Day Care Unit Research Articles

Experiencia clínica con medicamentos huérfanos para enfermedades raras metabólicas

IntroductionInborn errors of metabolism are a highly heterogeneous group of orphan diseases. Diet therapy and enzyme and coenzyme replacement are the most frequently used treatment. There are few patients and published studies about inborn errors of metabolism. The main objective of this study was to describe the effectiveness of orphan drugs in inborn errors of metabolism in paediatric patients. Material and MethodsRetrospective descriptive study of 24 months on patients diagnosed with inborn errors of metabolism during childhood and who attended the pharmacy clinic or Day-Care Unit of a 630-bed general hospital. ResultsThe study included 15 patients with a median age of 17.8 years and were treated with nine different drugs: sapropterin, sodium phenylbutyrate, miglustat, velaglucerase, sebelipase, idursulfase, 5-hydroxytryptophan, succinate, and riboflavin. Nine different inborn errors of metabolism were observed: phenylketonuria, defects of the urea cycle, Gaucher, Nieman-Pick, Hunter's disease, along with acid lipase deficiency, and mitochondrial diseases. Orphan drugs used for the treatment of inborn errors of metabolism accounted for 1.3% of hospital drug costs. Some orphan drugs achieved asymptomatic patients, but others just produced a modest symptomatic improvement. Most patients showed good tolerance to the treatment. ConclusionsOrphan drugs used in inborn errors of metabolism had an easy to manage toxicity profile, with many disparities in effectiveness. These drugs have a high economic impact. The cost-effectiveness ratio for orphan drugs is a controversial issue due to their high cost and the inconclusive clinical evidence.

1712P Risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and outcome after infection: Experience from the day-care unit at CHU Liège in Belgium

No specific safety data concerning systemic oncological treatments were available at time of COVID-19 outbreak in Belgium. In our hospital we decided to maintain adjuvant and early line treatments for metastatic disease in patients under 65 and without specific comorbidities and to apply a shared decision approach in other patients while following closely the safety of these treatments.

How are psychotic symptoms and treatment factors affected by religion? A cross-sectional study about religious coping among ultra-Orthodox Jews

Religious coping is prevalent among individuals diagnosed with psychotic disorders, however its clinical relevance has been insufficiently studied. Thirty ultra-Orthodox Jewish patients experiencing current psychotic symptoms and receiving treatment in the inpatient and day-care units were administered measures assessing severity of psychotic symptoms, psychological distress/well-being, beliefs about treatment credibility/expectancy, and aspects of religious belief and coping. Among men, negative religious coping was associated with lower treatment credibility. Among women, positive religious coping was associated with increased treatment expectancy and greater quality of life; and trust in God was associated with reduced psychiatric symptoms and greater treatment expectancy. Study findings indicate that religious factors may promote treatment motivation and engagement, crucial factors for subpopulations facing culturally-based barriers to treatment, as well as boost more favorable outcomes. Sensitivity to religious factors in treatment appears to play an important role in the management of psychotic disorders and should be engaged when culturally appropriate in order to maximize treatment potential.

A Study on Day Care Transfusion Services in Transfusion Medicine Department of a Tertiary Care Hospital

Background: Transfusion of blood components and derivatives in day care unit is an eminent part of management of transfusion dependent patients. Day care transfusion service is an alternative to hospital admission and beneficial for those patients who receive blood more frequently for their survival. Objective: The aim of present study is to assess Transfusion Services provided in a Day Care Unit (DCU) of a tertiary care hospital. Methodology: This study was carried out in DCU of Transfusion Medicine Department, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, (BSMMU) at Dhaka during January 2014 to December 2014. Data were collected from record registers. Recorded retrospective data were analyzed as percentage and proportion. Results: Total recipients were 718. Among those 424 (59.05%) were male and 294 (40.95%) were female and 562 (78.27%) were between 10 to 40 years. A total of 8587 units of blood components were used during this period. Red Cell Concentrate was most commonly utilized product 6388 (74.39%) followed by Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP) 1360 (15.83%), Platelet Concentrate 544 (6.33%), Whole blood 260 (3.05%)
 and Cryoprecipitate 35 (0.40%). Transfusion was required more frequently in thalassaemic 365(50.88%) patients. Haemophilia 77(10.72%) and aplastic anaemia patients 49 (6.82%) were next high. The main transfusion reaction observed during transfusion was febrile non-haemolytic reactions. Conclusion: For increasing use of specific blood product and hassle-free transfusion services this kind of day care unit services should be strengthened. Long term study of this kind will help us to develop safe clinical transfusion practice.

Rapid desensitization to antineoplastic drugs in an outpatient immunoallergology clinic: Outcomes and risk factors

BackgroundHypersensitivity reactions to antineoplastic agents may lead to discontinuation of first-line treatments. Rapid drug desensitization (RDD) allows for a safe reintroduction in patients who are allergic to them. ObjectiveTo evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Brigham and Women's Hospital’s 12-step RDD in a Portuguese patient population with cancer and to identify markers associated with breakthrough reactions (BTRs) to platins. MethodsWe conducted a retrospective review of desensitizations undertaken at the Immunoallergology Day-Care Unit of the Santa Maria Hospital in Lisbon, Portugal, from July 2008 to July 2019. Adult patients with cancer and with immediate hypersensitivity reactions were included. Skin testing was performed to platins, trastuzumab, and cetuximab. The 12-step protocol was used for most patients, and a shorter protocol was used in 9 patients who were taxane-reactive to resume regular infusions. ResultsA total of 1471 RDDs were performed in 272 patients to 136 platins, 124 taxanes, 13 monoclonal antibodies, and 10 other drugs. Skin test results were positive in 127 of patients who were platin-reactive (95.3%) and negative in patients who were cetuximab- and trastuzumab-reactive. There were 141 BTRs during RDD (9.6% of infusions), 79.4% induced by platins with the majority having mild reactions (68.8%). There were 8 patients who were paclitaxel-reactive, and who completed a shorter protocol and resumed regular infusions successfully. Multiple platin infusions (cutoff: ≥10) and total immunoglobulin E greater than or equal to 100 U/mL were identified as independent risk factors for BTRs in patients who were platin-reactive. ConclusionThis large single-center study confirmed the safety and efficacy of the 12-step RDD protocol in a diverse cancer population, providing evidence of its universal applications. Total immunoglobulin E is a potentially useful biomarker to identify high-risk patients who are platin-reactive.

Giving A Face to Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia: A Feasibility Study on Drawings by Patients

Objective:Individuals with cancer experience the impact of chemotherapy on hair loss in different ways. The aim of this pilot study was to explore patients' experiences of alopecia through patients' drawings.Methods:Fifteen female patients diagnosed with cancer and treated with chemotherapy were recruited at the oncological day-care unit of a teaching hospital in the Netherlands. Participants completed a semi-structured interview about alopecia. They drew their head and hair before and during chemotherapy and completed the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (B-IPQ).Results:The drawings revealed predominantly physical effects, rather than emotions. Emotions were evident in the text that patients wrote under the drawings and in the B-IPQ open question about the perceived consequences of alopecia. The overall impact of alopecia that emerged from the drawings and the B-IPQ corresponded to the information retrieved from the interviews, namely disappointment, insecurity, sadness, and confrontation.Conclusions:Drawings expose cognitive and emotional responses to alopecia that may be relatively unexplored when using traditional assessment methods such as questionnaires or interviews. In future research, the drawing instructions need to be more specifically focused on feelings in order to better capture emotional reactions to hair loss.

Medication exposure and frailty in older community-dwelling patients: a cross-sectional study.

Objective To investigate the association between the medication exposure, measured by the polypharmacy/excessive polypharmacy and the anticholinergic and/or sedative drug exposure, on frailty status among French older community-dwelling patients. Setting day-care unit in France (Lyon), with retrospective data from July, 2017 to March, 2018. Method This monocentric cross-sectional study included community-dwelling patients aged 65years and over and admitted at the day-care unit for a geriatric evaluation. Frailtywas assessed according to thefrailtyphenotype, described by Fried etal. Polypharmacyand excessive polypharmacy were defined as the concomitant use of 5-9 and 10 or more drugs, respectively. The cumulative anticholinergic and sedative exposure was measured using the drug burden index (DBI). The DBI score was presented in 4 differentiated scores: a null score (DBI = 0), a combined score (anticholinergic and sedative score), an anticholinergic score, and a sedative score. The association between medication and frailty was assessed by logistic regression models controlled for multiple potential confounders. Main outcome measure Association between medication exposure (polypharmacy, anticholinergic and sedative exposure) and frailty. Results In this study, 403 patients were included: 44.7% were frail and 40.7% were pre-frail. Polypharmacy and excessive polypharmacy affected 44.7% and 17.1% of the population respectively. The mean DBI was 0.33 ± 0.43, with 16.4% of patients with only sedative exposure, 9.7% with only anticholinergic exposure and 33.0% with both exposures. After adjustment,polypharmacyand excessive polypharmacy wereassociated with frailty with adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence interval) of 2.18 (1.03-4.22) and 2.72 (1.01-7.37) respectively. The cumulative exposure to anticholinergic and sedative drugs (combined score) was significantly associated to an increased risk for frailty with adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence interval) of 3.54 (1.47-8.57). Conclusion The study showed thatpolypharmacy and cumulative anticholinergic and sedative exposureareassociatedwithfrailty. Further research should address the potential benefit of collaborative medication review for preventing medication-associatedfrailty.

Use of a Symptom Diary on Oncology Wards: Effect on Symptom Management and Recommendations for Implementation.

Management of symptoms is essential in reducing the symptom burden of cancer patients. The effect of symptom diaries on symptom management to date has been evaluated only in ambulatory settings. The aims of this study were to identify the key facilitators for successful implementation of symptom diaries on oncology wards from patients' and professionals' perspectives and to evaluate implementation outcomes. In 2 cycles of action research, the Utrecht Symptom Diary (USD) was implemented on 3 oncology wards and a daycare unit. Key facilitators for implementation were identified by thematic coding of interviews. The effect of the implementation was evaluated in cycle II in a pretest-posttest design. We performed statistical tests (Mann-Whitney/t test/χ2) on Symptom Management Performance items in questionnaires and medical records. We interviewed 25 patients, 8 doctors, and 25 nurses. Seven key facilitators for implementation emerged. After implementation of the USD in cycle II, Symptom Management Performance was significantly (P < .05) improved for patients (3/12 items, n = 33 pretest/26 posttest) and professionals (6/12 items, n = 21 pretest/19 posttest). Significantly more symptoms (P = .00), working hypotheses (P = .023), treatment plans (P = .00), and interventions (P = .00) were reported (n = 47 pretest/47 posttest). Implementation of the USD significantly improved symptom management in oncology wards. We recommend (1) using a diagnosis-specific diary; (2) making clear, individualized working-arrangements; (3) training professionals; (4) using the plan-do-check-act cycle; (5) acting multidisciplinary; (6) providing guidelines and training; and (7) assuring adequate information communications technology (ICT). Symptom diaries are increasingly used, but implementation is challenging. This study provides knowledge on their benefits and an evidence-based strategy for implementation with positive outcomes achieved in patient care.

A retrospective analysis of blood requisition versus utilization practices at national blood bank, jigme dorji wangchuck national referral hospital, Thimphu, Bhutan

Background and Objectives: Although National Guidelines on Clinical Use of Blood has been developed, it is a common practice to order blood based on the subjective anticipation of blood loss, instead of evidence-based requirement at National Referral Hospital, Thimphu. However, National Blood Bank follows the maximum surgical blood ordering schedule, thereby saving the resources and making blood available for emergency patients. Nonetheless, the need-based assessment is not conducted to determine the efficacy of the practice. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of the current practice of following the national guidelines on maximum surgical ordering of blood by evaluating the blood requisition versus utilization practice. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based retrospective study was conducted at national blood bank over a 1-year period (January–December 2018). Demographic data, such as age and sex, and clinical wards with maximum transfusion done were recorded. Blood utilization indices were computed for cross-match-to-transfusion ratio (C:T, <2.5), transfusion index (TI, >0.5) and transfusion probability (%T, >30) to indicate significant blood usage. All data were processed and analyzed with software programs Microsoft Excel 2013 and GraphPad Prism (v 7.04). Results: Of 4012 blood units cross-matched, 3205 blood units were transfused to patients (C:T ratio 1). Majority (65.33%) of the patients were females and 34.66% were males. The overall TI was 1.49 and %T was 73.07%, implying significant blood usage. The maximum request for blood was made from gynecological and obstetrics ward, emergency, and daycare blood transfusion unit. Similarly, the patients transfused with the cross-matched units were also found to be highest for these wards. Conclusion: The study demonstrates that the current practice of maximum blood ordering schedule is effective in saving valuable time and resources. However, there is a need to sensitize the requesting physician on rational order for effective management of the blood inventory.

Assessment of Distress among Patients and Primary Caregivers: Findings from a Chemotherapy Outpatient Unit.

Background:Chemotherapy is one of the treatment modalities for cancer. The side effects of treatment, at times, can affect the emotional well-being of patients and their caregivers, thereby leading to distress. This paper aims at screening and identifying levels of distress among patients undergoing chemotherapy and their caregivers.Subjects and Methods:A cross-sectional study design was used. Patients (n = 102) undergoing chemotherapy in the outpatient daycare unit and their caregivers (n = 101) were screened for distress using the National Comprehensive Cancer Network distress thermometer and the problem checklist. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.Results:Patients (53.4%) and their caregivers (22.2%) reported experiencing moderate-to-severe levels of distress. Patients reported significant distress in the areas of physical (P = 0.000) and emotional problems, whereas caregivers reported distress in the areas of family (P = 0.000) and emotional problems. There was no significant difference in emotional problems (P ≥ 0.05) between the patients and their caregivers. There was a positive correlation between physical and emotional problems (r = 0.760, P = 0.000). Majority of patients (85.2%) and caregivers (80.1%) showed interest to avail psycho-oncology services.Conclusions:Distress is prevalent among patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy and their caregivers. Clinical implications highlight the need to identify and address caregiver distress during routine distress screening for patients using specific psychosocial interventions. Future research warrants the use of administering specific assessments to identify severe psychological issues, such as depression and anxiety for patients reporting severe levels of distress on the screening tool.

Assessing Patient Confidence and Satisfaction about the Shared Decision-making Meetings for Planning Cancer Chemotherapy.

BackgroundPatients increasingly express the desire to be involved in their treatment decisions, especially in critical situations, such as cancer chemotherapy that increase a doctor's responsibility toward fulfilling these needs. This process may require more than one meeting with the patient to meet their expectations and satisfaction levels. This study aimed to assess the satisfaction levels in cancer patients, who received chemotherapy, about their decision-making and if they were able to make this decision during the first meeting with their physicians.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in 2017 on 106 cancer patients aged 18 years or above who were receiving chemotherapy at the day-care unit of King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The data were collected by a direct or telephonic interview using a structured questionnaire. The variables were studied across two groups of patients based on the patient's ability to make decision in the first meeting with their physician. Data were expressed as frequencies (percentage) and Pearson Chi-Square test was used to assess the categorical variables.ResultsOut of the 106 patients, 42 (39.6%) of them were male. Ninety-one (85.8%) patients took the decision by themselves. Regarding the decision-making 90 (84.9%) patients were able to make the decision from the first meeting. Sixty-eight (64.2%) patients felt more satisfied if they had an additional session. There was a significant association between patients with the ability to make the decision during the first meeting and patients who took the decision by themselves (P = 0.033), patients with consideration of changing their decision if they had more meetings (P = 0.005), patients with consideration of withholding from chemotherapy in their mind (P = 0.019) and patients with thought that chemotherapy is affecting their life (P = 0.044).ConclusionThe majority of the patients felt that more than one meeting with their doctors would be helpful in improving their satisfaction level during the decision-making process, consideration of withholding from chemotherapy in mind and that chemotherapy is affecting their life style. Future protocol in which the patients will be encouraged to have a confidence role on their treatment decision is recommended.

Incidência de infecção de sítio cirúrgico em hospital dia: coorte de 74.213 pacientes monitorados

Objetivos: Descrever a incidência de infecção do sítio cirúrgico (ISC) em seguimento após alta em hospital dia (HD) e comparar esses indicadores com dados de hospitais convencionais. Método: Estudo de coorte histórica composto de 74.213 pacientes operados e monitorados num HD de Salvador (BA), entre 2012 e 2017. Resultados: No período estudado, o sistema de vigilância do HD monitorou 85,1% dos pacientes após a alta e foi identificada incidência total de ISC de 0,3%, com variação de 0,2 a 0,4% entre os anos, taxas estatisticamente menores do que as reportadas para ISC em regime de internação hospitalar. Conclusão: Os indicadores de ISC revelados neste estudo ratificam que a modalidade da assistência cirúrgica ambulatorial porta menor risco de aquisição de infecção para os pacientes operados, quando comparados com os dados de infecção cirúrgica de pacientes em hospitais convencionais. Entretanto, torna-se indispensável um sistema de seguimento dos pacientes após a alta, no sentido de evitar a subnotificação e os sub-registros dos dados de ISC, pois na ausência de ambos se podem ocultar riscos e identificar taxas irreais

Use of antibiotics in the health care unit: 2015 Pelotas Birth Cohort.

ABSTRACTOBJECTIVE To estimate the use of the first dose of antibiotics in the health care unit in children from the 2015 Pelotas Birth Cohort at 24 months.METHODS A total of 4,014 children were monitored. We used descriptive statistics and Poisson regression to analyze the association between socioeconomic and demographic variables, participation in daycare units, in the activities of the Pastoral da Criança and in the Primeira Infância Melhor program, low birth weight, hospitalization between 12 and 24 months, place of medical appointment, prevalence of medical appointment in the last 30 days, prescription of antibiotics, and administration of the first dose in the health care unit.RESULTS A total of 1,044 children had medical appointments in the last 30 days, of which 45% were prescribed antibiotics and only 10.5% were administered the first dose of this medication in the health care unit. Children with brown, yellow or indigenous skin color were administered 2.5 times more antibiotics than white children. Children whose mothers had 12 years or more of education were administered 83.0% fewer antibiotics than those whose mothers had up to 4 years of education. Among those who were hospitalized for 12 to 24 months, the use of antibiotics was almost four times higher than among those who were not. Among the children served by the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS), only 15.3% were administered the first dose of antibiotic in the health care unit. When compared with children served by private health care or health plan, administration of the first dose in the SUS was 76.0% higher.CONCLUSIONS Despite the efforts related to the Pastoral da Criança campaign “Antibiotic: first dose immediately,” adherence to the provision of antibiotics in the health care unit is still low. Strategies are necessary and urgent so children have access to the first dose of antibiotics in the health care unit.

Trends in prevalence of healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial use in hospitals in the Netherlands: 10 years of national point-prevalence surveys

Prevalence of healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) and antimicrobial use in hospitals in the Netherlands has been measured using voluntary biannual national point-prevalence surveys (PPSs). To describe trends in the prevalence of patients with HCAI, risk factors, and antimicrobial use in 2007-2016. In the PPS, patient characteristics, use of medical devices and antimicrobials, and presence of HCAI on the survey day are reported for all hospitalized patients, excluding patients in the day-care unit and psychiatric wards. Analyses were performed using linear and (multivariate) logistic regression, accounting for clustering of patients within hospitals. PPS data were reported for 171,116 patients. Annual prevalence of patients with HCAI with onset during hospitalization decreased from 6.1% in 2007 to 3.6% in 2016. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) for trend was 0.97 (95% confidence interval: 0.96-0.98). Most prominent trends were seen for surgical site infections (1.6%-0.8%; OR: 0.91 (0.90-0.93)) and urinary tract infections (2.1%-0.6%; OR: 0.85 (0.83-0.87)). From 2014 on, HCAIs at admission were also registered with a stable prevalence of approximately 1.5%. The mean length of stay decreased from 10 to 7 days. The percentage of patients treated with antibiotics increased from 31% to 36% (OR: 1.03 (1.02-1.03)). Repeated PPS data from 2007 to 2016 show a decrease in the prevalence of patients with HCAI with onset during hospitalization, and a stable prevalence of patients with HCAI at admission. The adjusted OR of 0.97 for HCAI during hospitalization indicates a true reduction in prevalence of approximately 3% per year.

The current situation and influencing factors of the perceived professional benefits among nurses working in day-care unit

Objective To investigate the current situation and influence factors of perceived professional benefits among nurses working in day-care unit. Methods Convenience sampling method was adopted, totally 245 nurses working in day-care unit were investigated by nurses' perceived professional benefit questionnaire, psychological capital questionnaire, psychological sub-health questionnaire and a self-designed demographic questionnaire. The data were collected and analyzed statistically. Results The scores of perceived professional benefit among nurses working in day-care unit were 117.96±14.06. Multiple regression analysis shows that working years, scores of psychological capital questionnaire and psychological sub-health questionnaire were positive factors to perceived professional benefit; while the education level was negative predictors to perceived professional benefit. The regression equation was: the scores of perceived professional benefit among nurses = 70.582-4.882 x the education level + 2.520 x working years+ 0.329 x scores of psychological capital questionnaire + 0.250 x psychological sub-health questionnaire. Conclusions It showed higher level of perceived professional benefit as tested in previous study. Managers can pay more attention to nurses with less working years and higher degree of education, and improve the level of psychological capital and mental health, so as to improve the level of perceived professional benefit. Key words: Nurses; Perceived professional benefits; Psychological capital; Health

Differences between psychiatric disorders in the clinical and functional effectiveness of an acute psychiatric day hospital, for acutely ill psychiatric patients.

Intensive treatment in acute day-care psychiatric units may represent an efficient alternative to inpatient care. However, there is evidence suggesting that this clinical resource may not be equally effective for every psychiatric disorder. The primary aim of this study was to explore differences between main psychiatric diagnostic groups, in the effectiveness of an acute partial hospitalization program. And, to identify predictors of treatment response. The study was conducted at an acute psychiatric day hospital. Clinical severity was assessed using BPRS, CGI, and the HoNOS scales. Main socio-demographic variables were also recorded. Patients were clustered into 4wide diagnostic groups (i.e.: non-affective psychosis; bipolar; depressive; and personality disorders) to facilitate statistical analyses. A total of 331 participants were recruited, 115 of whom (34.7%) were diagnosed with non-affective psychosis, 97 (28.3%) with bipolar disorder, 92 (27.8%) with affective disorder, and 27 (8.2%) with personality disorder. Patients with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder showed greater improvement in BPRS (F=5.30; P=0.001) and CGI (F=8.78; P<0.001) than those suffering from psychosis or depressive disorder. Longer length of stay in the day-hospital, and greater baseline BPRS severity, were identified as predictors of good clinical response. Thirty-day readmission rate was 3%; at long-term (6 months after discharge) only 11.8% (N=39) of patients were re-admitted to a psychiatric hospitalization unit, and no differences were observed between diagnostic groups. Intensive care in an acute psychiatric day hospital is feasible and effective for patients suffering from an acute mental disorder. However, this effectiveness differs between diagnostic groups.

Study on Day Care Transfusion Services in Transfusion Medicine Department of a Tertiary Care Hospital

Transfusion of blood components and derivatives in day care unit is an eminent part of management of transfusion dependent patients. Day care transfusion service is an alternative to hospital admission and beneficial for those patients who receive blood more frequently for their survival. The aim of present study is to assess Transfusion Services provided in a Day Care Unit (DCU) of a tertiary care hospital. This study was carried out in DCU of Transfusion Medicine Department, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, (BSMMU), in Dhaka during January to December 2014. Data were collected from record registers. Recorded retrospective data were analyzed as percentage and proportion. Total recipients were 718. Among those 424 (59.05%) were male and 294 (40.95%) were female and 562 (78.27%) were between 10 to 40 years. A total of 8587 units of blood components were used during this period. Red Cell Concentrate was most commonly utilized product 6388 (74.39%) followed by FFP 1360 (15.83%), Platelet Concentrate 544 (6.33%), Whole blood 260 (3.05%) and Cryoprecipitate 35(0.40%). Transfusion was required more frequently in thalassaemic 365(50.88%) patients. Haemophilia 77(10.72%) and aplastic anaemia patients 49 (6.82%) were next high. The main transfusion reaction observed during transfusion was febrile non-haemolytic reactions. For increasing use of specific blood product and hassle free transfusion services this kind of day care unit services should be strengthened. Long term study of this kind will help us to develop safe clinical transfusion practice.&#x0D; Bangladesh Med J. 2019 May; 48 (2): 28-31

Motives for Medical Tourism Amongst Cancer Patients in Oman

Background: Traveling abroad to seek an opinion about diagnosis or treatment is a common practice in medicine, especially in the field of oncology. In Oman, patients diagnosed with cancer frequently travel with their families to seek an opinion, sometimes even before consulting a medical/surgical oncologist at home. The purpose of this study was to report and study the prevalence and motives of medical tourism amongst patients diagnosed to have cancer in Oman.&#x0D; Methods: A cross sectional, retrospective study involving patients admitted to the medical oncology unit at the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital was conducted. Patients with a biopsy-proven cancer who were admitted to the wards and the day-care unit between October 2016 and March 2017 were invited to participate. A semi-structured interview consisting of 3 parts was used to obtain information on demographics, motives and satisfaction with travel.&#x0D; Results: Of the 100 patients who were invited, a total of 64 patients participated in the study and completed the questionnaire. Of these 64 subjects, 24 (38%) traveled abroad to seek a second opinion. The primary reasons for traveling abroad to seek a second opinion were as follows: poor perception about health care in Oman (31%), expectations of a better healthcare overseas (12%), dissatisfaction with the communication or explanation by the healthcare providers in Oman, or concerns about delay in treatment (24%), and societal pressures (33%).&#x0D; Conclusion: A significant proportion of patients traveled abroad to seek a second opinion after getting a diagnosis of cancer, main reasons being societal pressures, dissatisfaction with the communication, or concerns of delay in initiating treatment in Oman.

Complex challenges for patients with protracted incurable cancer: an ethnographic study in a comprehensive cancer centre in the Netherlands

ObjectiveAdvances in oncology increasingly result in protracted disease trajectories for patients with incurable cancer. In this disease phase, patients are aware of the incurable nature of cancer although they are...

Nursing care for pediatric patients receiving retinal screening under general anesthesia in ophthalmology day-care unit

Objective To summarize the experience in providing nursing for pediatric patients receiving retinal screening under general anesthesia in ophthalmology day-care unit and to provide a reference for bettering the perioperative nursing care for children patients receiving surgery under general anesthesia at daytime. Methods Clinical data of totally 1 384 pediatric patients who received retinal screening under general anesthesia in the Ophthalmology Day-Care Unit in Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University from August 2015 to August 2017 were collected. The patients received conventional examinations and perioperative nursing care. Results Retinal screening was successfully completed in the 1 384 children patients. And they were observed and nursed at the day-care unit for 3-6 h (mean 4 h) and then discharged. No infection or other complications were found in any patient during postoperative re-examination, and the satisfaction rate among the patients' parents reached 99%. Conclusions Good and effective perioperative nursing care can facilitate the surgery under anesthesia in pediatric patients at the ophthalmology day-care unit and reduce the incidence of postoperative infection or other comorbidities. Key words: Nursing care; Ophthalmology; Day surgery; Retinal screening; Pediatric patients