The aim was to develop a conceptual framework for the assessment of new healthcare initiatives on chronic diseases within the Spanish National Health System. A comprehensive literature review between 2002 and 2013, including systematic reviews, meta-analysis, and reports with evaluation frameworks and/or assessment of initiatives was carried out; integrated care initiatives established in Catalonia were studied and described; and semistructured interviews with key stakeholders were performed. The scope and conceptual framework were defined by using the brainstorming approach.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Few studies have analyzed the prevalence and accessibility of home mechanical ventilation (HMV). The aim of this study was to characterize the prevalence of HMV and variability in prescriptions from administrative data.
Methods: Prescribing rates of HMV in the 37 healthcare sectors of the Catalan Health Service were compared from billing data from 2008 to 2011.
Unlabelled: Hospitalizations for acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) generate high consumption of health resources, frequent readmissions and high mortality. The MAG -1 study aims to identify critical points to improve the care process of severe AECOPD requiring hospitalization.
Methods: Observational study, with review of clinical records of patients admitted to hospitals of the Catalan public network for AECOPD.
Objective: Examine the accessibility and use of forced spirometry (FS) in public primary care facilities centers in Catalonia.
Design: Cross-sectional study using a survey.
Participants: Three hundred sixty-six Primary Care Teams (PCT) in Catalonia.