scholarly journals Cystic Echinococcosis in a Single Tertiary Care Center in Rome, Italy

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Petrone ◽  
Gilda Cuzzi ◽  
Lidia Colace ◽  
Giuseppe Maria Ettorre ◽  
Elisa Busi-Rizzi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cystic Echinococcosis ◽  
Retrospective Cohort ◽  
Southern Italy ◽  
Care Center ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Central Regions ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Improve Patient Management ◽  
Improve Patient

Background. Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a chronic, clinically complex, and neglected disease. Its prevalence in Italy, a country of medium to high endemicity, remains poorly defined, as notification has long ceased to be mandatory.Methods. We set up a retrospective cohort study involving all CE patients followed at our institute between January 2005 and December 2012. Demographical and clinical features were recorded and analyzed.Results. CE was found in 28 patients (64.3%), mostly Italians from the central regions (50%), followed by subjects from the islands (33.3%) and Southern Italy (16.7%). Their median age was 45 years (IQR: 38.5–66.5), with Eastern Europeans being significantly younger (28 years, IQR: 19–39) than other patients (P≤0.0001). A total of 149 cysts, mostly with hepatic localization (96%), were described. Based on the WHO classification, the cysts were mainly small (80.5%) and active (CE1 (73.8%); CE2 (7.4%)). Active cysts were more common in Eastern Europeans (85.7%) than Italians (66.7%).Conclusion. Our data confirm CE occurrence in Italy. We emphasize the importance to have a national CE registry, opportunely recently introduced. This is essential to assess CE prevalence in this country, implement appropriate control measures, and improve patient management.

scholarly journals Birth tears after spontaneous and vacuum-assisted births with different vacuum cup systems – a retrospective cohort study

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (6) ◽  
pp. 575-581
Author(s):  
Martina Kreft ◽  
Roland Zimmermann ◽  
Nina Kimmich
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Retrospective Cohort Study ◽  
Retrospective Cohort ◽  
Care Center ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Mode Of Delivery ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Singleton Pregnancy ◽  
Perineal Tear ◽  
Vertex Presentation

AbstractObjectivesBirth tears are a common complication of vaginal childbirth. We aimed to evaluate the outcomes of birth tears first by comparing the mode of vaginal birth (VB) and then comparing different vacuum cups in instrumental VBs in order to better advise childbearing women and obstetrical professionals.MethodsIn a retrospective cohort study, we analyzed nulliparous and multiparous women with a singleton pregnancy in vertex presentation at ≥37 + 0 gestational weeks who gave birth vaginally at our tertiary care center between 06/2012 and 12/2016. We compared the distribution of tear types in spontaneous births (SBs) vs. vacuum-assisted VBs. We then compared the tear distribution in the vacuum group when using the Kiwi Omnicup or Bird’s anterior metal cup. Outcome parameters were the incidence and distribution of the different tear types dependent on the mode of delivery and type of vacuum cup.ResultsA total of 4549 SBs and 907 VBs were analyzed. Birth tear distribution differed significantly between the birth modes. In 15.2% of women with an SB an episiotomy was performed vs. 58.5% in women with a VB. Any kind of perineal tear was seen in 45.7% after SB and in 32.7% after VB. High-grade obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS) appeared in 1.1% after SB and in 3.1% after VB. No significant changes in tear distribution were found between the two different VB modes.ConclusionsThere were more episiotomies, vaginal tears and OASIS after VB than after SB. In contrast, there were more low-grade perineal and labial tears after SB. No significant differences were found between different vacuum cup systems, just a slight trend toward different tear patterns.

scholarly journals Maintaining an Adult Hematology/Oncology Service at a Tertiary Care Center during the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: An Eight-Week-Experience with a Newly Implemented Procedural Plan

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Philipp G. Hemmati ◽  
Dorothea Fischer ◽  
Frank Breywisch ◽  
Sabine Wohlfarth ◽  
Matthias Kramer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Care Center ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Oncology Service ◽  
Containment Measures ◽  
Vulnerable Patient ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Oncology Unit

Treatment of cancer patients has become challenging when large parts of hospital services need to be shut down as a consequence of a local COVID-19 outbreak that requires rapid containment measures, in conjunction with the shifting of priorities to vital services. Reports providing conceptual frameworks and first experiences on how to maintain a clinical hematology/oncology service during the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic are scarce. Here, we report our first 8 weeks of experience after implementing a procedural plan at a hematology/oncology unit with its associated cancer center at a large academic teaching hospital in Germany. By strictly separating team workflows and implementing vigorous testing for SARS-CoV-2 infections for all patients and staff members irrespective of clinical symptoms, we were successful in maintaining a comprehensive hematology/oncology service to allow for the continuation of treatment for our patients. Notably, this was achieved without introducing or further transmitting SARS-CoV-2 infections within the unit and the entire center. Although challenging, our approach appears safe and feasible and may help others to set up or optimize their procedures for cancer treatment or for other exceedingly vulnerable patient cohorts.

scholarly journals Spontaneous Labor Onset and Outcomes in Obese Women at Term

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (01) ◽  
pp. 059-064 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judy Wang ◽  
Shayna Conner ◽  
Methodius Tuuli ◽  
George Macones ◽  
Candice Woolfolk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vaginal Delivery ◽  
Retrospective Cohort ◽  
Care Center ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Tertiary Care Center ◽  
Obese Women ◽  
Gestational Week ◽  
Oxytocin Augmentation ◽  
Labor Onset

Objective The objective of this study was to compare the rates of spontaneous labor onset and its progression in obese and nonobese women after 37 weeks. Study Design We performed a secondary analysis of a retrospective cohort of all women who were admitted for delivery at ≥ 37 weeks of gestation at a university-based tertiary care center between 2004 and 2010. The cohort was stratified by weeks of gestation at which the patient presented for delivery. The rates of spontaneous labor, vaginal delivery, and augmentation with oxytocin were compared between obese (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 30) and nonobese (BMI < 30) women. Results Obese women had lower rates of spontaneous labor than nonobese women at every gestational week (37 weeks, 6.1 vs. 9.3%, p < 0.001; 38 weeks, 12.8 vs. 19.2%, p < 0.001; 39 weeks 26.0 vs. 37.0%, p < 0.001; 40 weeks, 39.6 vs. 50.2%, p < 0.001; 41 weeks, 30.8 vs. 38.0%, p < 0.012). Among women who presented in spontaneous labor, obesity was associated with higher rates of augmentation with oxytocin and lower rates of vaginal delivery. Conclusion Obese women at or beyond 37 weeks are less likely to experience spontaneous labor compared with nonobese women. In addition, obese women presenting in spontaneous labor are less likely that nonobese women to have a vaginal delivery at 37 to 40 weeks, even after oxytocin augmentation.

scholarly journals Tocilizumab improves survival in severe COVID-19 pneumonia with persistent hypoxia: A retrospective cohort study with follow-up from Mumbai, India

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
YOJANA Gokhale ◽  
Rakshita Mehta ◽  
Uday Kulkarni ◽  
Nitin Karnik ◽  
Sushant Gokhale B.Tech ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Retrospective Cohort ◽  
Cox Regression ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Care Center ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Supplemental Oxygen ◽  
Cytokine Storm ◽  
Cox Regression Analysis

Abstract Background: Cytokine storm triggered by Severe Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with high mortality. With high ‘Interlukin -6’ (IL-6) levels reported in COVID-19 deaths in China1, IL-6 is considered to be the key player in COVID-19 cytokine storm. Tocilizumab, a monoclonal antibody against IL-6 receptor, is used on compassionate grounds for treatment of COVID-19 cytokine storm. Aim of this study was to assess effect of tocilizumab on mortality due to COVID-19 cytokine storm.Method: This retrospective, observational study included patients of severe COVID-19 pneumonia with persistent hypoxia (defined as saturation 94% or less on supplemental Oxygen of 15 L per minute through non-rebreathing mask or PaO2/FiO2 ratio of less than 200) who were admitted to tertiary care center in Mumbai, India, between 31st March to 5th July 2020. In addition to standard care, single Inj. Tocilizumab 400mg was given intravenously to 151 consecutive COVID-19 patients with persistent hypoxia from 13th May to 5th July 2020. These 151 patients were retrospectively analysed and compared with historic controls i.e consecutive COVID-19 patients with persistent hypoxia, defined as above (N=118, from our first COVID-19 admission on 31st March to 12th May 2020 ie till tocilizumab was available in hospital). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed for identifying predictors of survival. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS version 26.Results: On multivariate Cox regression analysis, independent predictors of survival were use of tocilizumab (HR 0.621, 95% CI 0.427-0.903, P 0.013) and higher oxygen saturation.Conclusion: Tocilizumab improved survival in severe COVID-19 pneumonia with persistent hypoxia

Vancomycin Control Measures at a Tertiary-Care Hospital: Impact of Interventions on Volume and Patterns of use

1998 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 248-253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary V. Singer ◽  
Rachel Haft ◽  
Tamar Barlam ◽  
Mark Aronson ◽  
Amy Shafer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tertiary Care Hospital ◽  
Care Center ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Hospital Information Systems ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Prescribing Patterns ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Patterns Of Use ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Aggressive Interventions

ABSTRACTOBJECTIVE: Evaluate vancomycin prescribing patterns in a tertiary-care hospital before and after interventions to decrease vancomycin utilization.DESIGN: Before/after analysis of interventions to limit vancomycin use.SETTING: 420-bed academic tertiary-care center.INTERVENTIONS: Educational efforts began August 10, 1994, and involved lectures to medical house staff followed by mailings to all physicians and posting of guidelines for vancomycin use on hospital information systems. Active interventions began November 15, 1994, and included automatic stop orders for vancomycin at 72 hours, alerts attached to the medical record, and, for 2 weeks only, computer alerts to physicians following each vancomycin order. Parenteral vancomycin use was estimated from the hospital pharmacy database of all medication orders. Records of a random sample of 344 patients receiving van-comycin between May 1, 1994, and April 30, 1995, were reviewed for an indication meeting published guidelines.RESULTS: Vancomycin prescribing decreased by 22% following interventions, from 8.5 to 6.8 courses per 100 discharges (P<.05). The estimated proportion of van-comycin ordered for an indication meeting published guidelines was 36.6% overall, with no significant change following interventions. However, during the 2 weeks that computer alerts were in place, 60% of vancomycin use was for an approved indication.CONCLUSIONS: Parenteral vancomycin prescribing decreased significantly following interventions, but the majority of orders still were not for an indication meeting published guidelines. Further improvement in the appropriateness of vancomycin prescribing potentially could be accomplished by more aggressive interventions, such as computer alerts, or by targeting specific aspects of prescribing patterns.

scholarly journals Epidemiology of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae in a Tertiary Care Center in the Kingdom of Bahrain

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (02) ◽  
pp. 111-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nermin Kamal Saeed ◽  
Safaa Alkhawaja ◽  
Nashawa Fawzy Abd El Moez Azam ◽  
Khalil Alaradi ◽  
Mohammed Al-Biltagi
Keyword(s):  
Control Measure ◽  
Care Center ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Common Source ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Carbapenem Resistant ◽  
Carbapenem Resistant Enterobacteriaceae

Abstract PURPOSE: The purpose of the study is to estimate the rate of infection with carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) in the main governmental tertiary care hospital in Bahrain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All clinical samples with positive growth of CRE over 6-year period (January 2012–December 2017) were collected from the microbiology laboratory data. RESULTS: The CRE incidence was high in the first half of study period (2012–2014) and then decreased between 2015 and 2017, after implementation of intensified CRE control measure bundle. About 49.4% of CRE-positive samples were isolated from the elderly age group (above 65 years old), most of them were admitted in the intensive care unit (ICU). The most common isolated organisms were Klebsiella pneumoniae (87.0%), followed by Escherichia coli (7.9%). Isolates from deep tracheal aspirate and midstream urine specimens were the most common source of CRE isolates (27.3%) and (26.3%), respectively. Bacteremia was documented in 21.2% of cases. CRE isolates in the study showed high rates of resistance to aminoglycosides (72.2% resistant to amikacin and 67.3% to gentamicin). Alternatively, most isolates retained their susceptibility to colistin and tigecycline with sensitivity of 83.9% and 85.7%, respectively. Combined resistance to both colistin and tigecycline was observed in 0.06% of total isolates. CONCLUSION: Elderly population and ICU admission were important risk factors for CRE acquisition. Most of CRE isolates were sensitive to both colistin and tigecycline, which make them the best combination for empiric frontline therapy for suspected serious CRE infection in our facility. Implementing CRE-bundled infection control measures significantly reduced the incidence of CRE infection in our hospital.

scholarly journals Brick Sector and Air Quality: An Integrated Assessment towards 2020 Challenge of Environment Development

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 153-164
Author(s):  
Shazia Pervaiz ◽  
◽  
Muhammad Ameer Nawaz Akram ◽  
Filza Zafar Khan ◽  
Kanwal Javid ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Monoxide ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Winter Season ◽  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Pollution Levels ◽  
Brick Kilns ◽  
Central Regions ◽  
The Government ◽  
Set Up

Brick sector is a mainstay of the urban economy of Punjab. The traditional technology of brick making emits a lot of toxic gases and smoke particulates into air. Hence, the Government of the Punjab, Pakistan announced a ban on low technology brick kiln operations during winter season by the end of December 2020. Initially, the existing set up of brick kilns and air pollution levels were evaluated before and during lockdown period using spatial application. Further, environmental parameters such as aerosols, carbon monoxide, ozone, sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide were determined to analyze the air quality, including metrological factors. Results of the study exhibited that the upper and central regions of Punjab are the major hubs of brick kilns. So, the level of air quality was inconsistent in the study period due to the existence of large mushrooms of brick kilns. Further, despite lockdown the highest concentration of carbon monoxide was recorded in the eastern side of the province, such as Kasur, Lahore, and Sheikhupura. The level of aerosols also fluctuated and shifted its trends in the central and southern part of the province. While SO2 and CO2 level declined and revealed a satisfactory level of air quality during shutdown. On the other hand, no significant relation to metrological factors, such as rain, is involved in the pollution reduction. Conclusively, the findings of the present study encourage the government agencies to realign the stringent control measures to improve the quality of air in the winter months using the experience of quarantine in 2020.

scholarly journals Riots in Beirut: Description of the Impact of a New Type of Mass Casualty Event on the Emergency System in Lebanon

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 849-852
Author(s):  
Mohamad El Warea ◽  
Roula Sasso ◽  
Rana Bachir ◽  
Mazen El Sayed
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Care Center ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Mass Casualty ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Body Region ◽  
Mass Casualty Event ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACTIntroduction:In the summer of 2015, Beirut experienced a garbage crisis that led to rioting. Riot control measures resulted in multiple casualties. This study examines injury patterns of riot victims presenting to the emergency department of a tertiary care center in a developing country.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted in the emergency department of the American University of Beirut Medical Center between August 22 and August 30, 2015. Patients seen in the emergency department with riot injuries were included. Patient characteristics, injuries, and resources utilized in the emergency department were analyzed.Results:Ninety-five patients were identified. Most patients presented to the emergency department within a short time period. The mean age of the patients was 28.0 ± 8.7 years. Most (90.5%) of the patients were males and 92.6% were protestors. Emergency medical services were utilized by 41.0% of patients. Laceration was the most common presenting complaint (28.5%), and blunt trauma was the most common type of injury (50.5%). The head/face/neck was the most common injured body region (55.8%). Most patients did not require blood tests or procedures (91.6% and 61.0%, respectively), and 91.2% of patients were treated in the emergency department and discharged. One patient required intensive care unit admission and another was dead on arrival.Conclusions:Most patients had mild injuries on presentation. The emergency department experienced a high influx of patients. Complications and deaths can occur from seemingly nonlethal weapons used during riots and warrant effective prehospital and hospital disaster planning.

scholarly journals Tocilizumab improves survival in severe COVID-19 pneumonia with persistent hypoxia: A retrospective cohort study with follow-up from Mumbai, India

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yojana Gokhale ◽  
Rakshita Mehta ◽  
Uday Kulkarni ◽  
Nitin Karnik ◽  
Sushant Gokhale ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Retrospective Cohort ◽  
Cox Regression ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Care Center ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Supplemental Oxygen ◽  
Cytokine Storm ◽  
Cox Regression Analysis

Abstract Background: Cytokine storm triggered by Severe Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with high mortality. With high ‘Interlukin -6’ (IL-6) levels reported in COVID-19 related deaths in China1, IL-6 is considered to be the key player in COVID-19 cytokine storm. Tocilizumab, a monoclonal antibody against IL-6 receptor, is used on compassionate grounds for treatment of COVID-19 cytokine storm. The aim of this study was to assess effect of tocilizumab on mortality due to COVID-19 cytokine storm.Method: This retrospective, observational study included patients of severe COVID-19 pneumonia with persistent hypoxia (defined as saturation 94% or less on supplemental Oxygen of 15 L per minute through non-rebreathing mask or PaO2/FiO2 ratio of less than 200) who were admitted to a tertiary care center in Mumbai, India, between 31st March to 5th July 2020. In addition to standard care, single Inj. Tocilizumab 400mg was given intravenously to 151 consecutive COVID-19 patients with persistent hypoxia, from 13th May to 5th July 2020. These 151 patients were retrospectively analysed and compared with historic controls, i.e consecutive COVID-19 patients with persistent hypoxia, defined as stated above (N=118, from our first COVID-19 admission on 31st March to 12th May 2020 i.e, till tocilizumab was available in hospital). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed for identifying predictors of survival. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS version 26. Results: On multivariate Cox regression analysis, independent predictors of survival were use of tocilizumab (HR 0.621, 95% CI 0.427-0.903, P 0.013) and higher oxygen saturation.Conclusion: Tocilizumab improved survival in severe COVID-19 pneumonia with persistent hypoxia

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