Screening using pulse oximetry (PO) and a knowledge management model (KMM) was implemented for the timely detection of life-threatening congenital heart diseases (CHD) in the neonatal period. In the pilot implementation study of PO supported by clinical criteria, carried out in newborns (NB), the two public hospitals with the highest affluence in Hidalgo, Méx. Those who tested positive were sent for echocardiography (EcoCa) and those diagnosed with complex congenital heart disease (CCHD) were referred for treatment. During 6 months, 1748 NBs were screened: 29 positives; CHD 62% and CCHD 13.8%, one death, and three referrals for palliative surgery. It is the first time that PO is carried out in an organized manner in Mexico, favoring the diagnosis of CHD in combination with clinical criteria and EcoCa. Furthermore, a KMM fosters innovation and resource management. Currently, neonatal cardiac screening has been performed in more than 40,000 NBs in 17 hospitals of the Public Health Services of Hidalgo, considerably reducing mortality from CCHD.

Alfonso Atitlán is a Doctor in Environmental Sciences with a specialization in Environmental Health, a Master in Public Health Sciences with a specialization in Epidemiology, and a Physician - Surgeon from the Autonomous University of the State of Hidalgo, Mexico. He has been a Professor-Researcher at the Institute of Health Sciences for 20 years. He has participated in the design and implementation of various health programs for the Ministry of Health of the State of Hidalgo, Mexico; Diploma in Effective Linkage and Technology Transfer. Among his works, he has some publications in Health Sciences magazines and a patent for the design of a product for the modulation of oxidative stress and anxiety in smokers.