Disease pattern of patients admitted during hajj time and provision of health service to fulfill the necessary pillars of hajj

Background: Hajj is a religious obligation for the Muslims who can afford and about three million people around the world come to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj. Hospital admissions are due to acute diseases and trauma or exacerbation of comorbid conditions. Hajj Caravan, a unique experience, is a program of patients' movement under supervision

Objective: To determine the disease pattern and their status of suitability to go with Hajj caravan in the patients admitted during Hajj-time

Methodology: This was an observational and descriptive study and data of five big hospitals of Makkah, for the year 2013/ 1434H, was collected to see the disease patterns of all the patients, their status regarding permission or refusal to go with Hajj Caravan and whether the matter was discussed with the patients. Resources used for this movement, were also observed. Data was entered and analyzed by using SPSS version 16

Results: Two hundred and seventeen patients were included in the study, majority from Middle East, African and South Asian countries. Disease patterns was: trauma, 18%, GIT infection 17% and CVS disease 15%. One hundred and ninety seven patients got permission to go with Hajj Caravan and 20 patients were refused. This decision was taken by 2 consultants and mostly it was found to be subjective

Conclusion: Most common disease during Hajj were trauma, gastrointestinal infections and cardio vascular disease. Although Hajj-Caravan is a well-organized movement of patients for a compulsory ritual of Hajj, more structured policies are required related to this unique movement of inpatients from hospitals

Pattern of patients and diseases during mass transit: the day of Arafat experience

Every year 2-3 million Muslims gather for a few days around the Holy city of Makkah in Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj. Managing enormous health issues associated with such a mass gathering requires a very vibrant health delivery plan. Related research is part of the strategy. This study was done to assess the pattern of patients and illnesses encountered at one health facility at Arafat on the 2nd day of Hajj, when all the pilgrims move from Mina and stay in Arafat for a few hours . The objective of the study was to provide input so that recommendations can be given for future improvement of health care during this mass transit. All patients reporting sick to the Nimra Hospital on the Day of Arafat were included and documented on a detailed Performa and analyzed. We received 211 patients, essentially all of those were in need of acute medical intervention. Acute severe asthma and injures were the major problems encountered. There were two deaths both related to heat stroke. Patients received were predominantly Arabic speaking. Only those needing acute intervention seek medical advice during transit. Well equipped and staffed health facilities are, however, needed to cater these and for any mass casualties. Pre Hajj training and mandatory Flu vaccination can help

Clinical profile of haemodialysis patients with diabetic nephropathy leading to end stage renal disease

To know the characteristics of the diabetic patients on regular dialysis at Al-noor Specialist Hospital, Makkah, Saudi Arabia. The data had been collected retrospectively from 13-11-2005 to 12-12-2005 from the diabetic patients directly those were on dialysis due to end stage renal disease [ESRD] and from their files. The total study subjects were 51 with mean age of Diabetics was [55.2 years +/- 7.9] showing male predominance 31 [60.8%]. All were Saudies. The mean duration of Diabetes mellitus and dialysis were [16.8years] and [22 months], respectively. The mean age of start of Diabetes mellitus and dialysis was [37.4 years] and [53.5 years]. The mean duration of onset of diabetes to dialysis was [16.1 years]. Out of the total, 29[56.9%] were non-smoker. Patients with family history of diabetes with other associated illnesses were 23[45%] followed by 15[29.4%] had family history of only diabetes. Type II diabetics were 40[78.4%]. Regarding metabolic profile, patients with high blood glucose level were 10[19.6%] while 3[5.9%], 50[98%] and 18[35.3%] patients had high cholesterol, low density lipoprotein and triglyceride levels, respectively. Maximum number of patients were in sixth decade of life. Up to three fourth patients had family history of diabetes. Most of the subjects had only diabetic nephropathy. Maximum patients had high low density lipoprotein level

Reasons for delay in inpatient admission at an emergency department

This study highlighted the reasons which contributed to longer stay of patients in Emergency Department [ED] who were advised admission. This study was conducted from August 4 to 11, 2004G as a retrospective review of the ED cards of patients admitted to inpatients wards of Al-Noor Specialist Hospital, Makkah, Saudi Arabia. The demographic data, doctors and nurses notes with their timings were reviewed. The maximum consumed time by a reason was considered as the main reason of delay for that subject. The delayed patients were divided into Group A and B, delayed before and after admission was advised, respectively. Prolonged length of stay [Delay] in ED was defined as stay longer than 2 hours after patient's arrival in ED until they were received to wards. Out of total 4876 visits during study period, 355 [7.3%] patients were admitted, and 238 [67%] were delayed. Age group 13-30 years was common in delayed 78 [32.8%] and not delayed 56 [47.9%] subjects. The mean length of stay of delayed subjects was 256 minutes. Group A 146 [61.4%] had more subjects than group B 92 [38.6%] [p<0.001]. Fifty eight [39.7%] patients stayed between 2-3hours in Group A vs. B 23 [25%] [OR 2, 95% CI 1.1-3.5]. Common reason of delay in Group A was multiple consultations with further investigations 70 [48%] [p<0.001] while file making process was common 40 [43.5%] in group B [p<0.001]. Out of admitted patients 67% were delayed mainly due to late advised admission with major reason of delay were multiple consultations

Critical review of subjects diagnosed as road traffic accident [RTA] at AL-Noor Sspecialist Hospital

Objective To analyze and evaluate the management of RTA subjects received by Emergency room [ER] in relation to time, treatment and outcome. Duration and place of study This descriptive study was conducted over a period of 8 months i.e. March 15, 2002 - November 6 2002 at Al Noor Specialist Hospital, Holy Makkah KSA Material and methods Total subjects labeled as RTA by Accident and Emergency department staff and admitted were 684 for this non seasonal period i.e. March 15 2002 - November 6, 2002 Those who were coded as RTA according to ICD-10 by Medical Record Department [MRD] were 100 Data of all RTAs [n=100] collected was analyzed and results elaborated Results The results of 100 RTAs show that there were 81 males and 62 were Saudis The outcome of the patients was 86 percent got improved and only 7 patients died. Most of the patients 35 were referred to orthopedic ward, 54percent of cases stayed for 13 days in wards In ER majority [36%] stayed up to 6 hours and 4 percent stayed more than 6 hours Conclusion During this non seasonal period the ER department is not extremely busy There were 684 cases of RTAs [86 RTAs per month] brought to ER at Al Noor which indicates that serious cases are received all year round and arrangements should be made to cover such services