What Ibero-American hospitals do when things go wrong? A cross-sectional international study.

OBJECTIVE: To know what hospital managers and safety leaders in Ibero-American countries are doing to respond effectively to the occurrence of adverse events (AEs) with serious consequences for patients. DESIGN: Cross-sectional international study. SETTING: Public and private hospitals in Ibero-American countries (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Portugal and Spain). PARTICIPANTS: A convenience sample of hospital managers and safety leaders from eight Ibero-American countries. A minimum of 25 managers/leaders from each country were surveyed. INTERVENTIONS: A selection of 37 actions for the effective management of AEs was explored. These were related to the safety culture, existence of a crisis plan, communication and transparency processes with the patients and their families, attention to second victims and institutional communication. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Degree of implementation of the actions studied. RESULTS: A total of 190 managers/leaders from 126 (66.3%) public hospitals and 64 (33.7%) private hospitals participated. Reporting systems, in-depth analysis of incidents and non-punitive approaches were the most implemented interventions, while patient information and care for second victims after an AE were the least frequent interventions. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of these hospitals have not protocolized how to act after an AE. For this reason, it is urgent to develop and apply a strategic action plan to respond to this imperative safety challenge. This is the first study to identify areas of work and future research questions in Ibero-American countries.

Validation of the 10-item resilience scale with Mexican college students. / Validación de la escala de resiliencia de 10 ítems en universitarios mexicanos.

BACKGROUND: Resilience is the ability to emerge strengthened in an adverse scenario. One population that suffer constant stress are doctors and medical students, which is why it is necessary to have validated instruments to assess resilience. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the validity and reliability parameters of the 10-item resilience scale, Connor-Davidson (CD-RISC-10), in a Mexican university sample. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A sample of 1333 first-year medical students who agreed to participate in the study was evaluated; sample selection was for convenience, with an average age of 18 years (standard deviation: 1.4 years; 17-39 years). CD-RISC-10 scale was applied to the sample. In a sub-sample, Mexican resilience scale (RESI-M) was applied to assess convergent validity; the Beck Anxiety Inventory and the Beck Depression Inventory were used to divergent validity. RESULTS: A factorial analysis was performed with a factor that explains 96.245 of the total variances. The internal consistency of the scale presented a Cronbach's alpha of 0.935. The test-retest was r = 0.521, p = 0.01; the correlation with the RESI-M was moderate (r = 0.61, p = 0.0001). The correlation with the Beck Anxiety Inventory was r = −0.214 (p < 0.05) and with the Beck Depression Inventory, r = −199, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The 10-item Spanish version of the Connor and Davidson CD-RISC had adequate psychometric properties to estimate resilience in medical university students.

INTRODUCCIÓN: La resiliencia es la capacidad de salir fortalecido en un escenario adverso. Una población que sufre estrés constante es la de los médicos y los estudiantes de medicina, por lo que es necesario contar con instrumentos validados para evaluar la resiliencia. OBJETIVO: Evaluar los parámetros de validez y confiabilidad de la escala de resiliencia de 10 ítems Connor-Davidson (CD-RISC-10) en una muestra universitaria mexicana. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se evaluó una muestra de 1333 estudiantes de primer año de Medicina. La selección fue por conveniencia, con una media de edad de 18 años (desviación estándar: 1.4 años; rango: 17-39 años). A la muestra se le aplicó la escala CD-RISC-10. En una submuestra se aplicó escala de resiliencia mexicana (RESI-M) para evaluar la validez convergente; para la validez divergente se utilizaron el Inventario de Ansiedad de Beck y el Inventario de Depresión de Beck. RESULTADOS: Se hizo un análisis factorial con un factor que explica el 96.245 de la varianza total. La consistencia interna de la escala presentó un alfa de Cronbach de 0.935. La prueba test-retest fue de r = 0.521 (p = 0.01) y la correlación con la RESI-M fue moderada, con r = 0.61 (p = 0.0001). La correlación con el Inventario de Ansiedad de Beck fue r = -0.214 (p < 0.05) y con el Inventario de Depresión de Beck fue r = -199 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIÓN: La versión en español de la CD-RISC-10 presenta adecuadas propiedades psicométricas para estimar la resiliencia en estudiantes universitarios de medicina.

[Exploratory study of ethics, norms and communication skills in medical residents]. / Estudio exploratorio de los conocimientos sobre ética, normativa y comunicación en los aspirantes a residencias médicas.

Medical schools teach technical-scientific knowledge more than social abilities. Confidence in the doctor-patient relationship is obtained through appropriate communication. The predominant medical education model assumes that communication abilities are acquired by the experienced physician in clinical practice. The present study presents a first approach and exploration of three central subjects for the development of a suitable doctor-patient relationship. We observed that the integration of evaluated knowledge was low: communication 21.1%, ethics 40.5%, legal issues 0.1% and doctor-patient conflicts 1.5%. In the analysis of communication models by genre, we found that women were more paternalist and men were more deliberative; the predominant model of communication is paternalism (40.2%). Physicians between 21 and 25 years of age integrated the knowledge better (communication, ethics and doctor-patient conflicts) than at other ages. Physicians between 41 and 45 years of age integrated ethical concepts with significantly less frequency. Parental education was associated with models of communication and integration of knowledge (p <0.001). The results demonstrate the lack of knowledge related to these topics.

[Complaints for treatment of uterine myomatosis]. / Inconformidades por tratamiento de miomatosis uterina.

Complaints related to uterine myomatosis treatments received by the National Commission of Medical Arbitration (Conamed) between 2001 and 2005 were analyzed. Complaints were from patients affiliated to social security institutions (51.7 %), private providers (34.5 %) and public health care services (13.8 %). A medical doctor suggested to fill in the complaint in 10.3 % of cases. Perception of inadequate treatment was the most frequent cause (69 %), incomplete medical charts were 60.3 % and only 24 % included the informed consent form. Medical information given to patients and relatives was inadequate (48.2 %). Hysterectomy was performed to 84.5 % of patients. The most frequent surgical complications were hemorrhage (25.7 %), urologic injuries (25.7 %) and surgical infections (12.7 %). 36.4 % of cases had no surgical complication. Main sequelae were: elapsed length of hospital stay (15 %) and loss of an organ (other than uterus) or function (not reproductive) (13.8 %). There was one death (1.7 %). Medical malpractice was found in 29.3 % of cases. Principal deviations: communication problems (29.6 %), unjustified delayed surgery (29.4 %) and delayed diagnosis of complications due to poor post-surgical care or premature hospital discharge (29.4 %).

[Medical attitude regarding the negative of receiving blood transfusions by Jehovah's Witness patients]. / Actitud médica ante la negativa de recibir hemotransfusión por pacientes Testigos de Jehová.

BACKGROUND: Hemoderivative and blood transfusions without proper medical indication bring uncertain benefits, increase health risks and adverse effects. It is necessary to also consider the patient's values and preferences and the denial to receive transfusions. A deficient medical evaluation and an unnecessary transfusion can generate untoward effects regarding patients' health and safety. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective, observational, and transverse study of 767 complaints for alleged denial of medical attention presented by Jehovah's Witness patients was undertaken, coupled with their denial to receive blood transfusions and their perception of the problem. RESULTS: It was established that 95.6% of cases studied involved adult patients, while 4.4% involved underage patients, with a mean of 43 years. The majority of complaints appeared at the secondary level of medical attention, 64.5% came from social security institutions and 19% from private institutions. The motive for medical consultation was surgical in 91.9% cases. 98.7% of the complaints were due to a perceived denial of medical attention, associated to religious conviction. 1.3% of complaints were filed after having received blood transfusions, without proper patient consent. The major health problems were solved in different medical units from the beginning in 500 cases (65.2%). Medical care was provided in 450 cases, in private clinics, while 50 cases were cared for in public institutions without the need for transfusion. CONCLUSIONS: Several studies coincide on the high number of unnecessary or unjustified blood transfusions. To improve the quality of transfusion medicine steps should be taken to install specialized hospital committees, update the use of guidelines based on the best scientific evidence, as well as to respect patient autonomy.

[Defensive medicine in Mexico: an explorative survey of its characteristics]. / Medicina defensiva en México: una encuesta exploratoria para su caracterización.

INTRODUCTION: defensive medicine, has been recognized as a problem for health services in several countries of the world. It is defined as the application of treatments, tests and procedures with the main intention to defend the doctor of critic's and to avoid controversies, regarding diagnosis or patient's treatment. There are multiple causes of the defensive medicine: the fundamental is patient doctor relationship without the necessary trust. MATERIAL AND METHODS: the present reports it is a observational, cross-sectional and descriptive study of exploratory nature, with the objective to consider the dimension of the defensive medicine (MD) in Mexico. A survey was designed to pilot an application with Likert scale in a representative sample. 613 doctors participated to national level, with index of confidence of 95% and maximum error of 5% (p < 0.05). The questions explore the level in agreement or disagreement with perceptions, specific attitudes and conducts that are related to the MD practice. RESULTS: categories and degrees in the defensive practices of the interviewed doctors settled down, 38,7% were nondefensive, whereas 61,3% presented association with some MD degree (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The defensive attitude of the participant doctors is high, it emphasizes the importance of establishing measures that stimulate their containment and fights, which will allow to improve the quality of the medical practice and the doctor-patient relationship. The instrument maintained a degree of confidence and sensitivity (p < 0.05), that its future use allows.

[Complaint analysis derived from surgical practice]. / Análisis de las quejas derivadas de las prácticas quirúrgicas.

This study reports on the analysis of medical complaints presented to the National Commission on Medical Arbitration (Comisión Nacional de Arbitraje Médico, CONAMED) between June 1996 and December 2007 to determine its magnitude and to identify the causes of safety problems in medical care. Out of 182,407 complaints presented to CONAMED, 87% were resolved by the Office of Orientation and Management. The remaining 18,443 complaints were presented to the Council Directorate. Of those cases, 48% were resolved by an agreement between the complainants and the physicians, 31% were not resolved by this method, and 3% were irresolute complaints. The highest frequency of complaints was registered in the Federal District (Distrito Federal) and the State of México (Estado de México), mainly corresponding to social security institutions and private hospitals. Among the nine most frequently involved specialties, six were surgical specialties. Malpractice was identified in 25% of all cases. The principal demands of those making complaints were the refunding of expenses in patient medical care (51%) and indemnification (40%) and, in those, the average amount of payments was 4.6 times greater. Due to the incidence of medical complaints, it was reasonable to investigate the causes and to take preventive and corrective actions required for its decrease. It was proposed to the Mexican Academy of Surgery that this organization should use their educational leadership and assume the vanguard in the dissemination and promotion of the WHO plan "Safe Surgery Saves Lives" and the implementation in Mexico of the "Surgical Safety Checklist."

El plan de alta de enfermería y su impacto en la disminución de reingresos hospitalario / The nursing discharge plan and its impact on the reduction of hospital readmissions

En 1984 surgió el plan de alta en enfermería en Estados Unidos. Éste fue incluido dentro del sistema Medicare con el propósito de reducir los costos del sistema de salud, por lo que este se extendió rápidamente a Europa y América Latina. En México existen pocos estudios sobre al plan de alta en enfermería, por lo que es necesario evaluar la trascendencia y el impacto de su aplicación. material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal, descriptivo y cuantitativo en un hospital de tercer nivel. La población de estudio fueron las enfermeras con licenciatura del turno matutino. El instrumento de recolección estuvo dividido en cuatro apartados (datos generales, elaboración y contenido del plan, así como el impacto de su aplicabilidad). Resultados: Las recomendaciones del plan de alta se centran en: los medicamentos, los signos y síntomas de alarma, los cuidados en el hogar y las medidas higiénico-dietéticas con 81%. Los profesionales de enfermería lo aplican de forma oral y escrita en 79%. Más de 50% no registra esta actividad en el expediente clínico. Su aplicación contribuye con el derecho que tienen los pacientes de estar informados, además del impacto en los reingresos hospitalarios. Conclusiones: La aplicación del plan de alta en enfermería es una de las formas para fomentar la reintegración del paciente a la sociedad, ya que nos proporciona una visión completa, rápida y veraz del estado de salud del paciente.

In 1984, there is the nursing discharge plan in the U.S. and this is included in the Medicare system, in order to reduce costs in the health system, so this quickly spread to Europe and Latin America. In Mexico there are few studies on the Nursing discharge plan, so it is necessary to evaluate the significance and impact of the implementation. material and methods: We conducted a cross-sectional, descriptive, quantitative, in a tertiary hospital. The study population consisted of nurses with bachelor’s morning shift. The survey instrument was divided into four sections (general information, preparation and content of the plan and the impact of its applicability. Results: The plan’s recommendations focus on high.

[Adverse events identified in medical complaints]. / Eventos adversos identificables en las quejas médicas.

BACKGROUND: "To err is human" (Institute of Medicine, 1999) begun the Patients' Safety movement worldwide. We undertook this study to determine the frequency of patient complaints related to adverse events in the National Health Services. METHODS: The National Commission of Medical Arbitration and the Vice-Ministry for Innovation and Quality has the aim of determining the frequency of real adverse events as a reason for complaints by patients and relatives against healthcare professionals and health services. RESULTS: The Emergency Department registered the highest number of events. Negligence and absence of protocols account for more than half of the adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Management protocols in emergency departments are areas of opportunity for improvement that must be considered.

Análisis de las quejas derivadas de las prácticas quirúrgicas / Complaint analysis derived from surgical practice

Se analizan los asuntos presentados ante la Comisión Nacional de Arbitraje Médico desde junio de 1996 hasta diciembre de 2007, para difundir su magnitud e identificar los problemas de seguridad en la atención médica. De 182 407 asuntos, 87 % lo resolvió el Área de Orientación y Gestión. Las restantes 18 443 quejas fueron derivadas a la Dirección de Conciliación; de ellas, en 48 % se logró la conciliación entre promoventes y médicos y en 31 % esto no fue factible; 3 % se trató de quejas irresolubles. La mayor frecuencia de quejas se registró en el Distrito Federal y Estado de México, principalmente correspondientes a instituciones de seguridad social y hospitales privados. Entre las nueve especialidades involucradas con mayor frecuencia, existieron seis quirúrgicas. Se identificó mala práctica en 25 % de los casos. Las principales pretensiones de los promoventes de las quejas fueron reintegro de los gastos erogados por atención médica en 51 % de los casos e indemnización en 40 %; en estos últimos el monto promedio de lo pagado por caso fue 4.6 veces mayor. El conocimiento de las quejas médicas permite investigar sus causas y generar acciones preventivas y correctivas, para su abatimiento. Se propone que la Academia Mexicana de Cirugía, por su liderazgo académico y docente, asuma la vanguardia en la difusión y promoción del plan “Las prácticas quirúrgicas seguras salvan vidas”, de la Organización Mundial de la Salud, y la implantación en nuestro país de la “Lista de verificación de la seguridad quirúrgica”.

This study reports on the analysis of medical complaints presented to the National Commission on Medical Arbitration (Comisión Nacional de Arbitraje Médico, CONAMED) between June 1996 and December 2007 to determine its magnitude and to identify the causes of safety problems in medical care. Out of 182,407 complaints presented to CONAMED, 87% were resolved by the Office of Orientation and Management. The remaining 18,443 complaints were presented to the Council Directorate. Of those cases, 48% were resolved by an agreement between the complainants and the physicians, 31% were not resolved by this method, and 3% were irresolute complaints. The highest frequency of complaints was registered in the Federal District (Distrito Federal) and the State of México (Estado de México), mainly corresponding to social security institutions and private hospitals. Among the nine most frequently involved specialties, six were surgical specialties. Malpractice was identified in 25% of all cases. The principal demands of those making complaints were the refunding of expenses in patient medical care (51%) and indemnification (40%) and, in those, the average amount of payments was 4.6 times greater. Due to the incidence of medical complaints, it was reasonable to investigate the causes and to take preventive and corrective actions required for its decrease. It was proposed to the Mexican Academy of Surgery that this organization should use their educational leadership and assume the vanguard in the dissemination and promotion of the WHO plan "Safe Surgery Saves Lives" and the implementation in Mexico of the "Surgical Safety Checklist."

Eventos adversos identificables en las quejas médicas / Adverse events identified in medical complaints

BACKGROUND: "To err is human" (Institute of Medicine, 1999) begun the Patients' Safety movement worldwide. We undertook this study to determine the frequency of patient complaints related to adverse events in the National Health Services. METHODS: The National Commission of Medical Arbitration and the Vice-Ministry for Innovation and Quality has the aim of determining the frequency of real adverse events as a reason for complaints by patients and relatives against healthcare professionals and health services. RESULTS: The Emergency Department registered the highest number of events. Negligence and absence of protocols account for more than half of the adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Management protocols in emergency departments are areas of opportunity for improvement that must be considered.