Bypassing sources of care by level and coverage: Access to essential services in Peru and Uruguay in the post-pandemic era.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Healthcare provision to distinct social groups in Latin America contributes to inequities. Individuals make active choices by bypassing their coverage and intended healthcare source. After the pandemic, we sought to characterize bypassing behaviors and quantify their effects on access to essential services. METHODS: Cross-sectional data from a population-based telephone survey in Peru and Uruguay were analyzed. Participants were selected by random digit dialing. Outcomes were defined as access to preventive screenings and satisfaction of emerging health needs. Bypassing by level was defined as when participants went around primary care for the usual source of care or last preventive visit; bypassing by coverage when care was sought outside of public coverage or social security. Sociodemographic characteristics were included, and the adjusted average treatment effect was calculated. RESULTS: Data from 1,255 participants in Peru and 1,237 participants in Uruguay were analyzed. Bypassing behaviors by level (32% Peru; 60% Uruguay) and coverage (29% Peru; 21% Uruguay) were more prevalent in more privileged groups, especially in Peru. System competence was low overall and varied by bypassing mode, especially in Peru. In the adjusted analysis, statistically significant differences were found in bypassing by coverage in Peru (-8% difference in unmet health needs) and by level in Uruguay (5% more unmet needs). CONCLUSION: Provision of essential preventive services was insufficient in both countries. In Peru, bypassing could serve as a proxy measure of inequities. Reminders of preventive services could be offered to bypassers of primary care. Profound health system reforms are needed to ensure equitable access to essential services.

Improvement in antibacterial use in intensive care units from Argentina: A quality improvement collaborative process evaluation using Normalization Process Theory.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare-associated infections and antibiotic resistance worsen globally. Antibiotic stewardship programs (ASP) aim to optimise infection treatment and curb resistance, yet implementation hurdles persist. This study examined ASP challenges in ICUs. METHODS: This study employed a qualitative methodological design to evaluate the implementation process of an antibiotic stewardship program (ASP) in eight intensive care units (ICUs) across Argentina. Thirty-four semi-structured interviews with healthcare workers (HCWs) were conducted. Interviews were analysed guided by Normalisation Process Theory, examining coherence, cognitive participation, collective action, and reflexive monitoring constructs. RESULTS: Key challenges included insufficient human resources, lack of institutional support, and resistance to change, particularly among staff not initially involved in the study. Despite these challenges, the program saw partial success in improving ICU practices, particularly in antibiotic use and communication across departments. The main strategy implemented in this quality improvement collaborative was the use of improvement cycles, which served as the central component for driving change. However, participation in improvement cycles was inconsistent, and sustainability post-intervention remains uncertain due to workload pressures and the need for continuous education. Concerns about workload and communication barriers persisted. Many participants did not perceive training as a separate component, which led to low engagement. Resistance to change became evident during modifications to clinical guidelines. The intervention had a positive impact on various processes, including communication and record keeping. CONCLUSION: This study underscores the persistent challenges in implementing ASPs in healthcare, emphasising the need for enhanced collaboration, workforce capacity building, and evidence-based practices to overcome barriers and optimize antimicrobial use to improve patient outcomes.

Optimising antibacterial utilisation in Argentine intensive care units: a quality improvement collaborative.

BACKGROUND: There is limited evidence from antimicrobial stewardship programmes in less-resourced settings. This study aimed to improve the quality of antibacterial prescriptions by mitigating overuse and promoting the use of narrow-spectrum agents in intensive care units (ICUs) in a middle-income country. METHODS: We established a quality improvement collaborative (QIC) model involving nine Argentine ICUs over 11 months with a 16-week baseline period (BP) and a 32-week implementation period (IP). Our intervention package included audits and feedback on antibacterial use, facility-specific treatment guidelines, antibacterial timeouts, pharmacy-based interventions and education. The intervention was delivered in two learning sessions with three action periods along with coaching support and basic quality improvement training. RESULTS: We included 912 patients, 357 in BP and 555 in IP. The latter had higher APACHE II (17 (95% CI: 12 to 21) vs 15 (95% CI: 11 to 20), p=0.036), SOFA scores (6 (95% CI: 4 to 9) vs 5 (95% CI: 3 to 8), p=0.006), renal failure (41.6% vs 33.1%, p=0.009), sepsis (36.1% vs 31.6%, p<0.001) and septic shock (40.0% vs 33.8%, p<0.001). The days of antibacterial therapy (DOT) were similar between the groups (change in the slope from BP to IP 28.1 (95% CI: -17.4 to 73.5), p=0.2405). There were no differences in the antibacterial defined daily dose (DDD) between the groups (change in the slope from BP to IP 43.9, (95% CI: -12.3 to 100.0), p=0.1413).The rate of antibacterial de-escalation based on microbiological culture was higher during the IP (62.0% vs 45.3%, p<0.001).The infection prevention control (IPC) assessment framework was increased in eight ICUs. CONCLUSION: Implementing an antimicrobial stewardship program in ICUs in a middle-income country via a QIC demonstrated success in improving antibacterial de-escalation based on microbiological culture results, but not on DOT or DDD. In addition, eight out of nine ICUs improved their IPC Assessment Framework Score.

Canalization of growth between 2 and 5 years of age in apparently healthy children with short stature at age 2 years. / Canalización del crecimiento entre los 2 y los 5 años en niños aparentemente sanos con talla baja a los 2 años.

Introduction. Newborn size is associated with intrauterine conditions. Genetic potential is expressed later; the canalization of growth is typically described up to 24 months of age. Objective. To describe the canalization of growth between 2 and 5 years of age in apparently healthy children with short stature at age 2 years. Population and methods. Retrospective, cohort study. Children seen at a community teaching hospital between 2003 and 2019, who had a Z-score for height below -2 SDs for age and sex at age 2 years were included. Infants born preterm, with a low birth weight, and chronic conditions were excluded. Growth patterns were assessed. Canalization was defined as reaching a normal stature for the general population. Results. Sixty-four children were included; 37 (58%) showed canalization of growth at 5 years old (20 at 3 years, 8 at 4 years, and 9 at 5 years). The growth rate at 3 and 5 years of age was significantly higher among those who showed canalization compared to those who did not; a similar trend was observed at 4 years of age. Among 27 children with short stature at 5 years of age, 25 had at least 1 annual growth velocity below the 25th centile. Conclusions. Most apparently healthy children with short stature at 2 years old reached a normal stature at 5 years old. The annual growth velocity allows to detect children at risk of not showing canalization.

Introducción. El tamaño del recién nacido se asocia a condiciones intrauterinas. El potencial genético se expresa más tarde; la canalización del crecimiento se describe clásicamente hasta los 24 meses. Objetivo. Describir la canalización del crecimiento entre los 2 y los 5 años en niños aparentemente sanos con talla baja a los 2 años. Población y métodos. Estudio de cohorte retrospectiva. Se incluyeron niños seguidos en un hospital universitario de comunidad entre 2003 y 2019, con puntaje Z de talla menor a -2 DE para edad y sexo a los 2 años. Se excluyeron los nacidos prematuros, con bajo peso y con enfermedades crónicas. Se evaluó la trayectoria de crecimiento. Se definió canalización como la adquisición de talla normal para la población general. Resultados. Se incluyeron 64 niños, de los cuales 37 (58 %) presentaron canalización del crecimiento a los 5 años (20 a los 3 años, 8 a los 4 años, y 9 a los 5 años). La velocidad de crecimiento a los 3 y a los 5 años fue significativamente mayor en los que canalizaron en comparación con los que no lo hicieron; hubo una tendencia similar a los 4 años. De los 27 niños con talla baja a los 5 años, 25 tuvieron al menos un registro de velocidad de crecimiento anual menor al percentil 25. Conclusiones. La mayoría de los niños aparentemente sanos con baja talla a los 2 años alcanzan una talla normal a los 5 años. La velocidad de crecimiento anual permite detectar a los niños con riesgo de no canalizar.

Are electrocardiograms correctly interpreted by pediatric residents? Experience before and after an educational intervention in a teaching hospital. / ¿Es el electrocardiograma correctamente interpretado por médicos residentes de Pediatría? Experiencia previa y posterior a una intervención educacional en un hospital universitario.

The incidence of pediatric cardiac arrest is unknown; its main etiologies are congenital heart diseases, cardiomyopathies, and ventricular arrhythmias. An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a diagnostic method that may allow to detect them in an early manner and reduce morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to describe pediatric residents' skills to determine if an ECG was normal or abnormal and make an accurate electrocardiographic diagnosis before and after an educational intervention. First-year pediatric residents participated in this study. An assessment including 12 ECG tracings was done before and after an educational module, and scores were compared using the t-test for paired data. No differences were observed between both assessments regarding the interpretation of ECG as normal or abnormal (p: 0.42). However, a statistically significant difference was observed in definitive diagnoses (p < 0.002). Definitive electrocardiographic diagnoses improved after the implementation of an educational module.

La incidencia del paro cardíaco pediátrico es desconocida; sus principales etiologías son cardiopatías congénitas, miocardiopatías y arritmias ventriculares. El electrocardiograma es un método diagnóstico que podría detectarlas precozmente y disminuir la morbimortalidad. El objetivo del estudio fue describir las habilidades de residentes de Pediatría para reconocer si un electrocardiograma era normal o anormal y realizar un diagnóstico electrocardiográfico preciso, antes y después de una intervención educativa. Participaron médicos residentes de primer año de Pediatría. Se tomó una evaluación con 12 trazados de electrocardiogramas, antes y después de un módulo educativo, y se compararon los puntajes mediante la prueba de "t" para datos pareados. No se halló diferencia entre ambas evaluaciones para la interpretación de electrocardiogramas como normales o anormales (p: 0,42). Sin embargo, hubo una diferencia estadísticamente significativa en cuanto a los diagnósticos de certeza (p<0,002). Los diagnósticos de certeza electrocardiográficos mejoraron luego de implementar un módulo educacional.

Canalización del crecimiento entre los 2 y los 5 años en niños aparentemente sanos con talla baja a los 2 años / Canalization of growth between 2 and 5 years of age in apparently healthy children with short stature at age 2 years

Introducción. El tamaño del recién nacido se asocia a condiciones intrauterinas. El potencial genético se expresa más tarde; la canalización del crecimiento se describe clásicamente hasta los 24 meses. Objetivo. Describir la canalización del crecimiento entre los 2 y los 5 años en niños aparentemente sanos con talla baja a los 2 años. Población y métodos. Estudio de cohorte retrospectiva. Se incluyeron niños seguidos en un hospital universitario de comunidad entre 2003 y 2019, con puntaje Z de talla menor a -2 DE para edad y sexo a los 2 años. Se excluyeron los nacidos prematuros, con bajo peso y con enfermedades crónicas. Se evaluó la trayectoria de crecimiento. Se definió canalización como la adquisición de talla normal para la población general. Resultados. Se incluyeron 64 niños, de los cuales 37 (58 %) presentaron canalización del crecimiento a los 5 años (20 a los 3 años, 8 a los 4 años, y 9 a los 5 años). La velocidad de crecimiento a los 3 y a los 5 años fue significativamente mayor en los que canalizaron en comparación con los que no lo hicieron; hubo una tendencia similar a los 4 años. De los 27 niños con talla baja a los 5 años, 25 tuvieron al menos un registro de velocidad de crecimiento anual menor al percentil 25. Conclusiones. La mayoría de los niños aparentemente sanos con baja talla a los 2 años alcanzan una talla normal a los 5 años. La velocidad de crecimiento anual permite detectar a los niños con riesgo de no canalizar.

Introduction. Newborn size is associated with intrauterine conditions. Genetic potential is expressed later; the canalization of growth is typically described up to 24 months of age. Objective. To describe the canalization of growth between 2 and 5 years of age in apparently healthy children with short stature at age 2 years. Population and methods. Retrospective, cohort study. Children seen at a community teaching hospital between 2003 and 2019, who had a Z-score for height below -2 SDs for age and sex at age 2 years were included. Infants born preterm, with a low birth weight, and chronic conditions were excluded. Growth patterns were assessed. Canalization was defined as reaching a normal stature for the general population. Results. Sixty-four children were included; 37 (58%) showed canalization of growth at 5 years old (20 at 3 years, 8 at 4 years, and 9 at 5 years). The growth rate at 3 and 5 years of age was significantly higher among those who showed canalization compared to those who did not; a similar trend was observed at 4 years of age. Among 27 children with short stature at 5 years of age, 25 had at least 1 annual growth velocity below the 25th centile. Conclusions. Most apparently healthy children with short stature at 2 years old reached a normal stature at 5 years old. The annual growth velocity allows to detect children at risk of not showing canalization.

¿Es el electrocardiograma correctamente interpretado por médicos residentes de Pediatría? Experiencia previa y posterior a una intervención educacional en un hospital universitario / Are electrocardiograms correctly interpreted by pediatric residents? Experience before and after an educational intervention in a teaching hospital

La incidencia del paro cardíaco pediátrico es desconocida; sus principales etiologías son cardiopatías congénitas, miocardiopatías y arritmias ventriculares. El electrocardiograma es un método diagnóstico que podría detectarlas precozmente y disminuir la morbimortalidad. El objetivo del estudio fue describir las habilidades de residentes de Pediatría para reconocer si un electrocardiograma era normal o anormal y realizar un diagnóstico electrocardiográfico preciso, antes y después de una intervención educativa. Participaron médicos residentes de primer año de Pediatría. Se tomó una evaluación con 12 trazados de electrocardiogramas, antes y después de un módulo educativo, y se compararon los puntajes mediante la prueba de "t" para datos pareados. No se halló diferencia entre ambas evaluaciones para la interpretación de electrocardiogramas como normales o anormales (p: 0,42). Sin embargo, hubo una diferencia estadísticamente significativa en cuanto a los diagnósticos de certeza (p < 0,002). Los diagnósticos de certeza electrocardiográficos mejoraron luego de implementar un módulo educacional

The incidence of pediatric cardiac arrest is unknown; its main etiologies are congenital heart diseases, cardiomyopathies, and ventricular arrhythmias. An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a diagnostic method that may allow to detect them in an early manner and reduce morbidity and mortality.The objective of this study was to describe pediatric residents' skills to determine if an ECG was normal or abnormal and make an accurate electrocardiographic diagnosis before and after an educational intervention. First-year pediatric residents participated in this study. An assessment including 12 ECG tracings was done before and after an educational module, and scores were compared using the t-test for paired data. No differences were observed between both assessments regarding the interpretation of ECG as normal or abnormal (p: 0.42). However, a statistically significant difference was observed in definitive diagnoses (p < 0.002). Definitive electrocardiographic diagnoses improved after the implementation of an educational module.