Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Virus Infection and Associated Factors among Cancer Patients at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia.

INTRODUCTION: Hepatitis B virus infection is a global public health concern and has a high degree of associated morbidity and mortality. In Ethiopia, Hepatitis B virus infection has a variable seroprevalence among different regions with an estimated overall prevalence of around 6%. However, there is a scarcity of data specific to cancer patients. METHODOLOGY: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 384 cancer patients who came for follow-up at the oncology unit of Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from January 1/2020 to October 11/2021. A systematic sampling technique was employed to select the participants. Data was collected using structured and interviewer-administered questionnaires and blood samples were drawn from the patients to test hepatitis B virus sero-status. Data was entered to Epi- Data version 4.6 then exported and analysis was done using SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the study participants. Finally, bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression was used to identify significantly associated factors. RESULTS: The seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus infection among cancer patients was 7.6% [95% CI: (4.54 - 9.79)]. Having multiple sexual partners (AOR = 6.24, 95% CI (3.35-16.80)), a history of dental procedures (AOR = 3.34; 95% CI (1.007­7.66)), and being a hepatocellular carcinoma patient (AOR = 6.13; 95% CI (3.66-18.77)) were factors associated with seropositive status for Hepatitis B virus. CONCLUSIONS: The seroprevalence of Hepatitis B virus infection among cancer patients was high. It is better to consider HBV screening in cancer patients and doing cancer surveillance in HBV-infected patients.

Awareness of glaucoma among adult patients attending hawassa university comprehensive specialized hospital ophthalmic outpatient department, Sidama, Ethiopia, August 2022.

BACKGROUND: Due to the asymptomatic nature of the disease and lack of awareness, most glaucoma patients present for eye examination late, after significant damage of optic nerve occur. Being aware of glaucoma is important for timely diagnosis of the disease and preventing blindness from it. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess glaucoma awareness and associated factors among adult patients aged 35 and over attending the eye outpatient department. METHODS: Hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted on 284 adult patients aged 35 and over attending ophthalmic outpatient department from July to August 2022 using systematic random sampling. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. The data were checked for completeness, and then entered to SPSS version 22 software. Descriptive and binary logistic regression analyses were performed. Independent variables with p-value ≤ 0.05 in multivariate logistic regression were considered as statistically significant. RESULTS: About 284 study participants, of whom 57.75% were male, participated in this study with a response rate of 94.1%. The mean age of the study participants was 53.58 years. Only 39.09%(95% CI: 36.53-41.65) were aware of glaucoma. Age groups 46-50 [AOR; 1.83: 1.18, 2.56] and 51-64 [AOR; 3.21: 2.03, 4.39], having college education or above [AOR; 3.1: 2.20, 6.64], family member with glaucoma [AOR; 5.86:3.25, 8.0], income 6500 ETB [AOR; 2.9: 1.97, 5.00] and previous eye examination [AOR; 2.15: 1.46, 4.05] were factors significantly associated with awareness of glaucoma. The main sources of information were news media, family members with glaucoma and health workers. CONCLUSION: More than half (60.91%) of adult ophthalmic patients attending HUCSH were unaware of glaucoma and need eye health education concerning glaucoma.

Magnitude of neonatal sepsis and its associated factors among neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit in Hawassa Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Sidama Regional State, Ethiopia, 2020.

BACKGROUND: Neonatal sepsis is one of the most common causes of disease and death among neonates globally. And it made a great contribution to neonatal admission to intensive care units. To mitigate the ongoing neonatal crisis and accomplish the goal of sustainable development through a decrease in neonatal mortality, information from various regions is needed. Despite the considerable burden of neonatal sepsis in our setting, no prior studies were conducted in the study area. So, this study aimed to assess the magnitude and associated factors of neonatal sepsis among neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Sidama Regional State, Ethiopia. METHODS: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was carried out among 287 neonates from March 1, 2020, to April 25, 2020. An interviewer-administered structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. The data were cleaned, coded, and entered into Epi Data 3.1 software and exported to Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software version 23.0 for analysis. Binary logistic regression analyses were performed to identify variables having a significant association with neonatal sepsis. A p-value of ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant during multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: The study found that the magnitude of neonatal sepsis was 56%. The mean age of neonates was 3.2(SD±2.2) days. Around two-fifths (39%) of neonates were in the gestational age of <37 completed weeks. A quarter of mothers(25.8%) were delivered through cesarean section. During labor, 251 (87.5%) mothers had ≤4 digital vaginal examinations. Moreover, the finding revealed that mothers who delivered by cesarean section [AOR = 2.13, 95% CI (1.090-4.163)]. neonates who had been resuscitated at birth [AOR = 4.5, 95% CI (2.083-9.707)], and neonates who had NG tube inserted [AOR = 4.29, 95% CI (2.302-8.004)] were found to be significantly associated with neonatal sepsis. CONCLUSIONS: The current study shows that neonatal sepsis was prevalent among more than half of the neonates admitted to the NICU. Therefore, designing strategies to enhance the aseptic techniques of professionals in the provision of care and actively and collaboratively working with cluster health facilities is highly recommended.

Patterns and short term neurosurgical treatment outcomes of neonates with neural tube defects admitted to Felege Hiwot Specialized Hospital, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Neural tube defects (NTDs) account for the largest proportion of congenital anomalies of the central nervous system and result from failure of the neural tube to close spontaneously between the 3rd and 4th weeks of in utero development. Prognosis and treatment outcome depends on the nature and the pattern of the defect. The nature of treatment outcomes and its pattern associated with grave prognosis is not well known in the study area. OBJECTIVE: The aim of study was to determine the patterns and short term neurosurgical management outcomes of newborns with neural tube defects admitted at Felege Hiwot Specialized Hospital. METHODS: Institutional based retrospective cross-sectional study among neonates, who were admitted at Felege Hiwot Specialized Hospital with neural tube defects from January 1st to December, 30th, 2018 was conducted. All Charts of Neonates with confirmed diagnosis of neural tube defects were included as part of the study. Trained data collectors (medical interns) supervised by trained supervisors (general practitioners) collected the data using a pretested data extraction format. Data were coded, entered and analyzed using SPSS version 23 software. Frequency and cross tabulations were used to summarize descriptive statistics of data, and tables and graphs were used for data presentation. RESULT: About 109 patients had complete documentation and imaging confirmed neural tube defects. Myelomeningocele was the commonest pattern 70 (64.2%). Thoracolumbar spine was the commonest site of presentation 49(45%). The most common associated impairment was hydrocephalus 37(33.9%). Forty-five (41.1%) had multiple complications. The mortality rate was 7.3%, 44% were discharged with sequalae and 36.7% were discharged without impairment. The significant causes of death were infection 66.7% and Chiari crisis 33.3%. CONCLUSION: Myelomeningocele was the most frequent clinical pattern of neural tube defect and thoracolumbar spine was the commonest site. Isolated neural tube defect was the commonest finding. There were multiple complications after surgery accompanied with meningitis and hydrocephalus. The mortality rate among neonates with neural tube defects was considerably high. The commonest causes of death were infection and Chiari crisis.

The Role of Neurohospitalism in a Specialized Cardiovascular Hospital.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery are among the specialties that most commonly require neurology inpatient consultations. We aimed to study the neurology referrals by the cardiovascular-specialized hospital included in our tertiary hospital center. METHODS: Retrospective study of consecutive patients referred for neurology inpatient consultation between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2022. We analyzed referrals, patients' characteristics, and the approach taken. A detailed subanalysis was performed for patients diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). RESULTS: 143 patients were observed (mean age 67.3 years, 46 [32.2%] females). Most frequent referral reasons were suspected AIS deficits (39.2%), altered mental status (19.6%), suspected seizures (13.3%), and neuroprognostication (11.9%). Mean referral-to-consult time was 2.7 days, and 117 (81.8%) consults were in-person. Additional investigation, treatment changes, and outpatient clinic referral were proposed, respectively, in 79.7%, 60.1%, and 19.6% of patients. Most common diagnoses were AIS (45.5%), hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (18.9%), and delirium (7.0%). Regarding patients with AIS (n = 62), most common stroke causes were post-cardiac procedure (44.6%), infective endocarditis (18.5%), aortic dissection (10.8%), acute myocardial infarction (10.8%), and anticoagulant withdrawal in patients with atrial fibrillation (6.2%). Thirty-four AIS patients were diagnosed less than 24 h since last seen well, of which four (6.2%) were treated (three with thrombolysis and one with mechanical thrombectomy). CONCLUSION: AIS is the most common reason for referral in our cardiovascular hospital. Our results highlight the importance of the availability of a neurologist/neurohospitalist with stroke expertise for consultation of inpatients admitted in a specialized cardiovascular hospital.

The Prevalence of Scoliosis among Adolescent Chest Radiographs Obtained at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital in 2019.

Background: Scoliosis is an abnormal side-to-side spinal curve of greater than or equal to 100 Cobb angle. It is the most common spinal deformity in children and adolescents. Epidemiological evidence about scoliosis is scarce in Africa, including Ethiopia. This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of scoliosis among adolescents and analysing its association with age and sex using plain chest radiographs obtained for non-spinal reasons in Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital. Method: All non-tilted, non-rotated, and non-poorly penetrated digital plain chest radiographs of adolescents aged 10 to 19 years obtained at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital between January 1 and December 31, 2019, were measured for the coronal Cobb angle. The data were cleaned, coded, and entered into SPSS version 26 for analysis. Chi-square, and linear regression, and logistic regression analyses were also carried out to evaluate the effect of sex and age on scoliosis. Results: The Cobb angles of 1,369 posteroanterior chest radiographs of adolescents were measured. Thirty (2.2%, 95% CI: 1.4%, 3.0%) of these were found to have scoliosis. The mean coronal Cobb angle was 2.270±6.320. There was no statistically significant difference between the prevalence of scoliosis in boys (2.21%) and girls (2.17%) (X2=0.003, P=0.954). Likewise, age did not show any statistically significant difference in the prevalence of scoliosis (X2=2.655, P=0.265). Conclusion: This study revealed that incidental finding of adolescent scoliosis in plain chest radiographs is common. Further study using whole spine radiography should be carried out to determine the true general population prevalence of scoliosis in Ethiopia.

Patients' satisfaction with outpatient pharmacy services and associated factors in Debre Tabor comprehensive specialized hospital, Northwest Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: By measuring patients' satisfaction, providers can gain insight into several elements of health care services, including the effectiveness of their care and the level of empathy they exhibit. The aim of this study was to assess patient satisfaction with pharmaceutical services and associated factors in public hospitals located in Northwestern Ethiopia. METHODS: An institution-based quantitative cross-sectional study was used. The study was carried out in an outpatient pharmacy from January 1-June 30, 2021. Participants were selected by a systematic sampling technique. The IBM SPSS statistical package (version 23) was used to enter and analyze the collected data. The findings were presented using descriptive statistical methods. To find factors linked to satisfaction, binary logistic regression was used. RESULTS: The final analysis included a total of 401 samples. More than half of the participants (229, or 55.1%) were female. The overall mean score of satisfaction was 30.6 out of a maximum of 100 scores. By taking this mean score as a cut-off point, 204 (50.9%) of the study participants had satisfaction with the outpatient pharmacists' service. Participants' responses scored on the uncomfortable and inconvenient waiting areas [AOR = 0.31; 95%CI, (0.13, 0.49)] were found to be negatively associated with the level of patients' satisfaction. Also, the unavailability of medications [AOR = 0.12; 95%CI, (0.02, 0.37)] was negatively associated with the respondent satisfaction. Uncomfortable and inconvenient private counseling areas [AOR = 1.37; 95%CI, (0.79, 4.42)] showed a negative association with their satisfaction. CONCLUSION: Patients' satisfaction levels with pharmacy service were found to be greater than 50%. The socio-demographic characteristics of patients have no association with their level of satisfaction, but their perception of uncomfortable private counseling areas and waiting areas was negatively associated with their satisfaction.

Quality of life and associated factors among patients with epilepsy at specialized hospitals, Northwest Ethiopia; 2019.

BACKGROUND: Epilepsy is a chronic non-communicable brain disorder and the second most burdensome disease in terms of disability-adjusted life years which is characterized by recurrent epileptic seizures, and a constant threat to the quality of life of the patient. Nearly 80% of people with epilepsy live in low- and middle-income countries and the risk of premature death in people with epilepsy is up to three times higher than for the general population. In many parts of the world, people with epilepsy and their families suffer from stigma and discrimination. This study was aimed to assess the quality of life and associated factors among adult people living with epilepsy using the world health organization quality of life assessment tool. METHODS: Institution-based cross-sectional study design was conducted on 419 epileptic patients using a systematic random sampling technique. The data were collected using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire. The data were entered into EpiData version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 25 software for further analysis and bivariate and multivariable binary logistic regression analyses were done to identify factors associated with the dependent variable. The level of significance was declared as P value <0.05. RESULT: A total of 402 epileptic patients with a median age of 28 years were involved in the study. The result of this study was revealed that 47.8% (95% CI: 42%, 52%) of the respondents had poor quality of life. Respondents who were in the middle age group (AOR = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.19, 0.70), lower educational level (AOR = 3.11, 95%CI: 1.35, 7.15), those who had low drug adherence (AOR = 8.36, 95%CI: (2.41, 28.98) comorbid anxiety, (AOR = 3.63, 95% CI: 2.55, 8.42) and depression (AOR = 3.85, 95% CI: 2.16, 6.82) were found to be significantly associated with poor quality of life of epilepsy patients. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that almost one in two epileptic patients had poor quality of life. Age of the respondents, lower educational level, comorbid anxiety and depression, and lower adherence to drugs were significantly associated with poor quality of life. Therefore, health institutions and clinicians should not focus only on the treatment of the disease itself rather they should address diseases' impact on the quality of life of patients.

Stress load of Chinese nurses in Fangcang Shelter Hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic: A latent profile analysis.

The Omicron wave of the COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected Shanghai, China, from March to June 2022. Numbers of Fangcang Shelter Hospitals (FSHs) were conversed from stadiums and exhibition centers to tackle the pandemic. This study aimed to identify the stress load profiles of nurses working in FSHs and explore the characteristics and factors influencing stress load profiles. Totally, 609 out of 700 FSH nurses (with an effective response rate of 87%) participated in an online survey investigating their socio-demographic information, work-related stressors, and stress load. Results of the latent profile analysis identified four classes of stress load, which were labeled as the low (Class 1), mild (Class 2), moderate (Class 3), and high (Class 4) stress load class. Maternity status and self-perceived health condition were significantly different between the four stress load classes by comparisons using the Chi-square test and the Kruskal-Wallis test. The contributors to the stress load profiles were determined by the multinomial logistic regression analysis, including age, education, maternity status, self-perceived health condition, working time in FSHs, and the four dimensions of work-related stressors. Participants who were less healthy (OR = 0.045, 95% CI:0.012,0.171), worked longer time in FSHs (OR = 40.483, 95% CI: 12.103,135.410), faced with more workload (OR = 3.664, 95% CI: 1.047,12.815), and worse working environment (OR = 12.274, 95% CI: 3.029,49.729) were more likely to be classified to the high stress load class. The task arrangement and working environment for FSH nurses should be optimized, and psychological training should be conducted routinely.

Bacterial profile of high-touch surfaces, leftover drugs and antiseptics together with their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns at University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: The hospital environment serves as a source of nosocomial infections, which pose a major therapeutic challenge. Although many bacteria species are common in hospital environments, their distribution, frequency, and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern from high-touch surfaces, leftover drugs, and antiseptics in different wards remain largely unknown. Hence, the aim of this study was to assess the magnitude and frequency of bacterial contaminants and their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns. METHODS: A total of 384 samples were collected from five selected wards and processed according to standard bacteriological procedures. Samples were collected from high-touch surface using swabs and inoculated on Blood agar, MacConkey agar, Chocolate agar and Mannitol salt agar plates, and incubated at 37 °C for 24 h. On the other hand, the leftover drugs and 80% ethanol samples were collected using sterile cotton swab immersed in sterile tryptone soy broth then inoculated on culture medias and incubated at 37 °C for 24 h. Identification of bacteria species was done using the morphological characteristics, Gram stain, and biochemical tests while antimicrobial susceptibility tests were done using modified Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion technique following the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute 2021guidelines. RESULTS: Among the 384 samples processed, 102 (26.6%) were culture positive and a total of 114 bacterial isolates were identified. Gram-positive bacterial isolates were predominant, 64.9%, while Gram-negatives were 35.1%. The most frequently isolated bacteria were coagulase negative Staphylococci (38.6%) followed by S. aureus (13.2%) and P. aeruginosa (11.4%). On the other hand, the proportion of bacteria isolated from surgical ward, post-natal ward, orthopedic ward, trauma ward, and neonatal intensive care unit ward were 24.6, 21, 20.2, 18.4,15.8%, respectively. Sinks were mainly contaminated with Klebsiella species (81.8%) and A. baumannii (55.6%), while A. baumannii (22.2%) was the most contaminant for 80% ethanol. Gram-positive bacteria had significantly high resistance levels to penicillin (67.6%), cotrimoxazole (67.8%), and cefepime (80%). On the other hand, Gram-negative bacteria revealed the highest resistance levels to tetracycline (82.4%), amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (76.5%), cefepime (66.7%), ceftazidime (67.5%), and piperacillin (92.3%). Moreover, the proportion of multidrug resistant bacteria isolates was 44.7%. CONCLUSIONS: Data of the present study showed that coagulase negative Staphylococci was the dominant bacterial isolates followed by S. aureus and P. aeruginosa. The proportion of multi-drug resistant bacteria isolates was relatively high. Therefore, appropriate infection prevention and control measures should be implemented.

Relationship between hospital specialization and health outcomes in patients with nonsurgical spinal joint disease in South Korea: A nationwide evidence-based study using national health insurance data.

ABSTRACT: Previous studies on hospital specialization in spinal joint disease have been limited to patients requiring surgical treatment. The lack of similar research on the nonsurgical spinal joint disease in specialized hospitals provides limited information to hospital executives.To analyze the relationship between hospital specialization and health outcomes (length of stay and medical expenses) with a focus on nonsurgical spinal joint diseases.The data of 56,516 patients, which were obtained from the 2018 National Inpatient Sample, provided by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, were utilized. The study focused on inpatients with nonsurgical spinal joint disease and used a generalized linear mixed model with specialization status as the independent variable. Hospital specialization was measured using the Inner Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (IHI). The IHI (value ≤1) was calculated as the proportion of hospital discharges accounted for by each service category out of the hospital's total discharges. Patient and hospital characteristics were the control variables, and the mean length of hospital stay and medical expenses were the dependent variables.The majority of the patients with the nonsurgical spinal joint disease were female. More than half of all patients were middle-aged (40-64 years old). The majority did not undergo surgery and had mild disease, with Charlson Comorbidity Index score ≤1. The mean inpatient expense was 1265.22 USD per patient, and the mean length of stay was 9.2 days. The specialization status of a hospital had a negative correlation with the length of stay, as well as with medical expenses. An increase in specialization status, that is, IHI, was associated with a decrease in medical expenses and the length of stay, after adjusting for patient and hospital characteristics.Hospital specialization had a positive effect on hospital efficiency. The results of this study could inform decision-making by hospital executives and specialty hospital-related medical policymakers.

Health care utilization in medically complex people living with HIV before and after admission to an HIV-specific community facility: a pre-post comparison study.

BACKGROUND: People living with HIV and multiple comorbidities have high rates of health service use. This study evaluates system usage before and after admission to a community facility focused on HIV care. METHODS: We used Ontario administrative health databases to conduct a pre-post comparison of rates and costs of hospital admissions, emergency department visits, and family physician and home care visits among medically complex people with HIV in the year before and after admission to Casey House, an HIV-specific hospital in Toronto, for all individuals admitted between April 2009 and March 2015. Negative binomial regression was used to compare rates of health care utilization. We used Wilcoxon rank sum tests to compare associated health care costs, standardized to 2015 Canadian dollars. To contextualize our findings, we present rates and costs of health service use among Ontario residents living with HIV. RESULTS: During the study period, 268 people living with HIV were admitted to Casey House. Emergency department use declined from 4.6 to 2.5 visits per person-year (p = 0.02) after discharge from Casey House, and hospitalization rates declined from 1.4 to 1.1 admissions per person-year (p = 0.05). Conversely, home care visits increased from 24.3 to 35.6 visits per person-year (p = 0.01) and family physician visits increased from 18.3 to 22.6 visits per person-year (p < 0.001) in the year after discharge. These changes were associated with reduced overall costs to the health care system. The reduction in overall costs was not significant (p = 0.2); however, costs of emergency department visits (p < 0.001) and physician visits (p < 0.001) were significantly less. INTERPRETATION: Health care utilization by people with HIV was significantly different before and after admission to a community hospital focused on HIV care. This has implications for health care in other complex patient populations.

Identifying errors and safety considerations in patients undergoing thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND & PURPOSE: Alteplase is the standard of care for early pharmacologic thrombolysis after acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Alteplase is also considered a high-alert medication and is fraught with potential for error. We sought to describe the difference in medication error rates in in patients receiving alteplase for acute ischemic stroke from regional hospitals compared to patients receiving alteplase at the Comprehensive Stroke Center. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort comparison of patients who were greater than 18 years old that received intravenous alteplase for the treatment of AIS from June 2015 to June 2018. Several institution specific databases were utilized to obtain pertinent data. A standardized taxonomy was utilized to classify medication errors. Patients were excluded if they received any fibrinolytic other than alteplase or if alteplase was used for a non-stroke indication. Two cohorts (from regional hospitals or the Comprehensive Stroke Center (CSC)) were compared. RESULTS: A total of 676 patients received alteplase during the study period (34% from the CSC and 66% from regional hospitals). There were 133 (19.8%) errors identified. Ten errors (1.6%) occurred at the CSC and 123 (18.2%) errors occurred at regional hospitals. More patients who had an error with alteplase administration (12.7%) experienced a hemorrhagic conversion compared to those with no error in administration (7.2%, p= 0.04). CONCLUSION: The error rate of alteplase infusion for ischemic stroke is high, particularly in patients from referring centers. Errors may be associated with adverse events. Further education and administration safeguards should be implemented to decrease the risk of medication errors.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on epilepsy practice in India: A tripartite survey.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on epilepsy care in India. METHODS: We conducted a three-part survey comprising neurologists, people with epilepsy (PWE), and 11 specialized epilepsy centers across India. We sent two separate online survey questionnaires to Indian neurologists and PWE to assess the epilepsy practice, seizures control, and access to care during the COVID-19 pandemic. We collected and compared the data concerning the number of PWE cared for and epilepsy procedures performed during the 6 months periods preceding and following COVID-19 lockdown from epilepsy centers. RESULTS: The survey was completed by 453 neurologists and 325 PWE. One third of the neurologist reported >50 % decline in outdoor visits by PWE and EEG recordings. The cumulative data from 11 centers showed 65-70 % decline in the number of outdoor patients, video-EEG monitoring, and epilepsy surgery. Working in a hospital admitting COVID-19 patients and use of teleconsultation correlated with this decline. Half of PWE had postponed their planned outpatient visits and EEG. Less than 10 % of PWE missed their antiseizure medicines (ASM) or had seizures due to the nonavailability of ASM. Seizure control remained unchanged or improved in 92 % PWE. Half of the neurologists started using teleconsultation during the pandemic. Only 4% of PWE were afflicted with COVID-19 infection. CONCLUSIONS: Despite significant decline in the number of PWE visiting hospitals, their seizure control and access to ASMs were not affected during the COVID-19 pandemic in India. Risk of COVID-19 infection in PWE is similar to general population.

Assessment patient satisfaction towards emergency medical care and its determinants at Ayder comprehensive specialized hospital, Mekelle, Northern Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: As the healthcare industry shifts toward patient-centered models, providers will need to fully understand patient satisfaction and how they affect their practices. This study aimed to assess patient satisfaction towards the emergency medical care and factors associated with at Ayder specialized comprehensive hospital, Emergency room, Mekelle, Ethiopia. METHODS: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 1-30, 2019. A systematic random sampling method was used to enroll 299 study participants. Data were collected using a standard Brief Emergency Department Patient Satisfaction Scale questionnaire by trained data collectors. Data was entered into EpiData 3.1 then exported and analyzed by SPSS version 22. Binary and multiple logistic regression were used to assess the factors associated with patient satisfaction. Where the p-value of <0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: A total of 299 participants were enrolled in the study with a response rate of 99.3%. On overall patient satisfaction score majority (81.9%) of them were satisfied with the emergency medical care provided. The satisfaction rate towards emergency staff courtesy, emergency room environment, physician care satisfaction, general patient satisfaction, and patient family satisfaction was 80.3%, 37.5%, 75.9%, 70.9%, and 49.8% respectively. Those who arrived during the morning time of the day tend to be satisfied more with the emergency services (AOR = 4.8, 95% CI: 2.08, 11.4), while having low educational status (able to read and write) (AOR = 0.12, 95% CI: 0.03, 0.50) and waiting time till seen by a doctor (AOR = 1.3, 95% CI: 1.003, 1.4) was found to affect patient satisfaction negatively. CONCLUSIONS: The total patient satisfaction score towards emergency medical care was found to be good. The hospital management and emergency room staff should act on the identified factors especially on minimizing the patients waiting time to improve the quality of care in the emergency department.

Nurse Burnout Predicts Self-Reported Medication Administration Errors in Acute Care Hospitals.

BACKGROUND: Every one out of 10 nurses reported suffering from high levels of burnout worldwide. It is unclear if burnout affects job performance, and in turn, impairs patient safety, including medication safety. The purpose of this study is to determine whether nurse burnout predicts self-reported medication administration errors (MAEs). METHODS: A cross-sectional study using electronic surveys was conducted from July 2018 through January 2019, using the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory. Staff registered nurses (N = 928) in acute care Alabama hospitals (N = 42) were included in this study. Descriptive statistics, correlational, and multilevel mixed-modeling analyses were examined. RESULTS: All burnout dimensions (Personal, Work-related, and Client-related Burnout) were significantly correlated with age (r = -0.17 to -0.21), years in nursing (r = -0.10 to -0.17), years of hospital work (r = -0.07 to -0.10), and work environment (r = -0.24 to -0.57). The average number of self-reported MAEs in the last 3 months was 2.13. Each burnout dimension was a statistically significant predictor of self-reported MAEs (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Nurse burnout is a significant factor in predicting MAEs. This study provides important baseline data for actionable interventions to improve nursing care delivery, and ultimately health care, for Alabamians.

Factors associated with mental health outcomes among patients with COVID-19 treated in the Fangcang shelter hospital in China.

INTRODUCTION: Faced with surging infections and considering that 80% of cases were mild and moderate, the city government transformed stadiums and exhibition centers into the Fangcang shelter hospitals in Wuhan. The aims of this study were to evaluate mental health outcomes among patients with COVID-19 treated in the Fangcang shelter hospitals and analyze potential risk factors associated with these symptoms, including PTSS, symptoms of anxiety, depression, insomnia, and perceived stress. METHOD: This cross-sectional study used an online survey to assess mental health problems of 461 confirmed COVID-19 patients in a Jianghan Fangcang shelter from February 15 to 22, 2020. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to explore potential risk factors. RESULTS: Overall, 25.2%, 50.1%, 54.4%, 10.2%, and 39.7% of all patients reported symptoms of posttraumatic stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and perceived stress, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that female sex was associated with all investigated outcomes except insomnia. Patients with lower education level were more likely to endorse anxiety, depression, and higher perceived stress, while patients' family members with other diseases were more likely to endorse severe insomnia. Patients with illness onset to admission less than 7 days were associated with higher perceived stress. DISCUSSION: In this survey study, patients reported high rates of symptoms of posttraumatic stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and perceived stress. Combining with the special environment of the shelter hospitals and patient's psychological needs, the health care workers should give more effective interventions to relieve the patients' stress and improve their mental symptoms.

Intravenous thrombolysis in a peripheral primary stroke center without advanced imaging, a retrospective 2016-2017 cohort study.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The hyperacute care of ischemic stroke has evolved markedly. It is unclear to which level stroke centre patients should primarily be taken so information of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) outcomes in smaller centres are needed. METHODS: All IVT episodes in North Karelia Central hospital in 2016-2017 were analysed retrospectively using hospital registries and individual medical records. RESULTS: IVT had been given to 75 patients (47% women) whose median age was 74 years [IQR 64, 81; no gender difference (p = 0.70)]. Median NIHSS on admission was 6 (IQR 4, 10) and onset-to-treatment time (OTT) 125 min (95% CI 112-138 min). Two intracranial bleeding complications were observed. Clinical status improved following IVT and 53.4% were independent at six months (85% were independent before the stroke). In a multivariate analysis the NIHSS score was the only predictor (B = 0.12, R2=0.34, p = 0.0001) of modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Large-vessel occlusion (LVO) was identified in 27% (35% women). Their median mRS was 2.0 (25% had died). Endovascular thrombectomy had followed IVT in 30% of the LVO-patients. CONCLUSIONS: IVT results were generally in this peripheral PSC-level hospital without advanced imaging capabilities, but LVO outcomes need improvement. A mothership strategy should be evaluated.

Prevalence of diabetes, management and outcomes among Covid-19 adult patients admitted in a specialized tertiary hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

This retrospective study aimed to characterize comorbidities and associated with mortality among hospitalized adults with Covid-19 managed as perthe Saudi Ministry of Health protocol in a specialized tertiary hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Medical records of 300 adult patients with PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV2 infection and admitted in King Salman Hospital (KSH) from May 1 to July 31, 2020 were included. Medical history, management and outcomes were noted. Males significantly outnumber females (259 versus 41). South Asians comprise 41% of all admitted patients. Mortality rate was 10% and highest among Saudi males (28.9%). Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) was the most common comorbidity (45.7%). Almost all patients (99%) had pneumonia. Patients > 50 years were three times more likely to die (confidence interval, CI 1.3-6.9; p = 0.01) from Covid-19. Congestive heart failure (odds ratio OR 19.4, CI-1.5-260.0; p = 0.02) and acute kidney injury (OR 11.7, CI-4.7-28.6; p < 0.001) were significantly associated with higher mortality. Dexamethasone use significantly improved the final outcome based on net reclassification improvement (NRI) and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) (p < 0.05). In this single-center study, T2DM was very common among hospitalized Covid-19 patients. Patients > 50 years, those with congestive heart failure and acute kidney injury are at higher risk for worse Covid-19 outcome.