On October 24, 2024, Hospital del Mar was the scene of a significant recognition in the field of patient safety. During the congress of the Spanish Society of Healthcare Quality, held in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria from October 16 to 18, a study from the Epidemiology and Evaluation Service of this medical institution received the award for best communication. The awarded work, titled “Association of intrahospital delirium incidence with mortality in the hospital setting,” was led by Dr. Carlos López-Muley and Dr. Mercè Comas.
The research analyzed the frequency of delirium in hospitalized patients and its impact on mortality. According to the results, patients who experience delirium have more than twice the probability of dying compared to those without this condition, even after adjusting for variables such as age and other medical conditions. Furthermore, it was discovered that the risk is higher in men, younger patients, and those with apparently less complex comorbidities. These findings underscore the need for a comprehensive approach to dealing with delirium, a problem that is often underestimated and requires attention to prevent and mitigate its adverse effects.
In parallel, another study from the same service, presented by Dr. Laia Domingo, also received recognition by being selected among the best communications of the event. This work investigated the risk of complications and mortality according to the type of oral anticoagulant used in hospitalized patients. The research compared direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) with vitamin K antagonists, evaluating their relationship with hemorrhagic complications and intrahospital mortality.
Conducted in collaboration with the hospital’s Pharmacy and Hematology departments, the study concluded that DOACs are associated with better safety, as they reduce hemorrhagic complications, especially in patients undergoing surgical interventions. These results emphasize the importance of continuing to train healthcare personnel in the safety linked to the use of anticoagulants and implementing alerts to identify and properly manage issues related to their administration, thereby improving the quality of patient care.
Source: MiMub in Spanish
