Medication error rates in Iranian hospitals: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Medication errors (MEs) in hospitals decrease patient satisfaction, increase hospital mortality, lower hospital productivity, and increase in the costs of the health system. This study was conducted to determine the rate of MEs in Iranian hospitals. METHOD: In this meta-analysis, all published articles on ME rates in Iranian hospitals were identified from five databases and Google Scholar and assessed for quality. The heterogeneity of the studies was examined using the I2 index and a meta-regression model was used to evaluate the variables suspected of heterogeneity at the 0.05 significance level. Finally, 17 articles were eligible to be included in this study and were analyzed using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) software. FINDINGS: Based on the estimation of the random-effects model, the ME rate in Iranian hospitals was 10.9% (5.1%-21.7%; 95% CI). The highest rate was observed in Sanandaj in 2006 at 99.5% (92.6%-100.0%; 95% CI) and the lowest rate was observed in Kashan in 2019 at 0.2% (0.1%-0.3%; 95% CI). In addition, sample size and publication year were significantly correlated with ME rate (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study; ME rate in Iran is relatvively high based on the synthesis of the research conducted in Iranian hospitals. In addition to being costly, MEs have negative consequences for patients. Thereofore, it is necessary to emphasize the voluntary nature of medication error reporting in health sytem of Iran.

Sandwich-type aptamer-based biosensors for thrombin detection.

Thrombin, a proteolytic enzyme, plays an essential role in catalyzing many blood clotting reactions. Thrombin can act as a marker for some blood-related diseases, such as leukemia, thrombosis, Alzheimer's disease and liver disease. Therefore, its diagnosis is of great importance in the fields of biological and medical research. Biosensors containing sandwich-type structures have attracted much consideration owing to their superior features such as reproducible and stable responses with easy improvement in the sensitivity of detection. Sandwich-type platforms can be designed using a pair of receptors that are able to bind to diverse locations of the same target. Herein, we investigate recent advances in the progress and applications of thrombin aptasensors containing a sandwich-type structure, in which two thrombin-binding aptamers (TBAs) identify different parts of the thrombin molecule, leading to the formation of a sandwich structure and ultimately signal detection. We also discuss the pros and cons of these approaches and outline the most logical approach in each section.

Prevalence of hospital-acquired pressure injuries in intensive care units of the Eastern Mediterranean region: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Hospital-acquired pressure injuries are a major patient safety concern in intensive care units that are considered largely preventable adverse events by adherence to nursing standards of care. The hypothesis of this research was to investigate the prevalence of hospital-acquired pressure injuries in intensive care units (ICUs) of the Eastern Mediterranean Region. METHODS: This study was designed as a systematic review and meta-analysis. All articles published on Pressure ulcer prevalence in the ICUs of hospitals in Eastern Mediterranean Region countries, identified by searching PubMed through MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar from January 1, 2011, until September 22, 2023. The reference lists of these articles were checked for additional relevant studies. Data were analyzed using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Software (v.2.2.064). RESULTS: A total of 15 articles met the inclusion criteria. Based on the random-effects model, the overall Pressure ulcer prevalence rate was 16.6% (95% CI (8.6-29.6)). Both the highest and lowest prevalence was observed in Jordan in 2011 at 83.1% (95% CI (71.2- 90.7)) and in 2012 at 0.9% (95% CI (0.5- 1.5)), respectively. The results showed that publication year, average age, and sample size were the main causes of heterogeneity between the reviewed studies (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This systematic review and meta-analysis of the pertinent peer-reviewed literature revealed a high prevalence of hospital-acquired pressure injuries of 16% in intensive care units of Eastern Mediterranean region. Therefore, it is necessary for health policymakers and managers in Eastern Mediterranean Region to take necessary measures to prevent the incidence of Pressure ulcers in hospitals, especially in ICUs.

Prevalence of hospital-acquired pressure injuries in intensive care units of the Eastern Mediterranean region: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Hospital-acquired pressure injuries are a major patient safety concern in intensive care units that are considered largely preventable adverse events by adherence to nursing standards of care. The hypothesis of this research was to investigate the prevalence of hospital-acquired pressure injuries in intensive care units (ICUs) of the Eastern Mediterranean Region. METHODS: This study was designed as a systematic review and meta-analysis. All articles published on Pressure ulcer prevalence in the ICUs of hospitals in Eastern Mediterranean Region countries, identified by searching PubMed through MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar from January 1, 2011, until September 22, 2023. The reference lists of these articles were checked for additional relevant studies. Data were analyzed using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Software (v.2.2.064). RESULTS: A total of 15 articles met the inclusion criteria. Based on the random-effects model, the overall Pressure ulcer prevalence rate was 16.6% (95% CI (8.6-29.6)). Both the highest and lowest prevalence was observed in Jordan in 2011 at 83.1% (95% CI (71.2- 90.7)) and in 2012 at 0.9% (95% CI (0.5- 1.5)), respectively. The results showed that publication year, average age, and sample size were the main causes of heterogeneity between the reviewed studies (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This systematic review and meta-analysis of the pertinent peer-reviewed literature revealed a high prevalence of hospital-acquired pressure injuries of 16% in intensive care units of Eastern Mediterranean region. Therefore, it is necessary for health policymakers and managers in Eastern Mediterranean Region to take necessary measures to prevent the incidence of Pressure ulcers in hospitals, especially in ICUs.

Ultrasensitive detection of micrococcal nuclease activity and Staphylococcus aureus contamination using optical biosensor technology-A review.

One of the most common and important pathogenic bacteria is Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) which is known as a foodborne illness all over the world. The detection of micrococcal nuclease (MNase) can act as a unique diagnostic biomarker for the identification of S. aureus. So far, various complex methods have been introduced for the evaluation of S. aureus bacterium. However, they have different limitations such as labor-intensive, inaccurate results and time-consuming procedures. Thus, it is of particular attention to develop fast, easy, simple and more approachable detection methods based on nanotechnology and MNase detection. In this review, recent advances and modern techniques of ultrasensitive biosensors based on quantum dots (QDs), noble metal and magnetic nanoparticles (NPs), graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets, and also transfer energy strategy have been discussed for the identification of MNase activity and S. aureus contamination. Besides, advantages and disadvantages of different types of fluorescent, phosphorescent and colorimetric biosensors have been discussed.