Medication error in general medicine department of tertiary care Koshi Zonal hospital in Nepal

Background: Medication errors are the leading cause of patient harm, injuries and even death in hospitalized patients. It endangers patient safety and also increases the cost of treatment leading to enhanced financial burden to the individuals and the community as well. The study was aimed to determine the pattern of occurrence of medication errors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 188 hospitalized patients in medical ward at a Zonal Hospital. Medication errors were identified and categorized by reviewing the cardex. The data were analyzed to determine the cause of medication errors including rates of harm to patients. The descriptive statistics frequency and percentage were calculated using Microsoft Excel 2007. The findings were presented as tables and graphs. Results: A total of 985 medication errors were found in 650 (38.3%) drugs prescribed in 177 (94.1%) patients. Approximately 72.9% of the errors reached the patients and 32.39% of the errors were harmful. The most common observed errors were administration errors (41.6%) followed by prescribing errors (36.5%), transcription errors (14.3%) and monitoring errors (7.5%). Omission of prescribing information (63.88%) and wrong dosing schedule (34%) were the most common type of prescribing and transcription errors respectively. Omission of dosages administration (57.32%) to patients was the most common types of administration error. All types of medication errors were highest in the alimentary tract and metabolism class of drugs (32.39%). Conclusions: Medication errors were associated with the majority of hospitalized patients signifying the requirement of immediate preventive strategies and policies to ensure patient safety.

Clinico-epidemiological features of hypopharyngeal cancer patients presenting at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib medical university, Bangladesh

Background: In Bangladesh, hypopharyngeal cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers in head neck region. In this study, the clinico-epidemiological characteristics of patients with hypopharyngeal cancer were evaluated. Methods: From November 2021 to October 2022, 172 patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma were included in this descriptive, cross-sectional study at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib medical university's department of clinical oncology. During in-person interviews, data were gathered from patients using a pre-made questionnaire. Results: The mean age of the patients was 54.42 (±7.652) years, and the majority of them (59.3%) were between the ages of 51 and 60. Male patients made up 81.4% of the total patient population, and 51.16% of them were farmers. The majority of the cases (79.07%) consumed tobacco. Squamous cell carcinoma was the most prevalent histological type among the patients (92%), and most of them had a moderate degree of differentiation (65.12%). The pyriform fossa (81.4%) was the most common primary sub site. Conclusions: In conclusion, tobacco users and middle-aged men are more likely to develop hypopharyngeal cancer. The most common histological type is moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, with tumours most commonly seen in the pyriform fossa of hypopharynx.

Clinico-epidemiological features of hypopharyngeal cancer patients presenting at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib medical university, Bangladesh

Background: In Bangladesh, hypopharyngeal cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers in head neck region. In this study, the clinico-epidemiological characteristics of patients with hypopharyngeal cancer were evaluated. Methods: From November 2021 to October 2022, 172 patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma were included in this descriptive, cross-sectional study at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib medical university's department of clinical oncology. During in-person interviews, data were gathered from patients using a pre-made questionnaire. Results: The mean age of the patients was 54.42 (±7.652) years, and the majority of them (59.3%) were between the ages of 51 and 60. Male patients made up 81.4% of the total patient population, and 51.16% of them were farmers. The majority of the cases (79.07%) consumed tobacco. Squamous cell carcinoma was the most prevalent histological type among the patients (92%), and most of them had a moderate degree of differentiation (65.12%). The pyriform fossa (81.4%) was the most common primary sub site. Conclusions: In conclusion, tobacco users and middle-aged men are more likely to develop hypopharyngeal cancer. The most common histological type is moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, with tumours most commonly seen in the pyriform fossa of hypopharynx.

Urine Specific Gravity Measurement for Fluid Balance in Neonates on Intravenous Fluids in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: An Open Label Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Urine specific gravity reflects hydration status and correlates well with urine osmolality. Objective: To compare intravenous fluid therapy guided with and without inclusion of urine specific gravity to the standard parameters for maintaining postnatal weight loss within permissible limits in neonates admitted to the intensive care unit. Methods: An open-label randomized controlled trial was conducted, including neonates requiring intravenous fluids for ?72 hours, randomized into the study (urine specific gravity guided fluids) and control arms. The outcomes of the study were to determine proportion of neonates with weight loss within permissible limits, mean percentage weight loss and number of days to reach maximum weight loss. Results: 80 preterm and term neonates (40 in each arm) were enrolled. A comparable proportion of neonates had weight loss within permissible limits in study arm and in control arms [39 (97.5%) vs 36 (90%); P=0.165]. The (mean (SD) percentage weight loss was significantly less in the study arm compared to control arm [All neonates: 7.2(2.6) vs 9.3(3.5); P=0.004); preterm neonates: 7.7 (2.8) vs 11 (3.9); P=0.008)]. Preterm neonates in the study arm attained nadir weight significantly earlier than in the controls (P=0.03) and attained complete enteral feeding earlier. Urine specific gravity showed a moderate negative correlation with the percentage weight loss. Conclusion: Using urine specific gravity to regulate intravenous fluids in neonates resulted in a significant reduction in postnatal weight loss, especially in preterm neonates

Acardiac Acephalus Twin diagnosed at delivery: A case report

Abnormal placental vascular anastomoses in monochorionic twins can give rise to a rare congenital anomaly known as Acardiac twin. With the advancement of antenatal care and ultrasonography many such cases are diagnosed early. However, in underdeveloped country like Nepal where early antenatal care coverage rate is low such cases may be diagnosed late. I report one such case of Acardiac acepahalus twin diagnosed during delivery.

Impact of different starting doses of atorvastatin on reaching target low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and health related quality of life in dyslipidemic patients.

Objectives : 1. To compare the percentage of patients that reach target LDL-C goals with 10 mg Vs. 20 mg of atorvastatin as a starting dose. 2. To compare Health Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) in patients on 10 mg Vs. 20 mg of atorvastatin. Methods : A prospective, double blind, parallel groups, unicentric study of patients of dyslipidemia, randomized to receive atorvastatin 10 mg (n=75) or atorvastatin 20 mg (n=75) once daily for 12 weeks. Safety reporting of incidence of adverse events was done. Results : Significantly more number of patients (P<0.05) reached target LDL-C levels at the end of 12 weeks in the 20 mg group (77.27% in the high risk group, 100% in moderately high risk group and 100% in the moderate risk group) when compared to 10 mg group (32% in the high risk group, 75% in moderately high risk group and 83.33% in the moderate risk group). Increase in HRQOL at the end of 12 weeks was also significantly greater (P<0.001) in 20 mg group (27.89%) vs. 10 mg group (19.26%). Conclusions : Selecting the starting dose of atorvastatin according to the patients risk category (by using the Framingham’s algorithm for calculating cardiovascular risk) and the percentage reduction in LDL required, will result in greater success in achieving LDL goals and better quality of life.

Corporal Punishment in Nepalese School Children Facts, Legalities and Implications.

While the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) demands that children be respected as human beings with the right to dignity and physical integrity, in Nepal corporal punishment is often considered necessary to children’s upbringing, to facilitate learning and to instill discipline in the children. The existence of this cruel practice towards children is attributed to the weak national policy, unhealthy academic competition among the schools, poorly trained teachers, superstitious traditional beliefs and hierarchical social structure. Consequently, the children are doomed to suffer this practice resulting in negative physical, mental and social welfare. Besides corporal punishment, sexual abuse in school going children seems to be frequent but mostly unreported. This is high time we eliminated this violence against children in schools and it calls for holistic approach. For this, it is necessary to pursue a set code of conduct and raise awareness among the teachers for the child rights in order to stop undignified, inhuman and undisciplined tradition. The awareness and capacity of the health professionals to deal with complexities of the child abuse also needs to be promoted. Furthermore, the need of improvements in the national laws and their proper implementation is a longstanding challenge for the governmental and nongovernmental organizations.

Spontaneous intracystic hemorrhage of the arachnoid cyst: a case report and review of literature.

Arachnoid cysts represent benign cysts that occur in the cerebrospinal axis in relation to the arachnoid membrane and do not communicate with the ventricular system. We report a case of a years right handed lady, who presented to the emergency department with the complaints of headache and vomiting for one week CT scan showed extraaxial cystic lesion in the left fronto-parietal region. On the fifth day of admission, patient had sudden onset of severe headache associated with loss of consciousness for about 3-4 minutes with neck rigidity. A CT scan of head was repeated, which showed left fronto-parietal cystic lesion with intracystic bleed and SAH. Intraoperatively, there was intradural cystic lesion containing xanthochromic fluid with normal brain surface and there were no evidence of any vascular malformations. Marsupilization of the cystic lesion was carried out and she improved. The literature regarding arachnoid cyst with spontaneous intracranial haemorrhage is reviewed.

Magnesium sulphate: a life saving drug.

A retrospective study of 68 eclamptic women who received Magnesium sulphate at Koshi Zonal Hospital were analyzed during a one year period (2006-2007 AD). Maternal conditions at admission, associated complications in mothers and babies, delivery outcomes and cause of death were also studied in each case. There were 5240 deliveries during the period of analysis. Of which 4976 were live births, pregnancy induced hypertension was 0.89% (47), 0.74% (39) presented with pre-eclampsia, 0.30 (16) cases with severe pre-eclampsia and 0.43 (23) cases with mild pre-eclampsia. During this period 1.3% (68) of eclampsia presented to the hospital. Of which 67.7% presented with ante-partum eclampsia, 22.1% with intrapartum eclampsia and 10.3% with post partum eclampsia. Majority of women (63.2%) were between 20-25 years of age, while teenage pregnancy contributed 30.88% of eclamptic cases. The diastolic blood pressure was >110 mm of Hg in 45.6% of cases, 90-110 mmHg in 50% of cases and in 4.4% the it was <90 mmHg. 94.1% presented to the hospital in an unconscious state, 79.4% of eclamptic women received the full dose of magnesium sulphate (initial loading plus maintenance dose), while rest failed to receive the full dose. Nine women with severe pre-eclampsia received magnesium sulphate as a prophylactic measure. 17.7% women had home delivery, one patient left against medical advice and one was referred to a tertiary care center. Caesarian Section (Lower Segment) was performed in 35.2% of cases, 30.8% had normal vaginal deliveries and 5.8% had pre term delivery. About 69.6% babies were born alive, 8.7% were still births, 11.6% were neonatal deaths and 4.4% of babies had to be admitted to the neonatal intensive care. Eclamptic women stayed less than one week in the hospital in majority of cases (64.7%), between 1-2 weeks in 32.4% and more than two weeks in 2.9%. Maternal complications included decreased urinary output, pulmonary edema in three cases; chest and wound infection two cases each; post partum psychosis, vulval haematoma, severe headache one case each. There were seven maternal deaths during this period and eclampsia contributed to one of the deaths. Eclampsia is a major cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality in our setup. Magnesium sulphate is an excellent drug of choice in management of eclampsia and pre-eclampsia. Wider coverage of pre-natal care, timely referral and optimal management of cases of eclampsia with magnesium sulphate in hospitals are key issues to prevent mortality/morbidity associated with it.

Symptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism: a retrospective analysis of fifty one cases from a single centre.

OBJECTIVE: Widely prevalent vitamin D deficiency and delayed diagnosis contributes to severe symptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism in India. We analysed fifty one consecutive patients of primary hyperparathyroidism managed at our centre. All of them were symptomatic. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty one consecutive cases of symptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism, presenting to our centre from January 1994 to May 2007 were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical presentation, biochemical, radiological and details of underlying parathyroid lesion were noted. RESULTS: A total of 51 cases of primary hyperparathyroidism were studied. Mean age was 39.5 +/- 11.5 yrs (Range 13 to 70 years, Female: Male 2:1). Mean duration of symptoms was 35.8 + 29.1 months. Bone pains and painful proximal myopathy were the commonest presentation (24/51), followed by pathological fractures in 12 cases. Distal Renal tubular acidosis was diagnosed in 4 cases, 3 of whom normalized after surgery. At initial evaluation, twenty one patients had elevated alkaline phosphatase with normal calcium levels indirectly suggesting associated vitamin D deficiency. Low serum levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D were documented in five of them. Parathyroid carcinoma was diagnosed in 3 patients. Ectopic parathyroid adenoma was seen in 7 cases (3 mediastinal, 3 intrathyroidal, 1 near left carotid sheath). All the cases responded well to surgical excision. CONCLUSION: Lack of universal screening for hypercalcemia, normocalcemia contributed by associated vitamin D deficiency and lack of awareness about unusual presentations of primary hyperparathyroidism led to delayed diagnosis in our patients. Delayed diagnosis and associated vitamin D deficiency in our patients contributed to greater severity of symptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism.

Histological pattern of ovarian tumors and their age distribution.

A female's risk at birth of having ovarian tumor sometime in her life is 6-7%. Relative frequency of ovarian tumor is different for western and Asian countries. Two third of ovarian tumors occur in women of reproductive age group. This study was done in Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital with aim to find out frequency of different histological types of ovarian tumors and their age distribution and thus provide an institutional experience from Nepal also. One hundred and sixty one ovarian tumors, reported from April 2004 to March 2006 were included in the study. One hundred and thirty five of these tumors (83.9%) were benign and 16.1% (26/161) were malignant. Surface epithelial tumors were most common (52.2%) followed by germ cell tumors (42.2%). Mature cystic teratoma was commonest benign tumor (48.2%). Serous adenocarcinoma was commonest malignant tumor (46.2%). For all age groups, benign tumors were more common than malignant ones. Most ovarian tumors (47.2%) were seen between 21 -40 years where as most malignant tumors (73.1%) were seen above 40 years. In 1st two decades, germ cell tumors were more common than other tumors.

Bone marrow examination in cases of pancytopenia.

This study was carried to identify the causes of pancytopenia and to find out the bone marrow morphology in cases of pancytopenia. It was a cross sectional study conducted over a period of two years in the Department of Pathology, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital. Bone marrow aspiration smears of patients fulfilling the criteria of pancytopenia were examined. The data obtained were analyzed using measures of central tendency. One hundred and forty eight cases underwent bone marrow aspiration and it constituted 15.74% of total cases. Mean age was 30 years (range, 1-79 years). 42 cases were children (28.37%). Male: female ratio was 1.5:1. The commonest cause was hypoplastic bone marrow seen in 43 cases (29%) followed by megaloblastic anemia in 35 cases (23.64%), and hematological malignancy in 32 cases (21.62%). Erythroid hyperplasia was seen in 29 cases (19.6%) and normal bone marrow was seen in 5 cases (3.38%). There was one case each of Niemann-Pick disease and metastatic neuroblastoma in children and chronic pure red cell aplasia and leishmaniasis in adults. Acute leukemia was the commonest hematological malignancy. In children, commonest finding was hypoplastic bone marrow (38.1%) while in adults megaloblastic anemia (30.18%) was commonest finding followed by hypoplastic anemia (25.47%). In present study bone marrow examination was able to establish diagnosis in 77% of cases. Hypoplastic marrow was the commonest diagnosis, followed by megaloblastic anemia, and hematological malignancies.

Histopathological analysis of hysterectomy specimens.

This was a retrospective study carried out on all hysterectomy specimens sent to Department of Pathology of Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal from 1st September 2005 to 28th February 2006, to study the histopathological findings of these specimens. All informations used in the study were obtained from the records of Department of Pathology of the hospital. Out of 221 hysterectomy specimens received during the study period, 139 (62.9%) were total abdominal and 82 (37.1%) were vaginal hysterectomy specimens. Mean age of the patient was 53.4 years for vaginal hysterectomy group where as it was 37.6 years for total abdominal hysterectomy with unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and 46.3 years for total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy group. Uterine prolapse was commonest indication of hysterectomy overall (37.1%) and accounted for 98.8% of vaginal hysterectomies. Other common indications of hysterectomy were uterine fibroid (24.9%), ovarian tumor (14.9%) and dysfunctional uterine bleeding (7.7%). Leimyoma was the most common pathology found in uterine corpus (27.1%). Chronic cervicitis in cervix, functional cysts in ovaries and paratubal cysts in fallopian tubes were most common histological findings. Ovarian neoplasms accounted for 18.3% of ovarian pathology. 38% specimens were unremarkable histopathologically. In Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, abdominal hysterectomies are more common than vaginal hysterectomies. Most vaginal hysterectomies are done for uterine prolapse and patients are older than those undergoing abdominal hysterectomies. Most abdominal hysterectomies are performed for uterine leiomyomas. Hysterectomy specimens may be unremarkable histopathologically, most of which are vaginal hysterectomies done for uterine prolapse.

Abortion legalized: challenges ahead.

OBJECTIVE: To see whether advocacy for abortion law and comprehensive abortion care (CAC) sites after legalization of abortion in Nepal is adequate among educated people (above school leaving certificate). METHOD: 150 participants were assigned randomly who agreed to be in the survey and were given structured questionnaires to find out their perception of abortion and CAC sites. RESULT: Majority know abortion is legalized and majority have positive attitude about legalization of abortion, however majority are not aware of abortion service in CAC sites and none knew the cost of abortion service. CONCLUSION: Proper and adequate advocacy of the new abortion law and CAC service is essential.

Foreign body in the rectosigmoid colon.

A 55 years old male presented with history of assault and insertion of a "glass object" through his anus. Examination and investigation of the patient revealed a bottle in the rectosigmoid colon. The bottle was manipulated and delivered out transanally under general anesthesia.

Study of effusion cytology in patients with simultaneous malignancy and ascites.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate sensitivity of effusion cytology in detecting malignancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Effusion cytology was studied from 37 malignancy associated and 28 non malignancy associated ascitic fluid samples. RESULTS: Out of 65 cases, 44 (67.7%) effusions were reported negative, 15 (23.1%) were positive and 6 (9.2%) were suspicious for malignancy. Thus total 21 effusions (32.3%) were tumour cell positive. All 21 (100%) were true positive, none (0%) was false positive, 28 (63.6%) were true negative and 16 (36.4%) were false negative. Thus ascitic fluid cytology had sensitivity of 56.7% and specificity of 100%. Predictive value of positive test and negative test was 100% and 63.6% respectively. Stomach was the most common primary site of malignancy associated with ascites (11/37 i.e. 29.7%) where as adenocarcinoma was the most common type of malignancy (11/15 i.e.73.3%) in ascitic fluid cytology. CONCLUSION: Ascitic fluid cytology is a simple and useful procedure with sensitivity of 56.7% and should be routinely requested.

Opportunistic infections following renal transplantation.

Opportunistic infection is common following renal transplantation. Prompt diagnosis and management can be life saving. Four different types of opportunistic respiratory infections diagnosed at our center during the period of January 1998 to December 2000 are discussed. Of the four cases one had Aspergillus, second had Sporothrix, third had Nocardia and fourth case Actinomyces species. Microbiologist has an important role to play by being aware of such opportunistic infections and helping the clinician to make early aetiological diagnosis.

Pulmonary infections after kidney transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively analyse the epidemiology, aetiology, temporal profile and outcome of lung infection following kidney transplantation. METHODS: Out of 142 consecutive renal transplant (RT) recipients who underwent live donor transplantation from June, 1990 to May, 1998, 43 (33%) had serious infection requiring hospitalisation of which 27 were pulmonary. All such pneumonia were included for retrospective analysis. All had a minimum follow up of six months (if alive) and were on triple drug immunosuppression. All had detailed and appropriate investigations for definitive diagnosis. RESULTS: The aetiological agents were Gram negative bacterial infection (2), Gram positive bacterial infection (1), nocardia (2), tuberculosis (10), aspergillosis (2), mixed bacterial and fungal infection (4), Pneumocystis (2) and unconfirmed (4). Four patients had pneumonia because of probable nosocomial exposure. Radiologically lobar/segmental pneumonia was observed in five, nodular lesion six, reticulonodular lesion eight, patchy consolidation five and pleural effusion three. Nodular pneumonias were due to aspergillosis or nocardiosis. Four patients developed secondary cavitation. Pulmonary infections were significantly associated with leucopenia (8/27) (p < 0.01) but not with renal dysfunction (creat > 2 mg%), diabetes, old age or additional immunosuppression (p > 0.05). There were 11 deaths. Mortality was related to failure to reach diagnosis (3) and delayed institution of therapy (6 patients). Pneumonia within first six months had a higher mortality (9/16) compared to late pneumonia (2/11). Immunomodulating virus (CMV 4, HEP B 2) was present in six patients of whom four succumbed. CONCLUSION: Pulmonary infection is a common and serious post-transplant infection requiring hospitalisation, is associated with high mortality. Patients with leucopenia are predisposed to these infections. Prophylaxis for Pneumocystis, Nocardia and tuberculosis needs strong consideration to reduce mortality of such infection. Nosocomial exposure risk needs careful consideration in outbreaks of opportunistic infection.