Control of scabies outbreaks in an Italian hospital: An information-centered management strategy

BACKGROUND: Scabies is a dermatologic infestation caused by Sarcoptes scabiei. In industrialized countries, hospitals and other health structures can sometimes be hit. The optimal management of scabies outbreaks still has to be established, mass prophylaxis being one possible option. METHODS: To identify the optimal approach to containing this re-emerging disease, a local health authority in Lombardy, Northern Italy, carried out an epidemiologic study into 2 scabies epidemics that took place from September to December 2012 in a 600-bed hospital with 26,000 admissions a year. RESULTS: Over a 3-month period, there were 12 cases of scabies on 4 wards; 43 contacts received prophylaxis. When the first cases were identified, an information campaign involving all hospital personnel was immediately set up. Regular staff meetings were organized, and information leaflets were distributed to patients. Family doctors of discharged patients were informed of the outbreak. CONCLUSION: A management model based on an information-centered strategy was used in place of mass prophylaxis to deal with scabies epidemics. The success of this approach was confirmed by the managers of the hospital involved (reduced expenditure for prophylactic drugs) and by hospital staff who did not have to deal with potential drug adverse effects

L'ESPERIENZA DELLE CURE SUB ACUTE PRESSO L'ASL DELLA PROVINCIA DI COMO

Il Piano Socio Sanitario Regionale 2010-2014 ha modificato l'organizzazione del Sistema Sanitario Regionale della Regione Lombardia prevedendo l'attivazione di strutture di cure intermedie tra ospedale per acuti e strutture territoriali idonee alla gestione dei pazienti (pz) affetti da patologie croniche gestiti nel contesto dell'assistenza primaria o dimissibili da un'Unit\ue0 Operativa per acuti, ma non sufficientemente stabili da consentirne l'assistenza al domicilio. Con la DGR 1479/2011 \ue8 stata prevista una dotazione pari a 1.145 posti letto (pl) tecnici

L'ESPERIENZA DELLE CURE SUB ACUTE PRESSO L'ASL DELLA PROVINCIA DI COMO

Il Piano Socio Sanitario Regionale 2010-2014 ha modificato l'organizzazione del Sistema Sanitario Regionale della Regione Lombardia prevedendo l'attivazione di strutture di cure intermedie tra ospedale per acuti e strutture territoriali idonee alla gestione dei pazienti (pz) affetti da patologie croniche gestiti nel contesto dell'assistenza primaria o dimissibili da un'Unit\ue0 Operativa per acuti, ma non sufficientemente stabili da consentirne l'assistenza al domicilio. Con la DGR 1479/2011 \ue8 stata prevista una dotazione pari a 1.145 posti letto (pl) tecnici

Positron Emission Tomography in Heart Failure: From Pathophysiology to Clinical Application.

Imaging modalities are increasingly being used to evaluate the underlying pathophysiology of heart failure. Positron emission tomography (PET) is a non-invasive imaging technique that uses radioactive tracers to visualize and measure biological processes in vivo. PET imaging of the heart uses different radiopharmaceuticals to provide information on myocardial metabolism, perfusion, inflammation, fibrosis, and sympathetic nervous system activity, which are all important contributors to the development and progression of heart failure. This narrative review provides an overview of the use of PET imaging in heart failure, highlighting the different PET tracers and modalities, and discussing fields of present and future clinical application

Etiology and device therapy in complete atrioventricular block in pediatric and young adult population: Contemporary review and new perspectives

Complete atrioventricular block (CAVB) is a total dissociation between the atrial and ventricular activity, in the absence of atrioventricular conduction. Several diseases may result in CAVB in the pediatric and young-adult population. Permanent right ventricular (RV) pacing is required in permanent CAVB, when the cause is neither transient nor reversible. Continuous RV apical pacing has been associated with unfavorable outcomes in several studies due to the associated ventricular dyssynchrony. This study aims to summarize the current literature regarding CAVB in the pediatric and young adult population and to explore future treatment perspectives