NEAT-FT: the European fiber link collaboration

The development of clocks based on optical transitions during the past three decades culminates in the availability of optical clocks with unprecedented stability and uncertainty . Simultaneously, increasing requirements for accurate time and frequency signals, e.g. for tests of fundamental physics or novel applications in relativistic geodesy, put forward new challenges. Typically, such applications rely on the comparison of two remote clocks. Thus, major challenges are how to synchronize these clocks over long distances or how to get the time or frequency signal of a clock to the location where it is required. It is generally agreed that optical fiber links are an excellent alternative to established satellite based distant clock comparison and synchronization techniques. A European joint research project called Network for European Accurate Time and Frequency Transfer (NEAT-FT) has been initiated in 2011 to lay the foundations for a novel approach to disseminate high-precision timing and ultrastable frequency signals by using existing fiber infrastructure. Since Europe has a large number of modern ultra-precise clocks, special emphasis is put on the development of new techniques for time transfer and phase-coherent comparison of remotely located optical clocks and the feasibility of a European fibre network connecting optical clocks in Europe. This talk highlights recent achievements and discusses some applications and prospects

Risk assessment of accidental exposure of surgeons to blood during orthopedic surgery. Are we safe in surgical gloves?

Aim. To analyze tears in sterile surgical gloves used by surgeons in the operating theatre of the Trauma and Orthopedic Surgery Department, Copernicus Memorial Hospital, Łódź, Poland Materials and Method. This study analyzes tears in sterile surgical gloves used by surgeons by ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes. 1,404 gloves were collected from 581 surgical procedures. All gloves were tested immediately following surgery using the test method described in Standard EN455–1 (each glove was inflated with 1,000 ± 50 ml of water and observed for leaks for 2–3 min.). Results. Analysis of tears took into consideration the role of medical personnel (operator, first assistant, second assistant) during surgical procedure, the type of procedure according to ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes, and the elective or emergency nature of the procedure. The results of the study show that these factors have a significant influence on the risk of glove tears. Significant differences were observed in tear frequency and tear location depending on the function performed by the surgeon during the procedure. Conclusion. The study proved that the role performed by the surgeon during the procedure (operator, first assistant, second assistant) has a significant influence on the risk of glove tearing. The role in the procedure determines exposure to glove tears. Implementing a double gloving procedure in surgical procedures or using single gloves characterized by higher tear resistance should be considered

Comparison of indicators of the use of insulin and oral diabetes medication in a Polish population of patients in urban and rural areas in the years 2008, 2011 and 2012

introduction. Diabetes is one of the 10 most important chronic diseases in the world. According to the data of the International Diabetes Federation, in Poland 9% of the population between the ages of 20–79 suffer from diabetes. objective. The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in the prevalence of diabetes in urban and rural areas in Poland, and the preparation of a model describing the phenomenon. materials and method. Differences between urban and rural areas were studied for the occurrence of patients treated with diabetes per 100,000 inhabitants, the number of patients, structure of treatment per the used products, and the costs of reimbursement of treatment products between 2008–2012. Urban and rural cases were compared using zip codes. The basis for classifying a patient as being an inhabitant of an urban or rural area was an urban zip code of the declared place of residence. results. Differences were observed both between various areas of Poland, as well as depending on whether the declared place of residence of the patient was urban or rural. Differences between urban and rural areas within the studied period have increased. The difference in the prevalence of diabetes among the inhabitants of Podlaskie, Śląskie or Świętokrzyskie provinces is striking. conclusion. Differences between urban and rural areas which depend on morbidity and detection of patients in the earlier phase of illness, the structures of medical technologies used in the treatment process, the number of purchased pharmaceuticals, enable better monitoring of effectiveness and quality of politics on prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. It is important for the creation of a health policy to devise a system of indicators, which will enable a decrease in the existing differences between regions, and between the urban and rural areas within the provinces

Determinants of developing a pilot of coordinated care model for patients with multiple sclerosis in Poland

Background: Multiple sclerosis is a chronic and highly debilitating disease with very high economic and social consequences. Designing changes to improve the functioning of the healthcare model primarily requires learning about the needs of beneficiaries. Aim of the study: The purpose of our study is the results’ description and summary of conclusions of the research conducted in the past years. These results are currently being used for the construction of a coordinated care model for MS patients. Material and methods: One questionnaire survey addressed to MS patients, carried out between 01.12.2013 and 01.02.2014 and the second one addressed to Polish and European medical professionals, carried out between 01.09.2016 and 04.10.2016 performed in 51 European centers and 2 branches of the Turkish Association of patients with MS. Results: In the first survey 84.4% patients declared that during the illness they received mental support mostly from their family: 48.5% received it from physicians; 42.1% from a nurse. 64.8% of the respondents declared that they received no support from social organizations and 77.6% received no support from religious organizations. According to the results of the survey for healthcare professionals in Poland and Europe, in 54.9% of the European institutions and in 22.4% of the Polish institutions, dedicated IT systems are used for processing MS patients’ data. Among institutions using IT, 52.9% of the European and 10.1% of the Polish ones keep the patient’s entire documentation, as well as a patient satisfaction survey, in an IT system. Conclusions: Based on our studies described above, the patients’ needs, resources and capabilities seem to indicate that the scale of system inefficiencies is such that remodeling care for this well-defined group of patients is justified and feasible

Availability and Affordability of Essential Medicines: Implications for Global Diabetes Treatment

The purpose of this review is to highlight the key issues with regard to the value, affordability, and availability of diabetes treatments