IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DECISION TREE METHOD IN EXPERT ANALYSIS OF THE MEDICAL ERRORS IN OBSTETRIC PRACTICE.

OBJECTIVE: Aim: To identify expert patterns in cases of improper medical care in obstetric practice based on the analysis of the materials of judicial and investigative cases initiated against obstetrician-gynaecologists in cases of improper performance of their professional duties, using the decision tree method. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: A retrospective review of all alleged medical malpractice cases (a total 350) between 2007 and 2016 handled at Ternopil Regional Bu¬reau of Forensic Medical Examination, Chernivtsi Regional Bureau of Forensic Medical Examination and Zhytomir Regional Bureau of Forensic Medical Examination (Ukraine) was performed. RESULTS: Results: Expert commissions confirmed various shortcomings and omissions in provision of medical care in 232 (72.0%) of the investigated cases. Obstetricians were involved in claims in 82 (23.4%) cases. Application of intelligent data processing technology "Data Mining" with the use of the decision tree method revealed that inadequacies with regard to the medical records (attribute usage 100%) were the most informative attribute in the expert assessment of inappropriate medical care in obstetrics. Defects in the provision of obstetric care with a probability (P = 0.71) occur simultaneously both at pre-hospital and hospital levels and with a high probability (P = 0.83) result in severe consequences. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: The use of modern technologies for data analysis and processing contributes to the formulation of mathematically substantiated statements that significantly enhance the reliability of expert opinions in cases of forensic medical examination attached to dereliction of duties by the medical practitioners.

MORPHOLOGICAL AND FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OF THE MUCOUS MEMBRANE OF SMALL AND LARGE INTESTINE IN PATIENTS WITH COVID-19 AND IN POST-COVID-19 PERIOD.

OBJECTIVE: The aim: To reveal the morphological and functional features of the mucous membrane of small and large intestine in patients with COVID-19 and in post-COVID-19 period. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: In the present study, the authors used biopsy and autopsy material represented by the fragments of the mucous membrane of small and large intestine. All studied material was divided into 10 groups. Group 1 (comparison group) included autopsy material from the deceased who did not have COVID-19 during their lifetime. Groups 2-4 included autopsy material from the deceased who had COVID-19 of varying severity during their lifetime. Groups 5-7 included biopsy material from patients who had recovered from COVID-19 of varying severity, while the duration of the post-COVID period ranged from 1 to 50 days. Groups 8-10 included biopsy material from patients who had in anamnesis COVID-19 of varying severity (the duration of the post-COVID period lasted from 51 to 100 days). Histological, immunohistochemical, morphometric and statistical research methods were used. RESULTS: Results: The comparative analysis showed a more expressed deficiency of ACE2 in the mucous membrane of small and large intestine in patients with moderate and severe COVID-19 compared with patients in post-COVID-19 period of different duration. In patients who had moderate and severe COVID-19 in anamnesis, ACE2 deficiency decreases with increasing duration of post-COVID-19 period. In patients recovered from mild COVID-19, the ACE2 content increases with the duration of post-COVID-19 period from 1 to 50 days and corresponds to the norm with the duration of this period from 51 to 100 days. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: The comprehensive morphological study conducted by the authors made it possible, firstly, to clarify the morphological and functional features of the mucous membrane of small and large intestine in patients with COVID-19 of various degrees of severity; secondly, to obtain new data about the morpho-functional state of the mucous membrane of small and large intestine in patients, taking into account different duration of the post-COVID-19 period and the severity of the infection.

[Analysis of final judgements in cases of medical negligence occurred in Ukraine].

OBJECTIVE: Introduction: The peculiarities of the disadvantages of providing medical care in Ukraine are not well-known abroad. The aim: To study the peculiarities of court decisions in cases of unfavorable consequences of medical activity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: The article analyzes the official data of the General Prosecutor's Office of Ukraine and the website of court decisions regarding criminal cases against medical practitioners. RESULTS: Review: Approximately 600 cases of alleged medical malpractice cases are registered annually in Ukraine. Only less than one percent of them are brought to the court. The guilt of medical practitioners was proven in majority (80,8%) of court decisions. Acquittals of defendants were pronounced in 5,9% of court verdicts. Obstetrics and gynecology, surgery, internal medicine and anesthesiology are in the top of high-risk medical specialties. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Majority of medical malpractice litigations are sued in Ukraine baselessly. In cases of medical negligence majority of defendants are acquitted as usual.