Yearbook 2020

Research
Education
Technical
Cooperation
INSTITUTIONAL
YEARBOOK INSTITUTE
FOR CLINICAL
2020
EFFECTIVENESS
AND HEALTH
POLICY
www.iecs.org.ar
INDEX
INSTITUTIONAL INFORMATION RESEARCH AND TECHNICAL COOPERATION:
3. About Us DEPARTMENTS, CENTERS AND UNITS
4. Mission and Institutional Objectives 20. Department of Health Technology Assessment and
5. Staff Health Economics
2020 OVERVIEW 22. IECS-Argentine Cochrane Center
8. Metrics: 2020 in figures 24. Department of Mother and Child Health Research
10. Editorial 26. Department of Research on Chronic Diseases
12. Some thoughts about the pandemic: 28. Center for Research and Implementation in
14. Highlights Palliative Care (CII-CP)
19. Project Meetings 30. Department of Healthcare Quality and Patient
Safety
32. Center for Implementation and Innovation in Health
Policies
34. Qualitative Research on Health Unit
36. Statistics, Data Management and Information
Systems Unit
38. Department of Education
42. Communication Unit
44. Operations Management and Support Unit
46. PUBLICATIONS
54. VALUABLE RESOURCES
55. Interview to Dr. Vilma Irazola
58. FUNDING
2
INSTITUTE FOR CLINICAL
I NSTI T U T I O N A L Y E A R B OOK IE CS 2 0 2 0 EFFECTIVENESS AND HEALTH POLICY

ABOUT
US
EFFECTIVENESS AND HEALTH POLICY
We are an independent academic institution affiliated to the

University of Buenos Aires School of Medicine,
dedicated since 2002 to:
Research
Education
Technical cooperation
It houses an executive unit of the

CONICET (Argentine National Scientific Argentina
and Technical Research Council),
a Cochrane Center and one Collaborating
3

ABOUT MISSION
US To contribute with improving overall
health, creating and promoting the use INSTITUTE FOR CLINICAL
of the best scientific evidence.
RESEARCH EDUCATION TECHNICAL COOPERATION
Our projects include clinical, We provide training in clinical and Through a close collaboration
epidemiological research and health research, management and with public agencies, non-
studies applied to healthcare policies assessment of health programs governmental organizations
and services, health technology and policies. Our academic offer and private institutions, we
assessments and economic includes the University of Buenos develop strategies that allow
evaluations, systematic reviews, Aires School of Medicine Master’s improving accessibility and
qualitative studies, questionnaire Degree in Clinical Effectiveness, quality of care so as to promote
and intervention validation to and different post-graduate the implementation of effective
improve medical care quality and courses and seminars in the evidence-based policies and
patient's safety. Our aim is to make following areas: healthcare quality interventions.
a contribution that allows re- and patient's safety, advanced
formulating the national, regional research methods and applied
and global research agenda through statistics; health technology
projects that reflect the priorities and assessments and economic
health needs of those who live in low evaluations; systematic reviews
and middle-income countries. and meta-analysis; mother and
child health and nursing.
4

STAF F
B OARD
DR. VILMA DR. ANDRÉS DR. MABEL

DR. EZEQUIEL BERRUETA
GARCÍA IRAZOLA PICHON-RIVIERE
Director of the IECS and Coordinator of the
ELORRIO Statistics, Data
Department of Department of
Director of
Health Technology Management DR. FEDERICO
Research on Chronic
Administration DR. Assessment and DR. ADOLFO and Information AUGUSTOVSKI
Diseases and
and Director of FERNANDO Coordinator of the Health Economics RUBINSTEIN Systems Unit and BACHELOR Director of the
the Department of RUBINSTEIN Center of Excellence in Executive Director Director of Coordinator of the GRISEL Department of
Healthcare Quality Director of the the Center for Health Technology
Cardiovascular Health Department of JORDÁN
and Patient Safety Department of Implementation Assessment and
for South America in Mother and Child Director of the
Education and Innovation in Health Research Health Economics
the Southern Cone Operations
(CESCAS) Health Policies Management and
(CIIPS) Support Unit
5

STAF F
COORDINAT ION
DR. ANDREA
ALCARAZ
DR. AGUSTÍN CIAPPONI Coordinator COORDINATOR OF COORDINATOR OF
Director of the Cochrane Argentine
Center Coordinator of the IECS-
of Health Technology ADMINISTRATION AND THE OPERATIONS
Assessment
Cochrane Argentine Center FINANCE MANAGEMENT AND
SUPPORT UNIT
BACHELOR ALFREDO
PALACIOS
Coordinator of Health
DR. VERÓNICA DUSSEL Economics
Coordinator of the Centerfor Research
and Implementation
in Palliative Care (CII-CP)
BACHELOR MARÍA BELIZÁN BACHELOR CLAUDIA

Coordinator of the Qualitative LUCIANA ARIZAGA
Research on Health Unit PELLE
DR. VIVIANA RODRÍGUEZ
Coordinator of the Department of
Healthcare Quality and Patient Safety > PRESIDENT
BACHELOR CINTIA CEJAS DR. JOSÉ
Coordinator of the Center for BELIZÁN
Implementation and Innovation President of IECS
DR. ARIEL BARDACH in Health Policies (CIIPS)
Director of the Center for Research on and Department
Epidemiology and Public Health (CIESP). IECS- of Mother and
Cochrane Argentine Center and Department Child Health
of Health Technology Assessment and Health Research Senior
Economics Senior Researcher Researcher.
BACHELOR MARIANA
COMOLLI
Coordinator of the
DR. SEBASTIÁN GARCÍA MARTÍ
Communication Unit
Coordinator of the Department of
Health Technology Assessment and
Health Economics
6

STAF F
RESEARCHERS INSTITUTIONAL COMMUNICATION OPERATIONS ANALYSTS AND ASSISTANTS

Natalí Ini Nancy Albornoz
Andrea Beratarrechea Laura Gutiérrez Marina Bonelli
LIBRARY
Analía Nejamis María Laura Requena Sol Franco
Daniel Comandé
Ayelén Toscani María Luisa Cafferata María Harmitton Oliveto
Mónica Soria
Carolina Prado Manuel Donato Cecilia Hernández
Darío Balán Natalia Elorriaga PEDAGOGIC COUNSELING Samanta Padra
Daniela Moyano Natalia Espinola Adriana Sznajder Gabriela Rodríguez
Eduardo Bergel Pablo Gulayín IT SUPPORT María Eugenia Serres
Facundo Jorro Barón Natalí Ini Romina Melgarejo (Coordinación) Joaquín Uzzo
Gabriela Cormick Paula Vázquez Nicolás Hermida DATA MANAGEMENT ANALYSTS
Karen Klein Rosana Poggio Rodrigo Alonso AND ASSISTANTS
Inés Suárez Anzorena Roberto Klappenbach Lisandro Di Meo
Javier Roberti Sacha Virgilio MARKETING
Marianela Conde (Coordinación) Rocío Rodríguez
Juan Pedro Alonso Simón Fernández Nievas Candela Stella
Juan Martín González Verónica Alfie Magalí Botta
Luz Gibbons Verónica Pingray Martina Rochi MAINTENANCE
Lucas González Verónica Sanguine SEARCH FOR FUNDING Claudia Gallardo
Lucas Perelli Victoria Sáenz Gilda Follietti Olga Ojeda
Luciano Uzal Samanta Straminsky ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
ANALYSTS AND ASSISTANTS
Emilio Allemandi
RESEARCH FELLOWS Richard del Padre
Ana Cavallo Carlos Rojas Romina Peralta
María Victoria López Diana Pinto Ana Redes
Fernando Argento Milagros García Díaz
7

M ET RI CS 2 0 2 0
2020 in figures I
SCIENTIFIC
P U B L I C AT I ON S
73
ARTICLES IN
71
HEALTH TECHNOLOGY
2
COCHRANE
JOURNALS INDEXED IN ASSESSMENTS REVIEWS,
MEDLINE 3 PROTOCOLS
AND 61 COCHRANE
ANSWERS
E D U C AT I ON
+1,400 +2,500
PROFESSIONALS PEOPLE
HAVE CHOSEN PARTICIPATED
OUR COURSES IN OUR WEBINARS
8

M ET RI CS 2 0 2 0
2020 in figures II
R E S E A RC H
W E WO R K E D W I TH
M O RE T H A N WE APPLIE D F O R
30
COUNTRIES
112
RESEARCH
GRANTS
P ROM OT I ON
370
TIMES IN
COMMUNICATION MEDIA
9

ED I TO RI A L > WO R D S F RO M T HE D IR ECTOR
A Turning Point that

Changed Us as Institution
“What is right when we face an unprecedented just to mention a few, would continue being top
situation from all perspectives? How to react priority problems during and after COVID-19.
when we are overwhelmed by huge amounts of
The second challenge was how to contribute to
information and there is no way we can absorb and
the efforts the country and the world were going
analyze all of it? How can we live in a world where
to undertake to control the pandemic and reduce
deep uncertainty is not an exception, but the rule?"
its harm; a huge work to adapt the institution to a
The questions asked by Israeli historian Yuval fast paced scenario demanding answers in days or
Nohal Harari in his book "21 Lessons for the 21st hours, which would otherwise have required months
Century" in 2018, could have perfectly applied to or years. During all 2020, IECS participated in a
the pandemic which broke out two years later: a variety of projects, such as assessment of vaccines
world turning point, which revealed how vulnerable and therapeutic interventions for COVID-19,
we are, but which also forced us to recover and development of mathematical models to understand
face the crisis with determination. the progress of the pandemic and help the health
systems to be ready, and reports to help decision-
The pandemic affected us and the world's
makers understand which interventions are really
population alike; it brought uncertainty, confusion
useful. Many of these undertakings can be accessed
and concern about our loved ones. But it also
in a website (www.iecs.org.ar/covid) specifically
meant facing two additional significant challenges.
created to provide free access to reliable
The first one: How to continue in this new scenario
information in the midst of overwhelming amounts
with the projects the IECS had undertaken before
of data. Since our departments, units and centers,
COVID-19. None of the public health problems
were already experienced in remote exchange
IECS had been focusing on early that year ceased
with collaborators and colleagues from Argentina
to exist because of the pandemic.
and other countries, in few weeks, we were able
Maternal health, hospital quality of care, chronic to adapt all the operations to this new method of
diseases, Chagas disease, child obesity or smoking, work and to continue working on 110 research
Dr. Andrés Pichon-Riviere continued
Executive Director of IECS
10
I NST I T U T I O N A L Y E A R BOOK IE CS 2 0 2 0 EFFECTIVENESS AND HEALTH POLICY

ED I TO RI A L > WO R D S F ROM T HE D IR ECTOR
projects, education and technical cooperation in In one of the most difficult years for the human
30 countries, of which 64 were started in 2020. kind in recent history, the 85 individuals who work
One hundred and twelve submissions (30 more at IECS redoubled our commitment to public
than in 2019) were presented, and over 1,400 health and the use of the best evidence. I feel
professionals from 16 countries, registered in extremely proud of this collective effort.
our post-graduate courses. Also, we prepared 73
Harari says that to survive and flourish in such a
publications for journals indexed in PubMed.
world, you will need a lot of mental flexibility and
COVID-19 changed IECS as an institution and great reserves of emotional balance. I would also
we will never be the same after this. To face this add that we would also need passion for what we
situation, which brought about huge operational do, integrity, creativity, accuracy and the belief
challenges, we were extremely quick to adapt and that we can contribute to build a better country
resist. and world.
“In one of the most difficult years for the human kind in recent history, the 85 individuals
who work at IECS redoubled our commitment to public health and the use of the best
evidence. I feel extremely proud of this collective effort.”
11

“We feel this is a “Maybe some may ask if the State
time when it is absolutely should invest in Science at a time
SOME THOUGHTS necessary to reinforce our

commitment as researchers and
we are experiencing one of the most
serious socio-economic crisis.
ABOUT THE professionals who work in public

health to promote the use of better
However, the achievements of
Argentine Science during this
PANDEMIC evidence.”
Andrés Pichon-Riviere
pandemic, explain, without a doubt, the
benefits of investing.”
(See more here) Agustín Ciapponi
(See more here)
IN THIS VERY
“It is of the utmost importance for
the health system and countries to SPECIAL YEAR, THESE ARE
“It is time to implement
get ready for future pandemics and SOME OF THE COMMENTS OF OUR
some of the knowledge we learnt from
catastrophes in a more systematic RESEARCHERS ABOUT COVID-19, quality improvement to other hospital
and methodic way. One year ago,
we could have not imagined this
TAKEN FROM OUR EDITORIALS, practice areas, such us reducing
infections by
scenario, not even in our worst WEBINARS, MEDIA STATEMENTS
multi-resistant
nightmares” AND ARTICLES PUBLISHED organisms.”
Adolfo Rubinstein
(See more here)
IN SCIENTIFIC Ezequiel García Elorrio
(See more here)
JOURNALS.
“The way the Argentine “This context

scientific community required to incorporate
“The main challenge
responded to the SARS-CoV-2 other study designs and new
in technology assessment during
pandemic, required that sources of information
pandemic has been to differentiate a true
several specialties joined to o our health technology
signal (if a drug or facemask work) in a
fight this threat.” assessments.”
world full of opinions and uncertainty, where
José Belizán, Ariel Bardach, Gabriela research that progressively appeared did not Dra. Andrea Alcaraz
Cormick y Vilma Irazola (See more here)
have the quality we are used to.”
(See more here)
Dr. Federico Augustovski
(See more here)
12

S O M E TH O U G H T S A B O U T T HE PA ND EM IC
WEBINARS
DURING 2020, COVID-19: How do we Decision making and COVID-19: A leap Women leadership
surf the second wave? prioritizing health towards digital in health:
WE ORGANIZED WEBINARS
A comprehensive look resources. transformation in What challenges
ATTENDED BY MORE THAN 2,520 PEOPLE from the perspective of What changes has health. does the pandemic
public policies. COVID-19 imposed, Click here pose?
FROM ARGENTINA AND OTHER LATIN
Click here which may change the Click here
AMERICAN COUNTRIES. rules of the game in
the next few years?
COVID-19 WAS THE LEADING ACTOR,
Click here
BUT THERE WAS ALSO TIME TO DISCUSS
COVID-19: How to
WHAT HAPPENS WITH ACCESS TO Patient safety in determine what How do we improve
HIGH-PRICE DRUGS AND WITH COVID-19 times: interventions work? access to high-price
evidence-based A look into scientific drugs taking the
CONSUMPTION OF SOFT DRINKS recommendations. evidence from the sustainability of the
WITH ADDED Click here COVID-19: Challenges health technology health system into
for the Argentinean assessment account?
SUGAR. health system and perspective. Click here
society. See Part 1, Part 2
Click here and Part 3
What we can and ALL THESE

cannot see in soft WEBINARS WERE
LIVE STREAMED
drinks with added IN OUR SOCIAL
MEDIA.
sugar.
Click here
13

H I G H L I GH T S
ACTIVE VACCINE SURVEILLANCE IN

COVID-19: we PREGNANT WOMEN
launched a site with Although pregnant the Department of
reliable information women are Mother and Child
In response to the overwhelming considered a Health and the
amount of information about the population at Health Technology
pandemic generated daily , IECS risk for COVID-19 Assessment
launched https://www.iecs.org.ar/ complications, Department
covid, which gathers all our health this population started to work in a
During was not included systematic review
technology assessment (HTA)
quarantine in most Phase 3 of all the adverse
documents about COVID-19-related
clinical trials testing events described in
interventions and a group of links to Because of the different vaccines. In pregnant women
access organizations and institutions, restrictions imposed addition to continue with other vaccines
offering reliable information for by the pandemic,
our working, evaluating that, when which used platforms
decision-making. administrative, they get vaccinated, and/or adjuvants
research, education there would be similar to those used
and IT teams had information systems in anti-SARS-CoV-2
QUALITY FORUMS AND CONGRESSES to work from
home throughout
in place
to collect
formulations.
The project
2020. Technology
As every year, the IECS’ Department of forums were organized in the in all the allowed us to perinatal was promoted
Healthcare Quality and Patient Safety country and five virtual meetings focused continue working outcomes by COVAX, the
organized training sessions, experience on quality management in COVID-19 were on our projects and in low and mechanism
exchange activities and project held. education proposals
middle- co-sponsored
presentations. The XI National Conference remotely, but always
maintaining our income by the WHO
and the I Rio de la Plata Conference of
commitment and countries to equitably
the Latin American Collaborative Forum
in Quality and Patient Safety held in
motivation, in many and that this distribute
cases, by the need may serve vaccines;
October under the motto “people at the
to provide practical
core of our efforts” summoned speakers as active funded by
answers to the
from the region, Spain, United States and health systems to vaccine the Bill and
other countries and gathered almost 500 speed up return to surveillance, Melinda Gates
participants via Zoom. Also, five regional normality. in 2020, Foundation.
14

HIGHLIGHTS
THE IMPACT OF THE

PANDEMIC IN SICK CHILDREN
HOW TO OVERCOME
How did the pandemic problems in caregivers.
REJECTION TO VACCINES
Rejection or resistance to vaccines is considered a real public health
impact on the provision Of the 29 families
of pediatric palliative interviewed, 20% challenge by the World Health Organization (WHO).
care in countries were reported new financial In the past few years, vaccination-rejection groups have had impact on
these practices are difficulties when the appearance of outbreaks, with negative influence on campaigns to
well developed, such compared to 6.9% prior eradicate immune-preventable diseases and, in the context of COVID-19,
as the USA? To find this to the pandemic. limiting strategies aimed at containing and defeating the pandemic. To
out, the IECS’ Palliative These families progress in understanding the different factors involved in this type of
Care Unit participated identified several
attitudes and help design interventions aimed at improving vaccination
in designing and changes in care,
coverage, the Qualitative Research on Health Unit team focuses its
conducting a research including suspension
in two hospitals in of services and efforts on studies related to the barriers to vaccination coverage of
Boston to study, restrictions to access mothers, children and adults. The objective is clear: save the lives that
among other things, hospitals. In this can be saved and protect the communities with the most cost-effective
the medical and context, the hybrid tool available in health.
financial impact of (telemedicine/in-
the health crisis, the person) model, which Science shares repository available here.
challenges and benefits was more flexible and research information This way, in times of
of telemedicine and efficient in providing When is the best time to uncertainty, we offer useful
the impact of these care, was considered administer convalescent plasma? updated information for the
positive. Is the use of hyperimmune institutions (both members
The caregivers reported equine serum or remdesivir of our Consortium for Health
more anxiety and work justified? Is there evidence Technology Assessments and
overload because supporting ivermectin use? different participants of the
they were in charge of These are only some of the health system in our region) to
providing care and they questions addressed in the more make appropriate decisions,
were alone at home than thirty health technology which would improve the
or in the hospital as assessment documents about efficiency of the system and
a consequence of the the pandemic we prepared and maximize benefits for the
pandemic. made public in a specific open population.
15

H I G H L I GH T S
IMPROVING
CREATION OF THE CENTER Doctor and Master in Epidemiology from
MEASUREMENT IN
Harvard. In this initiative, he has been
FOR IMPLEMENTATION AND
INNOVATION IN HEALTH working with a highly qualified team with MATERNAL HEALTH
experience in health management applied
POLICIES to the public sector. To learn more about
In order to end preventable maternal
mortality, the global “Improving Maternal
With the purpose of contributing to public this new center, access this video or visit Health Measurement” initiative, supported
debate and informed decision-making www.iecs.org.ar/ciips. video or visit by the World Health Organization (WHO)
about health policies, providing analysis www.iecs.org.ar/ciips. and led by the Harvard School of Public
and advice to different governments,
Health, aims at developing and validating
institutions and health organizations at
new indicators focused on “proximal”
national, regional and international level,
(direct) and other “distal” (from the health
we created the Center for Implementation
system, government, etc.) factors, which
and Innovation in Health Policies (CIIPS).
determine or influence the way women die.
Its Director, Prof. Dr. Adolfo Rubinstein, During the second stage of this project and
one of the IECS founders, is a Family as research is being conducted in Ghana
and India, our Department of Mother and
Strong emphasis on training Child Health began to lead a study in the
provinces of Jujuy, Salta, La Pampa and
Buenos Aires, which includes reviewing
One of the most important goals of Clinical Effectiveness (PEC) of the analyzing the variables and factors
CIIPS is training on implementation University of Buenos Aires (UBA) that influence health policy cycles all the available and relevant information
and management programs and School of Medicine and launched, and assessing the importance of and implementing surveys for healthcare
health policies intended make health along with the Torcuato Di Tella information for strategic decision professionals and women. The expected
systems more accessible, equitable, University (UTDT) Government making. Also, introductory virtual impact is to improve the metrics, the
with better quality and sustainable. School, an Advanced Program in courses were held at the Province of quality of health data and to
Following this path, the CIIPS Health Policies, with an executive Corrientes and 23 municipalities of provide new knowledge on
developed a course on Management profile and distant-learning, the Province of Buenos Aires related
the validation methods for
and Research Programs and Health which includes understanding to readiness and response of health
health indicators.
Policies in the Master’s Degree in the Argentina´s Health System, systems to the pandemic.
16

H I G H L I GH T S
TENDENCIES IN CHOLESTEROL OUR NEW CANCER

Argentina is among the on 102.6 million people. RESEARCH CENTER
three Latin American Four investigators from the
countries which, in the last Department of Research
four decades, were more on Chronic Diseases A new center was added to the
effective in reducing “non- participated in this. Our team “family” of the IECS’ Department
HDL” cholesterol levels, as pointed out: “We are on the of Research on Chronic Diseases.
indicated by an international good track, but we cannot The Center for Excellence in Cancer
study led by the Imperial relax. In our population, Research (CEDIC), a joint project
College of London (Great cardiovascular disease is in collaboration with the Cayetano
Britain), after reviewing more still the primary cause of Heredia Peruvian University, Lima,
than one thousand studies death. Peru and the Dana-Farber Cancer
Institute, Boston, USA, aims at
developing both research and training
activities related to cancer prevention,
early detection and control, including
EARLY CANCER DETECTION AT THE WORKPLACE assessment of the effects screening
programs have in different types of
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the Province public servants. other initiatives, speaking tumors.
second most common cancer The project gathered with the personnel, sharing All the best!
in our country. With the professionals from three information about this tumor
purpose of increasing IECS’ teams (the and providing a kit to perform
the CRC screening Department of an immunochemical Fecal
rate at early Health Technology Occult Blood self-test (iFOB).
stages to promote Assessment The strategy implemented
treatment and cure and the at the workplace facilitates
of this disease, Communication the access of individuals
we developed an and Qualitative to different medical
implementation Health Research interventions, thus making
research, conducted Units), and this early disease detection
on the Buenos Aires included, among possible.
17

H I G H L I GH T S
FELLOWS
SMOKING IN NIGERIA
Diana Pinto Pérez,
During 2020, thanks to to present and share Registered Nurse
a collaboration with the results. This is our graduated from
Center for The Study of first experience with Bogota's Health
the Economies (CSEA) this type of studies on Sciences University
Diana Pinto Pérez
of Africa, Nigeria, the the impact of smoking Foundation
IECS’ Department of tobacco outside Latin (Colombia),
Health Technology America and it is an became a research
Assessment carried out acknowledgement of fellow. She has
a joint project to assess our experience and been chosen
the burden of disease, publications in this among dozens
Fernando Argento of Healthcare,
direct and indirect field.
costs of smoking and Social Sciences,
cost-effectiveness of Human Sciences,
interventions in this Economic and
Part of the
African country, as team work of Exact Sciences
well as to provide tools this project. professionals.
Milagros García Díaz She is taking
the UBA School
of Medicine’s
WHO’S UPDATED GUIDE ON PATIENT SAFETY Master’s Degree
in Clinical
In 2011, the World Health Organization (WHO) published a Patient Safety Effectiveness,
Curriculum Guide intended to educate professionals in this field and to just like Fernando
improve safety during care. During 2020, Dr. Viviana Rodríguez and Dr. Argento, Physical
Ezequiel García Elorrio participated in an international group to update Therapist, and
this guide, including the latest evidence on different subjects such as risk Bachelor Milagros
approach, fall prevention or medication errors. The WHO estimates that 1 García Díaz. We
every 10 patients experience an adverse event during hospitalization. welcome you!
18

I NT ERNA L C O M M U N IC AT ION
PROJECT MEETINGS
During 2020, we did On Mondays, at midday, researchers,
fellows and other IECS’ professionals
monitor compliance with tuberculosis
treatment results.
not attend in-person continued sharing the initiatives, results > Value framework for diagnostic
and experiences from each department technology in Latin America.
meetings, but we and unit aimed at facilitating transverse > Collaboration to improve the
were as connected exchange and promoting contribution
from their different perspectives. These
performance of critical care units in
Argentina’s public sector.
as ever and facing were 31 meetings with an average > Compliance with cardiovascular
number of 40-50 participants, where prevention recommendations in the
the challenges and we spoke about the following, among general population.
projects imposed by others:
> The impact of the pandemic on
> Short benznidazole treatment to
reduce the parasite load in women of
the pandemic. children and young adults with life- reproductive age with Chagas disease.
limiting illnesses. > Contraception and post-abortion
> Epidemiological model to assess the care: qualitative analysis from the
readiness and capability response of user’s population perspective after the
health systems in Latin America and Zika epidemic in Honduras.
the Caribbean to COVID-19. > Communication tool to facilitate
> Development of a new World Health sharing projects and publications.
Organization (WHO) partograph. > Level of implementation of
> Assessment of COVID-19 respected delivery and prevalence of
convalescent plasma in reducing mistreatment during delivery care in
progression to severe disease in Argentina.
the elderly with mild SARS-COV2 > Obesogenic environments.
symptoms. > Assessment of the Advisory
> Design and evaluation of an Committees on Immunization Practices
interactive mobile application to (CAPI).
19

RESE ARC H AN D T E C H N I C A L C OOPER AT ION PROJECT S
Department of Health Technology Assessment

and Health Economics
WE WORK IN DEVELOPING KNOWLEDGE AND TOOLS TO GUIDE
DECISION MAKING TO ACHIEVE MORE EFFECTIVE, EFFICIENT
Verónica Alfie Andrea Alcaraz Federico Augustovski Daniel Comandé AND EQUITABLE HEALTH SYSTEMS IN LATIN AMERICA AND
THE REST OF THE SOUTH HEMISPHERE.
Sebastián García Martí Agustín Ciapponi Roberto Klappenbach Ariel Bardach

Study on the impact of lung cancer marcodevalor).
on the quality of life and costs for Coordination of the International
patients and families. Society for Health Technology
Implementation research in the Assessment (HTAi) policy forum.
Manuel Donato Carlos Rojas Fernando Argento Andrés Pichon Riviere Province of Buenos Aires public Execution of several COVID-19-
servants to increase the rate of related projects, including pandemic
colorectal cancer screening. modeling and capability response
Analysis of consumption of of health systems (along with the
Alfredo Palacios Darío Balán Lucas González Mónica Soria resources and costs resulting from IECS’ CIIPS and the Buenos Aires
the most prevalent cancers, based on Calculus Institute) and design of an
Argentina’s Institutional Registry of epidemiological parameters webpage.
Tumor (RITA). Analysis of budget impact and
Joaquín Uzzo Lucas Perelli Natalia Espínola Gabriela Rodríguez
Studies to measure the disease health technology assessment of
burden attributable to smoking and its drugs and devices in Latin American
health, economic and social costs in countries.
Latin America. Consortium for Budget Impact
Seventy health technology Analysis (BIA) and Sanitary Cost
assessments (31, COVID-19 related). Database (SCD)
Development of a value framework Impact including the rotavirus
to assess diagnostic technologies vaccine in Argentina: a quasi-
in Latin America (www.iecs.org.ar/ experimental study.
20

R ESEARC H A N D T E C H N I C A L COOPER AT ION PROJECT S
Department of Health Technology Assessment and Health Economics
Soft Drinks with Added Sugar and Tobacco

in Latin America
We continue investigating tobacco social-related costs. Regarding soft
and soft drink with added drinks, juices and flavored waters,
sugar consumption, to provide we conducted a study in Argentina,
scientific evidence favoring the Brazil, El Salvador and Trinidad and
implementation of good health Tobago, which determined that their
policies (such as front-of- Obesidad
consumption not only contributes to the
package labels and an increase Sobrepeso overweight and obesity epidemic, but
in cigarette taxes). In the case of Diabetes also showed that its “dark side” (ignored
smoking, we lead a project where Otras or underestimated by the population) is
enfermedades
more than 40 investigators and also responsible for thousands of cases of
health decision-makers, research diabetes, cardiac disease, musculoskeletal,
centers and public institutions from strokes, asthma, cancer and other diseases.
Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, The materials (both scientific publications
Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico and Peru and easy-to-read infographics) are available
We worked on
took part. We were able to estimate
the number of deaths and diseases caused
at www. iecs.org.ar/tabaco and www.iecs.
org.ar/azucar. Both projects were financed by 38
by smoking in each country and we could the International Development Research Centre projects in
12
also estimate the health, economic and (IDRC), Canada.
countries in America
and Africa.
21

IECS-Argentine Cochrane Center

WE ARE CENTER OF THE We ended and/or published reviews and in Latin America and the Caribbean and
meta-analysis related to: its economic impact.
IBEROAMERICAN COCHRANE Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of Models of disease burden and
essential food fortification as requested by economic assessments of public health
NETWORK. OUR OBJECTIVE IS TO the WHO. interventions in problems related to soft
EASE CLINICAL AND SANITARY Systems to register maternal and drink with added sugar consumption.
neonatal information in low and middle- Air pollution.
DECISION-MAKING BASED ON income countries. Prevalence of HER2 overexpression
THE BEST SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE Comparison of the effects of and amplification in cervical cancer.
dexamethasone and betamethasone in
AVAILABLE DURING 2020. women at high-risk of premature delivery
on maternal and perinatal outcomes.
Impact of COVID-19 on pregnant women
and newborns, impact of COVID-19 vaccine
protocols on pregnancy and safety on
these same groups, of the components
and platforms used in vaccines against
COVID-19.
Fixed vs. adjusted doses of benznidazole
for the treatment of chronic Chagas disease
in adults.
Mobile device applications to detect fake
or adulterated medications.
Devices for post-partum hemorrhage in
women of reproductive age.
Health-related quality of life and health
system costs due to the loss of productivity
by breast cancer patients and their families
in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Epidemiology of Herpes Zoster in adults
22

IECS-Argentine Cochrane Center
We generated
and shared large amounts
of evidence to face
COVID-19 pandemic, about
its epidemiology during
pregnancy and its diagnosis
and treatment.
The value of evidence in COVID-19
COVID-19 highlighted the (scoping review of testing
need to separate scientific recommendations and a
evidence from rumors and systematic review on COVID-19
assertions with no evidence RT-PCR false negative results),
at all. During 2020, we one editorial and three
provided great support to summaries and comments in
face the COVID-19 pandemic, local journals about pressing
by organizing webinars and topics on SARS-CoV-2
by participating, in addition epidemiology and treatment.
to the already mentioned We alto initiated a systematic
projects on maternal and child review about post-COVID
health impact, in publications multisystem inflammatory
in peer reviewed journals syndrome in Latin America.
23

Department of Mother and

Child Health Research
THROUGH RESEARCH, WE SEEK
TO CONTRIBUTE TO IMPROVING
HEALTH AND WELLBEING Paula Vázquez Karen Klein José Belizán Luz Gibbons
OF WOMEN, CHILDREN AND

ADOLESCENTS. THESE WERE SOME
OF THE PROJECTS WE WORKED ON Mabel Berrueta María Harmitton Oliveto Ayelén Toscani María Luisa Cafferata
DURING 2020:
Short benznidazole treatment to reduce
parasite load in women of reproductive age Eduardo Bergel Gabriela Cormick Verónica Pingray
infected with Trypanosoma cruzi: A non-
inferiority randomized clinical trial. review of the safety of COVAX-COVID-19 Implementation of the WHO Intrapartum
A prospective study of congenital Chagas vaccines or their components during Care Guideline to reduce the number of
disease: Characteristics of the parasite pregnancy. C-sections carried out in hospitals in India: A
and human host and validation of neonatal Development of educational material cluster randomized trial.
molecular diagnosis - Scientific and and communication of the Intrapartum Initial detection and treatment of post-
Technological Research Projects (PICT). Care Guideline (WHO): user manual, list partum hemorrhage with the MOTIVE bundle:
A multifaceted intervention to improve of presentations to communicate and A WHO Group Randomized Trial with Health
access to a comprehensive approach to train, addressed to health managers and Economic Analysis (E-MOTIVE STUDY).
Chagas disease in the first level of care in healthcare professionals. Global initiative to end preventable
Argentina: a pilot study. Development of tools to implement maternal mortality (Improving Maternal
Environmental analysis: level of readiness the WHO Recommendations: care during Health Measurement).
of sites to carry out active monitoring of delivery for a positive delivery experience Calcium fortified water to prevent
maternal immunization safety in low and and preparation of implementation briefs preeclampsia.
middle-income countries. about the recommendations included in the Zika virus infection in pregnant women in
Environmental analysis: a systematic WHO Intrapartum Care Guideline. Honduras.
24

Department of Mother and Child Health Research
WHO Partograph and C-section Reduction

After participating along with a
World Health Organization (WHO)
team in the development of
the new “partograph” or
Intrapartum Care Guideline,
and in conducting a study
of usability and feasibility
of its implementation in five In 2020,
countries, our Department will try
to assess the impact of this guide
44 articles were
in reducing unnecessary C-sections. submitted for review
The project, which will be carried out at
three maternal centers of the State of
to peer-reviewed
Karnataka, India, obtained grants from scientific journals,
INITIATIVE- Global Grand Challenges-
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and
and 33 have already
will be conducted together with the WHO been approved.
and two other academic institutions
(one from India and the other one from
Australia).
25

Department of Research on
Chronic Diseases
WE SEEK TO PROMOTE HEALTH CARDIOMETABOLIC DISEASES: of care of diabetic patients in three
Optimization of heart failure outpatient provinces of Argentina.
BY GENERATING SCIENTIFIC treatment in low and middle-income Assessment of policies and programs
EVIDENCE AND IMPLEMENTING countries. One multi-component program to improve physical activity and food
(COMM-HF Initiative). environments with the purpose of fighting
INTERVENTIONS WHICH MAY ALLOW An innovative approach to improve obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular
cardiovascular risk detection and diseases in Argentina.
TO PREVENT CHRONIC DISEASES AND follow-up in first level of public care: A Effectiveness of a multi-component
OPTIMIZE THEIR COMPREHENSIVE Feasibility Study in Argentina. intervention by the family and community
Implementation of a multi-component health team to improve compliance with
MANAGEMENT. THE CENTER OF intervention to improve hypertension treatment in individuals with chronic
EXCELLENCE IN CARDIOVASCULAR control in Central America. diseases.
Cardiovascular disease prevention CANCER:
HEALTH FOR SOUTH AMERICA IN using mobile-health (m-Health) based Comprehensive strategy to improve
strategies, electronic support system for colorectal cancer population screening in
THE SOUTHERN CONE (CESCAS), decision-making. the public health system in Argentina.
THE CENTER FOR RESEARCH AND Use of mobile technology and social Assessment of feasibility, acceptability
media to strengthen the implementation and usability of a mobile application in
IMPLEMENTATION IN PALLIATIVE of a primary prevention program for type colorectal cancer risk classification in
CARE (CII-CP) AND NOW THE CENTER 2 diabetes in the first level of care in the Argentina.
Province of Mendoza. Colorectal cancer in Argentina:
FOR EXCELLENCE IN CANCER Comprehensive approach to improve One Innovative Intervention based on
diabetes prevention and care in Peer Mentoring to Increase Screening
RESEARCH (CEDIC) ARE PART OF vulnerable population within the public Coverage.
OUR DEPARTMENT. DURING 2020, WE health system in Argentina. Impact of socioeconomic determinant
Escalation of a program to improve factors and of the patient immigration
WORKED ON THE FOLLOWING: healthcare services in the first level waves, at the different stages of
continued
26

Department of Research on Chronic Diseases
continued cancer patient care in beverages in food selling points

Argentina. in the Autonomous City of Buenos
Systematic review of the Aires.
Ana Cavallo Analía Nejamis Andrea Beratarrechea Carolina Prado
impact of geographic accessibility Community of Practices in
to medical care of individuals with healthy food systems in Latin
colorectal cancer. America and the Caribbean.
COVID-19:
Diana Pintos Vilma Irazola Laura Gutiérrez Rosana Poggio
Training on COVID-19 screening OTHER PROJECTS:
in the Provinces of Corrientes and Open Data Initiative: share
Buenos Aires. data to improve the impact and
EATING HABITS: transparency of research.
María Victoria López Milagros García Díaz Natalia Elorriaga Pablo Gulayin Availability, visibility and Gaps in the response to the
promotion of food and non- needs of the elderly in order to
alcohol, healthy and unhealthy achieve a healthy aging.
María Olivera Samanta Straminsky Daniela Moyano
Two Prevalent Diseases
DIABETES AND
Our Department has been chosen to lead two projects aimed at improving the prevention,
detection and comprehensive management of two very prevalent conditions. The first
one, with funds from the World Diabetes Federation (WDF), will focus on reducing the
80%
CARDIOVASCULAR
incidence and optimizing diabetes care, the second one, jointly with Harvard University
of our projects
DISEASES and with a grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), will be focused on
cardiovascular diseases, mainly, implementing strategies of person-centered care, with focus on primary
a collaborative distribution of tasks within the health team and laboratory measurements care.
at the point of care. Both projects involve participation of several Argentine provinces and
are focused on the communities.
27

Center for Research and Implementation

in Palliative Care (CII-CP)
WE SEEK TO CONTRIBUTE TO
PROVIDE HIGH-QUALITY PEDIATRIC
PALLIATIVE CARE (CPP) AT ALL
LEVELS OF HEALTH CARE BY
GENERATING INFORMATION,
Guillermina Mosca Julia Stitzman
KNOWLEDGE AND STRATEGIES
TO IMPLEMENT EFFECTIVE
PRACTICES, STRENGTHEN THE
DEVELOPMENT OF CPP NETWORK
OF PROVIDERS AND BY SPECIFIC
TRAINING. DURING 2020: Verónica Dussel
We worked in the PediQUEST in families of children with life-

Response intervention study threatening diseases.
(Response to suffering due to We conducted the second Survey
symptoms of cancer in children). on Health Human Resources
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, specialized in CPP at public and
we adapted the recruitment and private institutions in Argentina.
intervention methods to virtual mode. We continued providing technical
We participated in the design advice in CPP research to healthcare
and implementation of a study that institutions and professional
assessed the impact of the pandemic societies.
28

Center for Research and Implementation in Palliative Care (CII-CP)
Human Resources in Health in Pediatric Palliative

Care (RHUS CPP) Survey Recommendations
Just one third of the refer patients and to deepen network
to Continue Care
In view of the mandatory rescheduling of
public hospitals development. This full information will care imposed to healthcare centers due
treating children be available in 2021. to the pandemic, members of our Unit
participated in preparing some specific
with complex
recommendations of the Argentinean
chronic diseases Society of Pediatrics (SAP) to continue
in Argentina have taking care of patients in need for this
service. “This document expressed that it
individuals or teams
is essential to guarantee that patients with
assigned to pediatric life-threatening diseases and their relatives
palliative care, according to the are accompanied, thus providing them with
continuous, timely, safe and high-quality
preliminary results from the second
During 2020, care.
Human Resources survey carried our team
published 3 articles
out in this area in 2020 by our unit in pair-reviewed
journals
researchers, based on the data collected
from 315 public institutions. These data
will be used to design public policies,
to learn where to focus training efforts
or make up teams, to learn where to
29

Department of Healthcare Quality

and Patient Safety
OUR OBJECTIVE IS TO COLLABORATE IN DEVELOPING A MODEL OF CARE
THAT IS EFFICACIOUS, EFFECTIVE, SAFE, TIMELY, FOCUSED ON THE
INDIVIDUALS, EQUITABLE AND ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE. FOLLOWING
Ezequiel G. Elorrio Facundo Jorro Baron Inés Suárez Anzorena
THIS GUIDELINE, DURING 2020, WE WERE PART OF THE FOLLOWING

PROJECTS AND INITIATIVES:
Natalia Hreczuch Viviana Rodríguez Simón Fernández Nievas
Cooperation with the WHO to update in primary care (Project ARGEAS).

contents on patient safety training. Organization of webinars together with
Technical cooperation to improve quality ISQua to share Latin American experiences
Agustina Mazzoni María Eugenia Serres
and safety of the patient with Hospital on improving quality and safety in health.
Britanico of Uruguay. Cooperation with the Batz Foundation
Initiatives to improve the user experience Several distance learning courses about (United States) to develop initiatives in Latin
during the surgical process based on the quality and safety of the patient for Latin America to ease error detection in care by
TeamSTEPPS model implemented in three American audiences. the patients and their relatives.
clinics in Buenos Aires. Opening of the Southern Latin American Cooperation project with Brazil’s National
Collaborative initiative to improve quality Office of Planetree for healthcare Accreditation Organization (ONA) to develop
in 15 Intensive Care Units in Argentina institutions interested in reaching standard TeamSTEPPS initiatives in that country.
during the pandemic (Project 5C), jointly of care focused on the individuals. Cooperation with the Pharmaceutical
with the Argentinean Society of Intensive Review of contents for certification as Federation (FEFARA) to develop a self-
Care (SATI). patient safety professional by the Institute assessment questionnaire for clinical
Collaborative initiative to improve heart for Health Care Improvement (IHI). pharmacists on drug safety in Latin
failure treatment in Argentina (Project BRICA). Research study to identify adverse events America.
30

Department of Healthcare Quality and Patient Safety
To Improve Intensive Care

The pandemic placed Intensive Care Units
under public scrutiny. But we are not
only talking about available beds; it is
also about quality of care (in patients
with or without COVID-19) and the
safety and wellbeing of the treating
team. To address and intervene
in these questions, we launched a
collaboration initiative (5C) with the The IECS represents
Argentinean Society of Intensive Care the Planetree, in the
(SATI) in 15 Intensive Care Units aimed at
improving three items: the use of personal Southern Cone, a
protective equipment, the use of a self- pioneer in programs
assessment tool to determine the stress and
psychophysical wellbeing of the professionals of care focused on the
and implementation of checklists in the process patient and patient
of care which allow, e.g., to prevent catheter-
induced bacteremia, pressure ulcers or longer relatives.
periods of antibiotic administration.
31

Center for Implementation and

Innovation in Health Policies
Born amidst the pandemic, in a Buenos Aires.
THE CIIPS EXTENDS AS A BRIDGE BETWEEN
complex and particular context, the Preparation of a common entry
THE ACADEMY, THE USERS, HEALTH CIIPS was able to confirm the value registration form for the PROSUR
SERVICES AND HEALTH POLICIES. WE of articulating evidence with decision member countries in order to control
making so that health systems COVID-19 virus transmission.
TRANSLATED THE RESULTS OF RESEARCH
could better face health challenges, Support to the health information
INTO AN UNDERSTANDABLE, RELIABLE AND thus generating tools for health systems for decision making on
ACCESSIBLE LANGUAGE ADDRESSED TO THOSE management. During 2020, we how to approach COVID-19 in the
RESPONSIBLE FOR FORMULATING POLICIES AND worked in the following projects: Plurinational State of Bolivia.
Development of a comprehensive Also, we carried out several
TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. model for readiness and response academic activities oriented to
of health systems in the 26 countries strengthening health management.
in Latin America and the Caribbean We developed a course on
in order to estimate the impact on Management and Research
COVID-19 spread. Programs and Health Policies in
Adolfo Rubinstein Analía López Cintia Cejas
Advice the Province of Corrientes the Master’s Degree in Clinical
on readiness and response of the Effectiveness (PEC) of the University
health system to the COVID-19 of Buenos Aires (UBA) School of
pandemic. Medicine and launched, along with
Alejandro López Osornio Maisa Havela Sofía Pirsch
Technical support for municipal Torcuato Di Tella University (UTDT),
implementation and management for Advance Program in Health Policies
prevention, readiness and response (for more information about the CIIPS
to the COVID-19 pandemic in 26 academic activities, see the Highlights
Nancy Albornoz
municipalities in the Province of section).
32

Center for Implementation and Innovation in Health Policies
Practical Tools beds and mechanical ventilators.
to Face the Access the model here.

CIIPS also created a dynamic
More than
Pandemic
3.500
dashboard that enables
interactive view of the COVID-19
COVID-19 showed the need epidemiological indications in
for tools based on data and 24 jurisdictions in Argentina,
people attended
for a better evidence to guide such as incidence of the disease,
preparedness and response to actual transmission rate (Rt) our webinars and
a global health crisis. The CIIPS or positive test rate, fed with training
made two extremely valuable, the data daily published by
practical contributions in this Argentina’s National Ministry of sessions.
field; they are both free of Health. Access the dashboard
charge. On the one hand, with here.
Inter-American Development
Bank (DIB) funding, the CIIPS
developed an interactive model to To learn
estimate the impact of COVID-19
spread, directed to health more about
decision makers of the region CIIPS, watch
and their work teams so that
they can project, well in advance, this
the result of the different public video.
health measures on the progress
curve of transmission, deaths
and availability of Intensive Care
33

Qualitative Research
on Health Unit
OUR OBJECTIVE IS TO
DEVELOP RESEARCH WITH AN
INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACH
IN ORDER TO STUDY FACTORS
María Belizán Natalí Ini Nancy Albornoz
DETERMINING HEALTH IN THE
POPULATION. WE WORK IN
EFFECTIVE INTERVENTIONS
CULTURALLY ADJUSTED TO
DIFFERENT SETTINGS. DURING Javier Roberti Juan Pedro Alonso
2020, WE WORKED ON THE

FOLLOWING:
Evaluation of National Advisory Educational research to design a strategy and improvement in the quality of care in
Committees on Immunization Practices for colorectal cancer in a work setting. COVID-19 health emergency. We collaborate
(CAPI) in Central American countries. Development of initiatives to improve in a study of the Department of Mother and
Strategies to monitor social inequities in quality in patient care in a heart failure clinic Child Health Research on the analysis and
vaccination in Colombia, a case study. network in Argentina. preparedness for active surveillance of
Qualitative research on reluctance We are also working in projects led by maternal immunization safety sites in low
to children vaccination in two cities in the Department of Healthcare Quality and and middle-income countries in the context
Argentina. Patient Safety related to patient safety of new COVID-19 vaccines.
34

Qualitative Research on Health Unit
Zika and Reproductive Health in Honduras

The epidemic of qualitative approach, we
Zika, an infection participated in a study
with serious risk that identified barriers
for newborns and opportunities for
when pregnant improvement in providing
mothers get these services in
infected, Honduras, which guided
highlighted the preparation for specific
weaknesses recommendations to
of the health implement changes in
systems that do public institutions in that
not allow access country, as described
and use of in a paper published in
sexual and reproductive September 2020 in BMC
health services. Using a Women's Health.
During 2020,
our team
published 18
articles in
pair-reviewed
journals
35

Statistics, Data WE DESIGN, CONDUCT, ANALYZE AND REPORT

RESEARCH STUDIES CARRIED OUT BY THE
Management and IECS AND EXTERNAL INSTITUTIONS WITH THE
HIGHEST SCIENTIFIC AND ETHICAL STANDARDS
Information Systems OF QUALITY.
Unit
1
QUASI
EXPERIMENTAL
1
STUDY
2 IMPLEMENTATION
COHORT STUDY
WE STUDY
WERE IN
CHARGE OF DATA
9 MANAGEMENT AND
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS
10
CLINICAL
6 RANDOMIZED PER INDIVIDUAL STUDIES
3 RANDOMIZED PER CONGLOMERATE STUDIES

OBSERVATIONAL
STUDIES OF CLINICAL RESEARCH TRIALS 1 STEP WEDGE STUDY
STUDIES WITH DIFFERENT
DESIGNS.
3 1
FEASIBILITY OTHER
STUDY
36

Statistics, Data Management and Information Systems Unit
We manage large
amounts of data. If
Alvaro Ciganda Laura Gutiérrez Luz Gibbons Julieta Sapgnolo
we consider the most
outstanding studies,
they exceed
13 million
Mabel Berrueta Eduardo Bergel Lisandro Di Meo Sara Reidel
of fields.
Candela Stella Rocío Rodríguez
Historical We were in charge of coordinating data

management and statistical analysis of one study
than 13 hospitals in the Province of Buenos Aires
and City of Buenos Aires.
Works that allowed to evaluate if early administration of Also, we helped the Children Foundation to conduct
Carried plasma from patients who had coronavirus and
recovered, was efficacious in stopping and reducing
a randomized clinical trial with the Pfizer/BioNTech
COVID-19 BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine, by developing
Out in the the disease in the elderly. Our Unit also designed a tool validated to be used as computerized clinical
Context and coordinated the randomization and plasma record. This allowed the enrollment of up to 500
of the or placebo administration to the trial participants

independently. This research led by Dr. Fernando
volunteers daily and more than 5,000 subjects
completed the first visit in 35 days and their follow
Pandemic Polack from the Children Foundation involved more up as per protocol, with no use of paper.
37
A NU AR I O I E C S 2 0 2 0 EFFECTIVENESS AND HEALTH POLICY

Department OUR OBJECTIVE IS TO DEVELOP INNOVATIVE TRAINING PROPOSALS
IN CLINICAL RESEARCH, PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION AND HEALTH
of Education POLICY MANAGEMENT AND TO PROVIDE PEDAGOGICAL ASSISTANCE TO
DEPARTMENT AND UNITS. ALSO, WE ORGANIZED THE UNIVERSITY OF
BUENOS AIRES, SCHOOL OF MEDICINE’S MASTER’S DEGREE IN CLINICAL
EFFECTIVENESS.
DURING THE
100 STUDENTS
Reinvention in the
PANDEMIC, WE TAKING THE MASTER'S DEGREE context of isolation
CONTINUED THE (1ST AND 2ND YEAR) The Mandatory Social Preventive Isolation
(ASPO) was announced in Argentina on the
MASTER'S DEGREE same day that the Master’s Degree in Clinical
SESSIONS. 51 STUDENTS Effectiveness program started in 2020. Despite
100% virtual mode STARTED TAKING THE PROGRAM this, we could jump and immediately adapt to
allowed to continue IN 2020. online lectures. This means that no activity was
with the activities. lost or suspended. This change was possible
thanks to our teachers’ expertise, their
20 predisposition and flexibility towards the use

of technology that both teachers and students
(FULL OR PARTIAL) GRANTS
showed, our strong pedagogic proposals, our
WERE AWARDED.
FROM: availability of a virtual campus and the range
Argentina, Spain, and quality of the already developed resources.
Ecuador, Peru, Mexico,
Venezuela and
No loss, all gain. This successful experiences
Nicaragua encouraged us to progress towards virtual
mode for the next Master’s program cohorts,
where the workload is distributed among
synchronous and asynchronous activities.
38

D E PA RT M E N T O F E D UC AT ION
POSTGRADUATE TRAINING COURSES

27
COURSES
Adriana Sznajder Samanta Padra

AREAS OF TRAINING
MANAGEMENT, MEDICINE BASED HEALTH

QUALITY AND ON EVIDENCE, TECHNOLOGY
SAFETY IN SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS ASSESSMENTS
HEALTHCARE AND META-ANALYSIS AND ECONOMIC
EVALUATIONS Cecilia Hernández Fernando Rubinstein
See the academic offer See the academic offer See the academic offer
ALSO,
ADVANCED HEALTH DURING THE FIRST
RESEARCH POLICIES SIX-MONTH We continued with
METHODS AND PERIOD
APPLIED our technical cooperation
STATISTICS
See the academic offer See the academic offer
agreement with the Austral
We continued University and Hospital
with our Epidemiology Academic Development
In Global Health and Health and Society Department.
1797 ENROLLED IN OUR COURSES
courses for the New York University
college students.
39

D E PA RT M E N T O F E D UC AT ION
RENEWED COURSES IECS Grants Program

The curricula of some of our academic proposals have
been fully updated. We also organized new training
sessions including:
WE AWARDED
■ Introduction to Epidemiology
and Statistics Applied to
■ Also the curriculum of the
Systematic Reviews and Meta-
4 GRANTS
for the 2020
Clinical Research. analysis course was updated. Research Fellows
This new combined mode (with Program
synchronous and recorded ■ Introduction to Assessment
classes) was a success. of the Scientific Evidence Using
the GRADE System in Clinical 16 partial GRANTS
■ Training in Teamwork to Practice Guidelines for the Master in Clinical
Effectiveness
Improve Patient Safety (Theory
and Drills). ■ Introduction to Health
Technology Assessments and
■ Search Selection and Economic Evaluations.
Evaluation of Studies in 4 full GRANTS
Systematic Reviews for associations
of patients.
40

ED U C AT I O N
Other Scientific News Implementation Research

The Center for Implementation and Innovation in Health Policies To publish a paper is of health services and
(CIIPS) developed a course in Management and Research just part of the journey. care. Since 2015, the group
Programs and Health Policies in the Master’s Degree in Clinical Implementation research of researchers from the
Effectiveness and launched the Advanced Program on Health refers to the scientific study Department of Mother
Policies along with Torcuato Di Tella University’s School of of methods to promote the and Child Health has been
Government. For more information, click here. systematic adoption of offering the course on
the results obtained from implementation research
research and any and, in 2020, the team
other knowledge of Qualitative Research
based on the on Health Unit became
evidence part of this course thus
from routine providing theoretical and
practice and, practical tools to strengthen
therefore, design and assessment of
to improve interventions training. To
quality and learn about the course click
effectiveness here.
FOREIGN INTERNS IN PALLIATIVE CARE ZOE TAO, from the

Southwestern University,
JONATHAN DÍAZ, from
the University of Southern
Two US students carried out their internship at or Texas.
She completed an internship
California.
He cooperated with our survey
Center for Research and Implementation in research on Pediatric Palliative
Care (PPC).
on PPC and with an activity
developed by the Argentinean
Palliative Care (CII-CP). These were: Society of Pediatrics.
41

Communication WE DEVELOP ACTIONS TO NARROW THE GAP BETWEEN CREATING EVIDENCE
AND INFORMED DECISION MAKING BOTH IN THE GENERAL POPULATION AND
Unit HEALTH DECISION MAKERS.
Infodemic PRESS
We also shared
There was a pandemic caused by a new virus… and there was also an “infodemic”: excessive information about our
amounts of information provided through different channels which, according to the Pan-American usual lines of research.
Health Organization (PAHO), has also promoted misinformation, rumors and manipulations with We were included in
250
doubtful intentions. In many cases, these favor changes in approaches that expose the population
to higher risks. In view of this scenario, the Communication Unit had a goal: to share accurate
information, to clear out misunderstanding or misinterpretations and to provide scientific evidence of
news reports.
different subjects related to COVID-19. This way, we made 120 appearances in the mass media.
This contribution was also vital for public health. TABACO
LA NACIÓN CLARÍN
EFE NEWS AGENCY
BEBIDAS
AZUCARADAS
LA VANGUARDIA (Spain) ÁMBITO
SEE
REPORTS
HERE
TÉLAM NEWS AGENCY
42

COM M U N IC AT IO N U NIT
SCIENCE AVAILABLE FOR EVERY PUBLIC SOCIAL MEDIA

We participated in different research projects, by intervening and creating computer images, videos
and other products, which allowed us to translate “scientific language” into a “language” that every
public can understand.
ARGENTINA
Facebook
EL LADO AMARGO DE LAS We increased our number of
BEBIDAS AZUCARADAS followers by 70%
El consumo de gaseosas, jugos (líquidos y en polvo), energizantes, aguas saborizadas
y bebidas deportivas con azúcar se asocia con sobrepeso, obesidad, Reducir o eliminar
diabetes y otras enfermedades. También con mayor riesgo de muerte. Además, el consumo
de bebidas
tiene un impacto negativo en la economía porque aumenta los gastos médicos. azucaradas ayuda a
mantenerse sano
LAS BEBIDAS AZUCARADAS:

TIENEN DEMASIADA AZUCAR SON MUY CONSUMIDAS
ARGENTINA
600 ml de gaseosa
= es uno de los países que lidera
13 cucharaditas de azúcar el ranking a nivel mundial.
POR SU CONSUMO, ANUALMENTE EN ARGENTINA:
774.000
639.000 54.000 34.000
Niños, niñas y adolescentes
802.000 Diabetes Enfermedad Problemas
Sufren obesidad o sobrepeso
Adultos cardíaca osteo-musculares
Twitter
Enferman a causa
del consumo de
bebidas azucaradas
29.000 21.000 16.000 9.000

514.000 Enfermedad Enfermedad Asma Cáncer y otras
4.400 cerebrovascular renal enfermedades
We tripled our visits and

Adultos Mueren
Son obesos o tienen sobrepeso
Computer image
on drinks with DAÑAN LA ECONOMÍA Shooting of mentions in our profile.
added sugar
El sistema de salud gasta $ 55.800 millones de pesos argentinos*
en la atención de enfermedades derivadas de su consumo
*Tasa de cambio Noviembre 2020: $78=USD 1 (dólar americano)
a colorectal
See more . MÁS INFORMACIÓN: WWW.IECS.ORG.AR/AZUCAR
cancer video.
FIGURES
The traffic at www.iecs.org.ar grew by 40% Linkedin
We published 6newsletters Click here
We added followers from:
Colombia, Brazil, Mexico and
Spain.
43

Operations Management A LARGE TEAM OF ADMINISTRATIVE, ACCOUNTING AND
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STAFF WORK TRANSVERSALLY
and Support Unit TO CONTRIBUTE WITH THE WORK, STRUCTURE AND
MANAGEMENT OF IECS.
SEARCH FOR FUNDING

> We actively work to develop and diversify
our funding sources.
Martina Rocchi Cecilia Hernández Claudia Arizaga Claudia Gallardo
> In 2020, we applied for 112 research

Emilio Allemandi Joaquín Uzzo María Eugenia Serres María Harmitton Oliveto grants (30% increase when compared
with 2019).
Marianela Conde Ana Redes Gabriela Rodríguez Nancy Albornoz
HH.RR.
We achieved improvement in
designing tools, technologies,
procedures and policies that may
contribute with the implementation
of good professional practices in We manage
Grisel Jordán Romina Peralta Samanta Padra Romina Melgarejo Human Resources.
more than
100
research,
Magalí Botta Marina Bonelli Sol Franco Richard del Padre
education and
technical cooperation
agreements.
Olga Ojeda Gilda Follietti Rodrigo Alonso Luciana Pelle
44

O PE R AT IO N S M A N AGEM ENT A ND SUPPORT UNIT
Marketing Gender
To be consistent with the organization’s strategic objectives, we developed
Perspective
and implemented different activities and events which increased the With the strong conviction of achieving
an organizational culture based on
marketing impact of educational activities carried out by IECS. the principle of equity, we are making
advances in the process of promoting
equal opportunities that had already
NEW WEBSITE started in 2019. We created several
We created the website
https://educacion.iecs.org.ar/ tools (e.g., a Handbook of Coexistence
A site that allows to learn about all the possibilities of and Good Practice Guidelines) that
training IECS is offering more dynamically. defined our institution’s standpoint on
this matter. These are intervention tools
that may be used
to address and
resolve situations
that may bring Gender
about inequity
INSTAGRAM and discrimination. Also, a permanent
We hopped into
this social media. workgroup called the Equal Rights,
Follow us! Diversity and Gender Equity Committee
instagram.com/ iecs_educacion/
(CIDDEG) consolidated. For more
information click here.
45

PUBLICATIONS
MOTHER AND CHILD HEALTH
> Contraception and post abortion services: qualitative Twenty-three experts
> Frequency and management of maternal infection analysis of users’ perspectives and experiences
in health facilities in 52 countries (GLOSS): a following Zika epidemic in Honduras. Belizan M, in maternal health from around
1-week inception cohort study. Lancet Glob Health.
2020;8(5):e661-e71.Bonet, M., Brizuela, V., Abalos, E.,
Maradiaga E, Roberti J, Casco-Aguilar M, F. Ortez A, Avila-
Flores J, González G, Bustillo C, Calderón A, Bock H, Cafferata the world developed a set of
Cuesta, C. Baguiya, A. Chamillard, M. Fawole, B. Knight, M.,
Kouanda, S.,Lumbiganon, P., Althabe, F. [et.al.] Lancet Glob
ML, Tavares AB, Alger J, Ali M. BMC Womens Health.
2020;20(1):199. measures to improve post-partum
Health. 2020;8(5):e661-e71.
> Maternal and neonatal data collection systems in low-
hemorrhage care based
Postpartum hemorrhage care bundles to improve
adherence to guidelines: A WHO technical consultation.
and middle-income countries: scoping review protocol.
Berrueta M, Bardach A, Ciaponni A, Xiong X, Stergachis A,
on evidence.
Althabe F, Therrien MNS, Pingray V, Hermida J, Zaraa S, Duekens P. Gates Open Res. 2020;4:18.
Gülmezoglu AM, Armbruster D, Singh N, Guha M, Garg
LF, Souza JP, Smith JM, Winikoff B, Thapa K, Hébert E, > Gestational weight gain and adverse maternal
Liljestrand J, Downe S, Garcia Elorrio E, Arulkumaran outcomes in Brazilian women according to body mass
S, Byaruhanga EK, Lissauer DM, Oguttu M, Dumont A, index categories: An analysis of data from the Birth in
Escobar MF, Fuchtner C, Lumbiganon P, Burke TF, Miller Brazil survey. Brandão T, de Carvalho Padilha P, Granado Cafferata ML, Mwenechanya M, Chomba E, Buekens P. BMC
S. International Journal of Gynaecology and Obstetrics. Nogueira da Gama S, Leal MD. Gabriela Pimenta da Silva Research Notes. 2020;13(1):423.
2020;148(3):290-9. Araújo R, Cavalcante de Barros D, Esteves Pereira AP,
Dos Santos K, Belizán JM. Saunders C. Clinical Nutrition > Measurement error, microcephaly prevalence and
>Identifying the needs and problems of those left ESPEN. 2020;37:114-20. implications for Zika: an analysis of Uruguay perinatal
behind and working with them to address inequities data. Harville EW, Buekens PM, Cafferata ML, Gilboa S,
in sexual and reproductive health: a key focus of > Music Therapy in Pain and Anxiety Management Tomasso G, Tong V. Archives of Disease in Childhood.
Reproductive Health for 2020. Belizán JM, Miller during Labor: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. 2020;105(5):428-32.
S, Chandra-Mouli V, Pingray V. Reproductive Health. Santiváñez-Acosta R, Tapia-López ELN, Santero M. Medicina
2020;17(1):6. (Kaunas). 2020;56(10). > Measurement of Head Circumference: Implications
for Microcephaly Surveillance in Zika-Affected Areas.
> Every woman in the world must have respectful > Factors associated with HIV and syphilis screenings Harville EW, Tong VT, Gilboa SM, Moore CA, Cafferata ML,
care during childbirth: a reflection. Belizán JM, Miller S, among pregnant women at first antenatal visit in Alger J, Gibbons L, Bustillo C, Callejas A, Castillo M, Fúnes J,
Williams C, Pingray V. Reproductive Health. 2020;17(1):7. Lusaka, Zambia. Davis R, Xiong X, Althabe F, Lefante J, García J, Hernández G, López W, Ochoa C, Rico F, Rodríguez H,
46

P U BL I C AT IO N S
Zúniga C, Ciganda A, Stella C, Tomasso G, Buekens P. Tropical Homer CSE, Jobanputra J, Meja S, Nigri C, Mohaptra V, metapneumovirus lung disease susceptibility in
Medicine and Infectious Disease 2020;6(1). Osoti A, Roberti J, Solomon D, Suleiman M, Robbers G, children. Libster R, Esteban I, Bianchi A, Alva Grimaldi
Sutherland S, Vernekar S, Althabe F, Bonet M, Oladapo L, Dueñas K, Sancillo A, Bergel, E; Polack, F.P. et al. The
> Worldwide Original Research Production on Maternal OT. Birth. 2020. International Journal of Infectious Diseases. 2020.
Near-Miss: A 10-year Bibliometric Study. Hernández-
Vásquez A, Bendezu-Quispe G, Comandé D, Gonzales-Carillo The Effect of Calcium Supplementation on Body > Respiratory Failure and Death in Vulnerable
O. Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. Weight Before and During Pregnancy in Women Premature Children With Lower Respiratory Tract
2020;42(10):614-20. Enrolled in the WHO Calcium and Preeclampsia Trial. Illness. Ofman G., Pradarell, B., Caballero MT, Bianchi A.
Cormick G, Betrán AP, Harbron J, Seuc A, White C, Roberts JM, Grimaldi LA, Sancilio A, Duenas K. Rodriguez A., Ferrero F,
> Usability, acceptability, and feasibility of the World Belizán JM, Hofmeyr GJ. The Food and Nutrition Bulletin Ferretti A, Coviello S, Ferolla FM, Acosta PL, Bergel E, Libster
Health Organization Labour Care Guide: A mixed- 2020;41(3):332-42. R, Polack FP. The International Journal of Infectious
methods, multicountry evaluation. Vogel JP, Comrie- Diseases. 2020;222(7):1129-37.
Thomson L, Pingray V, Gadama L, Galadanci H, Goudar > The effect of calcium supplementation on blood
S, Laisser R, Lavender T, Lissauer D, Misra S, Pujar Y, pressure in non-pregnant women with previous pre- > Authorship in studies conducted in low-and-middle
Qureshi ZP, Amole T, Berrueta M, Dankishiya F, Gwako G, eclampsia: A randomized placebo-controlled study. income countries and published by Reproductive
Hofmeyr GJ, Seuc A, Betrán AP, Cormick G, Singata M, Health: advancing equitable global health research
Fawcus S, Mose S, Frank K, Hall D, Belizán J, Roberts JM, collaborations. Pingray V, Ortega V, Yaya S, Belizán JM.
Magee LA, von Dadelszen P. Pregnancy Hypertension Reproductive Health. 2020;17(1):18.
Journal. 2020;23:91-6.
> Early evaluation of the ‘STOP SEPSIS!’ WHO Global
> Cost-effectiveness of uterine tamponade devices for Maternal Sepsis Awareness Campaign implemented
The objective of this study the treatment of postpartum hemorrhage: A systematic
review. Vogel JP, Wilson AN, Scott N, Widmer M, Althabe
for healthcare providers in 46 low, middle and high-
income countries. Brizuela V, Bonet M, Trigo Romero CL,
was to assess the effect F, Oladapo OT. International Journal of Gynecology
& Obstetrics 2020;151(3):333-40.
Abalos E, Baguiya A, ,Fawole B., Knight M., Lumbiganon
P, Minkauskienė M., Nabhan A, , Bique Osman N.,
of 500 mg calcium > Mistreatment during childbirth. Williams CR, Belizán JM.
Qureshi ZP, Souza JP, Althabe F [et.al.] BMJ Open.
2020;10(5):e036338.
supplementation, which is Lancet. 2020;396(10254):817.
fundamental in the weight of > Non-communicable diseases and reproductive COVID-19

health in sub-Saharan Africa: bridging the policy-
women before and after pregnancy. implementation gaps. Yaya S, Reddy KS, Belizán JM, > Using Prenatal Blood Samples to Evaluate COVID-19
Pingray V. Reproductive Health. 2020;17(1):8. Rapid Serologic Tests Specificity. Alger J, Cafferata ML,
Alvarado T, Ciganda A, Corrales A, Desale H, Drouin A, Fusco
a ++
C
> Role for maternal asthma in severe human D, Garcia J, Gibbons L, Harville E, Lopez W, Lorenzana I,
47

Muñoz-Lara F, Palou E, Retes E, Sierra M, Stella C, Xiong 200 countries and territories: a pooled analysis of 2181 > Trends in cardiometabolic risk factors in the
X, Zambrano LI, Duekens P. Matern Child Health J. population-based studies with 65 million participants. Americas between 1980 and 2014: a pooled analysis
2020;24(9):1099-103. Ofman, G., Pradarelli, B., Caballero, M. T., Bianchi, A., Grimaldi, of population-based surveys. Carrillo-Larco, R. M.
L. A., Sancilio, A., Duenas, K., Rodriguez, A., Ferrero, F., Ferreccio,C., Hambleton, I. R., Lotufo, P. A., Nieto-Martínez, R.
> False-negative results of initial RT-PCR assays for Ferretti, A., Coviello, S., Ferolla, F. M., Acosta, P. L., Bergel, E., Zhou, B. Bentham, J., Bixby, H., Hajifathalian, K. Lu, Y. Taddei,
COVID-19: A systematic review. Arevalo-Rodriguez I, Libster, R., Polack, F. P. Irazola, V. [et.al.] Lancet. 2020;396 C., Abarca-Gómez, L., Irazola, V. [et.al.] Lancet Glob Health.
Buitrago-Garcia D, Simancas-Racines D, Zambrano-Achig P, (10261):1511-24. 2020;8(1):e123-e33.
Del Campo R, Ciapponi A, Sued O, Martinez-García L, Rutjes
AW, Low N, Bossuyt PM, Perez-Molina JA, Zamora J. PLoS > Repositioning of the global epicentre of non-optimal > Barriers to hypertension and diabetes management in
One. 2020;15(12):e0242958. cholesterol. Nature. 2020;582(7810):73-7.Taddei, C., primary health care in Argentina: qualitative research
Zhou, B., Bixby, H., Carrillo-Larco, R. M., Danaei, G., Jackson, based on a behavioral economics approach. Belizan
> [Reflections on translational health research and R. T., Farzadfar, F.,Sophiea, M. K., Di Cesare, M. Caminia Iurilli, M, Alonso JP, Nejamis A, Caporale J, Copo MG, Sánchez M,
the COVID-19 case in Argentina]. Belizán JM, Bardach A, ML., Rodriguez Martinez, A., Asghari, G., Dhana, K.,Gulayin, P. Rubinstein A, Irazola V. Translational Behavioral Medicine.
Cormick G, Irazola V, Rey R. Medicina (B Aires). 2020;80 [et.al.] Nature. 2020;582(7810):73- 2020;10(3):741-50.
Suppl 3:42-4.
> A review of assessment indicators used by Healthy
A call for action for COVID-19 surveillance and Municipalities and Communities Program in Latin
research during pregnancy. Buekens P, Alger J, Bréart G, America and the Caribbean region. Chaparro R,
Cafferata ML, Harville E, Tomasso G. Lancet Global Health. Melendi S, Santero M, Seijo M, Elorriaga N, Belizan M,
2020;8(7):e877-e8. Rubinstein A, Irazola V. Health Promotion International.
2020;35(4):714-29.
> Value of electrocardiography in coronavirus disease
2019 (COVID-19). Haseeb S, Gul EE, Çinier G, Bazoukis G,
More cooperation is required > Epidemiology of inflammatory bowel disease in
Alvarez-Garcia J, Garcia-Zamora S, Klappenbach, R. [et.al.]
The Journal of Electrocardiology. 2020;62:39-45
among countries to address Mexico and Colombia: Analysis of health databases,
mathematical modelling and a case-series study.
> Critically-ill pediatric patients with COVID-19. An

the gaps in knowledge about Ciapponi A, Virgilio SA, Berrueta M, Soto NC, Ciganda Á, Rojas
Illanes MF, Rubio Martinez B, Gamba J, González Salazar
update. Taffarel P, Jorro Barón F. Archivos Argentinos de
Pediatría. 2020;118(5):e454-e62.
COVID-19 and its effects CA, Rocha Rodríguez JN, Scarpellini B, Bravo Perdomo AM,
Machnicki G, Aldunate L, De Paula J, Bardach A. PLoS One.
on pregnant women 2020;15(1):e0228256.
CHRONIC DISEASES and infants. > Regulatory and Policy-Related Aspects of Calcium
Fortification of Foods. Implications for Implementing
> Height and body-mass index trajectories of school- National Strategies of Calcium Fortification. Cormick
aged children and adolescents from 1985 to 2019 in G, Betrán AP, Metz F, Palacios C, Beltrán-Velazquez F,
48

García-Casal MLN, Peña-Rosas JP, Hofmeyr GJ, Belizán JM. life among people with diabetes in the Southern Cone 2020;27(12):1430-6.
Nutrients. 2020;12(4). of Latin America-a cross-sectional analysis of data
of the CESCAS I study. Kartschmit N, Beratarrechea > An analysis of policy interventions regarding school
> Impact of water fortification with calcium on calcium A, Gutiérrez L, Cavallo AS, Rubinstein AL, Irazola V. lunch programs and their role in the healthy nutrition of
intake in different countries: a simulation study. Cormick Quality of Life Research. 2020. children in Córdoba, Argentina. Moyano D, Rodríguez ER,
G, Gibbons L, Belizán JM. Public Health Nutrition. Perovic NR. Salud Colectiva. 2020;16:e2636.
2020:1-14. > Epidemiology of early repolarization pattern in
an adult general population. Matta MG, Gulayin PE, > Proactive prevention: Act now to disrupt the impending
> Milk and Health. Belizán JM, Cormick G. New England García-Zamora S, Gutierrez L, Rubinstein AL, Irazola VE, non-communicable disease crisis in low-burden
Journal of Medicine. 2020;382(23):e86. Poggio R, Gonzalez-Zuelgaray J. Acta Cardiológica. populations. Njuguna, B., Fletcher, S. L., Akwanalo, C., Asante,
2020;75(8):713-23. K. P., Baumann, A., Brown, A., Davila-Roman, V. G., Dickhaus,
> Starting the path of Digital Transformation in Health J., Fort, M., Iwelunmor, J., Irazola, V., Mohan, S., Mutabazi,
Innovation in Digital Health: Conference proceeding. > Disease Progression in Patients With Hepatitis C Virus V., Newsome, B., Ogedegbe, O., Pastakia, S. D., Peprah, E. K.
Fernández A, Beratarrechea A, Rojo M, Ridao M, Celi L. Infection Treated With Direct-Acting Antiviral Agents. Plange-Rhule, J., Roth, G., Shrestha, A., Watkins, D. A., PLoS
Ciencia e Innovación en Salud. 2020;e74:68-75. Mendizabal, M., Piñero, F., Ridruejo, E., Herz Wolff, F., One. 2020;15(12):e0243004.
Anders, M., Reggiardo, V., Ameigeiras, B., Palazzo, A.,
Association between drinking patterns and Alonso, C., Schinoni, M. I., Videla Zuain, M. G., Tanno, F.,
cardiovascular risk: a population-based study in the Figueroa, S., Santos, L., Peralta, M., Soza, A., Vistarini, C.,
Southern Cone of Latin America. Gulayin PE, Irazola V, Adrover, R., Fernández, N., Perez, D., Hernández, N., Estepo,
Gutierrez L, Elorriaga N, Lanas F, Mores N, Ponzo J, Calandrelli C., Bruno, A., Descalzi, V., Sixto, M., Borzi, S., Cocozzella, D.,
M, Poggio R, Rubinstein A, Bardach A. Journal of Public Zerega, A., de Araujo, A., Varón, A., Rubinstein, F., Cheinquer,
Health (Oxf). 2020;42(1):107-17. H., Silva, M. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
2020;18(11):2554-63.e3.
This is the first study
> Contribution of calcium in drinking water from a
South American country to dietary calcium intake. > Current calcium fortification experiences: a review.
that describes the association
Cormick G, Lombarte M, Minckas N, Porta A, Rigalli A,
Belizán JM, Matamoros N, Lupo M. BMC Research Notes.
Palacios C, Hofmeyr GJ, Cormick G, Garcia-Casal MN,
Peña-Rosas JP, Betrán AP. The Annals of the New York
of alcohol use patterns and
2020;13(1):465. Academy of Sciences. 2020. cardiovascular risk with data
> Calcium-fortified foods in public health programs:
considerations for implementation. Palacios C, Cormick
> Pilot study using the ECHO model to enhance linkage
to care for patients with hepatitis C in the custodial
from the general population in the
G, Hofmeyr GJ, Garcia-Casal MN, Peña-Rosas JP, Betrán AP. setting. Mendizabal, M., Testa, P., Rojas, M., Colaci, C. Southern Cone.
The Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 2020. S., Elías, S., Nicolini, P., Olguín, S., Dunn, C., Ronchi, C.,
Barreiro, M., Zirpoli, M., Piñero, F., Arora, S., O. Flaherty
> Health care access and health-related quality of M, Rubinstein, F., Silva, M. The Journal of Viral Hepatitis.
49

> Evaluating a multicomponent program to improve V., Ravi, Y., Afzalhussein, Y., Anand, S. S., Yusuf, S.. Lancet.
hypertension control in Guatemala: study protocol for 2020;396(10244):97-109.
an effectiveness-implementation cluster randomized
trial. Paniagua-Avila A, Fort MP, Glasgow RE, Gulayin > Moderate Alcohol and Cardiovascular Health Trial
P, Hernández-Galdamez D, Mansilla K, et al. Trials.
2020;21(1):509.
(MACH15): Design and methods for a randomized trial
of moderate alcohol consumption and cardiometabolic
Latin American countries
risk. Spiegelman, D., Lovato, L. C., Khudyakov, P., Wilkens, T. should not delay the
> Comment on “Shadows Behind Using Simple Risk L., Adebamowo, C. A., Adebamowo, S. N., Appel, L. J., Beulens,
Models in Selection of HCC Patients for LT”. Piñero F, J. W., Coughlin, J. W., Dragsted, L. O., Edenberg, H. J., Eriksen, implementation of neutral
Rubinstein F, Laurent A, Silva M, Cherqui D, Duvoux C. Annals J. N., Estruch, R., Grobbee, D. E., Gulayin, P. E., Irazola, V.,
of Surgery. 2020. Krystal, J. H., Lazo, M., Murray, M. M., Rimm, E. B., Schrieks, I. packaging to alleviate part of the
C., Williamson, J. D., Mukamal, K. J. The. European Journal
> Mortality and recurrence of venous thromboembolic of Preventive Cardiology. 2020;27(18):1967-82. huge health and financial burden
disease in adult patients: prospective cohort. Posadas-
Martinez ML, Pagotto VL, Grande Ratti MF, Alfie V, Andresik of tobacco.
D, Torres Gomez F, Giunta DH, Luxardo R, Scolnik M, Vazquez HEALTH ECONOMICS
FJ. Revista Facultad Ciencias Médicas Universidad
Nacional de Cordoba. 2020;77(3):149-54. Health and Economic Impact of Health Warnings
and Plain Tobacco Packaging in Seven Latin American
> Care bundle to reduce readmission in patients with Countries: Results of a Simulation Model. Alcaraz A,
heart failure: a modified Delphi consensus panel in Hernández-Vásquez A, Palacios A, Rodríguez B, Roberti J,
Argentina. Roberti J, Vita T, Piastrella J, Porley C, Pereyra L, García-Martí S, Ciapponi A, Augustovski F, Bardach A, Pichon-
Diez M, Renedo F, Fairman E, Fernández A, Thierer J, García Riviere A. Nicotine Tob Res. 2020;22(11):2032-40.
Elorrio E. BMJ Open. 2020;10(12):e040028. > Health burden and economic costs of smoking in
> Peruvian Valuation of the EQ-5D-5L: A Direct Comparison Chile: The potential impact of increasing cigarettes
> Variations between women and men in risk factors, of Time Trade-Off and Discrete Choice Experiments. prices. Castillo-Riquelme M, Bardach A, Palacios A, Pichón-
treatments, cardiovascular disease incidence, and Augustovski F, Belizán M, Gibbons L, Reyes N, Stolk E, Craig Riviere A. PLoS One. 2020;15(8):e0237967.
death in 27 high-income, middle-income, and low- BM, Tejada R. Value Health. 2020;23(7):880-8.
income countries (PURE): a prospective cohort study. > The health and economic burden of smoking in 12
Walli-Attaei, M, J., Rosengren, A., Chow, C. K., Rangarajan, > Smoke-Free Air Interventions in Seven Latin Latin American countries and the potential effect of
S, Lear, S. A., AlHabib, K. F., Davletov, K., Dans, A, Lanas, F., American Countries: Health and Financial Impact to increasing tobacco taxes: an economic modelling
Yeates, K., Poirier, P., Teo, Koon K., Bahonar, A., Camilo, F. Inform Evidence-Based Policy Implementation. Bardach study. Pichon-Riviere A, Alcaraz A, Palacios A, Rodríguez
Chifamba, J., Diaz, R., Didkowska, J. A., Irazola, V., Ismail, A, Rodríguez MB, Ciapponi A, Augustovski F, Andrea A, Soto N, B, Reynales-Shigematsu LM, Pinto M, Castillo-Riquelme M,
R., Kaur, Ma., Khatib, R., Liu, X., Mańczuk, M., Miranda, J. J., Virgilio S, Reynales Shigematsu LM, Roberti J, Pichón-Riviere Peña Torres E, Isabel Osorio D, Huayanay L, Loza Munarriz
Oguz, A., Perez-Mayorga, M., Szuba, A., Tsolekile, L. P., Prasad A. Nicotine Tob Res. 2020;22(12):2149-57. C, Sáenz de Miera-Juárez B, Gallegos-Rivero V, De La
50

Puente V, Navia-Bueno MP, Caporale J, Roberti J, Virgilio Up. Álvarez MG, Ramírez JC, Bertocchi G, Fernández M, Short-course Benznidazole treatment to reduce
SA, Augustovski F, Bardach A. Lancet Global Health. Hernández Y, Lococo B, Lopez-Albizu C, Schijman A, Cura Trypanosoma cruzi parasitic load in women of
2020;8(10):e1282-e94. C, Abril M, Laucella S, Tarleton RL, Natale MA, Castro Eiro reproductive age (BETTY): a non-inferiority randomized
M, Sosa-Estani S, Viotti R. Antimicrobial Agents and controlled trial study protocol. Cafferata ML, Toscani MA,
> The link between health technology assessment and Chemotherapy. 2020;64(9). Althabe F, Belizán JM, Bergel E, Berrueta M, Capparelli EV,
decision making for the allocation of health resources in Ciganda Á, Danesi E, Dumonteil E, Gibbons L, Gulayin PE,
Latin America. Pichon-Riviere A, Augustovski F, García > Trypanosoma cruzi loop-mediated isothermal Herrera C, Momper JD, Rossi S, Shaffer JG, Schijman AG,
Martí S, Alfie V, Sampietro-Colom L. International amplification (Trypanosoma cruzi Loopamp) kit for Sosa-Estani S, Stella CB, Klein K, Buekens P.l. Reproductive
Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care. detection of congenital, acute and Chagas disease Health. 2020;17(1):128.
2020;36(2):173-8. reactivation. Besuschio, S. A., Picado, A., Muñoz-Calderón,
A., Wehrendt, D. P., Fernández, M., Benatar, A., Diaz-Bello, Z., > Fixed vs adjusted-dose benznidazole for adults
> Epidemiology, resource use and costs of rheumatoid Irurtia, C., Cruz, I., Ndung’u, J. M., Cafferata, M. L., Montenegro, with chronic Chagas disease without cardiomyopathy:
arthritis in Argentina. Secco A, Alfie V, Espinola N, Bardach G., Sosa Estani, S., Lucero, R. H., Alarcón de Noya, B. Longhi, A systematic review and meta-analysis. Ciapponi
A. Revista Peruana de Medicina Experimental y Salud S. A., Schijman, A. G., PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases. A, Barreira F, Perelli L, Bardach A, Gascón J, Molina I,
Pública 2020;37(3):532-40. 2020;14(8):e0008402. Morillo C, Prado N, Riarte A, Torrico F, Ribeiro I, Villar JC,
Sosa-Estani S. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases.
> Need and inequality in the use of health care services in 2020;14(8):e0008529.
a fragmented and decentralized health system: evidence
for Argentina. Palacios A, Espinola N, Rojas-Roque C.
International Journal for Equity in Health. 2020;19(1):67.
One research carried out in the QUALITY OF CARE AND PATIENT SAFETY
CHAGAS DISEASE Argentine provinces of Chaco, > Transformational improvement in quality care and
health systems: the next decade. Braithwaite J, Vincent C,
> Implications of asymptomatic infection for the
natural history of selected parasitic tropical diseases.
Santiago del Estero and Tucumán is Garcia-Elorrio E, Imanaka Y, Nicklin W, Sodzi-Tettey S, Bates D.
BMC Medicine. 2020;18(1):340.
Alvar J, Alves F, Bucheton B, Burrows L, Büscher P, Carrillo
E, Felger I, Hübner MP, Moreno J, Pinazo MJ, Ribeiro I,
trying to prove that a short treatment > The COVID-19 Pandemic: A Call to Action for Health Systems
Sosa-Estani S, Specht S, Tarral A, Wourgaft NS y Bilbe G. with benznidazole to treat Chagas in Latin America to Strengthen Quality of Care. Garcia Elorrio
Seminars in Immunopathology 2020;42(3):231-46. E, Arrieta J, Arce H, Delgado P, Malik AM, Orrego Villagran
disease is non-inferior to the C, Rincon S, Sarabia O, Tono T, Hermida J, Ruelas Barajas E.
> New Scheme of Intermittent Benznidazole The International Journal for Quality in Health Care 2020.
Administration in Patients Chronically Infected with standard of care.
Trypanosoma cruzi: Clinical, Parasitological, and > Implementation of a structured patient handoff
Serological Assessment after Three Years of Follow- between health care providers at a private facility in the
51

PU BL I C AT IO N S
Autonomous City of Buenos Aires. García Roig C, Viard MV, > Health care providers perspectives about maternal
García Elorrio E, Suárez Anzorena I, Jorro Barón F. Archivos immunization in Latin America. Malik FA, Alonso JP,
Argentinos de Pediatría. 2020;118(3):e234-e40. Sanclemente LN, Vilajeliu A, Gutierrez M, Gonzalez-Casanova
I, Jones D. Saad O, Ropero AM. Belizan M. Vaccine. 2020.
What Ibero-American hospitals do when things go Most of Iberian-American
wrong? A cross-sectional international study. Mira JJ,
Carrillo I, García-Elorrio E, Andrade-Lourenção D, Pavan- hospitals do not have FERTILITY
Baptista PC, Franco-Herrera AL, Mahuina Campos-Castolo E,
Poblete R, Limo J, Siu H, Sousa P. The International Society protocols to act in case of > How effective are the non-conventional ovarian
for Quality in Health Care 2020;32(5):313-8. stimulation protocols in ART? A systematic review
adverse events; thus forcing and meta-analysis. Glujovsky D, Pesce R, Miguens M,
Sueldo CE, Lattes K, Ciapponi A. The Journal of Assisted
PALLIATIVE CARE to develop a strategic Reproduction and Genetics. 2020;37(12):2913-28.
> Parent Perceptions of Team-Delivered Care action plan. > Endometrial preparation for women undergoing
for Children With Advanced Cancer: A Report embryo transfer with frozen embryos or embryos
From the PediQUEST Study. Feraco AM, Ananth P, derived from donor oocytes. Glujovsky D, Pesce R, Sueldo
Dussel V, Al-Sayegh H, Ma C, Rosenberg AR, Feudtner C, Quinteiro Retamar AM, Hart RJ, Ciapponi A. Cochrane
C, Wolfe J. The Journal of Pain and Symptom Database Systematic Review. 2020;10:Cd006359.
Management 2020;60(4):811-7.
> Quality of evidence matters: is it well reported and
> Impact of Specialized Pediatric Palliative interpreted in infertility journals?. Glujovsky D, Sueldo
Care: A Systematic Review. Marcus KL, Santos G, CE, Bardach A, Del Pilar Valanzasca M, Comandé D, Ciapponi
Ciapponi A, Comandé D, Bilodeau M, Wolfe J, Dussel VACCINATION A. The Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics
V. The Journal of Pain and Symptom Management. 2020;37(2):263-8.
2020;59(2):339-64.e10. > Factors associated with hindering the acceptance
of HPV vaccination among caregivers - A cross-
> Spanish Adaptation of the Pediatric Memorial sectional study in Argentina. Chaparro RM, Rodríguez OTHER RESEARCH LINES
Symptom Assessment Scale for Children, Teens, and B, Maza Y, Moyano D, Hernández-Vásquez A. PLoS One.
Caregivers. Requena ML, Orellana L, Cordeiro V, Luna F, 2020;15(3):e0229793. > Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in
Bevilacqua MS, Gomez K, Wolfe J. Dussel V. The Journal children: an international, multicentre, prospective cohort
of Pain and Symptom Management 2020; S0885- > Pregnant women’s perspectives about maternal study. Ofman, G., Pradarelli, B., Caballero, M. T., Bianchi, A.,
3924(20)30850-2. immunization in Latin America. Fauzia Malik A, Belizan M, Grimaldi, L. A., Sancilio, A., Duenas, K.,Rodriguez, A., Ferrero,
Gutierrez M, Vilajeliu A, Sanclemente LN, Gonzalez Casanova F. Ferretti, A., Coviello, S., Ferolla, F. M., Acosta, P. L., Bergel,
I, Jones D. Saad O, Ropero AM, Alonso JP. Vaccine. 2020. E., Libster, R., Polack, F. P. BMJ Glob Health. 2020;5(12).
52

> The quality of clinical practice guidelines for preoperative

care using the AGREE II instrument: a systematic review. “Health is a human right and the governments should help the
Ciapponi A, Tapia-López E, Virgilio S, Bardach A. Systematic
Review. 2020;9(1):159. citizens to attain it ensuring health for everyone. This can only
> Ventriculo-peritoneal shunting devices for hydrocephalus.
Garegnani L, Franco JV, Ciapponi A, Garrote V, Vietto V, Portillo
be achieved by investing in universal health coverage, starting
Medina SA. Cochrane Database Systematic Review.
2020;6(6):Cd012726. with strong primary care services. We also need to work in closer
> Direct-Acting Antivirals and Hepatocellular Carcinoma: No coordination to address the links between poverty, inequity,
Evidence of Higher Wait-List Progression or Posttransplant
Recurrence. Piñero, F., Boin, I., Chagas, A., Quiñonez, E., Marciano,
S., Vilatobá, M., Santos, L., Anders, M., Hoyos Duque, S., Soares
climate change, health and other challenges”.
Lima, A., Menendez, J., Padilla, M., Poniachik, J., Zapata, R., Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Maraschio, M., Chong Menéndez, R., Muñoz, L., Arufe, D., Figueroa, Director of the World Health Organization (WHO)
R., Mendizabal, M., Hurtado Gomez, S., Stucchi, R., Maccali, C.,
Vergara Sandoval, R., Bermudez, C., McCormack, L., Varón, A.,
Gadano, A., Mattera, J., Rubinstein, F., Carrilho, F., Silva, M. Liver
Transplantation. 2020;26(5):640-50.
> Changing Etiologies and Prognostic Factors in Pediatric

Acute Liver Failure. Mendizabal, M., Dip, M., Demirdjian, E.,
Lauferman, L., Lopez, S., Minetto, J., Costaguta, A., Rumbo,
C., Malla, I., Sanchez, M. C., Halac, E. Cervio, G., Cuarterolo,
M., Galoppo, M., Imventarza, O., Bisgniano, L., D’Agostino, D.,
Rubinstein, F. Liver Transplantation. 2020;26(2):268-75.
> Short-term exposure to particulate matter (PM(10) and

PM(2.5)), nitrogen dioxide (NO(2)), and ozone (O(3)) and all-
cause and cause-specific mortality: Systematic review and
meta-analysis. Orellano P, Reynoso J, Quaranta N, Bardach A,
Ciapponi A. Environment International. 2020;142:105876.
53

VALUABLE RESOURCES
CONGRATULATIONS TO…
Promotions at the CONICET
Bachelor Grisel Jordán. She
Five members of the Center for Research Ciapponi, who have become health principal
became member of the Board of
on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIESP), investigators and Dr. Gabriela Cormick, new Directors. With 22 years working
the CONICET (Argentine National Scientific independent health investigator. Dr. Ariel at the IECS, she is a pillar of our
and Technical Research Council) Executive Bardach, CIESP's Director, was promoted to institution. Read more.
Unit with headquarters at the IECS, were independent investigator. As a result of their
Dr. Ezequiel García Elorrio.
promoted in their corresponding categories. work on research and contribution to public
He was elected President of
We are talking about Drs. Andrés Pichon- health, we already have 15 investigators who
the International Society for
Riviere, Federico Augustovski and Agustín are currently staff members of IECS-CONICET.
Quality in Health Care (ISQua),
an organization devoted to
promoting improvement in
quality of healthcare worldwide.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH Read more.
We specially thank with a hug (but a Zoom hug, to be

consistent with current times) to those who worked in
INCORPORATIONS Drs. Ariel Bardach y Andrea
Beratarrechea. ch and Andrea
Despite the pandemic, Beratarrechea. They have
Systems: Rodrigo Alonso, Romina Melgarejo been chosen as Bernard Lown
we continued growing! We warmly
and Nicolás Hermida. In scarcely one week, they Scholars at the Harvard’s School
welcome: Natalia Hreczuch, Cintia
of Public Health. Read more.
converted the entire IECS (administrative, research, Cejas, Sara Reidel, Samanta Straminsky
education and transversal units staff) and Julieta Spagnolo, as well as other Bachelor Javier Roberti. He
to“home office” so they could continue working external collaborators to the “IECS’ became the first CIESP Post-
team. And we would like to say Doctorate Fellow. He will work in
in this mode. Their performance and commitment a qualitative study on perception
“welcome back” to
were essential bases that allowed us to continue of vaccination in children and the
Prof. Dr. Adolfo Rubinstein.
with all our activities. elderly. Read more.
54

INTERVIEW WITH VILMA IRAZOLA
VALUABLE
RESOURCES “MANY IDEAS FOR RESEARCH COME UP WHEN
WE LISTEN TO THE OTHER”
Specialist in Implementation of Research on Chronic Diseases, where
she works as Director of two centers (the
of Strategies to Prevent Center of Excellence in Cardiovascular
and Control Chronic Diseases, Health for South America (CESCAS) and the
Center for Excellence in Cancer Research
Dr. Vilma Irazola says she loves to (CEDIC). Teacher at heart, she is also Sub-
contribute to create knowledge with director of University of Buenos Aires,
School of Medicine Master’s Degree in
specific impact on population. Clinical Effectiveness and investigator at the
Her parents thought she would be a writer CONICET.
because she loved reading and writing when
she was a child. She eagerly read every How did you change from an individual
book at hand. The complete work of Gabriel patient-focused approach to a more
García Márquez or Pablo Neruda and also collective approach to health?
the intensity of Alejandra Pizarnik. But she It was a process. I have always, even as a
wanted to become a physician. She studied child, questioned everything. I also did it as
at the National University of Rosario, in physician. After giving every indication, I
the city where she was born, and obtained wonder what was lying behind. I think I was
an Honors Diploma (she is humble asking bothersome (laughter). I had many whys
not to include this in her profile). First, she with no clear answers. That made me look
was clinician, then Cardiologist and later deeper. For example, it made me see that the
Investigator. Today, Vilma Irazola is one effects of treatments were not the same in all
of the eight individuals running IECS. At the patients. I think that this what made me
this institution, she runs the Department wonder what happened at population level.
55

VALUABLE
RESOURCES
When a physician does research, maybe can investigate how to put all that knowledge
stops treating patients, but may influence on into practice to benefit someone specifically,
the health of thousands. Do you see it that is a huge change
way?
Yes. Absolutely. They are both important. What would you like to investigate more
Taking care of an individual patient, but deeply?
also the tools may impact on a much larger I would like to progress towards a
Teaching is a passion she has done
number of people. comprehensive view of chronic diseases, for three decades.
that usually coexist. Rather than how to help
What are the features an investigator needs? people with hypertension, diabetes or at high
Permanent questioning. Not taking anything cardiovascular risk, the challenge is to create
for granted. Another feature is teamwork. An evidence to achieve a more comprehensive
African proverb says: “If you want to go fast, management.
go alone, if you want to go far, go together”.
And I do believe in this. In our world we are You have been a teacher for more than 30
measured by productivity, but you also have years. What do you like best about it?
to do it fast. If you want to go fast, you have to I love teaching and giving classes. Students
be individualistic and go forward. But if you also ask me questions and question things. In a communication activity in Tokyo.
want to contribute with something for the That is what I like the most. I believe a
benefit of many, you have to do it as a team. teacher always learns with the students.
How was research on chronic diseases 10 or Do you miss the hospital?

20 years ago? Yes. I worked at the University of Buenos
The concept of implementation research, Aires School Hospital (Hospital de Clínicas)
which is mine, did not exist or had not even for 16 years. First, in Internal Medicine and
been born. There was a large production of then in Cardiology, as intern at the Coronary
knowledge, but little was known about how to Care Unit. Later, I turned to research and
implement it in real life. That is new. That you teaching. I miss the direct contact with the With part of her working team.
56

VALUABLE
RESOURCES
patient. Sometimes, we are working at the other ways of doing things, other visions.
health centers and I feel like putting the For example, I had the privilege of talking PERSONAL X-RAY
white gown on. and sharing experiences with a pioneer
team working with health promoters in TRAINING: Physician graduated
The CESCAS cohort has a large number Bangladesh or having tea at the house of from the National University of
of participants (more than 7,000) from Doctor Bernard Lown, who has recently Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina. She is
Argentina, Chile and Uruguay. What do you died, Nobel Prize of Peace in 1985 and Specialist in Cardiology and Master
in Clinical Effectiveness, a diploma
like value the most about this opportunity? creator of the implantable defibrillator who obtained at the University of Buenos
I really like having my own data in order to contributed to saving so many lives. Aires, School of Medicine.
make decisions, diagnose situations, identify
SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS: More
barriers and opportunities in risk factors for How does a research idea come up? than 100 journals indexed in PubMed
chronic, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, It comes up from listening what the other including the BMJ and JAMA.
diabetes and obesity. I also like monitoring person (a patient, a user, a health provider)
A PLACE IN THE WORLD YOU
the changes in our populations and where considers a difficulty for changing habits or WOULD LIKE TO VISIT: Greece.
we should be heading to. This is very becomes a problem or a barrier for him/her.
A SPORT: None of the traditional
valuable. A classical concept in scientific research is
ones. Walking alone or in company
that questions come up from observation.
Thanks to different research works, you But the kind of research I really love, the A HOBBY: Reading, drawing, painting
(with watercolor or acrylic paint)
had the chance to travel to very different one that creates knowledge that results
countries in the world. Of the places you have in specific and implementable strategies, PREFERRED BOOKS: El Aleph, by
visited, which had the biggest impact in you? comes up definitely when listening to Jorge Luis Borges and Sapiens.
From Animals to Gods, by Yuval
It is difficult to choose one. Travelling the other people, “the expert is the other
Noah Harari.
enables learning about other cultures, person”.
ONE MOVIE: Crimes and
Misdemeanors by Woody Allen.
“An investigator should permanently question him/herself. Not taking anything FAMILY: Her husband is also a
for granted. And should also have teamwork skills. If you want to contribute with physician. She has two children and
they both study artistic careers.
something for the benefit of many, you have to do it as a team.”
57

FUNDING WE WORK WITH INTERNATIONAL AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS
AND WITH OTHER PUBLIC, PRIVATE AND SOCIAL SECURITY FUNDERS.
GOVERNMENTS, GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND Cancer Center ■ Hospital Molinos de Viento of Brazil ■ Obra Social Trabajadores Pasteleros,
FOUNDATIONS: ■ United States Tulane University ■ Health Technology Assessment Confiteros, Pizzeros, Heladeros y
■ World Health Organization (WHO) ■ University of Buenos Aires (UBA) School International (HTAi) Alfajoreros de la República Argentina
■ United States National Institutesof Health of Medicine ■ Instituto Argentino de Salud y Desarrollo (ELEVAR)
(NIH) ■ United States New York University (IASDE) ■ Federación Argentina de Mutuales de
■ Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) ■ International Society of ■ Instituto Argentino de Diagnóstico y Salud (FAMSA)
■ Canada’s International Development Pharmacoeconomics and Outcome Tratamiento (IADT) ■ Federada Salud
Research Center (IDRC) Research (ISPOR) ■ Janssen Cilag Farmacéutica S.A. ■ Fondo Nacional de Recursos de la
■ Eastern Republic of Uruguay’s National ■ College of Physicians of the Province of ■ Laboratorio Glaxo SmithKline Argentina República Oriental del Uruguay
Resources Fund Salta (COLMEDSA), Argentina S.A. ■ Health Group
■ Argentina’s Ministry of Science, ■ Hospital Universitario Austral ■ Novartis Laboratory ■ Hospital Británico of Buenos Aires
Technology and Productive Innovation ■ Fundación para la Lucha contra las ■ Merck ■ Hospital Universitario Austral
(MINCyT) Enfermedades Neurológicas de la ■ Management Sciences for Health (MSH) ■ Instituto Autárquico Provincial de Obra
■ EQ-5D EuroQol Research Foundation Infancia (FLENI) ■ Noble Compañía de Seguros S.A. Social (IAPOS)
■ Government of Chile’s Ministry of Health ■ Novo Nordisk Colombia ■ IOSPER
■ Uruguay’s Ministry of Health PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS ■ Sanatorio Ipensa ■ Medicus
■ Argentina’s Ministry of Health ■ Abbott ■ Roche S.A.Q.E.I. ■ Obra Social del Personal de Dirección de
■ Argentina’s National Cancer Institute ■ AbbVie S.A. Argentina ■ Pfizer Sanidad Luis Pasteur
(INC) ■ Boston Scientific ■ OMINT
■ World Diabetes Foundation (WDF) ■ Bristol-Myers Squibb Argentina SRL MEMBERS OF THE CONSORTIUM FOR HEALTH ■ OSDE
■ Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation ■ Cámara Argentina de Especialidades TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENTS ■ OSDEPYM
■ Grand Challenges Canada Medicinales (CAEme) ■ AcaSalud ■ Obra Social de los Empleados Públicos
■ UNICEF ■ Eli Lilly Interamerica Inc. Argentina ■ Jerárquicos Salud (AMPJBON) (OSEP)
■ DNDi Latin America ■ Federación Argentina de Asociaciones ■ Asesoría Médica del Sistema de Salud del ■ Obra Social de la Federación Argentina
■ Children Foundation de Anestesia, Analgesia y Reanimación Colegio de Escribanos de La Plata Trabajadores de Luz y Fuerza (OSFATLYF)
■ Center for the Study of the Economies of (FAAAAR) ■ Asociación Española Primera de Socorros ■ Obra Social Personal de Obras y Servicios
Africa (CSEA) ■ Sanofi Espoir Foundation Mutuos, Uruguay Sanitarios (OSOSS)
■ Gador ■ Asociación Mutual Médica Villa María ■ Prevención Salud
ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS ■ Genzyme de Argentina S.A. ■ BASA ■ Servicio Universitario Médico Asistencial
■ United States Harvard T.H. Chan School of ■ Giz – Gesellschaft Fur Internationale ■ Caja de Abogados de la Plata (CASA) (SUMA)
Public Health (HSPH) Zusammenarbeit (CASA) ■ Swiss Medical Group
■ United States Dana Farber/Harvard ■ Hospital Británico of Uruguay ■ Centro Asistencial Medicina Privada ■ Visitar
58

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youtube/ linkedin/
EFFECTIVENESS AND IECS Argentina company/iecs
HEALTH POLICY
instagram.com/
iecs_educacion/
www.iecs.org.ar


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Research

I NSTI T U T I O N A L Y E A R B OOK IE CS 2 0 2 0 EFFECTIVENESS AND HEALTH POLICY

We are an independent academic institution affiliated to the

It houses an executive unit of the

I NSTI T U T I O N A L Y E A R B OOK IE CS 2 0 2 0 EFFECTIVENESS AND HEALTH POLICY

RESEARCH EDUCATION TECHNICAL COOPERATION

I NSTI T U T I O N A L Y E A R B OOK IE CS 2 0 2 0 EFFECTIVENESS AND HEALTH POLICY

DR. VILMA DR. ANDRÉS DR. MABEL

I NSTI T U T I O N A L Y E A R B OOK IE CS 2 0 2 0 EFFECTIVENESS AND HEALTH POLICY

BACHELOR MARÍA BELIZÁN BACHELOR CLAUDIA

I NSTI T U T I O N A L Y E A R B OOK IE CS 2 0 2 0 EFFECTIVENESS AND HEALTH POLICY

RESEARCHERS INSTITUTIONAL COMMUNICATION OPERATIONS ANALYSTS AND ASSISTANTS

I NSTI T U T I O N A L Y E A R B OOK IE CS 2 0 2 0 EFFECTIVENESS AND HEALTH POLICY

I NSTI T U T I O N A L Y E A R B OOK IE CS 2 0 2 0 EFFECTIVENESS AND HEALTH POLICY

I NSTI T U T I O N A L Y E A R B OOK IE CS 2 0 2 0 EFFECTIVENESS AND HEALTH POLICY

A Turning Point that

I NST I T U T I O N A L Y E A R BOOK IE CS 2 0 2 0 EFFECTIVENESS AND HEALTH POLICY

I NST I T U T I O N A L Y E A R BOOK IE CS 2 0 2 0 EFFECTIVENESS AND HEALTH POLICY

SOME THOUGHTS necessary to reinforce our

ABOUT THE professionals who work in public

“The way the Argentine “This context

I NST I T U T I O N A L Y E A R BOOK IE CS 2 0 2 0 EFFECTIVENESS AND HEALTH POLICY

What we can and ALL THESE

I NST I T U T I O N A L Y E A R BOOK IE CS 2 0 2 0 EFFECTIVENESS AND HEALTH POLICY

ACTIVE VACCINE SURVEILLANCE IN

I NST I T U T I O N A L Y E A R BOOK IE CS 2 0 2 0 EFFECTIVENESS AND HEALTH POLICY

THE IMPACT OF THE

I NST I T U T I O N A L Y E A R BOOK IE CS 2 0 2 0 EFFECTIVENESS AND HEALTH POLICY

I NST I T U T I O N A L Y E A R BOOK IE CS 2 0 2 0 EFFECTIVENESS AND HEALTH POLICY

TENDENCIES IN CHOLESTEROL OUR NEW CANCER

I NST I T U T I O N A L Y E A R BOOK IE CS 2 0 2 0 EFFECTIVENESS AND HEALTH POLICY

I NST I T U T I O N A L Y E A R BOOK IE CS 2 0 2 0 EFFECTIVENESS AND HEALTH POLICY

I NST I T U T I O N A L Y E A R BOOK IE CS 2 0 2 0 EFFECTIVENESS AND HEALTH POLICY

Department of Health Technology Assessment

Sebastián García Martí Agustín Ciapponi Roberto Klappenbach Ariel Bardach

I NST I T U T I O N A L Y E A R BOOK IE CS 2 0 2 0 EFFECTIVENESS AND HEALTH POLICY

Soft Drinks with Added Sugar and Tobacco

I NST I T U T I O N A L Y E A R BOOK IE CS 2 0 2 0 EFFECTIVENESS AND HEALTH POLICY

IECS-Argentine Cochrane Center

I NST I T U T I O N A L Y E A R BOOK IE CS 2 0 2 0 EFFECTIVENESS AND HEALTH POLICY

I NST I T U T I O N A L Y E A R BOOK IE CS 2 0 2 0 EFFECTIVENESS AND HEALTH POLICY

Department of Mother and

OF WOMEN, CHILDREN AND

I NST I T U T I O N A L Y E A R BOOK IE CS 2 0 2 0 EFFECTIVENESS AND HEALTH POLICY

WHO Partograph and C-section Reduction

I NST I T U T I O N A L Y E A R BOOK IE CS 2 0 2 0 EFFECTIVENESS AND HEALTH POLICY

I NST I T U T I O N A L Y E A R BOOK IE CS 2 0 2 0 EFFECTIVENESS AND HEALTH POLICY

continued cancer patient care in beverages in food selling points

María Olivera Samanta Straminsky Daniela Moyano

Two Prevalent Diseases

I NST I T U T I O N A L Y E A R BOOK IE CS 2 0 2 0 EFFECTIVENESS AND HEALTH POLICY

Center for Research and Implementation

We worked in the PediQUEST in families of children with life-

I NST I T U T I O N A L Y E A R BOOK IE CS 2 0 2 0 EFFECTIVENESS AND HEALTH POLICY

Human Resources in Health in Pediatric Palliative

I NST I T U T I O N A L Y E A R BOOK IE CS 2 0 2 0 EFFECTIVENESS AND HEALTH POLICY

Department of Healthcare Quality

THIS GUIDELINE, DURING 2020, WE WERE PART OF THE FOLLOWING

Natalia Hreczuch Viviana Rodríguez Simón Fernández Nievas

Cooperation with the WHO to update in primary care (Project ARGEAS).

I NST I T U T I O N A L Y E A R BOOK IE CS 2 0 2 0 EFFECTIVENESS AND HEALTH POLICY

To Improve Intensive Care

I NST I T U T I O N A L Y E A R BOOK IE CS 2 0 2 0 EFFECTIVENESS AND HEALTH POLICY

Center for Implementation and