Innovative Solution to Sharp Waste Management in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Karachi, Pakistan

2013 ◽  
Vol 34 (12) ◽  
pp. 1297-1305 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seher Qaiser ◽  
Ambreen Arif ◽  
Saeed Quaid ◽  
Tasnim Ahsan ◽  
Kashif Riaz ◽  
...  

Background.Prevalence of hepatitis B and C in Pakistan is 2.5% and 4.5%, respectively. Major cause of these infections is reuse of syringes.Objective.To determine a cost-effective, innovative solution to prevent syringe reuse and break the transmission cycle of blood-borne infections.Study Design, Settings, and Duration.Analytical study in a tertiary care hospital, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, Pakistan, July 2011 to June 2012.Methods.Healthcare workers from 30 wards included in the study were trained on injection safety, use of needle remover and needle pit, and management of needlestick injuries. Each ward was provided with 2 needle-removing devices, and a pit was constructed for disposal of needles. Usage of the device in wards and pit use were monitored regularly.Results.In 28 (93.3%) wards, sharp containers were accessible by public and were slack. Syringes were recapped using both hands in 27 (90%) cases; needlestick injury was reported by 30% of paramedics, while 25 (83.3%) of the interviewed staff had not received any formal training in injection safety. Vigilant monitoring and information sharing led to healthcare workers in 28 (96.5%) wards using the device. Needle containers were emptied in 27 (93.1%) wards, and needle pits were used in 26 (96.3%) wards. Needlestick injury was nil in follow-up.Conclusions.Needle removers permanently disable syringes. The needle pit served as a cost-effective, innovative method for disposal of needles. The intervention resulted in reducing the risk of needlestick injury.

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (82) ◽  
pp. 4846-4850 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chintha Sujatha ◽  
Jacquilene Vadasseril ◽  
Govind Jayaprakash ◽  
John K. Joy

Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 104 (11) ◽  
pp. 5294-5294
Author(s):  
Dharma R. Choudhary ◽  
Rajat Kumar ◽  
R. Saxena ◽  
Manoranjan Mahapatra ◽  
Atul Kotwal ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: There is very little published epidemiological data from developing countries regarding ITP and no large series from India. The aim of the study was to analyze the presenting features, response to different therapeutic options and suggest cost effective therapy. Method: The records of hematology department of All India Institute Of Medical Science were analyzed from January 1992 to June 2004. This is a premium tertiary care hospital in India. Diagnosis of ITP was made according to the standard criteria. Response criteria: complete response was defined as a platelet count increase to 100x109 /l or more, for at least 2 months: partial response was defined as doubling of platelet counts from initial levels and > 50x 109/l for at least 2 months; no response included none of the above. Statistical methods: Database was created in MS Access and SPSS ver 11 was used for statistical analysis. Descriptive statistics were calculated and appropriate tests of significance like Chi Square, repeated measure linear model were carried out. Results: During the study period, 1230 patients of ITP were seen in hematology department, with a median age of 19.6 years (range 0.9–80). Females were 51.1% and males 48.9%. Median follow-up was of 9 months (range 0–178). Presenting features were: skin bleed − 91.1%; mucosal bleed − 57.5%; hematuria − 7.2%; gastrointestinal bleed − 12.5% and intracraniall bleed − 2.8%. Per-vaginal bleeding − 31.2 % of females. History of preceding viral fever was seen in 13.1% and palpable spleen in 2.5%. The mean platelet counts at presentation were 34+ 18.3x109/l. There were 595 (48.4%) patients of acute ITP and 635 (51.6%) patients of chronic ITP. Childhood ITP (age ≤ 12 yr) was seen in 46.5% and adult ITP in 53.5%. Response to therapy: Prednisolone was given to 99.6% patients with response of 57.3 %; Intravenous gamma globulin was given to 8.9% with response in 63.6%. Splenectomy was performed in 5% of acute ITP and 15.1% of chronic ITP (p = 0.00). The overall number of splenectomies was 126, with a response rate of 83.3%. Of these 126, acute ITP constituted 23.8% while chronic ITP formed 76.2% of cases. There was no statistically significant difference in response rate in these two groups (p =0.575). Danazole was given to 66 patients with response in 44%. Various other modalities of treatment were given to 24 patients (Anti D-14; Dapsone-2; Cyclosporin-2; Azathioprine-5; and Vincristine with Cyclophosphamide -1 patient), with a response in 25% of patients. The overall response rate with all treatment modalities was 68%: in childhood ITP − 65% and in adult ITP − 70.5%. Childhood ITP did not respond as expected, possibly due to referral bias of more refractory cases being referred to the center. The values of platelets showed a continuous increase during follow up and this increase was statistically significant (P=0.000 for all, Repeated measure model). Conclusion: Pattern of ITP in India is similar to that seen in other centers. In this study Prednisolone was given as first line agent to almost all patients with response in 57.3%; Splenectomy were done in 10.2% of prednisolone refractory or dependent patients with a response in 83.3%. These should form the primary modalities of therapy in developing countries. Significant numbers of patients were refractory to above-mentioned modalities and thus there is a requirement for other cost-effective therapies.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debajyoti Bhattacharyya ◽  
Neeraj Raizada ◽  
Bharathnag Nagappa ◽  
Arvind Tomar ◽  
Prateek Maurya ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND There are apprehensions among healthcare worker (HCWs) about COVID-19. The HCWs have been given hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) chemo-prophylaxis for seven weeks as per Government of India guidelines. OBJECTIVE To assess the apprehensions among HCWs about COVID-19 and to document accessibility, adherence and side effects related to HCQ prophylaxis in HCWs. METHODS A longitudinal follow up study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital. HCQ was given in the dose of 400 mg twice on day one, and then 400 mg weekly for seven weeks. 391 HCWs were interviewed using semi structured questionnaire. RESULTS 62.2% HCWs expressed perceived danger posted by COVID-19 infection. Doctors (54%) showed least acceptance and paramedics (88%) showed highest acceptance to chemo-prophylaxis. 17.5% participants developed at least one of the side effects to HCQ. Females and nursing profession were significantly associated with adverse effects. Common side effects were gastro-intestinal symptoms, headache and abnormal mood change. Most of these were mild, not requiring any intervention. Gender, professions and perceived threat of COVID-19 were significantly associated with acceptance and adherence to HCQ prophylaxis. CONCLUSIONS Two third of HCWs had perceived danger due to COVID-19. Three fourth of the HCWs accepted chemo-prophylaxis and four out of five who accepted had complete adherence to prophylaxis schedule. One out of five had developed at least one of side effects; however, most of these were mild not requiring any intervention.


2010 ◽  
Vol 74 (3) ◽  
pp. 300-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Kiertiburanakul ◽  
S. Apivanich ◽  
T. Muntajit ◽  
S. Sukkra ◽  
S. Sirinavin ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sadia Masood ◽  
Zanaib Samad ◽  
Sarah Nadeem ◽  
Unzela Ghulam

BACKGROUND Telemedicine is utilized to deliver health care services remotely. Recently, it is well established due to pandemics because it can help the patients get required supportive care while minimizing their hospital exposure. In the future, it will continue to be used as a convenient, cost-effective patient care modality. OBJECTIVE The objectives were to identify physicians' challenges during teleconsultations and recognize the opportunities and strengths of this modality during the pandemic in a lower-income country. METHODS This cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital. The self-made questionnaire was filled through an online medium and responses were recorded on a five-point Likert scale. RESULTS A total of 83 participants were enrolled in this study. Most of them were Associate professors (29.8%), Assistant professors (26.2%), the ratio of the females was (52.4%) greater than males (,47.6%). 46 (54.8%) have laid between the age group 30-40 years. Pediatricians and senior instructors faced more difficulty in using telemedicine. The ones having clinical experience of fewer than 15 years or categorized in the age of 50-60 years faced challenges while using this modality. CONCLUSIONS During the current pandemic, situation telemedicine is the only glimmer of light to provide better quality health care. Telemedicine is an innovative strategy and it is important to understand the perception of physicians about it. Incomplete and inadequate infrastructure and attitude of the physicians is the main obstacle toward successful implementation of telemedicine. Successful installation and deployment of this technology require a complete grasp of the process among physicians.


Author(s):  
Balaji Ommurugan ◽  
Amita Priya ◽  
Swaminathan Tambaram Natesh

ABSTRACTPityriasis Rosea is a self-limiting skin disorder of unknown etiology affecting women more than men. It is very rare in pregnancy and evidence shows conflicting reports on pregnancy outcomes related to Pityriasis Rosea. But however recent evidence says, pregnancy outcomes are not altered, although clinicians must monitor the patient throughout the gestation for adverse outcomes. Hence, we report a case of Pityriasis Rosea infection in a primigravida, in the first trimester and the follow up done in a tertiary care hospital in Southern India.KEYWORDSRASH, FIRST TRIMESTER, ANOMALY SCAN, HUMAN HERPES VIRUS


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