How effective is a brief educational intervention on prescribing first-line antibiotics in acute cystitis? A quasiexperimental study among general practitioners in Croatia

Aim To assess the effectiveness of a brief educational intervention on prescribing first-line antibiotics in acute cystitis. Methods This quasi-experimental before-after study was conducted over a period of eight months. We collected prescribing data related to urinary tract infections four months before the educational intervention and four months after it. Aggregate data on office visits, diagnoses, and issued prescriptions were collected from each practice’s electronic medical records based on monthly reports. Results Overall, 3581 prescriptions were issued: 1717 before and 1864 after the intervention. The total number of prescriptions increased by 8.5%. The use of first-line antibiotics increased by 21.2%, the use of fluoroquinolones decreased by 6.6%, while the use of beta-lactams remained unchanged. After the intervention, nitrofurantoin was the most prescribed first-line antibiotic. The proportion of women who were prescribed first-line antibiotic did not reach the acceptable range (80%-100%) according to the European Surveillance of Antimicrobial Consumption quality indicators. The proportion of fluoroquinolones (17.9%) use was well above the acceptable range (0%-5%). Conclusion A brief educational intervention proved to be a useful method in adopting better prescribing habits. Of particular importance is the considerable increase in the use of nitrofurantoin due to its reliable efficacy against multidrug-resistant urinary pathogens

Coerced addiction treatment: How, when and whom?

From the psychiatric point of view the aim and purpose of coercive treatment of addicts imply the creation of positive therapeutic pressure which could induce mobilization of all available motivational mechanisms focused on improving general health and on correction of inappropriate social behavior. An increasing number of individuals have been referred to treatment protocol under legal coercion from the criminal justice system related to family law act, whereat optimal therapeutic results can be seen in alcoholics with conditional sentence along with coercive treatment within security measure. Adherence and acceptance of the treatment protocol is significantly higher in coerced population of addicts, emphasizing longer retention, better treatment attendance and reduction in criminal activity and drug use, compared to the voluntarily referred patients. Considering a significant number of coerced patients in treatment, one would expect to find a substantial body of structured researches addressing the relationship between the coercion and outcomes in comparison with addicts who entered treatment voluntarily, but this is not the case. Available data on drug addicts showed the efficiency of the treatment itself when completed and that even brief exposure to treatment protocol can result in fewer drug consumption and lower criminal activity. In this paper, we tried to explore the facts mentioned and the role of coercive treatment as well as the most frequent parameters of coercive treatment efficacy such as retention, abstinence duration and treatment attendance

The Effect of Analgesics and Physical Therapy on Respiratory Function after Open and Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

In this study we present prospective clinical trial included 100 patients. One half of the patients underwent open cholecystectomy, whereas laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed in the other half. Spirometric parameters, arterial blood gases, acid-base balance, were determined preoperatively, and then at 6 h, 24 h, 72 h and 144 h postoperatively. The impact of physical therapy on the respiratory parameter patterns, VAS-pain score and use of tramadol were studied after cholecystectomy. Significantly lower VAS-pain score and less tramadol use, higher values and faster recovery of ventilation parameters and PaO2 were recorded after laparoscopic cholecystectomy than after open cholecystectomy (p=0.001 for both). Physical therapy resulted in a significant improvement in the values of respiratory parameters in the open cholecystectomy group within a short time (30 min) after therapy was performed. Physical therapy failed to produce any improvement of respiratory parameters in laparoscopic cholecystectomy, whereas in open cholecystectomy group who had a favorable although transient effect, strictly limited to the short time from its application. (p=0.005). The patients operated on by open cholecystectomy had statistically significantly more pronounced disturbances including hypoxia, hypocapnia and hyperventilation when compared to the group submitted to laparoscopic cholecystectomy. It is recommended that physical therapy be more frequently performed during the postoperative period in patients submitted to open cholecystectom

Laparoscopic Abdominal Cysts Fenestration Using Harmonic Scalpel

The use of ultrasonically activated scalpel for tissue cutting and coagulation is a potential replacement for electrosurgery, which can be related to different complications. Its working principle is to transform the electric power into the mechanical longitudinal movement of the working part of the instrument, by a piezoelectric transducer situated in the hand piece. Between October 2000 and June 2004, six patients with abdominal cysts were treated by laparoscopy, using the harmonic scalpel. The average age was 40.8 (ranging from 15–60) years. Laparoscopic abdominal cyst fenestration was performed in five patients, and laparoscopic cholecystectomy and abdominal cyst fenestration were done in one patient during the same operation. The average duration of the operation was 40 (ranging from 25–70) minutes and hospital stay was 2.8 (ranging from 1–5) days. Laparoscopic abdominal cyst fenestration using the harmonic scalpel is a safe and successful operation, with good results including all the advantages of the minimally invasive surgery

Smjernice ISKRA za dijagnostiku i liječenje prostatitisa – hrvatske nacionalne smjernice [ISKRA guidelines on diagnostics and treatment of prostatitis – croatian national guidelines]

These guidelines refer to classification, diagnostics and treatment of prostatitis syndrome. The aim of these guidelines is the standardization, harmonization and optimization of diagnostics, treatment and monitoring of patients with prostatitis that would lead to improved quality of health care for these patients and promote rational use of antibiotics. The guidelines are primarily intended for general practitioners and specialists working in primary health care and hospitals. The members of the Working Group (WG) for the development of guidelines on diagnostics and treatment of prostatitis were appointed by the Croatian Ministry of Health. The evidence for these guidelines was identified by systematic review of the literature, local antibiotic resistance data, existing clinical protocols for diagnostics and treatment of prostatitis, as well as suggestions and comments from colleagues physicians. Through continuing medical education courses, the guidelines were widely presented to family medicine physicians and specialists working in primary health care and hospitals – urologists, infectious disease specialists, microbiologists and nephrologists. The final version of the guidelines was reviewed and approved by members of the Intersectoral Coordination Mechanism for the Control of Antimicrobial Resistance (ISKRA). These guidelines also present clinical instructions aimed at standardizing the procedures and criteria for diagnosis and treatment of patients with prostatitis in Croatia

ISKRA GUIDELINES ON DIAGNOSTICS AND TREATMENT OF PROSTATITIS – CROATIAN NATIONAL GUIDELINES

Smjernice se odnose na klasifikaciju, dijagnostiku i liječenje sindroma prostatitisa. Njihov su cilj standardizacija, izjednačavanje i optimalizacija dijagnostike, liječenja i praćenja bolesnika s prostatitisom koji će dovesti do poboljšanja kvalitete zdravstvene zaštite ovih bolesnika te promovirati racionalnu potrošnju antibiotika. Namijenjene su ponajprije liječnicima opće prakse i specijalistima koji rade u primarnoj zdravstvenoj zaštiti i bolnicama. Ministarstvo zdravstva Republike Hrvatske (RH) imenovalo je članove Radne grupe za izradu smjernica namijenjenih dijagnostici i liječenju prostatitisa. Smjernice se temelje na dokazima iz sistematski pregledane literature, na lokalnim podacima o osjetljivosti bakterija na antibiotike, na postojećim kliničkim protokolima za dijagnostiku i liječenje prostatitisa, kao i prijedlozima i komentarima kolega liječnika. One su putem tečajeva trajne edukacije široko predstavljene liječnicima obiteljske medicine te specijalistima koji rade u primarnoj zdravstvenoj zaštiti i bolnicama – urolozima, infektolozima, mikrobiolozima i nefrolozima. Završnu verziju smjernica pregledali su i prihvatili članovi Interdisciplinarne sekcije za kontrolu rezistencije na antibiotike. U smjernicama su predstavljene kliničke upute radi standardizacije postupaka i kriterija za postavljanje dijagnoze i liječenje bolesnika s prostatitisom u RH.These guidelines refer to classification, diagnostics and treatment of prostatitis syndrome. The aim of these guidelines is the standardization, harmonization and optimization of diagnostics, treatment and monitoring of patients with prostatitis that would lead to improved quality of health care for these patients and promote rational use of antibiotics. The guidelines are primarily intended for general practitioners and specialists working in primary health care and hospitals. The members of the Working Group (WG) for the development of guidelines on diagnostics and treatment of prostatitis were appointed by the Croatian Ministry of Health. The evidence for these guidelines was identified by systematic review of the literature, local antibiotic resistance data, existing clinical protocols for diagnostics and treatment of prostatitis, as well as suggestions and comments from colleagues physicians. Through continuing medical education courses, the guidelines were widely presented to family medicine physicians and specialists working in primary health care and hospitals – urologists, infectious disease specialists, microbiologists and nephrologists. The final version of the guidelines was reviewed and approved by members of the Intersectoral Coordination Mechanism for the Control of Antimicrobial Resistance (ISKRA). These guidelines also present clinical instructions aimed at standardizing the procedures and criteria for diagnosis and treatment of patients with prostatitis in Croatia

Iskra guidelines on diagnostic and treatment of prostatitis - Croatian national guidelines

Smjernice se odnose na klasifikaciju, dijagnostiku i liječenje sindroma prostatitisa. Njihov su cilj standardizacija, izjednačavanje i optimalizacija dijagnostike, liječenja i praćenja bolesnika s prostatitisom koji će dovesti do poboljšanja kvalitete zdravstvene zaštite ovih bolesnika te promovirati racionalnu potrošnju antibiotika. Namijenjene su ponajprije liječnicima opće prakse i specijalistima koji rade u primarnoj zdravstvenoj zaštiti i bolnicama. Ministarstvo zdravstva Republike Hrvatske (RH) imenovalo je članove Radne grupe za izradu smjernica namijenjenih dijagnostici i liječenju prostatitisa. Smjernice se temelje na dokazima iz sistematski pregledane literature, na lokalnim podacima o osjetljivosti bakterija na antibiotike, na postojećim kliničkim protokolima za dijagnostiku i liječenje prostatitisa, kao i prijedlozima i komentarima kolega liječnika. One su putem tečajeva trajne edukacije široko predstavljene liječnicima obiteljske medicine te specijalistima koji rade u primarnoj zdravstvenoj zaštiti i bolnicama – urolozima, infektolozima, mikrobiolozima i nefrolozima. Završnu verziju smjernica pregledali su i prihvatili članovi Interdisciplinarne sekcije za kontrolu rezistencije na antibiotike. U smjernicama su predstavljene kliničke upute radi standardizacije postupaka i kriterija za postavljanje dijagnoze i liječenje bolesnika s prostatitisom u RH.These guidelines refer to classification, diagnostics and treatment of prostatitis syndrome. The aim of these guidelines is the standardization, harmonization and optimization of diagnostics, treatment and monitoring of patients with prostatitis that would lead to improved quality of health care for these patients and promote rational use of antibiotics. The guidelines are primarily intended for general practitioners and specialists working in primary health care and hospitals. The members of the Working Group (WG) for the development of guidelines on diagnostics and treatment of prostatitis were appointed by the Croatian Ministry of Health. The evidence for these guidelines was identified by systematic review of the literature, local antibiotic resistance data, existing clinical protocols for diagnostics and treatment of prostatitis, as well as suggestions and comments from colleagues physicians. Through continuing medical education courses, the guidelines were widely presented to family medicine physicians and specialists working in primary health care and hospitals – urologists, infectious disease specialists, microbiologists and nephrologists. The final version of the guidelines was reviewed and approved by members of the Intersectoral Coordination Mechanism for the Control of Antimicrobial Resistance (ISKRA). These guidelines also present clinical instructions aimed at standardizing the procedures and criteria for diagnosis and treatment of patients with prostatitis in Croatia

Iskra Guidelines on Diagnostics and Treatment of Prostatitis – Croatian National Guidelines

Smjernice se odnose na klasifikaciju, dijagnostiku i liječenje sindroma prostatitisa. Njihov su cilj standardizacija, izjednačavanje i optimalizacija dijagnostike, liječenja i praćenja bolesnika s prostatitisom koji će dovesti do poboljšanja kvalitete zdravstvene zaštite ovih bolesnika te promovirati racionalnu potrošnju antibiotika. Namijenjene su ponajprije liječnicima opće prakse i specijalistima koji rade u primarnoj zdravstvenoj zaštiti i bolnicama. Ministarstvo zdravstva Republike Hrvatske (RH) imenovalo je članove Radne grupe za izradu smjernica namijenjenih dijagnostici i liječenju prostatitisa. Smjernice se temelje na dokazima iz sistematski pregledane literature, na lokalnim podacima o osjetljivosti bakterija na antibiotike, na postojećim kliničkim protokolima za dijagnostiku i liječenje prostatitisa, kao i prijedlozima i komentarima kolega liječnika. One su putem tečajeva trajne edukacije široko predstavljene liječnicima obiteljske medicine te specijalistima koji rade u primarnoj zdravstvenoj zaštiti i bolnicama – urolozima, infektolozima, mikrobiolozima i nefrolozima. Završnu verziju smjernica pregledali su i prihvatili članovi Interdisciplinarne sekcije za kontrolu rezistencije na antibiotike. U smjernicama su predstavljene kliničke upute radi standardizacije postupaka i kriterija za postavljanje dijagnoze i liječenje bolesnika s prostatitisom u RH.These guidelines refer to classification, diagnostics and treatment of prostatitis syndrome. The aim of these guidelines is the standardization, harmonization and optimization of diagnostics, treatment and monitoring of patients with prostatitis that would lead to improved quality of health care for these patients and promote rational use of antibiotics. The guidelines are primarily intended for general practitioners and specialists working in primary health care and hospitals. The members of the Working Group (WG) for the development of guidelines on diagnostics and treatment of prostatitis were appointed by the Croatian Ministry of Health. The evidence for these guidelines was identified by systematic review of the literature, local antibiotic resistance data, existing clinical protocols for diagnostics and treatment of prostatitis, as well as suggestions and comments from colleagues physicians. Through continuing medical education courses, the guidelines were widely presented to family medicine physicians and specialists working in primary health care and hospitals – urologists, infectious disease specialists, microbiologists and nephrologists. The final version of the guidelines was reviewed and approved by members of the Intersectoral Coordination Mechanism for the Control of Antimicrobial Resistance (ISKRA). These guidelines also present clinical instructions aimed at standardizing the procedures and criteria for diagnosis and treatment of patients with prostatitis in Croatia