CASTRO AVILA, ANA CRISTINA
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CASTRO AVILA, ANA CRISTINA
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anacastro@udd.cl
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56801039900

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Six-month post-intensive care outcomes during high and low bed occupancy due to the COVID-19 pandemic: A multicenter prospective cohort study

2023 , CASTRO AVILA, ANA CRISTINA , Catalina Merino-Osorio , GONZALEZ SEGUEL, FELIPE ANDRES , CAMUS MOLINA, AGUSTIN , Felipe Muñoz-Muñoz , LEPPE ZAMORA, JAIME ESTEBAN , Ahmet Çağlar

Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic can be seen as a natural experiment to test how bed occupancy affects post-intensive care unit (ICU) patient’s functional outcomes. To compare by bed occupancy the frequency of mental, physical, and cognitive impairments in patients admitted to ICU during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Prospective cohort of adults mechanically ventilated >48 hours in 19 ICUs from seven Chilean public and private hospitals. Ninety percent of nationwide beds occupied was the cut-off for low versus high bed occupancy. At ICU discharge, 3- and 6-month follow-up, we assessed disability using the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0. Quality of life, mental, physical, and cognitive outcomes were also evaluated following the core outcome set for acute respiratory failure. Results We enrolled 252 participants, 103 (41%) during low and 149 (59%) during high bed occupancy. Patients treated during high occupancy were younger (P50 [P25-P75]: 55 [44–63] vs 61 [51–71]; p<0.001), more likely to be admitted due to COVID-19 (126 [85%] vs 65 [63%]; p<0.001), and have higher education qualification (94 [63%] vs 48 [47%]; p = 0.03). No differences were found in the frequency of at least one mental, physical or cognitive impairment by bed occupancy at ICU discharge (low vs high: 93% vs 91%; p = 0.6), 3-month (74% vs 63%; p = 0.2) and 6-month (57% vs 57%; p = 0.9) follow-up. Conclusions There were no differences in post-ICU outcomes between high and low bed occupancy. Most patients (>90%) had at least one mental, physical or cognitive impairment at ICU discharge, which remained high at 6-month follow-up (57%). Clinical trial registration NCT04979897 (clinicaltrials.gov).

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Construct Validity of the Chilean-Spanish Version of the Functional Status Score for the Intensive Care Unit: A Prospective Observational Study Using Actigraphy in Mechanically Ventilated Patients

2020 , CAMUS MOLINA, AGUSTIN , Felipe González-Seguel , CASTRO AVILA, ANA CRISTINA , LEPPE ZAMORA, JAIME ESTEBAN

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Effect of Early Rehabilitation during Intensive Care Unit Stay on Functional Status: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2015 , CASTRO AVILA, ANA CRISTINA , Pamela Serón , Eddy Fan , Mónica Gaete , Sharon Mickan , David A Copland

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Advancing health through research partnerships in Latin America

2018 , J Jaime Miranda , CASTRO AVILA, ANA CRISTINA , Luis Alejandro Salicrup

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Fomentar la salud mediante las alianzas de investigación en América Latina

2019 , Jaime Miranda , CASTRO AVILA, ANA CRISTINA , Luis Alejandro Salicrup

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Are local public expenditure reductions associated with increases in inequality in emergency hospitalisation? Time-series analysis of English local authorities from 2010 to 2017

2024 , CASTRO AVILA, ANA CRISTINA , Richard Cookson , Tim Doran , Robert Shaw , John Brittain , Sarah Sowden

BackgroundReductions in local government funding implemented in 2010 due to austerity policies have been associated with worsening socioeconomic inequalities in mortality. Less is known about the relationship of these reductions with healthcare inequalities; therefore, we investigated whether areas with greater reductions in local government funding had greater increases in socioeconomic inequalities in emergency admissions.MethodsWe examined inequalities between English local authority districts (LADs) using a fixed-effects linear regression to estimate the association between LAD expenditure reductions, their level of deprivation using the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) and average rates of (all and avoidable) emergency admissions for the years 2010–2017. We also examined changes in inequalities in emergency admissions using the Absolute Gradient Index (AGI), which is the modelled gap between the most and least deprived neighbourhoods in an area.ResultsLADs within the most deprived IMD quintile had larger pounds per capita expenditure reductions, higher rates of all and avoidable emergency admissions, and greater between-neighbourhood inequalities in admissions. However, expenditure reductions were only associated with increasing average rates of all and avoidable emergency admissions and inequalities between neighbourhoods in local authorities in England’s three least deprived IMD quintiles. For a LAD in the least deprived IMD quintile, a yearly reduction of £100 per capita in total expenditure was associated with a yearly increase of 47 (95% CI 22 to 73) avoidable admissions, 142 (95% CI 70 to 213) all-cause emergency admissions and a yearly increase in inequalities between neighbourhoods of 48 (95% CI 14 to 81) avoidable and 140 (95% CI 60 to 220) all-cause emergency admissions. In 2017, a LAD average population was ~170 000.ConclusionAusterity policies implemented in 2010 impacted less deprived local authorities, where emergency admissions and inequalities between neighbourhoods increased, while in the most deprived areas, emergency admissions were unchanged, remaining high and persistent.

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Dramatic effects of control measures on deaths from yellow fever in Havana, Cuba, in the early 1900s

2017 , Rita Isabel Lechuga , CASTRO AVILA, ANA CRISTINA

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Impact on Mental, Physical and Cognitive functioning of a Critical care sTay during the COVID-19 pandemic (IMPACCT COVID-19): protocol for a prospective, multicentre, mixed-methods cohort study

2021 , CASTRO AVILA, ANA CRISTINA , Catalina Merino-Osorio , Felipe González-Seguel , CAMUS MOLINA, AGUSTIN , LEPPE ZAMORA, JAIME ESTEBAN

IntroductionThe ongoing pandemic could affect the duration, variety and severity of the mental, physical, and cognitive impairments intensive care unit (ICU) survivors and their families frequently present. We aim to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental, physical, and cognitive health of survivors, the experience of their families and their treating healthcare professionals.Methods and analysisProspective, multicentre, mixed-methods cohort study in seven Chilean ICUs. Sample: 450 adults, able to walk independently prior to admission, in ICU and mechanical ventilation >48 hours with and without COVID-19. Clinical Frailty Scale, Charlson comorbidity index, mobility (Functional Status Score for the Status Score for the Intensive Care Unit) and muscle strength (Medical Research Council Sum Score) will be assessed at ICU discharge. Cognitive functioning (Montreal Cognitive Assessment–blind), anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), post-traumatic stress (Impact of Event Scale-Revised) symptoms, disability (WHO Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0), quality of life (European Quality of Life Health Questionnaire), employment and survival will be assessed at ICU discharge, 3 months and 6 months. A sample will be assessed using actigraphy and the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire at 6 months after ICU discharge. Trajectories of mental, physical, and cognitive impairments will be estimated using multilevel longitudinal modelling. A sensitivity analysis using multiple imputations will be performed to account for missing data and loss-to-follow-up. Survival will be analysed using Kaplan-Meier curves. The perceptions of family members regarding the ICU stay and the later recovery will be explored 3 months after discharge. Healthcare professionals will be invited to discuss the challenges faced during the pandemic using semistructured interviews. Interviews will be thematically analysed by two independent coders to identify the main themes of the experience of family members and healthcare professionals.Ethics and disseminationThe study was approved by the Clinica Alemana Universidad del Desarrollo Ethics Committee (2020–78) and each participating site. Study findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals and disseminated through social media and conference meetings.Trial registration numberNCT04979897.

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The effect of external inspections on safety in acute hospitals in the National Health Service in England: A controlled interrupted time-series analysis

2019 , Karen Bloor , Carl Thompson , CASTRO AVILA, ANA CRISTINA

Objectives To evaluate the effect of Care Quality Commission external inspections of acute trusts on adverse event rates in the English National Health Service. Methods Interrupted time-series analysis including all acute NHS trusts in England ( n = 155) using two control groups (new versus historical inspection regime and trusts not inspected). Multilevel random-coefficient modelling of (1) rates of falls with harm and (2) pressure ulcers, from April 2012 to June 2016, was undertaken using the new, resource-intensive regime of Care Quality Commission inspections as an intervention. Data used in the model included dates and type of inspection, patient safety indicators, demographic characteristics and financial risk of hospitals. Results In one year, Care Quality Commission inspected 66 acute trusts (42% of all English trusts) using their new regime and 46 (30%) using their previous one. Prior to inspections being announced, rates of falls with harm and pressure ulcers were improving in both intervention and control hospitals. The announcement of an inspection did not affect either indicator. After inspections, rates of falls with harm improved more slowly, and pressure ulcer rates no longer improved for trusts inspected using both regimes. Conclusions Neither form of external inspection was associated with positive, clinically significant effects on adverse event rates. Any improvement happening before the announced Care Quality Commission inspections slowed after the inspection.

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Support and follow-up needs of patients discharged from intensive care after severe COVID-19: a mixed-methods study of the views of UK general practitioners and intensive care staff during the pandemic’s first wave

2021 , CASTRO AVILA, ANA CRISTINA , Laura Jefferson , Veronica Dale , Karen Bloor

ObjectivesTo identify follow-up services planned for patients with COVID-19 discharged from intensive care unit (ICU) and to explore the views of ICU staff and general practitioners (GPs) regarding these patients’ future needs and care coordination.DesignThis is a sequential mixed-methods study using online surveys and semistructured interviews. Interview data were inductively coded and thematically analysed. Survey data were descriptively analysed.SettingGP surgeries and acute National Health Service Trusts in the UK.ParticipantsGPs and clinicians leading care for patients discharged from ICU.Primary and secondary outcomesUsual follow-up practice after ICU discharge, changes in follow-up during the pandemic, and GP awareness of follow-up and support needs of patients discharged from ICU.ResultsWe obtained 170 survey responses and conducted 23 interviews. Over 60% of GPs were unaware of the follow-up services generally provided by their local hospitals and whether or not these were functioning during the pandemic. Eighty per cent of ICUs reported some form of follow-up services, with 25% of these suspending provision during the peak of the pandemic and over half modifying their provision (usually to provide the service remotely). Common themes relating to barriers to provision of follow-up were funding complexities, remit and expertise, and communication between ICU and community services. Discharge documentation was described as poor and lacking key information. Both groups mentioned difficulties accessing services in the community and lack of clarity about who was responsible for referrals and follow-up.ConclusionsThe pandemic has highlighted long-standing issues of continuity of care and complex funding streams for post-ICU follow-up care. The large cohort of ICU patients admitted due to COVID-19 highlights the need for improved follow-up services and communication between specialists and GPs, not only for patients with COVID-19, but for all those discharged from ICU.

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