浙江省德清县县域医共体改革措施与效果分析

目的：分析浙江省德清县县域医共体改革措施及阶段性成效。方法：定性访谈了解医共体整合措施，定量分析医共体建设前后（2016-2018年）各级医疗机构医疗服务利用数据及医共体部分绩效考核数据。结果：医共体在组织、管理、功能、服务方面进行整合，并取得阶段成效：医保基金在县域内支出率有所增加；乡镇卫生院卫生人员数量、医疗收入有所提高，乡镇卫生院住院病人人均医药费有所降低。结论：医共体取得初期成效，应开展以患者健康结局指标为主的长期追踪调查，全面系统评估医共体；保留基层医疗机构地位、功能定位不变；探索实行医共体"总额预付、结余奖励"制度，将医共体发展成以患者健康为中心、基于利益共享机制、分工合作的责任利益共同体。     

Recursos asistenciales en atención primaria para manejo del asma: proyecto Asmabarómetro

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to describe the current provision of basic resources for asthma management in Primary Health Care (PHC).DesignCross-sectional study, with an ad hoc quantitative survey.Location and participantsA total of 380 primary healthcare physicians in Spain.Interventions and main measurementsAnalysis of perceptions of management and use of basic human, organisational and material resources to ensure appropriate care provision to asthma patients.ResultsSurvey respondents stated that their centre did not have a consultant doctor (64%) or nurse (62%) in respiratory disease. Almost all (92%) of the centres have spirometers, of which 70% have peak flow meters, and 93% have placebo inhalers. In the last year, respondents have received specific theoretical/practical training from the centre (46%), and by third parties (83%). More than three-quarters (78%) of the centres has educational material available for patients. There is no specific healthcare protocol in 36% of the centres, and 43% had no referral protocol. A clinical interview is conducted to monitor the patient (90%), but there are no validated questionnaires to measure therapeutic adherence (85%), or a checklist to check inhalation technique (83%). Differences are observed in the relevant variables in the analysis of each Spanish Autonomous Community.ConclusionsAccess to certain resources in the care of patients with asthma is limited in aspects of coordination between levels, varied according to Spanish Autonomous Community, and improved in most health resources in Asthma.     

Faecal immunochemical test outside colorectal cancer screening?

Faecal immunochemical tests (FITs) are the most widely colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnostic biomarker available. Many population screening programmes are based on this biomarker, with the goal of reducing CRC mortality. Moreover, in recent years, a large amount of evidence has been produced on the use of FIT to detect CRC in patients with abdominal symptoms in primary healthcare as well as in surveillance after adenoma resection. The aim of this review is to highlight the available evidence on these two topics. We will summarize the evidence on diagnostic yield in symptomatic patients with CRC and significant colonic lesion and the different options to use this (thresholds, brands, number of determinations, prediction models and combinations). We will include recommendations on FIT strategies in primary healthcare proposed by regulatory bodies and scientific societies and their potential effects on healthcare resources and CRC prognosis. Finally, we will show information regarding FIT-based surveillance as an alternative to endoscopic surveillance after high-risk polyp resection. To conclude, due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, FIT-based strategies have become extremely relevant since they enable a reduction of colonoscopy demand and access to the healthcare system by selecting individuals with the highest risk of CRC.     

BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine Reactogenicity: The key role of immunity

We examined the impact of pre-existing SARS-CoV-2-specific cellular immunity on BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine reactogenicity. Of 96 healthcare workers (HCWs), 76% reported any vaccine reaction (first dose: 70%, second dose: 67%), none of which was severe. Following first dose, systemic reactions were significantly more frequent among HCWs with past infection than in infection-naïve individuals, and among HCWs with pre-existing cellular immunity than in those without it. The rate of systemic reactions after second dose was 1.7 and 2.0-times higher than after first dose among infection-naïve HCWs and those without pre-existing cellular immunity, respectively. Levels of SARS-CoV-2-specific T-cells before vaccination were higher in HCWs with systemic reactions after the first dose than in those without them. BNT162b2 vaccine reactogenicity after first dose is attributable to pre-existing cellular immunity elicited by prior COVID-19 or cross-reactivity. Reactogenicity following second dose suggests an immunity-boosting effect. Overall, these data may reduce negative attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccines.Study Registration.The study was registered on clinicaltrials.gov, NCT04402827.     

Analysis of weekend effect on mortality by medical specialty in Helsinki University Hospital over a 14-year period

BackgroundThe weekend effect, the phenomenon of patients admitted at the weekend having a higher mortality risk, has been widely investigated and documented in both elective and emergency patients. Research on the issue is scarce in Europe, with the exception of the United Kingdom. We examined the situation in Helsinki University Hospital over a 14-year period from a specialty-specific approach.Materials and methodsWe collected the data for all patient visits for 2000–2013, selecting patients with in-hospital care in the university hospital and extracting patients that died during their hospital stay or within 30 days of discharge. These patients were categorized according to urgency of care and specialty.ResultsA total of 1,542,230 in-patients (853,268 emergency patients) met the study criteria, with 47,122 deaths in-hospital or within 30 days of discharge. Of 12 specialties, we found a statistically significant weekend effect for in-hospital mortality in 7 specialties (emergency admissions) and 4 specialties (elective admissions); for 30-day post-discharge mortality in 1 specialty (emergency admissions) and 2 specialties (elective admissions). Surgery, internal medicine, neurology, and gynecology and obstetrics were most sensitive to the weekend effect.ConclusionsThe study confirms a weekend effect for both elective and emergency admissions in most specialties. Reducing the number of weekend elective procedures may be necessary. More disease-specific research is needed to find the diagnoses most susceptible.     

Oral health status of individuals with cerebral palsy at a nationally recognized rehabilitation center

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a set of nonprogressive neuromuscular disorders caused by defects in the developing fetal brain. The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence and distribution of various dental conditions including dental caries and periodontitis among individuals with CP who receive care at the Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center dental clinic. Medical records of 478 patients between the ages of 3 and 78 years were reviewed. Patients were divided into four age groups: 3–20, 21–35, 36–55, and 56 and above year old. Data related to their dental conditions including caries, periodontitis, and other oral diseases were assessed. Statistical analyses were conducted to evaluate the correlations between these oral diseases and age, gender, ethnicity as well as their living conditions (home or group home). The 36–55‐year‐old age group displayed significantly more caries and periodontitis than any other age groups. Individuals aged 3–20 years showed a significantly lower rate of periodontitis and caries. There was no significant association between gender and race with these outcome variables but there was a correlation between these variables and living conditions. Differences in oral health exist among people with CP from different age groups and living conditions. These findings suggest that there is a dire need for more oral hygiene training and education for the care givers. Dental schools should better prepare their graduates to meet the treatment demands of individuals with special healthcare needs.