scholarly journals Evaluation of Exposure Index Values for Conventional Radiology Examinations: Retrospective Study in Governmental Hospitals at West Bank, Palestine

2020 ◽  
pp. 724-729
Author(s):  
Muntaser S.Ahmad ◽  
Mohammad Shareef ◽  
Mohammad Wattad ◽  
Nora Alabdullah ◽  
Mouath D. Abushkadim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Retrospective Study ◽  
Working Hours ◽  
Female Group ◽  
Exposure Index ◽  
Digital Radiology ◽  
Radiologic Technologists ◽  
Patient Gender ◽  
Included Patient ◽  
Examination Time ◽  
Government Hospitals

In the digital radiology system, radiologic technologists (RTs) can choose imaging parameters to include kVp and mAs. The RTs received feedback after acquisition of an image in the form of Exposure Index (EI). The aim of the current study was to check if the EI values are within the range values recommended by the manufacturer (MREI) for radiological examinations that include the chest, abdomen, pelvis, spine, and extremities. Data was collected from 3,000 adult X-ray examinations taken from several government hospitals in Palestine. The information included patient gender, kVp, mAs, EI values, and examination time. All examinations included in the study used the grid. While the study excluded all images that contained an implant or prosthesis. Descriptive statistical analysis was used to analyze the data, while the Mann–Whitney U test was used to detect statistically significant differences, P < 0.05. Some examinations showed the EI values outside the MREI ranges. The EIs in the chest AP examination were higher in the female group than males while other examinations have no difference between males and females. The EIs out of working hours were higher than in working hours, especially in the chest (P <0.0001), abdominal (P <0.0001), pelvic (P =0.02), and spine (P =0.0005) exams. In the summary, it has been proven that some of the examinations are outside the MREIs, with differences between the patient gender and the time of the examination. The retrospective study for the exposure index is very important in reducing the risk of radiation to patients.

scholarly journals Seroepidemiology of Hepatitis B and C Virus Infections: A Five-Year Retrospective Study Among Blood Donors in Saboba District in the Northern Region of Ghana

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abel Makija Nlankpe ◽  
Patrick Kwesi Owiafi ◽  
David Adedia ◽  
Jacob Nabei Nignan ◽  
Precious Kwablah Kwadzokpui
Keyword(s):  
Retrospective Study ◽  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Blood Donors ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Public Health Education ◽  
Northern Region ◽  
Female Group ◽  
Seroprevalence Rate ◽  
Virus Infections ◽  
Hcv Coinfection

Abstract Background and Objectives: Chronic hepatitis B and C infections are capable of progressing to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Globally, it has been estimated that over 2 billion and 170 million people are living with hepatitis B and C infections, respectively. Ghana remains one of the highly endemic countries challenged by continues spread of these viral agents in Africa. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence and trend of Hepatitis B and C coinfections among blood donors in Saboba District of the Northern Region of Ghana. Methods: A five-year hospital based retrospective study was carried out among 8,605 blood donors comprising 8517 males and 88 females using data on blood donors from Saboba Assemblies of God Hospital located in the Saboba District in the Northern Region of Ghana from 2013 to 2017. Blood bank records on HBV and HCV potential blood donors who visited the hospital to donate blood was retrieved. Donor demographic details, i.e. age and gender were also recovered. Donors who were registered to the hospital but were not residents of the Northern Region were excluded from the study. Donors with incomplete records were also excluded from the study. The data was managed using Microsoft Excel spreadsheet 2016 and analysed using GraphPad Prism statistical software. Results: The overall prevalence of asymptomatic viral hepatitis B and C infection in the general adult population was 9.59% and 12.71%, respectively, with an HBV/HCV coinfection rate of 2.23%. The number of donors generally declined with advancement in years from 2038 (23.68%) since 2013 to as low as 1169 (13.59%) in 2016, except for 2017 where a sharp increase of 1926 (22.38%) was observed. The first and second highest proportions of donors fell within the age categories of 20-29 [51.53% (4434)] and 30-39 [32.90% (2831)]. Seroprevalence rate of HBV, HCV and HBV/HCV coinfection rates were generally higher among the female group than observed among the male category. The year-to-year variation in HBV, HCV and HBV/HCV infection was statistically significant. The highest year-to-year HBV seropositivity rate was 11.48% in the year 2013, while that for HCV and HBV/HCV coinfection was 16.24% and 5.85% respectively both documented in the year 2014. HBV and HBV/HCV coinfection rate was highest among donors aged <20 years old, while HCV seroprevalence was highest among donors aged 50-59 years old. Conclusion: Seroprevalence of HBV and HCV among donors in the Saboba District of the Northern Region of Ghana is endemic. The HBV/HCV coinfections rate also raises serious concern owing to its high prevalence rate among the younger age. Intensive public health education coupled with mobile screening and mass vaccination of seronegative individuals is advised so as to help curb further spread of the infection and in effect help safeguard the health status of potential donors in the district.

scholarly journals Computed Tomography in Polytraumatized Patients: A Retrospective Study of 63 Cases (2014-2017)

2021 ◽  
Vol 41 (01) ◽  
pp. 07-12
Author(s):  
F Serra
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Retrospective Study ◽  
Abdominal Trauma ◽  
Vertebral Column ◽  
Thoracic Trauma ◽  
Diagnosis And Treatment ◽  
Cranial Bone ◽  
Appendicular Skeleton ◽  
Patient Gender ◽  
Bone Structures

This study aimed to identify the regions and lesions most frequently reported in polytraumatized dogs and cats undergoing computed tomography. Research was carried out in the database of three Veterinary Referral Centers, to identify traumatized dogs and cats undergoing computed tomography from 2014 to 2017. Following were collected for each patient: gender, weight, type of study carried out and injuries reported. Lesions were classified according to the region involved: head, spine, chest, abdomen, pelvis, and appendicular skeleton. Thirty-seven studies involving cats and 26 involving dogs were included. Cats mainly presented lesions that involved both the skull and the chest simultaneously. Dogs presented lesions that affected the chest, abdomen and vertebral column simultaneously. In cats, the skull was more affected than in dogs (P<0.001). Of the cranial bone structures, more lesions were reported of the mandible and maxilla in cats (43%), and dogs were more affected by thoracic trauma (P<0.0011), by lesions of the vertebral column (P<0.008) and abdominal trauma (P<0.012). The thoracic findings included pulmonary contusions (dogs 54%, cats 24%) and pneumothorax (dogs 38%, cats 11%). Computed tomography in polytraumatized dogs and cats allowed a proper evaluation of the lesions and reduced the time between diagnosis and treatment

scholarly journals Influence of morning versus midnight initiation of induction of labour in late-term pregnancy on perinatal outcome and time of birth

2019 ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Katja Vince ◽  
Danijel Bursać ◽  
Ratko Matijević
Keyword(s):  
Retrospective Study ◽  
Epidural Analgesia ◽  
Prostaglandin E2 ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Perinatal Outcome ◽  
Working Hours ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Term Pregnancy ◽  
Out Of Hours ◽  
Nulliparous Women

<p><strong>Objective. </strong>The aim of this study was to assess and compare morning vs. midnight initiation of induction of labor (IOL) on time of birth and perinatal outcome.</p><p><strong>Study Design. </strong>A retrospective study performed at University Hospital Merkur, Zagreb, Croatia; in period between 2006 to 2017. The participants were low-risk nulliparous women with gestational age over 41 weeks who had labor induced by a prostaglandin E2 analogue dinoprostone applied intracervically. Two groups were compared; the first one had IOL initiated in the morning and the second one at midnight.</p><p><strong>Results. </strong>A total of 206 pregnant women were included in the study. Women with IOL starting at midnight (n=103) gave birth more often during daytime (7am-6.59pm) compared to women with IOL starting in the morning (n=103) (p&lt;0.01). The midnight group also gave birth more often during regular hospital working hours (7.30am-3.30pm), but this result was not statistically significant (p=0.091). The rate of epidural analgesia was higher among women in the midnight group, while no other differences were observed in predefined perinatal outcome between the two groups.</p><strong>Conclusions. </strong>Initiation of IOL at midnight compared to morning results in giving birth more often during daytime. This presents a favourable option for reducing out of hours and night work.

scholarly journals Patient-doctor ratio across nine super speciality clinics in government hospital: a cross sectional study

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (10) ◽  
pp. 4421 ◽  
Author(s):  
Avinash Pandey ◽  
Anjana Singh ◽  
Shivkant Singh ◽  
Amit Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Gastrointestinal Surgery ◽  
Working Hours ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Senior Resident ◽  
Paediatric Surgery ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Government Hospitals ◽  
Working Day

Background: There is lack of information regarding patient-doctor ratio in government hospitals in India. The aim of the present study was to measure patient-doctor ratio across nine super specialty clinics. The objectives were to measure Outpatient department (OPD) patient-faculty and patient-senior resident doctor ratio, to measure number of patients seen per unit time and time spent per patient in OPDs across nine super specialty clinics.Methods: Total number of OPD patient visits in year 2018 was retrieved for cardiology, gastroenterology, gastrointestinal surgery, neurology, neurosurgery, nephrology, urology, paediatric surgery and oncology. Number of faculties and senior residents working in above specialties were obtained. Ratio of OPD patients to faculties and senior residents across nine above clinics were derived and compared. The average time spend per patient in OPDs across nine above clinics was calculated by number of working days in year 2018 and number of working hours or day in OPD clinics, excluding public holidays.Results: Total 3,59,099 OPD patient visits were registered in year 2018 across nine super specialty clinics. Patient to faculty ratio was highest for gastroenterology followed by neurology and cardiology, while least for neurosurgery and paediatric surgery in descending order. Gastroenterology, neurology and oncology OPDs saw more than 200 patients per working day; with average time spend per patient consultation was two minutes. Compared to super specialty physicians who spend average of 2.2 minutes per patient consult, surgical disciplines used an average of ten minutes per patient for consultation.Conclusions:Super specialty clinics in government hospitals are over worked and under staffed with heavy patient load. Multiple parallel clinics in concerned specialty will provide more time and quality of services per patient. 

Peripheral intravenous catheters in hospitalized patients: Practice, Dwell times, and factors impacting the dwell times: A single center retrospective study

2021 ◽  
pp. 112972982110008
Author(s):  
Sandeep Tripathi ◽  
Taylor Gladfelter
Keyword(s):  
Retrospective Study ◽  
Failure Rate ◽  
Dwell Time ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Body Part ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Single Center ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Patient Demographics ◽  
Included Patient

Background: Despite being the most common hospital procedure, limited information is available on the peripheral intravenous (PIV) catheter insertion practices. This study was designed to evaluate the contemporary PIV insertion practice (all age groups), and to identify the patient and device-related factors influencing the dwell times (<18 years). Methods: Single Center Retrospective study. Patients of all age groups admitted to the hospital for >4 midnights, from 01/2015 to 12/2019. Data extracted by automated EMR audits. Variables included patient demographics, number of PIVs inserted, PIV size, location, dwell time, and length of stay. Standard comparative analysis, including multivariable linear regression for dwell time performed for patients <18 years. Results: A total of 44,198 (39,341 (89%) adults and 4857 (11%) children) PIVs on unique patients met study criteria, with mean duration of 2.8 ± 2.4 days in children and 2.6 ± 1.3 days in adults ( p < 0.001). Pediatric PIV had more dwell time variation, with a higher proportion lasting <1-day and also >2 SD of the age-specific mean, compared to adults. Adults had significantly higher number of PIVs placed/week compared to children. The failure rate for PIV was 56% in children and 76% in adults ( p < 0.001). 1 out of 5 adults required >5 PIV/admission. Forty-five percent of children requiring only one PIV versus 21.8% of seniors. Discharge department, body part, and PIV size were independently associated with the dwell duration in children. No PIV size, however, had an independent increase in dwell duration over the reference of the 24 Ga cannula in children. PIVs placed in ante cubital vein and upper arm had dwell duration 26% and 20% longer than PIVs placed in the hand. Conclusions: The failure rate of PIV is high, and patients are subjected to multiple insertions during hospitalization. Hospital unit, body part, and PIV size are associated with the dwell duration in children.

scholarly journals Feasibility of Nighttime Radiotherapy for Physically Independent Patients

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Yukihiro Hama ◽  
Yukihiro Hama
Keyword(s):  
Radiation Therapy ◽  
Retrospective Study ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Helical Tomotherapy ◽  
Working Hours ◽  
Night Time ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Hospital Visits ◽  
Grade 3 ◽  
Severe Grade

Objective: Daily hospital visits for radiation therapy during working hours, five days a week, are sometimes burdensome to cancer patients who are working or studying. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of night-time radiation therapy for physically independent patients. Methods: This retrospective study consisted of 100 consecutive patients with various types of malignancies treated by helical tomotherapy at night (6:00 PM or later). The safety and feasibility of nighttime radiation therapy were evaluated. Results: Among the 100 patients, 20 (20%) developed mild (Grade 1) or moderate (Grade 2) radiationinduced side effects during the treatment. No patient developed severe (Grade 3) or life-threatening (Grade 4) adverse events during, immediately after, or three months after radiation therapy. There were no physical or mental disadvantages caused by night-time radiation therapy. Conclusion: Night-time radiation therapy is feasible and acceptable for physically independent patients.

scholarly journals Gender Difference in Perceived Symptoms and Laboratory Investigations in Suspected and Confirmed COVID-19 Cases: A Retrospective Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 215013272110397
Author(s):  
Marwa Mostafa Ahmed ◽  
Amal M. Sayed ◽  
Dina El Abd ◽  
Samar Fares ◽  
Marwa Sayed Mohamed Said ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Retrospective Study ◽  
Gender Difference ◽  
Serum Ferritin ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
P Value ◽  
Nasopharyngeal Swab ◽  
Specific Effects ◽  
Laboratory Markers ◽  
Included Patient ◽  
Laboratory Investigations

Background: Evaluating gender-specific effects of COVID-19 is important to develop effective therapeutic strategies. The aim of this study was to explore gender difference in perceived symptoms and laboratory investigations in suspected and confirmed cases. Methods: This is a retrospective study that included data from suspected COVID-19 patients during the first wave of the pandemic. Participants using the phone triaging system at Kasralainy outpatient clinics were included. The analyzed data included patient history and results of nasopharyngeal swab and laboratory data. Results: Out of 440 COVID-19 suspected cases, 56.36% were females. The perceived COVID-19 symptoms showed no significant gender difference in suspected cases while in confirmed cases females were 4 times more likely to complain of cough [OR (95% CI) 3.92 (1.316–11.68), P-value .014] and 5 times more likely to experience loss of smell or taste [OR (95% CI) 4.84 (1.62–14.43), P-value .005]. Laboratory markers revealed high levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, blood urea, serum creatinine, creatine kinase, and serum ferritin in males and this was statistically significant ( P-value <.001) in suspected and confirmed cases. Females confirmed with COVID-19 were 80%, 97%, and 97% less likely to have high levels of ALT, creatin kinase, and serum ferritin [OR (95% CI) 0.20 (0.07–0.54), 0.07 (0.01–0.38), and 0.07 (0.01–0.90), P-value .002, .002, and .041, respectively]. Conclusion: Gender differences were found in laboratory markers in COVID-19 suspected and confirmed cases and in perceived symptoms in confirmed cases.

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