Hospitals In Selangor Research Articles

ASSESSING HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS’ ACCEPTANCE OF THE HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN A PRIVATE HOSPITAL IN SELANGOR, MALAYSIA

Introduction: In the current technological era, the implementation and use of information and communication technology are crucial for productivity and organizational management in the health sector. This study aimed to investigate factors influencing staff acceptance of the Hospital Management System (HMS) using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) in a private hospital in Selangor, Malaysia. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and administrative staff, to explore their experiences and perceptions of the HMS. Data collection was performed through interviews and observations and analyzed using thematic analysis with ATLAS.ti. Results: The study identified five key themes influencing HMS acceptance: performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, and behavioral intention. Participants emphasized the importance of system reliability, speed, and user-friendly interfaces for efficient workflow. Peer support and a technology-promoting organizational culture positively influenced system use. Comprehensive training and continuous technical support were crucial for user confidence. Despite recognizing the system's benefits, participants highlighted challenges such as inadequate system integration and the need for simultaneous digital and traditional record-keeping. Conclusion: Addressing these issues and tailoring the HMS to meet specific departmental needs can enhance user satisfaction and system effectiveness. The study underscores the importance of understanding user needs and providing robust support systems to facilitate the successful implementation and adoption of HMS in healthcare settings.

Clinical outcomes and risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough cases following vaccination with BNT162b2, CoronaVac, or ChAdOx1-S: A retrospective cohort study in Malaysia

BackgroundThe SARS-CoV-2 pandemic drove global vaccination. However, breakthrough infections raised concerns about vaccine performance, leading the World Health Organization (WHO) to recommend investigations thereof. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes (time to breakthrough infection, intensive care unit [ICU] admission, and in-hospital mortality) of hospitalised patients with SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infection. This was the primary outcome and the risk factors associated with its severity were the secondary outcomes. MethodsThis retrospective cohort study at a multispecialty tertiary hospital in Selangor, Malaysia included 200 fully adult vaccinated patients, with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, admitted from September 2021 to February 2022. Participants were selected by simple random sampling. Infection severity was categorised as CAT 2–3 (mild–moderate) and 4–5 (severe–critical). ResultsThe time to breakthrough infection was significantly longer for BNT162B2 recipients (128.47 ± 46.21 days) compared to CoronaVac (94.09 ± 48.71 days; P = 0.001) and ChAdOx1-S recipients (90.80 ± 37.59 days; P = 0.019). No significant associations were found between SARS-CoV-2-related ICU admission, mortality, and the vaccines. Multivariable analysis identified vaccine type, variant of concern, ethnicity, and hypertension as significant predictors of severity. BNT162b2 and ChAdOx1-S recipients had significantly (81 % and 74 %, respectively) lower odds of CAT 4–5 infection compared to CoronaVac recipients. Indian patients had a significantly (83 %) lower chance of CAT 4–5 infection compared to Malay patients. Patients with breakthrough infections during the Omicron period had a significantly (58 %) lower risk of CAT 4–5 compared to those in the Delta period. The CAT 4–5 risk was significantly (nearly threefold) higher in hypertensive patients. ConclusionThe results support the Malaysian Ministry of Health's recommended booster three months after primary vaccination and the WHO's recommended heterologous booster following CoronaVac. Certain ethnic groups, hypertensive patients, and viral variants may require attention in future pandemics.

Stigma on Mental Illness among Nurses

A lack of knowledge about mental illness contributes to the pervasive stigma and discrimination that affects the quality of life. This study aims to determine the nurses' knowledge of mental illness and the existence of professional stigma in a teaching hospital in Selangor. The study used a quantitative cross-sectional design, with nurses selected using simple random sampling (n = 178) and utilizing the Attribution Questionnaire (AQ-27) and the Mental Health Knowledge Schedule (MAKS) (α = 0.76 & 0.62). Nurses’ knowledge is high (M=44.57±4.61) and that professional stigma exists. Additionally, significant association between knowledge and stigma among nurses was found (p<0.05).

THE PERFORMANCE OF MALE NURSES AS CAREGIVERS IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS IN SELANGOR

The study focused on the performance of men working in what has culturally and traditionally been labelled as a woman's profession, which is nursing. There has been little focus on men who have ventured beyond the traditional gender limits and ventured into what has been labelled as feminine roles. Therefore, this study examined male nurses' character as caregivers in public hospitals in Selangor. The research employed the descriptive research design, which is used to gather quantitative data. The sample size was calculated to be 88 male nurses. The respondents were obtained from 6 selected public hospitals in Selangor. The study focuses on the method of motivation needed to enter the nursing field, the importance of rewarding male nurses, and self-evaluation as they work in a sector dominated by a female. Perception of the male nurses about their profession (62%) mentioned that they did not find any advantage when compared with female nurses. Respondents from this study (63.3%) were very confident in their full abilities to perform their duties. As the health care profession is thriving, this sector needs serious attention, mainly for male nurses' development, and action needs to be taken for more males venturing into this nursing profession. Policy from government and nursing colleges needs to be revised for better policy outcomes for the male gender to involve themselves in nursing. Further studies are highly encouraged for psychological aspects of how males deal with the female-dominated sector.

Assessment of Peripheral Intravenous Catheter (PIVC) Knowledge and Perceptions of Phlebitis Risk Factors among Nurses in a University Hospital in Selangor

Background: Phlebitis is a frequently occurring complication in the peripheral venous catheterization of hospitalized patients. Knowledge and perception in regard to compliance with the guidelines are required for all nurses involved in the insertion and care of peripheral intravascular catheters (PIVC). Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge of PIVC care among nurses and their perceptions of risk factors for phlebitis in a university hospital located in Selangor, Malaysia. Methods: The design used for this research is quantitative and non-experimental. It was conducted using a cross-sectional study design involving knowledge and perceptions. In conjunction with that, a convenience sampling approach and unrestricted self-selected surveys of 170 hospital nurses were conducted at a university hospital in Selangor. Results: Over 58.8% of the nurses demonstrated a very high level of knowledge, while approximately 47.1% exhibited a good perception of phlebitis risk. Notably, a statistically significant correlation was observed between knowledge level and factors such as years of clinical experience, PIVC training, and the frequency of PIVC handling (p<0.05). In terms of perception regarding phlebitis risk factors, a noteworthy relationship was found with years of clinical experience, the workplace, PIVC training, and the frequency of PIVC handling, all of which achieved statistical significance (p<0.05). Conclusion: Specific measures should be taken to improve nurses' understanding of PIVC and their awareness of phlebitis risk factors. Nurses are entrusted with various responsibilities in the course of intravenous treatment, which encompass initiating, monitoring, maintaining, and discontinuing intravenous infusions. Therefore, nursing staff must be proficient in all facets of intravenous care, including identifying and preventing phlebitis.

Needlestick Injuries among Nurses in Selangor Public Hospital, Malaysia

Background: Needlestick injuries (NSIs) are one of the greatest risks nurses face. NSIs are associated with an increased risk of diseases that can be transferred through skin exposure, such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and the human immunodeficiency virus. Certain factors can influence the mechanism and frequency of NSI among nurses. Objective: To determine the factors associated with the frequency and mechanisms of NSIs among nurses at a public hospital in Selangor. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from April to September 2020. A total of 233 nurses were conveniently sampled from a public hospital in Selangor. A questionnaire was distributed to capture data on socio-demographic characteristics, frequency, and mechanisms of NSI. The inferential statistics were conducted using SPSS 22. Results: Of the 233 respondents, the incidence rate of NSI was 23.6%. Most cases of NSI occurred during the morning shift (12.4%), and the most common mechanism of NSIs was the action of recapping needles (6.9%). Factors associated with the NSI were gender, age, ward, and working experience. Conclusion: The prevalence of NSIs is relatively low in this study. However, nurses should still apply universal precautions to prevent NSIs. Several risk factors that influenced the NSI should be highlighted among nurses and nursing management to prevent its incidence.

Knowledge among Pregnant Women Regarding Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension at a Public Hospital in Malaysia

Background: Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (PIH) is a significant contributor to various pregnancy complications. Therefore, an effective way to avoid possible fatal complications of the disease is to create awareness among pregnant women. Pregnant women who are aware of the danger signs of pregnancy will take responsibility for seeking medical attention if any complications arise. However, there is a lack of study done at public hospitals in Selangor regarding the knowledge level of PIH. Aim: To determine the level of knowledge regarding PIH among pregnant mothers. Methods: A cross-sectional design with systematic sampling was used. A total of 283 pregnant mothers who attended the antenatal clinic were recruited. All data were analysed using the Statistical Analysis Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. Results: The results showed that only 32.9% of the respondents had good knowledge of PIH, while 67.1% had poor knowledge regarding PIH. Most of them had a higher level of education, such as tertiary (62.9%), two-thirds were employed (68.2%), the majority were Malays (89.8%), had children between 2 and 4 years of age (36.4%), and 30.0% were currently pregnant for 16 to 20 weeks. Meanwhile, 53.0% of the respondents attended antenatal check-ups fewer than eight times. The result indicated a significant association between parity and level of knowledge on PIH (χ²= 7.848; p= 0.049). Conclusion: The majority of pregnant mothers have poor knowledge of PIH. Health education on PIH is needed to reduce the rate of delay in seeking treatment.

Nurses in the Loop of Fall Prevention

Background: Nurses actively engage in patient care and play an important role in preventing patient falls. However, lack of knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding fall prevention contribute to increased incidence of falls. Objectives: This study aims to determine the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices on fall prevention among nurses. Methods: A quantitative design with a cross-sectional survey was used for this study. Nurses working in two teaching hospitals in Selangor were purposively selected (n=147). Data were collected via an online platform using an adapted instrument (α>0.70). Nurses in the current study demonstrated a good level of knowledge (M=16.26; +SD=2.48), positive attitude (M=86.86, +SD=9.54), and high level of practice (M=92.03; +SD=9.96). Moreover, a positive relationship was found between knowledge and attitude, knowledge and practice, and attitude and practice of nurses in fall prevention (p<0.05). On the other hand, nurses’ knowledge and attitude differ significantly according to their work experience (p<0.05). In contrast, no significant differences were found between the socio-demographic characteristics and nurses’ practice in fall prevention (p>0.05). Results: The results of the current study on the knowledge and attitudes of nursing staff in both hospitals may help to improve fall prevention practices. Conclusion: However, concern was raised that the importance and potential impact of falls on patient outcomes is underestimated, and future studies on a larger scale are recommended.

The Effect of Educational Program on Knowledge, Attitude and Practice on Sterile Technique among Operating Room Nurses of a Private Hospital in Selangor

Surgical site infection continues to be the most common hospital-acquired infection among operated patients, associated with expenses, mortality, and morbidity. Operating room nurses play a big role in preventing and controlling theatre infection by applying sterile technique principles. For that reason, the Operating Room nurses, to accomplish their tasks, must have the knowledge and good attitude to practice the sterile technique. However, various studies revealed that OR nurses have insufficient knowledge, attitude and practice of sterile technique. This study aimed identify the effect of educational programs towards enhancing operating room nurses' knowledge, attitude and practice of sterile technique in two KPJ Hospitals. The research design chosen in this study was Quasi- experimental, where an educational program was conducted as an intervention on a single group pre and posttest posttest. A total of 48 Registered Nurses working in the Operating Room of the two selected Hospitals in Selangor were recruited to use purposive samples. The sample from the Registered Nurses population was selected using the Convenience sampling method. The data were analyzed using the IBM Social Packages for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26. The finding of this study revealed that 1 (2.3%) of respondents had low knowledge while 17 (39.5%) had a medium level of knowledge, and 25 (58.1%) had a high level of knowledge for pre-intervention. Post-intervention respondents had medium knowledge, 8 (18.6%) and 35 (81.4%) for high knowledge. There is still a need for nurses to be better educated on the principles of sterile techniques to ensure the operated patient's safety and reduce the rate of postoperative wound infection among the operated patient.

Barriers and Challenges of an Outsource Hospital Foodservice Operation: A Narrative Thematic Analysis

Introduction: Hospital foodservice is one of the key performance metrics that should be constantly monitored to maintain and improve the quality of hospital services. However, hospital foodservice must overcome obstacles and constraints that can impact the quality of services supplied. This study explored the barriers and challenges foodservice employees encountered during food production and serving meals to patients. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted with thirteen foodservice employees (N = 13) at a government hospital in Selangor, Malaysia, that outsourced its foodservice operations. The interviewees were chosen based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The interviews were audiotaped, transcribed, and analyzed using narrative, and thematic analysis. Results: The narrative findings reported foodservice employees were able to define their job in the foodservice department and describe their responsibilities in delivering sufficient quality of service to patients. The findings showed foodservice staff confronts barriers and challenges related to the type of foodservice operation, budget allocation, menu served, employee issues, meal preparation, and equipment. Employees also proposed that the government should regularly revise the foodservice contract specifications, budget allocation, and upgrade the equipment used during meal preparation and delivery to patients for future improvement. Conclusion: Future studies should be conducted in different hospital settings, including government, semi-government and private hospitals or foodservice operation systems such as in-house and outsourced operations or centralized and decentralized plating systems to explore other barriers and challenges that may affect the overall foodservice performance. Therefore, intervention studies can be proposed to improve their operation in the future.

Factors Affecting Intention to Stay Among Nursing Staff at Selected Private Hospitals

Many factors in the healthcare industry affect the nurse's work, but some major factors influence them to leave the organisation. Nurse retention is one of the major challenges faced by the healthcare industry, due to which the turnover rate of nurses increases. The healthcare industry is growing daily and needs more nurses, but due to the exhausting labour and challenging work, most people leave the industry early and look for better opportunities. This study aimed to determine the factors affecting nursing retention and turnover in a selected private hospital in Selangor, Malaysia. This descriptive, cross-sectional quantitative study involved 133 nursing staff through a self-administered survey questionnaire to know the respondents' viewpoints; the participants gave mixed responses about staying and leaving the organisation. However, from their statements, it is clear that they wanted the industry to improve the training and development process, work-life balance and reward and recognition policy. The high turnover rate of nurses will cause detrimental effects on patient care if nurses' lack of training and development influence nurses to leave the organisation.

Factors Impacting Hypertension Awareness among Hypertensive Population: A Quantitative Study in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Malaysia

There are obstacles to high levels of hypertension awareness that are embedded in gender, income and lifestyle habits which need to be addressed leading to high levels of undiagnosed and uncontrolled hypertension. This study aimed to explore the various factors which affect hypertension awareness among a hypertensive population in a tertiary care hospital. A quantitative study was conducted among hypertensive patients at a tertiary care hospital in Selangor, Malaysia. A validated and translated questionnaire was utilised as a data collection tool. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 25. A thousand participants (female n=621, male n= 379) were recruited, and their mean age is 48± 11.09 years old. Approximately half of respondents were not informed by their doctor that they have hypertension. More than half of respondents were unaware about the normal range of systolic and diastolic. Female gender, Chinese race, urban resident, older adults, and tertiary education level are the most significant factors that have a great influence on the level of awareness among hypertensive population. Hypertension awareness needs to be addressed from systemic point of view to solve the growing barriers to accessing correct information about the disease. Health care providers and authorities need to regulate the manner in which information on mortal diseases is presented to the public to reduce incidence of malpractice.

Gender Differences in Factors Associated with the Total Delay in Treatment of Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study in Selangor, Malaysia.

Background: Gender plays a significant role in health-care-seeking behavior for many diseases. Delays in seeking treatment, diagnosis, and treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis (pTB) may increase the risk of transmission in the community and lead to poorer treatment outcomes and mortality. This study explores the differences in factors associated with the total delay in treatment of male and female pTB patients in Selangor, Malaysia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2017 to December 2017. Newly diagnosed pTB patients (≥18 years) were recruited from selected government health clinics and hospitals in Selangor during the specified study period. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect information on sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle, knowledge about pTB, stigma, distance to the nearest health facility, and chronology of pTB symptom onset, diagnosis, and treatment. The total delay was measured as the length of time between the onset of pTB symptoms to treatment initiation. Factors significantly associated with a longer total delay among men and women were identified using binary logistic regression. Results: A total of 732 patients (61.5% men, 38.5% women) were enrolled in the study. The median total delay was 60 days. Men who have weight loss as a symptom (AOR: 1.63, 95%CI: 1.10–2.41) and are employed (1.89, 1.15–3.11) were more likely to have a longer total delay, while those who know others who have had pTB (0.64, 0.43–0.96) were less likely to have a longer total delay. On the other hand, among women, having a stigma towards TB (0.52, 0.32–0.84) and obtaining a pTB diagnosis at the first medical consultation (0.48, 0.29–0.79) were associated with a shorter total delay. Conclusion: Factors associated with the total delay in pTB treatment were different for male and female pTB patients. Increasing awareness of pTB symptoms and the importance of seeking early medical consultation and a prompt diagnosis among the general public may reduce total delay in pTB treatment.

Association between Breastfeeding Attitudes and Postpartum Depression among Mothers with Premature Infants during COVID-19 Pandemic.

Breastfeeding is the best form of feeding for premature infants. However, mothers with premature delivery are frequently reported to be depressed, and this has been especially the case during the Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. We aimed to measure the level of breastfeeding attitude and its association with postpartum depression among mothers with premature infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 248 mothers with a premature infant were observed in this cross-sectional study from the chosen NICUs of government hospitals in Selangor, Malaysia. The Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Score (IIFAS) and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, along with sociodemographic questionnaires, were used to obtain information on the mothers’ attitudes towards breastfeeding and the risk of postpartum depression. A higher percentage of mothers had a positive attitude towards breastfeeding (64.9%), with a mean IIFAS score of 66.30 ± 6.92. Meanwhile, about 27% of mothers with premature infants were reported to have high risk of depressive symptoms. Mothers with a high risk of depression were less likely to have a positive attitude towards breastfeeding (OR 0.37, 95% CI 0.199, 0.675) as compared to mothers with a low risk of depression (p < 0.01). We found that there is an association between the risk of depression and the attitude towards breastfeeding. Early identification of maternal mental health problems should be addressed to ensure the willingness of mothers to continue breastfeeding.

The Cross-Sectional Relations of COVID-19 Fear and Stress to Psychological Distress among Frontline Healthcare Workers in Selangor, Malaysia.

Previous pandemics have demonstrated short and long-term impacts on healthcare workers’ mental health, causing knock-on effects on patient care and professional functioning. Indeed, the present COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented disruption in social interactions and working conditions. Malaysia has been under the Recovery Movement Control Order since June 2020; however, with the upsurge of cases, healthcare workers face pressure not only from working in resource-deprived settings but also from the increasing patient load. The primary objective of the present study was to examine the cross-sectional relationship of COVID-19 fear and stress to psychological distress (operationalized as anxiety and depression) in healthcare workers. The present sample included 286 frontline healthcare workers from three hospitals in Selangor, Malaysia. Self-administered questionnaires containing sociodemographic and occupational items, the Malay versions of the Coronavirus Stress Measure scale, the Fear of Coronavirus-19 scale, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 were distributed via online platforms. Hierarchical multiple regression findings suggest that age, shift work, and COVID-19 stress consistently predicted anxiety and depression among frontline healthcare workers after adjusting for sociodemographic and occupational variables. The present findings suggest that frontline healthcare workers are not only inoculated against COVID-19 itself but also against the psychological sequelae of the pandemic.

Molecular detection of feline leukemia virus in clinically ill cats in Klang Valley, Malaysia.

Background and Aim:Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is classified as Retroviridae gammaretrovirus. FeLV occurs worldwide, including Malaysia. Thus far, only one decade-old study on molecular characterization of Malaysian FeLV isolates exists, which resulted in a scarcity of updated information of current FeLV isolates circulating in Malaysia. This study was conducted to determine the status of FeLV in clinically ill cats and to study the molecular characterization and phylogenetic relatedness of the current isolates.Materials and Methods:Convenience sampling was performed in 20 cats from the Gasing Veterinary Hospital in Selangor. Plasma and saliva samples were collected from 15 clinically ill cats and 5 healthy cats subjected to one-step reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction with primers targeting a highly conserved gene of U3-LTR-gag.Results:Two clinically ill cats’ plasma and saliva samples tested positive for FeLV RNA. Partial nucleotide sequencing and phylogenetic analysis revealed that the current isolates were 94-99% homologous to the previous Malaysian and Japanese FeLV isolates.Conclusion:Current FeLV isolates from this study displayed higher similarity with the previous Malaysian isolates, signifying that a similar FeLV strain circulated among the cat population in Selangor.

Awareness and Knowledge of Nurses towards Hepatitis B Virus Infection at a Tertiary Hospital in Selangor, Malaysia

Hepatitis B is a well-recognized occupational risk for healthcare workers. This self-administered questionnaire study was designed to assess awareness and knowledge towards hepatitis B virus infection among 140 nurses at Serdang Hospital, Selangor, Malaysia from the period of 1st April to 30th September 2017. The response rate was 97.2% (n = 140/144). A total of 71.4% of participants showed adequate awareness of hepatitis B. Most participants had heard hepatitis B with the predominant sources receiving from friends, media and education. Majority of them did serology blood test of hepatitis B before. A total of 84.3% of participants were aware of vaccine available for hepatitis B, although 78.6% got vaccinated in the past. Antiviral treatment of hepatitis B was not well noticed by most of them. Education qualification determines the awareness of hepatitis B. Regarding the knowledge, 73.6% of participants showed poor knowledge of hepatitis B. Most participants understood that hepatitis B was caused by a virus infection and the organ most affected was the liver. Surprisingly, 77.9% of them failed to recognize that cancer could be caused by hepatitis B. Majority of participants were aware that transmission of hepatitis B could be mediated via sexual intercourse, as well as childbirth. Nevertheless, 14.3% of them believed that hepatitis B was able to spread by cough and sneeze. Older age, Chinese ethnicity, and having high educational qualification were factors leading to adequate knowledge of hepatitis B. Additional attention should be emphasized to strengthen knowledge towards hepatitis B among nurses and perhaps other healthcare workers in Malaysia.

Outcomes of Clinical Treatments Among Patients with Diabetes Mellitus in Selangor, Malaysia: A Retrospective Study.

It is important to assess how well patients respond to their medical treatments by observing the results that appear during the clinical treatments. As such, the clinical treatments and results must obtain information on how effective recommended treatments were for patients with diabetes. This study examines how patients with diabetes mellitus responded towards their clinical treatments, where the probability distribution of patients and the types of treatment received were derived from the Rasch probabilistic model. This is a retrospective study wherein data were collected from patients' medical records at a local public hospital in Selangor, Malaysia. Clinical and demographic information such as fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), family history, type of diabetes (type 1 or type 2), types of medication (oral or insulin), compliance with treatments, gender, race and age were chosen as the agents of measurement. The use of Rasch analysis in the present study helped to compare the patients' responses towards the DM treatments and identify the types of treatment they received. Results from the Wright map show that a majority of the diabetes mellitus patients who were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes have no controlled readings of HbA1c during their first and second visits to the medical center. However, patients with a family history of diabetes mellitus who took oral medication have controlled readings of fasting blood glucose based on the probabilistic outcomes of the treatment received by the patients. Controlled readings were found only in the readings of fasting blood glucose during the first and second visits, followed by family history, types of medication received, and compliance with the treatment. This study has recommended that type 2 patients with diabetes without a family history of diabetes mellitus need to exercise more control over the readings of HbA1c.

Antibiotic resistance properties of Staphylococcus epidermidis isolated from hospitals in Selangor

A total of 89 Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci (CoNS) samples used in this study were collected from clinical hospitals in Selangor. These isolates were grown on Mannitol Salt Agar (MSA) to screen for pink colonies that do not reduce mannitol which is a characteristic of CoNS. The purified isolates were subjected to standard biochemical tests which include Gram stain, slide coagulase, catalase, and urease test. Identification of Staphylococcus epidermidis was performed using the tuf gene sequencing method which confirmed the species at a total of 60 out of the 89 isolates. When tested against several antibiotics, 41.7% of the isolates were found to be resistant to cefoxitin followed by erythromycin (38.3 %), gentamicin (16.7 %), rifampin (16.7 %), clindamycin (15.0 %), and ciprofloxacin (8.3 %). In contrast, all of the S. epidermidis isolates were sensitive against linezolid. This supports the use of linezolid in the current treatment of S. epidermidis infections. Hence, the speciation of S. epidermidis and its antibiotic resistance patterns may further establish their role as a significant pathogen and help in initiating proper antimicrobial therapy.&#x0D; Keywords: S. epidermidis, tuf gene sequencing, antibiotic, linezolid

Patients’ Satisfaction on Selangor Hospitals

Malaysian healthcare is nominated as one of the best healthcare providers in the world. However, does this fact reflect the patients' satisfaction? Therefore, this research aims to investigate whether empathy, competency, and service quality influence patients' satisfaction in healthcare services in Selangor, Malaysia. Primary data are collected using a self-administered questionnaire and a sample of 206 patients from four government and private hospitals in Selangor. Data were analysed through descriptive statistics, correlation and regression analysis. The findings show that empathy has the strongest relationship (β= .403) followed by service quality with (β=.284) and competency (β= .176). All factors also influenced patients' satisfaction. All identified variables contribute to a big amount of variances (R2=66.8percent) to the overall hospital performance that makes its client happy and satisfied. The understanding patients' satisfaction will lead to many improved services. Practically, this study can contribute to a better experience for patients and knowledge for hospitals to strive for a better service healthcare provider.