Hospital Resilience in Three COVID-19 Referral Hospitals in Brazil

Health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, challenge health systems in demonstrating resilience-the ability to cope with change, manage challenges, and adapt in order to retain their effectiveness. Understanding how such challenges affect and produce reactions in those involved in this response is extremely important. This study evaluated resilience in three referral hospitals in the city of Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil-one public, one private, and one philanthropic hospital-by examining the coping activities adopted by the nursing staff working on the COVID-19 frontline. A multiple case study was carried out, using a qualitative approach, triangulating data from direct observations, document analysis, and interviews with 21 nursing professionals working in management and care provision. Data were collected from April to October 2020. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed based on the resilience categories defined by Blanchet (2017): absorption capacity, adaptive capacity, and transformative capacity. Four themes were considered relevant to the objectives of this study: institutional support, access to personal protective equipment (PPE), work relationships, and fear and mental health. Adaptive capacity was demonstrated concerning the four themes analyzed, absorption capacity was demonstrated in two themes, and no transformative capacity was identified. The study highlighted that the health crisis was challenging for all the hospitals studied, regardless of their legal-administrative status. No differences were observed among them in terms of resilience.

Hospital Governance During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Multiple-Country Case Study

In response to the disruptions caused by COVID-19, hospitals around the world proactively or reactively developed and/or re-organized their governance structures to manage the COVID-19 response. Hospitals' governance played a crucial role in their ability to reorganize and respond to the pressing needs of their staff. We discuss and compare six hospital cases from four countries on different continents: Brazil, Canada, France, and Japan. Our study examined how governance strategies (e.g., special task forces, communications management tools, etc.) were perceived by hospital staff. Key findings from a total of 177 qualitative interviews with diverse hospital stakeholders were analyzed using three categories drawn from the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies framework on health systems resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic: 1) delivering a clear and timely COVID-19 response strategy; 2) coordinating effectively within (horizontally) and across (vertically) levels of decision-making; and 3) communicating clearly and transparently with the hospital's diverse stakeholders. Our study gleaned rich accounts for these three categories, highlighting significant variations across settings. These variations were primarily determined by the hospitals' environment prior to the COVID-19 crisis, namely whether there already existed a culture of managerial openness (including spaces for social interactions among hospital staff) and whether preparedness planning and training had been routinely integrated into their activities.

Potential Strengths and Weaknesses in Hospital Resilience in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Brazil: A Case Study

The analysis of hospital resilience is essential in understanding how health services prepared for and responded to sudden shocks and unexpected challenges in the COVID-19 health crisis. This study aimed to analyze the resilience of a referral hospital in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The main theoretical approach based on resilience is the system's capacity to maintain essential functions and to absorb, adapt, and transform in the face of unprecedented or unexpected changes. A single case study approach was used to identify the strengths and weaknesses of this response capacity. Data triangulation was employed. Data were collected from April (beginning of case discharges) to October 2020 (decrease in the moving average of cases in 2020). A content analysis was then conducted. Data were analyzed in relation to context, effects, strategies, and impacts in facing the disruptions caused by the pandemic. The results indicated the occurrence of four configurations mostly favorable to hospital resilience during the study period. Among the main strengths were: injection of financial resources; implementation of new hospital protocols; formation of a support network; equipping and continuing education of professionals; and proactive leadership. Weaknesses found in the analysis included: initial insufficiency of personal protective equipment and confirmatory tests; difficulties in restructuring work schedules; increasing illness among professionals; stress generated by constant changes and work overload; sense of discrimination for being a health professional; lack of knowledge about the clinical management of the disease; and the reduction of non-COVID assistance services.

Communication and Information Strategies Implemented by Four Hospitals in Brazil, Canada, and France to Deal with COVID-19 Healthcare-Associated Infections

During the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, COVID-19 healthcare-associated infections (HAI) and risk management became major challenges facing hospitals. Using evidence from a research project, this commentary presents: 1) various communication and information strategies implemented by four hospitals and their staff in Brazil, Canada and France to reduce the risks of COVID-19 HAIs, and how they were perceived by hospital staff; 2) the flaws in communication in the hospitals; and 3) a proposed agenda for research on and action to improve institutional communications for future pandemics. By analyzing "top-down" strategies at the organizational level and spontaneous strategies initiated by and between professionals, this study shows that during the first waves of the pandemic, reliable information and clear communication about guidelines and health protocols' changes can help alleviate fears among staff and avoid misapplication of protocols, thereby reducing infection risks. There was a lack of a "bottom-up" communication channel, while, when making decisions, it is crucial to listen to and fully take into account staff's voices, experiences, and feelings. More balanced communication between hospital administrators and staff could strengthen team cohesion and lead to better enforcement of protocols, which in turn will reduce the risk of contamination, alleviate the potential impacts on staff health, and improve the quality of care provided to patients.

Lessons Learned from Field Experiences on Hospitals' Resilience to the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Approach

In this concluding article of the special issue, we examine lessons learned from hospitals' resilience to the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil, Canada, France, Japan, and Mali. A quality lesson learned (QLL) results from a systematic process of collecting, compiling, and analyzing data derived ideally from sustained effort over the life of a research project and reflecting both positive and negative experiences. To produce QLLs as part of this research project, a guide to their development was drafted. The systematic approach we adopted to formulate quality lessons, while certainly complex, took into account the challenges faced by the different stakeholders involved in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Here we present a comparative analysis of the lessons learned by hospitals and their staff with regard to four common themes that were the subject of empirical analyses: 1) infrastructure reorganization; 2) human resources management; 3) prevention and control of infection risk; and 4) logistics and supply. The lessons learned from the resilience of the hospitals included in this research indicate several factors to consider in preparing for a health crisis: 1) strengthening the coordination and leadership capacities of hospital managers and health authorities; 2) improving communication strategies; 3) strengthening organizational capacity; and 4) adapting resources and strategies, including for procurement and infection risk management.

Evaluating the implementation of user embracement in the healthcare system of Jaboatão dos Guararapes city, Brazil

BACKGROUND

The advent of the Family Health Strategy required healthcare teams to strengthen bonding and accountability towards users. In this sense, humanisation has been the key to a successful care provision and to the acceptance of interventions that can meet demands. Our study aimed to evaluate the implementation of user embracement in Family Health Units of Jaboatão dos Guararapes, Pernambuco, Brazil.

METHODS

The studied population belonged to 48 Family Health teams. Eighty-five healthcare workers with higher education answered the questionnaire, and the registration forms of 272 users were examined, from which sociodemographic information was gathered. These data were analysed according to the degree of vulnerability. Questionnaire results were collected and tabulated using the HCMaps software. Dimensions were analysed through a Likert-type grading scale ranging from 1 to 5. This is an evaluative, cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach, considering the dimensions proposed in the RE-AIM framework.

RESULTS

User embracement was considered unsatisfactory, as were Reach and Adoption. The Effectiveness, Implementation, and Maintenance dimensions yielded satisfactory results. The main ones were the perception of user embracement as a screening process, and the delimitation of open slots and/or schedules.

CONCLUSIONS

The study shows that user embracement has been effective in strengthening bonds, reducing queues, and solving demands. However, the potential user embracement sustainability and implementation have been hampered by factors related to the Adoption of the intervention.

Processo educativo do núcleo ampliado de saúde da família na atenção à hipertensão e diabetes

Resumo Objetivou-se avaliar o processo educativo realizado pelo Núcleo Ampliado de Saúde da Família e Atenção Básica na atenção à hipertensão arterial sistêmica e diabetes mellitus em Recife, Pernambuco. Foi realizada uma pesquisa avaliativa orientada pela teoria educacional de Paulo Freire, com elaboração de um modelo teórico. Participaram do estudo quatro profissionais do Núcleo Ampliado de Saúde da Família e Atenção Básica, onze profissionais da Estratégia Saúde da Família e dez usuários com hipertensão e/ou diabetes. Foram realizados grupos focais e os dados coletados, entre novembro de 2018 e fevereiro de 2019, foram submetidos à análise de conteúdo. Evidenciou-se a coexistência do uso pelos profissionais das concepções bancária e problematizadora. Foram identificadas práticas verticalizadas e pouco dialogadas pelos profissionais, bem como uma visão curativista e medicalocêntrica nos discursos dos usuários. Observou-se também ações transformadoras no processo de trabalho dos profissionais e relatos de melhorias das condições de saúde dos usuários participantes dos grupos educativos. Além disso, o incentivo pela busca de direitos durante as ações educativas levou à conquista da implantação do Programa Academia da Cidade no território. Esses achados revelam o poder de transformação das ações educativas quando se tornam participativas e construídas com base nas experiências e necessidades da população.

Grupos de pesquisa de avaliação em saúde no Brasil: um panorama das redes colaborativas

RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo foi o de caracterizar os grupos de pesquisa registrados na área temática avaliação em saúde do Diretório do Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), segundo sua certificação, ano de formação, região e estado do País, instituição e linha de pesquisa. Por meio do levantamento de todos os grupos de pesquisa da área de avaliação em saúde do CNPq de 1976 a 2017, identificaram-se 385 grupos. Não foram analisados 30 grupos por terem sido excluídos (6,7%), serem inexistentes (0,8%) ou duplicados (0,3%). Estatística descritiva aplicada aos 355 grupos analisados revelou que estão presentes em todas as regiões do País com distribuição bastante desigual, havendo maior concentração na região Sudeste (42,8%), sobretudo no eixo São Paulo - Rio de Janeiro; os principais vazios se localizam nos estados do Amapá, Roraima e Rondônia. A linha de pesquisa mais frequente foi a de 'avaliação e monitoramento de intervenções em saúde'. O panorama dos grupos de pesquisa confirma a conhecida desigualdade brasileira na produção de conhecimentos, bem como a necessidade de se aprofundar a investigação sobre as redes colaborativas de pesquisa em avaliação e de se promover a equidade investigativa e de formação.

Resource allocation for equity in Brazilian health care: a methodological model

ABSTRACT It is a fundamental requirement of governments that they allocate resources to public services among institutions or populations that are potential competitors for funding. In Brazil, a country with clear social inequalities, equitable allocation of resources in the Unified Health System (SUS) poses a particular challenge. The present study proposes an individual-level matrix model for allocating health resources in the SUS based on data from the National Health Survey (PNS) 2013. This model is founded on a matrix of the following variables: age, sex, education, employment and income and the relationships between them. A morbidity score is used to estimate weights for each category. This model provides an opportunity for managers to use objective methods to provide a clear guide for decision-making in accordance with principles laid down in Brazilian law and in a manner based on health needs and epidemiological and demographic factors, in addition to the capacity to offer services.

The use of the Delphi Method adjusted to evaluate the Stork Network: from Image-objective to Reality

Abstract This study aims to evaluate the Stork Network (SN), a new pattern of intergovernmental program. The method was applied through the adjusted Delphi Method, with 13 specialists. It was constituted in 3 moments. A Logical Model (LM) was elaborated, with the purpose of showing the design of the actions of the program and its main components. By consensus the Delphi Matrix of Concordance with the proposal of the Goal Image was elaborated and validated. Finally, this Matrix was used as an instrument to evaluate the degree of implementation of the program. The results show that SN is classified in the Unsatisfactory Level, in the III Macro-regional Health in Pernambuco, corroborating the irrelevance of initiatives developed to strengthen the program. It is concluded that the application of this Delphi Method was consistent with the complexity of the object, given the lack of specific models for this purpose based on new institutional relations in the regionalization of the Unified Health System (SUS, acronym in Portuguese). This study showed its implications for nursing practice in the search for solutions for patient safety in maternal and child health care, pointing out the indispensability of these professionals to make SN more effective, especially in the face of a vulnerable and disadvantaged population in the interior of the semi-arid region, in an adverse political-economic scenario.