Definición de la etapa de desarrollo de los cultivos para estimar evapotranspiración usando la metodología FAO-56 y sensores remotos

Se analizan los patrones temporales de variables biofísicas y espectrales: índicede área foliar (IAF), cobertura aérea (fv), e índice de vegetación cinemáticamentemodificado y ajustado por suelo (IV_CIMAS), en cultivos con densidad foliar alta(sorgo) y densidad foliar media (algodón y maíz). En el caso del sorgo, se analiza larelación de estos patrones temporales con el coeficiente basal de cultivo (Kcb). Lasvariables fv, IAF e IV_CIMAS fueron modeladas con un modelo expo-lineal truncado(ELT) y uno expo-lineal asimétrico (ELA). Ambos presentaron un buen ajusteestadístico en los tres cultivos; sin embargo, el modelo ELT resulta más adecuado,porque no requiere el valor máximo de la variable. De las tres variables modeladas,el IV_CIMAS representa mejor la cantidad y calidad de la vegetación en un píxel oparcela, ya que es función de la cantidad de área foliar, de su distribución espacial,de las propiedades ópticas de las hojas y del suelo de fondo de la vegetación. Con elobjeto de estimar evapotranspiración, según lo establecido en FAO-56, se analizarontres métodos distintos para caracterizar la etapa de desarrollo del cultivo de sorgo.Los métodos definen la duración de la etapa con base en la cobertura del suelo, laetapa de floración y mediante la información espectral (IV_CIMAS). Se analizaronlos errores (RECM y ERM) de las estimaciones de Kcb de la etapa de desarrollovegetativo mediante los tres métodos, en relación con las estimaciones de Kcb de unlisímetro de pesada, obteniendo los mejores resultados para el método IV_CIMAS ylos peores para el método FAO-56-Floración

A program of nurse algorithm-guided care for adult patients with acute minor illnesses in primary care

Background: Attention to patients with acute minor-illnesses requesting same-day consultation represents a major burden in primary care. The workload is assumed by general practitioners in many countries. A number of reports suggest that care to these patients may be provided, at in least in part, by nurses. However, there is scarce information with respect to the applicability of a program of nurse management for adult patients with acute minor-illnesses in large areas. The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of a program of nurse algorithm-guided care for adult patients with acute minor illnesses requesting same-day consultation in primary care in a largely populated area. Methods: A cross-sectional study of all adult patients seeking same day consultation for 16 common acute minor illnesses in a large geographical area with 284 primary care practices. Patients were included in a program of nurse case management using management algorithms. The main outcome measure was case resolution, defined as completion of the algorithm by the nurse without need of referral of the patient to the general practitioner. The secondary outcome measure was return to consultation, defined as requirement of new consultation for the same reason as the first one, in primary care within a 7-day period. Results: During a two year period (April 2009-April 2011), a total of 1,209,669 consultations were performed in the program. Case resolution was achieved by nurses in 62.5% of consultations. The remaining cases were referred to a general practitioner. Resolution rates ranged from 94.2% in patients with burns to 42% in patients with upper respiratory symptoms. None of the 16 minor illnesses had a resolution rate below 40%. Return to consultation during a 7-day period was low, only 4.6%. Conclusions: A program of algorithms-guided care is effective for nurse case management of patients requesting same day consultation for minor illnesses in primary care

A program of nurse algorithm-guided care for adult patients with acute minor illnesses in primary care

Background: Attention to patients with acute minor-illnesses requesting same-day consultation represents a major burden in primary care. The workload is assumed by general practitioners in many countries. A number of reports suggest that care to these patients may be provided, at in least in part, by nurses. However, there is scarce information with respect to the applicability of a program of nurse management for adult patients with acute minor-illnesses in large areas. The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of a program of nurse algorithm-guided care for adult patients with acute minor illnesses requesting same-day consultation in primary care in a largely populated area. Methods: A cross-sectional study of all adult patients seeking same day consultation for 16 common acute minor illnesses in a large geographical area with 284 primary care practices. Patients were included in a program of nurse case management using management algorithms. The main outcome measure was case resolution, defined as completion of the algorithm by the nurse without need of referral of the patient to the general practitioner. The secondary outcome measure was return to consultation, defined as requirement of new consultation for the same reason as the first one, in primary care within a 7-day period. Results: During a two year period (April 2009-April 2011), a total of 1,209,669 consultations were performed in the program. Case resolution was achieved by nurses in 62.5% of consultations. The remaining cases were referred to a general practitioner. Resolution rates ranged from 94.2% in patients with burns to 42% in patients with upper respiratory symptoms. None of the 16 minor illnesses had a resolution rate below 40%. Return to consultation during a 7-day period was low, only 4.6%. Conclusions: A program of algorithms-guided care is effective for nurse case management of patients requesting same day consultation for minor illnesses in primary care