Care Measures and Health Outcomes in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in Brazil

Introduction: In low- and middle-income countries, including Brazil, conditions that favor mortality in the PICU remain significant. Compared to developed countries, there is a shortage of skilled human resources, lower availability of technological resources, greater difficulty of access and a higher incidence of infections, including both those acquired prior to admission and those resulting from treatment and hospitalization (i.e., healthcare-associated infections (HAIs)). HAIs in the PICU include ventilator-associated pneumonia and catheter-related bloodstream infections. Actions for the prevention of HAIs can minimize the occurrence of negative outcomes. Materials and Methods: This is an epidemiological study comparing admissions at the PICU of a high-complexity hospital in South Brazil over two three-year periods: 2012-2014 (before the measures were adopted) and 2015-2017 (after the measures). The care measures were adopted mainly at the beginning of 2015 and consisted of expansion of physical therapy care, adoption of care protocols, acquisition of new materials and equipment (transparent dressings for central catheters, high-tech mechanical ventilators and multiparametric monitors) and multidisciplinary team training. The frequency of the outcomes mortality, length of PICU stay, diagnosis of catheter-related bloodstream infection, need for and duration of ventilatory support and diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia were compared between the two trienniums using logistic regression with adjustment for age in months and need of vasoactive drugs. Results: A total of 1140 admissions were analyzed (470 in the first triennium and 670 in the second), representing an increase in the admission rate of 42.6% after the adoption of the measures. After adjustments, significant reductions in the frequency of mortality (adjusted OR [adjOR] = 0.54;CI 95%: 0.34 - 0.84), length of PICU stay > 7 days (adjOR = 0.75;CI 95%: 0.57 - 0.97) and duration of ventilatory support > 7 days (adjOR = 0.54;CI 95%: 0.39 - 0.74) were observed. Conclusion: The results indicate the benefits of care measures for children admitted to the PICU in terms of a reduction in adverse events and expansion of access.

Neonatal Death Rates: Lack of Equal Access to Hospital Obstetric Service and Intensive Therapy

Aim: To identify the association between access to obstetric and neonatal hospital service and neonatal death rates. Method: Quantitative and retrospective research retrieved from Declaration of Live Newly-born Children;Declaration of Death;Investigation Chart on Municipal Child Mortality, between 2000 and 2009, at the Nucleus of Information on Mortality Rates. The population studied comprised 537 neonatal deaths and mothers with residence in the municipality, and investigated by the work team of the Committee for the Investigation of Mother-Child Deaths. Data were analyzed in Epi Info 2002? computer program and the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences? was used. Chi-square Test and Fischer’s Exact Test were applied at p < 0.05. Results: 63.7% of 537 neonates were born in hospitals with maternities and neonatal intensive therapy unit;60.7% weighed ≤1.500 grams;76.7% had a pregnancy age of ≤36 weeks;73% died of asphyxia in the 1st minute and 73.5% died during the perinatal period. Throughout the ten years of analysis, access to hospital obstetric service without NITU reduced death rate from 25% in 2000 to 6.8% in 2009. There was a significant statistical association between place of delivery and maternal socio-demographic variables (maternal age bracket p = 0.028;schooling p = 0.000;family income p = 0.000);occupation p = 0.000) and neonatal variables (race/skin color p = 0.007;type of delivery p = 0.000;weight at birth p = 0.000;pregnancy age p = 0.000 and Apgar Score 1st minute p = 0.000 and Apgar Score 5th minute p = 0.007). Conclusion: Although the municipal government provides obstetric services and specialized neonatal care, this right is not extensive to all;gaps at different levels in mother-child care should be identified to reduce neonatal deaths.