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This paper aims to analyze the influences of context and methodological differences in how universities confront, report and manage carbon neutrality in selected Andean universities, contrasted with a university in the USA.

A sequential, mixed-methods design, using quantitative and qualitative approaches was applied. The data analysis is based on a systematic literature review with bibliometric analysis to identify how carbon neutrality in universities is understood and applied. Informed by the quantitative analysis, the qualitative phase compared the assessment methodologies, opportunities and obstacles in three Andean universities – EAFIT in Colombia, EPN in Ecuador and the UC in Chile – contrasted with MIT (USA) for comparative purposes beyond the region.

The bibliometric analysis points to the evolution of carbon management and carbon neutrality in universities and indicates how universities have applied methodologies and defined opportunities and obstacles. In this comparative experience, the contextual issues are brought to the fore. The conclusions highlight the importance of context in carbon neutrality assessment and argue against crude comparative metrics. While carbon assessment protocols provide data on which actions may be taken, the phase of carbon management development and the specifics of context – based on local institutional, geographical, climatic, cultural, socioeconomic and national policy conditions – are far more relevant for identifying actions.

This study only considered four universities, and the findings are not generalizable. The argument highlights the point that contextual factors generate important differences that may complicate simple comparisons based on the university's type or size. It also highlights the differences in the carbon calculation methodologies used by the institutions.

Results build on the recent publications that document the Latin American context. The article contributes to knowledge about Andean university commitments and actions relating to climate change and carbon neutrality. This knowledge can contribute to how universities in the region seek to apply different methodologies, set targets and the timing of actions and consider their contextual opportunities and obstacles.

Comparing university carbon footprints and carbon neutrality plans is an emerging topic, presenting methodological and institutional difficulties. This paper reveals some of these difficulties by comparing parameters, actions and implementation processes against contextual factors. While there is a drive for international and national comparisons and systematization of data on university carbon performance, significant methodological gaps still need to be resolved to account for these contextual factors.

To analyze the quality of transitional care for patients with COVID-19 at discharge from Brazilian university hospitals.

A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out in five Brazilian university hospitals between April and December 2021. The sample consisted of 527 participants. Data collection consisted of a sociodemographic questionnaire and the Care Transitions Measure (CTM-15), a care transition assessment instrument, which was translated and validated in Portuguese.

Most participants were patients (n = 369; 70.0%), with primary school completion (n = 218; 43.4%), multiracial (n = 218; 43.5%) and with an income of up to two minimum wages (n = 182; 42.8%). Dimension 1 – management preparation – obtained the highest score (71.2 points, SD = 16.5), while Dimension 4 – care plan – obtained the lowest score (62.2 points, SD = 23.4). Among the participating hospitals, there was a difference in the overall mean with results ranging from 67.0 to 72.9 points.

A satisfactory quality of care transition was found, considering the context of a pandemic. The main weaknesses in the care transitions were related to the care planning after hospital discharge.