scholarly journals The impact of changing the diagnostic algorithm for TB in Manicaland, Zimbabwe

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 196-201
Author(s):  
K. Zvinoera ◽  
I. D. Olaru ◽  
P. Khan ◽  
J. Mutsvangwa ◽  
C. M. Denkinger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis ◽  
Retrospective Study ◽  
Diagnostic Algorithm ◽  
Staff Time ◽  
Tb Diagnostics ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Soft And Hardware ◽  
Over Time ◽  
Roll Out

SETTING: Governmental health facilities performing TB diagnostics in Manicaland, Zimbabwe.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of making Xpert® MTB/RIF the primary TB diagnostic for all patients presenting with presumptive TB on 1) the number of samples investigated for TB, 2) the proportion testing TB-positive, and 3) the proportion of unsuccessful results over time.DESIGN: This retrospective study used data from GeneX-pert downloads, laboratory registers and quality assurance reports between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2018.RESULTS: The total number of Xpert tests performed in Manicaland increased from 3,967 in the first quarter of 2017 to 7,011 in the last quarter of 2018. Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA was detected in 4.9–8.6% of the samples investigated using Xpert, with a higher yield in 2017 than in 2018. The overall proportion of unsuccessful Xpert assays due to “no results”, errors and invalid results was 6.3%, and highly variable across sites.CONCLUSION: Roll out of more sensitive TB diagnostics does not necessarily result in an increase of microbiologically confirmed TB diagnosis. While the number of samples tested using Xpert increased, the proportion of TB-positive tests decreased. GeneXpert soft- and hardware infrastructure needs to be strengthened to reduce the rate of unsuccessful assays and therefore, costs and staff time.

Unsolicited Patient Complaints among Otolaryngologists

2019 ◽  
Vol 160 (5) ◽  
pp. 810-817 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashley M. Nassiri ◽  
James W. Pichert ◽  
Henry J. Domenico ◽  
Mitchell B. Galloway ◽  
William O. Cooper ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Retrospective Study ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Medical Practices ◽  
Patient Complaints ◽  
Male Sex ◽  
Comparative Feedback ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Over Time

Objectives To analyze unsolicited patient complaints (UPCs) among otolaryngologists, identify risk factors for UPCs, and determine the impact of physician feedback on subsequent UPCs. Methods This retrospective study reviewed UPCs associated with US otolaryngologists from 140 medical practices from 2014 to 2017. A subset of otolaryngologists with high UPCs received peer-comparative feedback and was monitored for changes. Results The study included 29,778 physicians, of whom 548 were otolaryngologists. UPCs described concerns with treatment (45%), communication (19%), accessibility (18%), concern for patients and families (10%), and billing (8%). Twenty-nine (5.3%) otolaryngologists were associated with 848 of 3659 (23.2%) total UPCs. Male sex and graduation from a US medical school were statistically significantly associated with an increased number of UPCs ( P = .0070 and P = .0036, respectively). Twenty-nine otolaryngologists with UPCs at or above the 95th percentile received peer-comparative feedback. The intervention led to an overall decrease in the number of UPCs following intervention ( P = .049). Twenty otolaryngologists (69%) categorized as “responders” reduced the number of complaints an average of 45% in the first 2 years following intervention. Discussion Physician demographic data can be used to identify otolaryngologists with a greater number of UPCs. Most commonly, UPCs expressed concern regarding treatment. Peer-delivered, comparative feedback can be effective in reducing UPCs in high-risk otolaryngologists. Implications for Practice Systematic monitoring and respectful sharing of peer-comparative patient complaint data offers an intervention associated with UPCs and concomitant malpractice risk reduction. Collegial feedback over time increases the response rate, but a small proportion of physicians will require directive interventions.

scholarly journals Mycobacterium tuberculosis Subculture Results in Loss of Potentially Clinically Relevant Heteroresistance

2017 ◽  
Vol 61 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
John Z. Metcalfe ◽  
Elizabeth Streicher ◽  
Grant Theron ◽  
Rebecca E. Colman ◽  
Renee Penaloza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Multiple Drug ◽  
Drug Resistant ◽  
Genotypic Resistance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Multiple Drug Resistant ◽  
Dynamic Loss ◽  
Tb Diagnostics ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACT Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) presents a major public health dilemma. Heteroresistance, the coexistence of drug-resistant and drug-susceptible strains or of multiple drug-resistant strains with discrete haplotypes, may affect accurate diagnosis and the institution of effective treatment. Subculture, or passage of cells onto fresh growth medium, is utilized to preserve Mycobacterium tuberculosis cell lines and is universally employed in TB diagnostics. The impact of such passages, typically performed in the absence of drug, on drug-resistant subpopulations is hypothesized to vary according to the competitive costs of genotypic resistance-associated variants. We applied ultradeep next-generation sequencing to 61 phenotypically rifampin-monoresistant (n = 17) and preextensively (n = 41) and extensively (n = 3) drug-resistant isolates with presumptive heteroresistance at two time points in serial subculture. We found significant dynamic loss of minor-variant resistant subpopulations across all analyzed resistance-determining regions, including eight isolates (13%) whose antibiogram data would have transitioned from resistant to susceptible for at least one drug through subculture. Surprisingly, some resistance-associated variants appeared to be selected for in subculture.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of on-site education for quality assurance of screening ultrasonography for hepatocellular carcinoma

2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 275 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joon-Il Choi ◽  
Seung Eun Jung ◽  
Woo Kyoung Jeong ◽  
Hyun Cheol Kim ◽  
Chandana Lall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Failure Rate ◽  
The Other ◽  
Failure Rates ◽  
Imaging Evaluation ◽  
Clinical Imaging ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Annual Education ◽  
Over Time

Objective: To evaluate the usefulness of on-site education for clinical imaging evaluation using quality assurance (QA) testing of surveillance ultrasonography (US) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Material and methods: Thirty-eight medical institutes underwent on-site education in 2012 for QA testing of clinical imaging evaluation of surveillance US for HCC. Failure rates and mean scores of clinical imaging evaluation for surveillance US of the 2011 survey, the 2012 survey after on-site education and the 2013 survey were compared. Results: Failure rates and mean scores of the 2011 survey, the 2012 survey after education and the 2013 survey were 81.6%, 18.4%, 21.1% and 61.7, 82.7 and 74.6, respectively. Pair-wise analyses demonstrated that the failure rate of the 2011 survey was significantly larger compared to that observed in the other surveys. Mean score of the 2013 survey was worse than that of the 2012 survey after on-site education. Conclusions: On-site education positively impacts the failure rate and scores of clinical imaging evaluation of screening US for HCC. However, the impact may be reduced over time, and repeated, annual education might be necessary to maintain US quality.

Percutaneous Tracheostomy: A Multidisciplinary Approach

2008 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 87-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vinciya Pandian ◽  
Thai Tran Nguyen ◽  
Marek Mirski ◽  
Nasir Islam Bhatti
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Multidisciplinary Approach ◽  
Percutaneous Tracheostomy ◽  
Johns Hopkins Hospital ◽  
Prospective Data ◽  
Comprehensive Service ◽  
Over Time

Abstract The techniques of performing a tracheostomy has transformed over time. Percutaneous tracheostomy is gaining popularity over open tracheostomy given its advantages and as a result the number of bedside tracheostomies has increased necessitating the need for a Percutaneous Tracheostomy Program. The Percutaneous Tracheostomy Program at the Johns Hopkins Hospital is a comprehensive service that provides care to patients before, during, and after a tracheostomy with a multidisciplinary approach aimed at decreasing complications. Education is provided to patients, families, and health-care professionals who are involved in the management of a tracheostomy. Ongoing prospective data collection serves as a tool for Quality Assurance.

The Therapist’s Reaction to a Patient’s Suicide

Crisis ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Friedrich Martin Wurst ◽  
Isabella Kunz ◽  
Gregory Skipper ◽  
Manfred Wolfersdorf ◽  
Karl H. Beine ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Responses ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Emotional Reaction ◽  
Emotional Reactions ◽  
Analog Scale ◽  
General Hospitals ◽  
Item Questionnaire ◽  
Retrospective Nature ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Over Time

Background: A substantial proportion of therapists experience the loss of a patient to suicide at some point during their professional life. Aims: To assess (1) the impact of a patient’s suicide on therapists distress and well-being over time, (2) which factors contribute to the reaction, and (3) which subgroup might need special interventions in the aftermath of suicide. Methods: A 63-item questionnaire was sent to all 185 Psychiatric Clinics at General Hospitals in Germany. The emotional reaction of therapists to patient’s suicide was measured immediately, after 2 weeks, and after 6 months. Results: Three out of ten therapists suffer from severe distress after a patients’ suicide. The item “overall distress” immediately after the suicide predicts emotional reactions and changes in behavior. The emotional responses immediately after the suicide explained 43.5% of the variance of total distress in a regression analysis. Limitations: The retrospective nature of the study is its primary limitation. Conclusions: Our data suggest that identifying the severely distressed subgroup could be done using a visual analog scale for overall distress. As a consequence, more specific and intensified help could be provided to these professionals.

Has Aid Helped in Pakistan?

1997 ◽  
Vol 36 (4II) ◽  
pp. 947-957 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shahrukh Rafi Khan
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Negative Association ◽  
Causal Impact ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Over Time

This paper has a two-fold objective: first, to examine the terms on which Pakistan receives aid and whether its debt situation is sustainable, and second, to examine the impact of aid and debt on economic growth. It is found that there is little encouraging that can be said about how the terms on which Pakistan has received aid over time have changed, and its current debt situation is not sustainable. Also reported is the analysis done elsewhere which shows that aid has a negative (Granger) causal impact on GDP, and aid has a robust negative impact on economic growth after controlling for supplyside shocks. We provide various reasons for this negative association.

Seizures following surgery for supratentorial extratemporal low-grade tumors in children: a multicenter retrospective study

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-33
Author(s):  
Jonathan Roth ◽  
Or Bercovich ◽  
Ashton Roach ◽  
Francesco T. Mangano ◽  
Arvind C. Mohan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Retrospective Study ◽  
Brain Tumors ◽  
Seizure Control ◽  
Seizure Activity ◽  
Refractory Epilepsy ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Refractory Seizures ◽  
Low Rate ◽  
Over Time ◽  
New Onset

OBJECTIVEResection of brain tumors may lead to new-onset seizures but may also reduce seizure rates in patients presenting with seizures. Seizures are seen at presentation in about 24% of patients with brain tumors. For lesional epilepsy in general, early resection is associated with improved seizure control. However, the literature is limited regarding the occurrence of new-onset postoperative seizures, or rates of seizure control in those presenting with seizures, following resections of extratemporal low-grade gliomas (LGGs) in children.METHODSData were collected retrospectively from 4 large tertiary centers for children (< 18 years of age) who underwent resection of a supratentorial extratemporal (STET) LGG. The patients were divided into 4 groups based on preoperative seizure history: no seizures, up to 2 seizures, more than 2 seizures, and uncontrolled or refractory epilepsy. The authors analyzed the postoperative occurrence of seizures and the need for antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) over time for the various subgroups.RESULTSThe study included 98 children. Thirty patients had no preoperative seizures, 18 had up to 2, 16 had more than 2, and 34 had refractory or uncontrolled epilepsy. The risk for future seizures was higher if the patient had seizures within 1 month of surgery. The risk for new-onset seizures among patients with no seizures prior to surgery was low. The rate of seizures decreased over time for children with uncontrolled or refractory seizures. The need for AEDs was higher in the more active preoperative seizure groups; however, it decreased with time.CONCLUSIONSThe resection of STET LGGs in children is associated with a low rate of postoperative new-onset epilepsy. For children with preoperative seizures, even with uncontrolled epilepsy, most have a significant improvement in the seizure activity, and many may be weaned off their AEDs.

The Role of Vascular Aging in Atherosclerotic Plaque Development and Vulnerability

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (29) ◽  
pp. 3098-3111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luca Liberale ◽  
Giovanni G. Camici
Keyword(s):  
Atherosclerotic Plaque ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Driving Forces ◽  
Plaque Burden ◽  
Vascular Aging ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Plaque Development ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Over Time

Background: The ongoing demographical shift is leading to an unprecedented aging of the population. As a consequence, the prevalence of age-related diseases, such as atherosclerosis and its thrombotic complications is set to increase in the near future. Endothelial dysfunction and vascular stiffening characterize arterial aging and set the stage for the development of cardiovascular diseases. Atherosclerotic plaques evolve over time, the extent to which these changes might affect their stability and predispose to sudden complications remains to be determined. Recent advances in imaging technology will allow for longitudinal prospective studies following the progression of plaque burden aimed at better characterizing changes over time associated with plaque stability or rupture. Oxidative stress and inflammation, firmly established driving forces of age-related CV dysfunction, also play an important role in atherosclerotic plaque destabilization and rupture. Several genes involved in lifespan determination are known regulator of redox cellular balance and pre-clinical evidence underlines their pathophysiological roles in age-related cardiovascular dysfunction and atherosclerosis. Objective: The aim of this narrative review is to examine the impact of aging on arterial function and atherosclerotic plaque development. Furthermore, we report how molecular mechanisms of vascular aging might regulate age-related plaque modifications and how this may help to identify novel therapeutic targets to attenuate the increased risk of CV disease in elderly people.

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