PAHO/WHO proposes to implement the role of Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) in Latin America, to reduce gaps in coverage and access to health care. For this purpose, it is necessary to train nursing professionals with an expanded role, which allows them to collaborate in the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of people with specific diseases, under established protocols and clinical guidelines and within consolidated interdisciplinary health teams in a cost-effective way. One of the areas with the greatest coverage deficit in Latin America is adult oncology, with inequality in care opportunities for these patients. Part of the premature deaths attributable to this disease are due to the lack of access to timely diagnosis and treatment. As a contribution to the reduction of this gap, a training program of Advanced Nursing Practice was developed, addressing the most urgent needs in the field of oncology. The necessary competencies were defined to develop a professional-level master’s degree program, considering prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of people with oncological diseases at different levels of care. A program of this kind is an opportunity to reduce the access gap and coverage of health care for people with cancer, improving their quality of life and their survival.

Background: In Chile there are 22,310 people in Chronic Hemodialysis (CHD), 53% of them older adults (OA). Shared decision-making and advance directives (AD) are especially important in OA with end-stage chronic renal failure, since they have greater levels of disability, morbidity and mortality, raising doubts about the benefit of therapy. Aims: To understand the experience in decision making and explore ways to express AD, in OA in CHD. Material and Methods: A qualitative phenomenological study, performing 12 in-depth interviews to OA who had been at CHD for at least one year. Results: The analysis revealed four broad comprehensive categories, two related to participation in the decision to enter CHD, namely the experience of subjects as spectators and their lack of interest for decision support and two referred to the expression of AD, namely the difficulty in facing their own finitude and resistance to express AD. Conclusions: There is little participation of older adults in the decision about their admission to dialysis therapy, and once they enter the CHD program they are not prepared to discuss AD in general, nor an eventual suspension of dialysis in particular.

In the last decade, the teaching of research in nursing curricula has focused on evidence-based practice. The objective of this article is to describe a model for implementing this practice in the undergraduate, postgraduate and continuing education curriculum of a nursing school. In view of this, theoretical-clinical courses were selected, and both scholars and nurses from the clinical fields were trained to ensure the continuity of student learning. The contents and competences to be taught and evaluated at each level of training were established. To conclude, the School of Nursing at Pontifical Catholica University of Chile has managed to implement evidence-based care, with the development of skills in students and professionals, in order to provide evidence-based care and/or synthesize evidence so that it be used by other professionals.

En la última década la enseñanza de la investigación en los currículos de enfermería se ha centrado en la práctica basada en evidencia. El objetivo del presente artículo es describir un modelo de implementación de esta práctica en el currículo de pregrado, posgrado y educación continua de una escuela de enfermería. Con este fin se seleccionaron cursos teórico-clínicos, se formaron académicos y enfermeras de los campos clínicos para cautelar la continuidad del aprendizaje de los estudiantes. Se establecieron los contenidos y competencias a enseñar y evaluar en cada nivel de formación. En conclusión, la Escuela de Enfermería de la Pontifica Universidad Católica de Chile ha logrado instalar un cuidado basado en evidencia, con el desarrollo de habilidades en estudiantes y profesionales para otorgar un cuidado basado en evidencia y/o sintetizar evidencia para ser utilizada por otros profesionales.

Background: Knowing nurses’ workload in hemodialysis units allows a better organization of human resources. Aim: To determine nurses’ workload according to dependence and risk profiles of patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis. Material and Methods: One hundred fifty one patients from five hemodialysis units were selected and categorized in terms of dependence and risk using the instrument “Care according to dependence and risk in hemodialysis (CUDYR-DIAL). Nurses’ activities for direct and indirect care and the time taken to complete those activities were measured. Results: Per patient, nurses used 36.5 ±10.7 min for direct and 23.6 min for indirect care. The time required for direct care of patients at high risk with partial dependence and at high risk and partial self-sufficiency was 41.2 and 40.3 minutes respectively. Conclusions: During a dialysis session, nurses occupy 60% of their time providing direct care, mainly directed to patients categorized as being of high risk-partial dependence and high risk-partial self-sufficiency.

Since doctors disposed of effective tools to serve their patients, they had to worry about the proper management of available resources and how to deal with the relationship with the industry that provides such resources. In this relationship, health professionals may be involved in conflicts of interest that they need to acknowledge and learn how to handle. This article discusses the conflicts of interest in nephrology. Its objectives are to identify those areas where such conflicts could occur; to help to solve them, always considering the best interest of patients; and to help health workers to keep in mind that they have to preserve their autonomy and professional integrity. Conflicts of interest of professionals in the renal area and related scientific societies, with the industry producing equipment, supplies and drugs are reviewed. Dichotomy, payment for referral, self-referral of patients and incentives for cost control are analyzed. Finally, recommendations to help preserve a good practice in nephrology are made.

Background: Clinical teams working at chronic hemodialysis centers (CHC) frequently have to face ethical problems, but there is no systematic approach to deal with them. Aim: To study the ethical problems perceived by health professionals at CHC. Material and Methods: Eighty randomly selected physicians and 139 nurses from 23 CHC, answered a structured questionnaire, devised by the research team. Results: Twenty-six percent of respondents had postgraduate studies in clinical ethics. The ethical problems mentioned by respondents were therapeutic disproportion in 66.7%, lack of communication between patients, their families and the clinical team in 25.9%, personal conflicts of interests related with hemodialysis prescription in 14.6% and conflicts of interests of other members of the clinical team in 30.6%. The percentage of respondents that experienced not starting or discontinuing hemodialysis treatment due to decision of patients’ relatives was 86.8%. Only 45.2% of health professionals had the opportunity to take part in decision-making meetings. Eighty seven percent of respondents supported the use of advanced directives in the event of a cardio respiratory arrest during treatment. Conclusions: To improve the approach to ethical problems in CHC, it is necessary to improve training in clinical ethics, promote an effective dialogue between the patients, their families and health professionals, and follow their advance directives in case of cardiac arrest during treatment.

ABSTRACT Objective To translate and culturally adapt the tool Categorización de usuario según dependencia y riesgo en unidades de hemodiálisis (CUDYR-DIAL) into Brazilian Portuguese. Method This is a methodological study for the translation and cultural adaptation or localization of the instrument CUDYR-DIAL. Results In the pre-test stage, three nurses applied the instrument to 78 patients of the haemodialysis unit of the São Lucas Hospital of the Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul. The average scores of each item were compared and no statistically significant differences were found in the data of the three evaluators, which demonstrates that the score of each professional in each item converges to the same value. Considering the estimation of reliability, Cronbach’s alpha determined for the 14 items of the scale presented a minimum of 0.796 and a maximum of 0.799. Conclusion The instrument was translated, but the cultural adaptation was not necessary. It presents good reliability and will contribute to qualify the care of haemodialysis patients.

RESUMEN Objetivo Traducir y culturalmente adaptar la herramienta de Categorización de usuario según dependencia y riesgo en unidades de hemodiálisis (CUDYR-DIAL) al portugués de Brasil. Método Se trata de un estudio metodológico para la traducción y adaptación cultural del instrumento CUDYR-DIAL. En la fase de pre teste, tres enfermeras aplicaron el instrumento en 78 pacientes de la Unidad de Hemodiálisis del Hospital São Lucas de la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Rio Grande do Sul. Se realizó la comparación de las puntuaciones medias de cada elemento, que mostró ausencia de diferencias estadísticamente significativas en los datos de los tres evaluadores que demuestran que la puntuación de cada profesional en cada elemento converge en el mismo valor. Teniendo en cuenta la estimación de fiabilidad encontrado que la α-Cronbach determinado para los 14 ítems de la escala tenía el mínimo y máximo 0,796-0,799. Conclusión El instrumento fue traducido y ninguna palabra tubo necesidad de adaptación cultural, tiene una buena fiabilidad y cuando validado contribuirá en gran medida para calificar el cuidado de los pacientes en hemodiálisis.

RESUMO Objetivo Traduzir, adaptar culturalmente o instrumento Categorización de usuário según dependência y riesgo en unidades de hemodiálisis (CUDYR-DIAL), para a língua portuguesa do Brasil. Método Estudo metodológico para tradução, adaptação cultural do instrumento CUDYR-DIAL. Na etapa de pré-teste, três enfermeiros, aplicaram o instrumento em 78 pacientes da Unidade de Hemodiálise do Hospital São Lucas da Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul. A comparação das pontuações médias de cada item apontou ausência de diferenças estatísticas significativas nos dados dos três avaliadores, demonstrando que a pontuação de cada profissional em cada item converge para um mesmo valor. Considerando a estimativa de confiabilidade, O α-Cronbach determinado para os 14 itens da escala apresentou o mínimo de 0,796 e o máximo de 0,799. O instrumento foi traduzido, no entanto, não houve necessidade de adaptação cultural, apresenta boa confiabilidade e quando validado irá contribuir para qualificar o cuidado aos pacientes em hemodiálise.

RESUMO Objetivo Traduzir, adaptar culturalmente o instrumento Categorización de usuário según dependência y riesgo en unidades de hemodiálisis (CUDYR-DIAL), para a língua portuguesa do Brasil. Método Estudo metodológico para tradução, adaptação cultural do instrumento CUDYR-DIAL. Na etapa de pré-teste, três enfermeiros, aplicaram o instrumento em 78 pacientes da Unidade de Hemodiálise do Hospital São Lucas da Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul. A comparação das pontuações médias de cada item apontou ausência de diferenças estatísticas significativas nos dados dos três avaliadores, demonstrando que a pontuação de cada profissional em cada item converge para um mesmo valor. Considerando a estimativa de confiabilidade, O α-Cronbach determinado para os 14 itens da escala apresentou o mínimo de 0,796 e o máximo de 0,799. O instrumento foi traduzido, no entanto, não houve necessidade de adaptação cultural, apresenta boa confiabilidade e quando validado irá contribuir para qualificar o cuidado aos pacientes em hemodiálise.

ABSTRACT Objective To translate and culturally adapt the tool Categorización de usuario según dependencia y riesgo en unidades de hemodiálisis (CUDYR-DIAL) into Brazilian Portuguese. Method This is a methodological study for the translation and cultural adaptation or localization of the instrument CUDYR-DIAL. Results In the pre-test stage, three nurses applied the instrument to 78 patients of the haemodialysis unit of the São Lucas Hospital of the Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul. The average scores of each item were compared and no statistically significant differences were found in the data of the three evaluators, which demonstrates that the score of each professional in each item converges to the same value. Considering the estimation of reliability, Cronbach’s alpha determined for the 14 items of the scale presented a minimum of 0.796 and a maximum of 0.799. Conclusion The instrument was translated, but the cultural adaptation was not necessary. It presents good reliability and will contribute to qualify the care of haemodialysis patients.

RESUMEN Objetivo Traducir y culturalmente adaptar la herramienta de Categorización de usuario según dependencia y riesgo en unidades de hemodiálisis (CUDYR-DIAL) al portugués de Brasil. Método Se trata de un estudio metodológico para la traducción y adaptación cultural del instrumento CUDYR-DIAL. En la fase de pre teste, tres enfermeras aplicaron el instrumento en 78 pacientes de la Unidad de Hemodiálisis del Hospital São Lucas de la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Rio Grande do Sul. Se realizó la comparación de las puntuaciones medias de cada elemento, que mostró ausencia de diferencias estadísticamente significativas en los datos de los tres evaluadores que demuestran que la puntuación de cada profesional en cada elemento converge en el mismo valor. Teniendo en cuenta la estimación de fiabilidad encontrado que la α-Cronbach determinado para los 14 ítems de la escala tenía el mínimo y máximo 0,796-0,799. Conclusión El instrumento fue traducido y ninguna palabra tubo necesidad de adaptación cultural, tiene una buena fiabilidad y cuando validado contribuirá en gran medida para calificar el cuidado de los pacientes en hemodiálisis.

Los instrumentos de categorización de pacientes son útiles porque permiten asignar los profesionales y recursos materiales de acuerdo con el perfil real de los pacientes. El objetivo del presente estudio es adecuar y validar el instrumento "Categorización de usuarios según dependencia y riesgo de cuidados" (CUDYR) en hemodiálisis crónica (HDC). El instrumento para pacientes en HDC se denominó "CUDYR-DIAL" y quedó constituido por dos subescalas y catorce ítems. La muestra estuvo conformada por 150 pacientes seleccionados en forma estratificada y al azar de cinco unidades de diálisis, a los que se les aplicó un total de 620 veces el CUDYR-DIAL. Se encontró que todos los ítems muestran correlaciones significativas (> 0,3) con el puntaje total obtenido en la escala, y que la confiabilidad de la escala se mantiene estable al ir eliminando uno a uno los ítems, fluctuando entre 0,86 y 0,87. La confiabilidad total del instrumento muestra un alfa de Cronbach de 0,878. Los usuarios en HDC presentan cuatro perfiles de dependencia (parcial a total) y riesgo (mediano a alto). Se concluye que el instrumento CUDYR-DIAL presenta una buena confiabilidad y constituye un aporte para la categorización de pacientes en HDC según dependencia y riesgo.

Instruments to categorize patients are useful because they make it possible to allocate professionals and material resources according to the actual profile of the patient. The purpose of this study was to adapt and validate an instrument known as "Categorizing Users According to Care Dependency and Risk" (CUDYR) in Chronic Hemodialysis (CHD). The instrument for patients in CHD was called "CUDYRDIAL" and was comprised of two subscales and fourteen items. The sample consisted of 150 patients from five dialysis units who were selected in a stratified manner, at random. The CUDYR-DIAL instrument was applied to them a total of 620 times. All the items showed significant correlations (> 0.3) with the total score on the scale, and the reliability of the scale remained stable when the items were eliminated one by one, fluctuating between 0.86 and 0.87. The overall reliability of the instrument shows a Cronbach's alpha of 0.878. Users in HDC fit four profiles in terms of dependency (partial to complete) and risk (medium to high). It was concluded the reliability of the CUDYR-DIAL instrument is good and it represents a contribution to categorizing patients according HDC dependence and risk.

Os instrumentos de categorização de pacientes são úteis porque permitem designar os profissionais e recursos materiais de acordo com o perfil real dos pacientes. O objetivo do presente estudo é adequar e validar o instrumento "Categorização de usuários segundo dependência e risco de cuidados" (CUDYR) em hemodiálise crônica (HDC). O instrumento para pacientes em HDC se denominou "CUDYRDIAL" e ficou constituído por duas subescalas e quatorze itens. A amostra foi conformada por 150 pacientes selecionados em forma estratificada e aleatória de cinco unidades de diálise, aos quais foi aplicado um total de 620 vezes o CUDYR-DIAL. Constatou-se que todos os itens mostram correlações significativas (> 0,3) com a pontuação total obtida na escala, e que a confiabilidade da escala se mantém estável ao ir eliminando um a um os itens, flutuando entre 0,86 e 0,87. A confiabilidade total do instrumento mostra um alfa de Cronbach de 0,878. Os usuários em HDC apresentam quatro perfis de dependência (parcial a total) e risco (médio a alto). Conclui-se que o instrumento CUDYR-DIAL apresenta uma boa confiabilidade e constitui uma contribuição para a categorização de pacientes em HDC segundo dependência e risco.

Background: Most organ donors are already death. Therefore family members become an essential link in the final decision for organ donation. Aim: To get acquainted about the life lessons of people who accepted donating an organ of a deceased family member. Material and Methods: Qualitative research, in depth interviews to eight families that accepted donating an organ of a deceased family member. The interviews were analyzed using the method proposed by Streubert et al and modified by Rivera. Results: The life lessons are described in six comprehensive categories. The painful experience changed towards the feeling that the loved one remains alive. This sensation generated a sense of pride in family members and sensitized them towards the painful experience of other people. Therefore, a desire to help and improve as humans beings was awakened. Conclusions: A compassionate approach towards families donating organs with improve organ donation and humanize the process.

There are different approaches to treat patients with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD): hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, renal transplantation and conservative medical management. The choice of the best therapy for each patient, needs both clinical and ethical skills. The Ethics Committee of the Chilean Society of Nephrology has elaborated recommendations to help health workers to deal with the ethical and clinical problems related to patients suffering ESRD. Its goal is to guide, at a national level, the effective use of minimal standards in the treatment and care of patients with ESRD, including appropriate care and information for patients, therapy selection, management of difficult cases and potential conflicts.

Introduction: Implementation of "Writing across the curriculum" (WAC) syllabuses has shown to improve writing skills and knowledge about the discipline among university students. A pilot course was implemented in a nursing school to evaluate some of the strategies identified as effective to improve writing skills among students. Methods: A WAC community was constituted, made up of teachers, a linguistic advisor and writing assistants. Proven effective strategies were implemented. Evaluation of the strategies implemented was based on a free writing activity and the tool "Evaluation of writing assignments". Results: Both teachers and students were pleased with the strategies used. Even though students' perception of their own writing skills did not change, there was a significantly lower number of errors in the reports they wrote. I Conclusion: It was possible to identify the strategies to be included in a replicable WAC program allowing to improve writing skills among students.

Introducción: la implementación de programas de "Escritura a través del Currículum" (del inglés Writing across the curriculum, WAC) ha demostrado mejorar las habilidades de escritura y los conocimientos de la propia disciplina en estudiantes universitarios. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue evaluar algunas de las estrategias identificadas como efectivas para mejorar la escritura de los estudiantes, en un curso piloto de una Escuela de Enfermería. Métodos: se conformó una comunidad de WAC, integrada por profesores, una asesora lingüística y ayudantes de escritura, y se implementaron estrategias probadamente efectivas. Para evaluar las estrategias implementadas se utilizó una actividad de escritura libre y el instrumento "Evaluación de las tareas de escritura". Resultados: tanto los profesores como los estudiantes estuvieron satisfechos con las estrategias utilizadas. Por otro lado, aunque los estudiantes no mostraron cambios en la percepción de sus habilidades para escribir, disminuyeron significativamente los errores en los informes que elaboraron. Conclusión: fue posible identificar estrategias que serían parte de un programa de WAC replicable que permitiría incrementar las habilidades de escritura en los estudiantes.

Haemodialysis is a complex procedure that requires highly qualified nursing staff, as it is an extracorporeal treatment in which adverse effects may appear and the patient mortality rate is very high. To assign suitable staff the work loads and degree of dependence of patients should be considered. The aim of this review was to discover the relationship between nursing staff, increase in adverse event rate and mortality rate among users. The methodology used was a database search through the electronic collection of the Libraries System of the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile. Twenty-five articles were reviewed to analyse the relationship between nursing staff and adverse events and mortality. The evidence supports that a higher proportion of nurses reduces adverse event and mortality rates.

La hemodiálisis es un procedimiento complejo que requiere personal de enfermería con alta cualificación profesional, pues es un tratamiento extracorpóreo en el que pueden aparecer efectos adversos y la tasa de mortalidad de los pacientes es muy alta. Para asignar el personal idóneo se debe considerar las cargas de trabajo y el grado de dependencia de los pacientes. El objetivo de esta revisión fue describir la relación entre el personal de enfermería, aumento de las tasas de eventos adversos y mortalidad entre los usuarios. La metodología utilizada fue una búsqueda de bases de datos a través de la colección electrónica del Sistema de Bibliotecas de la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Veinticinco artículos fueron revisados para analizar la relación entre el personal de enfermería y los ventos adversos y la mortalidad. La evidencia apoya que una mayor proporción de enfermeras, disminuye las tasas de eventos adversos y la mortalidad.