Current Statement of Intensive Care Units in Turkey: Data obtained from 67 Centers.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to obtain information about the characteristics of the ICUs in our country via a point prevalence study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was planned by the Respiratory Failure and Intensive Care Assembly of Turkish Thoracic Society. A questionnaire was prepared and invitations were sent from the association's communication channels to reach the whole country. Data were collected through all participating intensivists between the October 26, 2016 at 08:00 and October 27, 2016 at 08:00. RESULTS: Data were collected from the 67 centers. Overall, 76.1% of the ICUs were managed with a closed system. In total, 35.8% (n=24) of ICUs were levels of care (LOC) 2 and 64.2% (n=43) were LOC 3. The median total numbers of ICU beds, LOC 2, and LOC 3 beds were 12 (8-23), 14 (10-25), and 12 (8-20), respectively. The median number of ventilators was 12 (7-21) and that of ventilators with non-invasive ventilation mode was 11 (6-20). The median numbers of patients per physician during day and night were 3.9 (2.3-8) and 13 (9-23), respectively. The median number of patients per nurse was 2.5 (2-3.1); 88.1% of the nurses were certified by national certification corporation. CONCLUSION: In terms of the number of staff, there is a need for specialist physicians, especially during the night and nurses in our country. It was thought that the number of ICU-certified nurses was comparatively sufficient, yet the target was supposed to be 100% for this rate.

[Evaluation of physians, patients, relatives and society of opinions on the told lung cancer diagnosis]. / Hekimlerin, hasta yakinlarinin ve toplumun akciger kanseri tanisinin söylenmesine iliskin görüslerinin degerlendirilmesi.

INTRODUCTION: In our country, this is usually done by patient relatives. In this study, we aimed to investigate the thought of doctors who done the diagnosis, doctors who arrange the treatment, first degree relatives of patients with lung cancer, and population as a control. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 310 subjects (100 doctors, 110 first degree realtives of patients, and 100 subjects as a control) were included to the study. The mean age was 39.77 ± 11.44 years and there was 170 females. 46% of doctors were giving cancer treatment (chemotheraphy/radiotheraphy). RESULT: 84.5% of subjects were answered the question (Do you want to know the diagnosis of lung cancer if you are lung cancer?) as "yes" and the answers were not different between groups (p> 0.05). 72 of doctors were giving information about diagnosis of patients. This ratio was 89.1% in doctors who arrange lung cancer treatment whereas it was 57.4% in doctors who do not arrange cancer treatment. The percent age of learning of diagnosis of lung cancer throughout the time in doctors, population, and patient's relatives were 19%, 34%, and 59% respectively (p< 0.05). Information about quality of life was more important in relatives of patients (87%) than population (65%) and doctors (63%) (p< 0.05). Quality of life was more important for doctors who arrange lung cancer treatment (76.7)% than doctors who did not (48.8%) (p< 0.05). Patients who were more children wanted to stay with their family at end stage of disease (p< 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: According to this study we think that doctors should say the diagnosis of lung cancer in the form of they understand, inform the patients and relatives about treatment, and quality of life and this can increase patient trust to doctor and compliance of patients to the treatment.

[A health survey in the workers of municipality]. / Belediye çalisanlarinda akciger sagligi taramasi

INTRODUCTION: Internal and external air pollution that is gradually increasing due to urbanization and industrialization has a negative impact on the lung health. A health survey has been applied to evaluate the respiratory symptoms, respiration functions and smoking habbits of the workers of Izmir Konak Municipality whom have been reported to have a high rate of smoking habbit and be affected by the external air pollution due to their being working in the field by the Municipality's doctor. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Questionnaire that are composed of the topics of work anamnesis, environmental anamnesis, curriculum vitae, symptoms (coughing, sputum, wheezing, dyspnea, hemoptysis) and smoking have been executed to 301 workers by face to face interview and their chest X-rays have been reviewed. RESULTS: Dyspnea on exertion, sputum in the morning, wheezing and morning cough have been the most frequently observed complaints (respectively 37.2%, 32.2%, 27.9% and 24.9%). Sanitary workers have reported sputum in the morning more while maintanance shop workers have reported wheezing more (p values respectively 0.009, 0.008). No significance has been observed while the workers are evaluated one by one regarding to their work groups. No significant difference was identified between the addiction of smoking and nicotin addiction or pulmonary function test and chest X-rays (p> 0.05) but active smoking was much more seen in drivers (p= 0.047). CONCLUSION: Although working on the hazardous work branch does not institute a sharp distinction, it becomes significant to trace and lead the workers in order to obtain their lung health protection in long term. Informing and influencing the workers about the harms of smoking and the ways to quit has been the most considerable acquisition of this survey.