Impact of operator hearing threshold on manual blood pressure measurement.

INTRODUCTION: Une déficience auditive non détectée chez le personnel de santé pourrait affecter leur capacité à obtenir une pression artérielle (PA) précise avec des conséquences négatives sur les soins aux patients. Le but de cet article était de déterminer l'impact de l'audition de l'opérateur sur la mesure manuelle de la pression artérielle. Méthodologie: Une étude transversale portant sur 25 patients et 60 personnel de santé composé de 25 médecins (groupe 1), 25 infirmières (groupe 2) et 10 10 personnes qualifiées sélectionnées ayant une audition normale formé (groupe 3). Personnel du groupe 3 on mesurée le PA de chaque patient, ce qui a été jugé exact. Après une formation préliminaire sur la technique de mesure de la PA, une personne Des groupes 1 et 2 ont mesuré la PA d'un patient en utilisant la technique d'auscultation manuelle et ont ensuite procédé à un dépistage du ton pur Audiométrie (PTA) avec le seuil de la meilleure oreille auditive enregistrée. Résultats: La majorité du personnel avait une audition normale (PTA ≤25 dB), 22% Avait un seuil d'audition> 25 dB au dépistage, avec une perte auditive débilitante notée chez une seule personne (2%). Il y avait un accord complet dans les mesures entre les participants ayant un seuil auditif ≤25 dB et le groupe témoin, mais chez les participants dont le seuil est> 25 dB, 100% Ont enregistré une PA diastolique inexacte et 64% ont enregistré une PA systolique inexacte avec tendance à sous-estimer la tension systolique et à surestimer la tension diastolique. CONCLUSION: La déficience auditive n'est pas rare chez le personnel de santé, ce qui entraîne des enregistrements inexacts de la PA. Les audiogrammes doivent être obtenu chaque fois que le personnel de santé remarque des différences fréquentes dans la mesure de la PA par rapport aux collègues. Formation sur la mesure de la PA a permis une mesure précise de la pression artérielle par tous les participants normaux de l'audition. Résumé Introduction: Undetected hearing impairment among health personnel could affect their ability to obtain accurate blood pressure (BP) measurements with consequent negative impact on patient care. The aim of this paper was to determine the impact of operator hearing threshold on manual BP measurement. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study involving 25 patients and 60 health personnel consisting of 25 doctors (Group 1), 25 nurses (Group 2), and 10 specially selected, normal hearing and trained control group (Group 3). Group 3 personnel measured BP of each patient and this was considered accurate. After preliminary training on BP measurement technique, one person each from Groups 1 and 2 measured BP of a patient using manual auscultation technique and then proceeded to have a screening pure tone audiogram (PTA) with threshold of the best hearing ear recorded. RESULTS: Majority of personnel had normal hearing (PTA ≤25 dB), 22% had hearing threshold >25 dB on screening, with debilitating hearing loss noted in one person (2%). There was a complete agreement in BP measurements between participants with hearing threshold ≤25 dB and the control group, but in participants with threshold >25 dB, 100% recorded inaccurate diastolic BP and 64% recorded inaccurate systolic BP with tendency to underestimate systolic and overestimate diastolic BP. CONCLUSION: Hearing impairment is not uncommon among health personnel, resulting in inaccurate BP recordings. Audiograms should be obtained whenever health personnel notice frequent differences in measured BP compared to colleagues. Training on BP measurement technique resulted in accurate BP measurement by all normal hearing participants.

Ototoxicity in Nigeria: why it persists.

No therapy is currently available to reverse the serious damage that can be caused by ototoxic drugs, such as permanent hearing loss and balance disorders. Otolaryngologists in various regions of the world have developed strategies aimed at curtailing drug-induced ototoxicity, but similar efforts in most developing nations have yet to be well established. We conducted a study to document our experience in Nigeria. Our study population was made up of 156 patients-66 males and 90 females, aged 5 to 85 years (mean: 32.1 ± 30.7)-who were diagnosed with drug-induced ototoxicity over a 3-year period. Tinnitus was the first and the predominant symptom in 140 patients (89.7%). The most common cause of drug-induced ototoxicity among the 156 patients was injection of an unknown agent (n = 55 [35.3%]); among the known agents, the most common were chloramphenicol (n = 25 [16.0%]), chloroquine (n = 22 [14.1%]), and gentamicin (n = 20 [12.8%]). One pregnant woman experienced a miscarriage at 4 months after receiving intramuscular chloroquine, and another woman fell into a coma after receiving intramuscular streptomycin. Two agents that have not been linked to ototoxicity-oxytocin and thiopentone sodium-were found to be ototoxic in our study (1 case each). Of the 312 ears, 31 (9.9%) showed normal audiometric patterns; on the other end of the spectrum, 155 ears (49.7%) had profound sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). Mixed hearing loss was seen in 90 ears (28.8%). Hearing loss was bilaterally symmetrical in 127 patients (81.4%), bilaterally asymmetrical in 15 patients (9.6%), and unilateral in 14 patients (9.0%). Treatment was primarily medical; hearing aids were fitted for 7 patients (4.5%). Only 41 patients (26.3%) kept as many as 3 scheduled follow-up appointments. Ototoxicity remains prevalent in the developing countries of Africa. Numerous drugs and other agents are responsible, and management outcomes are difficult to ascertain. Thus, our emphasis must be placed on prevention if we are to minimize the potentially devastating effects of ototoxicity.

Clinico-pathological profile of sinonasal masses: an experience in national ear care center Kaduna, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: The presence of a mass in the nose and paranasal sinuses may seem to be a simple problem; however it raises many questions about the differential diagnosis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinico-pathological profile of sinonasal masses in our environmentThis is a retrospective analytical review of all the patients with sinonasal masses that presented to the national ear care center, Kaduna over a six year (2003-2008) period. Their biodata, clinical profile and histological diagnoses were analyzed. FINDINGS: A total of 76 patients were analyzed, age range 5 to 64 yrs with a mean age of 33.3 yr median and modal age of 35.00 (SD = 13.1 +/- 1.5). Majority of the patients were in the age groups 21-50 yrs. There were 34 male and 42 female with M: F ratio of 1:1.2. The main presenting symptoms are nasal blockage 97.4% and rhinorrhea 94.7%. It was bilateral in 34 (44.7%), left side in 24(31.6%) and right side in 18(23.7%) patients. The commonest clinical diagnoses were simple nasal polyp 47(61.8%) and antrochoanal polyp 10(13.2%). About 59 (77.6%) were benign, 2 (2.6%) were malignant and 15 (19.7%) were lost to follow up. The commonest histological diagnosis is simple inflammatory nasal polyp in 28 (36.8%) patients and the least was nasal capillary hemangioma 2 (2.6%). About 55(72.4%) patients had surgical treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Nasal obstruction and rhinorrhea are the commonest symptoms of presentation, simple inflammatory nasal polyp is still the commonest histological pattern seen in our environment, and surgery is still the best modality of treatment for benign tumor thus the need for advocacy for early recognition and referral to the ENT surgeon.

Attitude of self ear cleaning in black Africans: any benefit?

UNLABELLED: Wax removal compromises the integrity of the ear's defenses. It is a leading cause of otitis externa, Otomycosis and impaired hearing. Aims of the study are to assess the knowledge and implication of self ear cleaning among black Africans. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective study carried out at the Tundun-wada community and National Ear Care Centre, Kaduna with administration of structured questionnaire after an informed consent and ethical clearance. Information retrieved includes biodata, believe, reason and object for cleaning of the ear, associated problems or benefit and examination. RESULTS: A total of 372 form the basis for the study, age range 1-76 yr with a mean age of 30.37 yr, median age 29.00 (S.D. = 13.79) and M:F ratio of 1:1. Mother responded for their children except for grown up. About 47.3% of the subjects were unemployed who were either children or complete house wife. About 90% of the subjects interviewed do self ear cleaning and over 90% believe ear should be cleaned to remove wax, because of itching in over 50% while a few is due to cosmetic reason. Cotton bud was the commonest material used for cleaning. About one-third of the subject has formed the habit unconsciously over 10 years. The entire subjects interviewed had their ear examined; about 27% had ear discharge then wax impaction in 22% then foreign body 12%. CONCLUSION: The habit of self ear cleaning should be discouraged as it is slow otologic poison with an attendant long term effect.