Developing a culture of safety in the epilepsy monitoring unit: a retrospective study of safety outcomes.

This study retrospectively reviewed 971 consecutive admissions to our epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU) from July 2007 to May 2011 to compare falls and missed seizures before and after implementing stricter safety processes in May 2009. New safety processes included enhanced staff education, a falls prevention signed contract with patient/family, observation of video-EEG monitors only by EEG technologists, hourly nurse rounding, standby assistance for hygiene needs, and immediate review of adverse events. Wilcoxon's two-sample tests were used for statistical analysis of the two groups. Reduced events between pre-intervention (492 patients) and post-intervention (479 patients) were significant for missed seizures (26 pre- vs 6 post-intervention, p=0.009) but not for falls (12 pre- vs 7 post-intervention, p=0.694). Intensive safety efforts in the EMU produced a 15% reduction in the fall rate per 1000 patient days and a 77% decrease in missed seizures. This study shows stricter safety processes help improve EMU patient safety.

[The reasons of low performance and delaying in the compulsory vaccinations of children. The methods of research]. / Przyczyny niskiego wykonawstwa i opóznien w realizacji obowiazkowych szczepien dzieci. Metody badan.

UNLABELLED: Regional differences in realisation of compulsory vaccinations of children in Poland are observed. The alarming low vaccine coverage had place in province of Cracow. The aim of the study was to explain the reasons of that situation in this area. Parents of unvaccinated children and their paediatricians were interviewed and detailed questionnaire was filled out. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to increase knowledge on vaccinology among physicians.

[Performance of vaccinations against poliomyelitis and measles in Malopolska province versus the plan for eradication and elimination of these diseases]. / Wykonawstwo szczepien przeciw odrze i poliomyelitis na terenie województwa malopolskiego w odniesieniu do zalozen programów eliminacji i eradykacji tych chorób.

The requirements for elimination and eradication of measles and poliomyelitis have been presented. The basis criteria include achieving and maintaining 95% immunization rate of children less than 2 years of age in the entire country and in each individual province. The performance of vaccinations against measles and poliomyelitis in the Province of Malopolska has been analyzed.

[Performance of vaccinations against poliomyelitis in the province of Kraków versus the plan of elimination and eradication of this disease in Poland]. / Wykonawstwo szczepien przeciw poliomylitis na terenie województwa krakowskiego w odniesieniu do zalozen krajowego programu eliminacji i eradykacji poliomyelitis.

The criteria of elimination and eradication of poliomyelitis set down by the WHO and the performance of vaccinations are presented in the Province of Cracow and are compared with the plan of the National Programme of Elimination and Eradication of Poliomyelitis. The analysed period covered the years 1991-1998. In 1998 the World Health Congress passed the resolution on the elimination and eradication of poliomyelitis worldwide. For accepting eradication achieved the criterion is required of vaccination of 90-95% of babies aged under 2 years in the whole country, and not less than 90% in individual provinces. In early 1990's below 75% babies in that age group were vaccinated in the Province of Cracow. Only in 1998 for the first time the 92% rate of vaccinations as required by the WHO was achieved.

[Lyme Borreliosis]. / Borelioza z Lyme.

The epidemiology of Lyme borreliosis is described with stress laid on the relations between ticks as vectors and the animals which are the reservoir of borrelia infecting man. Other discussed problems include the possibility of infection of man, the seasonal character of new cases, the worldwide presence of Ixodes ticks and their species in various continents, the incidence of Lyme borreliosis in various countries.