Propofol sedation in patients undergoing colonoscopy in Jamaica.

BACKGROUND: Propofol sedation is increasingly used for colonoscopy and may be associated with increased satisfaction and efficiency in diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy. However propofol has a relatively narrow therapeutic window as it frequently produces deep sedation, and can precipitate respiratory depression. AIM: To determine the efficacy, safety and patient satisfaction with propofol sedation in patients undergoing colonoscopy at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI). METHODS: Patients undergoing outpatient colonoscopy at the UHWI who were sedated with propofol were studied. Boluses of 10 - 20 mg of propofol at intervals of 2 - 5 minutes, as needed for adequate sedation, were administered after initial induction. Continuous monitoring of the pulse rate, and oxygen saturation were performed and the blood pressure checked every 2 - 5 minutes. All patients received supplemental oxygen (4 L/min). The following observations were recorded: the endoscopist recorded the ease of the procedure, the anaesthetist recorded the comfort of the patient throughout the procedure and at the time of discharge, and the patient stated the degree of satisfaction with the procedure. Any unusual events were recorded. RESULTS: Sixty consecutive patients sedated with propofol were studied. There were 28 (46.7%) males, with a mean age of 58.3 years and 32 (53.3%) females, with mean age of 59.5 years. Most were normal healthy patients (56.6%). Comorbid illnesses were present in 43.4%, with hypertension being most common (23.3%). All patients were classified as ASA class 1 and 2. The average dose of propofol used was 180 mg (range 50 - 355 mg). The mean duration of colonoscopy was 19.5 minutes. The mean recovery period (able to stand) was 29.6 minutes. There were no documented cases of significant hypotension, bradycardia, or hypoxaemia during the procedure. Transient apnoeic episodes during the initial stages of sedation occurred in 12 (20%) patients. The majority of patients (91.7%) rated the experience as being extremely good or excellent. The majority could not recall the actual colonoscopy and there were minimal subjective reports of nausea or discomfort during the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Propofol sedation was associated with quick recovery and excellent satisfaction by patients and is a suitable alternative for sedation for colonoscopy in Jamaica.

Knowledge and practice of occupational infection control among healthcare workers in Jamaica.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the knowledge, compliance and practice among healthcare workers of occupational infection control at two hospitals in Jamaica. METHODS: Employing a cross-sectional study design, medical personnel (physicians and nurses) at two hospitals in Jamaica, were studied, utilizing a structured questionnaire consisting of 14 items to collect the data. RESULTS: Participants considered the following fluids, not blood stained, high risk for HIV transmission: breast milk (79%), saliva (14%), urine (27%), pleural fluid (53%), CSF (55%), synovial fluid (37%), faeces (27%), peritoneal fluid (53%) and vomitus (21%). The respondents estimated the risk of transmission of infection after a needlestick injury from a patient with: HIV, mean 22.5%, HB, 34% and HCV, 26%. Needles for drawing blood were identified as having the highest risk for transmission of infections in 63%. The following precautions were adhered to all the time: wearing gloves (38%), not re-sheathing needles (22%), not passing needles directly to others (70%), properly disposing of sharps (86%) and regarding patients' blood and other high risk fluid as potentially infected (62%). Post exposure, 43% indicated bleeding/squeezing the NSI site as the initial first-aid procedure, washing with soap and water (29%) and irrigating the area with water (20%). CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare workers are aware of the risk of transmission of infection, however compliance with universal precautions was inadequate. An improvement in knowledge and practice with clear guidelines are needed and a comprehensive programme to educate HCWs regarding compliance with universal precautions is urgently required.

Prevalence of needlestick injuries and other high risk exposures among healthcare workers in Jamaica.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of needlestick injuries (NSIs) and other high risk exposures among healthcare workers at two hospitals in Jamaica. METHODS: Employing a cross-sectional study design, medical personnel (physicians, nurses) at two hospitals in Jamaica, were studied, utilizing a structured questionnaire consisting of 14 items to collect data on needle stick injuries and other injuries. RESULTS: There were 67 needlestick injuries in 47 persons. Of those sustaining an injury, 52% of physicians and 40% of nurses had NSIs. Re-capping needles accounted for 21% of injuries, various minor procedures, 21%, injury during surgery, 19.4% and taking blood, 12%. In those sustaining NSIs, 47% were reported and 26% of reported cases received counselling. Appropriate blood tests were performed on 34% and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV was administered to 30%. Hollow bore needles caused 47.8% of injuries, 25.4% occurred with suture needles and 19.4% with intravenous branulas. Other occupational exposure was reported by 31%, including blood on hands and other body parts 39%, blood to face and eyes, 18%, splashed with liquor, 18%, splashed with bloody fluid, 11% and contact with vomitus and urine in eye, 4%. CONCLUSION: Needlestick injuries and other high risk exposures were high; incident reporting and post exposure management were inadequate. A comprehensive programme to address factors that contribute to the occurrence of NSIs and other occupational exposures is urgently needed.

A national survey on preoperative fasting policies and practices in Jamaican hospitals.

Controversy has arisen regarding the length and nature of the preoperative fast that should be required of patients with normal gastric emptying time undergoing elective surgery. Various studies and editorials have indicated that the traditional preoperative fasting policy of "NPO after midnight" may be illogical as it makes no distinction between solid foods and clear fluids. Successive National Surveys conducted in the United States of America (USA) have shown an increasing number of Ambulatory Surgery Hospitals adopting more liberal preoperative fasting guidelines. Jamaican practitioners have also begun implementing some of these new liberal practices, even in institutions where "NPO after midnight" remain the official policy of the institution in which they practice. This has created a discordance between individual practice and institutional policy. In view of the fact that the extent of this discrepancy has not yet been studied and documented in Jamaica, and in an effort to better characterize the nature of the changes taking place in preoperative fasting practices in Jamaican hospitals, including those related to knowledge and attitude of practitioners, we embarked on this National Survey. The survey consisted of a questionnaire comprised of 13 questions which were to be completed by all surgeons and anaesthetists practising in a wide cross-section of public hospitals throughout Jamaica, providing an initial sample size of 201 subjects. We had a response rate of 74%, or 148 responses. At all the hospitals surveyed, the traditional NPO policy continued to be the official institutional policy. However, at the individual level, 37% of respondents had already revised their policy, and were allowing their patients to have clear fluids up to three hours before the induction of anaesthesia. Also, 66%, 68%, and 73% of respondents stated that, in the future, they were prepared to allow their patients a solid meal up to eight hours, light breakfast up to six hours, and clear fluids up to three hours, respectively. We concluded that, whilst the traditional NPO policy remained firmly entrenched at the institutional level, many anaesthetists and surgeons show a positive inclination towards more liberal fasting practices. We recommend the formation of a local task force to determine what aspects of the new liberal guidelines may be safely and effectively adopted, taking account of local circumstances.

Thirty-five years of cardiac surgery in Jamaica.

A retrospective review of the files of all patients who underwent cardiac surgery at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) and the Bustamante Hospital for Children (BHC), during the period April 1968 to June 2003 was undertaken. Data collected included age, gender New York Heart Association risk score, type and date of cardiac surgery. The mortality rate of patients who underwent surgery during the period January 1994 to June 2003 was also analyzed A total of 2202 patients had undergone cardiac surgery (CS) in Jamaica during the study period of 35 years and two months. The common surgical procedures were valve surgery--replacement and repair (37.65), correction of patent ductus arteriosus (25.2%) and repair of congenital heart disease (24.2%). Coronary arterial bypass grafting procedures constituted a small percentage (4.1%) of the cardiac surgical operations. A considerable number of patients have undergone CS in Jamaica, but much more needs to be done as the patient load exists. The future of the cardiac surgical service therefore depends on improvement in the facilities at both institutions and the cadre of the intensive care nursing staff The building of the Cardiothoracic-Neurosurgical Unit (commenced in March, 2003) is an essential step towards this.

A national survey on preoperative fasting policies and practices in Jamaican hospitals

Controversy has arisen regarding the length and nature of the preoperative fast that should be required of patients with normal gastric emptying time undergoing elective surgery. Various studies and editorials have indicated that the traditional preoperative fasting policy of [quot ]NPO after midnight[quot ] may be illogical as it makes no distinction between solid foods and clear fluids. Successive National Surveys conducted in the United States of America (USA) have shown an increasing number of Ambulatory Surgery Hospitals adopting more liberal preoperative fasting guidelines. Jamaican practitioners have also begun implementing some of these new liberal practices, even in institutions where [quot ]NPO after midnight[quot ] remain the official policy of the institution in which they practice. This has created a discordance between individual practice and institutional policy. In view of the fact that the extent of this discrepancy has not yet been studied and documented in Jamaica, and in an effort to better characterize the nature of the changes taking place in preoperative fasting practices in Jamaican hospitals, including those related to knowledge and attitude of practitioners, we embarked on this National Survey. The survey consisted of a questionnaire comprised of 13 questions which were to be completed by all surgeons and anaesthetists practising in a wide cross-section of public hospitals throughout Jamaica, providing an initial sample size of 201 subjects. We had a response rate of 74, or 148 responses. At all the hospitals surveyed, the traditional NPO policy continued to be the official institutional policy. However, at the individual level, 37 of respondents had already revised their policy, and were allowing their patients to have clear fluids up to three hours before the induction of anaesthesia. Also, 66, 68, and 73 of respondents stated that, in the future, they were prepared to allow their patients a solid meal up to eight hours, light breakfast up to six hours, and clear fluids up to three hours, respectively. We concluded that, whilst the traditional NPO policy remained firmly entrenched at the institutional level, many anaesthetists and surgeons show a positive inclination towards more liberal fasting practices. We recommend the formation of a local task force to determine what aspects of the new liberal guidelines may be safely and effectively adopted, taking account of local circumstances

Initial experience with beating-heart single valve replacement surgery at the University Hospital of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica.

The objective of this study was to examine the consequences of performing single cardiac valve replacement procedures utilizing a beating-heart technique on typical patients presenting to the cardiothoracic surgery service for aortic or mitral valve replacement. Beating heart aortic (4) or mitral valve (1) replacement was performed on patients from July 2000 to November 2002. A stratified sample of five patients who underwent standard arrested-heart single valve replacement procedures between April 1997 and November 2002 was selected for retrospective comparison with the beating-heart group. Operative and post-operative variables were compared between the two groups of patients and subjected to statistical analysis. There was no statistical difference between the two groups with respect to age, pre- or post-operative New York Heart Association (NYHA) scores, cardiopulmonary bypass time, aortic cross-clamp time, intra-operative blood transfusion, or post-operative hospital stay. Post-operatively, in the beating heart group, ventilation time, mediastinal blood loss and requirements for inotropic drugs were significantly reduced (p = 0.0054), p = 0.0019 and 0 = 0.02 respectively) compared to the arrested-heart group. Single cardiac valve replacement surgery utilizing a beating heart technique may offer benefits to patients over traditional arrested-heart surgery. Post-operative blood loss, inotrope requirements and ventilation times are significantly reduced, possibly resulting in better recovery and potentially fewer complications in the post-operative period. There may be cost benefits, important in the context of healthcare delivery in developing nations. These early results suggest the need for a regional prospective randomized trial to compare beating-heart single valve replacement surgery with traditional techniques.

Initial experience with beating-heart single valve replacement surgery at the University Hospital of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica

The objective of this study was to examine the consequences of performing single cardiac valve replacement procedures utilizing a beating-heart technique on typical patients presenting to the cardiothoracic surgery service for aortic or mitral valve replacement. Beating heart aortic (4) or mitral valve (1) replacement was performed on patients from July 2000 to November 2002. A stratified sample of five patients who underwent standard arrested-heart single valve replacement procedures between April 1997 and November 2002 was selected for retrospective comparison with the beating-heart group. Operative and post-operative variables were compared between the two groups of patients and subjected to statistical analysis. There was no statistical difference between the two groups with respect to age, pre- or post-operative New York Heart Association (NYHA) scores, cardiopulmonary bypass time, aortic cross-clamp time, intra-operative blood transfusion, or post-operative hospital stay. Post-operatively, in the beating heart group, ventilation time, mediastinal blood loss and requirements for inotropic drugs were significantly reduced (p = 0.0054), p = 0.0019 and 0 = 0.02 respectively) compared to the arrested-heart group. Single cardiac valve replacement surgery utilizing a beating heart technique may offer benefits to patients over traditional arrested-heart surgery. Post-operative blood loss, inotrope requirements and ventilation times are significantly reduced, possibly resulting in better recovery and potentially fewer complications in the post-operative period. There may be cost benefits, important in the context of healthcare delivery in developing nations. These early results suggest the need for a regional prospective randomized trial to compare beating-heart single valve replacement surgery with traditional techniques

Thymic surgery in Jamaica 1992-2000.

The treatment for thymic tumours and/or myaesthenia gravis (MG) includes thymectomy. Controversy exists as to the optimal timing and operative approach to thymectomy. At the University Hospital of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica, the results of thymic surgery during the period 1992 to 2000 were studied retrospectively. There were 26 patients operated on, 17 females and nine males. Twenty-three underwent thymectomy to treat MG, and three to remove a thymoma. The average age for females was 30.7 years, and 25.1 years for males. Average duration of symptoms prior to surgery was 16 months (all patients), and the interval between diagnosis and referral averaged 2.6 months. All patients underwent thymectomy via median sternotomy with a cervical extension of the incision if required. A policy of phrenic nerve preservation, even if residual tumour was left behind, was followed. Patients with thymomas were given post-operative radiotherapy. Chemotherapy was not given to any patient. The medium and long term results of thymic surgery in a developing country are presented. The results are within international norms, although the small patient population makes statistical analysis difficult. There appears to be no need to change current practice, despite the reported efficacy of less invasive approaches to thymic surgery.

Thymic surgery in Jamaica 1992-2000

The treatment for thymic tumours and/or myaesthenia gravis (MG) includes thymectomy. Controversy exists as to the optimal timing and operative approach to thymectomy. At the University Hospital of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica, the results of thymic surgery during the period 1992 to 2000 were studied retrospectively. There were 26 patients operated on, 17 females and nine males. Twenty-three underwent thymectomy to treat MG, and three to remove a thymoma. The average age for females was 30.7 years, and 25.1 years for males. Average duration of symptoms prior to surgery was 16 months (all patients), and the interval between diagnosis and referral averaged 2.6 months. All patients underwent thymectomy via median sternotomy with a cervical extension of the incision if required. A policy of phrenic nerve preservation, even if residual tumour was left behind, was followed. Patients with thymomas were given post-operative radiotherapy. Chemotherapy was not given to any patient. The medium and long term results of thymic surgery in a developing country are presented. The results are within international norms, although the small patient population makes statistical analysis difficult. There appears to be no need to change current practice, despite the reported efficacy of less invasive approaches to thymic surgery

Knowledge and fears of anaesthesia and surgery. The Jamaican perspective.

This study was undertaken to assess patients' knowledge and perceptions, fears and concerns regarding perioperative management. 300 patients were interviewed consecutively and a questionnaire was completed for each patient. 25% admitted to having anxiety about their upcoming operation. The prevalence of preoperative fear was significantly higher in younger patients (age < 40 years, p < 0.05) and in more educated patients (secondary and tertiary levels, p < 0.001). The commonest fears were those of a morbid nature (e.g. death on the operating table). 34% of the patients did not realize that anaesthetists were qualified doctors, and only 10% recognized the central role played by anaesthetists in the monitoring of vital signs throughout an operation. There is continuing need for public education on the role of the anaesthetists in health care, and anaesthetists must ensure that preoperative concerns of their patients are adequately addressed.

Knowledge and fears of anaesthesia and surgery. The Jamaican perspective

This study was undertaken to assess patients' knowledge and perceptions, fears and concerns regarding perioperative management. 300 patients were interviewed consecutively and a questionnaire was completed for each patient. 25admitted to having anxiety about their upcoming operation. The prevalence of preoperative fear was significantly higher in younger patients (age < 40 years, p < 0.05) and in more educated patients (secondary and tertiary levels, p < 0.001). The commonest fears were those of a morbid nature (e.g. death on the operating table). 34of the patients did not realize that anaesthetists were qualified doctors, and only 10recognized the central role played by anaesthetists in the monitoring of vital signs throughout an operation. There is continuing need for public education on the role of the anaesthetists in health care, and anaesthetists must ensure that preoperative concerns of their patients are adequately addressed.