ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to clarify diet and meal preparation for terminal cancer patients followed at home. A cross-sectional survey was administered to bereaved caregivers of 200 cancer patients who received home care from five palliative care clinics in Kobe in 2014. The response rate was 66% and the average age of the caregivers was 62 years. Overall, 57% of caregivers reported distress regarding diet and meal preparation for patients. The independent determinants of distress were: the experience of coaching from medical staff （P=0.012）; how to help patients with eating; difficulties in cooking and meal preparation （P=0.001）; and helping with eating for anorexic patients （P=0.004）. Due to the paucity of the evidence about diet and meal preparation for cancer patients, caregivers may not be receiving sufficient specific and practical dietary instruction from medical staff.
ABSTRACT
A new fogging disinfection method was evaluated as a means of disinfecting ward rooms and operating theaters. A temporary room was established where the disinfection effect of fogging was examined. Based on the results, an automatic fogging disinfection unit was developed. This unit was then used in the disinfection of operating theaters, where its safety and effectiveness were examined. To evaluate the results of disinfection, bacterial culture tests were performed on the floor, walls and other areas of the operating theater, and the number of colony forming units was used as an index of effectiveness. Benzalkonium chloride, alkyldiaminoethylglycine, sodium hypochlorite, glutaral and acidic electrolytic water were used for the operating theaters. The average disinfection effect was 90% or better for all disinfectants, except acidic electrolytic water. The newly developed automatic fogging disinfection unit enables safe and effective disinfection, and may be suitable for disinfecting ward rooms and operating theaters.