Nosocomial infections in the ICU: pens and spectacles as fomites

Abstract Nosocomial infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Non-medical objects known as fomites may have a role in their genesis. We investigated the significance of writing pens and spectacles asfomites. The study was conducted at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from July 2013 to September 2013. Cultures were taken from pens and/or spectacles of resident nurses, doctors and nursing assistants in intensive care unit (ICU). Organisms important in ICU nosocomial infections were targeted. Seven rounds ofsampling over 3 weeksled to 55 pen and 5 spectacle samples. Growth was seen in 3(5.5%) pen samples and 1(20%) spectacle sample. Two (3.6%) pen cultures grew acinetobacter, 1)1.8%) grew candida and acinetobacter, and i spectacle culture grew vancomycin-resistant enterococcus faecium (VRE). Two out of the 4 (50%) personnel managing all ICU beds had growth. During the study, one or more ICU patients had infection with the same organisms. Pens and spectacles may be responsible for the spread of organisms like acinetobacter and VRE. Personnel managing multiple beds are more likely to carry contaminated fomites

De novo primary squamous cell carcinoma of the ovary: A case of a rare malignancy with an aggressive clinical course

Ovarian squamous cell carcinoma is a rare malignancy and the occurrence is attributable to malignant transformation of an existing ovarian dermoid cyst. The de novo occurrence of squamous cell carcinoma of the ovary, in the absence of an antecedent ovarian dermoid, is extremely rare. The case of a 31 year old Asian woman, evaluated for abdominal distension and discomfort is presented. Abdominal CT was suggestive of a malignant neoplastic process. Laparotomy confirmed a malignant tumour with involvement of the right adnexa and extension into the omentum and bowel. Surgical debulking, hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-ophorectomy and total omentectomy and bowel resection was performed. Histopathology demonstrated squamous cell carcinoma arising from the right ovary with no co-existing ovarian dermoid. The postoperative period was significant for disease progression despite adjuvant chemotherapy

Pancreaticoduodenectomy: A developing country perspective

Objective: To review retrospectively, the resultsof Whipple\u27s procedure from 1986 to December 2009 at the Aga Khan University Hospital. Methods: Patient\u27s case notes were reviewed to extract information related to demographics, clinical and laboratory data, operative procedure and post operative period. Surgical mortality was defined as death within 30 days of procedure. Results: Hundred and twenty one patients underwent a successful pancreaticoduodenectomy during this period. There were 78 males and 43 females. Most presented with clinical features of obstructive jaundice. Perioperative evaluation in the majority included an abdominal ultrasound and contrast enhanced CT scan. A preoperative ERCP was performed in 64 (53%) patients and a stent was placed in 32 (26%). Stent related sepsis was noted in 8 patients (25%). Eighty four (69%) patients underwent a standard resection, 31% had a pylorus preserving procedure. The commonest pathology was adeno-carcinoma located in the pancreatic head or periampullary area. Post operative morbidity was noted in 54% of patients, the commonest being chest infection (20%) followed by delayed gastric emptying and pancreatic anastomotic leak. There were 12 perioperative deaths giving a surgical mortality of 10%. Conclusion: To our understanding this is the largest series of consecutive pancreaticoduodenectomies reported in Pakistan. Our morbidity and mortality rates compare favourably with international centers of similar yearly case volume. There is a need to establish regional centers to effectively manage complex disease conditions and improve the standard of care offered to our patients

Morbidity meetings: What makes it to; what stays out of the forum

Objectives: To review the utility of morbidity and mortality forum in General Surgery at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan.Methods: The retrospective study was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital and reviewed morbidity data from March to May 2009. Case notes of all patients admitted to the General Surgical service during the study period were reviewed to identify in-hospital morbidities.Results: There were a total of 340 inpatients during this period. Case notes identified 61 (17.94%) patients with morbidities; 35 (57.37%) males and 26 (42.62%) females. The morbidity record for the same period identified 32 (52.5%) patients, while 29 (47.5%) morbidities were missed. Of the total morbidities, 32 (52.5%) patients were admitted to the general ward, and 29 (47.5%) to high dependency areas. Nine (28%) morbidities identified in the general ward, and 23 (79%) in high dependency areas were formally presented. Morbidities related to the abdominal cavity were the commonest (n = 22; 36%). Wound-related (n = 17; 28%) and cardio-pulmonary (n = 8; 13%) complication were the next most frequent.Conclusions: Abdominal cavity morbidities were the most common in this review followed by wound related and cardiopulmonary complications. The morbidity and mortality forum is an educational activity that has stood the test of time and continues to be the cornerstone of post-graduate education. It should be considered a mandatory activity in all postgraduate training programmes

Hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm: A rare complication of amoebic liver abscess

Hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm (HAP) is an infrequently encountered entity, usually seen secondary to blunt or penetrating trauma. The clinical presentation is often due to complications such as intrahepatic or intraperitoneal bleeding as a result of rupture of the pseudoaneurysm. Diagnosis is frequently delayed and made by splanchnic angiography. HAP associated with a liver abscess, has very rarely been described in the literature. We report the case of a 50-year-old man with amoebic liver abscess and right hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm which was suspected on high resolution contrast-enhanced abdominal computer tomography (CT). The lesion was confirmed by arteriography and treated prophylactically with transcatheteter embolization

The role of computed tomography for identifying mechanical bowel obstruction in a Pakistani population

Objective: To retrospectively review our experience of CT scan in cases with a final diagnosis of surgically confirmed mechanical bowel obstruction. Methods: It is a retrospective analytical study, done from 2003 to 2008. All adult patients having undergone laparotomy in addition to a preoperative abdominal CT scan over a 5 year period were identified through the medical records and their case notes reviewed. Taking surgery to be the gold standard for diagnosing mechanical bowel obstruction, we compared results of the CT with operative findings to determine the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of CT scans. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 16.0. Results: A total of 271 patient records were reviewed. The mean age was 46 +/- 19 years and (64%) were men. Mechanical intestinal obstruction was found in 104 patients on laparotomy and CT scan had diagnosed 97 of these. The sensitivity and specificity was 93% respectively. CT scanning correctly identified the cause of the obstruction in 72 (74%) cases. The common reasons for bowel obstruction identified by surgery were adhesions 29 (40%), neoplasm 12 (17 %) and hernias 7 (10%). Conclusion: CT scans are reliable at diagnosing intestinal obstruction with a high sensitivity and specificity but they are not as accurate at defining the etiology of the obstruction

Disclosing bad news of cancer: patients’ preference for communication

Introduction: The majority of cancer patients’ relatives in developing countries, especially in Pakistan prefers and demand, and in most times impose a “do not tell approach”, while counselling for patients disease. Thus, the aim of the current study is to first assess patients’ understanding about his or her disease and see preferences regarding the manner in which physicians’ deliver news about cancer diagnosis and its management plan. Material and methods: This was a cross-sectional qualitative study. Patients were approached and interviewed while having their regular follow-up. An immediate relative of the patient was also included in the study to see family perception regarding disease after their consent. This study enrolled 55 patients with 6 different types of cancers. Results: This study shows that 35 (65.5%) patients did not know stage at diagnosis while 40 (72.7%) patients did not know the current stage of their disease. In 22 (40%) cases, patient’s family knew diagnosis ahead of patient and 19 (86.3%) families asked clinicians to hide diagnosis news from the patient. This study demonstrates, specialist oncologist for breaking news, family counseling, helping patient to figure out how to tell diagnosis to others, telling news directly to the patient and the effects of cancer on daily life are preferred area to communicate on first visit. Conclusion:  Disclosing cancer news is always an unfavorable experience not only for patient and family but also clinician as well. In our population both patient understanding and communication demands improvements. Continuous..

Reducing post-operative length of stay, is it worth the effort?

Background: Studies show that reducing the length of hospital stay (LOS) for surgical patients leads to cost savings. We hypothesize that LOS has a nonlinear relationship to cost of care and reduction may not have a meaningful impact on it. We have attempted to define the relationship of LOS to cost of care. We utilized the itemized bill, generated in real time, for hospital services.Materials: Adult patients admitted under General, Neuro, and Orthopedic surgery over a 3-month period, with an LOS between 4 and 14 days, were the study population. Itemized bill details were analyzed. Charges in Pakistani rupees were converted to US dollar. Ethical exemption for study was obtained.Results: Of the 853 patients, 38% were admitted to General Surgery, 27% to Neurosurgery, and 35% to Orthopedics. A total of 64% of the patients had an LOS between 4 and 6 days; 36% had an LOS between 7 and 14 days. Operated and conservatively managed constituted 82% and 18%, respectively. Mean total charge for operated patients was higher $3387 versus$1347 for non-operated ones. LOS was seen to have a nonlinear relationship to in-hospital cost of care. The bulk of cost was centered on the day of surgery. This was consistent across all services. The last day of stay contributed 2.4%-3.2% of total charge.Conclusions: For surgical patients, the cost implications rapidly taper in the postoperative period. The contribution of the last day of stay cost to total cost is small. For meaningful cost containment, focus needs to be on the immediate perioperative period

Intraperitoneal lignocaine (lidocaine) versus bupivacaine after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: Results of a randomized controlled trial

Abstract Background Intraperitoneal local anesthetics have been shown to improve postoperative pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). However, the choice of local anesthetic agent is debatable. We compared the analgesic efficacy of intraperitoneal lignocaine (lidocaine) versus bupivacaine after elective LC. Methods We conducted a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial. We randomized consecutive patients undergoing LC into two groups. Group L received 10 mL 2% lignocaine (lidocaine), whereas Group B received 10 mL 0.5% bupivacaine, each diluted in 10 mL normal saline. All patients underwent standard perioperative anesthesia and analgesia protocol. We assessed patients at 0, 4, 8, 12, and 24 h postoperatively for pain using the visual analogue scale and verbal rating scale, and the need for additional analgesic medications. Results We analyzed a total of 206 patients: 106 in Group L and 100 in Group B. Demographic details were similar between groups (P \u3e 0.05). Abdominal pain decreased significantly with time in both groups, with a similar mean response profile (P \u3c 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between groups with regard to abdominal or shoulder pain by both visual analogue scale and verbal rating scale at all five time intervals (P \u3e 0.05). There was also no significant difference in the side effect profile of both drugs (P \u3e 0.05). A lower proportion of patients in Group B required additional narcotic analgesia (87%) compared with Group L (94%). This difference was marginally significant (P = 0.057). Conclusions Bupivacaine and lignocaine (lidocaine) are both safe and equally effective at decreasing postoperative pain after LC