Evaluation of Some Haematological Metrics among Smokers in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Introduction: Smoking is extremely toxic and has had a significant negative impact on society. One of the leading contributors to preventable illness and mortality has been found to be cigarette smoking. Aim: The goal of this study is to evaluate a few haematological metrics among smokers in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and to verify the idea that smoking cigarettes either has a negative or favorable impact on these variables. Methodology: In this cross-sectional study, 100 participants between the ages of 20 and 45 were included, 50 of whom were smokers and 50 non-smokers. Venipuncture was used to obtain blood samples from the patients, which was then put into an EDTA vial for a full blood count (FBC) and other haematological analysis. The full blood count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were done using Haemo Auto Analyzer, Model XP-300 KOBE Japan by SYSMEX and the Westergreen method respectively. In order to analyze the data, Graph Prism Pad 6.2 and Microsoft Office Excel 2016 were both used. Using the student's independent t-test, a comparative study of mean and standard deviation values for the various parameters for test and reference ranges was conducted. Results: According to the findings, the average age of 50 smokers was 43.6200± 9.7250 years and that for the 50 non-smokers was 42.7800± 6.5440 years, which was statistically insignificant with p valve of 0.6130. Smokers’ haemoglobin level was 14.5080 ± 1.5590 (g/dL) and non-smokers was 12.1340 ± 0.70410 (g/dL). According to statistics, the level of Hb was significantly higher in smokers compared to non-smokers (P<0.0001). In comparison to non-smokers, the RBC count dramatically increased in smokers (P<0.0001) greater than in non-smokers at 5.2550 ± 0.6629 (x1012/L) and 4.6340 ± 0.5530 (x1012/L) respectively. While the total leucocyte count (TLC) in smokers is 8.0500 ± 1.8796 (x109/L), compared to 6.8580 ± 1.2454 (x109/L) in non-smokers. Statistics show that smokers have a higher total leucocyte count than non-smokers (P<0.0002). Smokers' platelet count is 255.7600±61.8351 (x109/L) while non-smokers' is 216.5800±35.5752 (x109/L).The study has statistically shown that smokers' platelet counts rose considerably in comparison to non-smokers (P<0.012). Conclusion: It may be concluded that uninterrupted smoking has an undue negative impact on haematological parameters such that increase occur in values of Hb, RBC, TLC and platelets. Significantly, these changes may increase the risk of serious health issues such as heart related defects, hardening of the arteries, Vaqu

Optical coherence tomography-based assessment of macular vessel density, retinal layer metrics and sub-foveal choroidal thickness in COVID-19 recovered patients

Purpose: The primary objective of the study was to assess the macular retinal vessel density, subfoveal choroidal thickness, and retinal layer metrics by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), enhanced?depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI?OCT), and spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD?OCT), respectively, in recovered COVID?19 patients and its comparison with the same in control subjects. The secondary objective was to evaluate differences in OCTA parameters in relation with the severity of COVID?19 disease and administration of corticosteroids. Methods: A case–control study was performed that included patients who had recovered from COVID?19 and age?matched healthy controls. Complete ocular examination including OCTA, SD?OCT, and EDI?OCT were performed three months following the diagnosis. Results: Three hundred sixty eyes of 180 subjects were enrolled between the two groups. A decreased mean foveal avascular zone area in both superficial capillary plexuses (P = 0.03) and deep capillary plexuses (P < 0.01), reduced average ganglion cell layer?inner plexiform layer thickness (P = 0.04), and increased subfoveal choroidal thickness (P < 0.001) were observed among cases in comparison to the control group. A significant correlation was found between sectoral macular vessel density in relation to disease severity and a decrease in vessel density with greater severity of the disease. Conclusion: OCTA detected retinal microvascular alterations following SARS?CoV?2 infection in subjects with the absence of any clinical ocular manifestation or systemic thrombotic events. These parameters could be used to help identify patients with a higher incidence of systemic thromboembolism on longer follow?ups and identify the impact of corticosteroids on retinal architecture.

Análise dos indicadores de boas práticas durante a assistência no trabalho de parto e nascimento em um hospital terciário de Santa Catarina / Analysis of indicators of good practice during care in labor and birth at a tertiary hospital in Santa Catarina / Análisis de indicadores de buenas prácticas durante la asistencia en la labor de nacimiento y nacimiento en un hospital terciario de Santa Catarina

Objetivos: Analisar os indicadores de boas práticas de assistência à mulher no trabalho de parto e pós-parto imediato em um hospital terciário de Santa Catarina. Métodos: Estudo observacional, analítico, transversal e retrospectivo, com abordagem quantitativa, onde foi realizada análise de prontuários das pacientes admitidas, entre dezembro de 2021 a julho de 2022. Sendo uma pesquisa censitária, na qual todas as pacientes que preencheram os critérios de elegibilidade integraram o estudo. Resultados: Foram analisados 1328 prontuários, destes, 549 atenderam os critérios de inclusão. Observamos bons índices de partos normais (58,57%) quando comparados a média nacional, referente aos indicadores de boas práticas, o contato pele a pele ao nascer, amamentação na primeira hora de vida e clampeamento tardio são executados de maneira satisfatória, assim como, os baixos índices de episiotomia e parto instrumental. Contudo, a alimentação no trabalho de parto e utilização de métodos não farmacológicos possuem baixa adesão. Conclusão: Pode-se concluir que o hospital estudado realiza, de forma global, boas práticas conforme o preconizado pelo Ministério da Saúde e OMS. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Análise de Boas Práticas; Qualidade de Assistência à Saúde; Parto Humanizado; Trabalho de Parto; Métricas de Saúde.

Objectives: To analyze the indicators of good practices of assistance to women in labor and immediate postpartum in a tertiary hospital in Santa Catarina. Methods: Observational, analytical, cross-sectional and retrospective study, with a quantitative approach, where the analysis of medical records of the admitted patients was carried out, between December 2021 and July 2022. It is a census survey, in which all patients who met the eligibility criteria were included in the study. Results: 1328 records were analyzed, of which 549 met the inclusion criteria. We observed good rates of normal births (58.57%) when compared to the national average, referring to the indicators of good practice, skin-to-skin contact at birth, breastfeeding in the first hour of life and late clamp are performed satisfactorily, as well as the low rates of episiotomy and instrumental delivery. However, feeding in labor and the use of non-pharmacological methods have low adherence. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the hospital studied performs, in a global manner, good practices as recommended by the Ministry of Health and WHO. KEYWORDS: Analysis of Good Practices; Quality of Health Care; Humanized Delivery; Labor; Health Metrics.

Objetivos: analizar los indicadores de buenas prácticas para ayudar a las mujeres en el trabajo de parto y post parto inmediato en un hospital terciario de Santa Catarina. Métodos: Estudio observacional, analítico, transversal y retrospectivo con enfoque cuantitativo, donde se analizaron los registros médicos de los pacientes ingresados entre diciembre de 2021 y julio de 2022. Como encuesta censal, se incluyeron en el estudio todos los pacientes que cumplían los criterios de elegibilidad. Resultados: se analizaron 1328 registros, de los cuales 549 cumplían los criterios de inclusión. Se observaron buenos niveles de partos normales (58,57%) en comparación con la media nacional, referidos a indicadores de buenas prácticas, contacto cutáneo y cutáneo al nacer, lactancia materna durante la primera hora de vida y atadura tardía, se realizan de manera satisfactoria, así como los bajos niveles de episiotomía y parto instrumental. Sin embargo, la alimentación del trabajo de parto y el uso de métodos no farmacológicos son bajos. Conclusión: Se puede concluir que el hospital estudiado lleva a cabo, de manera global, buenas prácticas, como lo recomiendan el Ministerio de Salud y la OMS.

¿A quiénes se cuenta? Narrativas sobre las métricas en salud de la población migrante venezolana en una zona de frontera en Colombia / Quem é contado? Narrativas sobre a métrica da saúde da população migrante venezuelana numa zona fronteiriça na Colômbia / Who counts? The health metric narratives of venezuelan migrants on the Colombian border

Resumen Colombia ha sido un país receptor de la migración venezolana originada por la situación sociopolítica del país vecino. Una de las necesidades para dar respuesta a esta crisis es la recolección de datos que permitan visibilizar y monitorear las condiciones de salud de esta población. A partir de un estudio cualitativo centrado en entrevistas y observación etnográfica, el artículo se orienta a caracterizar las variadas dinámicas de inclusión y de exclusión que forman parte de la producción de datos en salud de la población migrante en Cúcuta, un territorio de la frontera colombo-venezolana. A partir de las narrativas de diversos actores que, en el territorio, trabajan directamente en la recolección, el análisis y el uso de datos de salud de la población migrante, el articulo problematiza la construcción de la categoría migrante dentro de las métricas, develando aquello que se visibiliza y aquello que se ignora en el proceso sociotécnico que está detrás de la construcción de estos datos.

Resumo A Colômbia tem sido um país receptor da migração venezuelana devido à situação sociopolítica do país vizinho. Uma das necessidades para responder a esta crise é a coleta de dados que permitam visualizar e monitorizar as condições de saúde desta população. Com base num estudo qualitativo centrado em entrevistas e observação etnográfica, o artigo centra-se na caracterização das diferentes dinâmicas de inclusão e exclusão que fazem parte da produção de dados de saúde sobre a população migrante em Cúcuta, um território fronteiriço colombiano-venezuelano. Com base nas narrativas de vários atores que trabalham diretamente a nível territorial na coleta, análise e utilização de dados de saúde sobre a população migrante, o artigo problematiza a construção da categoria de "migrante" dentro da métrica, revelando o que é visível e o que é ignorado no processo sociotécnico por trás da construção destes dados.

Abstract Colombia has been a destination country of Venezuelan migration originated by the socio-political situation of the neighboring country. One of the needs to respond to this crisis is the collection of data to make visible and monitor the health conditions of this population. Based on a qualitative study centered on interviews and ethnographic observation, the article focuses on characterizing the different inclusion and exclusion dynamics in the production of health data of the migrant population in Cúcuta, a Colombian-Venezuelan border territory. Based on the narratives of various actors who work directly at the territorial level in the collection, analysis and use of health data of the migrant population, the article problematizes the construction of the category of "migrant" within the metrics, revealing what is visible and what is ignored in the socio-technical process behind the construction of these data.

Assessing Countries’ Deceased Organ Donation and Transplantation Performance

@#Introduction: Donors per million population and transplantations per million population are standardized, widely used indicators to assess and compare countries’ performance in organ donation and transplantation. This study aims to investigate these two particular metrics of organ donation and transplantation performance, and to introduce a new index, namely, ‘transplantations per patients on the waiting list’. Methods: Secondary analyses of data on 23 countries in 2016 were used to construct the transplantations per patients on the waiting list indicator for kidney, liver, pancreas, heart, and lung transplantation, as well as for the transplantation of any of the five aforementioned organs. Results: According to the transplantations per patients on the waiting list, the best-performing countries in terms of organ donation and transplantation are Belarus for kidney transplantation, Finland for liver and pancreas transplantation, Australia for heart transplantation, and France for lung transplantation. Considering all five organs together, Sweden, Australia, Finland, Austria, and Poland were the top five best-performing countries, followed by Spain in the sixth position. Conclusion: The deceased transplantations per patients on the waiting list can be an alternative indicator to assess performance, along with the widely-used donors and transplantations per million population, but still has its limitations in certain scenarios.

Analysis on patent development at 13 general hospitals in Beijing / 中华医院管理杂志

Objective:To analyze the patent development status of 13 general hospitals in Beijing, for reference in promoting the management and translation of intellectual property rights of public hospitals.Methods:13 tertiary general hospitals in Beijing as one of the top 100 hospitals in China in terms of science and technology evaluaton metrics in 2020 were selected as the research subjects. The patent application and authorization information of 13 hospitals was retrieved from the IncoPat technology innovation intelligence platform, during the period from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2021. The patent application and authorization status, international patent classification distribution, inventor information, patent validity, and registration of patent transfer were analyzed.Results:The numbers of patent applications and authorizations from 13 hospitals increased from 123 and 13 in 2012 to 2 053 and 2 368 in 2021, respectively. From 2012 to 2021, 13 hospital applied for 10 050 patents and authorized 6 896 patents, including 906 authorized invention patents, 5 863 utility model patents, and 127 appearance design patents. Valid patents amounted to 5 925, accounting for 85.92%, and valid authorized invention patents amounted to 796, accounting for 13.43%. 110 of these patents were transferred or licensed, accounting for 1.60% of the authorized patents.Conclusions:Aapplied and authorizated patents were rising year by year, but the ratios of invention patents and patient translation remained at a low level. The author suggestted that hospitals should highlight the value orientation of patents, strengthen-industry-academia-research cooperation, establish a professional management team and standardized management system for intellectual property, cultivate high-value patents, conduct pre patent application evaluation and screening, and improve patent conversion and technological innovation capabilities.

Research on the reform of position setting and performance evaluation in medical research institutes under the background of institute integration / 中华医学科研管理杂志

Objective:To explore the collaborative innovation development mechanism of hospitals and research institutes, fully integrate the institute personnel with hospitals, and conduct classified management and performance appraisal, promoting the integrated development of hospitals and research institutes.Methods:The idea of personnel classification, the establishment of an integrated research team, and technical team groupings and service directions were determined through key informant interviews, research ability and technical strength surveys, and other research methods; The performance appraisal scheme of research teams were established by using literature analysis and optimization and Delphi expert investigation; The platform team assessment programs were established by qualitative research methods.Results:Built a position setting framework for research institutes, formed hospital-institute integrated research teams around the hospital's clinical advantageous disciplines with researchers and clinical staff, set up platform teams based on existing equipment and technicians′ specialties, established a performance appraisal scheme for research teams based on Science and Technology Evaluation Metrics(STEM), determined a full-dimensional comprehensive performance evaluation scheme for the technology platforms based on service volume and quality.Conclusions:This study formulated a set of position setting and performance evaluation schemes that fit with the current situation of municipal research institutes, and explored a new scientific research cooperation mechanism of resource sharing, team co-construction, and technology sharing, which can provide a certain reference value for the reform of other medical research institutes.

Quantification of Pre-analytical Quality Indicators in a Clinical Laboratory and Formulating the Lean Six Sigma DMAIC Strategy

Introduction : Quality control of the laboratory has gained increased importance in the present years. 70 % of the errors in the clinical laboratory occur in the pre-analytical phase. With various guidelines to gauge the quality of the laboratory, Six Sigma Metrics remains by far the most difficult benchmark that a laboratory can achieve. We aimed to quantify the performance of the quality indicators of the routine clinical Biochemistry laboratory in the pre-analytical phase in the form of sigma metrics and devise measures and identify steps to decrease the percentage of errors by defining the DMAIC approach. Materials and Methods : One year retrospective data was collected from January, 2020 to December, 2020 from the data entry register and pre-analytical variables were quantified. Defects Per Million and sigma metric were calculated for each pre-analytical indicator. DMAIC approach was applied and post intervention sigma scores for the month of Jananuary, 2021, February, 2021 and March, 2021 were calculated. Results : Postinterventional analysis was done on a month-to-month basis to monitor the trend and also to ensure corrective action can be taken without delay. Out of 5 quality indicators which were quantified, the pre versus post sigma scores (March’21) are as follows: missing location of the patient (Sigma 4 versus 3.6), missing registration number (Sigma 3.7 versus 4.3) and both registration number and location missing (Sigma 3.6 versus 4.0), Homolysed sample (4.2 versus 4.6), insufficient sample volume (sigma 3.9 versus 4.7). Encouraging results in the form of improved Sigma scores were seen in four of the quality indicators except for the fact that the patient location were still missing in the forms and hence warrants continuous monitoring.

Burden of syphilis in Brazil and federated units, 1990-2016: estimates from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

ABSTRACT Background: Syphilis is a chronic infectious disease that has created challenging situations for humanity for centuries. Transmission can occur sexually or vertically, with great repercussions on populations, particularly among women and children. The present study presents information on the main burden imposed by syphilis generated by the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2019 for Brazil and its 27 federated units. Methods: We described the metrics of incidence, deaths, years of life lost (YLLs), years lived with disability (YLDs), and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), standardized by age and per 100,000 inhabitants, from 1990 to 2019, and we compared the disease burden between the years 1990 and 2019. Results: In Brazil, the disease burden increased between 2005 and 2019 for all metrics. Although a higher incidence of syphilis was found among women in 2019, DALYs [YLLs (males: 15.9%; females: 21.8%), YLDs (males: 25.0%; females: 50.0%), and DALYs (males: 16.2%; females: 22.4%)] were higher among men. In 2019, the highest DALY rate per 100,000 inhabitants was observed in individuals aged above 50 years. The State of Maranhão presented the highest values of DALYs {1990: 165.2 [95% uncertainty interval (UI) 96.2-264.4]; 2005: 43.8 [95% UI 30.3-62.4]; 2019: 29.1 [95% UI 19.8-41.1]} per 100,000 inhabitants in the three years analyzed. Conclusions: The burden of syphilis has increased in recent years. Men presented higher DALYs, although the incidence of the disease was higher in women. Syphilis affects a large number of people across all age groups, causing different degrees of disability and premature death (DALYs).

Modeling functional network topology following stroke through graph theory: functional reorganization and motor recovery prediction

The study of functional reorganization following stroke has been steadily growing supported by advances in neuroimaging techniques, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Concomitantly, graph theory has been increasingly employed in neuroscience to model the brain's functional connectivity (FC) and to investigate it in a variety of contexts. The aims of this study were: 1) to investigate the reorganization of network topology in the ipsilesional (IL) and contralesional (CL) hemispheres of stroke patients with (motor stroke group) and without (control stroke group) motor impairment, and 2) to predict motor recovery through the relationship between local topological variations of the functional network and increased motor function. We modeled the brain's FC as a graph using fMRI data, and we characterized its interactions with the following graph metrics: degree, clustering coefficient, characteristic path length, and betweenness centrality (BC). For both patient groups, BC yielded the largest variations between the two analyzed time points, especially in the motor stroke group. This group presented significant correlations (P<0.05) between average BC changes and the improvements in upper-extremity Fugl-Meyer (UE-FM) scores at the primary sensorimotor cortex and the supplementary motor area for the CL hemisphere. These regions participate in processes related to the selection, planning, and execution of movement. Generally, higher increases in average BC over these areas were related to larger improvements in UE-FM assessment. Although the sample was small, these results suggest the possibility of using BC as an indication of brain plasticity mechanisms following stroke.

Influência das métricas de mídias sociais nas citações dos periódicos brasileiros de Enfermagem indexados na Scopus / The influence of social media metrics on citations of brazilian nursing journals

O uso de mídias sociais por pesquisadores, instituições, publicações e público em geral, assim como a adoção da altmetria para aferição de impacto de produtos científicos em diferentes plataformas online, vem ao encontro do que preconizam as novas propostas para a comunicação científica. A Enfermagem possui uma produção científica por vezes mais acessível à sociedade o que lhe permite alcançar um público mais amplo e diversificado, por vezes não acadêmico, que acessa, lê e discute temas que muitas vezes fazem parte do seu cotidiano. A tese justifica-se pela carência de estudos brasileiros sobre o uso de modelos, métodos e técnicas estatísticas para medir os efeitos da relação e da possibilidade de usar métricas de mídias sociais para prever o volume de citações de artigos científicos da Enfermagem. Estudo exploratório e de abordagem quantitativa que analisa o efeito das interações em mídias sociais nas citações de 4.776 artigos publicados em onze periódicos brasileiros do campo da Enfermagem indexados na Scopus no período de 2015 a 2019. Os dados de impacto sobre os artigos no Mendeley, Twitter e Facebook, foram fornecidos pela PlumX. Também foram coletados dados altmétricos do corpus nas contas das revistas no Facebook e no Twitter. Para predição de resultados foi utilizado o modelo de regressão Binomial Negativo devido à natureza dos dados disponíveis. Foi observado que 99% do corpus estava coberto no Mendeley, 19,6% no Facebook e 12,6% no Twitter. Foi verificada uma correlação moderada (rs = 0,591, p < 0,05) entre o volume de leitores no Mendeley e o volume de citações na Scopus Os resultados demonstraram uma correlação nula entre as interações recebidas pelos artigos no Facebook (rs = - 0,129, p < 0,05) e no Twitter (rs = 0,141, p < 0,05) com as citações recebidas pelos artigos na Scopus. O modelo de regressão demonstrou que para cada aumento no número leitores em um artigo no Mendeley, mantendo-se outros parâmetros fixos, tem-se um aumento aproximado de 0,7% no número de citações deste artigo na Scopus. Já para cada aumento na variável ano, mantendo os outros parâmetros fixos, tem-se aproximadamente 39,8% de aumento no número de citações recebidas por um artigo na Scopus. Foram postados no Facebook pelos periódicos da Enfermagem 31,3% dos artigos publicados em 2019. O modelo de regressão demonstrou que para cada aumento no número de interações em um artigo no Facebook, mantendose os outros parâmetros fixos, tem-se um aumento médio de 2,2% no número de citações na Scopus. Foram divulgados no Twitter 16,9% dos artigos publicados pelos periódicos em 2019. Ficou evidenciada a natureza díspar do tipo de impacto que é mensurado pelas métricas tradicionais, baseadas em citações, e as métricas alternativas, percebidas em mídias sociais. Reafirma-se o que já foi exposto na literatura: a altmetria pode ser utilizada para complementar, mas não para substituir, o impacto medido pelas métricas tradicionais baseadas em citações formais, permitindo observar de forma mais ampliada como se dão os processos da comunicação científica em ambientes online informais.

The use of social media by researchers, institutions, publications and the general public, as well as the adoption of altmetrics to measure the impact of scientific products on different online platforms, is in line with the new proposals for scientific communication. Nursing has a scientific production that is sometimes more accessible to society, which makes it possible to reach a broader and more varied audience, sometimes non-academic, that accesses, reads and discusses topics that are often part of their daily lives. The dissertation is justified by the lack of Brazilian studies about the use of models, methods and statistical techniques to measure the effects of the relationship and the possibility of using social media metrics to predict the amount of citations of scientific articles in Nursing. This is an exploratory study with a quantitative approach, which analyzes the effect of interactions in social media on the citations of 4,776 articles published in eleven Nursing Brazilian journals indexed in Scopus from 2015 to 2019. PlumX provided the impact of data sharing on articles on Mendeley, Twitter and Facebook. Besides, we collected altmetric data of the corpus on Facebook and Twitter accounts of the journals. To predict the results, we used the Negative Binomial regression model due to the nature of the available data. We found that Mendeley covers 99% of the corpus; Facebook, 19.6% and Twitter, 12.6%. We found a moderate correlation (rs = 0.591, p < 0.05) between the amount of Mendeley readers and the amount of Scopus citations. The results showed a null correlation between the interactions received by the articles on Facebook (rs = - 0.129, p < 0.05) and on Twitter (rs = 0.141, p < 0.05) with the citations received by the articles in Scopus. The regression model showed that for each increase in the number of readers of an article on Mendeley, other parameters remaining fixed, there is an approximate increase of 0.7% in the number of citations of this article in Scopus. For each increase in the variable 'year', other parameters remaining fixed, there is an increase of approximately 39.8% in the number of citations received by an article in Scopus. Nursing journals posted on Facebook 31.3% of the articles published in 2019. The regression model showed that for each increase in the number of interactions in an article on Facebook, other parameters remaining fixed, there is an average increase of 2.2% in the number of citations in Scopus. Twitter posted 16.9% of the articles published by journals in 2019. It is evident the unequal nature of the type of impact that is measured by traditional metrics, based on citations, and alternative metrics, noticed on social media. We reaffirm what literature has already exposed: altmetrics can be used to complement, but not to replace, the impact measured by traditional metrics based on formal citations, allowing a broader perspective of how scientific communication processes take place in informal online environments.

The application of sigma metrics in the laboratory to assess quality control processes in South Africa

Objective: This study aimed to determine the sigma metrics of analytes when using different total allowable error guidelines.Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 19 general chemistry analytes at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital in South Africa between January 2017 and December 2017. Sigma metrics were calculated on two identical analysers, using internal quality control data and total allowable error guidelines from the Ricos biological variation database and three alternative sources (the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia, the Clinical Laboratory Improvements Amendment, and the European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine). Results: The sigma performance was similar on both analysers but varied based on the guideline used, with the Clinical Laboratory Improvements Amendment guidelines resulting in the best sigma metrics (53% of analytes on one analyser and 46% on the other had acceptable sigma metrics) and the Royal College of Pathologists of Australia guidelines being the most stringent (21% and 23%). Sodium and chloride performed poorly across all guidelines (sigma < 3). There were also month-to-month variations that may result in acceptable sigma despite poor performance during certain months.Conclusion: The sigma varies greatly depending on the total allowable error, but could be a valuable tool to save time and decrease costs in high-volume laboratories. Sigma metrics calculations need to be standardised

Comprehensive evaluation of tertiary public hospitals in China based on scientific and technological innovation capability and efficiency / 中华医院管理杂志

Objective:To comprehensively evaluate the scientific and technological innovation capability and efficiency of hospitals and provide references for effectively promoting their high-quality development in scientific innovation.Methods:The indexes of 69 tertiary public general hospitals were collected in 2018. The science and technology innovation capability of these hospitals was evaluated using science and technology evaluation metrics(STEM), while their science and technology innovation efficiency was evaluated using the super-efficiency data envelopment analysis model. Then the matching relation of the two dimensions was analyzed, with outstanding hospitals identified using the skyline algorithm.Results:The STEM and science/technology innovation efficiency of 69 tertiary public hospitals averaged 29.61 and 0.960 respectively. Based on STEM and efficiency, the 69 hospitals were divided into four types: the type of high capability and efficiency comprising 9 hospitals(13.04%), that of high capability and low efficiency comprising 16 hospitals(23.19%), that of low capability and high efficiency comprising 16 hospitals(23.19%) and that of low capability and efficiency comprising 28 hospitals(40.58%). Five hospitals(7.24%)were selected as outstanding examples of science and technology innovation.Conclusions:This study constructed a set of scientific and effective methods for comprehensively evaluating scientific and technological innovation capability and efficiency, for classifying the current state of science and technology innovation of a hospital and identifying outstanding ones. The assessment results could enable the hospitals to make targeted management measures.

Ensino das habilidades básicas de colonoscopia: os padrões de qualidade e segurança podem ser atendidos em um centro universitário / Teaching basic colonoscopy skills: quality and safety standards can be fulfilled in an outpatient university center

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Recent studies have shown that endoscopy fellows can perform colonoscopy effectively and safely. However, little is known about the performance of surgical residents without prior knowledge of endoscopic techniques. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether quality indicators were met at an outpatient endoscopy center and whether surgical residents, without prior upper or lower endoscopy skills, could perform colonoscopy adequately. METHODS: A prospective non-randomized cohort study was undertaken. All exams were performed either by assistant physicians or by residents. Quality measures were compared between those groups. RESULTS: A total of 2720 colonoscopies were analyzed. In the resident group, we observed older patients (57.7±12.7 years vs 51.5±14.5 years, P<0.001), a higher prevalence of screening colonoscopies (52% vs 39.4%, P<0.001) and a higher prevalence of colorectal cancer (6.4% vs 1.8%, P<0.001). The cecal intubation rate was higher in the attending group (99.9% vs 89.3%; P<0.001). The polyp detection rate was 40.8%, and no differences were observed between the studied groups. The residents had a higher rate of perforation in all exams (0.4% vs 0%; P=0.02). Postpolypectomy bleeding and 7-day readmission rates were the same (0.2%). All readmissions in 7 days occurred due to low digestive bleeding, and none required intervention. CONCLUSION: Quality indicators were met at a university outpatient endoscopy center; however, medical residents achieved lower rates of cecal intubation and higher rates of perforation than the attending physicians.

RESUMO CONTEXTO: Estudos recentes mostraram que médicos em treinamento podem realizar a colonoscopia de maneira eficaz e segura. No entanto, pouco se sabe sobre a performance dos médicos residentes de cirurgia sem o conhecimento prévio das técnicas endoscópicas. OBJETIVO: Avaliar se os indicadores de qualidade foram atendidos em um centro de endoscopia ambulatorial e se os residentes de cirurgia, sem habilidades anteriores em endoscopia alta ou baixa, realizaram a colonoscopia de forma adequada. MÉTODOS: Foi realizado um estudo de coorte prospectivo não randomizado. Todos os exames foram realizados por médicos assistentes ou residentes. Os indicadores de qualidade foram comparados entre esses grupos. RESULTADOS: Um total de 2.720 colonoscopias foram analisadas. No grupo de médicos residentes, observamos pacientes mais velhos (57,7±12,7 anos vs 51,5±14,5 anos, P<0,001), maior prevalência de colonoscopias de rastreamento (52% vs 39,4%, P<0,001) e maior prevalência de câncer colorretal (6,4% vs 1,8%, P<0,001). A taxa de intubação cecal foi maior no grupo de médicos assistentes (99,9% vs 89,3%; P<0,001). A taxa de detecção de pólipos foi de 40,8% e não foram observadas diferenças entre os grupos estudados. Os médicos residentes tiveram maior índice de perfuração (0,4% vs 0%; P=0,02). O sangramento pós-polipectomia e as taxas de readmissão em 7 dias foram iguais (0,2%). Todas as readmissões em 7 dias ocorreram devido a hemorragia digestiva baixa e nenhuma intervenção foi necessária. CONCLUSÃO: Os indicadores de qualidade foram alcançados em um centro de endoscopia universitário; no entanto, os médicos residentes alcançaram taxas mais baixas de intubação cecal e taxas mais altas de perfuração do que os médicos assistentes.

The effect of case mix index on the science and technology evaluation metrics of disciplines in tertiary public general hospital / 中华医学科研管理杂志

Objective:Case mix index indicates the capacity of disease diagnosis and treatment, as well as the quality of health cares in related disciplines. Science and technology evaluation metrics represent the level of innovation and sustainable development of science and technology. Quality of health care and sustainable development are considered as two key evaluation indicators in the performance evaluation of national tertiary public hospitals. This study aimed to explore the effect of case mix index on the science and technology evaluation metrics.Methods:According to a cross-sectional design, the relationship between case mix index and science and technology evaluation metrics was analyzed in a tertiary public general hospital between 2017 and 2019.Results:In three years′ period time, the departments in top 100 disciplines of science and technology evaluation metrics had the case mix index 17% which was higher than other departments in non-top 100 disciplines ( P<0.05). In the multivariate analysis, higher case mix index increased a 2.29-fold higher probability to be in top 100 disciplines. They are under the receiver operative character curve between case mix index and top 100 disciplines in evaluation of departments was 0.716 ( P=0.001). Conclusions:Case mix index indicated the level of science and technology evaluation metrics and the clinical departments should improve the case mix index, service quality of health care and the motivation of sustainable development.

Analysis of scientific research status of Grade-A tertiary obstetrics and gynecology hospital based on the Science and Technology Evaluation Metrics in Chinese hospitals / 中华医学科研管理杂志

Objective:To analyze the current situation of scientific research in hospitals in China based on the indicators and results of Science and Technology Evaluation Metrics in Chinese hospitals, and propose possible countermeasures for scientific research development.Methods:The external and internal environment of scientific research in a Grade-A tertiary obstetrics and gynecology hospital was discussed through the results of Science and Technology Evaluation Metrics and situation analysis.Results:The external opportunity of the hospital is that the national and municipal government lead the development direction of science and technology, the hospital leaders attach great importance to the development direction of the hospital and have a clear direction for the development of the hospital; the challenge is that the new generation of information technology puts forward the requirements of cross integration of scientific research work, the flow of high-level talents is accelerated, and there is a significant gap with the similar hospitals in the field of obstetrics and gynecology. The internal advantages are embodied in the following points: the advantages of specialties are obvious, the output of scientific research results has increased year by year after the implementation of the scientific research management of hospital departments, the training and introduction of talents are equally important; the disadvantages are reflected in the following points: lack of basic research and scientific research platforms, lack of high-end scientific and clinical research talents, insufficient academic influence, lack of national-level scientific research projects, insufficient high-level scientific research results, and low achievement conversion rate.Conclusions:The hospital should improve performance assessment, build research platform and achievement transformation platform, strengthen interdisciplinary integration and personnel training, and promote the fine management of high-level achievements, so as to improve the scientific and technological output, academic influence and scientific and technological conditions of the hospital.

Características de las Redes Académicas. Estado del arte / Characteristics of Academic Networks. State of the art

Introducción: Las redes sociales son el mejor exponente de la llamada Web 2.0. donde personas o entidades se relacionan a través de plataformas, mediante las que pueden comunicarse de forma rápida y simultánea, así como compartir recursos de información y documentación de cualquier tipo. En el momento actual investigadores e instituciones hacen uso de todo tipo de redes para establecer vínculos. Objetivos: Caracterizar los objetivos y elementos que definen las redes académicas, las ventajas y desventajas que presentan y el modo de uso, entre otros aspectos. Material y Método: Se efectuó una extensa búsqueda bibliográfica sobre esta temática que abarcó Sitios Web, libros y revistas, durante los últimos cinco años. Los documentos obtenidos fueron clasificados y evaluados de acuerdo a su pertinencia y calidad. Desarrollo: Se comienza por caracterizar los objetivos y particularidades de la Web 2.0 y algunas formas de obtener información científico técnica para posteriormente introducir las peculiaridades de las Redes Sociales y las Redes Sociales Académicas realizando una particular distinción con las Redes Académicas de investigación que existen en nuestra área, se presentan y discuten las técnicas que se utilizan actualmente para evaluar la calidad de la producción científica de los investigadores. Conclusiones: considerando la novedad y utilidad que representan estas herramientas se considera que este informe puede resultar de interés para investigadores y público en general por el lenguaje asequible conque ha sido redactado(AU)

Introduction: Social networks are the best exponent of the so-called Web 2.0, where people or entities related through platforms can communicate quickly and simultaneously, to share information and documentation resources of any kind. Currently researchers and institutions use networks to establish links. Objective: Characterize the objectives and elements of academic networks, the advantages and disadvantage they present and the way of use, among other aspects. Method: We made an extensive literature search on this subject that included Web sites, books and magazines during the past five years. The documents obtained were classified and evaluated according to their relevance and quality. Development: The objectives and particularities of Web 2.0 are stated, as well as some ways of obtaining scientific and technical information to later introduce the peculiarities of Social Networks and Academic Social Networks, making a particular distinction with the Academic Research Networks that exist in our area. Techniques currently used to assess the quality of the scientific output of researchers are presented and discussed. Conclusions: Considering the novelty and usefulness of these tools, it is considered that this report may be of interest to researchers and the general public due to the affordable language with which it has been written(AU)

Evaluación de indicadores métricos de la Revista Médica Electrónica a través de Google Académico / Evaluation of metric indicators of the Electronic Medical Magazine through Google Scholar

RESUMEN Introducción: el crecimiento dinámico de las tecnologías de la información y las comunicaciones ha posibilitado que la bibliometría experimente un desarrollo ascendente en el análisis de las publicaciones seriadas. Objetivo: evaluar los indicadores métricos de la Revista Médica Electrónica a través de Google Académico. Materiales y métodos: estudio bibliométrico descriptivo de los artículos científicos de la Revista Médica Electrónica recuperados mediante la base de datos Google Académico con medidas iniciales en el año 2013 y finales en el 2017; haciendo uso del software Publish or Perish versión 6.27. Se declaró la confidencialidad de los datos obtenidos en el mismo y que a su vez estos no serán utilizados con fines de lucro. Resultados: se publicaron 715 artículos científicos con 889 citaciones realizadas; el promedio de 177,80; 1,24 y 347,16 citas por año, artículos y autor respectivamente. Los índices cienciométricos que posee la publicación corresponden a un índice h de 12, un índice g de 17, un índice hI, norm de 6 y índice hI, anual de 1,20. Se destacaron tres artículos que fueron los puntearon en la obtención de satisfactorios índices bibliométricos. Conclusiones: la Revista Médica Electrónica mostró indicadores bibliométricos de visibilidad y productividad de valor científico a través de la calidad en los manuscritos publicados (AU).

SUMMARY Introduction: the dynamic growth of information and communications technologies has enabled bibliometrics to experience an upward development in the analysis of serial publications. Objective: to evaluate the metric indicators of the Electronic Medical Journal through Google Scholar. Material and methods: descriptive bibliometric study of the scientific articles of the Electronic Medical Journal recovered through the Google Academic database with initial measures in 2013 and final in 2017; using the Publish or Perish software version 6.27. The confidentiality of the data obtained in it was declared and that in turn these will not be used for profit. Results: 715 scientific articles were published with 889 citations made; the average of 177.80; 1.24 and 347.16 citations per year, articles and author respectively. The Scientometric Indexes that the publication has correspond to an index h of 12, an index g of 17, an index hI, norm of 6 and index hI, annual of 1.20. Three articles were highlighted that were the points in obtaining satisfactory bibliometric indexes. Conclusions: the Electronic Medical Journal showed bibliometric indicators of visibility and productivity of scientific value through quality in published manuscripts (AU).

The contribution of the brazilian dental journal to the brazilian scientific research over 30 years

Abstract The Brazilian Dental Journal (BDJ) was officially launched in 1990, stimulated by the courage and boldness of researchers dedicated to teaching and research in dentistry. The journal was conceived in a worldwide coverage and universal language to allow publication of the results of Brazilian studies, which otherwise would not be accessible to the scientific dental community. In the year we celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of BDJ, this article presents a brief overview of Brazilian dental research and a bibliometric analysis of the articles published in this journal as a contribution to our readers and fellow researchers. The purpose was to identify the mot frequent categories of study, the most published areas of dentistry and BDJ's top 50 most-cited articles in the Scopus and Google Scholar databases. A search was performed on all BDJ online issues published from 1990 to 2019. In this period, BDJ published 1,710 articles. Based on their distribution by category of study, 557 articles were in the basic research/dental materials area, 527 in the basic research/biology area and 280 in the clinical research area. Eight articles were cited more than 100 times in the Scopus database and 266 times in the Google Scholar database. Endodontics was the most published area. This overview of BDJ production over those 30 years allows establishing a profile of the characteristics, impact and trends of the published studies, as well as the journal's contribution to the top 50 most-cited articles in the Scopus and Google Scholar databases.

Resumo A coragem e ousadia de pesquisadores dedicados ao ensino e pesquisa em odontologia incentivaram a criação em 1990 do Brazilian Dental Journal (BDJ). Esta revista nasceu com o objetivo de permitir a divulgação de resultados de pesquisas brasileiras em uma abrangência e linguagem universal para o mundo. Certamente, estes dados poderiam não ser de conhecimento público para a comunidade científica da odontologia. No ano de comemoração do trigésimo aniversário do BDJ, este estudo apresenta uma breve reflexão envolvendo a pesquisa odontológica e uma análise bibliométrica das publicações desta revista, que podem contribuir para profissionais, pesquisadores e colegas estrangeiros da odontologia. Nesse contexto, buscou-se identificar os 50 artigos mais citados nas bases de dados Scopus e Google Scholar, as áreas mais citadas e as categorias de estudos. Portanto, foi realizada uma pesquisa manual em todos os números do BDJ publicados on-line de 1990 a 2019. O BDJ publicou 1710 artigos científicos, sendo 557 artigos na área de pesquisa básica/materiais dentários, 527 artigos na área de pesquisa básica/biologia e 280 artigos em pesquisa clínica. Oito artigos foram citados mais de 100 vezes no Scopus e 266 na base de dados do Google Scholar. A endodontia foi a área temática mais estudada. O panorama geral das publicações feitas no BDJ em comemoração ao seu trigésimo ano de existência permite uma análise das características, impacto e tendências dos estudos, bem como a contribuição dos os 50 trabalhos mais citados nas bases de dados Scopus e Google Scholar.