survey on substance abuse related deaths referred to Tehran's legal medicine organization during 2007 and 2008

Doubtlessly one of the major problems in Iran is drug abuse or substance abuse. The transmission of HIV/AIDS has made the problem so complicated that has created an urgent need for a campaign against this awful phenomenon. The objective of this study-that was carried out through the cross-sectional methods considering the situation of the addict death and the related factors. The target population consists of the corpses of the addicts referred to the Legal Medicine Organization of Tehran during 2007 and 2008. The cadavers were examined in the preliminary stage. The blood, urine and the contents of the gall-bladder, stomach and viscera were collected and sent to the toxicology laboratory to examine and find narcotics metabolites and other drugs. The samples of the brain, heart, lungs, liver and kidneys were sent to the pathology laboratories. All of the extracted data were recorded and analyzed using SPSS software. It was diagnosed that 248 cases [79.7%] out of the total 311 in this study, died of substance abuse. Totally 300 cases were reported as male addicts [96.5%]. The oldest and youngest addicts were 49 and 17 respectively. The most frequent drugs used were heroin and combination of heroin and opium. No meaningful difference was observed between the death cause of different groups of drug abusers. It seems that the increase in the population of the substance users is the main cause of frequency changes of the addicts' deaths

Malpractice complaints against ophthalmologists referred to the state of legal medicine organization in Iran

Nowadays despite attempts having made by the medical society, health and therapeutic personnel as well as advancements in the therapeutic technology, yet the rate of non-satisfaction and actions by patients continue to increase. The aim of this study was to investigate malpractice complaints against ophthalmologists referred to the state of legal medicine organization. This is a cross-sectional descriptive study on medical complaints cases against malpractice in the field of ophthalmology referred to the State of Legal Medicine Organization Medical Commission for consideration between 2003 and 2005. SPSS software was used for data analysis. Total medical negligence complaints considered in the medical commission during 3 years was 1581 cases, of them 147 [9.29%] cases were related to the field of ophthalmology. Out of total 147 cases set forth in the commission, in 31 cases it was established that a medical negligence has been occurred. Legally, the most common type of negligence was found to be of type of lack of expertise and in the next rank, carelessness. Among total cases considered in the present study, the majority was allotted to the actions brought against private sector health centers. Out of total approved cases as negligence in consideration, the rate of negligence allotted to the university centers was less than other therapeutic centers. The highest rate of filed complaints was related to the cataract surgery [92 cases], followed by LASIK procedure [21 cases]. Ophthalmologists are advised, while establishing a good communication and behavior with patients and their companions, to be careful that prior to committing any kind of procedure, to inform patients of probable and unpredictable complications of the treatment and also to have necessary medical consultations plus to apply pre- and post-operative cares. Furthermore, physicians shall be educated about legal issues