Revista médica de Chile
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Since the publication of the Institute of Medicines report To Err is Human: Building a Safer Health System awareness of the importance of medical errors has increased. These are a major cause of morbidity and mortality and recent studies suggest that they can be the third leading cause of death in the United States. ⋯ Our goal is to provide an update on the major concepts related to medical errors, a review of Chilean legislation on the subject, and a bioethical analysis on the principles involved, along with a management proposal. We propose mandatory reporting of errors to the health institution where they occur, to serve as a measure of personal and team learning, and to disclose the error to patients, depending on their own preferences.
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Bariatric surgery is considered the most effective treatment for severe obesity and its benefits include improvement in medical comorbidities. However, a higher rate of suicides after this type of surgery has been reported. ⋯ Therefore, it is necessary to thoroughly evaluate these patients before surgery searching for suicide risk factors, deriving them to a mental health professional if necessary and follow their mental health after surgery. Considering that the literature on the topic is inconsistent, further research is needed.
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Revista médica de Chile · Sep 2016
[Validation of the Borg scale in participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus].
Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale (RPE) is a psychophysiological measurements that translates physical stimuli to a psychological construct, which is perceived exertion. Its use is simple and it represents the effort perception. Each number of the scale is associated with a heart rate or percentage of maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), which estimates the intensity of exercise. ⋯ RPE Scale is valid in patients with type 2 diabetes as an estimate of the intensity of physical activity.
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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. ⋯ 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.