The closed infusion system in the prevention of bloodstream infections

Los pacientes hospitalizados están en continuo riesgo de infecciones del torrente sanguíneo (ITS), especialmente en las unidades de cuidado intensivo (UCI). Las ITS constituyen 14% de las infecciones nosocomiales (IN) y representan casi un tercio de las muertes asociadas con IN. Es así que se han establecido pautas de prevención y protocolos de manejo para reducir el impacto de las ITS asociadas a catéteres (CR). Entre ellas están las diferencias entre contenedores de infusión intravenosa (IV). Los de infusión abierto necesitan la introducción de aire para su vaciamiento. Los de infusión cerrado son contenedores colapsables que no requieren aire para su vaciamiento. En conclusión, en la era de la seguridad del paciente se hace necesario que los sistemas de salud propendan por hacer los cambios en la tecnología que redundan en una mejor atención y que muchas veces son costo/efectivas.105-107Hospitalized patients are at continued risk of bloodstream infections (BSI), especially in intensive care units (ICU). BSI constitute 14% of nosocomial infections (HAI) and represent almost a third of deaths associated with HAI. It is well established that prevention guidelines and management protocols reduce the impact of BSI associated with catheters (CR). Among them are the differences between containers intravenous (IV). The open infusion required the introduction of air for emptying. The closed infusion are collapsible containers that do not require air for emptying. In conclusion, in the era of patient safety it is necessary to propitiate health systems to make the changes in technology that result in improved care and often are cost-effective

Abscessos cerebrais múltiplos causados por infecção por Penicillium spp

We present a case of central nervous system (CNS) infection by a member of the Penicillium genera in a HIV-negative man in Brazil. The patient was admitted complaining of loss of visual fields and speech disturbances. CT scan revealed multiple brain abscesses. Stereothacic biopsies revealed fungal infection and amphotericin B treatment begun with initial improvement. The patient died few days later as a consequence of massive gastrointestinal bleeding due to ruptured esophageal varices. The necropsy and final microbiologic analyses disclosed infection by Penicillium sp. There are thousands of fungal species of the Penicillium genera. Systemic penicilliosis is caused by the P. marneffei and was formerly a rare disease, but now is one of the most common opportunistic infection of AIDS patients in Southeast Asia. The clinical presentation usually involves the respiratory system and the skin, besides general symptoms like fever and weight loss. Penicillium spp infection caused by species other than P. marneffei normally cause only superficial or allergic disease but rare cases of invasive disease do occur. We report the fourth case of Penicillium spp CNS infection.Apresentamos um caso de infecção do sistema nervoso central (SNC) por Penicillium spp em paciente do sexo masculino, HIV-negativo no Brasil. O paciente apresentou-se ao Serviço de Urgência do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo queixando-se de alteração visual e dificuldade na fala. Exames de neuroimagem mostraram lesões múltiplas, compatíveis com abscessos. A biópsia esterotáxica revelou infecção fúngica, iniciando-se o tratamento com anfotericina B com sucesso inicial. O paciente morreu poucos dias depois, vítima de uma hemorragia digestiva maciça devido a varizes de esôfago. A necropsia e a análise microbiológica final da biópsia cerebral revelaram infecção por Penicillium spp. Exixtem centenas de espécies de fungos do gênero Penicillium. A peniciliose sistêmica é causada pelo P. marneffei e costumava ser uma doença rara, mas atualmente é uma das infecções oportunistas mais comuns em associação com AIDS no Sudeste Asiático. Infecção pelo Penicillium spp de espécie diferente do P. marneffei normalmente causa apenas doenças superficiais ou alérgicas mas doenças invasivas também ocorrem raramente. Nós relatamos o quarto caso de infecção do SNC por Penicillium spp

A Multicentre, Prospective Study to Evaluate Costs of Septic Patients in Brazilian Intensive Care Units

Background: Sepsis has a high prevalence within intensive care units, with elevated rates of morbidity and mortality, and high costs. Data on sepsis costs are scarce in the literature, and in developing countries such as Brazil these data are largely unavailable. Objectives: To assess the standard direct costs of sepsis management in Brazilian intensive care units (ICUs) and to disclose factors that could affect those costs. Methods: This multicentre observational cohort study was conducted in adult septic patients admitted to 21 mixed ICUs of private and public hospitals in Brazil from 1 October 2003 to 30 March 2004. Complete data for all patients admitted to the ICUs were obtained until their discharge or death. We collected only direct healthcare-related costs, defined as all costs related to the ICU stay. Enrolled patients were assessed daily in terms of cost-related expenditures such as hospital fees, operating room fees, gas therapy, physiotherapy, blood components transfusion, medications, renal replacement therapy, laboratory analysis and imaging. Standard unit costs (year 2006 values) were based on the Brazilian Medical Association (AMB) price index for medical procedures and the BRASINDICE price index for medications, solutions and hospital consumables. Medical resource utilization was also assessed daily using the Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System (TISS-28). Indirect costs were not included. Results: With a mean (standard deviation [SD]) age of 61.1 +- 19.2 years, 524 septic patients from 21 centres were included in this study. The overall hospital mortality rate was 43.8%, the mean Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score was 22.3 +- 5.4, and the mean Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score at ICU admission was 7.5 +- 3.9. The median total cost of sepsis was $US9632 (interquartile range [IQR] 4583-18_387; 95$US934 (IQR 735-1170; 95% CI 897, 963). The median daily ICU cost per patient was significantly higher in non-survivors than in survivors, i.e. $US1094 (IQR 888-1341; 95$US826 (IQR 668-982; 95% CI 786, 854), respectively (p_Cost-of-illness, Sepsis, Septic-shock, Septicaemia, Systemic-inflammatory-response-syndrome