Revista médica de Chile
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Revista médica de Chile · Mar 2022
[Analysis of a clinical ethics committee activities at a general hospital].
Clinical Ethics Committees are deliberative groups whose main functions are to assess cases with ethical-clinical conflicts, to generate institutional protocols for preventive purposes, and to train health teams. ⋯ The three main functions described for the ethics committees were exerted by this Committee during the evaluated period. The impact of our recommendations remain to be objectively evaluated.
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Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is the most common cause of spinal cord dysfunction in adults. Its prevalence is increasing as a result of population aging. The diagnosis of DCM is often delayed or overlooked, resulting in secondary neurologic morbidity. ⋯ Surgery is not currently recommended for asymptomatic patients with evidence of spinal cord compression or cervical spinal stenosis on MRI, but they require a structured follow-up. Patients with moderate or severe DCM require surgical decompression to avoid further progression. The objective of this review is to raise awareness of degenerative cervical myelopathy and its increasing prevalence as well as to aid non-surgical healthcare workers for a timely diagnosis and management of this disabling condition.
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Revista médica de Chile · Mar 2022
Observational Study[Clinical and epidemiological differences and similarities of viral pneumonias in two pandemics].
In a decade, we faced two pandemic viruses, influenza A H1N1pdm09 and SARS CoV-2, whose most serious manifestation is pneumonia. ⋯ COVID-19 patients were older, had fewer classic flu symptoms but more dyspnea and longer hospitalization periods than patients with influenza.
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Revista médica de Chile · Mar 2022
Case Reports[BCR-ABL1 negative chronic myeloid leukemia: report of two cases].
BCR-ABL1 negative atypical chronic myeloid leukemia (aCML) is a rare type of myeloproliferative / myelodysplastic syndrome characterized by leukocytosis and proliferation of dysplastic neutrophilic precursors in the absence of positivity for the BCR-ABL1 fusion gene. We report a 66-year-old woman and a 57-year-old man with aCML, who initially presented with general malaise and weight loss, associated with anemia, thrombocytopenia, and leukocytosis with left shift and dysplasia in the neutrophil series. Both evolved unfavorably after admission and died a few days later due to multiple organ failure.
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Revista médica de Chile · Mar 2022
[Implementation of diagnosis related groups in a high-complexity health institution in Colombia].
One of the greatest challenges for health care institutions is to know the hospital product (HP), defined as patients, diagnoses and resources used in health care. Proper measurement of HP allows an effective resource management. The Diagnosis Related Groups (DRG) system facilitates the measurement of HP, classifying patients according to their characteristics, complexity, and resource consumption. ⋯ The use of DRGs improves hospital efficiency. Its implementation is possible in health care institutions in Colombia. However, the commitment of the institution's clinical and administrative staff is essential.