The Gujarat Earthquake (2001) Experience in a Seismically Unprepared Area: Community Hospital Medical Response

2002 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 186-195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nobhojit Roy ◽  
Hemant Shah ◽  
Vikas Patel ◽  
R. Richard Coughlin
Keyword(s):  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Health Resources ◽  
Admission Rate ◽  
Buffer Zone ◽  
Definitive Treatment ◽  
Traditional Architecture ◽  
Hospital Admission Rate ◽  
Medical Response ◽  
Better Than

AbstractBackground:At 08:53 hours on 26 January 2001, an earthquake measuring 6.9 on the Richter scale devastated a large, drought-affected area of northwestern India, the state of Gujarat. The known number killed by the earthquake is 20,005, with 166,000 injured, of whom 20,717 were “seriously” injured. About 370,000 houses were destroyed, and another 922,000 were damaged.Methods:A community health worker using the local language interviewed all of the patients admitted to the Gandhi-Lincoln hospital with an on-site, oral, real-time, Victim Specific Questionnaire (VSQ).ResultsThe census showed a predominance of women, children, and young adults, with the average age being 28 years. The majority of the patients had other family members who were also injured (84%), but most had not experienced deaths among family members (86%). Most of the patients (91%) had traveled more than 200 kilometers using their family cars, pick-ups, trucks, or buses to reach the buffer zone hospitals. The daily hospital admission rate returned to pre-event levels five days after the event, and all of the hospital services were restored by nine days after the quake. Most of the patients (83%) received definitive treatment in the buffer zone hospitals; 7% were referred to tertiary-care centers; and 9% took discharge against medical advice.The entrapped village folk with their traditional architecture had lesser injuries and a higher rescue rate than did the semi-urban townspeople, who were trapped in collapsed concrete masonry buildings and narrow alleys. However, at the time of crisis, aware townspeople were able to tap the available health resources better than were the poor. There was a low incidence of crush injuries. Volunteer doctors from various backgrounds teamed up to meet the medical crisis. International relief agencies working through local groups were more effective. Local relief groups needed to coordinate better. Disaster tourism by various well-meaning agencies took a toll on the providers. Many surgeries may have contributed to subsequent morbidity.Conclusions:The injury profile was similar to that reported for most other daytime earthquakes. Buffer zone treatment outcomes were better than were the field and damaged hospital outcomes.

The Gujarat Earthquake (2001) Experience in a Seismically Unprepared Area: Community Hospital Medical Response

2002 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 186-195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nobhojit Roy ◽  
Hemant Shah ◽  
Vikas Patel ◽  
R. Richard Coughlin
Keyword(s):  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Health Resources ◽  
Admission Rate ◽  
Buffer Zone ◽  
Definitive Treatment ◽  
Traditional Architecture ◽  
Hospital Admission Rate ◽  
Medical Response ◽  
Better Than

AbstractBackground:At 08:53 hours on 26 January 2001, an earthquake measuring 6.9 on the Richter scale devastated a large, drought-affected area of northwestern India, the state of Gujarat. The known number killed by the earthquake is 20,005, with 166,000 injured, of whom 20,717 were “seriously” injured. About 370,000 houses were destroyed, and another 922,000 were damaged.Methods:A community health worker using the local language interviewed all of the patients admitted to the Gandhi-Lincoln hospital with an on-site, oral, real-time, Victim Specific Questionnaire (VSQ).Results:The census showed a predominance of women, children, and young adults, with the average age being 28 years. The majority of the patients had other family members who were also injured (84%), but most had not experienced deaths among family members (86%). Most of the patients (91%) had traveled more than 200 kilometers using their family cars, pick-ups, trucks, or buses to reach the buffer zone hospitals. The daily hospital admission rate returned to pre-event levels five days after the event, and all of the hospital services were restored by nine days after the quake. Most of the patients (83%) received definitive treatment in the buffer zone hospitals; 7% were referred to tertiary-care centers; and 9% took discharge against medical advice.The entrapped village folk with their traditional architecture had lesser injuries and a higher rescue rate than did the semi-urban townspeople, who were trapped in collapsed concrete masonry buildings and narrow alleys. However, at the time of crisis, aware townspeople were able to tap the available health resources better than were the poor. There was a low incidence of crush injuries. Volunteer doctors from various backgrounds teamed up to meet the medical crisis. International relief agencies working through local groups were more effective. Local relief groups needed to coordinate better. Disaster tourism by various well-meaning agencies took a toll on the providers. Many surgeries may have contributed to subsequent morbidity.Conclusions:The injury profile was similar to that reported for most other daytime earthquakes. Buffer zone treatment outcomes were better than were the field and damaged hospital outcomes.

scholarly journals The effect of a zero-diversion policy on emergency department performance measures

2013 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 144
Author(s):  
Eman Spaulding ◽  
Laurie Byrne ◽  
Eric Armbrecht ◽  
Collin Jackson ◽  
Preeti Dalawari
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Performance Measures ◽  
Care Center ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Admission Rate ◽  
Medical Advice ◽  
Hospital Admission Rate ◽  
Left Without Being Seen ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Discharged Patients

This study examines how emergency department (ED) performance measures at an academic tertiary care center in the Midwest were affected by a regionally-adopted zero diversion policy. Two six-month periods before and after the policy was enacted were selected to measure differences in key performance measures, including left without treatment (LWOT), left without being seen (LWBS), left against medical advice (AMA), mortality, length of stay and hospital admission rate. Total ED census during the two periods was similar. While the zero diversion policy was in effect, LWOT and LWBS rates were 19.4% and 18.2% lower, respectively, than the prior period, p < .002; discharged patients had faster treatment times (228 + 8.0 minutes vs. 242 + 9.0 minutes), p = .015. No differences were observed in AMA or mortality rates. This study revealed no worsening of ED performance measures after adoption of a zero diversion policy. 

Complications following local anaesthetic transperineal prostate biopsies without antibiotic prophylaxis: An institution’s experience

2021 ◽  
pp. 205141582098766
Author(s):  
Joseph B John ◽  
Angus MacCormick ◽  
Ruaraidh MacDonagh ◽  
Mark J Speakman ◽  
Ramesh Vennam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Prophylaxis ◽  
Local Anaesthetic ◽  
Complication Rate ◽  
Admission Rate ◽  
Prophylactic Antibiotics ◽  
Complication Rates ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Hospital Admission Rate ◽  
Prostate Biopsies ◽  
Disease Characteristics

Objectives: This study aimed to describe a UK institution’s experience with local anaesthetic (LA) transperineal (TP) prostate biopsies (PB), and to report 30-day complications following LATPPB, including a large cohort that did not receive antibiotic prophylaxis. Patients and methods: A prospective database of 313 consecutive patients undergoing LATPPB was maintained, describing patient and disease characteristics, and complications. From September 2019 to January 2020, antibiotic prophylaxis was given before LATPPB ( n=149). Following a change to routine care, from January 2020 to July 2020, prophylactic antibiotics were not given before LATPPB ( n=164). A comparative analysis was performed to determine complication rates following antibiotic prophylaxis discontinuation using electronic hospital and primary care records. Results: Patient and disease characteristics were comparable in antibiotic and non-antibiotic cohorts, and representative of PB and prostate cancer cohorts described in the urological literature. The infection-related complication rate was 0.32% across all patients, and 0% for those not receiving antibiotic prophylaxis. The overall complication rate was 0.64%, and 0.61% for those not receiving antibiotic prophylaxis. There were no severe (Clavien–Dindo 3–5) complications. The unplanned hospital admission rate was 0.64%. Conclusion: The complication rate after LATPPB was low, with no infection-related complications in patients who did not receive antibiotic prophylaxis. This provides further evidence supporting the discontinuation of routine prophylactic antibiotics before TPPB. Level of evidence: Level 2b.

scholarly journals Invasive Devices and Sensors for Remote Care of Heart Failure Patients

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 2014
Author(s):  
Sumant P. Radhoe ◽  
Jesse F. Veenis ◽  
Jasper J. Brugts
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Remote Monitoring ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Acute Decompensated Heart Failure ◽  
Admission Rate ◽  
Decompensated Heart Failure ◽  
Hospital Admission Rate ◽  
Remote Care ◽  
New Sensors ◽  
Near Future

The large and growing burden of chronic heart failure (CHF) on healthcare systems and economies is mainly caused by a high hospital admission rate for acute decompensated heart failure (HF). Several remote monitoring techniques have been developed for early detection of worsening disease, potentially limiting the number of hospitalizations. Over the last years, the scope has been shifting towards the relatively novel invasive sensors capable of measuring intracardiac filling pressures, because it is believed that hemodynamic congestion precedes clinical congestion. Monitoring intracardiac pressures may therefore enable clinicians to intervene and avert hospitalizations in a pre-symptomatic phase. Several techniques have been discussed in this review, and thus far, remote monitoring of pulmonary artery pressures (PAP) by the CardioMEMS (CardioMicroelectromechanical system) HF System is the only technique with proven safety as well as efficacy with regard to the prevention of HF-related hospital admissions. Efforts are currently aimed to further develop existing techniques and new sensors capable of measuring left atrial pressures (LAP). With the growing body of evidence and need for remote care, it is expected that remote monitoring by invasive sensors will play a larger role in HF care in the near future.

scholarly journals Implementation of the acutely presenting older patient (APOP) screening program in routine emergency department care

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura C. Blomaard ◽  
Bas de Groot ◽  
Jacinta A. Lucke ◽  
Jelle de Gelder ◽  
Anja M. Booijen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Older Patients ◽  
Screening Program ◽  
Admission Rate ◽  
Older Patient ◽  
Hospital Admission Rate ◽  
High Risk Patients ◽  
Risk Patients

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of implementation of the acutely presenting older patient (APOP) screening program for older patients in routine emergency department (ED) care shortly after implementation. Methods We conducted an implementation study with before-after design, using the plan-do-study-act (PDSA) model for quality improvement, in the ED of a Dutch academic hospital. All consecutive patients ≥ 70 years during 2 months before and after implementation were included. The APOP program comprises screening for risk of functional decline, mortality and cognitive impairment, targeted interventions for high-risk patients and education of professionals. Outcome measures were compliance with interventions and impact on ED process, length of stay (LOS) and hospital admission rate. Results Two comparable groups of patients (median age 77 years) were included before (n = 920) and after (n = 953) implementation. After implementation 560 (59%) patients were screened of which 190 (34%) were high-risk patients. Some of the program interventions for high-risk patients in the ED were adhered to, some were not. More hospitalized patients received comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) after implementation (21% before vs. 31% after; p = 0.002). In 89% of high-risk patients who were discharged to home, telephone follow-up was initiated. Implementation did not influence median ED LOS (202 min before vs. 196 min after; p = 0.152) or hospital admission rate (40% before vs. 39% after; p = 0.410). Conclusion Implementation of the APOP screening program in routine ED care did not negatively impact the ED process and resulted in an increase of CGA and telephone follow-up in older patients. Future studies should investigate whether sustainable changes in management and patient outcomes occur after more PDSA cycles.

scholarly journals Can dedicated emergency team and area for older people reduce the hospital admission rate? - An observational pre- and post-intervention study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenny Liu ◽  
Therese Palmgren ◽  
Sari Ponzer ◽  
Italo Masiello ◽  
Nasim Farrokhnia
Keyword(s):  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Hospital Admission ◽  
Older Patients ◽  
Outcome Measure ◽  
Admission Rate ◽  
Intervention Period ◽  
Total Hospital ◽  
Hospital Admission Rate ◽  
Emergency Team ◽  
Interprofessional Team

Abstract Background Emergency department (ED) care of older patients is often complex. Geriatric ED guidelines can help to meet this challenge. However, training requirements, the use of time-consuming tools for comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA), a lack of golden standard to identify the frail patients, and the weak evidence of positive outcomes of using CGA in EDs pose barriers to introduce the guidelines. Dedicating an interprofessional team of regular ED medical and nursing staff and an older-friendly ED area can be another approach. Previous studies of geriatrician-led CGA in EDs have reported a reduced hospital admission rate. The aim of this study was to investigate whether a dedicated interprofessional emergency team also can reduce the hospital admission rate without the resources required by the formal use of CGA. Methods An observational pre-post study at a large adult ED, where all patients 80 years or older arriving on weekdays in the intervention period from 2016.09.26 to 2016.11.28 and the corresponding weekdays in the previous year from 2015.09.28 to 2015.11.30 were included. In the intervention period, older patients either received care in the geriatric module by the dedicated team or in the regular team modules for patients of mixed ages. In 2015, all patients received care in regular team modules. The primary outcome measure was the total hospital admission rate and the ED length of stay was the secondary outcome measure. Results We included 2377 arrivals in the intervention period, when 26.7% (N = 634) received care in the geriatric module, and 2207 arrivals in the 2015 period. The total hospital admission rate was 61.7% (N = 1466/2377) in the intervention period compared to 64.8% (N = 1431/2207) in 2015 (p = 0.03). The difference was larger for patients treated in the geriatric module, 51.1% compared to 62.1% (95% CI: 56.3 to 68.0%) for patients who would have been eligible in 2015. The ED length of stay was longer in the intervention period. Conclusions An interprofessional team and area dedicated to older patients was associated to a lower hospital admission rate. Further studies are needed to confirm the results.

scholarly journals Use of FreeStyle Libre Flash Monitor Register in the Netherlands (FLARE-NL1): Patient Experiences, Satisfaction, and Cost Analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Fokkert ◽  
A. Damman ◽  
P. R. van Dijk ◽  
M. A. Edens ◽  
S. Abbes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Cost Benefit Analysis ◽  
Glucose Monitoring ◽  
Admission Rate ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Daily Practice ◽  
Health Insurance Data ◽  
Hospital Admission Rate ◽  
Freestyle Libre ◽  
Patients With Diabetes

In patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), adequate glucose control is of major importance. When treatment schemes become more complicated, proper self-management through intermittent self-measurement of blood glucose (SMBG), among others, becomes crucial in achieving this goal. In the last decade, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) has been on the rise, providing not only intermittent information but also information on continuous glucose trends. The FreeStyle Libre (FSL) Flash CGM system is a CGM system mainly used for patients with DM and is designed based on the same techniques as early CGMs. Compared with earlier CGMs, the FSL is factory calibrated, has no automated readings or direct alarms, and is cheaper to use. Although less accurate compared with the gold standard for SMBG, users report high satisfaction because it is easy to use and can help users monitor glucose trends. The Flash Monitor Register in the Netherlands (FLARE-NL) study aims to assess the effects of FSL Flash CGM use in daily practice. The study has a before-after design, with each participant being his or her own control. Users will be followed for at least 1 year. The endpoints include changes in HbA1c, frequency and severity of hypoglycemias, and quality of life. In addition, the effects of its use on work absenteeism rate, diabetes-related hospital admission rate, and daily functioning (including sports performance) will be studied. Furthermore, cost-benefit analysis based on the combination of registered information within the health insurance data will be investigated. Ultimately, the data gathered in this study will help increase the knowledge and skills of the use of the Flash CGM in daily practice and assess the financial impact on the use of the Flash CGM within the Dutch healthcare system.

Addressing Mistreatment of Providers by Patients and Family Members as a Patient Safety Event

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marianne Hatfield ◽  
Rebecca Ciaburri ◽  
Henna Shaikh ◽  
Kirsten M. Wilkins ◽  
Kurt Bjorkman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Patient Safety ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Incident Reporting ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Offensive Behavior ◽  
Safety Incident

OBJECTIVE: Mistreatment of health care providers (HCPs) is associated with burnout and lower-quality patient care, but mistreatment by patients and family members is underreported. We hypothesized that an organizational strategy that includes training, safety incident reporting, and a response protocol would increase HCP knowledge, self-efficacy, and reporting of mistreatment. METHODS: In this single-center, serial, cross-sectional study, we sent an anonymous survey to HCPs before and after the intervention at a 213-bed tertiary care university children’s hospital between 2018 and 2019. We used multivariable logistic regression to examine the effect of training on the outcomes of interest and whether this association was moderated by staff role. RESULTS: We received 309 baseline surveys from 72 faculty, 191 nurses, and 46 residents, representing 39.1%, 27.1%, and 59.7%, respectively, of eligible HCPs. Verbal threats from patients or family members were reported by 214 (69.5%) HCPs. Offensive behavior was most commonly based on provider age (85, 28.5%), gender (85, 28.5%), ethnicity or race (55, 18.5%), and appearance (43, 14.6%) but varied by role. HCPs who received training had a higher odds of reporting knowledge, self-efficacy, and experiencing offensive behavior. Incident reporting of mistreatment increased threefold after the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: We report an effective organizational approach to address mistreatment of HCPs by patients and family members. Our approach capitalizes on existing patient safety culture and systems that can be adopted by other institutions to address all forms of mistreatment, including those committed by other HCPs.

Issues in the Provision of Health Care in India: An Overview

2020 ◽  
pp. 097674792094518
Author(s):  
Vani Kant Borooah
Keyword(s):  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Health Resources ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Vested Interests ◽  
Explicit Recognition ◽  
Optimal Mix

After reviewing health outcomes and policy in India, this paper concludes that there are at least six sets of issues to be addressed about improving the quantity and quality of health services, and ipso facto improving health outcomes, in India. First, the amount of resources earmarked for health needs to increase. Second, health resources need to be used in a fair and just manner and, in particular, complaints relating to egregious health outcomes need to be addressed. Predominant in this set of issues is oversight and regulation of private-sector health provision. The third set of issues relates to the allocation of health resources and, in particular, to the imbalance in the allocation of health resources between towns and villages. A fourth issue is the accessibility of rural areas since it is the most remote areas that have the lowest density of health workers. Another issue is the more efficient use of health workers in order to make them more productive. Finally, Indian health policy is stronger on rhetoric and aspiration than it is on action and implementation. The successful implementation of the policy requires the explicit recognition that objectives are often competing (primary versus tertiary care) and the acknowledgement that, with budgetary constraints, one cannot have more of one without having less of the other. The first role of policy is to then choose the optimal mix of objectives with respect to these trade-offs. Secondly, policies come up against vested interests which agitate (often with the support of opposition politicians) and litigate against proposed changes. Lastly, policies in India are made against a background of poor governance with the predatory presence of corruption looming over every policy initiative. In implementing, rather than simply articulating, a policy it is important to address these governance issues.

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