Evaluación e intervención interdisciplinaria del dolor en Unidades de Cuidado Intensivo

El dolor es un problema importante para los pacientes hospitalizados en las UCI porque genera malestar y distrés. Además, la investigación ha demostrado que en algunos pacientes críticos el dolor agudo puede persistir después de alta y convertirse en crónico. La gestión eficaz del dolor en pacientes críticos requiere un enfoque interdisciplinario, que incorpore la visión y trabajo de expertos que representan una amplia variedad de especialidades clínicas. Así, la utilización de la intervención psicológica en el tratamiento del dolor es una parte integral de un enfoque global. Basado en una revisión de la evidencia científica, se identifican y señalan: (1) los tipos de dolor más comunes; (2) las características del dolor; (3) las patologías más frecuentes asociadas con la presencia de dolor; (4) los procedimientos que generan dolor en la UCI; (5) los métodos de evaluación del dolor; (6) la intervención del mismo y; (7) la contribución del psicólogo en la evaluación y manejo del dolor con el paciente, los familiares y los profesionales de la salud. La revisión realizada indica que los procesos psicológicos influyen tanto en la experiencia del dolor como en los resultados del tratamiento, por lo tanto la integración de los principios psicológicos en el tratamiento del dolor parecen tener potencial mejora de los resultados beneficiando la salud del paciente.

Diferencia venoarterial de Pco2 como predictor de disfunción miocárdica en niños con sepsis severa y choque séptico.

Introducción: La sepsis es una de las principales causas de morbilidad y mortalidad en la población pediátrica a nivel mundial, siendo la disminución del gasto cardiaco uno de los principales factores asociados a mortalidad. Se ha planteado la diferencia venoarterial de pCO2 como predictor de la función miocárdica en pacientes con sepsis, sin embargo hasta el momento no hay estudios en la población pediátrica que lo evalúen. Objetivo: Determinar la capacidad predictora y las características operativas de la diferencia venoarterial de pCO2, como predictor de disfunción miocárdica en pacientes pediátricos con sepsis severa y choque séptico. Métodos: Para alcanzar los objetivos del estudio, se llevo a cabo un estudio prospectivo de pruebas diagnósticas. Se realizó ecocardiograma y diferencia venoarterial de pCO2 en cada paciente, posteriormente se calculó las características operativas de la diferencia venoarterial de pCO2 para determinar su utilidad. Resultados: Se incluyeron 71 pacientes. La mediana de la diferencia venoarterial de pCO2 no fue significativamente mayor en los pacientes que tuvieron disfunción cardiaca en el ecocardiograma en comparación con los que no tuvieron disfunción. Se encontró una relación estadísticamente significativa de valores de 1,5 a 2,1 mmHg, como predictor negativo de disfunción miocárdica con una sensibilidad de 100% y una especificidad de 88%. Conclusiones: La diferencia venoarterial de pCO2 requiere de estudios mas extensos para determinar la probabilidad como predictor de disfunción miocárdica en pacientes pediátricos con sepsis severa y choque séptico, incluso cuando otros biomarcadores se encuentran dentro de límites normales.

Apoyo social e ideación suicida en pacientes con cáncer

El diagnóstico de cáncer ha sido asociado con un alto riesgo de presentar ideación suicida en comparación con la población no oncológica, sin embargo se ha considerado al apoyo social como un factor protector para la ocurrencia de esta conducta. La presente investigación tuvo como objetivo identificar la relación entre el apoyo social percibido y la ideación suicida en 90 pacientes oncológicos adultos en Bogotá, bajo la hipótesis de que a mayor apoyo social percibido, menor presencia de ideación suicida. Se midió la variable de apoyo social a través del cuestionario Duke UNC y la ideación suicida a través de cuatro instrumentos: Escala de Ideación Suicida (SSI), Escala de Desesperanza de Beck (BHS), el ítem 9 del Inventario de Depresión de Beck (BDI-IA) y una entrevista semiestructurada. Los resultados mostraron que no existe relación entre el apoyo social percibido y la ideación suicida. Por otro lado se identificó una prevalencia de suicidio entre 5,6% y 22,77%, confirmando que el paciente con cáncer considera el suicidio y es fundamental evaluar esta variable en esta población. Se considera importante continuar con la realización de investigaciones que permitan generalizar los resultados a la población oncológica colombiana.

Fatiga del reanimador y calidad de las compresiones torácicas en niños con y sin vía aérea asegurada

Introducción: La calidad de las compresiones torácicas tiene importancia durante la reanimación pediátrica y se ve afectada por diversos factores como la fatiga del reanimador, esta puede verse condicionada por las características de las compresiones establecidas según la presencia o ausencia de un dispositivo avanzado en la vía aérea determinando la interrupción continuidad de las mismas. En este estudio se realizó una simulación clínica, evaluando la presencia de fatiga del reanimador frente a pacientes con y sin dispositivo avanzado de la vía aérea. Metodología: Se incluyeron 12 participantes, quienes realizaron compresiones torácicas a un simulador clínico, tanto para el caso de la maniobra 1 correspondiente a ciclos interrumpidos con el fin de proporcionar ventilaciones, como para el caso de la maniobra 2 en la que la actividad fue continua. Se midieron calidad de compresiones, VO2 max y fatiga mediante escala de Borg RPE 6-20. Resultados: La calidad de las compresiones disminuyó en ambos grupos después del minuto 2 y más rápidamente cuando fueron ininterrumpidas. La fatiga se incrementó cuando las compresiones fueron continuas. Discusión: Se evidencia una relación directamente proporcional del aumento de la fatiga en relación al tiempo de reanimación e inversamente proporcional entre la calidad de las compresiones y la sensación de cansancio, en especial después del minuto 2. Un tiempo de 2 minutos podría ser el tiempo ideal para lograr compresiones de calidad y para realizar el reemplazo de la persona que realiza las compresiones.

Assessing the physical environment of older people’s residential care facilities: development of the Swedish version of the Sheffield Care Environment Assessment Matrix (S-SCEAM)

Background There is emerging evidence that the physical environment is important for health, quality of life and care, but there is a lack of valid instruments to assess health care environments. The Sheffield Care Environment Assessment Matrix (SCEAM), developed in the United Kingdom, provides a comprehensive assessment of the physical environment of residential care facilities for older people. This paper reports on the translation and adaptation of SCEAM for use in Swedish residential care facilities for older people, including information on its validity and reliability. Methods SCEAM was translated into Swedish and back-translated into English, and assessed for its relevance by experts using content validity index (CVI) together with qualitative data. After modification, the validity assessments were repeated and followed by test-retest and inter-rater reliability tests in six units within a Swedish residential care facility that varied in terms of their environmental characteristics. Results Translation and back translation identified linguistic and semantic related issues. The results of the first content validity analysis showed that more than one third of the items had item-CVI (I-CVI) values less than the critical value of 0.78.  After modifying the instrument, the second content validation analysis resulted in I-CVI scores above 0.78, the suggested criteria for excellent content validity. Test-retest reliability showed high stability (96% and 95% for two independent raters respectively), and inter-rater reliability demonstrated high levels of agreement (95% and 94% on two separate rating occasions). Kappa values were very good for test-retest (κ= 0.903 and 0.869) and inter-rater reliability (κ= 0.851 and 0.832). Conclusions Adapting an instrument to a domestic context is a complex and time-consuming process, requiring an understanding of the culture where the instrument was developed and where it is to be used. A team, including the instrument’s developers, translators, and researchers is necessary to ensure a valid translation and adaption. This study showed preliminary validity and reliability evidence for the Swedish version (S-SCEAM) when used in a Swedish context. Further, we believe that the S-SCEAM has improved compared to the original instrument and suggest that it can be used as a foundation for future developments of the SCEAM model.

Medical treatment and the good death: an ethical analysis of euthanasia, physician assisted suicide, and the right to die

Frequent advances in medical technologies have brought fonh many innovative treatments that allow medical teams to treal many patients with grave illness and serious trauma who would have died only a few years earlier. These changes have given some patients a second chance at life, but for others. these new treatments have merely prolonged their dying. Instead of dying relatively painlessly, these unfortunate patients often suffer from painful tenninal illnesses or exist in a comatose state that robs them of their dignity, since they cannot survive without advanced and often dehumanizing forms of treatment. Due to many of these concerns, euthanasia has become a central issue in medical ethics. Additionally, the debate is impacted by those who believe that patients have the right make choices about the method and timing of their deaths. Euthanasia is defined as a deliberate act by a physician to hasten the death of a patient, whether through active methods such as an injection of morphine, or through the withdrawal of advanced forms of medical care, for reasons of mercy because of a medical condition that they have. This study explores the question of whether euthanasia is an ethical practice and, as determined by ethical theories and professional codes of ethics, whether the physician is allowed to provide the means to give the patient a path to a "good death," rather than one filled with physical and mental suffering. The paper also asks if there is a relevant moral difference between the active and passive forms of euthanasia and seeks to define requirements to ensure fully voluntary decision making through an evaluation of the factors necessary to produce fully informed consent. Additionally, the proper treatments for patients who suffer from painful terminal illnesses, those who exist in persistent vegetative states and infants born with many diverse medical problems are examined. The ultimate conclusions that are reached in the paper are that euthanasia is an ethical practice in certain specific circumstances for patients who have a very low quality of life due to pain, illness or serious mental deficits as a result of irreversible coma, persistent vegetative state or end-stage clinical dementia. This is defended by the fact that the rights of the patient to determine his or her own fate and to autonomously decide the way that he or she dies are paramount to all other factors in decisions of life and death. There are also circumstances where decisions can be made by health care teams in conjunction with the family to hasten the deaths of incompetent patients when continued existence is clearly not in their best interest, as is the case of infants who are born with serious physical anomalies, who are either 'born dying' or have no prospect for a life that is of a reasonable quality. I have rejected the distinction between active and passive methods of euthanasia and have instead chosen to focus on the intentions of the treating physician and the voluntary nature of the patient's request. When applied in equivalent circumstances, active and passive methods of euthanasia produce the same effects, and if the choice to hasten the death of the patient is ethical, then the use of either method can be accepted. The use of active methods of euthanasia and active forms of withdrawal of life support, such as the removal of a respirator are both conscious decisions to end the life of the patient and both bring death within a short period of time. It is false to maintain a distinction that believes that one is active killing. whereas the other form only allows nature to take it's course. Both are conscious choices to hasten the patient's death and should be evaluated as such. Additionally, through an examination of the Hippocratic Oath, and statements made by the American Medical Association and the American College of physicians, it can be shown that the ideals that the medical profession maintains and the respect for the interests of the patient that it holds allows the physician to give aid to patients who wish to choose death as an alternative to continued suffering. The physician is also allowed to and in some circumstances, is morally required, to help dying patients whether through active or passive forms of euthanasia or through assisted suicide. Euthanasia is a difficult topic to think about, but in the end, we should support the choice that respects the patient's autonomous choice or clear best interest and the respect that we have for their dignity and personal worth.

Atendimento Pré-hospitalar Móvel. Mapeando Riscos e Prevenindo Erros

The attention with safety of the patients is important in the quality of the nursing and health care. In the pre-hospital care, such care is essential on site with the purpose of avoiding possible consequences to the individual, ensuring a fast and appropriate care, with improvement of the morbidity and reduction of the mortality. This medical attention is equally associated with the significant risks of adverse events and serious mistakes, which can be reduced with the awareness of the professionals, organization and quality management. It is a descriptive, transversal research, of quantitative approach, with the objective of identifying the risks for the safety of the patient during the mobile pre-hospital care under the view of the nurses, in a city of the Brazilian Northeast. The sample was formed by 23 nurses. The inclusion criteria: to have at least two years of experience and accept to participate on the research. The data collection was done in two steps, first photo collection, through the adapted method of photographic analysis, and the second with the application of questionnaire, divide in two parts: socio-professional data and digital photo punctuation instrument of the patient s safety. The majority of the nurses had an average working time in the mobile pre-hospital care of six years and six months, in the age group of 38 to 53 years old (69,56%) and with Lato sensu specialization (73,91%), being (29,41%) emergency and (29,41%) in intensive care. The (74%) have the Advance Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and (100%) have the Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS); (91, 30%) know the thematic safety of the patient. On the pictures it was observed a bigger variability of the categories (risks) where 44% of variance emerged on the first picture of the research. The pictures 4 and 9 with the average below 5 were classified as very insecure, while pictures 7 and 3 with an average above 7, very secure. On the results of risks observed for the patient s safety in the mobile pre-hospital care five categories emerged: organization and packaging of the equipment and materials, routines and specificities in the mobile pre-hospital care, risks on the management of medications, for traumas and infections. Starting from the analysis of these risks, it was proposed ten steps for the safety in the mobile pre-hospital care: 1- Identify the patient; 2- Safety related to prevention of infection; 3- Safety in the management of medications; 4- Safety and standardization of the packaging of equipment and materials; 5- Attention to the specificities of the mobile pre-hospital care; 6- Incentive and value the participation of the patient and family; 7- Promote the communication with the central of regulation; 8- Prevention of traumas and falls; 9- Protect the skin from additional injuries; 10- Understand the benefit of all the equipment in the ambulance. The multiple risks and their emerged combinations on the research indicate a variety of actions to be developed and stimulated, like the use of steps for the patient s safety in the mobile pre-hospital care which contributes with the aid and management of risks, reduction of mistakes, disabilities and death

Trauma em idosos atendidos pelo serviço pré-hospitalar móvel

O The aim of this study was to characterize the occurrence of trauma in the elderly population served by the mobile pre-hospital service, in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte. This is a descriptive, transversal and quantitative approach and whose population consisted of 2,080 trauma victims. The sample, of systematic random type, consisted of 400 elderly people, aged from 60 years old, assisted by the Office of Mobile Emergency in Natal / RN, between January 2011 and December 2012. Data collection began after consent and assent of the institution of a Research Ethics Committee under No. 309 505. It was proceeded to documentary retrospective analysis of records of this service through a form of self-development, validated by expert judges considered reliable (α> 0.75) and valid (CVI = 0.97) in their clarity and relevance. Data were tabulated by the Statistical Package for Social Sciences, version 20.0. The results show that older victims have an average age of 74.19 years old, with a prevalence of female involvement by chronic diseases, especially hypertension, average usage of 2.2 routine medications with vital signs within normal limits. The trauma prevailed during the daytime, in the residence of the victims, north of the city and on weekends. Among the mechanisms of trauma were falls, traffic accidents and physical aggression, whose most common type was brain-cerebral trauma and the main consequences were suture wounds and closed fractures. Basic Support Units were as more driven to pre-hospital care (87.8%) and the main destination place consisted of a referral hospital for emergency of the state (57.5%). Among the most commonly performed procedures by nursing staff immobilization with rigid board and neck collar and the peripheral venipuncture, and the main component used for volume replacement to saline were highlighted. There was a significant relationship between the deaths and the mechanism of injury, mechanism of injury and procedures, except medication administration procedures carried out, except immobilization and unit for service. It is highlighted the prevalence of trauma in the elderly, poor follow-up Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support protocol and the paucity of records and nursing procedures performed. There is need for a protocol of care specific to elderly trauma victims and education strategies for the prevention of such events

Avaliação dos registros de enfermagem sobre ressuscitação cardiopulmonar baseada no modelo Utstein

Estudo transversal que avaliou a qualidade dos registros de enfermagem sobre ressuscitação cardiopulmonar. Foram revisados 42 prontuários de pacientes em uma unidade de terapia intensiva, utilizando o protocolo Utstein. Houve predomínio de homens (54,8%), idade de 21 a 70 anos (38,1%), correção de cardiopatias adquiridas (42,7%), com mais de um dispositivo pré-existente (147). Como causa imediata de parada cardiorrespiratória, predominou hipotensão (48,3%) e como ritmo inicial, bradicardia (37,5%). Apenas a hora do óbito e hora da parada foram registradas em 100% da amostra. Não foi registrado treinamento dos profissionais em Suporte Avançado de Vida. As causas da parada e ritmo inicial foram registrados em 69% e 76,2% da amostra. Compressões torácicas, obtenção de vias aéreas pérvias e desfibrilação foram registradas em menos de 16%. Os registros foram considerados de baixa qualidade, podendo incorrer em sanções legais aos profissionais e não permitindo a comparação da efetividade das manobras com outros centros.

Review of Lodox Statscan in the detection of peripheral skeletal fractures in multiple injury patients

As part of the primary survey, polytrauma patients in our emergency department are examined using the new 'Lodox Statscan' (LS) digital low-radiation imaging device. The LS provides full-body anterior and lateral views based on enhanced linear slot-scanning technology, in accordance with the recommended Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) Guidelines. This study's objectives were to establish whether LS appropriately rules out peripheral bone injuries and to examine whether LS imaging provides adequate information for the preoperative planning of such lesions.

Students' knowledge of symptoms and risk factors of potential life-threatening medical conditions

In order to assess medical students' knowledge of Basic Life Support (BLS) principles, we defined a minimal knowledge (MK) of three life-threatening medical conditions that should be universally known: cardiac arrest, heart attack and stroke, and compared the results with those of laypersons.

Survivors with bad outcome after hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy: full-term neonates compare unfavourably with children

Hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) is of major importance in neonatal and paediatric intensive care with regard to mortality and long-term morbidity. Our aim was to analyse our data in full-term neonates and children with special regard to withdrawal of life support and bad outcome. PATIENTS: All patients with HIE admitted to our unit from 1992-96 were analysed. Criteria for HIE were presence of a hypoxic insult followed by coma or altered consciousness with or without convulsions. Severity of HIE was assessed in neonates using Sarnat stages, and in children the duration of coma. In the majority of cases staging was completed with electrophysiological studies. Outcome was described using the Glasgow Outcome Scale. Bad outcome was defined as death, permanent vegetative state or severe disability, good outcome as moderate disability or good recovery. RESULTS: In the neonatal group (n = 38) outcome was significantly associated with Sarnat stages, presence of convulsions, severely abnormal EEG, cardiovascular failure, and multiple organ dysfunction (MOD). A bad outcome was observed in 27 cases with 14 deaths and 13 survivors. Supportive treatment was withdrawn in 14 cases with 9 subsequent deaths. In the older age group (n = 45) outcome was related to persistent coma of 24-48 h, severely abnormal EEG, cardiovascular failure, liver dysfunction and MOD. A bad outcome was found in 36 cases with 33 deaths and 3 survivors. Supportive treatment was withdrawn in 15 instances, all followed by death. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, neonates and older patients did not differ with regard to good or bad outcome. However, in the neonatal group there were significantly more survivors with bad outcome, either overall or after withdrawal of support. Possible explanations for this difference include variability of hypoxic insult, maturational and metabolic differences, and the more compliant neonatal skull, which prevents brainstem herniation.

Summary of European Association of Urology (EAU) Guidelines on Neuro-Urology

CONTEXT Most patients with neuro-urological disorders require life-long medical care. The European Association of Urology (EAU) regularly updates guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of these patients. OBJECTIVE To provide a summary of the 2015 updated EAU Guidelines on Neuro-Urology. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION Structured literature searches in several databases were carried out to update the 2014 guidelines. Levels of evidence and grades of recommendation were assigned where possible. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS Neurological disorders often cause urinary tract, sexual, and bowel dysfunction. Most neuro-urological patients need life-long care for optimal life expectancy and quality of life. Timely diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent upper and lower urinary tract deterioration. Clinical assessment should be comprehensive and usually includes a urodynamic investigation. The neuro-urological management must be tailored to the needs of the individual patient and may require a multidisciplinary approach. Sexuality and fertility issues should not be ignored. Numerous conservative and noninvasive possibilities of management are available and should be considered before a surgical approach is chosen. Neuro-urological patients require life-long follow-up and particular attention has to be paid to this aspect of management. CONCLUSIONS The current EAU Guidelines on Neuro-Urology provide an up-to-date overview of the available evidence for adequate diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of neuro-urological patients. PATIENT SUMMARY Patients with a neurological disorder often suffer from urinary tract, sexual, and bowel dysfunction and life-long care is usually necessary. The update of the EAU Guidelines on Neuro-Urology, summarized in this paper, enables caregivers to provide optimal support to neuro-urological patients. Conservative, noninvasive, or minimally invasive approaches are often possible.

Attitudes toward end-of-life decision making in South Texas

Advance care planning has the potential to create positive outcomes in the realm of end-of-life health care. The completion of advance directives and living wills are vital in equipping patients with autonomy and ensuring that their end-of-life wishes are respected. However, there remains a lack of knowledge and low completion rates of advance directives despite their possible improvements and ramifications on health care at the end of life. This study seeks to determine the knowledge of and attitudes towards end-of-life decision-making in South Texas. The study is designed as a cross-sectional, exploratory survey using a descriptive survey instrument to query 71 subjects in South Texas. The setting for the study includes three distinct groups, two in San Antonio, Texas and one in Brownsville, Texas. Unique differences in demographics between the three groups, such as variability in age, ethnicity, language and religious affiliation allowed for preliminary associations to be concluded in describing the results of the survey instrument. Ultimately, this study describes the attitudes and perceptions of advance care planning in South Texas and reveals the need for further education and awareness of the topic, perhaps indicating the need for a public health initiative in this regard.^

Identificação do risco de deterioração fisiológica no pré-hospitalar

Enquadramento – A Early Warning Scores é uma escala de alerta, baseada num sistema de atribuição de pontos (scores) aos parâmetros vitais e deterioração do SNC, sendo a sua principal finalidade a identificação precoce do risco de deterioração fisiológica do doente. Objetivos – Determinar os parâmetros da escala que foram avaliados; identificar a periodicidade de avaliação dos parâmetros da escala; determinar as situações identificadas como risco de deterioração fisiológica; avaliar as propriedades psicométricas da escala Early Warning Scores (validade e fiabilidade). Material e Método – Estudo quantitativo e descritivo-correlacional, cuja população alvo consistiu nos doentes vítimas de acidente ou doença súbita, submetidos a atendimentos por parte de enfermeiros afetos ao INEM, nomeadamente nas ambulâncias de Suporte Imediato de Vida, mediante ativação via 112. O instrumento de avaliação utilizado consiste na Escala Early Warning Scores. Resultados – Verificou-se que o índice de fiabilidade se traduziu num valor de alfa de Cronbach, para a globalidade da escala, fraco (α=0.462). Concluiu-se que houve uma redução progressiva dos scores, em termos de risco, indicando a ocorrência de uma deteção precoce da degradação clínica dos 214 doentes, o que se traduziu numa atuação mais eficaz no pré-hospitalar. Conclusão - A redução progressiva dos scores, em termos de risco ao longo dos três momentos de avaliação com a Early Warning Scores, sugere que houve uma deteção precoce da degradação clínica dos doentes, resultando numa atuação mais eficaz no pré-hospitalar. Palavras-chave: Pré-hospitalar; Risco de deterioração fisiológica; Early Warning Scores.