Improvement of the safety of a clinical process using failure mode and effects analysis: Prevention of venous thromboembolic disease in critical patients. / Mejora en la seguridad de un proceso clínico utilizando el análisis modal de fallos y efectos: profilaxis de la enfermedad tromboembólica venosa en pacientes críticos.

OBJECTIVE: To improve critical patient safety in the prevention of venous thromboembolic disease, using failure mode and effects analysis as safety tool. DESIGN: A contemporaneous cohort study covering the period January 2014-March 2015 was made in 4 phases: phase 1) prior to failure mode and effects analysis; phase 2) conduction of mode analysis and implementation of the detected improvements; phase 3) evaluation of outcomes, and phase 4) (post-checklist introduction impact. SETTING: Patients admitted to the adult polyvalent ICU of a third-level hospital center. PATIENTS: A total of 196 patients, older than 18 years, without thromboembolic disease upon admission to the ICU and with no prior anticoagulant treatment. INTERVENTIONS: A series of interventions were implemented following mode analysis: training, and introduction of a protocol and checklist to increase preventive measures in relation to thromboembolic disease. VARIABLES OF INTEREST: Indication and prescription of venous thrombosis prevention measures before and after introduction of the measures derived from the failure mode and effects analysis. RESULTS: A total of 59, 97 and 40 patients were included in phase 1, 3 and 4, respectively, with an analysis of the percentage of subjects who received thromboprophylaxis. The failure mode and effects analysis was used to detect potential errors associated to a lack of training and protocols referred to thromboembolic disease. An awareness-enhancing campaign was developed, with staff training and the adoption of a protocol for the prevention of venous thromboembolic disease. The prescription of preventive measures increased in the phase 3 group (91.7 vs. 71.2%, P=.001). In the post-checklist group, prophylaxis was prescribed in 97.5% of the patients, with an increase in the indication of dual prophylactic measures (4.7, 6.7 and 41%; P<.05). There were no differences in complications rate associated to the increase in prophylactic measures. CONCLUSIONS: The failure mode and effects analysis allowed us to identify improvements in the prevention of thromboembolic disease in critical patients. We therefore consider that it may be a useful tool for improving patient safety in different processes.

[Detection of risks for the safety of the patients in the implementation of continuous techniques of extracorporeal depuration (CTED)]. / Detección de riesgos para la seguridad del paciente en la implementación de técnicas continuas de depuración extracorpórea.

INTRODUCTION: Continuous techniques of extracorporeal depuration (CTED) manage high volumes of fluid exchange and extensive control of its safety is required. OBJECTIVE: To detect the risks of CTED and to determine its frequency per patient. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An observational, retrospective study was performed. Inclusion criteria were patients admitted from January 2009 to December 2009, with CTED in the Polyvalent Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Hospital 12 de Octubre. We previously identified 10 risks that were detectable in the clinical records. We analyzed demographic and treatment variables. The quantitative variables were expressed as mean±SD and the qualitative ones as absolute and relative frequencies. ANALYSIS: SPSS 15.0(®). RESULTS: A total of 54 patients (11.7%), with ages 59.78±14.8, 42 men (77.8%) were included. In 81.4%, the indication was acute kidney failure; 80.3% were treated with hemodiafiltration. Mean hours of CTED were 112.9±139.9 and the medium of 2 filters per patient (recommended intakes 0-31). Risk/patient rate was: 100% of patients without monitoring of the Mg and P, and 3.7% (n=2) urea; in 16 (29.6%), there was coagulation of the circuit prior to 24 hours and in 25 (46.3%) the blood could not be returned; in 14 (29.3%), written regime was always lacking on the order for treatment. The dose was not reflected on the patient's chart in 2 (3.7%); in 3 patients (5.6%) with coagulation disorder, anticoagulants were prescribed in the circuit. In 1 (1.9%) bleeding was observed and in 10 (18.5%) there was mild hypothermia (35-32°C). CONCLUSIONS: A standardized monitoring of the Mg and P is required. The therapy should be prescribed in the medical treatment. The technique needs to be improved in order to prolong its duration and avoid blood losses.

[Diagnostic blood losses in severe trauma patients]. / Pérdidas sanguíneas diagnósticas en pacientes con trauma grave.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze diagnostic (blood drawings) and iatrogenic (Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy, CRRT) blood losses (BL) in severe trauma patients. METHOD: A one-year descriptive, prospective and observational study. We included patients over 15 years of age, admitted with severe trauma and who had a score of > or =16 on the Injury Severity Index (ISS). Those patients in whom limitation of therapeutic effort had been indicated were excluded. A total of 225 patients with 1619 days of evolution were analyzed for volume of BL/day/patient, type of diagnostic test, clinical outcome and utilization of CRRT. The variables were described as mean +/- standard deviation with the Student's T test. RESULTS: Average blood loss of patient per day was 55.5+/-32.2 cc. Statistically significant differences were found between the blood volume drawn when the first day was compared to the second day, 73.5+/-32.2 vs. 56.3+/-21.9 (p<0.001); clinical outcome (alive vs death) 54.8+/-33 vs. 60.7+/-24.9 (p<0.05); severity (ISS<31 or > or =31) 54.65+/-20 vs. 61.5+/-28.5 (p<0.001), No RRT vs RRT: 50.9+/-18.9 vs. 97.2+/-72.6 (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The greatest diagnostic BL occurs during the resuscitation phase, in the patients who die, in those with greater severity and those undergoing CRRT.

[Pressure monitoring in continuous renal replacement therapy]. / Monitorización de presiones en técnicas continuas de depuración extrarrenal.

INTRODUCTION: Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) has experienced significant advances that have lead to an increase of its indications and improved the technology used in continued pressures monitoring. AIM: This study has aimed to discover if there are any associations between the increase of the circuit pressures and their duration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective, longitudinal analytic pilot study was conducted in an Intensive Care Unit of a university hospital from October 2008 to April 2009. The study analyzed the patient's information with CRRT and the hourly values of entry pressure (EP), comeback pressure (CP), transmembrane pressure (TMP) and pre-filter pressure (PFP). The Spearman correlation and the Student's T test were used. RESULTS: The study analyzed 44 sets corresponding to 11 patients (45.5% men and 54.5% women) with a life expectancy of 62 years. The same light catheter GamCath (11 French) and Continuous Venovenous Hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF) therapy were used in all patients. The mean duration of the circuits was 39 h. Mean, median, maximum and minimum values of the sample pressures were: EP:-52.17; -52.57; 160; -256 (millimeters of mercury) mmHg]; CP: (98.6; 95.3; 323; -2 mmHg); TMP: (58.57; 58.52; 245; -20 mmHg) and PFP: (161.76; 159.42; 375; -13 mmHg), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A negative correlation was demonstrated between the duration of the sets and the mean CP and PFP. The sample obtained circuits withdrawn due to finished treatment (72 h), and by coagulation or changes in pressures.