Relationship between ABO Blood Group Distribution and COVID-19 Infection in Patients Admitted to the ICU: A Multicenter Observational Spanish Study

ABO blood-group system; Coronavirus infections; Multivariate analysis.Sistema de grups sanguinis ABO; Infeccions per coronavirus; Anàlisi multivariantSistema de grupos sanguíneos ABO; Infecciones por coronavirus; Análisis multivariableSince the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in December 2019, a relationship between the ABO blood group type and the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, the etiological agent of COVID-19, has been reported, noting that individuals with the O blood group are the least likely to be infected. Spain is one of the most badly affected countries worldwide, with high rates of patients diagnosed, hospitalized, and deceased due to COVID-19 infection. The present study aimed to analyze the possible relationship of ABO in COVID-19 patients hospitalized in different Spanish centers during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, for which the ABO group was available. Physicians from the transfusion services of different Spanish hospitals, who have developed a multicenter retrospective observational study, were invited to participate voluntarily in the research and 12,115 patients with COVID-19 infection were admitted to the nine participating hospitals. The blood group was known in 1399 cases (11.5%), of which 365 (26.1%) were admitted to the ICU. Regarding the distribution of ABO blood groups, a significant increase in the non-O blood groups and reduction for the O blood group was observed in patients hospitalized due to COVID-19, compared to the reference general population. Among the patients admitted to the ICU, after multivariate analysis, adjusted for the rest of the confounding variables, patients with the O blood group presented a significantly lower risk for admission to the ICU. We conclude that an association was observed between patients with the O blood group and their lower susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection, both for those admitted to the hospitalization ward and for those who required admission to the ICU

Gender equity in the scientific nursing journals indexed in Journal Citation Reports: A cross-sectional study

Background: Scientific activity has been connected to the proven inequality between women and men. To examine the state of gender equality in nursing research by analyzing the representation of male and female as editors and as authors of articles published in scientific journals. Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out between September-2019 and May-2020. All the scientific publications published in 115 nursing journals indexed in the Journal Citation Reports in the years 2008, 2013, and 2017 were chosen as analysis units. The main variables studied were gender of the "journal editor"; gender of the "first author", "last author", "corresponding author", and "first author in funded articles". Descriptive and inferential analysis was performed. Results: The proportion of male editors in 2008, 2013, and 2017 was 23.3, 19, and 18.5% respectively, with a male/female ratio of 1:3, 1:4 and 1:5. Male editors are mainly found in the journals of the first quartile (Q1 = 33.8%, ratio1:2), compared to the journals of the fourth quartile (Q4 = 6.6%, ratio1:14), p < 0.01. The male authorship position was "last author" (30.9%, ratio1:2), "corresponding author" (23.3%, ratio 1:3), "first author" (22.1%, ratio 1:4) and "first author in funded articles" (21.8%, ratio 1:4). Furthermore, in 19.5%, of the articles there were more male authors. The percentage of articles with male authorship increased from 2008 to 2017, "first author" (21.1-23.4%; p < 0.01), "last author" (30.0-31.1%; p = 0.22), "corresponding author" (22.5-24.2; p = 0.01), and "first author in funded articles" (18.1-25.9%; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Men are over-represented in the editor role in the most prestigious nursing journals. There are a higher proportion of male authors in the main positions of authorship

Realist evaluation of the implementation of the surgical checklist in a tertiary hospital

Introducción. Cada día son más las cirugías realizadas en el mundo, lo que aumenta el riesgo de cometer errores dentro del área quirúrgica. Por ello, es necesario contar con un arraigado clima de seguridad del paciente que permita desarrollar la efectividad de herramientas clave como el listado de verificación quirúrgica. Objetivos. Evaluar de forma realista la implantación del listado de verificación quirúrgica en un hospital de tercer nivel a través de sus profesionales. Metodología. La evaluación realista permite obtener una visión integral de una intervención compleja como es la incorporación del listado de verificación quirúrgica. Se llevarán a cabo tres etapas diferenciadas: análisis del contexto, análisis del mecanismo y análisis del resultado. Estas fases requieren distintas formas de recogida de datos: revisión de la literatura, entrevistas semiestructuradas, encuestas y recogida de indicadores de calidad del programa cirugía segura. Aplicabilidad práctica. Durante el análisis de los datos se obtendrán datos cuantitativos y cualitativos que se integrarán para conseguir una evaluación exhaustiva del proceso de implantación del listado de verificación quirúrgica desde el inicio hasta la actualidad con los correspondientes flujos entre el contexto y sus circunstancias. Con esto conseguiremos destacar la importancia de un plan de implantación con estrategias sólido a través de intervenciones programadas que permiten una mejora y evaluación constante de las herramientas.Introduction. Every day there are more surgeries performed in the world, which increases the risk of making mistakes within the surgical area. For this reason, it is necessary to have a developed patient safety climate that allows the development of the effectiveness of key tools such as the surgical safety checklist. Objective. Evaluate the implementation of the surgical safety checklist in a tertiary hospital through its professionals. Methodology. The realist evaluation allows obtain a comprehensive vision of a complex intervention such as the incorporation of the surgical safety checklist. Three different stages will be carried out: context analysis, mechanism analysis and result analysis. These phases require different forms of data collection: literature review, semi-structured interviews, surveys, and collection of quality indicators of the safe surgery program. Clinical relevance. Quantitative and qualitative data will be obtained that will be integrated to achieve an exhaustive evaluation of the surgical safety checklist implementation process from the beginning to the present with the corresponding flows between the context and its circumstances. This exhaustive evaluation will be able to highlight the importance of an implementation plan with solid strategies through programmed interventions that allow constant improvement and evaluation of the tools

Closed Endotracheal Suction Systems for COVID-19: Rapid Review

Background: The increase in admissions to intensive care units (ICUs) in 2020 and the morbidity and mortality associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection pose a challenge to the analysis of evidence of health interventions carried out in ICUs. One of the most common interventions in patients infected with the virus and admitted to ICUs is endotracheal aspiration. Endotracheal suctioning has also been considered one of the most contaminating interventions. Objective: This review aims to analyze the benefits and risks of endotracheal suctioning using closed suction systems (CSS) in COVID-19 patients. Methods: A rapid review was carried out using the following databases: PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, LILACS, the Cochrane Library, and IBECS. The data search included articles in English and Spanish, published between 2010 and 2020, concerning adult patients, and using the key words "endotracheal," "suction," and "closed system." Results: A total of 15 articles were included. The benefits and risks were divided into 3 categories: patient, care, and organization. Relating to the patient, we found differences in cardiorespiratory variables and changes in the ventilator, for example, improvement in patients with elevated positive and end-expiratory pressure due to maladaptation and alveolar collapse. Relating to care, we found a shorter suctioning time, by up to 1 minute. Relating to organization, we found fewer microorganisms on staff gloves. Other conflicting results between studies were related to ventilator-associated pneumonia, bacterial colonization, or mortality. Conclusions: Aside from the need for quality research comparing open suction systems and CSS as used to treat COVID-19 patients, closed endotracheal suctioning has benefits in terms of shorter stay in the ICU and reduced environmental contamination, preventing ventilator disconnection from the patient, reducing the suctioning time-though it does produce the greatest number of mucosal occlusions-and preventing interpatient and patient-staff environmental contamination. New evidence in the context of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is required in order to compare results and establish new guidelines

Application of the Delphi Method for Content Validity Analysis of a Questionnaire to Determine the Risk Factors of the Chemsex

Chemsex is understood as 'the intentional use of stimulant drugs to have sex for an extended time among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men'. It is a public health problem because of the increased incidence of cases and because of the consequences on the physical and mental health of those who practice it. Aim: This study aimed to analyze, with the help of the Delphi method, the content validity of a new instrument to assess the risk of behaviors associated with the chemsex phenomenon. Method: First, a bank of items identified from the literature was elaborated. Secondly, 50 experts with knowledge of the chemsex phenomenon at the national level were contacted. A Delphi group was formed with them to carry out two rounds of item evaluation. The linguistic evaluation (comprehension and appropriateness) was assessed using a Likert scale from 1 to 5 for each item. Items that did not reach a mean score of 4 were eliminated. Content assessment was calculated using each item's content validity index (CVI) and Aiken's V (VdA). A minimum CVI and VdA value of 0.6 was established to include the items in the questionnaire. Results: A total of 114 items were identified in the literature. In the first round of Delphi evaluation, 36 experts evaluated the items. A total of 58 items were eliminated for obtaining a CVI or VdA of less than 0.6, leaving 56 items. In a second Delphi round, 30 experts re-evaluated the 56 selected items, where 4 items were eliminated for being similar, and 10 items were also eliminated for not being relevant to the topic even though they had values higher than 0.6, leaving the scale finally composed of 52 items. Conclusion: A questionnaire has been designed to assess the risk of behaviors associated with the chemsex phenomenon. The items that make up the questionnaire have shown adequate content and linguistic validity. The Delphi method proved to be a helpful technique for the proposed objective

Closed Endotracheal Suction Systems for COVID-19: Rapid Review

BackgroundThe increase in admissions to intensive care units (ICUs) in 2020 and the morbidity and mortality associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection pose a challenge to the analysis of evidence of health interventions carried out in ICUs. One of the most common interventions in patients infected with the virus and admitted to ICUs is endotracheal aspiration. Endotracheal suctioning has also been considered one of the most contaminating interventions. ObjectiveThis review aims to analyze the benefits and risks of endotracheal suctioning using closed suction systems (CSS) in COVID-19 patients. MethodsA rapid review was carried out using the following databases: PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, LILACS, the Cochrane Library, and IBECS. The data search included articles in English and Spanish, published between 2010 and 2020, concerning adult patients, and using the key words “endotracheal,” “suction,” and “closed system.” ResultsA total of 15 articles were included. The benefits and risks were divided into 3 categories: patient, care, and organization. Relating to the patient, we found differences in cardiorespiratory variables and changes in the ventilator, for example, improvement in patients with elevated positive and end-expiratory pressure due to maladaptation and alveolar collapse. Relating to care, we found a shorter suctioning time, by up to 1 minute. Relating to organization, we found fewer microorganisms on staff gloves. Other conflicting results between studies were related to ventilator-associated pneumonia, bacterial colonization, or mortality. ConclusionsAside from the need for quality research comparing open suction systems and CSS as used to treat COVID-19 patients, closed endotracheal suctioning has benefits in terms of shorter stay in the ICU and reduced environmental contamination, preventing ventilator disconnection from the patient, reducing the suctioning time—though it does produce the greatest number of mucosal occlusions—and preventing interpatient and patient-staff environmental contamination. New evidence in the context of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is required in order to compare results and establish new guidelines

Evaluación realista de la implantación del listado de verificación quirúrgica en un hospital de tercer nivel

Introduction. Every day there are more surgeries performed in the world, which increases the risk of making mistakes within the surgical area. For this reason, it is necessary to have a developed patient safety climate that allows the development of the effectiveness of key tools such as the surgical safety checklist. Objective. Evaluate the implementation of the surgical safety checklist in a tertiary hospital through its professionals. Methodology. The realist evaluation allows obtain a comprehensive vision of a complex intervention such as the incorporation of the surgical safety checklist. Three different stages will be carried out: context analysis, mechanism analysis and result analysis. These phases require different forms of data collection: literature review, semi-structured interviews, surveys, and collection of quality indicators of the safe surgery program. Clinical relevance. Quantitative and qualitative data will be obtained that will be integrated to achieve an exhaustive evaluation of the surgical safety checklist implementation process from the beginning to the present with the corresponding flows between the context and its circumstances. This exhaustive evaluation will be able to highlight the importance of an implementation plan with solid strategies through programmed interventions that allow constant improvement and evaluation of the tools.Introducción. Cada día son más las cirugías realizadas en el mundo, lo que aumenta el riesgo de cometer errores dentro del área quirúrgica. Por ello, es necesario contar con un arraigado clima de seguridad del paciente que permita desarrollar la efectividad de herramientas clave como el listado de verificación quirúrgica. Objetivos. Evaluar de forma realista la implantación del listado de verificación quirúrgica en un hospital de tercer nivel a través de sus profesionales. Metodología. La evaluación realista permite obtener una visión integral de una intervención compleja como es la incorporación del listado de verificación quirúrgica. Se llevarán a cabo tres etapas diferenciadas: análisis del contexto, análisis del mecanismo y análisis del resultado. Estas fases requieren distintas formas de recogida de datos: revisión de la literatura, entrevistas semiestructuradas, encuestas y recogida de indicadores de calidad del programa cirugía segura. Aplicabilidad práctica. Durante el análisis de los datos se obtendrán datos cuantitativos y cualitativos que se integrarán para conseguir una evaluación exhaustiva del proceso de implantación del listado de verificación quirúrgica desde el inicio hasta la actualidad con los correspondientes flujos entre el contexto y sus circunstancias. Con esto conseguiremos destacar la importancia de un plan de implantación con estrategias sólido a través de intervenciones programadas que permiten una mejora y evaluación constante de las herramientas

Importance of nutritional assessment tools in the critically ill patient: A systematic review

Background: Among the risks of the critically ill patient, one of the aspects to be taken into account is the high probability of occurrence of malnutrition risk (40-50%). This process leads to increased morbimortality and worsening. The use of assessment tools allows the individualization of care. Objective: To analyze the different nutritional assessment tools used during the admission of critically ill patients. Methods: Systematic review of the scientific literature related to the nutritional assessment of critically ill patients. Between January 2017 and February 2022, articles were rescued from the electronic databases 'Pubmed,' 'Scopus,' 'CINAHL' and 'The Cochrane Library'; which will analyze which instruments are used during nutritional assessment in the ICU, as well as their impact on mortality and comorbidity of patients. Results: The systematic review was made up of 14 scientific articles that met the selection criteria, obtained from seven different countries. The instruments described were: mNUTRIC, NRS 2002, NUTRIC, SGA, MUST and the ASPEN and ASPEN criteria. All the included studies demonstrated beneficial effects after nutritional risk assessment. mNUTRIC was the most widely used assessment instrument, with the best predictive validity for mortality and adverse outcomes. Conclusion: The use of nutritional assessment tools makes it possible to know the real situation of patients, and by objectifying situations, to allow different interventions to improve the nutritional level of patients. The best effectiveness has been achieved using tools such as mNUTRIC, NRS 2002 and SGA

Language and Cultural Barriers and Facilitators of Sexual and Reproductive Health Care for Migrant Women in High-Income European Countries: An Integrative Review

Introduction: Dealing with intercultural communicative barriers in European countries' national health services is an increasing and necessary challenge to guarantee migrant women's right to health care. This integrative review describes the communication barriers and facilitators that migrant women encounter to access and use sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services in Europe. Methods: A literature search was performed to identify original studies in PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Scopus, using keywords associated with migrant women and SRH services. This was supplemented by scanning the reference lists from relevant studies and similar reviews. Studies exploring the perspective of migrant women about communication barriers and facilitators to the access and use of SRH services were included, whereas those that solely explored health professional's experiences were excluded. Findings were organized into 4 themes: (1) verbal-linguistic barriers, (2) nonverbal language barriers, (3) cultural barriers, and (4) communication facilitators. Results: Nineteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Results showed that when women had problems understanding or being understood by health professionals, they experienced feelings of anxiety, fear, insecurity, and discrimination that discouraged them from using SRH services. The most requested facilitators by women were health education, access to professional interpreters and translation of written information, and increasing the practitioners' cultural competence. Discussion: Communication barriers undermine migrant women's right to benefit from preventive SRH programs and to make informed decisions concerning their health. It is necessary to establish tailored plans in each health care center to improve intercultural communication that integrate facilitators proposed by women. Future research should provide solid evidence on the effectiveness of each facilitator implemented