Israel Ministry of Health

About: Israel Ministry of Health is a government organization based out in Jerusalem, Israel. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Public health. The organization has 1633 authors who have published 2108 publications receiving 65387 citations.

Bullying and Its Prevention Among Intensive Care Nurses

Abstract: Purpose International studies report that nurse bullying is a common occurrence. The intensive care unit (ICU) is known for its high stress levels, one factor thought to increase bullying. No studies were found that investigated bullying in this population. The purpose of this study was to describe the prevalence of ICU nurse bullying and what measures were taken to prevent bullying. Design This was a descriptive study of a convenience sample of 156 ICU nurses from five medical centers in Israel. Data collection was conducted over a 10-month period in 2012 and 2013. Methods After ethical approval, three questionnaires (background characteristics, Negative Acts Questionnaire-Revised, and Prevention of Bullying Questionnaire) were administered according to unit preference. Descriptive statistics were calculated for all responses and a Pearson product moment correlation was calculated to determine the relationship between bullying and its prevention. Findings Most of the nurses in the study were married, female staff nurses with a baccalaureate in nursing. No participant responded that they had been bullied daily, but 29% reported that they were a victim of bullying. The mean bullying score was 1.6 ± 1.4 out of 5. The mean prevention score was 2.4 ± 0.3 out of 4. Significant differences were found between hospitals on bullying, F (4,155) = 2.7, p = .039, and between hospitals, F (4,155) = 2.9, p = .026, and units, F (5,143) = 3.4, p = .006, on prevention. The Prevention Scale significantly correlated with the bullying scale (r = .58, p < .001). No other variables were found to be associated with either bullying or prevention scores. Conclusions An alarming percentage of nurses were victims of bullying. Levels of bullying were low to moderate. Level of prevention was weak or moderate. The higher the level of bullying, the lower the level of prevention. The work environment as opposed to individual characteristics seems to have an impact on bullying and its prevention. Clinical Relevance More measures must be taken to prevent bullying. Nurses must be educated to accept only a zero tolerance to bullying and to report bullying when confronted by bullying.

A Qualitative Study Examining Experiences and Dilemmas in Concealment and Disclosure of People Living With Serious Mental Illness.

Abstract: People with mental illnesses face the dilemma of whether to disclose or conceal their diagnosis, but this dilemma was scarcely researched. To gain in-depth understanding of this dilemma, we interviewed 29 individuals with mental illnesses: 16 with major depression/bipolar disorders and 13 with schizophrenia. Using a phenomenological design, we analyzed individuals' experiences, decision-making processes, and views of gains and costs regarding concealment and disclosure of mental illness. We found that participants employed both positive and negative disclosure/concealment practices. Positive practices included enhancing personal recovery, community integration, and/or supporting others. Negative practices occurred in forced, uncontrolled situations. We also identified various influencing factors, including familial norms of sharing, accumulated experiences with disclosure, and ascribed meaning to diagnosis. Based on these findings, we deepen the understanding about decision-making processes and the consequences of disclosing or concealing mental illness. We discuss how these finding can help consumers explore potential benefits and disadvantages of mental illness disclosure/concealment occurrences.

IAEA survey of pediatric CT practice in 40 countries in Asia, Europe, Latin America, and Africa: Part 1, frequency and appropriateness.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to assess the frequency of pediatric CT in 40 less-resourced countries and to determine the level of appropriateness in CT use. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Data on the increase in the number of CT examinations during 2007 and 2009 and appropriate use of CT examinations were collected, using standard forms, from 146 CT facilities at 126 hospitals. RESULTS. The lowest frequency of pediatric CT examinations in 2009 was in European facilities (4.3%), and frequencies in Asia (12.2%) and Africa (7.8%) were twice as high. Head CT is the most common CT examination in children, amounting to nearly 75% of all pediatric CT examinations. Although regulations in many countries assign radiologists with the main responsibility of deciding whether a radiologic examination should be performed, in fact, radiologists alone were responsible for only 6.3% of situations. Written referral guidelines for imaging were not available in almost one half of the CT facilities. Appropriateness criter...

Role of leukocyte factors and cationic polyelectrolytes in phagocytosis of group A streptococci and Candida albicans by neutrophils, macrophages, fibroblasts and epithelial cells: modulation by anionic polyelectrolytes in relation to pathogenesis of chronic inflammation.

Abstract: A variety of cationic polyelectrolytes opsonized group A streptococci andCandida albicans to phagocytosis by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes and by mouse peritoneal macrophages. The most potent opsonins for streptococci were specific antibodies supplemented with complement, nuclear histone, polylysine, polyarginine, ribonuclease, leukocyte lysates, leukocyte cationic protein and, to a lesser extent, lysozyme and myeloperoxidase. Histone, RNAse, leukocyte extracts, and platelet extracts also functioned as opsonins for phagocytosis of streptococci in the peritoneal cavity, where phagocytic indices, higher than those obtained for the in vitro phagocytosis, were obtained. Fresh serum, polylysine, polyarginine, and nuclear histone acted as good opsonins forCandida, but none of the other factors tested were active. In order for the cationic proteins and leukocyte extracts to function as opsonins, they must be present on the particle surface. These agents were poor opsonins when applied on the macrophages. Nuclear histone, polylysine, polyarginine, and fresh human serum also functioned as good opsonins for the uptake ofCandida by mouse fibroblasts. On the other hand, none of the other substances which opsonized streptococci were effective withCandida. The phagocytic capabilities of fibroblast polykaryons were much higher than those of ordinary spindle-shaped mouse fibroblasts. Histone also functioned as a good opsonic agent for the uptake ofCandida by human fibroblasts, HeLa cells, epithelial cells, monkey kidney cells, and rat heart cells. On the other hand, neither leukocyte extracts nor ribonuclease LCP or MPO functioned as opsonins for these mammalian cells.Candida, taken up by fibroblasts, were present within tight phagosomes, but no fusion of lysosomes with the phagosome occurred. A small proportion of the internalized yeast cells underwent partial plasmolysis, but little damage to the rigid cell walls was observed within 24–48 h of internalization. Phagocytosis of streptococci andCandida by macrophages and the uptake ofCandida by fibroblasts were both strongly inhibited by liquoid (polyanethole sulfonic acid sodium salt). This anionic polyelectrolyte also markedly inhibited the release ofN-acetylglucosaminidase from macrophages without affecting cell viability (LDH release). Hyaluronic acid, DNA, and dextran sulfate markedly inhibited the uptake of histone-coated particles by macrophages. On the other hand, hyaluronic acid and DNA enhanced the uptake ofCandida by fibroblasts. The effect of these anionic polyelectrolytes on phagocytosis of serum-opsonized particles by macrophages was not consistent. While in some experiments it blocked phagocytosis, in others it either had no effect or even enhanced the uptake of the particles. Phagocytosis of microorganisms by “nonprofessional” phagocytes like fibroblasts and the paucity in these cells of hydrolases capable of breaking down microbial cell wall components may contribute to the persistence of non-biodegradable components of bacteria in tissues and to the perpetuation of chronic inflammatory sequellae. Cationic polyelectrolytes may also prove important as “helper” opsonins and as agents capable of enhancing the penetration into cells of both viable and nonviable particles, genetic material, and drugs.

Cost-benefit analysis of a national thalassaemia prevention programme in Israel.

Abstract: Objective In Israel (population 5.7 million) there are around 200 known living subjects with thalassaemia major, of whom around 80% are from the northern district. This study aims at examining the costs and benefits of a national screening programme to prevent thalassaemia in Israel.Measurements and main resultsThe lifetime healthcare costs of caring for a person born with thalassaemia major are d284 154. The costs of the home infusion service (33.1p) actually exceed the costs of the chelating agent itself (22.1p). The remaining 44.8p of costs are due to stay in hospital, operations, outpatient visits, laboratory tests, therapists, etc. Lost earnings and premature mortality costs account for a further d51 843 and d141 944 respectively for each case. A national screening programme would cost d900 197 and prevent around 13.4 homozygotes being born, at a cost of d67 369 for each birth prevented. The benefit-cost ratio of the programme to the health serv...