[Efficiency and cost-effectiveness for a safety device].

When dealing with preventive measures, it is necessary to evaluate their effectiveness and to analyze the costs involved in implementing those measures. Therefore, the authors carried out a before-after intervention study on the use of a safe intravenous peripheral catheter in emergency ward services; this study included the participation by workers in selecting material by means of a Likert questionnaire. The effectiveness of a safe intravenous peripheral catheter was calculated comparing skin accidents caused by this device 40 months before and after its implantation.

[Predictive model for nosocomial pneumonia in intensive care units].

Background And Objective: Nosocomial pneumonia is the most common nosocomial infection in the intensive care units (ICUs) and contributes disproportionately to both poor outcomes and high cost of care in critically ill patients. In order to identify patients with greater risk of developing nosocomial pneumonia in ICUs, it is important to select the right preventive measures.

Patients And Method: It was an observational study of 2 prospective cohorts of patients staying in the ICU for 24 h or more: the main cohort (n=1,184) and the validation cohort (n=554).

[Flu vaccination in healthcare workers].

Background And Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the trends in yearly vaccination coverage in healthcare workers.

Method: Cross-sectional epidemiological study over fifteen seasons (1990-2005). Overall vaccination coverage and coverage by professional category was estimated annually.