ABSTRACT Objective To describe and compare the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients admitted to intensive care units during the first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods In this retrospective single-center cohort study, data were retrieved from the Epimed Monitor System; all adult patients admitted to the intensive care unit between March 4, 2020, and October 1, 2021, were included in the study. We compared the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients admitted to the intensive care unit of a quaternary private hospital in São Paulo, Brazil, during the first (May 1, 2020, to August 31, 2020) and second (March 1, 2021, to June 30, 2021) waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. Results In total, 1,427 patients with COVID-19 were admitted to the intensive care unit during the first (421 patients) and second (1,006 patients) waves. Compared with the first wave group [median (IQR)], the second wave group was younger [57 (46-70) versus 67 (52-80) years; p<0.001], had a lower SAPS 3 Score [45 (42-52) versus 49 (43-57); p<0.001], lower SOFA Score on intensive care unit admission [3 (1-6) versus 4 (2-6); p=0.018], lower Charlson Comorbidity Index [0 (0-1) versus 1 (0-2); p<0.001], and were less frequently frail (10.4% versus 18.1%; p<0.001). The second wave group used more noninvasive ventilation (81.3% versus 53.4%; p<0.001) and high-flow nasal cannula (63.2% versus 23.0%; p<0.001) during their intensive care unit stay. The intensive care unit (11.3% versus 10.5%; p=0.696) and in-hospital mortality (12.3% versus 12.1%; p=0.998) rates did not differ between both waves. Conclusion In the first and second waves, patients with severe COVID-19 exhibited similar mortality rates and need for invasive organ support, despite the second wave group being younger and less severely ill at the time of intensive care unit admission.

RESUMO Objetivo: Descrever características clínicas, uso de recursos e desfechos e identificar preditores de mortalidade intra-hospitalar de pacientes com COVID-19 admitidos na unidade de terapia intensiva. Métodos: Estudo de coorte retrospectivo, em centro único, realizado em um hospital privado localizado em São Paulo (SP). Pacientes adultos (≥18 anos) admitidos consecutivamente na unidade de terapia intensiva, entre 4 de março de 2020 a 28 de fevereiro de 2021, foram incluídos neste estudo. Os pacientes foram classificados como sobreviventes e não sobreviventes, de acordo com a alta hospitalar. Resultados: Durante o período do estudo, 1.296 pacientes [mediana (intervalo interquartil) de idade: 66 (53-77) anos] com COVID-19 foram admitidos na unidade de terapia intensiva. Destes, 170 (13,6%) pacientes morreram no hospital (não sobreviventes), e 1.078 (86,4%) receberam alta hospitalar (sobreviventes). Comparados aos sobreviventes, os não sobreviventes eram mais idosos [80 (70-88) versus 63 (50-74) anos; p<0,001], apresentavam pontuação mais alta no sistema prognóstico Simplified Acute Physiology Score 3 [59 (54-66) versus 47 (42-53); pontos p<0,001] e tinham mais comorbidades. Durante a internação na unidade de terapia intensiva, 56,6% dos pacientes usaram ventilação não invasiva, 32,9% usaram ventilação mecânica invasiva, 31,3% usaram cateter nasal de alto fluxo, 11,7% foram submetidos à terapia renal substitutiva, e 1,5% usou oxigenação por membrana extracorpórea. Os preditores independentes de mortalidade intra-hospitalar foram idade, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment, Índice de Comorbidade de Charlson, necessidade de ventilação mecânica, uso de cateter nasal de alto fluxo, uso de terapia renal substitutiva e suporte por oxigenação por membrana extracorpórea. Conclusão: Pacientes com quadros graves da COVID-19 admitidos na unidade de terapia intensiva apresentaram considerável mortalidade e morbidade, com alta demanda de terapia de suporte e internação prolongada em unidade de terapia intensiva e hospitalar.

ABSTRACT Objective: To describe clinical characteristics, resource use, outcomes, and to identify predictors of in-hospital mortality of patients with COVID-19 admitted to the intensive care unit. Methods: Retrospective single-center cohort study conducted at a private hospital in São Paulo (SP), Brazil. All consecutive adult (≥18 years) patients admitted to the intensive care unit, between March 4, 2020 and February 28, 2021 were included in this study. Patients were categorized between survivors and non-survivors according to hospital discharge. Results: During the study period, 1,296 patients [median (interquartile range) age: 66 (53-77) years] with COVID-19 were admitted to the intensive care unit. Out of those, 170 (13.6%) died at hospital (non-survivors) and 1,078 (86.4%) were discharged (survivors). Compared to survivors, non-survivors were older [80 (70-88) versus 63 (50-74) years; p<0.001], had a higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score 3 [59 (54-66) versus 47 (42-53) points; p<0.001], and presented comorbidities more frequently. During the intensive care unit stay, 56.6% of patients received noninvasive ventilation, 32.9% received mechanical ventilation, 31.3% used high flow nasal cannula, 11.7% received renal replacement therapy, and 1.5% used extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Independent predictors of in-hospital mortality included age, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score, Charlson Comorbidity Index, need for mechanical ventilation, high flow nasal cannula, renal replacement therapy, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support. Conclusion: Patients with severe COVID-19 admitted to the intensive care unit exhibited a considerable morbidity and mortality, demanding substantial organ support, and prolonged intensive care unit and hospital stay.

RESUMO Objetivo Descrever as características epidemiológicas e clínicas de pacientes com infecção confirmada pelo SARS-CoV-2, diagnosticados e tratados no Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, que admitiu os primeiros pacientes com essa condição no Brasil. Métodos Neste estudo retrospectivo, de centro único, incluímos todos os casos com confirmação laboratorial de COVID-19 no Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, em São Paulo (SP) de fevereiro a março de 2020. Foram analisados dados demográficos, clínicos, laboratoriais e radiológicos. Resultados Foram incluídos 510 pacientes com diagnóstico confirmado de COVID-19. A maioria dos pacientes era do sexo masculino (56,9%), com média de idade de 40 anos. Foi relatada história de contato próximo com um caso positivo/suspeito por 61,1% dos pacientes, e 34,4% tinham história de viagens internacionais recentes. Os sintomas mais comuns foram febre (67,5%), congestão nasal (42,4%), tosse (41,6%) e mialgia/artralgia (36,3%). A tomografia computadorizada de tórax foi realizada em 78 (15,3%) pacientes, e 93,6% deles apresentaram resultados anormais. A hospitalização foi necessária para 72 (14%) pacientes, e 20 (27,8%) foram admitidos na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva. Quanto ao tratamento clínico, os medicamentos mais utilizados foram antibióticos intravenosos (84,7%), cloroquina (45,8%) e oseltamivir (31,9%). A ventilação mecânica invasiva foi necessária em 65% dos pacientes na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva. O tempo médio de internação foi 9 dias para todos os pacientes (22 e 7 dias para pacientes que necessitaram ou não de cuidados intensivos, respectivamente). Apenas um (1,38%) paciente morreu durante o acompanhamento. Conclusão Estes resultados podem ser relevantes para o Brasil e outros países com características semelhantes, que começaram a lidar com essa pandemia.

ABSTRACT Objective This study describes epidemiological and clinical features of patients with confirmed infection by SARS-CoV-2 diagnosed and treated at Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein , which admitted the first patients with this condition in Brazil. Methods In this retrospective, single-center study, we included all laboratory confirmed COVID-19 cases at Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein , São Paulo, Brazil, from February until March 2020. Demographic, clinical, laboratory and radiological data were analyzed. Results A total of 510 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 were included in this study. Most patients were male (56.9%) with a mean age of 40 years. A history of a close contact with a positive/suspected case was reported by 61.1% of patients and 34.4% had a history of recent international travel. The most common symptoms upon presentation were fever (67.5%), nasal congestion (42.4%), cough (41.6%) and myalgia/arthralgia (36.3%). Chest computed tomography was performed in 78 (15.3%) patients, and 93.6% of those showed abnormal results. Hospitalization was required for 72 (14%) patients and 20 (27.8%) were admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. Regarding clinical treatment, the most often used medicines were intravenous antibiotics (84.7%), chloroquine (45.8%) and oseltamivir (31.9%). Invasive mechanical ventilation was required by 65% of Intensive Care Unit patients. The mean length of stay was 9 days for all patients (22 and 7 days for patients requiring or not intensive care, respectively). Only one patient (1.38%) died during follow-up. Conclusion These results may be relevant for Brazil and other countries with similar characteristics, which are starting to deal with this pandemic.

Objetivos Realizar adaptação semântica e cultural para o português do Brasil da escala Pain Assessment in Advanced Dementia (PAINAD), e avaliar suas propriedades psicométricas (validade, viabilidade, concordância interavaliadores e utilidade clínica). Métodos Estudo descritivo, transversal e retrospectivo, que ocorreu em duas fases: validação semântica e cultural da versão portuguesa da escala e estudo de suas propriedades psicométricas (validade, fiabilidade e utilidade clínica). A amostra foi constituída por 63 pacientes internados com défice neurológicos incapazes de realizarem o autorrelato de sua dor. Resultados O processo de validação semântica e cultural dessa escala foi facilmente obtido. Os indicadores da escala mais usados pelos enfermeiros para avaliar a dor foram a “Expressão facial”, a “Linguagem corporal” e “Consolabilidade”. A versão portuguesa da escala revelou ser válida, precisa e teve concordância interavaliadores, que garantiu sua reprodutibilidade. Conclusão A escala revelou ser útil para ser utilizada de forma rotineira na prática de cuidados diários com doentes adultos e idosos internados em serviços hospitalares, nas mais diversas situações clínicas. Requereu pouco tempo de aplicação, foi fácil de usar, suas instruções eram claras e o treino requerido para sua aplicação era simples. No entanto, recomenda-se uma atenção particular na interpretação da expressão facial e da consolabilidade a realizar em ações de formação sobre avaliação de dor com o uso dessa escala.

Objective To adapt the Pain Assessment in Advanced Dementia (PAINAD) scale to Brazilian Portuguese with respect to semantic equivalence and cultural aspects, and to evaluate the respective psychometric properties (validity, feasibility, clinical utility and inter-rater agreement). Methods Two-stage descriptive, cross-sectional retrospective study involving cultural and semantic validation of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the scale, and investigation of its psychometric properties (validity, reliability and clinical utility). The sample consisted of 63 inpatients presenting with neurological deficits and unable to self-report pain. Results Semantic and cultural validation of the PAINAD scale was easily achieved. The scale indicators most commonly used by nurses to assess pain were “Facial expression”, “Body language” and “Consolability”. The Brazilian Portuguese version of the scale has proved to be valid and accurate; good levels of inter-rater agreement assured reproducibility. Conclusion The scale has proved to be useful in daily routine care of hospitalized adult and elderly patients in a variety of clinical settings. Short application time, ease of use, clear instructions and the simplicity of training required for application were emphasized. However, interpretation of facial expression and consolability should be given special attention during pain assessment training.

Objetivo : Descrever as intervenções do serviço do farmacêutico clínico vertical na prevenção do tromboembolismo venoso. Métodos : Estudo prospectivo, feito em hospital privado. Durante 5 meses, de janeiro a maio de 2012, o farmacêutico clínico avaliou os pacientes clínicos internados sem profilaxia para o tromboembolismo venoso. Se o paciente apresentasse critérios para desenvolver o tromboembolismo e não houvesse contraindicações para a profilaxia, o farmacêutico clínico sugeria a inclusão da profilaxia medicamentosa e/ou mecânica para equipe médica. Além disso, também foram feitas sugestões em relação à dose, via de administração, posologia, duplicidade terapêutica e substituição do medicamento profilático. Resultados : Foram avaliados 9.000 pacientes internados e feitas 77 intervenções farmacêuticas, houve adesão em 71 casos (92,21%); logo, a não adesão pelo médico ocorreu em 6 casos (7,79%). Em 25 casos houve a inclusão da profilaxia medicamentosa e, em 20 casos, a inclusão da profilaxia mecânica. Os ajustes de dose, via, frequência, duplicidade e substituição somaram 32 casos. Conclusão : A implantação do serviço do farmacêutico clínico vertical abrangeu a inclusão da profilaxia para tromboembolismo venoso e a promoção do uso correto de medicamentos no ambiente hospitalar.

Objective : To describe the vertical clinical pharmacist service’s interventions in prevention of venous thromboembolism. Methods : This prospective study was done at a private hospital. From January to May 2012, the clinical pharmacist evaluated medical patients without prophylaxis for thromboembolism. If the patient fulfilled criteria for thromboembolism and did not have contraindications, the clinical pharmacist suggested inclusion of pharmacologic agents and/or mechanical methods for venous thromboembolism prevention. In addition, the appropriate dose, route of administration, duplicity and replacement of the drug were suggested. Results : We evaluated 9,000 hospitalized medical patients and carried out 77 pharmaceutical interventions. A total of 71 cases (92.21%) adhered to treatment so that non-adherence occurred in 6 cases (7.79%). In 25 cases pharmacologic agents were included and in 20 cases mechanical prophylaxis. Dose adjustments, route, frequency, duplicity and replacement made up 32 cases. Conclusion : The vertical clinical pharmacist service included the prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism and promotion of appropriate use of medicines in the hospital.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o impacto da implementação de um time de resposta rápida na incidência de paradas cardiorrespiratórias, na mortalidade associada à parada cardiorrespiratória e na mortalidade hospitalar em um hospital geral, de alta complexidade. MÉTODOS: Análise retrospectiva dos eventos de paradas cardiorrespiratórias e mortalidade hospitalar, antes e depois da implementação de um time de resposta rápida. O período analisado compreendeu 19 meses antes da intervenção desse time (agosto de 2005 a fevereiro de 2007) e 19 meses após sua intervenção (março 2007 a setembro 2008). RESULTADOS: No período pré-intervenção, observaram-se 3,54 eventos de parada cardiorrespiratória/1.000 altas e 16,27 mortes/1.000 altas. Após a intervenção, observou-se redução no número de paradas cardiorrespiratórias e na taxa de mortalidade hospitalar: respectivamente 1,69 eventos de parada cardiorrespiratória/1.000 altas (p<0,001) e 14,34 mortes/1.000 altas (p=0,029). CONCLUSÃO: A implementação do time de resposta rápida, pode ter trazido uma redução significativa no número de paradas cardiorrespiratórias. Estimou-se que, no período de março de 2007 a setembro de 2008, a intervenção provavelmente salvou 67 vidas.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of the implementation of a rapid response team on the rate of cardiorespiratory arrests in mortality associated with cardiorespiratory arrests and on in-hospital mortality in a high complexity general hospital. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of cardiorespiratory arrests and in-hospital mortality events before and after implementation of a rapid response team. The period analyzed covered 19 months before intervention by the team (August 2005 to February 2007) and 19 months after the intervention (March 2007 to September 2008). RESULTS: During the pre-intervention period, 3.54 events of cardiorespiratory arrest/1,000 discharges and 16.27 deaths/1,000 discharges were noted. After the intervention, there was a reduction in the number of cardiorespiratory arrests and in the rate of in-hospital mortality; respectively, 1.69 events of cardiorespiratory arrest/1,000 discharges (p<0.001) and 14.34 deaths/1,000 discharges (p=0.029). CONCLUSION: The implementation of the rapid response team may have caused a significant reduction in the number of cardiorespiratory arrests. It was estimated that during the period from March 2007 to September 2008, the intervention probably saved 67 lives.

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar o impacto do rastreamento de hiper e hipoglicemia mensurada por glicemia capilar e da monitorização padronizada em pacientes hiperglicêmicos internados em unidades não graves do Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein. Métodos: A glicemia capilar foi mensurada com glucosímetro Precision PCx (Abbott), rastreada com software PrecisionWeb (Abbott). A detecção de hiper e hipoglicemia no bimestre Maio/Junho foi comparada ao bimestre Março/Abril de 2009 e ainda quanto à frequência de diagnósticos relacionados ao diabetes no ano de 2007. Resultados: Houve um aumento do rastreamento de glicemia de 27,7 para 77,5% dos pacientes internados (p < 0,001), na detecção de hiperglicemia (de 9,3 para 12,2%; p < 0,001) e de hipoglicemia (de 1,5 para 3,3%; p < 0,001) no bimestre Maio-Junho de 2009. Com essa iniciativa, foram rastreados 14 pacientes para cada caso adicional de hiperglicemia e 26 pacientes para cada caso de hipoglicemia. A detecção de hiperglicemia foi significantemente maior (p < 0,001) que a frequência de registros de diagnósticos relacionados ao diabetes no ano de 2007. Conclusões: a adoção de um programa institucional de monitoramento de glicemia melhora a detecção de hiper e hipoglicemia e o controle de glicemia em pacientes internados em unidades não graves.

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the impact of screening hyper and hypoglycemia measured by capillary glycemia and standard monitorization of hyperglycemic patients hospitalized in regular care units of Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein. Methods: The capillary glycemia was measured by the Precision PCx (Abbott) glucosimeter, using the PrecisionWeb (Abbott) software. The detection of hyper and hypoglycemia during the months of May/June were compared to those of March/April in 2009 and to the frequency of the diagnosis of diabetes in 2007. Results: There was an increase in the glycemia screening from 27.7 to 77.5% of hospitalized patients (p < 0.001), of hyperglycemia detection (from 9.3 to 12.2%; p < 0.001) and of hypoglycemia (from 1.5 to 3.3%; p < 0.001) during the months of May/June 2009. According to this action 14 patients for each additional case of hyperglycemia and 26 cases for each case of hypoglycemia were identified. The detection of hyperglycemia was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than the frequency of registered diagnosis related do diabetes in the year of 2007. Conclusions: the adoption of an institutional program of glycemia monitorization improves the detection of hyper and hypoglycemia and glycemia control in hospitalized patients in regular care units.

Although the introduction of alcohol based products have increased compliance with hand hygiene in intensive care units (ICU), no comparative studies with other products in the same unit and in the same period have been conducted. We performed a two-month-observational prospective study comparing three units in an adult ICU, according to hand hygiene practices (chlorhexidine alone-unit A, both chlorhexidine and alcohol gel-unit B, and alcohol gel alone-unit C, respectively). Opportunities for hand hygiene were considered according to an institutional guideline. Patients were randomly allocated in the 3 units and data on hand hygiene compliance was collected without the knowledge of the health care staff. TISS score (used for measuring patient complexity) was similar between the three different units. Overall compliance with hand hygiene was 46.7% (659/1410). Compliance was significantly higher after patient care in unit A when compared to units B and C. On the other hand, compliance was significantly higher only between units A (32.1%) and C (23.1%) before patient care (p=0.02). Higher compliance rates were observed for general opportunities for hand hygiene (patient bathing, vital sign controls, etc), while very low compliance rates were observed for opportunities related to skin and gastroenteral care. One of the reasons for not using alcohol gel according to health care workers was the necessity for water contact (35.3%, 12/20). Although the use of alcohol based products is now the standard practice for hand hygiene the abrupt abolition of hand hygiene with traditional products may not be recommended for specific services.