Gaceta sanitaria
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
[Cost-effectiveness of drotrecogin alpha [activated] in the treatment of severe sepsis in Spain].
The PROWESS clinical trial has shown that treatment with drotrecogin alpha (activated) in patients with severe sepsis is associated with a reduction in the absolute risk of death compared with standard treatment. The aim of the present study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of drotrecogin alpha (activated) versus that of standard care in the treatment of severe sepsis in Spain. ⋯ Treatment with drotrecogin alfa (activated) presents a favorable cost-effectiveness ratio compared with other health care interventions commonly used in Spain.
-
The objective of this study was to determine both the selection and preparation criteria in patients in various Spanish ambulatory surgery centers, as well as the impact of these criteria on their results. The results were compared according to the type of functional structure of the units (autonomous or integrated). ⋯ Scientifically based protocols for patient selection, preoperative assessment and perioperative management of distinct processes and for the rational use of laboratory tests should be more widely used. The need for an outpatient anesthesia clinic for preoperative assessment was notable. The results of our survey indicate that better results in performance indexes are achieved in autonomous ambulatory surgery units than in integrated units. Given the possibility of defining and validating quality standards, further multicenter studies should be performed.
-
To estimate the potential cost savings that might take place in the Canary Islands Health Service (CHS) through the appropriate scientific use of preoperative tests, using information obtained from five public university hospitals. ⋯ The recent literature review and the results of the questionnaire applied in the CHS indicate that preoperative tests are of greatest benefit to patients and to society if their use is guided by scientific knowledge. In addition, resources can be freed by better selection and utilization of preoperative tests.
-
To analyze the mortality attributable to smoking and alcohol consumption in the city of Barcelona from 1983 to 1998. ⋯ The mortality attributable to smoking and alcohol consumption decreased in the city of Barcelona during the study period. Smoking-attributable mortality from lung cancer and COPD increased in both sexes. Alcohol consumption-attributable mortality from liver cirrhosis decreased in men.