Work related musculoskeletal disorders among medical laboratory professionals: a narrative review

Work related musculoskeletal disorders are common health problem and increasing cause of disability. Laboratory professionals are unique group of healthcare professionals who play an essential part in diagnosis and therapy planning and often their work is associated with potential health hazards. Objective of current study was to review literature on prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among medical laboratory professionals. Electronic databases and bibliographies were searched and identified papers evaluated against inclusion criteria. The searching strategy uncovered 13 reports. Total 7 studies were included for the review. A high degree of heterogeneity among studies was observed. The overall prevalence’s ranges from 40-60%. With neck being more prevalent 18-78%. However additional high quality studies are required in this area

Unveiling transfusions: Analyzing blood product utilization patterns in a leading tertiary care center in Madhya Pradesh, India

Background: Blood transfusions play a pivotal role in medical care, saving millions of lives annually. The timely provision of safe blood is critical in various clinical scenarios, necessitating a careful balance between supply and demand. Despite advanced blood banking facilities globally, challenges persist in ensuring appropriate blood component utilization, prompting a need for clinical audits and optimization strategies. Aims and Objectives: This study aims to analyze the patterns of blood product utilization in a tertiary care hospital in Madhya Pradesh over 1 year, focusing on transfusion requests, cross-match-to-transfusion (C/T) ratios, transfusion indices (TIs), and indications for transfusions. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted at Shyam Shah Medical College from January 01, 2023, to December 31, 2023. Data from transfusion and cross-match requests in various departments were collected. C/T ratios, TI, and non-usage probability were computed to assess blood utilization efficiency. Results: Out of 16,682 cross-matched units, 71.93% were transfused. The overall C/T ratio was 1.39. The department of medicine demonstrated the most efficient blood usage with a C/T ratio of 1.16. Obstetrics and gynecology had the highest TI (1.06), while surgery had the lowest (0.71). Indications for transfusion included anemia (29.9%), pre-operative (17.2%), intraoperative (21.8%), and post-operative (31.1%). Conclusion: This study provides valuable insights into blood utilization patterns, offering a foundation for refining transfusion practices and enhancing the efficiency of blood management in the studied tertiary care hospital

Closure of chronic non healing ankle ulcer with low level laser therapy in a patient presenting with thalassemia intermedia: Case report

In this single case study, the possible effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) was explored in the form of light emitting diodes on a chronic non-healing wound of 6 months duration in an 18-year-old male patient suffering from thalassemia intermedia. After irradiation, with LLLT dosage of 17.3 J/cm 2 for 8 min for 2 weeks duration followed by proliferative dosage of 8.65-4.33 J/cm 2 for 4 min from 3 rd week to 6 th week for 2 min along with antibiotics vancomycin (15 mg/kg) and a combination of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid (1 g). Proliferation of healthy granulation tissue was observed with decrease in score of pressure ulcer scale with complete re-epithelialization eventually LLLT irradiation could be a novel method of treatment for chronic non-healing wound in a thalassemia intermedia patient and an useful adjunct to standard care of treatment of pressure ulcers. It is postulated that LED irradiation augments wound healing with an early closure and no recurrence at the irradiated site even after follow up of 6 months