383 research outputs found
La gestión de la calidad como proceso inherente a la eficacia en las organizaciones
Este artículo pretende demostrar las relaciones que, desde la teoría, se establecen entre de la gestión de la eficacia y su proceso inherente de caracterización de la gestión de la calidad. Se analizó parte del repertorio teórico que versa sobre la gestión de la eficacia organizacional y la caracterización de la gestión de la calidad. La existencia de diversos modelos permitió concluir que la gestión de la eficacia organizacional es un constructo en constante transformación y construcción; a pesar de poder agrupar los diferentes conceptos de calidad en cuatro enfoques fundamentales no existe evidencia teórica de que el constructo haya colapsado, pues es tema de actualidad. Además se concluyó que la gestión de la calidad es un proceso inherente a la gestión de la eficacia organizacional, se asocia al conjunto de actividades coordinadas para dirigir y controlar una organización, se sustenta en ocho principios y es un componente esencial para predecir el comportamiento de la gestión de la eficacia organizacional
Significance of herpesvirus immediate early gene expression in cellular immunity to cytomegalovirus infection
Interstitial pneumonia linked with reactivation of latent human cytomegalovirus due to iatrogenic immunosuppression can be a serious complication of bone marrow transplantation therapy of aplastic anaemia and acute leukaemia1. Cellular immunity plays a critical role in the immune surveillance of inapparent cytomegalovirus infections in man and the mouse1−7. The molecular basis of latency, however, and the interaction between latently or recurrently infected cells and the immune system of the host are poorfy understood. We have detected a so far unknown antigen in the mouse model. This antigen is found in infected cells in association with the expression of the herpesvirus 'immediate early' genes and is recognized by cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTL)8. We now demonstrate that an unexpectedly high proportion of the CTL precursors generated in vivo during acute murine cytomegalovirus infection are specific for cells that selectively synthesize immediate early proteins, indicating an immunodominant role of viral non-structural proteins
Needlestick and sharps injuries among health care workers at public tertiary hospitals in an urban community in Mongolia
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Needlestick and sharps injuries (NSSIs) are one of the major risk factors for blood-borne infections at healthcare facilities. This study examines the current situation of NSSIs among health care workers at public tertiary hospitals in an urban community in Mongolia and explores strategies for the prevention of these injuries.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>A survey of 621 health care workers was undertaken in two public tertiary hospitals in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, in July 2006. A semi-structured and self-administered questionnaire was distributed to study injection practices and the occurrence of NSSIs. A multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate factors associated with experiencing NSSIs. Among the 435 healthcare workers who returned a completed questionnaire, the incidence of NSSIs during the previous 3 months was 38.4%. Health care workers were more likely to report NSSIs if they worked longer than 35 hours per week (odds ratio, OR: 2.47; 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.31-4.66) and administered more than 10 injections per day (OR: 4.76; 95% CI: 1.97-11.49). The likelihood of self-reporting NSSIs significantly decreased if health care workers adhered to universal precautions (OR: 0.34; 95% CI: 0.17-0.68).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>NSSIs are a common public health problem at public tertiary hospitals in Mongolia. The promotion of adequate working conditions, elimination of excessive injection use, and adherence to universal precautions will be important for the future control of potential infections with blood-borne pathogens due to occupational exposures to sharps in this setting.</p
An unusual clinical presentation resembling superior vena cava syndrome post heart surgery
BACKGROUND: An unusual sequence of post operative events heralded by hemodynamic deterioration followed by dyspnea and rapidly progressive dilatation of superficial neck and facial veins, resembling a superior vena cava syndrome, two days post surgical resection of filamentous aortic valve masses, closure of a patent foramen ovale, and performance of a modified Maze procedure for atrial fibrillation in a patient that presented with transient neurologic findings is presented. CASE PRESENTATION: Although both clinical findings and hemodynamic derangements completely resolved following tricuspid valve repair aimed to correct the new onset severe tricuspid regurgitation noted post operatively; a clear mechanism was not readily obvious and diagnostic testing data somewhat conflictive. We present a careful retrospective examination of all clinical data and review possible clinical entities that could have been implicated in this particular case and recognize that transesophageal echocardiographic findings were most useful in identifying the best course of action. CONCLUSION: After reviewing all clinical data and despite the inconclusive nature of test results; the retrospective examination of transesophageal echocardiographic findings proved to be most useful in identifying the best course of action. We postulate that in our case, resolution of the suspected pulmonary embolism with anticoagulation and reestablishment of a normal right ventricular geometry with tricuspid valve repair worked in unison in restoring normal hemodynamics and resolving both dyspnea and venous dilatation
Does Prehabilitation modify muscle mass in patients with rectal cancer undergoing neoadjuvant therapy?:A subanalysis from the REx Randomised Controlled Trial
Background:
Patients with rectal cancer who present with sarcopenia (low muscle mass) are at significantly greater risk of postoperative complications and reduction in disease-free survival. We performed a subanalysis of a randomised controlled study [the REx trial; www.isrctn.com; 62859294] to assess the potential of prehabilitation to modify muscle mass in patients having neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NACRT).
Methods:
Patients scheduled for NACRT, then potentially curative surgery (August 2014–March 2016) had baseline physical assessment and psoas muscle mass measurement (total psoas index using computed tomography-based measurements). Participants were randomised to either the intervention (13–17-week telephone-guided graduated walking programme) or control group (standard care). Follow-up testing was performed 1–2 weeks before surgery.
Results:
The 44 patients had a mean age of 66.8 years (SD 9.6) and were male (64%); white (98%); American Society of Anesthesiologists class 2 (66%); co-morbid (58%); overweight (72%) (body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m2). At baseline, 14% were sarcopenic. At follow-up, 13 (65%) of patients in the prehabilitation group had increased muscle mass versus 7 (35%) that experienced a decrease. Conversely, 16 (67%) controls experienced a decrease in muscle mass and 8 (33%) showed an increase. An adjusted linear regression model estimated a mean treatment difference in Total Psoas Index of 40.2mm2/m2 (95% CI − 3.4 to 83.7) between groups in change from baseline (p = 0.07).
Conclusions:
Prehabilitation improved muscle mass in patients with rectal cancer who had NACRT. These results need to be explored in a larger trial to determine if the poorer short- and long-term patient outcomes associated with low muscle mass can be minimised by prehabilitation
Magnetic resonance imaging in children: common problems and possible solutions for lung and airways imaging
Pediatric chest MRI is challenging. High-resolution
scans of the lungs and airways are compromised by long imaging
times, low lung proton density and motion. Low signal
is a problem of normal lung. Lung abnormalities commonly
cause increased signal intenstities. Among the most important
factors for a successful MRI is patient cooperation, so the long
acquisition times make patient preparation crucial. Children
usually have problems with long breath-holds and with the
concept of quiet breathing. Young children are even more
challenging because of higher cardiac and respiratory rates
giving motion blurring. For these reasons, CT has often been
preferred over MRI for chest pediatric imaging. Despite its
drawbacks, MRI also has advantages over CT, which justifies
its further development and clinical use. The most important
advantage is the absence of ionizing radiation, which allows
frequent scanning for short- and long-term follow-up studie
- …