Healthcare Institutions Research Articles

The use of argon plasma coagulation in ruptured hemorrhagic syndrome (Mallory-Weiss syndrome) complicated by ongoing bleeding

Objective: to evaluate the efficacy and safety of argon plasma coagulation for endoscopic hemostasis in Mallory-Weiss syndrome. Materials and methods: on the basis of a clinical observation of a patient admitted to the emergency department of the State Budgetary Healthcare Institution of the Moscow Region of the Children’s Central City Hospital with complaints of vomiting of scarlet blood, dark stools, weakness, dizziness. The patient underwent emergency EGDS. Results: According to the EGDS data, a linear mucosal rupture was detected in the lower third of the esophagus along the posterior wall with a transition to the stomach cardia along the lesser curvature, about 8-9 cm long (5 cm in the esophagus, 3-4 cm in the stomach), up to 2 cm deep. -3 mm, from the rupture there is a flow of scarlet blood of medium intensity, in the bottom of the defect, fibers of the submucosal and muscular layers were determined. Endoscopic hemostasis was performed: argon plasma coagulation of the rupture of the mucous membrane of the esophagus and stomach. Against the background of endoscopic treatment by argon plasma coagulation in a patient with a long rupture, hemostasis was achieved and surgical treatment was avoided, which could aggravate the condition and lengthen the treatment time. Conclusions: Argon plasma coagulation as a non-contact method of hemostasis has a limited penetration depth and is safer and more effective than other (contact) electrocoagulation methods, where, as a rule, it is difficult to control the depth of exposure. The use of this method improves the efficiency of endoscopic hemostasis, reduces economic costs, and reduces the patient’s stay in bed.

Assessment of nurses’ compliance with Patients’ Rights in South Africa: A scoping review.

Abstract Background Compliance with Patients’ Rights by nurses is a crucial determinant of how well healthcare services are provided. Nurses are responsible for upholding Patients’ Rights because they spend so much time with patients. Therefore, it is essential to continuously assess nurses’ compliance with Patients’ Rights in healthcare institutions. Objectives To outline the breadth and type of existing research on nurses’ compliance with Patients’ Rights as well as to pinpoint any gaps in the body of existing knowledge. Methods A scoping review search was done in six electronic databases. For eligibility, articles written in English and focusing on nurses’ compliance with Patients’ Rights in South Africa were checked and evaluated. Data were taken from eligible study materials in order to compile, evaluate the quality, summarize, and create a narrative summary of the results. Results The literature collected was 1158 records from six data bases, after deleting 239 duplicates, 919 records remained. 891 records were excluded using title and abstract of the studies. 15 articles were included in the final analysis. Four articles were quantitative studies, 10 qualitative and one a mixed method. The included studies focused on six Patients’ Rights listed in the Patients’ Rights Charter which consist of 12 Patients’ Rights. Conclusion Nurses’ compliance with Patients’ Rights is inconsistent and there are limited studies on nurses’ compliance with all Patients’ Rights in SA. More studies are required in future, as seen by the included studies’ inconsistent findings.

Leaders development program by 360 degree feedback: reflection on head nurses' leadership practices.

Leadership in nursing is crucial for delivering high-quality healthcare and ensuring positive outcomes for patients, staff, and institutions. Many nurses in leadership positions lack formal training, which can compromise their effectiveness. This study aims to evaluate the effect of a leadership development program utilizing 360-degree feedback on head nurses' leadership practices. A true-experimental design was employed in three healthcare institutions. The study involved 80 head nurses (40 intervention, 40 control), 240 staff nurses, and 29 supervisors. The intervention group participated in a six-week leadership development program using 360-degree feedback. Data were collected pre- and post-intervention using the Leadership Development and 360-Degree Feedback Knowledge Questionnaire and the Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI). The intervention group showed significant improvements in leadership knowledge and practices across all dimensions. Knowledge scores increased from 25.1 ± 8.8 to 93.0 ± 5.1 post-intervention, maintaining at 83.2 ± 7.1 at follow-up. Self-assessed leadership scores improved from 88.1 ± 6.0 to 97.5 ± 2.7, and 98.5 ± 2.0 at follow-up. Supervisor and staff assessments also showed substantial increases. Multiple linear regression analyses confirmed the strong positive impact of the intervention on leadership outcomes. The leadership development program using 360-degree feedback significantly enhanced head nurses' leadership knowledge and practices. The results suggest that such programs can improve leadership capabilities in healthcare settings, leading to better patient care and organizational performance. Future research should address group homogeneity and explore long-term impacts on patient outcomes.

Characteristics of inflammatory disease structure in the maxillofacial region among children of different age groups in Krasnodar Krai

Relevance. Acute purulent-inflammatory diseases of the maxillofacial region (APID-MFR) are the leading cause of pediatric referrals to the maxillofacial surgery department. The prevalence of APID-MFR requiring hospitalization among children in Krasnodar and Krasnodar Krai averaged 42.9% from 2017 to 2021.Objective. To investigate the nature and structure of odontogenic and non-odontogenic inflammatory processes in patients treated at the maxillofacial surgery department of the State Healthcare Institution "Children’s Regional Clinical Hospital" (CRCH), Krasnodar.Materials and methods. Medical records of patients with inflammatory diseases of the maxillofacial region, treated in the maxillofacial surgery department at CRCH, Krasnodar, from 2017 to 2021, were analyzed. The study focused on examining the structure and characteristics of the pathology in patients receiving inpatient care.Results. The most common pathology identified in children was periostitis (30.9%), which significantly differed (p = 0.007) from the second most prevalent condition, exacerbation of chronic periodontitis (26.1%). The third place was shared by lymphadenitis (13.6%) and inflammatory skin and subcutaneous tissue diseases, including boils and carbuncles (13.5%), both of which significantly differed from the top two conditions (p < 0.001) but not from each other (p > 0.05). In fourth, fifth, and sixth places were other inflammatory skin and subcutaneous tissue diseases: abscess (10.1%), phlegmon (4.8%), and adenophlegmon (1.0%), which also significantly differed from one another.Conclusion. The high prevalence of odontogenic APID-MFR in children highlights the insufficient prevention of caries-related complications and emphasizes the need for enhanced pediatric dental care. Early diagnosis and pre-vention of APID-MFR complications are crucial to improving outcomes in affected children.

Multicenter study on Clostridioides difficile infections in Mexico: exploring the landscape.

This study aims to outline Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) trends and outcomes in Mexican healthcare facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Observational study of case series. Sixteen public hospitals and private academic healthcare institutions across eight states in Mexico from January 2016 to December 2022. CDI patients. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data of CDI patients were obtained from clinical records. Cases were classified as community or healthcare-associated infections, with incidence rates calculated as cases per 10,000 patient days. Risk factors for 30-day all-cause mortality were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression. We identified 2,356 CDI cases: 2,118 (90%) were healthcare-associated, and 232 (10%) were community-associated. Common comorbidities included hypertension, diabetes, and cancer. Previous high use of proton-pump inhibitors, steroids, and antibiotics was observed. Recurrent infection occurred in 112 (5%) patients, and 30-day mortality in 371 (16%). Risk factors associated with death were a high Charlson score, prior use of steroids, concomitant use of antibiotics, leukopenia, leukocytosis, elevated serum creatine, hypoalbuminemia, septic shock or abdominal sepsis, and SARS-CoV-2 coinfection. The healthcare-associated CDI incidence remained stable at 4.78 cases per 10,000 patient days during the pre-and pandemic periods. However, the incidence was higher in public hospitals. Our study underscores the need for routine epidemiology surveillance and standardized CDI classification protocols in Mexican institutions. Though CDI rates in our country align with those in some European countries, disparities between public and private healthcare sectors emphasize the importance of targeted interventions.

A Qualitative Exploration on Psychological Stressors and Coping Mechanisms in Medical Laboratory Personnel

Healthcare professionals, particularly those working in high-stress environments like hospitals, are frequently exposed to significant psychological challenges. This study explores the psychological stressors and coping mechanisms of medical laboratory personnel at the People's Hospital of Keyouqianqi, Inner Mongolia, China. Using a qualitative research design, data was collected through semi-structured interviews with 10 participants, focusing on their experiences of stress and the strategies they use to manage it. The findings reveal that the most significant stressors include high workloads, time pressure, the responsibility for diagnostic accuracy, and interpersonal conflicts within the workplace. Additionally, personal and social stressors, such as balancing work with family responsibilities, further compounded their stress levels. Participants employed a variety of coping mechanisms, both problem-focused and emotion-focused, with effective strategies including building strong professional relationships, engaging in physical activities, and practicing mindfulness. However, some participants resorted to ineffective coping strategies, such as avoidance behaviors and unhealthy habits, which often exacerbated their stress. This study highlights the complex interplay between individual coping strategies and the cultural and institutional context in which these professionals operate. The findings have important implications for practice and policy, offering insights into how healthcare institutions can better support the mental health and well-being of their staff.

Incidence of Non-Communicable Diseases and Out-of-Pocket Expenditure among Senior Elderly of five Districts in Kerala

Background: The nation's healthcare system, which is already struggling with constraints, faces a significant challenge from India's growing elderly population. As the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) rises among this demographic, concerns mount over the strain on healthcare services. Objective: the study's primary aim was to evaluate the incidence of NCDs and the financial burden of out-of-pocket expenses associated with hospital stays for the middle-aged and older segments of the population. Methods: The referenced study, employing a systematic random sampling method, sought to gather pertinent data within Kerala—a state in southern India. Conducted across five specific districts. Results: The findings from a sample of 500 individuals revealed that 45% were afflicted with NCDs. Notably, a significant majority of these patients, irrespective of their economic status, opted for private healthcare providers, accounting for 60.5% of the respondents. This preference underscores the perceived or actual disparities in the quality of care between private and public healthcare institutions. Conclusions: The study's insights are crucial in understanding the healthcare dynamics at play and could serve as a catalyst for policy reform, aiming to enhance the accessibility and affordability of healthcare for India's aging population. It also highlights the urgent need for a robust healthcare system that can accommodate the complex needs of the elderly, particularly in managing chronic conditions that require long-term care and substantial financial resources. Way ahead: Utilising frontline staff (ANMs and ASHAs) can assist in putting NCD interventions into practice at the community level.

Intravenous Line Labels For High-Alert Drugs Administered To Critically Ill Patients: A Simulated Experimental Assessment.

Evaluate the effect of IV line labels on nurses' identification of high-alert medications in a simulated scenario of multiple infusions for critically ill patients. Randomised crossover simulation experimental study. A study was conducted on 29 nurses working in intensive care for over 6 months. They were given two critical scenarios in a simulated environment, one with labels and the other without labels, involving multiple intravenous infusions. The nurses had to identify the medications infused into the critical patients' intravenous lines and disconnect a specific line. The data were collected and analysed to evaluate the errors made by the nurses in identifying and disconnecting the medications and the time they spent carrying out the tasks. The Wilcoxon test was used to analyse the variation in outcome before and after the intervention. Approximately one-third of the study participants incorrectly identified the intravenous lines in both scenarios. There was no significant difference in the average number of errors between the scenarios with and without labels. However, the time taken to perform the tasks in the scenario with labels was 1 min less than in the scenario without labels, suggesting a potential efficiency gain. The labels on the intravenous lines allowed for quick drug identification and disconnection. The professionals performed similarly in correctly recognising the high-alert medication intravenous lines, in the scenarios with or without labels. The label can be used as a technology to prevent misidentification of high-alert medications administered to critically ill patients through intravenous lines, thereby enhancing medication safety in healthcare institutions. No Public Contribution.

Nursing Care and Ethical Challenges in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Review

The COVID-19 pandemic has placed unprecedented pressures on healthcare systems across the globe, with nurses playing a pivotal role in managing patient care during this crisis. As front-line caregivers, nurses were not only responsible for delivering essential medical care but also found themselves navigating a series of ethical challenges that were often fraught with complexity. This review delves into the multifaceted role of nursing during the pandemic, focusing on both the clinical care provided and the significant ethical dilemmas faced by nurses. One of the most pressing ethical challenges was the allocation of scarce medical resources. The surge in COVID-19 cases led to critical shortages of ventilators, ICU beds, personal protective equipment (PPE), and other medical supplies. Nurses, often collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, were forced to make difficult decisions regarding which patients would receive these limited resources, raising profound ethical concerns about fairness and equity in healthcare. The review highlights the need for transparent, consistent decision-making frameworks that prioritize justice and equity. Such frameworks help ensure that resource allocation is guided by ethical principles rather than subjective judgments, thus fostering a fairer and more consistent approach to patient care. Another significant ethical issue addressed in this review is the balance between personal safety and professional duty. Nurses were often placed in situations where they had to weigh their commitment to patient care against the risks posed to their own health, particularly when faced with shortages of adequate PPE. This balancing act between personal safety and professional obligation introduced ethical dilemmas, such as the extent to which nurses were adequately informed of the risks they faced and whether healthcare institutions fulfilled their responsibility to provide a safe working environment. The review underscores the importance of developing robust infection control measures and ensuring the continuous supply of PPE to safeguard the health and well-being of healthcare workers. Patient autonomy and consent were also critical concerns during the pandemic. The urgency of care for critically ill COVID-19 patients, combined with isolation protocols that restricted family involvement, made it challenging to uphold patients' decision-making rights. The review explores how informed consent processes were affected by the rapid progression of illness and the necessity for immediate medical interventions, often with limited patient or family input. This issue further underscores the need for ethical guidelines that protect patient rights while ensuring timely and effective care. The psychological impact of the pandemic on nurses is another key focus of this review. Nurses faced not only physical exhaustion from long hours of work but also significant emotional strain from witnessing high mortality rates and making difficult ethical decisions. The review emphasizes the need for mental health resources, such as counseling and support groups, to help nurses cope with the emotional toll of their work. Addressing issues such as moral injury, compassion fatigue, and burnout is essential to maintaining a resilient nursing workforce. In conclusion, this review provides a comprehensive examination of the ethical challenges faced by nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlights the critical need for clear ethical guidelines, transparent resource allocation frameworks, protective measures, and mental health support systems. The lessons learned from this pandemic are invaluable for shaping future responses to global health crises, ensuring that nurses and other healthcare professionals are better equipped to navigate the ethical complexities of emergency care.

O PAPEL DO FARMACÊUTICO NA ÁREA DA SAÚDE ESTÉTICA: UMA REVISÃO DA LITERATURA

The article demonstrates in its approach the role of the pharmacist in the area of aesthetic health: A review of the literature. The objective was to analyze the role of the pharmacist in the aesthetic health sector, investigating the varied therapeutic approaches used by these professionals, in accordance with current regulations. The approach adopted in this research consisted of a literature review with a qualitative and descriptive approach. The search for aesthetics has become a significant element of today's society, attention and aspiration for well-being have become an important victory for healthcare institutions. This sector of activity ends up opening space for aesthetics, generating several opportunities to support this search among people. It is clear that the field of aesthetics is on the rise in society, with a growing demand for less invasive procedures. Pharmacists are among the professionals trained to work in this area.

Bridging diversity management and intellectual capital: insights and impacts in healthcare organizations

PurposeThe study examines the relationship between diversity management (DM) and intellectual capital (IC) in healthcare organizations. It aims to understand how embracing diversity across various domains – including cultural, gender and physical ability – enhances strategic value and competitive edge among healthcare institutions. This study is among the first papers to link DM and IC in the healthcare setting.Design/methodology/approachThe two-phased methodological framework began with a bibliometric analysis of previous literature to distil significant variables commonly associated with DM in healthcare. Subsequently, based on the identified variables, the policy and planning documents of 17 Italian healthcare organizations were mapped to assess how well European Commission policies promoting the integration of DM into IC have been adopted, identifying any key oversights.FindingsA significant link exists between effective DM and enhanced IC, particularly in fostering an inclusive organizational culture that values diverse employee backgrounds. This enhancement is evident in the increased recognition of varied cultural perspectives, improved gender diversity in leadership positions and the implementation of comprehensive anti-discrimination policies. Despite these benefits being recognized theoretically, the extent of practical application in healthcare settings varies. Some organizations show robust integration of these principles, while others exhibit significant gaps, especially in the Italian sample analysed.Originality/valueThis research underscores DM’s critical role in strengthening IC, particularly within the healthcare sector, which demands a high level of interpersonal interaction and cultural competence. The study’s insights encourage healthcare organizations to adopt more strategic approaches to DM, ultimately contributing to a more equitable healthcare system.

Service specification for senior care workers with traditional Chinese medicine specialty

Abstract Senior care workers specializing in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) healthcare have become an indispensable force in institutional care, community care, and home care. The first Chinese nursing service team aimed to improve the health of the elderly by providing continuous services for physical and mental well-being, disease prevention, physical amelioration, and overall health enhancement using TCM concepts, methods, and technologies. The primary purpose of formulating this TCM health and elderly care worker service specification was to standardize services within the TCM elderly care industry, ensuring that the elderly receive better health and elderly care services supported by technical expertise. This specification outlined the basic requirements for TCM health and elderly care workers, including standards for service content, service quality control, service evaluation, and improvement. It primarily focused on the content and requirements of TCM health and elderly care services, such as constitution identification, life care, acupoint healthcare, and TCM auxiliary nursing for elderly individuals with chronic diseases. This specification is applicable to TCM health and elderly care personnel at various levels of hospitals and healthcare institutions and is noted for its strong applicability and effectiveness.

Dialogical Health Communication via Twitter (X) During COVID-19 in African Countries: Ghana as a Case Study

Social media platforms, such as Twitter (X), have a critical role in disseminating health information. The study aims to highlight the potential of Twitter (X) as an influential tool for health communication, in addition to providing findings related to public health communication strategies in Ghana. The study investigated the role of Twitter (X) as a platform for building interactive health communication between the health communication system and citizens in Ghana during the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020–2022. Additionally, it has the potential to contribute to building dialogical health communication. The study analyzed a sample of COVID-19-related tweets from the official Ghana Health Service Twitter (X) account @_GHS from 2020 to 2022. The results showed that Twitter (X) was a key tool for health communication during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana, with both health institutions and the public sharing large amounts of health information. Furthermore, the study found evidence of dialogic communication, in which healthcare institutions and professionals are actively engaging with the public on Twitter (X). It concluded that public health communication on Twitter (X) has changed over time, as well as that the interactive health communication between the health communication system and citizens in Ghana was affected positively during the COVID-19 outbreak. It highlighted Twitter (X)’s potential as a tool for establishing a dialogue loop and building dialogic health communication. The results showed that before COVID-19, Ghana did not use Twitter (X) effectively to communicate with citizens about health matters. Twitter (X), with its wide reach and highly interactive nature through features such as retweets, has become a major platform for interactions facilitating dialogue between health institutions and health professionals and facilitating dialogue in public spaces surrounding health issues like COVID-19.

Exploring the epidemiology and awareness of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) among health sciences students in an academic health care institute in India

BackgroundMetabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) affects over 25 % of the global population, presenting a significant health challenge. It is often asymptomatic but linked to severe conditions like cirrhosis and liver cancer. Previous research indicates that people often underestimate MASLD risks. This study examines MASLD prevalence and awareness among medical students in an academic health care institute in India. Material and methodsThis cross-sectional study at SRM Medical College Hospital, Chennai, involved 80 medical and paramedical students aged 18–25. Exclusion criteria included history of alcohol use, neurological disorders, thyroid issues, diabetes, and hypertension. After obtaining informed consent, anthropometric data and blood samples were collected. Biochemical parameters including fasting plasma glucose, triglycerides, HDL-C, and GGT were measured. The Fatty Liver Index (FLI) was used to assess liver steatosis, with an FLI ≥60 indicating NAFLD. Data were analysed using SPSS Version 22.0, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. ResultsAmong 80 participants, the mean age and BMI were 20.2 ± 1.03 years and 23.16 ± 4.55 kg/m2. The mean Fatty Liver Index (FLI) score was 15.11 ± 19.68. MASLD prevalence was 7.5 % (n = 6). Significant positive correlations were found between FLI and BMI, waist circumference, fasting plasma glucose, triglycerides, and GGT, while HDL-C showed a non-significant negative correlation. Most participants were aware of MASLD and its risk factors but showed varied adherence to preventive measures. ConclusionHealth Sciences undergraduates had a 7.5 % MASLD prevalence, highlighting a gap in understanding and testing. Addressing this requires better guidelines, awareness, and healthcare system enhancements.

Impact of caring for patients with polyhandicap on institutional health care workers' quality of life: a cross-sectional and longitudinal evaluation.

Profound intellectual multiple disabilities or polyhandicap (PLH) is defined as a combination of profound mental retardation and serious motor deficits resulting in extreme dependence. Support for these patients is multidisciplinary, complex, and time-consuming. Thus, institutional health care workers (HCWs) face specific working conditions: frequent physical tasks, distressed families, and restricted feedback. We aimed to identify determinants of quality of life (QoL) of HCWs and to study longitudinal evolution. The study used data from the French cohort EVAL-PLH. The participants were institutional HCWs of persons with PLH (age ≥ 3 years at the time of inclusion; age at onset of cerebral lesion <3 years old). Two populations were used: (1) cross sectional study: the sample 1 includes the HCWs assessed at T2 (2020-2021); (2) longitudinal study: the sample 2 includes the HCWs assessed at both T1 (2015-2016) and T2 (2020-2021). The data collected included: sociodemographics, health status, professional variables, and psycho-comportemental aspects. QoL was assessed using WHOQOL-BREF which provides 4 scores. In comparison with French norms, the physical and social scores of QoL were significantly lower while the psychological score was significantly higher for (i) the 223 HCWs (participation rate 62%) assessed at T2 and (ii) the 61 HCWs assessed at T1 and T2. The main factors modulating QoL were age, marital status, self-perceived financial difficulties, personal chronic disease, anxiety-mood disorders, nature of coping strategies, and burnout. This study confirms the mixed (negative and positive) impact of caring persons with PLH on the institutional HCWs' QOL. Main determinants of the HCW's QOL were: older age, single status, perceived financial difficulties, altered health status, burn out and coping strategies.Clinical trial registration number: NCT02400528.

Nursing Students' Experiences and Perceived Learning Effectiveness of Patient Safety and Its Influencing Factors: An Integrative Literature Review.

To examine and synthesise the current literature to gain insights into nursing students' experiences, their perceived learning effectiveness of patient safety and its influencing factors. Integrative review. CINAHL, Medline, Scopus, and Embase databases from January 2011 to October 2023. Of the 5940 papers initially retrieved, 33 were included after title, abstract, and full-text screening. No papers were omitted through quality appraisal. Despite nursing students' generally positive attitude towards patient safety, their idealistic view did not translate into actual actions of upholding patient safety due to various factors. Moreover, their experiences and perceived effectiveness of learning patient safety were influenced by factors such as organisational safety culture and pedagogical contexts. Thematic analysis revealed four themes: 'perception, attitudes, and evaluation towards patient safety'; 'supportive organizational culture as impetus to promote patient safety'; 'perceived confidence, knowledge, and competence toward patient safety'; and 'educational contexts and pedagogies to promote learning of patient safety'. There is an inadequate focus on patient safety in clinical education compared to classroom education. Given that the clinical setting serves as an authentic learning environment of patient safety, nursing faculties play a crucial role in reforming existing nursing curricula to integrate patient safety education in both settings to ensure continuity of learning. Clinical nursing leaders should also proactively review and reform organisational culture and practices to enable nursing students' acquisition and internalisation of patient safety learning. This review highlighted the need for further collaboration between nursing faculties and healthcare institutions to advocate an environment conducive to nursing students' effective learning of patient safety. Reporting adheres to the Reporting items for systematic review and meta-analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines. No patient or public contribution.

COVID-19 Vaccine-induced antibody response to BNT162b2 mRNA in frontline healthcare workers

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19, has resulted in a pandemic that has disrupted all sectors of society. Less than a year after the sequencing of the virus’s genome, emergency use authorization for the BNT162b2 vaccine was requested. The aim of this study was to evaluate the response to the BNT162b2-mRNA COVID-19 vaccine in frontline workers from two hospitals in Colombia. Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected for the molecular detection of SARS-CoV-2 using real-time PCR, and blood samples were taken to assess seroconversion using qualitative and quantitative IgA, IgG, and IgM test kits. The study was conducted at a high-complexity healthcare institution in Bucaramanga, Colombia. 245 people were included in the first round and 129 in the second. SARS-CoV-2 molecular tests were conducted by RT-qPCR, and peripheral blood samples were collected to measure IgG, IgM, and IgA. The main outcome was to establish natural infection and the antibody response induced by the vaccine. The entire population was tested at two fixed times with RT-PCR tests and antibody level measurements approximately 4 and 8 months after receiving the second vaccine dose. 62 (25.3%) and 35 (14.3%) participants had a history of positive PCR in the first and second rounds, respectively. All positive cases showed elevated levels of all immunoglobulins, especially IgG. The average concentrations of IgA, IgM, and IgG at 90 days were 1149.5 U/mL (95% CI 828.2-1470.9); 320.3 U/mL (95% CI 218.4-422.3); and 9277.3 U/mL (95% CI 8989.2-9565.3). Frontline healthcare workers showed an adequate response to the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine.

Spanish Healthcare Institutions and Their Role in Social Media-Driven Influenza Vaccination Campaigns: A Comprehensive Analysis of X

Social media plays a crucial role in health information dissemination, yet it also raises concerns about misinformation. This study examines the role of Spanish health centers in promoting influenza vaccination on social networks, particularly X (formerly Twitter), during the 2023–2024 campaign. An observational, retrospective study analyzed the activity of 832 Spanish health centers on X. Data collection focused on the existence of official accounts, follower engagement and the nature of messages posted. Metrics were obtained using X Analytics, and statistical analysis was performed using JAMOVI v2.4 software. Of the 832 centers, 607 had readable X accounts. Collective accounts were more prevalent (351) than individual ones (239). Collective accounts had significantly more followers and posts but showed less engagement compared to individual accounts. The most followed accounts belonged to public entities, like the Community of Madrid and private organizations, such as Sanitas. An analysis of the vaccination campaign revealed that most posts had a political focus with limited health information, resulting in minimal interaction with the public. As a conclusion, the study highlights the fragmented nature of health communication through social networks in Spain. Despite the higher visibility of collective accounts, their engagement with the public is low, often due to the political nature of posts. A unified national strategy is essential for enhancing public health communication, focusing on interactive and relevant content.

Accounting and Healthcare Waste Management: Strategies to Improve Financial Efficiency and Reduce Environmental Impact

Healthcare waste management represents both a financial and environmental challenge for healthcare institutions. This article discusses accounting and financial management strategies that can be implemented to optimize operational costs related to healthcare waste disposal, while minimizing environmental impact. A theoretical framework based on financial and environmental sustainability is proposed, integrating environmental accounting policies and waste management methodologies. The results demonstrate that adequate financial planning and the implementation of treatment technologies can significantly reduce costs and improve efficiency in healthcare waste management. The findings highlight the need for more robust management policies and greater investment in sustainable treatment technologies.

Informatization of the processes of administration of the quality of medical services in surgical hospitals

Among the various forms of quality control of the provision of medical care, self-control and internal control of the quality of medical services are the most effective and significant. Currently, there is no comprehensive information technology and algorithm for recording data on the provision of medical services and determining their quality. The goal is to develop and analyze the effectiveness of business processes and an algorithm for quality control of the performance of medical services in a surgical health care institution by establishing their daily accounting in the information system, control of indicators characterizing the safety and quality of their performance, as well as an opportunity to assess the dynamics changes in indicators for making management decisions. In the study, an analysis of literary sources was carried out, business processes were formulated, and on the materials of a retrospective analysis algorithms for the use of information technologies were developed based on the methods of generalization, comparison, content analysis, system-analytical and logical analysis, a graphic analysis was performed to increase the clarity of the presentation of the material. The research was approved by the Biomedical Ethics Committee. For the first time, as a result of the work of the internal quality commission, daily and summarized forms of reports on the work of the medical center, which have five sections are obtained. The statistical indicators of the operation of the surgical unit for any period are fixed, formed in an automated mode and analyzed. Clinical data characterizing all prescribed procedures applied are subject to analysis, and the results provide an opportunity to isolate from the records the disorders and complications reflected in the reports. The quality control of the use of antibiotics, the frequency of their use for preventive and therapeutic purposes is also carried out. The section that contains multivariate epidemiological control of the work of the treatment facility, as well as the section that shows the quality of medical record keeping and patient care is important. Together with the inpatient chart, e-mails of medical appointments are analyzed, patient falls are recorded, appointments and monitoring of patient care, pain assessment after surgery, allergic reactions are recorded, as well as a retrospective audit of the charts regarding the justification of the appointment of antimicrobial therapy. Control of patient safety and the quality of the provided medical services requires constant verification of their implementation and paying attention to be up to standards, the occurrence of deviations and complications. The application of a specially developed algorithm based on information technologies, aimed at daily accounting of medical services and obtaining data on deviations in their application, makes it possible to make urgent management decisions and influence the improvement of the qualifications of personnel who provide such services.