Microbiological quality of commercial enteral feedings used in two public hospitals in Shiraz, Iran

Background: Although enteral feeding solutions are used to reduce the morbidity and mortality in many malnourished and hospitalized patients, microbial contamination of these products may lead to severe infections, especially in immune suppressed ones. The aim of this study was to evaluate the microbiological quality of commercial enteral feedings in two hospital settings in Shiraz

Methods: Twenty commercial enteral feedings were collected immediately after preparation and then homogenized and serially diluted on the same day. MPN methods were used to evaluate the total viable count and Escherichia coli count. They were also tested for total coliform [pour plate method] and the presence of coagulase positive staphylococci. The results were compared with standard limits

Results: All samples had a total viable count lower than 10[4] colony forming units [CFU] per g [the maximum recommended level of FDA standard].For all enteral feedings, coliform counts were not detectable [<10 CFU/g].Escherichia coli counts were also lower than those of Brazilian legislation [<3 CFU/g]. Coagulase positive staphylococci were recovered just from one sample [5%]

Conclusion: Freshly prepared commercial enteral feeding samples h ad a cceptable m icrobial q uality. S uch p roducts are considered to be more acceptable than hospital prepared ones. However, further steps involved in the preparation and administration of commercial feedings can be sources of microbial contamination. Thus implementation of hygienic practices and monitoring procedures during preparation and administration can be suggested

Job satisfaction of dietetic practitioners in Fars Province, Southern Iran, 2012

Background: Job satisfaction is an emotional and positive feeling which results from job assessment or experiences. It is always considered as a problem in some organizations. Despite the important role of nutrition therapy in patients care, dietitians' job satisfaction is less taken into account. The aim of the present study was to determine the amount of job satisfaction among dietitians in Fars province, Iran

Methods: In this study, job satisfaction of 95 dietitians was evaluated through demographic and job satisfaction questionnaires. They were sent by e-mail or face-to-face referral for participants. Job satisfaction level was classified into 6 different categories including very satisfied, fairly satisfied, slightly satisfied, slightly dissatisfied, fairly dissatisfied and very dissatisfied. The data were analyzed by SPSS software using independent sample t-test, oneway ANOVA and Pearson correlation test. Statistical differences were considered significant at P<0.05

Results: The results showed that 72.6% of the participants were satisfied with their job condition but 27.4% were dissatisfied. The mean score of job satisfaction of dietitians was 57% +/- 10.54 [from the maximum score of 100], indicating the participants 'slight satisfaction. Moreover, the highest and lowest scores were related to the nature of work and salary, respectively

Conclusion: Since the level of job satisfaction affects other institutional variables such as efficiency, motivation, performance, absenteeism or burning out, it is suggested that authorities of Health Ministry provide a condition in which job satisfaction is increased by applying appropriate techniques

Pattern of psychotropic drug prescription in the elderly with chronic schizophrenia

Psychotropic drug use in the elderly with chronic schizophrenia is an important issue in the field of psychiatry. The main goal of this study was to clarify the pattern of such drug use in these patients, in order to consider such therapy plan and focus on its cost attributing measures, for a more reasonable quality of care program. In this descriptive study, participants included 52 elderly patients at Tehran's Razi Mental Hospital who had chronic schizophrenia in the residual phase. Selected patients were taking at least two psychotropic drugs equivalent to 500mg Chlorpromazine. We prepared the list of the drugs used by completing the pre-designed questionnaire charts. Data were analyzed with SPSS 17. In one case [1.92%] the entries were Risperidone, Chlorpromazine, Fluphenazine Decanoate, and Thiothixene]. In 11 cases [21.2%] there were three entries and in 40 cases [76.8%] there were two. The Chlorpromazine equivalent dose in each group ranged from the lowest dose [750. mg] to the highest [5600. mg]. The highest Chlorpromazine dose [5600. mg] equivalent per milligram belonged to the four entries of [Risperidone, Chlorpromazine, Fluphenazine Decanoate and Thiothixene]. The lowest Chlorpromazine dose [750. mg] was seen in 3 entries of Risperidone, Chlorpromazine and Fluphenazine Decanoate. There was a high prevalence of using more than two psychotropic medications from the first atypical antipsychotic category. Less frequently, the second and the third typical antipsychotics were used. We recommend further research into more feasible patterns of psychotropic prescriptions, lowering the amount of medication use and considering their cost-benefits in the elderly with chronic schizophrenia

[ study of affiliated hospitals preparedness to university of welfare and rehabilitation sciences for unexpected disasters in 2011]

Disasters caused 3 million deaths and involved 800 million people in the world during the last 20 years. Disasters cost over 500 billion dollars economically. Iran is one of the 10 most disaster-prone countries in the world based on United Nations table. There is a high incidence of natural disasters due to special geographic conditions, locating in earthquake faults, and flood-prone areas of Tehran. Since, hospitals as the most important healthcare systems should be prepared before disasters; this study was done in order to study the affiliated hospitals preparedness to University of Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences [Razi and Rofideh hospitals] for unexpected disasters. In this descriptive-analytical study, data was collected by using self administrated questionnaire in order to assess preparedness dimensions of both hospitals [Rofideh and Razi] dealing with unexpected disasters in 2010. The questionnaire had two parts: the first part was about hospital public specifications and the second part was related to study about the hospital preparedness in unexpected disasters. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze data. According to findings, the preparedness of Rofideh hospital was very low [12/142] and Razi hospital was average [84/142] in unexpected disasters. However, these results showed inadequate preparedness for disasters. It seems necessary to design and perform an organized preparedness plan for disasters due to disaster-prone of Tehran province, the importance of hospitals' role in control of unexpected disasters and the necessity of planning and practical measurements such as teaching, human resources, equipment, structure, cooperation, financial budget, map dividing and code group. So, paying attention to the results and suggested strategies would be useful in order to design a preparedness plan for disasters