Risk factors for neonatal Klebsiella septicemia in Srinagarind Hospital.

Three years' data were analysed to assess the risk factors for neonatal Klebsiella septicemia in Srinagarind Hospital. The incidence of Klebsiella septicemia was 4.1 per 1,000 livebirths or 5.2 per 100 discharged infants. Eighty-two per cent of infected cases were low birth weight infants and 67.7% were born prematurely. From multivariate analysis, the risk factors were endotracheal intubation (OR 31.57, 95% CI 289-343.82) and central venous catheterization (OR 16.99, 95% CI1.15-250.37). The overall mortality rate was 67.7%. Periodic review and continuous reinforcement of infection control policies in the neonatal unit are of paramount importance to decrease the incidence of nosocomial infection and successful control of outbreaks as well.

Charcoal bamboo as a bone substitute: an animal study.

Charcoal bamboo (Bambusae glaucescens) was placed in the resected tibial diaphysis of sixteen New Zealand White rabbits. At two, four and six weeks and again at six months after the operations, four rabbits in each period were killed and all specimens were examined under a light microscope and a scanning electron microscope. The six-week specimens showed that there was neobone invasion into the pores of the charcoal bamboo. There was no evidence of fibroencapsulation or inflammatory response. Due to its structure as a uniform porous material with interconnecting pores and carbon composition, the charcoal bamboo has been proved to be an osteotropic material. Clinical relevance: Charcoal bamboo should be an alternative bone substitute which may be used in humans in the near future. This material is available and easy to produce and prepare in developing countries.

Unit cost analysis in a university hospital: an example from Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen.

This is the first analytic study to identify the unit cost in the University Hospital using the standard method of analysis in health economics. The unit costs in the report can be used to calculate the cost of each service for any disease. The costs of the hospital administration cost center and the supportive cost center were both allocated to the patient care service center by the simultaneous allocation method. The cost of teaching personnel was excluded from the analysis because it is quite difficult to estimate and differentiate the ratio of teaching costs to service costs. The hotel cost of the inpatient ward varied from 77.81 baht to 604.7 baht per day. The unit cost per service per day is different from the charge which is presently used at Srinagarind Hospital. Some services, such as in-house transportation are not included in the charge. This study was conducted to identify the unit cost of each service. The decision to establish charges can depend partly on this data and partly on the administrator's judgement. Other factors, such as patient poverty can dictate the final decision. In any case, the hospital and health service center should identify their own unit costs to be able to plan for effective budget management.