Application of Visual Management in Enhancing Work Quality within the Central Sterile Supply Department.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the implementation of visual management in the central sterile supply department, focusing on enhancing work efficiency, improving work quality, reducing errors and accidents, and elevating the satisfaction levels of clinical departments. Methods: Visual flow diagrams were carefully developed and classified by a dedicated team from July to August 2021, led by an established visual management team. Subsequently, department staff underwent organized training sessions to understand the concepts, requirements, and contents of these visual management flow diagrams through a related examination. The application of visual flow diagrams extended to instruments and equipment, infection control, and instrument package management. To assess the impact, a control group comprising 400 pieces of instruments used in the operating room and clinical practice in June 2021 and an observation group with 400 pieces for surgical instruments and clinical use in October 2021 were selected using a convenience sampling method. The study analyzed and compared the qualified rate of instrument cleaning, the qualified rate of instrument packaging, and clinical satisfaction between the two groups. Results: The device qualified rates for instrument cleaning in the observation and control groups were 99% and 95%, respectively; for instrument packaging, they were 96% and 92%. Clinical satisfaction rates were 99% and 90%, respectively. These findings indicate an improved qualified rate for instrument cleaning, instrument packaging, and clinical satisfaction in the observation group compared to the control group before the implementation of visual management, with statistically significant differences (P = .000). Conclusions: The application of visual flow diagrams has a significant positive impact on the work quality in the central sterile supply department and enhances clinical work satisfaction. This approach is deemed suitable for broader promotion.

Antibacterial mechanism of action and in silico molecular docking studies of Cupressus funebris essential oil against drug resistant bacterial strains.

The primary objective of this research work was to study the antibacterial effects of Cupressus funebris essential oil (EO) against various drug resistant bacterial pathogens along with studying the molecular docking interactions of the major components of the EO with the key bacterial proteins/enzymes. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to analyse the chemical composition of the Cupressus funebris EO. The initial antibacterial screening was performed by using disc diffusion and microdilution methods. Scanning electron microscopy was also performed in order to study effects of the EO on bacterial cell morphology. Further, molecular docking studies were performed using Autodock Vina and results were visualised by BIOVIA Discovery Studio. The chemical composition of the EO showed the presence of 15 components with citronellal, terpinene-4-ol, α-phellandrene and 1,8-cineole as the major components of the EO. Results indicated that the EO of Cupressus funebris exhibited dose-dependent as well as time dependent antibacterial effects. The scanning electron microscopy indicated that the Cupressus funebris EO led to membrane rupture and permeabilization of the bacterial cells. Molecular docking studies indicated that the major compounds of the EO (citronellal and terpinene-4ol) showed strong interactions with the active site of the bacterial DNA gyrase enzyme explaining the antibacterial mode of action of the EO. Ciprofloxacin was also used for docking which showed stronger interactions with the target protein than citronellal or terpinene-4-ol. In conclusion, the major findings of the current study were that the EO of Cupressus funebris causes bacterial membrane rupture and permeabilization, shows time-dependent and dose-dependent antibacterial action, along with interacting with crucial bacterial enzyme viz., DNA gyrase as indicated by molecular docking studies.

Relevant Risk Factor and Follow-Up of Lung Nodules in Physical Examination with Low-Dose CT Screening.

Background: We aimed to explore the risk factors of lung nodules and lung cancer in physical examination population with low-dose multi-slice spiral CT (LDCT) screening, to provide basis for lung cancer screening and follow-up management after CT examination. Methods: The general data, serum tumor markers and CT images of 2,274 patients underwent LDCT in the Physical Examination Center of the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, China in 2019 were retrospectively analyzed and followed up for three years. Results: The detection rate of lung nodules was 48.42%. The detection rate of lung nodules was higher in females, those over 70, those with history of smoking, passive smoking, drinking, precious history of lung diseases and family history of malignant tumors, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). The abnormal rate of serum tumor markers (CA199, CA125 female and CYFRA211) were higher than that in the non-nodule group, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that gender, age, history of smoking, passive smoking, family history of malignant tumors and serum tumor markers (CYFRA211 and CA199) were independent risk factors for the occurrence of lung nodules. Conclusion: Gender female, age>35, history of smoking, passive smoking, history of drinking, history of past lung disease, family history of malignant tumors, abnormal CYFRA211 tumor markers were detected and low dose multi-slice spiral CT image showed ground-glass nodules are risk factors for lung nodules and lung cancer, which should be paid close attention to during physical examination and follow-up.