Barriers to efficient provision of healthcare facilities: an experience from a developing country.

Author(s):  
Fatima Fakir Musharraf ◽  
Anooja Rani

Pakistan has nearly 200 million people, of which almost 20 million people live in Karachi, which has 17 tertiary care hospitals, and it is no secret that they are overburdened (1). Despite the healthcare workers’ competency, several issues hinder administering proper care in a tertiary healthcare setup. Firstly, spatial distancing-spatial access to facilities within a hospital also proves a challenge for patients. Patients have little idea regarding specific departments in a large tertiary care hospital due to low literacy rates compounded with a lack of health literacy. At times many patients have reportedly circled the hospital twice and can still not find their desired specialist. A study conducted in Delhi that closely matches Karachi in demographics suggested that patients with one-time visits to secondary care facilities had lower follow-up rates than those who were more familiar with the system (2). Patients may take time to acclimatize to healthcare setup when visiting as first-timers, and if found too challenging to adapt, they may not make an effort again. Unsurprisingly, this renders many facilities- the administration spends, sometimes a fortune, procuring- useless. Continuous...

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.


Author(s):  
Elizabeth B. Habermann ◽  
Aaron J. Tande ◽  
Benjamin D. Pollock ◽  
Matthew R. Neville ◽  
Henry H. Ting ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective: We evaluated the risk of patients contracting coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during their hospital stay to inform the safety of hospitalization for a non–COVID-19 indication during this pandemic. Methods: A case series of adult patients hospitalized for 2 or more nights from May 15 to June 15, 2020 at large tertiary-care hospital in the midwestern United States was reviewed. All patients were screened at admission with the severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. Selected adult patients were also tested by IgG serology. After dismissal, patients with negative serology and PCR at admission were asked to undergo repeat serologic testing at 14–21 days after discharge. The primary outcome was healthcare-associated COVID-19 defined as a new positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test on or after day 4 of hospital stay or within 7 days of hospital dismissal, or seroconversion in patients previously established as seronegative. Results: Of the 2,068 eligible adult patients, 1,778 (86.0%) completed admission PCR testing, while 1,339 (64.7%) also completed admission serology testing. Of the 1,310 (97.8%) who were both PCR and seronegative, 445 (34.0%) repeated postdischarge serology testing. No healthcare-associated COVID-19 cases were detected during the study period. Of 1,310 eligible PCR and seronegative adults, no patients tested PCR positive during hospital admission (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.0%–0.3%). Of the 445 (34.0%) who completed postdischarge serology testing, no patients seroconverted (0.0%; 95% CI, 0.0%–0.9%). Conclusion: We found low likelihood of hospital-associated COVID-19 with strict adherence to universal masking, physical distancing, and hand hygiene along with limited visitors and screening of admissions with PCR.


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Faizus Sazzad ◽  
Ong Zhi Xian ◽  
Ashlynn Ler ◽  
Chang Guohao ◽  
Kang Giap Swee ◽  
...  

Abstract Background CORKNOT® facilitates a reduction in cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time, aortic cross clamp (ACC) time and operative time, but reported to be associated with other complications. We aim to quantify the incidence of valvular complications related to CORKNOT® and determine the feasibility of its use between different valvular surgeries. Methods Patients who underwent heart valve repair or replacement surgery via the use of automated titanium suture fasteners (CORKNOT®) in a tertiary care hospital were included in the study. This single-centre retrospective study was conducted on 132 patients between January 2016 and June 2018. Results In our study, the overall mean operative time was 320.0 ± 97.0 min, mean CPB time was 171.4 ± 76.0 min and the calculated mean ACC time was 105.9 ± 54.0 min. Fifty-eight patients (43.9%) underwent minimally invasive valve replacement or repair surgery and 66 patients (50.0%) underwent concomitant procedures. A total of 157 valves were operated on, with 112 (84.8%) single valve surgeries, 15 (11.4%) double valve surgeries and 5 (3.8%) triple valve surgeries. After reviewed by the cardiologist blinded towards the study, we report trivial and/or mild paravalvular leak (PVL) in immediate post-operative echocardiography was found in 1 (1.01%) patients. There were no reported cases of valvular thrombosis, leaflet perforation, device dislodgement or embolization, moderate and/or severe PVL during hospitalization and follow-up echocardiography within 1 year. Single mitral valve and aortic surgeries had comparable incidences of post surgical complications. Conclusion We conclude the feasibility of CORKNOT® utilisation in mitral and aortic valve surgeries. Additionally, incidence of CORKNOT® related complications in heart valve repair or replacement surgery is less usual in our setting than previously reported. These results motivate the use of CORKNOT® as a valid alternative with complete commitment.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S179-S180
Author(s):  
Thana Khawcharoenporn ◽  
Pimjira Kanoktipakorn

Abstract Background Data existing on effectiveness of antibiotic prophylaxis (AP) for transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) are limited in the era of antibiotic resistance. Methods A 4-year prospective observational cohort study was conducted among patients undergoing TURP in an academic tertiary-care hospital during 2016–2019. Patients were excluded if pre-operative (pre-op) urine cultures were not sent or grew mixed (>2) organisms, or they had pre-op urinary tract infection (UTI) or lost follow-up after TURP. Appropriateness of AP was defined as 1) correct dosing and duration and narrowest spectrum according to the hospital AP guidelines and local epidemiology and 2) being active against uropathogens isolated from the pre-op culture. Primary outcome was the rate of UTI within 30 days post TURP compared between appropriate antibiotic prophylaxis (AAP) and inappropriate antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) groups. Results 342 patients were screened and 61 were excluded. Of the 281 patients included, 139 (49%) received AAP and 142 (51%) received IAP. The reasons for IAP were prescribing too broad-spectrum antibiotics (57%), inactive antibiotics (41%) and incorrect dosing (2%). Pre-op urine cultures were no growth in 148 patients (53%). Among the 133 positive urine cultures with 144 isolates, Escherichia coli (52%) was the most commonly isolated. Thirty-one percent of these 144 isolates produced extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) and 23 (16%) isolates were multidrug-resistant. The resistant rates of Enterobacteriaceae were 73% for ciprofloxacin, 65% for TMP-SMX and 46% for ceftriaxone. The two most commonly prescribed prophylactic antibiotics were ceftriaxone (51%) and ciprofloxacin (34%). The rate of UTI within 30 days post-TURP was significantly higher in IAP group compared to AAP group (47% vs 27%; P< 0.001). Prescribing inactive prophylactic antibiotics was the independent factor associated with 30-day post-TURP UTI (adjusted odds ratio 2.88; P=0.001). Conclusion Appropriate antibiotic prophylaxis significantly reduced UTI within 30 days of elective TURP. Obtaining pre-op urine culture and prescribing an active prophylactic agent are critical for preventing post-TURP UTI in the era of antibiotic resistance. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures


2021 ◽  
Vol 160 (6) ◽  
pp. S-422-S-423
Author(s):  
Randy Cheung ◽  
Yousef Fazel ◽  
Gina Sparacino ◽  
Sarah Sadek ◽  
Muhammad Tahir ◽  
...  

2014 ◽  
Vol 58 (6) ◽  
pp. 3441-3450 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kayoko Hayakawa ◽  
Tohru Miyoshi-Akiyama ◽  
Teruo Kirikae ◽  
Maki Nagamatsu ◽  
Kayo Shimada ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTIMP-type metallo-β-lactamase enzymes have been reported in different geographical areas and in various Gram-negative bacteria. However, the risk factors and epidemiology pertaining to IMP-type metallo-β-lactamase-producingEnterobacter cloacae(IMP-producingE. cloacae) have not been systematically evaluated. We conducted a retrospective, matched case-control study of patients from whom IMP-producingE. cloacaeisolates were obtained, in addition to performing thorough molecular analyses of the clinically obtained IMP-producingE. cloacaeisolates. Unique cases with IMP-producingE. cloacaeisolation were included. Patients with IMP-producingE. cloacaewere matched to uninfected controls at a ratio of 1 to 3. Fifteen IMP-producingE. cloacaecases were identified, with five of the isolates being obtained from blood, and they were matched to 45 uninfected controls. All (100%) patients from whom IMP-producingE. cloacaeisolates were obtained had indwelling devices at the time of isolation, compared with one (2.2%) uninfected control. Independent predictors for isolation of IMP-producingE. cloacaewere identified as cephalosporin exposure and invasive procedures within 3 months. Although in-hospital mortality rates were similar between cases and controls (14.3% versus 13.3%), the in-hospital mortality of patients with IMP-producingE. cloacae-caused bacteremia was significantly higher (40%) than the rate in controls. IMP-producingE. cloacaeisolates were frequently positive for other resistance determinants. The MICs of meropenem and imipenem were not elevated; 10 (67%) and 12 (80%) of the 15 IMP-producingE. cloacaeisolates had a MIC of ≤1 μg/ml. A phylogenetic tree showed a close relationship among the IMP-producingE. cloacaesamples. Indwelling devices, exposure to cephalosporin, and a history of invasive procedures were associated with isolation of IMP-producingE. cloacae. Screening for carbapenemase production is important in order to apply appropriate clinical management and infection control measures.


Author(s):  
Qaiser Jahan ◽  
K. Pallavi ◽  
R. Hamshika ◽  
Varun Talla ◽  
Jupally Venkateshwar Rao ◽  
...  

Background: Improper drug usages expose patients to drug-related problems (DRPs) and can be the cause of patient morbidity and even mortality, especially frequent in hospitalized patients and pediatric groups. Objective: The objective of the present study was to identify and assess the drug-related problems in the pediatric department of tertiary care hospitals. Methods: The cross-sectional, observational study was carried out for six months included pediatric in-patients of age ≤15 years of either gender in pediatric units of tertiary care hospitals of India. The enrolled pediatric patients were observed for any drug-related problem that were further recorded and classified using the DRP registration format taken from Cipolle et al. The assessment of therapy was done by using positional statements from standard organizations and guidelines. Main outcome measure: Incidences of drug-related problems and their assessment and root cause analysis. Results: A total of 970 DRPs were identified in 296 patients, with an overall incidence of 49.3%. The incidence of DRPs was maximum in the age group of 2-12 years of children (51.2%). Patients who took six or more drugs were around eight (OR:8.41 , 95% CI: 5.22 to 13.55) times more likely to have DRPs compared to those patients who took less than six drugs. The incidences of DRPs were more in patients who were hospitalized for ≥ 7 days. Conclusion: The present study revealed significantly higher incidences of DRPs in hospitalized pediatric patients necessitating the involvement of clinical pharmacists in the pediatric department of tertiary care hospitals.


2021 ◽  
pp. 000992282110472
Author(s):  
Andrew Brown ◽  
Mary Quaile ◽  
Hannah Morris ◽  
Dmitry Tumin ◽  
Clayten L. Parker ◽  
...  

Objective To determine factors associated with completion of recommended outpatient follow-up visits in children with complex chronic conditions (CCCs) following hospital discharge. Methods We retrospectively identified children aged 1 to 17 years diagnosed with a CCC who were discharged from our rural tertiary care children’s hospital between 2017 and 2018 with a diagnosis meeting published CCC criteria. Patients discharged from the neonatal intensive care unit and patients enrolled in a care coordination program for technology-dependent children were excluded. Results Of 113 eligible patients, 77 (68%) had outpatient follow-up consistent with discharge instructions. Intensive care unit (ICU) admission ( P = .020) and prolonged length of stay ( P = .004) were associated with decreased likelihood of completing recommended follow-up. Conclusions Among children with CCCs who were not already enrolled in a care coordination program, ICU admission was associated with increased risk of not completing recommended outpatient follow-up. This population could be targeted for expanded care coordination efforts.


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