Medication safety practice in pediatric ward

Background: As the medicine advanced, drug therapy became one of the most important and effective therapies in health care system. Which also raises the possibility of its mortality and morbidity. Drug-drug interaction [DDI] is defined as the occurrence of a harmful combination of prescribed drugs in a given patient. DDIs is a known cause of hospital visits, admissions and increases in health care use that could be prevented. In this study, we aimed to detect the DDIs prevalence in pediatric patients in King Abdulaziz university hospital[KAUH], Saudi Arabia

Methodology: Retrospective cross-sectional study on a sample taken from all pediatric patients at KAUH in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia between January - December 2106, with no exclusion criteria. We extracted the data from KAUH medical files. DDIs, severity and documentation of the DDIs were identified using micromedex. Data entry using microsoft office 2016. Data analysis using SPSS 21 and multivariate regression was done to assess the association of DDI with other factors

Results: Three hundred and fifty-nine patients were selected with the mean age [SD] 7.06 [5.9], 202 [56.2%] were male. A total of 233 DDIs were identified in 64 [17.8%] of the patients with the mean [SD] 3.64 [3.52]. Of all identified DDIs, the severity classification was: major [123 [52.79%]], moderate [67 [28.76%]], minor [37 [15.88%]] and contraindicated [6 [2.58%]]. The documentation of DDIs was excellent [9 [3.8%]], good [89 [38.2%]] and fair [135 [58%]]. Significant association with medications number 5 or more had been suggested

Conclusion: The prevalence of DDIs although much less than other studies but the higher proportion of major severity. Patients 1-3 years of age and those on 5 or more medications need more strict monitoring as they have more risk to have DDIs

First line management of adult diabetic ketoacidosis patients

BackgroundiDiabetic Ketoacidosis [DKA] is a hyperglycemic crisis that can occur in patients with both type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus. It is a medical emergency with a significant morbidity and mortality. It is however a potentially reversible condition in case an emergency and immediate medical attention, prompt recognition, diagnosis and treatment were provided

Aim of the Study: was to leverage the current research data in order to construct a treatment guideline for diabetic ketoacidosis in the emergency department

Methods:A literature search was carried out on MEDLINE [including MEDLINE in-process], CINAHL,Embase and the Cochrane Library. Databases using [diabetic ketoacidosis] as a MeSH heading and as textword. High yield journals were also hand searched

Findings: The initial treatment phase aims to restore circulating volume, reduce blood glucose levels, to correct any electrolyte imbalances and to reduce ketone levels which in turn corrects the acidosis. Evidence also showed that there is no need for insulin bolus prior to starting an insulin drip in the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis. Also, using beta-hydroxybutyrate at presentation can expedite diagnosis and therefore treatment. Implementing treatment guidelines into the emergency department may help expedite diagnosis and treatment

Conclusion: Prompt first line management of DKA is the most critical stage to profoundly reduce morbidity and mortality rates of this potentially fatal crisis. It's therefore crucial to follow the evidence-based guidelines and DKA protocol in the emergency department to expedite diagnosis, guide treatment, and improve continuity of care between the emergency department and the ICU as well as improving the clinical outcomes of patients with DKA. Initially, this will improve outcomes by decreasing the delay until treatment is initiated andprovide a continuum of treatment between the emergency department and the intensive care unit

Furthermore, the healthcare providersmust ensure that they have the ability to provide support and education to people at risk of developing DKA and those that have had an episode of DKA by spreading awareness and education to help reduce both the initial occurrence and recurrence of this often preventable life-threatening condition

Study of smoking among females students in Ibn Sina national medical college

Background: Prevention of smoking is a key strategy to improve general health. However, survey data from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia have indicated that a large number of female medical students are addicted to smoking despite the knowledge of its harmful effects. This article comparatively explores the impact of smoking on health among female medical students in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected as part of a program of qualitative and quantitative research investigating the prevalence of smoking among female medical students

Objectives: To study the prevalence of smoking among females in the college of Ibn Sina and it is impact on their health in relation to personal and family character, CAP knowledge attitude and practice, and association of medical condition as chronic bronchitis and bronchial asthma

Methods: The study was conducted among female's students attending college of Ibn Sina-Jeddah-Saudi Arabia. An open-ended questionnaire was developed to cover the objectives

Conclusion: This study indicated that across the targeted sites, the descriptions made by female smokers about the harmful impact of smoking on their health were often vague. After assessment of the risk factor and variables that may increase prevalence of smoking among medical students, the prevalence of smoking was only 7.95% and used to practice smoking habit despite the knowledge of its side effects