Rethinking the health services insurance system: a new model for Iranian railroad households.

During 1995 and 1996, a 10% stratified random sample of 2124 people representing permanent Iranian railroad workers in 12 provinces was selected to survey the use of health services by personnel and their families. Data were collected from 2107 workers through interviews using a structured questionnaire. The objective was to determine demographic and health characteristics and user satisfaction in order to improve the present delivery of the health insurance system. A new plan for the delivery of health insurance, which focuses upon social accountability and community orientation and is based on the roles of family doctors and nurses in railroad health posts, is proposed and evaluated.

Traditional healers in the Qazvin region of the Islamic Republic of Iran: a qualitative study.

We identified and categorized by method of therapy 15 traditional healers in the Qazvin region. Problem-solving and treatment procedures were observed and recorded by actual patients or by observers simulating a medical condition. The treatment practices of the 15 healers (8 men and 7 women) included herbal remedies (four), bone-setting (five), traditional methods for the treatment of sore throat (two), massage therapy using plant oils (one), cupping (two), and leech therapy (one). Despite an adequate number of physicians practising in the region, traditional healers continue to be consulted. We recommend that the efficacy of their treatments be further studied and that they be encouraged to contribute positively to the broader health objectives of Iranian society.

Assessing the need to establish new hospitals.

During recent decades, the underdeveloped and the developing countries have witnessed modern or large hospitals, as well as other health facilities, being largely centered in capitals or metropolitan areas, leaving the remaining areas with less-accessible medical services. Many organizations provide in-patient services within the same neighbourhood, which leads to duplication and overlapping, ultimately resulting in wastage of capital resources. And, once built, hospitals are extremely difficult to close. In his paper the author assesses both the need to establish new hospitals and discusses the criteria to be met and investigations and studies to be carried out prior to their construction.

Tracking hospital deaths in a developing region.

During a 6-month period, all deaths in four Iranian medical centers were studied. The mortality rate study evaluated prevalent causes of death, regional categorization of deaths and the rate of mortality at different ages.

Risk Management Status of Waste Anesthetic Gases Using ECRI Institute Standards.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was assessment the risk management status of waste anesthetic gases in academicals hospitals in Iran to prevent from harmful effects of these gases on employees' health. METHODS: A descriptive-analytic study was designed in 2011. Standard structured checklist developed by ECRI institute (Emergency Care Research Institute) was applied. Checklists were filled onsite through direct observation and interviews with anesthesia personnel in 46 operating rooms at 4 hospitals from all of the hospitals under affiliation of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. These hospitals were selected based on the number of surgical beds. RESULTS: Total means score of WAGs risk management status was 1.72 from the scale of 3. In the studied operating rooms, only 28% complied with predetermined standards, 16% needed improvement and 56% had no compliance. Total mean scores of compliance in planning, training and evaluation and monitoring of waste anesthetic gases were weak and equipment and work activity was at medium level. CONCLUSION: The risk management status of waste anesthetic gases in the hospitals to be weak, therefore operating room personnel are exposed to medium to high level of these gases. The hospital mangers should prepare and apply scavenging equipment, development of control program, quality improvement, risk management and maintenance of anesthesia equipment. Finally, ongoing monitoring and evaluation, education to personnel and modification of policy and procedures and improvement of work activities should be considered.

Patient flow analysis in a children's clinic.

OBJECTIVE: The main objectives of the study were to determine the average waiting times of patients at each of the treatment stations in a large paediatric out-patient department, and to determine the average length of time for a patient visit with paediatricians and interns. DESIGN: Data were collected over the period of 1 month, from 1 to 31 October 1994, on patient waiting times and length of visit with paediatricians and interns. SETTING: The study was conducted in the 24-h out-patient clinic and the half-day speciality clinic at Qoods Children's Teaching Hospital, in Qazvin, Iran. STUDY PARTICIPANTS: All patients attended the paediatric out-patient clinic and the half-day speciality clinic during the 24-h period for one full month. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The following were measured: average waiting times and average length of visit for patients seeing interns and paediatricians. RESULTS: The average waiting time to see a paediatrician was found to be 77 minutes, and the average length of visit with a paediatrician was 3.4 minutes. Patients waiting to be seen by interns had an average waiting time of 7.8 minutes, and their average length of visit was 7.7 minutes. The average length of visit with an intern was higher during the morning (8.6 minutes) and highest during the afternoon (9.5 minutes) shifts. Suggestions for improvements are made and for ways to take advantage of waiting periods to provide preventive and other health care information.

Rethinking the health services insurance system: a new model for Iranian railroad households

During 1995 and 1996, a 10% stratified random sample of 2124 people representing permanent Iranian railroad workers in 12 provinces was selected to survey the use of health services by personnel and their families. Data were collected from 2107 workers through interviews using a structured questionnaire. The objective was to determine demographic and health characteristics and user satisfaction in order to improve the present delivery of the health insurance system. A new plan for the delivery of health insurance, which focuses upon social accountability and community orientation and is based on the roles of family doctors and nurses in railroad health posts, is proposed and evaluated

Traditional healers in the Qazvin region of the Islamic Republic of Iran: a qualitative study

We identified and categorized by method of therapy 15 traditional healers in the recorded by actual patients or by observers simulating a medical condition. The treatment practices of the 15 healers [8 men and 7 women] included herbal remedies [four], bone-setting [five], traditional methods for the treatment of sore throat [two], massage therapy using plant oils [one], cupping [two], and leech therapy [one]. Despite an adequate number of physicians practising in the region, traditional healers continue to be consulted. We recommend that the efficacy of their treatments be further studied and that they be encouraged to contribute positively to the broader health objectives of Iranian society