scholarly journals Hypothermia reduction during neonatal transport in a tertiary care center in South India: a quality improvement initiative

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 659
Author(s):  
Shivshankar Diggikar ◽  
Nirmala Shalet ◽  
Priya S. ◽  
Praveen Venkatagiri

Background: Each degree drop in target temperature at admission increases mortality by 28% in neonates. Maintenance of target temperature during neonatal transport and at admission will pose an enormous challenge in developing countries due to various factors. The objective of the study was to decrease the incidence of hypothermia in transported babies at admission by 50% from a baseline of 64% over 12 months period. Prospective cohort study by QI methodology.Methods: Neonates transported to NICU from March 2019 – February 2020 were included. A baseline data was collected retrospectively to determine the incidence of existing hypothermic babies at admission. Problems were identified using Fishbone analysis. Evidence-based changes were implemented as per local needs in the Plan-Do Study cycle (PDSA) cycles.Results: A total of 96 babies were transported (62 babies during implementation, 34 during the sustenance Phase) during the study period. The mean (SD) gestation and birthweight was similar in the two groups. The distance travelled in kilometres in the hypothermic group was significantly more 7.3 (5.5) compared to the normothermic group 4.1(3.8) (p,0.01). We reduced the incidence of hypothermia from 64% to 16% over 12 months from the time of implementation. There was no correlation seen noted between hypothermia at admission and gestational age (r, - 0.18), birthweight (r, 0.04), or distance travelled in kilometres (r, 0.02). However, there was a positive correlation seen between adherence to the ‘5 Point -protocol’ and admission temperature (r, 0.86).Conclusions: Thermoregulation during neonatal transport is a huge challenge especially in the Indian scenario due to multiple incorrigible factors contributing to its high incidence even in the best of the centres. QI initiatives is a way forward to deal with some of these aspects. Involving the nursing team who forms the core team of neonatal transport is imperative.

BMC Surgery ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Shabhay ◽  
Pius Horumpende ◽  
Zarina Shabhay ◽  
Andrew Mganga ◽  
Jeff Van Baal ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Diabetic foot ulcers complications are the major cause of non-traumatic major limb amputation. We aimed at assessing the clinical profiles of diabetic foot ulcer patients undergoing major limb amputation in the Surgical Department at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC), a tertiary care hospital in North-eastern Tanzania. Methods A cross—sectional hospital-based study was conducted from September 2018 through March 2019. Demographic data were obtained from structured questionnaires. Diabetic foot ulcers were graded according to the Meggitt-Wagner classification system. Hemoglobin and random blood glucose levels data were retrieved from patients’ files. Results A total of 60 patients were recruited in the study. More than half (31/60; 51.67%) were amputated. Thirty-five (58.33%) were males. Fifty-nine (98.33%) had type II diabetes. Nearly two-thirds (34/60; 56.67%) had duration of diabetes for more than 5 years. The mean age was 60.06 ± 11.33 years (range 30–87). The mean haemoglobin level was 10.20 ± 2.73 g/dl and 9.84 ± 2.69 g/dl among amputees. Nearly two thirds (42/60; 70.00%) had a haemoglobin level below 12 g/dl, with more than a half (23/42; 54.76%) undergoing major limb amputation. Two thirds (23/31; 74.19%) of all patients who underwent major limb amputation had mean hemoglobin level below 12 g/dl. The mean Random Blood Glucose (MRBG) was 13.18 ± 6.17 mmol/L and 14.16 ± 6.10 mmol/L for amputees. Almost two thirds of the study population i.e., 42/60(70.00%) had poor glycemic control with random blood glucose level above 10.0 mmol/L. More than half 23/42 (54.76%) of the patients with poor glycemic control underwent some form of major limb amputation; which is nearly two thirds (23/31; 74.19%) of the total amputees. Twenty-eight (46.67%) had Meggitt-Wagner classification grade 3, of which nearly two thirds (17:60.71%) underwent major limb amputation. Conclusion In this study, the cohort of patients suffering from diabetic foot ulcers treated in a tertiary care center in north-eastern Tanzania, the likelihood of amputation significantly correlated with the initial grade of the Meggit-Wagner ulcer classification. High blood glucose levels and anaemia seem to be also important risk factors but correlation did not reveal statistical significance.


2012 ◽  
Vol 19 (10) ◽  
pp. 1693-1696 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veena V. Ramalingam ◽  
Monika Mani ◽  
Vijayanand C. Sundaresan ◽  
Ramesh J. Karunaiya ◽  
Jaiprasath Sachithanandham ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTCD4+T cell count estimations are subject to high variations; hence, in this study, the previous day's tested samples were included routinely as the internal quality controls. The percentages of variation of the 2-day values were analyzed for 280 observations and the mean variation for CD4+and CD3+T cell counts ranged from 5.21% to 9.66%. This method is a good internal quality control (IQC) procedure for the estimation of CD3+and CD4+T cell counts in resource-poor settings.


Author(s):  
Aditi V. Joshi ◽  
Michelle N. Fonseca ◽  
Deepali S. Kharat-Kapote

Background: Peripartum cardiomyopathy is an idiopathic and reversible form of dilated cardiomyopathy. The aim of the study was to study the mean age of presentation of peripartum cardiomyopathy in pregnant patients over a period of 1 year in a tertiary health care and study the maternal and fetal outcome of patients with peripartum cardiomyopathy.Methods: A retrospective observational study with total of 22 patients with peripartum cardiomyopathy was diagnosed in a total of 10,279 deliveries conducted at LTMMC, Sion hospital between September 2014 to February 2016.Results: Our study revealed that most of the affected patients were young with the mean age at presentation being 26.8±4.29 years. Most of the patients were diagnosed in the postpartum period (63.6%). the most common risk factor was pre-eclampsia (22.7%) followed by anemia (18.2%). The mean Ejection fraction at the time of presentation was 25.3±9.8%. There were 2 (9.1%) intrauterine fetal deaths and 1 neonatal death.Conclusions: There is a need for more multi-centric studies in order to understand the underlying pathogenesis and to determine the possible early interventions to help provide better pregnancy outcome.


2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 86-89
Author(s):  
Farzana Deeba ◽  
Parveen Fatima ◽  
Jesmine Banu ◽  
Shakeela Ishrat ◽  
Nurjahan Begum ◽  
...  

Objective(s): Aim of this study was to find out the prevalence of hypothyroidism in infertile women as well as to assess their response to treatment.Materials and methods: This descriptive study was conducted in Infertility unit of Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Bangladesh, a tertiary care centre from January 2014 to December 2014. Four hundred women who visited infertility clinic of the department for fertility treatment were the target population for this study. Routine investigations such as CBC, Blood sugar 2 hours postparandial or GTT, TSH and Prolactin was done. Subclinical hypothyroidism was diagnosed when there was increased TSH and normal FT4. Hypothyroid patients were given Levothyroxin depending upon TSH levels and continued until end of the study. Patients were followed up for six months even if pregnancy was attained.Results: Out of 400 women 55% were primary and 45% were secondary subfertility. Mean duration of infertility was 4.5 ± 1.2 years. Ninety two (23%) patients were hypothyroid. Among them 66 (16.5%) were subclinical hypothyroid and 26 (6.5%) were frank hypothyroid. The mean TSH levels were 7.34 ± 2.13 ìIU/ml, and the mean PRL levels were 52.46 ± 11.17 ng/ml. Out of 92 infertile women diagnosed as hypothyroidism 75 (81.52%) women conceived after treatment with drugs for hypothyroidism (dose depending upon severity of hypothyroidism, i.e. TSH levels). More than 90% women had regular ovulation for consecutive three cycles after initiation of treatment.Conclusion: The normal TSH levels are the pre-requisite for fertilization. The decision to initiate thyroid replacement therapy in both clinical and subclinical hypothyroidism at early stage is justified in infertile women.Bangladesh J Obstet Gynaecol, 2016; Vol. 31(2) : 86-89


2018 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 159-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madhabi Baidya ◽  
Mahfuza Shirin ◽  
Liton Chandra Saha

Background: Adequate neonatal transport is a key component of care of the sick newborns who require referral to tertiary care center. Poor transportation is one of the iatrogenic factors associated with greater neonatal mortality. Neonatal transport is the greatest challenge faced today in our country. The purpose of this study was to find out characteristics of transport of referred neonates and to idention the factors that contribute to mortality.Methodology: This cross sectional study was conducted in Dhaka Shishu (Children) Hospital from June 2013 to November 2013. Both term and preterm neonates who were referred within first seven days of life were included and those with gross congenital abnormalities and left against medical advice were excluded from the study. After enrollment, data were collected using a structured questionnaire including birth details, interventions before transportation, reasons for referral, and details of transportation. Outcome & duration of hospital stay were also recorded. Neonates who were expired considered as group I and who were survived considered as group II. The study variables were analyzed for their association with immediate outcome by applying chi square test and t test. P value <0.05 was considered significant.Results: This study found that out of 332 neonates 181 were expired with 54.5% mortality rate. One eighty one neonates who were expired, considered as group I and one fifty one neonate were survived, considered as group II. The mortality was significantly high in male neonates [RR 0.80 (0.66-0.97)] and neonates those delivered at home [RR 1.34(1.10-1.64)] (p<0.05). Perinatal asphyxia, pre-term low birth weight, neonatal sepsis were the main causes of referral. It was found that transportation without any referral note [RR 1.40 (1.14- 1.71)], no advice regarding maintenance of airway[RR 1.50(1.17- 1.92)]and keeping warm [RR 1.51(1.17-1.950], resuscitation on admission [RR 1.63(1.23-2.17)] and transportation required > 3hours [RR 1.36(1.09-1.69)] were associated with significantly higher mortality among referred transported neonates(p<0.05).Conclusions: This study found that male neonates, home delivery, transportation without any referral note, no advice regarding maintenance of airway and keeping warm, resuscitation needed on admission and prolonged transportation time were significantly associated with mortality of referred transported neonates.Bangladesh J Child Health 2017; VOL 41 (3) :159-164


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 74
Author(s):  
Prashant Nagpal ◽  
Sarv Priya ◽  
Ali Eskandari ◽  
Aidan Mullan ◽  
Tanya Aggarwal ◽  
...  

Objectives: Computed tomography pulmonary angiogram (CTPA) is one of the most commonly ordered and frequently overused tests. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the mean radiation dose to patients getting CTPA and to identify factors that are associated with higher dose. Material and Methods: This institutionally approved retrospective study included all patients who had a CTPA to rule out acute pulmonary embolism between 2016 and 2018 in a tertiary care center. Patient data (age, sex, body mass index [BMI], and patient location), CT scanner type, image reconstruction methodology, and radiation dose parameters (dose-length product [DLP]) were recorded. Effective dose estimates were obtained by multiplying DLP by conversion coefficient (0.014 mSv•mGy−1•cm−1). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the factors affecting the radiation dose. Results: There were 2342 patients (1099 men and 1243 women) with a mean age of 58.1 years (range 0.2–104.4 years) and BMI of 31.3 kg/m2 (range 12–91.5 kg/m2). The mean effective radiation dose was 5.512 mSv (median – 4.27 mSv; range 0.1–43.0 mSv). Patient factors, including BMI >25 kg/m2, male sex, age >18 years, and intensive care unit (ICU) location, were associated with significantly higher dose (P < 0.05). CT scanning using third generation dual-source scanner with model-based iterative reconstruction (IR) had significantly lower dose (mean: 4.90 mSv) versus single-source (64-slice) scanner with filtered back projection (mean: 9.29 mSv, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Patients with high BMI and ICU referrals are associated with high CT radiation dose. They are most likely to benefit by scanning on newer generation scanner using advance model-based IR techniques.


2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Satheesh Solomon T Selvin ◽  
Chris Elsa Samson Jacob ◽  
Thomas Kuriakose

Purpose: Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT) is considered the gold standard for Intraocular Pressure (IOP) measurement. It has the disadvantages of being a contact device, need for a slit-lamp, non-portability and need of a skilled examiner. Many hospitals are using a Non Contact Tonometry (NCT) as a screening device to save clinician time, however the usefulness is not proved in terms of reliability. This study was aimed to determine the usefulness of the Air-puff tonometer (TONOREF NIDEK II, NIDEK CO., LTD., JAPAN) over a GAT in a tertiary care center. Design: Cross-sectional Study Methods: This was a cross-sectional, non interventional observational study conducted on 224 eyes (right eye) from 224 patients. All patients underwent the IOP measurement with both methods and a central corneal thickness (CCT) measured. The data was analyzed using SPSS 20.0 software. Results: The mean age of the patients was 40.3±11.29 years. There was a statistically significant difference (p<0.001) between the mean NCT and GAT readings which persisted even after correction for central corneal thickness. The correlation between NCT and GAT using Pearson’s correlation coefficient was strong irrespective of the corrections for their corneal thickness (r = 0.751 and 0.718 for uncorrected and corrected values respectively). The correlation of the individual clinicians for the readings varied from moderate to strong. The ROC curve showed the best sensitivity and specificity to occur at around 13 to 14 mmHg. Conclusion: NCT seems to overestimate the IOP at low ranges as compared to the GAT and underestimate at higher ranges. The crossover of the values is seen between 12 to 13 mmHg.  The clinician should do an individualized analysis of his/her GAT measurements to the readings of the NCT machine at the clinic to obtain clinician specific nomogram. 


2020 ◽  
pp. 014556131990039
Author(s):  
Yousef Aljathlany ◽  
Abdullah Aljasser ◽  
Abdullah Alhelali ◽  
Manal Bukhari ◽  
Mohammed Almohizea ◽  
...  

Objectives: We aimed to comprehensively investigate different upper airway segments in adults, determine the predictors of the size of each segment, and identify an appropriate endotracheal tube (ETT) size chart. Study Design: Retrospective chart review. Setting: Tertiary care center. Materials and Methods: The data for patients aged >18 years who underwent neck computed tomography were screened. Patients with existing tumors, trauma, or any pathology that can alter the normal airway anatomy and those with intubation, tracheostomy, or nasogastric tubes were excluded. Computed tomography software was used to measure the anteroposterior diameter (APD), transverse diameter (TD), and cross-sectional area (CSA) at the glottic, proximal subglottic, distal subglottic, and tracheal levels. Multiple regression analysis was used to identify the predictors of the airway size. Results: One hundred patients were reviewed. The TD was consistently smaller than or equal to the APD at each level in all but 3 patients. The mean CSA and TD (170 mm2 and 11.3 mm, respectively) of the glottis indicated that the glottis was most often the narrowest level, followed by the proximal subglottis where the mean CSA and TD were 192.1 mm2 and 12.7 mm, respectively. Moreover, the mean APD was the smallest at the level of the trachea (20.1 mm). Multiple regression analysis confirmed that height and sex were the predominant predictors of measurements for the 4 airway segments. In addition, age was associated with the TD and CSA of the distal subglottic and tracheal segments, respectively. Conclusion: One-third of our participants exhibited a proximal subglottic diameter that was equal to or smaller than the glottic diameter. Our findings also suggested that the height and sex of the patients are important variables for the selection of an appropriate ETT size.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 35-40
Author(s):  
Jagat Narayan Rajbanshi ◽  
Pankaj Raj Nepal

 Background: Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is an irreversible phenomenon inside the brain parenchyma resulting in mild to severe neurological deficit. Based on etiology it is broadly divided into primary and secondary. Primary ICH is usually due to the rupture of Charcot-Bouchard aneurysm and chronic hypertension. Charcot – Bouchard aneurysms are supposed to get formed due to lipohyalinosis. With the aim to evaluate the outcome of primary ICH admitted to our institute this study is performed. Materials and methods: This is a prospective analytical study, where all the consecutive patients of the primary ICH were collected. Quantitative variables like age, the volume of hematoma, midline shift, GCS, and systolic blood pressure (SBP) were presented as mean and standard deviation (S.D). Whereas, qualitative variables like gender, site, and side of hematoma, type of treatment, best motor response were presented in frequency and percentage. The outcome of the patient was measured using the Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) and the association between qualitative/quantitative variables and GOS was done using the chi-square test or Fischer exact test whenever applicable in SPSS20. Results: There were a total of 31 patients with a mean age of 59.81(S. D 15.8) year and male predominance (74%). The mean volume of hematoma was 40 ml. Similarly, midline shift ranged from zero to 14 mm. The majority of primary ICH were located in basal ganglia (35%) and on the right side (52%). The mean GCS at presentation was 12.1 (S.D 2.166). Mean Systolic blood pressure was 163.77 mmHg (S.D 34.6 mmHg) with maximum SBP up to 240mmHg. There was a 14% mortality in this study group with favorable outcome (GOS 4 and 5) in 82%. GOS was significantly associated with the volume of hematoma and midline shift. Conclusion: The outcome of primary ICH is strongly associated with the volume of hematoma and midline shift. They were generally associated with hypertension with a mean systolic blood pressure of >160 mm Hg.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S196-S196
Author(s):  
Jatin Ahuja ◽  
Manish Soneja ◽  
Naveet Wig ◽  
Immaculata Xess ◽  
Ashutosh Biswas ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Diagnostic importance of asymptomatic cryptococcal antigenemia is being increasingly recognized in the last few years. Recently, WHO (World Health Organization) has recommended routine screening of CrAg (cryptococcal antigen) among PLHA with CD4 ≤100/mm3, albeit this procedure is not yet adopted by many developing countries including India. Methods We conducted a prospective observational study in a large tertiary care center of North India, upon ethical clearance. Latex agglutination test was performed to assess serum CrAg levels, followed by the lumbar puncture for detection of CrAg levels in the CSF. We analyzed the prevalence and treatment outcomes of cryptococcal antigenemia among PLHA with CD4 ≤ 100 cells/mm3. Detailed clinical examination was conducted, with follow-up of upto 3 months. Multivariate analysis was performed for the estimation of risk factors. Results The mean age (years) and BMI (kg/m2) of all the participants were 41.4 ± 11.2 and 22.1 ± 2.6, respectively. Notably, the mean CD4 count (cu.mm) at the time of recruitment was 62.3 ± 20.5. Noteworthy, 62 (60.8%) of the patients were ART naïve. We found 9.8% (n = 10) of the patients were positive for serum CrAg, and only 2.9% (n = 3) had clinical features of meningitis and 6.8% (n = 7) were asymptomatic (subclinical) CrAg positive. Strikingly, 3.9% (n = 4) of the asymptomatic cryptococcal antigenemia patients were also positive for CrAg in CSF, with 1.9% (n = 2) were only serum CrAg positive, and 1 patient was lost to follow-up (Graph 1). Multivariate analysis revealed that patients with long duration of HIV (P = 0.04), headache symptoms (P = 0.004) and possessing features of meningismus (P value=0.08) are more likely to be CrAg positive. Conversely, patients on fluconazole were protective against cryptococcal antigenemia (P = 0.1) as shown in Table 1. Overall mortality observed was 11.3% among advanced HIV patients. Moreover, mortality in CrAg-positive patients was 33.3% in comparison to CrAg-negative patients who had 9% (P = 0.06) in 3-months follow-up. Conclusion Cryptococcal antigenemia is common (9.8%) among patients with CD4 count ≤100/mm3 in India. Screening for CrAg should be made routine for PLHA with CD4 count ≤100/mm3 and if required preemptive treatment to be given in this regard. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.


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