[Determining of the factors affecting mortality in burn patients using a decision tree data mining algorithm]

Introduction: Using data mining to develop prediction models from large amounts of data in medicine has become increasingly popular during the recent years. In this study, we intend to use a decision tree data mining algorithm in order to identify factors influencing mortality in burn patients

Methods: The present retrospective descriptive study is based on burning patients' records. Overall, the medical records of 4804 patients were scrutinized. The collected data were analyzed using statistical software [SPSS version 16], data mining software [Clementine version 12], and CHAID algorithm

Results: The resulting model for predicting survival and mortality of burning patients included the percentage of Total Burn Surface Area [TBSA %], degree of burn, length of stay, gender, and age of patients. Other variables including blood cultures, wound cultures, urine cultures, and the months of patient hospitalization had no effect on improving the efficiency of the model

Conclusion: The proposed model is valid and reliable due to its accuracy [approximately 95%]. In fact, the results of this study, some of which are consistent with the results of other studies, can propose a comprehensive, accurate, and reliable local model for predicting mortality and survival of burning patients based on the mentioned variables. Thus, this local model can be used as an important criterion for evaluating the effective treatment of burn patients

[ study of educational needs of medical records staff of hospitals in Khuzestan province [2011]]

In recent years, There has been a change from paper to electronic medical records with more attention to the contents of health data resulting in the development of new opportunities and concurrently new educational needs for medical records professionals. The aim of the present study was to assess the educational needs of medical records staff. The population of this descriptive study consisted of all the medical records staff in 52 hospitals of Khuzestan province. Job and education relatedness were considered as the inclusion criteria for participation in the study. Data, having been gathered by a questionnaire, were analyzed through descriptive statistics. It was generally found that literacy in the areas of computer and information technology were considered as the most significant educational needs by the staff [70.4%] while literacy in the areas of safety and occupational health were regarded as the least significant needs [50%]. Regarding needs differences of the staff with different academic degrees, the highest needs of the holders of associate, bachelor, and master degrees were the skills in the implementation of health statistical activities [78%], use of computer and information technology [74%], and the implementation of health statistical activities in medical records [72%], respectively. It can be concluded that, along with the development of computerized health information systems, the enhancement of computer and information technology literacy of medical records staff are the needs to be met by authorities

[ study of computer literacy in students of general medicine at Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences [academic year 2009-2010]]

Nowadays, we witness the development of computerized healthcare information systems, evidence-based medicine, and e-learning approach at Medical Universities. Thus, medical students need to have familiarity with computer skills and information technology. The aim of this study was to survey computer literacy in students of general medicine at Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences. This study was observational, cross-sectional in nature. The study was conducted in the academic year of 2009-2010. The sample population consisted of 243 medical, pharmacy and dentistry students. A questionnaire was used for collecting data which were then analysed by SPSS using descriptive statistics. The results showed that, students' familiarity with computers were low [35%]. The most familiarity with computers were the ability to use it in managing files [48%], and the lowest was related to the ability to manage the Windows operating system [19%]. Familiarity to use Power Point rated the highest among the other skills [75%], to use Access was the lowest [9%]. The students familiarity with the Internet and the Web were [39%]. Students used less advanced methods for searching the information on the Internet. Overall, male students had more computer literacy than female student. The students' familiarity with computer literacy was not satisfactory. Therefore, it is necessary to plan educational programs for computer literacy skills at Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences

Study on medical records departments function of hospitals related to ahvaz jundishapur university of medical sciences

Evaluation of medical records departments in hospitals of Iran shows that these departments have not achieved desirable standards and high quality services. The major aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance of the Medical Records Departments of hospitals of Ahvaz for awareness of their status. This is an applied research, conducted in descriptive cross-sectional. Research population includes medical records departments of hospitals Imam Khomeini, Golestan, Razi, Aboozar, Shafa, Taleghani, Salamat and Sina. In this study the required data has been collected by the use of a questionnaire and four types of check-lists in each of Admission, Filing, Coding and statistics units. To analyze of data, each four checklists of units was assigned 100 score and then the performance average of each unit was calculated and compared. The best performance was for statistics units [71.97%] and lowest it was for coding units [56.79%]. Functional status standards were partially observed. Auditing results show that the functional status in medical records departments of university hospitals in Ahvaz lack standard instructions that should be followed on all the functional processes and require appropriate attention by trustees of these hospitals

[Assessment of personal and social characteristics as risk factors in self-inflicted burns]

Suicide is among the first 10 causes of mortality and loss of life in Iran. Among the various methods of suicide, self-burning is a fatal injurious and painful problem imposing costs to the individual and society. The aim of this study was to assess the personal and social background and risk factors for self-burning attempts. This study is an observational, descriptive and cross-sectional research. Subjects include all burned patients [126 people] admitted in winter 2008 and spring 2009 in Ahvaz Taleghani Burn Center. Data were collected by researcher-made questionnaires, after confirming their validity and reliability. Results showed that 108 women and 18 men attempted for self-burning. Individual and social risk factors in women include: history of depression [64.8%], illiteracy [25%], being married [63%], age range of 15-35 years [88%], residence in rural communities [38%] and being household [89%]. Unemployment [50%] and addiction [16.7%] were important risk factors in men. The findings showed that young, illiterate, married and depressed rural housewives who had a low economic status were more at risk for attempted for self-burnings. Therefore, planning on the identification of individuals at risk and preventive actions by competent authorities may reduce the self-inflicted burns

Personnel internal radiattion exposure to iodine-125 in a radioiodination laboratory: exposure levels and trends

Monitoring internal exposure of individuals handling significant amounts of iodine-125 [I-125] for iodination is of great importance. These individuals are potentially exposed to external contamination, and internal contamination through inhalation, ingestion and intact skin absorption, to I-125. Considering radiological toxicity of this radionuclide its monitoring in the workplace and workers is necessary for radiation protection purposes. Direct measurement of I-125 in thyroid of individuals, known as a common and reliable method, was applied in the framework of monitoring program. Intakes of I-125 by individuals and the associated effective doses were evaluated using thyroid monitoring results and recommended metabolic models. The monitoring results of the laboratory personnel for a period of 3 years are given and compared. According to the results, the intakes of I-125 by individuals in the early phase of laboratory operations were higher due to insufficient facilities and experience. Improvements in the radiation protection facilities of the laboratory and personnel including provision of personal respiratory protection devices resulted in significant reduction of I-125 intakes. According to 3 years results from the implementation of internal exposure monitoring program for personnel producing I-125 labeled compounds, the exposure levels of the personnel have contineously decreased due to improvements in working conditions and increasing of personnel experiences