Bethesda Hospital

About: Bethesda Hospital is a healthcare organization based out in Ambur, Tamil Nadu, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Helicobacter pylori. The organization has 386 authors who have published 472 publications receiving 15193 citations.

Percutaneous Lung Biopsy: Smart Positioning-Prone Should Be Forbidden.

Abstract: 1. One may argue about whether or not it is justified to use a potentially risky technique to reduce pneumothorax rates after percutaneous lung biopsy. I myself would not recommend to anyone the injection of anything into the lung through a percutaneously inserted needle being close to any pulmonary vein— even if it is at a small distance of not more than 1 cm from the visceral pleura. The risk of embolization into the systemic circulation through a pulmonary vein might be very low, but if you ever have experienced the consequences of an iatrogenic systemic air embolism during percutaneous lung biopsy, you never want to experience anything similar again [3]. 2. We should not argue any longer about patient positioning in performing percutaneous lung biopsy.

Delayed Presentation of Foot Compartment Syndrome.

Abstract: A 30-year-old male after consuming alcohol and drugs lost consciousness and passed out in his bathroom. After 10 hours, he was found immobilized stuporous on his bathroom floor and brought by emergency service to the emergency room. He was found to have compartment syndrome of the right lower limb and underwent emergency fasciotomy of three compartments of the thigh and four compartments of the leg. The postoperative course was complicated by acute kidney injury necessitating hemodialysis. On postoperative day three from the index fasciotomy patient was found to develop foot compartment syndrome despite not having foot compartment involved in the initial presentation. In opioid abuse, patients' additional compartments can get involved during the disease process, and it is essential to identify them with regular physical examination and use of biomarkers.

The Role of IL-6 in RNA Virus Infection

Abstract: IL-6 is a pleiotropic cytokine produced in response to tissue damage and infections. This up-regulation was observed during infection with a highly virulent VSV strain. There was potential association between IL-6 levels and virus virulence. In this chapter we would like to explore in more detail the biological functions of IL-6 in different virus models. We also discuss the debatable role of IL-6 during viral infections. Previous studies show the potential role of IL-6 to mount a proper immune response during some viral infections, others link this cytokine with exacerbation of viral disease. These latter findings lend support to the hypothesis that up-regulation of IL-6 during certain viral infections may promote virus survival and/or exacerbation of clinical disease. Previous experimental evidences also suggest potential negative consequences that increased levels of IL-6 might have on the cellular immune response against viruses.

Knowledge and attitudes of healthcare professionals on prescribing errors.

Abstract: OBJECTIVES This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of healthcare professionals on prescribing errors. METHODS This was a cross-sectional study employing a questionnaire that consisted of 12 items on knowledge and 10 items on healthcare professionals' attitudes toward errors in prescribing process. The participants responded to the questionnaire with a 5-Likert scale of agreement. The domains assessed in the questionnaire were respondents' knowledge and attitudes on prescribing errors, professionals responsible for the errors, and professionals' competence on drug dose adjustment. Additionally, the questionnaire had two case scenarios to further assess the healthcare professionals' knowledge of prescribing errors. There were 300 questionnaires administered to physicians, nurses, and pharmacists who attended conferences in Denpasar from July to October 2019. RESULTS There were 30 physicians, 58 nurses, and 69 pharmacists who responded to the survey. A response rate of 52.3% (157/300) was obtained. All healthcare professionals agreed that errors may occur in prescribing, dispensing, and administration process. All healthcare professionals understood that physician is responsible for ensuring drug safety in prescribing process and also supported a standardized form on drugs which may need drug dose personalization. Concerning item on the importance of collaboration in drug dose adjustment, although the healthcare professionals agreed on the statement, they had significant differences on the level agreement on the statement (p=0.029). The healthcare professionals also supported having regular training on drug dose adjustment based on individual patients' regimentation. The healthcare professionals' responses showed that the significant differences found on the statement of healthcare professionals should have competency on personalized dose calculation (p<0.001). All healthcare professionals agreed that physicians should have competency on drug dose adjustment, yet physicians showed less agreement that other health professionals should have the competency. CONCLUSIONS All healthcare professionals understood that medication errors may occur during the prescribing process but showed different attitudes on professionals who had competence in drug dose calculation. They emphasize the need to have a standardized prescription format for medication with dose changes. The respondents also recommend having regular training on medication safety for healthcare professionals.