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OBJECTIVE: Determine the acceptability, perceived usefulness, and adoption of implementation tools and technical assistance provided by the Health Technology Assessment Institute (IETS) in hospitals in two regions of Colombia. METHODS: Assistance was provided for implementation of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) in 24 hospitals (17 in Antioquia and seven in Cundinamarca) in areas with high prevalence of sexually transmitted infections, and for use of the implementation tools. Health professionals were given surveys and medical specialists were interviewed. RESULTS: Overall, 86% of respondents are familiar with the GPGs, 86% with the tracer recommendations, 79% with the interactive flow charts, and 82% with the evidence sheets, while 41% never used the implementation tools. Of the respondents who used the tools, 55% did so on their work computer, while 24% used their personal telephone. The most useful tools were the evidence sheets and flow charts (98%) and the tracer recommendations (92%). The least useful were the budgetary impact tools (81%). CONCLUSIONS: The implementation tools and technical assistance provided in hospitals in two regions of Colombia are perceived as useful and acceptable, although the degree of implementation is low. The findings of this research will help the different actors, such as the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, the IETS, and the Administrative Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (Colciencias), among others, improve their programs for the implementation of clinical practice guidelines.

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Objetivo. Establecer la aceptabilidad, percepción de utilidad y la implantación de las herramientas de implementación y el acompañamiento técnico del Instituto de Evaluación Tecnológica en Salud (IETS) en los hospitales de dos regiones de Colombia. Métodos. Se desarrolló acompañamiento para la implementación de la Guía de Práctica Clínica (GPC) en 24 hospitales (17 de Antioquía y 7 de Cundinamarca) en zonas de alta prevalencia de infecciones de transmisión sexual (ITS), así como la instalación de las herramientas de implementación. Se aplicaron encuestas a los profesionales y entrevistas a los referentes. Resultados. Del total de los encuestados, 86% conocen la GPC, 86% las recomendaciones trazadoras, 79% los flujogramas interactivos, 82% las hojas de evidencia y 41% nunca utilizó las herramientas de implementación. De los encuestados que han utilizado las herramientas, 55% lo hacen en el ordenador del sitio de trabajo, mientras que 24% utiliza su teléfono personal. Las herramientas de mayor utilidad son las hojas de evidencia y los flujogramas con 98% y las recomendaciones trazadoras con 92%. Las de más baja utilidad son las herramientas de impacto presupuestal (81%). Conclusiones. Las herramientas de implementación y el acompañamiento técnico en los hospitales de dos regiones de Colombia se perciben como útiles y aceptables, aunque el grado de implantación es bajo. Los hallazgos de esta investigación contribuirán para que los diferentes actores, como el Ministerio de Salud y Protección Social, el IETS y el Departamento Administrativo de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación (Colciencias) entre otros, puedan mejorar los programas de implementación de guías de práctica clínica.

Objective. Determine the acceptability, perceived usefulness, and adoption of implementation tools and technical assistance provided by the Health Technology Assessment Institute (IETS) in hospitals in two regions of Colombia. Methods. Assistance was provided for implementation of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) in 24 hospitals (17 in Antioquia and seven in Cundinamarca) in areas with high prevalence of sexually transmitted infections, and for use of the implementation tools. Health professionals were given surveys and medical specialists were interviewed. Results. Overall, 86% of respondents are familiar with the GPGs, 86% with the tracer recommendations, 79% with the interactive flow charts, and 82% with the evidence sheets, while 41% never used the implementation tools. Of the respondents who used the tools, 55% did so on their work computer, while 24% used their personal telephone. The most useful tools were the evidence sheets and flow charts (98%) and the tracer recommendations (92%). The least useful were the budgetary impact tools (81%). Conclusions. The implementation tools and technical assistance provided in hospitals in two regions of Colombia are perceived as useful and acceptable, although the degree of implementation is low. The findings of this research will help the different actors, such as the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, the IETS, and the Administrative Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (Colciencias), among others, improve their programs for the implementation of clinical practice guidelines.

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RESUMEN Objetivo Establecer la aceptabilidad, percepción de utilidad y la implantación de las herramientas de implementación y el acompañamiento técnico del Instituto de Evaluación Tecnológica en Salud (IETS) en los hospitales de dos regiones de Colombia. Métodos Se desarrolló acompañamiento para la implementación de la Guía de Práctica Clínica (GPC) en 24 hospitales (17 de Antioquía y 7 de Cundinamarca) en zonas de alta prevalencia de infecciones de transmisión sexual (ITS), así como la instalación de las herramientas de implementación. Se aplicaron encuestas a los profesionales y entrevistas a los referentes. Resultados Del total de los encuestados, 86% conocen la GPC, 86% las recomendaciones trazadoras, 79% los flujogramas interactivos, 82% las hojas de evidencia y 41% nunca utilizó las herramientas de implementación. De los encuestados que han utilizado las herramientas, 55% lo hacen en el ordenador del sitio de trabajo, mientras que 24% utiliza su teléfono personal. Las herramientas de mayor utilidad son las hojas de evidencia y los flujogramas con 98% y las recomendaciones trazadoras con 92%. Las de más baja utilidad son las herramientas de impacto presupuestal (81%). Conclusiones Las herramientas de implementación y el acompañamiento técnico en los hospitales de dos regiones de Colombia se perciben como útiles y aceptables, aunque el grado de implantación es bajo. Los hallazgos de esta investigación contribuirán para que los diferentes actores, como el Ministerio de Salud y Protección Social, el IETS y el Departamento Administrativo de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación (Colciencias) entre otros, puedan mejorar los programas de implementación de guías de práctica clínica.

ABSTRACT Objective Determine the acceptability, perceived usefulness, and adoption of implementation tools and technical assistance provided by the Health Technology Assessment Institute (IETS) in hospitals in two regions of Colombia. Methods Assistance was provided for implementation of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) in 24 hospitals (17 in Antioquia and seven in Cundinamarca) in areas with high prevalence of sexually transmitted infections, and for use of the implementation tools. Health professionals were given surveys and medical specialists were interviewed. Results Overall, 86% of respondents are familiar with the GPGs, 86% with the tracer recommendations, 79% with the interactive flow charts, and 82% with the evidence sheets, while 41% never used the implementation tools. Of the respondents who used the tools, 55% did so on their work computer, while 24% used their personal telephone. The most useful tools were the evidence sheets and flow charts (98%) and the tracer recommendations (92%). The least useful were the budgetary impact tools (81%). Conclusions The implementation tools and technical assistance provided in hospitals in two regions of Colombia are perceived as useful and acceptable, although the degree of implementation is low. The findings of this research will help the different actors, such as the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, the IETS, and the Administrative Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (Colciencias), among others, improve their programs for the implementation of clinical practice guidelines.

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The tuberculin skin test (TST) quantifies cell-mediated immunity to tuberculosis antigens. Helminths suppress cell-mediated immunity, so we studied the effect of helminth infection and deworming on the TST in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in an indigenous Amazon community (N = 195). Stool microscopy diagnosed helminths in 98% and co-infection with multiple species in 24% of study subjects. The TST was positive (> or = 10 mm) for 49%, and responses increased with age (P < 0.001), Bacille Calmette Guerin (BCG) vaccination (P = 0.01), and tuberculosis contact (P = 0.05). TST results had no association with helminth-egg concentrations, species, or co-infections (all P > 0.1). One month after deworming with albendazole (three daily 400-mg doses), helminths were reduced, but 63% remained infected with helminths. Albendazole did not cause a change in TST size (P = 0.8) or positivity (P = 0.9) relative to placebo. Thus, TST reactions were unaffected by albendazole therapy that partially cured intestinal helminth infections, and TST interpretation was unaffected by high-burden helminth infections and co-infection with multiple helminth species.

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