Clinical profile and epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 patients admitted in the district hospital of North India- a retrospective study

Background: During COVID-19 all the tertiary institutes were overburdened so all the peripheral institutes, mostly district hospitals were made functional to provide management to COVID-19 patients in moderate and severe cases. The study attempts to find out the clinical profile of admitted patients in one of the district hospital. Methods: Retrospective data was studied from records of district hospital Samba when it was chosen as COVID-19 dedicated hospital. Results: Record of 77 patients was studied and data was analyzed with the help of descriptive statistics. Chi square test was done to find out the association. Mean age was 56.8±16.19 years with male female ratio of 1.33:1. 50% males and 42.4% of females did not have any associated co-morbidities. Half of the studied participants were anemic. Conclusions: Study showed that patients admitted in hospital presented with variable presentation and associated co morbidities were significantly associated with mortality. Peripheral institutions should be equipped with all the facilities to cope with such public health emergencies.

RISK FACTORS FOR SPONTANEOUS ABORTIONS IN TWO YAOUNDÉ DISTRICT HOSPITALS

Background. Abortion is the termination of a pregnancy before the age of fetal viability which, according to the WHO, is 22 weeks of pregnancy and/or with the fetus weigh less than 500 g. Spontaneous abortion is a public health problem. It's one of the most common complications of pregnancy. In order to contribute to the decrease of the morbidity and mortality linked to spontaneous abortions, we conducted this study, which the general objective was to study risk factors of spontaneous abortion. We carried out a cross-sectional case-control study in the District Hospitals of Biyem Methods. - Assi and Efoulan in Yaoundé. During six months, we collected 3774 records of pregnant women from January 1, 2020 to December 31.,2020. For each case (record of woman who had a spontaneous abortion), two controls (records of those who gave birth spontaneously at term) of the same age, were immediately recruited. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Version.23.0 software. Tools used to assess our results were: Fischer's exact test, frequency, odds ratio (OR) and P, with P signicant for any value less than 5%. We recruited 104 cases and 208 controls. Being unmarried, being from the littoral region, having a Results. history of stress, smoking, having started antenatal care and having had prenuptial check-up, independently increased the risk of spontaneous abortion with respectively aOR = 2.8 IC=1.24-6.31 aP= 0.013, aOR=4.31 IC= 1.09-17.02 aP= 0.037, aOR=11.86; CI=3.88-36.19; aP=<0.001, aOR=8.57; CI=3.41-21.54; aP=<0.001, aOR=10.4; CI=1.12-96.82; aP=0.04) and aOR=3.37; CI=1.67-6.79; aP<0.001). These risk factors being mostly modiable, should be sought and prevented Conclusion. in order to improve the prognosis of pregnancies in our context

Characteristics of lumbar canal stenosis patient at Koja district hospital year 2011-2021

Background:Since there are too many cases of lumbar canal stenosis in Indonesia. The aim of the study was to discover all the factors that influence the incidence of lumbar canal stenosis.Methods:This study used all cases of lumbar canal stenosis in Koja District Hospital in Jakarta from 2011 to 2021. This was a medical record-based retrospective study in which files of patients with the diagnosis of lumbar canal stenosis were reviewed. A descriptive analytic test was used to analyze results was presented in the form of a table.Results:There were 48 lumbar canal stenosis cases in male patients out of 66 total patients. Incidents of lumbar canal stenosis occurred more frequently in anatomical locations L4-5 than in other locations. There were 48 lumbar canal stenosis cases with anatomical locations L4-5 in 50 patients from 66 patients. Incidents of lumbar canal stenosis occur in people with obesity more frequently than in people without obesity. There were 48 lumbar canal stenosis cases in people with obesity patients out of 66 total patients. The incidence of lumbar canal stenosis with a moderate VAS score was greater than that with a mild or severe VAS score. There were 48 lumbar canal stenosis patients with a moderate vas score out of 66 patients. There were 59 lumbar canal stenosis patients who got surgery out of 66 patients, and 7 of them had no surgery. Lumbar canal stenosis more frequently occurred in men than women, with more frequent anatomical lesions in L4-L5, and more frequently in people with obesity than in people without obesity. Most of them had a moderate VAS score and got surgery.Conclusions:According to this study, males had more lumbar canal stenosis incidents than females.

Acute myocardial infarction at a district hospital in KwaZulu-natal ­ management and outcomes

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) following ischaemic heart disease (IHD) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The condition remains a management challenge in resource-constrained environments. This study analysed the management and outcomes of patients presenting with AMI at a district hospital in KwaZulu-Natal. Methods: A descriptive study that assessed hospital records of all patients diagnosed with AMI over a 2-year period (01 August 2016 to 31 July 2018). Data extracted recorded patient demographics, risk factors, timing of care, therapeutic interventions, follow up with cardiology and mortality of patients. Results: Of the 140 patients who were admitted with AMI, 96 hospital records were analysed. The mean (standard deviation [s.d.]) age of patients was 55.8 (±12.7) years. Smoking (73.5%) and hypertension (63.3%) were the most prevalent risk factors for patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in contrast to dyslipidaemia (70.2%) and hypertension (68.1%) in patients with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Almost 49.5% of patients arrived at hospital more than 6 h after symptom onset. Three (12.5%) patients received thrombolytic therapy within the recommended 30-min time frame. The mean triage-to-needle time was 183 min ­ range (3; 550). Median time to cardiology appointment was 93 days. The in-hospital mortality of 12 deaths considering 140 admissions was 8.6%. Conclusion: In a resource-constrained environment with multiple systemic challenges, in-hospital mortality is comparable to that in private sector conditions in South Africa. This entrenches the role of the family physician. There is need for more coordinated systems of care for AMI between district hospitals and tertiary referral centres.

COVID-19 and diabetic ketoacidosis: A case series at an urban district hospital in South Africa

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with an increased prevalence and mortality from diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) globally. With limited access to specialised care, most patients with DKA in South Africa are managed at district hospital level. This study describes the profile of patients admitted to a district hospital in South Africa with DKA and COVID-19 and examines associated risk factors encountered. Methods: This was a case series of all patients presenting to a district hospital with DKA and COVID-19 infection between July 2020 and July 2021. Data extracted included patients' demographic profiles, biochemical results, comorbidities and clinical outcomes. Results: The median age of the 10 patients admitted during the study period was 39 years old (±12), six of whom were male. The hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) values on admission ranged from 9.7 to 13.8. Five of the patients had pre-existing type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Four of the known DM patients were on metformin only, and one was on biphasic insulin. Three patients had other pre-existing comorbidities, two patients with hypertension and one with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Three patients demised, two of whom were hypoxic on admission. Conclusion: Diabetic ketoacidosis appears more commonly in COVID-19 infected patients with type 2 DM and at a young age. Suboptimal glycaemic control was associated with DKA, and hypoxia was a strong predictor for mortality. Treatment inertia was evident in the known DM group, who were on monotherapy despite persistent hyperglycaemia. Greater vigilance is required to detect ketosis in type 2 DM and intensify therapy to improve glycaemic control.

Plastic surgery in Ladakh: a novel initiative in trans Himalaya of India

Background: The super speciality care is not available in remote places in India. But the service of the plastic surgery can be taken to the remote district hospital by arranging plastic surgery camps thereby resulting in service to the poor, capacity building of the local doctors and infrastructure development of the remote hospital.Methods: It is a retrospective study, in which the author analysed the feasibility, management, difficulties and achievement of week long, annual plastic surgery camp in remote set up of a district hospital of Ladakh over three year from 2017 to 2019.Results: A total of 341 patients were included in this study of which 108 underwent various surgical interventions. The youngest operated was 5 months old and oldest was 86 years. Wide spectrum of deformity were seen and operated upon. Complication developed in only six patients (5.5%) which were managed successfully at Leh only. The immediate and long term follow-up result show no difference in surgical result as compared to those compared operated outside with negligible financial burden.Conclusions: Keeping in view the positive outcome, it is argued through this paper that such camps should be replicated in other remote locations all over India.

Present situation survey and suggestions on high-value medical consumables in district hospitals of Nanjing / 医疗卫生装备

Objective To investigate and analyze the management of high-value medical consumables in the district hospitals of Nanjing so as to facilitate their standardized management.Methods The present situation of high-value medical consumables management in the district hospitals of Nanjing was studied with mass screening,questionnaire and field survey,and discussion meeting and case history sampling were also involved into the study.Results The high-value medical consumables management had problems in organization,clinical application,informatization,supervision and etc.Conclusion The standardized high-value medical consumables management has to be executed from the aspects of rules and regulations,clinical application,informatization,supervision and etc to ensure their safe use in the hospitals.

Factors influencing late stage of breast cancer at presentation in a district Hospital - Segamat Hospital, Johor

Introduction: In Malaysia, late stage presentation of breast cancer (stage III or IV) has been a healthcare problem that varies geographically throughout the country. This study aims to understand the factors influencing late stage of breast cancer at presentation among Malaysian women in Segamat Hospital, Johor, which is a district hospital. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted on secondary data of all newly diagnosed breast cancer women from 1st August 2011 to 28th February 2014. Secondary data includes age, ethnicity, marital status, family history, education level, occupation, presenting symptom, duration of symptom, tumour size, tumour pathology, tumour grading, oestrogen, progesterone and HER-2 receptor status were collected and analysed using SPSS version 20.0.0. Result: In total, data from 52 women was analysed and two women were excluded for incompleteness as these women defaulted. Late stage at presentation was 59.6% of all new cases (17.3%, stage III and 42.3%, stage IV). The commonest age group of all women diagnosed with breast cancer was in the 5th decade. Majority of them were Malay, married and housewives with no family history of breast cancer. The statistically significant factors associated with late stage at presentation include Malay ethnicity (p=0.019), presenting symptoms other than breast lump (p=0.047), and duration of breast lump more than 3 months (p=0.009). Discussion/Conclusion: The study demonstrated presentation at late stage of breast cancer is a major health concern among Malaysian women in district hospital. This may be attributed to different sociocultural beliefs, strong belief in complementary and alternative medicine, lack of awareness, and difficult accessibility to healthcare services.

Study on transfers from paediatric unit, District Hospital, Kekirawa.

Background: District Hospital, Kekirawa (DHK) has a district medical officer, 2 medical officers (MOs), 1 MO-mental Health, 3 registered medical officers and a paediatrician. Transfers are sent to Base Hospital, Dambulla and Teaching Hospital, Anuradhapura. The hospital has one medical laboratory technician and is able to do full blood count, urine full report, bleeding time/clotting time and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Objectives: To see whether appointment of a paediatrician had a significant effect on the transfer rate and to identify the reasons for the transfers Method: This is a prospective analysis of all transfers from the paediatric unit, DHK from 1st July to 31st December, 2007. Information was obtained from bedhead tickets. Details regarding transfers from 1st July to 31st December, 2006 were gathered from records and both were compared to see whether there is a statistically significant difference. Detailed analysis of the transfers in 2007 was done. Results: From 1st July to 31st December 2006, 67(14.5%) of a total of 459 admissions were transferred while from 1st July to 31st December 2007, when there was a paediatrician, 69 (8.4%) of a total of 820 admissions were transferred. This is statistically significant (p<0.001). Out of 69 transfers 26% were due to lack of microbiological investigations, 23% for surgical opinion and 23% for x-rays. Conclusions: Percentage of transfers was significantly reduced after appointment of a paediatrician (p<0.001). Main reasons for transfers were lack of facilities for microbiological investigation, lack of surgeon and lack of x-ray machine.

Antibiotic Prescribing for Upper Respiratory Tract Infections in Sarawak District Hospitals

Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) is mostly viral in aetiology, but patients presenting with such complaints are frequently prescribed antibiotics. This may result in increased development of antimicrobial resistance. The objectives of this study are to determine the choice and proportion of oral antibiotics prescribed in patients with URTI, in a Sarawak district hospital setting. All outpatient prescriptions received in July 2011 in 10 hospitals with relevant diagnoses were analysed. A total of 6747 URTI prescriptions met the inclusion criteria, and 64.8% (95% CI 63.7%, 65.9%) had antibiotic prescribed. Medical Assistants (MAs) were significantly more likely to prescribe antibiotics compared to Medical Officers (MOs) (p < 0.001). Prescribers were significantly influenced by the patient’s age and specific diagnosis when prescribing antibiotics for URTI (p <0.001). Antibiotic choices differed between MOs and MAs, where some of the antibiotic choices were inappropriate. There is a need for multi-faceted interventions to improve antibiotic prescribing rate and choice.