Pak J Med Sci
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Surgical site infections (SSIs) usually manifest post-discharge, rendering accurate diagnosis and treatment challenging, thereby catalyzing the development of alternate strategies like self-monitored SSI surveillance. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of patients and Infection Control Monitors (ICMs) to develop a replicable method of SSI-detection. ⋯ Patients cannot self-diagnose a SSI reliably. However, diagnostic accuracy of ICMs is significantly higher and they may serve as a proxy for surgeons, thereby reducing the burden on specialized surgical workforce in LMICs. Regardless, supplementing post-discharge follow-up with patient self-screening could increase SSI-detection and reduce burden on health systems.
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To determine number of sessions of Endoscopic variceal band ligation required to obliterate the esophageal varices. ⋯ Most patients underwent 3-4 sessions of EVBL for obliteration of varices. Number of EVBL sessions increased significantly with duration of disease.
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The value of gastric residual volume (GRV) monitoring in ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) has frequently been questioned in the past years. In this trial, the effect of GRV on the frequency of VAP was evaluated in critically ill patients under mechanical ventilation. ⋯ Increased GRV did not result in increased rates of VAP, ICU length of stay, and mortality. Therefore, the routine measurement of GRV as an important element of the VAP prevention bundle is not recommended in critically ill patients.
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The aim of this study was to evaluate factors affecting oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) of patients using removable dental prosthesis. ⋯ Removable partial denture patients showed minimum problems with mastication, social compromise and functional discomfort. The oral health quality of life of removable denture patients is significantly influenced by patient education level, socio-economic status, medical conditions, smoking and tobacco use habits.
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To determine the frequency of vertebral fractures in patients presenting with hip fractures. ⋯ There is a high prevalence of asymptomatic vertebral fractures in our population, but low compared to studies from western countries. There is a need to evaluate these fractures separately for the prevention of morbidity and mortality.