Rational and irrational use of intra-venous infusions: a cross-sectional study among patients of a tertiary care hospital

Background: Intravenous infusions (IV) are a rapid mean of administering drugs. Hospitals are commonplace for their use, but at the same time they have many serious potential complications. This study aims to know the justified use of intravenous infusion among patients of a tertiary care hospital and awareness about its use.Methods: It was a cross-sectional study in which 249 subjects were conveniently studied. Nil per oral, severity of dehydration, vomiting, and diarrhoea was used as confirmatory criteria for using IV Infusions. Questionnaire with verbal consent was used to collect the data. Descriptive statistical analysis was applied to analyse the data and presented as means, frequencies and percentages in the form of tables and figure.Results: Total n249 (100%) subjects, n68 (27.3%) males and n181 (72.7%) females with average age was 24.05±14.21 years participated. Among n116 (46.6%) irrational users, females n76 (30.5%) were more then males n40 (16.1) with significant difference, p= 0.018. However, no significant difference was found among other variables (age groups, profession, education, awareness and rational or irrational use of IV infusion). Majority n249, n204 (81.9%) were not aware of the IV infusion medication error and doctors were most common unjustified prescribers of IV infusion, n105 (90.5%).Conclusions: The study concluded with the more prevalent irrational IV infusion use in our setup. Doctors appeared the dominant prescriber of irrational IV infusion. This statement is astonishing and must not be overlooked. Female gender, adult age, under-grade patients and students are more exposed to irrational IV infusion

Pattern of incidence of finger prints in the students of Frontier Medical Collage, Abbottabad

To establish the incidence in the occurrence of variations in different types of finger prints on the basis of regions. Frontier Medical College Abbottabad. July 2008 to October 2008. Retrospective study of finger prints in the students of FMC. Finger prints of 122 cases among the students Frontier Medical College are taken on proformas for retrospective study and a detailed examination is carried out subsequently. Out of 122 students 2% had arch pattern, 40% whorls, 43% loop and 15% had composite pattern. There lies a statistical variation in the occurrence of finger print pattern in our country as compared to the existing data available for the whole world

Recurrent abdominal pain in children

To determine the causes of recurrent abdominal pain [RAP] in children and suggest general management guidelines. It is a descriptive observational study conducted from August 2000 to July 2003.One hundred fifty two children of 2- 15-Years age with recurrent abdominal pain were enrolled in this study. A pre-designed proforma was filled and investigations like Complete Blood Count [CBC], urine and fresh stool analysis was performed in all cases. Patients presenting with upper abdominal pain with or without dyspeptic symptoms were evaluated for H. Pylon by serology. Helicobacter pylon antibody serology [value >50 i.u Elisa method] positive patients were offered endoscopy examination and endoscopic antral biopsies were done. Other tests like x-ray chest and or abdomen, barium meal study, ultrasonography of abdomen, EEG examination and tuberculin test were done as indicated. Patients were followed at 2-week interval for three months and specific treatment prescribed as per etiology identified. Out of 152 children, a female to male ratio was 2:1, age range was 2-15 years and mean age was 8.9 years. Mean duration of symptoms was 16 months. Patients presented with epigastric localization of pain 65%, 25% presented with 'whole' abdominal pain while 5% patients presented with pain in loins and 5% had pain in tower abdomen. Protozoal infections which included giardiasis and amoebiasis [33%] were the commonest association followed by Helicobacter pylon [31%]. Endoscopy was performed in 15 cases; biopsy was positive for H.Pylori in all [100%] cases. Thirteen percent had worms in addition to giardia and entamoeba histolytica and 10% had gastro-esophageal reflux. Among other causes urinary tract infection was 5%, constipation was 3% a peptic ulcer diseases was 02%. Abdominal epilepsy, abdominal migraine, cholilithiasis, ovarian cyst, ulcerative colitis and gastnic-trichobizoar all were less than 1%. Recurrent abdominal pain is frequent and challenging pediatric problem. High index of suspicion and careful thorough clinical evaluation supported by stepwise laboratory work-up according to it's clinical presentation and consideration of common treatable causes will be a cost effective approach. Balanced diet with higher fiber content, environmental cleanliness, better quality of water and good personal hygiene practices can reduce common infections with causative factors