Prevalence of intestinal parasites among patients of Al-Noor specialist hospital, Makkah, Saudi Arabia

To determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites among patients of a tertiary care hospital. A total of 12,054 samples received from the outpatient as well as inpatient departments from January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2009 in Al-Noor Specialist Hospital, Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Stool examinations were performed by direct method and concentrated Techniques for all patients. Overall, the prevalence of intestinal parasites was 6.2% [740 cases]. Majority of patients were infected by Entamoeba histolytica [4.7%] followed by Giardia lamblia [1.3%], while Ankylostoma duodenal [0.02%] exhibited the minimum prevalence. Parasitic infections were more frequent in non-Saudis than Saudis patients [7.1% vs. 5.8%; p<0.05]. There was no significant difference between males and females regarding parasitic infections, with a female:male ratio of 1:1.08. There was a higher prevalence in patients under five years of age [9.1%], followed by patients aged 5-14 years [7.5%]. The notable finding from this study is the high prevalence of E. histolytica. Overall, parasitic infections were more prevalent in patients under five years of age and in non-Saudi nationals

Reasons for delay in inpatient admission at an emergency department

This study highlighted the reasons which contributed to longer stay of patients in Emergency Department [ED] who were advised admission. This study was conducted from August 4 to 11, 2004G as a retrospective review of the ED cards of patients admitted to inpatients wards of Al-Noor Specialist Hospital, Makkah, Saudi Arabia. The demographic data, doctors and nurses notes with their timings were reviewed. The maximum consumed time by a reason was considered as the main reason of delay for that subject. The delayed patients were divided into Group A and B, delayed before and after admission was advised, respectively. Prolonged length of stay [Delay] in ED was defined as stay longer than 2 hours after patient's arrival in ED until they were received to wards. Out of total 4876 visits during study period, 355 [7.3%] patients were admitted, and 238 [67%] were delayed. Age group 13-30 years was common in delayed 78 [32.8%] and not delayed 56 [47.9%] subjects. The mean length of stay of delayed subjects was 256 minutes. Group A 146 [61.4%] had more subjects than group B 92 [38.6%] [p<0.001]. Fifty eight [39.7%] patients stayed between 2-3hours in Group A vs. B 23 [25%] [OR 2, 95% CI 1.1-3.5]. Common reason of delay in Group A was multiple consultations with further investigations 70 [48%] [p<0.001] while file making process was common 40 [43.5%] in group B [p<0.001]. Out of admitted patients 67% were delayed mainly due to late advised admission with major reason of delay were multiple consultations