registro; articulación con otros servicios. En cuanto al proceso, los indicadores relacionados con las acciones exteriores e informaciones acerca de la enfermedad presentaron desempeño insatisfactorio. El tratamiento directamente observado y los flujos de referencia/contrarreferencia tuvieron desempeño regular. Conclusión La cualificación profesional enfocada, la fragmentación de las prácticas y la atención domiciliaria asistemática se constituyen en obstáculos para el desempeño de acciones dirigidas a la prestación del cuidado ampliado, continuo y resolutivo. .

Nursing performance in the policy transfer of directly observed treatment of tuberculosis / Actuación enfermera en el traslado de la política del tratamiento directamente observado en la tuberculosis / Atuação da Enfermagem na transferência da política do tratamento diretamente observado da tuberculose

Objective Analyzing the policy transfer of directly observed treatment of tuberculosis from the perspective of nursing. Method This is a descriptive study with qualitative approach, which had 10 nurses of the Family Health Strategy in São Paulo as subjects. The interviews were carried out between May and June 2013, and were adopted the technique of thematic content analysis and the referential of policy transfer. Results On the signification of this treatment, are related the senses of disciplinary monitoring, the bond and approximation to the context of patients’ lives. Operationally, nurses, community health agents and nursing technicians stand out as agents of implementation of this policy, developing multiple actions of user embracement. The nurse is evidenced as an educator in health, leader in the family health team, and capable of creating emotional bond with users. Conclusion It was found that the innovations proposed in the treatment are incipient in the daily work of nurses. .

Objetivo Analizar el traslado de política del tratamiento directamente observado en la tuberculosis bajo la perspectiva de la Enfermería. Método Estudio descriptivo, con abordaje cualitativo que tuvo como sujetos 10 enfermeras de la Estrategia Salud de la Familia del municipio de São Paulo. Las entrevistas se llevaron a cabo entre mayo y junio de 2013. Se adoptó la técnica del análisis de contenido temático y lo referencial del traslado de políticas. Resultados En la significación de dicho tratamiento, se relacionan sentidos de monitoreo disciplinar, vínculo y aproximación al marco de vida del enfermo. Operacionalmente, el enfermero, el agente comunitario de salud y el técnico de enfermería se destacan como agentes de la implantación de esa política, desarrollando acciones múltiples y acogedoras. Al enfermero se le evidencia como educador en salud, líder del equipo de salud de la familia y capaz de producir vínculo afectivo con el usuario. Conclusión Se identificó que las innovaciones propuestas al tratamiento son incipientes en el cotidiano de trabajo de los enfermeros. .

Objetivo Avaliar a prática dos enfermeiros da Estratégia Saúde da Família na atenção à saúde auditiva infantil. Método Avaliação normativa, da estrutura e processo, com 37 enfermeiros nas Unidades de Saúde da Família, no município de Recife, Pernambuco. O instrumento de coleta de dados originou-se do modelo lógico da atenção à saúde auditiva infantil prestada pelo enfermeiro da Estratégia Saúde da Família e da matriz de indicadores para avaliação da prática dos enfermeiros. Resultados Todos os enfermeiros identificaram os marcos do desenvolvimento auditivo, 94,5%, pelo menos, dois fatores de risco, e 21,6% realizaram atividades educativas. Conclusão A avaliação normativa foi considerada adequada apesar de haver limitações na estrutura e no processo.
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Interrater reliability of the Observer Rating of Medication Taking scale in an inpatient mental health facility.

Non-adherence to medication remains a major barrier to recovery from mental illnesses. Identification of those patients likely to experience adherence difficulties is best undertaken during inpatient treatment, prior to discharge into the community. More objective assessments of adherence behaviours might assist staff to more effectively target support to those patients most in need. This study investigated the interrater reliability of an inpatient behavioural observation scale of patient engagement with medication: the Observer Rating of Medication Taking (ORMT) scale. Eight mental health nurses working in a psychiatric hospital inpatient setting were trained in the use of the ORMT using video-based vignettes. Working in pairs, staff then independently rated adherence behaviours of 13 inpatients in a rehabilitation unit (total of 160 ratings) over a 1-week period. Concurrently, two expert raters also undertook independent ratings of patient medication-taking behaviour using the ORMT. Interrater reliability was assessed across both staff and expert raters. The results indicated that the ORMT has satisfactory interrater reliability, and can be appropriately used in an inpatient setting. The observational location of raters on the ward influenced the range of medication-taking behaviours observed, and thus the extent of concordance between raters. Further research to determine if the ORMT predicts adherence in the community is warranted.

[Performance evaluation of primary care services for the treatment of tuberculosis]. / Avaliação de desempenho de serviços da atenção básica para o tratamento da tuberculose.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluating the performance of primary care services for the treatment of tuberculosis according to the assessment referential of health services (structure/process) in Cabedelo, a port city in the state of Paraíba. METHOD: An evaluation quantitative, cross-sectional study, in which were carried out 117 interviews with health professionals using a structured instrument. The analysis was based on the construction of indicators using a standardized value for the reduced variable (z=1). RESULTS: The structural indicators showed regular performance for the following variables: professional training, access to record instruments and coordination with other services. The process indicators related to external actions and information about the disease had unsatisfactory performance. The directly observed treatment and the flows of reference/counter-reference had regular performance. CONCLUSION: The focused professional qualification, the fragmentation of practices and the unsystematic home care constitute obstacles for carrying out actions aimed at providing expanded, continuous and resolute care.



Raising standards in UK TB control: introducing cohort review.

Cohort review has been used internationally to support tuberculosis (TB) control. We describe its first use in the UK by a London TB service. Improvements were noted in case management and contact tracing, weaknesses identified and important service changes put in place. Key areas of impact were directly observed therapy (DOT) provision (a greater proportion of cases offered DOT, and in response to low uptake resources diverted to create posts responsible for patient-centred DOT delivery), and contact tracing (more contacts per case screened and assessed). Cohort review enables whole system review and improvement. It has subsequently been adopted across the UK.