The 10 Commandments of Resuscitation

Cardiopulmonary cerebral resuscitation is a part of the theoretical and practical activities that must be mastered by health professionals who care for patients with haemodynamic compromise or cardiac arrest. Since Peter Safar, the father of western reanimatology, introduced the ABC-DEF-GHI mnemonic to help rescuers remember the steps of basic and advanced life support and postarrest management in a rapid, effective, and safe way, various mnemonic resources have been utilised to encode this knowledge in the long-term memory and help with fast retrieval. The purpose of this reflection article, based on different resuscitation workshops that have been carried out since 2000 at Colombian Society of Anaesthesiology and Resuscitation (S.C.A.R.E) and Universidad Nacional de Colombia., is to share a simple and practical set of 10 rules that must be followed in order to achieve successful resuscitation

Bloqueo perirrectal para cirugía anorrectal ambulatoria: una nueva técnica

Introduction. Perirectal block using four puncture places has been classically described for rectal surgery.Objective. This paper was aimed at showing the quality of anesthesia and postoperative analgesia using a new two-puncture-site technique.Materials and methods. Patients scheduled for ambulatory rectal surgery between January/2003 and December/2007 were included consecutively. The new two-puncture technique was used. Alternative anesthetic management and level of postoperative pain requirements were evaluated (rated visual analogue scale-VAS). Follow-up was done by telephone between 1st and 10th postoperative day to evaluate complications, pain (yes/no), and satisfaction level (1-5 points score).Results. Four hundred and nine subjects were included; 50.61% were female. Mean age was 43 (95%CI: 41-44; range: 17-85), 12.7% were aged over 60. According to the American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA), 72.6% were classified as ASA1 and 26.1% ASA2. External and internal hemorrhoidectomy was performed on 31% of patients; 61.6% had two or more procedures. Lidocaine was used on 406 subjects. Ropivacaine was added for 9.2% of them and levobupivacaine for 89.4%. 394 patients were followed-up. Median follow-up was 4 days. A response was obtained from 346 subjects (84.6%); 105 (30.3%) recalled having suffered pain during the post-operative period, being most frequent in the lidocaine+ropivacaine group (17/39, 43.5%) than in the lidocaine+bupivacaine group (88/307, 28.6%). Satisfaction was evaluated by 336 subjects (82.1%), 332 of them (98.8%) awarding a score of 5. Two subjects (0.6%) scored this 2 and 1. Subjects did not mention complications.Conclusions. The new peri-rectal two-puncture block technique is easy and also provides analgesia and a high degree of satisfaction.Introducción. El bloqueo perirrectal de cuatro punciones ha sido descrito clásicamente para cirugía rectal. El objetivo de este artículo es describir la calidad de la anestesia y la analgesia posoperatoria cuando se utiliza una nueva técnica de dos punciones.Materiales y métodos. Se incluyeron, consecutivamente, los pacientes programados para cirugía rectal ambulatoria entre enero de 2003 y diciembre de 2007. Se utilizó la nueva técnica anestésica de dos punciones. Se registraron las necesidades de manejo anestésico alternativo y el nivel de dolor posoperatorio por medio de una escala visual análoga graduada. El seguimiento fue telefónico (1 a 10 días posoperatorios) para evaluar complicaciones, dolor (sí/no) y nivel de satisfacción (escala, 1 a 5).Resultados. Se incluyeron 409 sujetos. El 50,61 % eran mujeres. La edad promedio fue de 43 años, (rango, 17 a 85). El 12,7 % eran mayores de 60 años. De acuerdo con la clasificación de la American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA), el 72,6 % fueron ASA1 y 26,1 % ASA2. Se practicó hemorroidectomía externa e interna en 31 % de los pacientes; 61,6 % tuvo más de dos procedimientos. Se utilizó lidocaína en 406 sujetos. Se adicionó ropivacaína en 9,2 % y levobupivacaína en 89,4 %. La mediana de seguimiento fue de cuatro días. Se obtuvo respuesta de 346 sujetos (84,6 %); 105 (30,3 %) refirieron haber sufrido dolor durante el posoperatorio, lo que fue más frecuente en el grupo de lidocaína más ropivacaína (17/39, 43,5 %) que en el de lidocaína más bupivacaína (88/307, 28,6 %). La satisfacción se evaluó en 336 sujetos (82,1 %): 332 (98,8 %) la calificaron en 5, 2 sujetos (0,6 %) la calificaron en 2 y en 1. No hubo complicaciones.Conclusiones. El bloqueo perirrectal de dos punciones es una técnica fácil que, además, provee analgesia y un alto grado de satisfacción

‘Inequidad’ de la expectativa de vida al nacer por sexo y ‘departamentos’ de Colombia

Introduction: Life expectancy is one of the measurements that have been used to monitor socioeconomic development within and among countries. During the last 30 years, life expectancy has increased worldwide mainly due to medical and technological developments. However, access to health care, new technologies and social determinants remain unevenly distributed among regions and countries in the world.Objective: To assess inequalities in life expectancy by gender and regions (departments) in Colombia between 2000 and 2009.Materials and methods: Ecological study. Life expectancy was estimated for each Colombian department using yearly life tables from 2000 to 2009. We used data from the death registries and the estimated population series, provided by the Departamento Administrativo Nacional de Estadística (DANE). For the study period, estimates of life expectancy by departments were compared with those from Japan for the years 2000, 2006 and 2009, which is the country with the highest life expectancy in the world, and with the Colombian department with the highest life expectancy from 2000 to 2009.Results: Compared with the highest life expectancy in the world, Colombian departments showed differences ranged between 5.7 and 21 years. We found significant differences between departments, with the largest difference being 15.3 years. Additionally, in some departments life expectancy decreased during the analyzed period.Conclusions: This study identified differences in life expectancy in Colombian departments suggesting inequalities in health and living conditions among them. These differences increased in some departments during the period 2000-2009. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.7705/biomedica.v33i3.811Introducción. La expectativa de vida al nacer es un indicador que se ha utilizado para hacerle seguimiento al desarrollo humano dentro de los países y entre ellos. Este ha venido incrementándose gracias a los progresos en el campo de la medicina y la tecnología. Sin embargo, el acceso a la atención, la tecnología y los factores determinantes sociales que mejoran el estado de salud, han sido desiguales entre departamentos y países.Objetivo. Estimar la ‘inequidad’ de la expectativa de vida, para cada ‘departamento’ de Colombia según sexo, en el periodo 2000 a 2009.Materiales y métodos. Se llevó a cabo un estudio ecológico. Se estimó la expectativa de vida al nacer por ‘departamentos’ en Colombia, mediante el método de las tablas de vida, entre 2000 y 2009. Las fuentes de datos fueron los registros de defunción y las series de población estimadas a partir del censo del 2005 del Departamento Administrativo Nacional de Estadística (DANE). Se estimó la‘inequidad’ en la expectativa de vida por ‘departamentos’, comparando con el mejor referente mundial en los años 2000, 2006 y 2009, y con el mejor referente interno en el periodo 2000 a 2009.Resultados. Se encontraron años perdidos de vida potencial que fueron hasta de 21 años en el periodo, al hacer la comparación con el mejor referente externo. La diferencia entre los ‘departamentos’ fue hasta de 15,3 años perdidos de vida potencial. Hubo ‘departamentos’ en los que aumentó la brecha de años perdidos de vida potencial.Conclusiones. Colombia mantiene grandes diferencias en los años perdidos de vida potencial entresus ‘departamentos’. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.7705/biomedica.v33i3.811

A province-wide survey on self-reported language proficiency and its influence in global health education

Objective Literature has reported that language is the most common barrier in a health care setting and a risk factor associated with negative outcomes. The present study reports the differences between nursing students who speak one language and nursing students who speak two or more languages (self-reported language proficiency) and their skills and learning needs in global health.Method An observational cross-sectional study was performed among nursing students from five Ontario universities. A survey was designed to measure knowledge, skills and learning needs in global health.Results Students who speak more than two languages are more likely to have more interest in learning global health issues, such as health risks and their association with travel and migration (p=0.44), and social determinants of health (p=0.042).Conclusion Language training is needed for nursing students to be able to face language barriers in health care settings and improve global health, locally and internationally.Objetivo De acuerdo con la literatura, el idioma es el obstáculo más común en el contexto de la atención médica y un factor de riesgo asociado con resultados negativos. El objetivo de este estudio es presentar las diferencias percibidas entre los estudiantes de enfermería que hablan un idioma y aquellos que hablan dos o más (competencia lingüística reportada por ellos mismos) y sus habilidades y necesidades de aprendizaje en salud global.Método Estudio observacional de corte transversal entre estudiantes de enfermería de cinco universidades de Ontario. Se diseñó una encuesta para medir el conocimiento, las habilidades y las necesidades de aprendizaje en salud global.Resultados Se observó que los estudiantes que hablan más de dos idiomas tienen mayor probabilidad de interesarse más en aprender sobre problemas de salud global, los riesgos para la salud y su asociación con los viajes y la migración (p=0,44), así como sobre los determinantes sociales de la salud (p=0,042).Conclusión Es necesario que se brinde capacitación en aprendizaje de otros idiomas a los estudiantes de enfermería para que puedan afrontar las barreras impuestas por el lenguaje en los contextos de atención médica y mejorar la salud global, de manera local e internacional

GRADE equity guidelines 4: guidance on how to assess and address health equity within the evidence to decision process

Objective: The aim of this paper is to provide detailed guidance on how to incorporate health equity within the GRADE (Grading Recommendations Assessment and Development Evidence) evidence to decision process. Study design and setting: We developed this guidance based on the GRADE evidence to decision (EtD) framework, iteratively reviewing and modifying draft documents, in person discussion of project group members and input from other GRADE members. Results: Considering the impact on health equity may be required, both in general guidelines, and guidelines that focus on disadvantaged populations. We suggest two approaches to incorporate equity considerations: 1) assessing the potential impact of interventions on equity and; 2) incorporating equity considerations when judging or weighing each of the evidence to decision criteria. We provide guidance and include illustrative examples. Conclusion: Guideline panels should consider the impact of recommendations on health equity with attention to remote and underserviced settings and disadvantaged populations. Guideline panels may wish to incorporate equity judgments across the evidence to decision framework

Inequidad de la expectativa de vida al nacer por sexo y departamentos de Colombia

Introducción. La expectativa de vida al nacer es un indicador que se ha utilizado para hacerle seguimiento al desarrollo humano dentro de los países y entre ellos. Este ha venido incrementándose gracias a los progresos en el campo de la medicina y la tecnología. Sin embargo, el acceso a la atención, la tecnología y los factores determinantes sociales que mejoran el estado de salud, han sido desiguales entre departamentos y países. Objetivo. Estimar la ‘inequidad’ de la expectativa de vida, para cada ‘departamento’ de Colombia según sexo, en el periodo 2000 a 2009. Materiales y métodos. Se llevó a cabo un estudio ecológico. Se estimó la expectativa de vida al nacer por ‘departamentos’ en Colombia, mediante el método de las tablas de vida, entre 2000 y 2009. Las fuentes de datos fueron los registros de defunción y las series de población estimadas a partir del censo del 2005 del Departamento Administrativo Nacional de Estadística (DANE). Se estimó la‘inequidad’ en la expectativa de vida por ‘departamentos’, comparando con el mejor referente mundial en los años 2000, 2006 y 2009, y con el mejor referente interno en el periodo 2000 a 2009. Resultados. Se encontraron años perdidos de vida potencial que fueron hasta de 21 años en el periodo, al hacer la comparación con el mejor referente externo. La diferencia entre los ‘departamentos’ fue hasta de 15,3 años perdidos de vida potencial. Hubo ‘departamentos’ en los que aumentó la brecha de años perdidos de vida potencial. Conclusiones. Colombia mantiene grandes diferencias en los años perdidos de vida potencial entresus ‘departamentos’.   doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.7705/biomedica.v33i3.81

Construct and criterion validity of the pedsQL™ 4.0 instrument (Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory) in Colombia

Background: This study aimed at determining the validity of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0 (PedsQL™ 4.0) for the measurement of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in Colombian children. Methods: Validation study of measurement instruments. The PedsQL™ 4.0 was applied by convenience sampling to 375 pairs of children and adolescents between the ages of 5 and 17 and to their parents-caregivers, as well as to 125 parents-caregivers of children between the ages of 2 and 4 in five cities of Colombia (Bogota, Medellin, Cali, Barranquilla and Bucaramanga). Construct validity was assessed through the use of exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, and criterion validity was assessed by correlations between the PedsQL™ 4.0 and the KIDSCREEN-27. Results: The instrument was applied to 375 children (ages 5–18) and 125 parents of children between the ages of 2 and 4. Factor analysis revealed four factors considered suitable for the sample in both the child and parent reports, whereas Bartlett's test of sphericity showed inter-correlation between variables. Scale and subscales showed proper indicators of internal consistency. It is recommended not to include or review some of the items in the Colombian version of the scale. Conclusions: The Spanish version for Colombia of the PedsQL™ 4.0 displays suitable indicators of criterion and construct validity, therefore becoming a valuable tool for measuring HRQOL in children in our country. Some modifications are recommended for the Colombian version of the scale

Translation, cultural adaptation and content re-validation of the observational teamwork assessment for surgery tool

AbstractBackground. Poor teamwork and nontechnical skill performance are increasingly recognized as important contributing factors to errors and adverse events in the operating room. Assessment of these safety critical skills is important to facilitate improvement, however there are no tools available to assess these safety skills in Latin America. This study aimed to translate, culturally adapt and content validate the Observational Teamwork Assessment for Surgery (OTAS) tool for use in Latin America. Methods. A multi-phase, multi-method study was conducted: Phase 1: translation and back-translation; Phase 2: content validity assessed via expert consensus; Phase 3: inter-rater reliability assessed via real-time observation in 98 general surgical procedures using OTAS-S. Results. The first change in OTAS-S, was to distinguish between the surgical nurses and scrub technicians (both OR team members are captured in the nursing sub-team in the original OTAS). OTAS-S consists of 168 exemplar behaviors: 60/114 identical to the exemplars listed in the original OTAS tool, 48/114 original exemplars underwent minor modifications, 13 were duplicated (to account for the additional sub-team distinguished in OTAS-S), 6 original exemplars were removed, and 47 new exemplar behaviors were added. Inter-observer agreement was substantial (KW = 0.602; IC: 0.581–0.620). The calculated KW by phase, behaviors and teams were between 0.534 and 0.678. Conclusions. The study provides a content validated teamwork assessment tool for use within Colombian operating rooms and potentially Latin–American. OTAS-S can be used to assess the quality of teamwork in ORs, facilitate structured debriefing and thus improve patient safety and reduce team-related errors

GRADE Equity Guidelines 2:Considering health equity in GRADE guideline development: Equity extension of the Guideline Development Checklist

Objective: to provide guidance for guideline developers on how to consider health equity at key stages of the guideline development process. Study Design and Setting: literature review followed by group discussions and consensus building. Results: The key stages at which guideline developers could consider equity include setting priorities, guideline group membership, identifying the target audience(s), generating the guideline questions, considering the importance of outcomes and interventions, deciding what evidence to include and searching for evidence, summarising the evidence and considering additional information, wording of recommendations, and evaluation and use. We provide examples of how guidelines have actually considered equity at each of these stages. Conclusion: Guideline projects should consider the above suggestions for recommendations that are equity-sensitive