Predictors of medical staff's knowledge, attitudes and behavior of dysphagia assessment: A cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to explore the predictors of medical staff's Knowledge, Attitudes and Behavior of dysphagia assessment, to provide reference suggestions for constructing the training program and improving the rate of dysphagia assessment. METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional study. A total of 353 nurses and doctors from four provinces (Guangdong, Hunan, Guangxi, and Shaanxi) who were selected by convenience sampling and invited to complete the questionnaire through WeChat, DingTalk, and Tencent instant messenger from May 23 to 31, 2022. A self-reported questionnaire was used to assess participants' Knowledge, Attitude and Behavior regarding dysphagia assessment. Participants' sociodemographic, training, and nursing experience were measured using the general information sheet and analyzed as potential predictors of medical staff's Knowledge, Attitudes and Behavior of dysphagia assessment. A multiple linear regression model was used to identify the predictors. RESULTS: The mean scores for Knowledge, Attitudes and Behavior of dysphagia assessments were (15.3±2.7), (35.9±4.9) and (41.4±14.4) respectively. Knowledge and Behavior of medical staff were medium, and attitude was positive. Multiple linear regression results indicated that experience in nursing patients with dysphagia, related training for dysphagia, working years in the field of dysphagia related diseases, specialized training (geriatric, swallowing and rehabilitation) and department (Neurology, Rehabilitation, Geriatrics) were significant predictors of Behavior, accounting for 31.5% of the variance. Working years in the field of dysphagia related diseases, department (Neurology, Rehabilitation, Geriatrics) and title were significant predictors of medical staff's knowledge, accounting for 7.8% of variance. Education, experience in nursing patients with dysphagia, department (Neurology, Rehabilitation, Geriatrics) and related training for dysphagia were significant predictors of medical staff's attitude, accounting for 12.9% of variance. CONCLUSIONS: The study findings implied that nursing experience, training, and work for patients with swallowing disorders could have positive effects on the Knowledge, Attitudes and Behavior of medical staff regarding dysphagia assessment. Hospital administrators should provide relevant resources, such as videos of dysphagia assessment, training centers for the assessment of dysphagia, and swallowing specialist nurses.

Effects of intensive care unit quality assessment on changes in medical staff in medical institutions and in-hospital mortality.

BACKGROUND: Quality assessments are being introduced in many countries to improve the quality of care and maintain acceptable quality levels. In South Korea, various quality assessments are being conducted to improve the quality of care, but there is insufficient evidence on intensive care units (ICUs). This study aims to evaluate the impact of ICU quality assessments on the structural indicators in medical institutions and the resulting in-hospital mortality of patients. METHODS: This study used data collected in the 2nd and 3rd ICU quality assessments in 2017 and 2019. A total of 72,879 patients admitted to ICUs were included during this period, with 265 institutions that received both assessments. As for structural indicators, changes in medical personnel and equipment were assessed, and in-hospital deaths were evaluated as patient outcomes. To evaluate the association between medical staff and in-hospital mortality, a generalized estimating equation model was performed considering both hospital and patient variables. RESULTS: Compared to the second quality evaluation, the number of intensivist physicians and experienced nurses increased in the third quality evaluation; however, there was still a gap in the workforce depending on the type of medical institution. Among all ICU patients admitted during the evaluation period, 12.0% of patients died in the hospital. In-hospital mortality decreased at the 3rd assessment, and hospitals employing intensivist physicians were associated with reduced in-hospital deaths. In addition, an increase in the number of experienced nurses was associated with a decrease in in-hospital mortality, while an increase in the nurse-to-bed ratio increased mortality. CONCLUSIONS: ICU quality assessments improved overall structural indicators, but the gap between medical institutions has not improved and interventions are required to bridge this gap. In addition, it is important to maintain skilled medical personnel to bring about better results for patients, and various efforts should be considered. This requires continuous monitoring and further research on long-term effects.

Factors Affecting Women's Assessment and Satisfaction with Their Childbirth.

Background and Objective: Childbirth is one of the most significant experiences in a woman's life. The manner in which childbirth unfolds and is experienced can be influenced by various factors, including the birthing environment and the woman's attitude and preparation. Taking a holistic view of childbirth, it becomes apparent that addressing the basic physiological needs during childbirth can significantly influence the comfort and sense of security of laboring women. The aim of this research was to assess the level of satisfaction among women with their experience during childbirth and to identify its determinants. Materials and Methods: This study included 275 women who had given birth within the past 15 years and were up to 40 years of age. The research method employed was a diagnostic survey, involving a self-designed questionnaire. Results: discussing the birth plan with the midwife, the ability to ask questions during labor, consuming meals during labor, water immersion, listening to music during labor, assuming vertical positions during the second stage of labor, and skin-to-skin contact are associated with increased satisfaction with the childbirth experience. Conclusions: The study findings revealed that the highest levels of satisfaction were reported in connection with the interactions with medical staff during childbirth and the quality of facilities available during delivery. Conversely, the lowest levels of satisfaction were associated with the possibility of using pain relief methods during labor.

Assessment of extremity dose for medical staff involved in positron emission tomography/computed tomography imaging: Retrospective study.

There has been an increase in positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) imaging procedures, and medical workers involved in PET/CT are at increased risk of occupational exposure. Data on extremity dose exposure are limited globally. The current study aimed to evaluate the occupational radiation dose for extremities for medical workers (nurses, radiographers/radiologic technologists, and nuclear medicine physicians) working in PET/CT scanners at 5 large hospitals in Turkey. Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) and Thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) ring dosimeters were used to measure equivalent dose values. Hospitals 1, 2, and 5 used OSL, and 3 and 4 used TLD. A total of 502 readings were obtained from 55 workers. In millisievert (mSv), the average annual effective dose for all workers was 14.5 ±â€…17.7 (0.2-157.2). A radiography technologist received a maximum dose of 157.21. Nurses received the highest average annual effective dose (15.2 ±â€…19.46) (0.32-65.58), followed by radiography technologists (14.7 ±â€…18.03) (0.4-157.2), and nuclear medicine physicians demonstrated the least dose (8.6 ±â€…10.5) (1.2-24.4). The results show that the extremity dose is well below the annual dose limit of 500 mSv. However, there is a wide variation in dose among the workers, underlining a need for careful assessment of working conditions to ensure safe practices for all workers.

Effect of delivery mode on Chinese women's maternal satisfaction: a moderated mediation model of support from medical staff and women's self-assessment of health.

PURPOSE: In recent years, the Chinese government has implemented measures to address the rising rate of cesarean deliveries and promote vaginal births, with the aim of improving women's childbirth experience. However, non-medically necessary cesarean sections and repeated cesarean sections remain prevalent. This study seeks to explore the correlation between mode of delivery and childbirth experiences. Additionally, it examines the moderating and mediating effects of support from medical staff and women's self-assessment of health on maternal satisfaction across different delivery methods. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This cross-sectional survey was conducted with 140 Chinese mothers who were 1-10 days post-partum at three tertiary hospitals. The mothers were asked to fill out a socio-demographic data form and questionnaires related to women's maternal satisfaction, mode of delivery, self-assessed health, and perception of medical staff support while they were in the hospital after delivery. The data from the questionnaires were analyzed and compared using SPSS 24.0 and PROCESS 3.2. RESULTS: This study discovered that the mode of delivery (vaginal birth or C-section) and the perception of support from medical staff significantly influenced maternal satisfaction (ß = 0.82, t = 3.42; ß = 0.82, t = 10.23). Specifically, women who had a vaginal birth reported higher levels of satisfaction compared to those who had a C-section. The study also found that the perception of medical staff support played a mediating role in this relationship, indicating its influence on women's satisfaction (ß = 0.78, t = 9.58; indirect effect = 0.43, Boot SE = 0.15; 95% CI= [.12-.73]). Furthermore, women's self-assessed health acted as a moderator in the relationship between the mode of delivery and medical staff support (ß = -0.53, t = -2.39; indirect effect = -0.41, Boot SE = 0.19; 95% CI= [-.80-.05]). CONCLUSION: The childbirth experience of Chinese women is greatly influenced by factors such as vaginal birth, their perception of care support from medical staff, and their self-assessment of health. This highlights the importance of healthcare professionals providing women-centered maternity services and childbirth education, which can help reduce unnecessary medical intervention and the need for tertiary obstetric care.

Assessment of selected psychosocial risk factors: stress, job burnout, and bullying in the case of medical staff as part of workplace ergonomics during the COVID-19 pandemic-A prospective pilot study.

Background: The purpose of the pilot study conducted by the authors was to assess occupational risk in selected areas of psychosocial risk factors among health professions in a pilot study. Medical staff working in the healthcare sector experience stress, job burnout and bullying on a daily basis. Monitoring occupational risks in the above areas provides an opportunity to take appropriate preventive measures. Methods: The prospective online survey included 143 health care workers from various professional groups. Eighteen participants did not complete the survey, and the results of 125 participants were eventually included in the analysis. The study used health and safety questionnaires in the healthcare sector, which are not widely used as screening tools in Poland. Results: The following statistical methods were performed in the study: the Mann-Whitney test, Kruskal-Wallis test, Dunn's test. In addition, multivariate analysis was performed. The results obtained in the study indicate that the questionnaires used in the study can be widely used by employers or occupational medicine as screening tools. Conclusions: Our findings show that level of education attainment in healthcare is correlated with higher chance of experiencing stress and burnout. Among the surveyed professions, nurses reported a higher amount of stress and burnout. Paramedics reported the highest chance of being bullied at work. This can be explained by their nature of work which requires directly interacting with patients and their families. In addition, it should be noted that the tools used can be successfully applied in workplaces as elements of workplace ergonomics assessment in the context of cognitive ergonomics.

MOTIVATION THEORIES AS THE KEY TO MANAGEMENT OF MEDICAL STAFF.

OBJECTIVE: The aim: To identify positions that are relevant for practical use in improving the process of human resource management in healthcare. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: Comparative analysis of motivation theories. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Human resources are a key intangible resource of a society or any organization. In today's post-industrial society, the development of a knowl¬edge-based economy with the introduction of innovative technologies, principles of teamwork; improving the educational, cultural and qualification level of employees, democratization of socio-economic life in the country against the background of increasing population mobility and competition in the context of globalization, sets requirements for human resource management in such an important area as health care, in particular, in terms of activities to increase their motivation. Understanding the essence of motivation theories proves that people have different needs, so knowledge of different motivation theories can be used to manage medical staff.

Assessment of thyroid gland hormones and ultrasonographic abnormalities in medical staff occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation.

BACKGROUND: Ionizing radiation (IR) is high-energy radiation that has the potential to displace electrons from atoms and break chemical bonds. It has the ability to introduce mutations, DNA strand breakage, and cell death. Being a radiosensitive organ, exposure of the thyroid gland to IR can lead to significant changes in its function. AIM OF THE WORK: Was to measure the levels of thyroid hormones panel and ultrasonography abnormalities in medical staff occupationally exposed to IR. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 120 subjects were divided into three main groups: Group I: radiation-exposed workers occupationally exposed to radioiodine (131I) (n = 40), Group II: radiation-exposed workers occupationally exposed to X-ray (n = 40), and Group III: non-exposed healthy professionals matched in age and sex with the previous groups (n = 40). Thyroid hormones panel including free triiodothyronine (fT3), free thyroxine (fT4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), anti-thyroperoxidase antibodies (anti-TPO), and thyroglobulin (Tg) were measured. Thyroid ultrasonography was performed. Oxidative stress markers such as malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were measured. RESULTS: Group I had significantly higher fT3 levels than the control group. fT3 levels were considerably higher, while TSH was substantially lower in group II participants than in the control group. Tg was markedly lower in radiation-exposed workers. However, anti-TPO levels in radiation-exposed workers were significantly higher than in the control group. MDA and H2O2 were substantially higher; TAC was significantly lower in radiation-exposed workers compared to the control group. According to ultrasonographic examination, thyroid volume and the percentage of thyroid nodules in all radiation workers were significantly higher than in the control group. CONCLUSION: Despite low exposure doses, occupational exposure to IR affects the thyroid hormones and links with a higher likelihood of developing thyroid immune diseases.

Cost-consciousness among Chinese medical staff: a cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: Rapidly increasing health care costs are a widespread problem in the world. The cost-consciousness among Chinese medical staff is an important topic that needs further investigation. Our study aimed to focus on the cost-consciousness of Chinese medical staff and explore the factors related to their cost-consciousness. Differences regarding cost-consciousness between doctors and nurses were also reported. METHODS: Eight hospitals in Liaoning Province, China, were surveyed using a self-reporting questionnaire. A total of 1043 respondents, including 635 doctors and 408 nurses, participated in the study. A revised Chinese Cost-consciousness Scale was used to estimate cost-consciousness. RESULTS: The mean score of the Cost-consciousness Scale was 27.60 and 28.18 among doctors and nurses, respectively, and there were no significant differences in any personal characteristics. Most Chinese medical staff were aware of the treatment costs and considered cost control as their responsibility. Chinese doctors disliked adhering to guidelines more and preferred to remain independent in making or denying a treatment decision; thus, they like autonomously balancing the treatment and cost. Chinese nurses have similar attitudes, but nurses tended to deny costly services and interventions and were more sensitive to the health care costs by rationing decisions and uncertainty in their medical practice. CONCLUSION: We reveal the attitudes regarding cost-consciousness among Chinese medical staff. Chinese medical staff was aware of their responsibility in health cost control. Chinese doctors and nurses had different tendencies with regard to health care cost containment. Our study highlights the importance of education and professional training on cost-consciousness.

Organisational and staff-related effects on cultural competence in the hospital setting: a cross-sectional online survey of nursing and medical staff.

BACKGROUND: Cultural competence is considered a core qualification for dealing with socio-cultural diversity and balancing disparities in health care. OBJECTIVES: To explore features supporting and inhibiting cultural competence in the hospital at both organisational and staff levels. DESIGN: Cross-sectional online survey in the form of a full census from May to November 2018. SETTING: Two organisations that run a total of 22 hospitals in Germany. PARTICIPANTS: Eight hundred nursing and medical professionals [nurses: n = 557; doctors: n = 243]. METHODS: Using the Short Form Cultural Intelligence SCALE (SFCQ), cultural competence was measured and its relation to potential influencing factors at staff level and organisational level examined, using bivariate (t-Test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson and Spearman correlations) and multivariate (multiple linear regression) approaches. Model 1 examined features at organisational level, Model 2 at individual level and Model 3 included organisational and individual features. RESULTS: The mean cultural competence measured was 3.49 [min.: 1.3; max.: 5.0]. In the bivariate and isolated multivariate models [Models 1 and 2], factors on both organisational and individual levels were significantly related to the hospital staff's cultural competence. The multivariate overview [Model 3], however, revealed that individual features at staff level were the statistically relevant predictors. Positive influencing features included staff's assessment of the importance of cultural competence in their professional context [B: 0.368, 95% confidence interval 0.307; 0.429], participation in competence training [B: 0.193; 95% confidence interval 0.112; 0.276] and having a migration background [B: 0.175; 95% confidence interval 0.074; 0.278], while negative features included length of medical service [B: -0.004; 95% confidence interval -0.007; -0.001]. CONCLUSIONS: The development and practice of cultural competence appear to be determined less by organisational features and more on the level of individual actors. In addition to staff development, adequate organisational structures and an economic incentive system are required to promote sociocultural diversity in hospitals.

The assessment of the risk of COVID-19 infection and its course in the medical staff of a COVID-only and a non-COVID hospital.

BACKGROUND: Medical workers are a group that is particularly vulnerable to infection during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to assess the risk of COVID-19 infection and its course in the medical staff of a COVID-only and a non-COVID hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The observational study included 732 participants who were medical workers. The study was conducted between June 2020 and December 2020, before widespread COVID-19 immunization was introduced. RESULTS: Of the 732 employees of the hospitals, 377 had a history of COVID-19. The risk of disease was twice as high in the medical staff of the COVID-only hospital compared to the medical staff of the non-COVID hospital (odds ratio (OR) = 2.0; p < 0.001). Among medical personnel, 20.6% of the participants were asymptomatic and 6.4% required hospitalization. For the non-COVID hospital, the employees who were most frequently infected with COVID-19 were nurses/paramedics/medical caretakers. The factor influencing the risk of infection was body mass index (BMI; OR = 1.05; p = 0.004). The risk of COVID-19 infection was lower in the influenza vaccine group (OR = 2.23, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The study results indicate that employees of the hospital treating only COVID patients have a higher risk of infection. Previous observations on factors predisposing to COVID-19 infection like gender and BMI were confirmed. However, the observations carried out on the studied population did not confirm the influence of other factors, such as the coexistence of chronic diseases (apart from diabetes) on the risk of developing COVID-19. In addition, we noticed that seasonal influenza vaccination has a beneficial effect in patients with COVID-19 infection.

Detecting Patient Safety Errors by Characterizing Incidents Reported by Medical Imaging Staff.

The objectives of the study were to characterize events related to patient safety reported by medical imaging personnel in Finland in 2007-2017, the number and quality of reported injuries, the risk assessment, and the planned improvement of operations. The information was collected from a healthcare patient safety incident register system. The data contained information on the nature of the patient safety errors, harms and near-misses in medical imaging, the factors that lead to the events, the consequences for the patient, the level of risks, and future measures. The number of patient safety incident reports included in the study was 7,287. Of the incident reports, 75% concerned injuries to patients and 25% were near-misses. The most common consequence of adverse events and near-misses were minor harm (37.2%) related to contrast agent, or no harm (27.9%) related to equipment malfunction. Supervisors estimated the risks as low (47.7%) e.g., data management, insignificant (35%) e.g., verbal communication or moderate (15.7%) e.g., the use of contrast agent. The most common suggestion for learning from the incident was discussing it with the staff (58.1%), improving operations (5.7%) and submitting it to a higher authority (5.4%). Improving patient safety requires timely, accurate and clear reporting of various patient safety incidents. Based on incident reports, supervisors can provide feedback to staff, develop plans to prevent accidents, and monitor the impact of measures taken. Information on the development of occupational safety should be disseminated to all healthcare professionals so that the same mistakes are not repeated.

Knowledge, practice and psychological symptoms among medical laboratory staff during COVID-19 pandemic in Nepal: An online based survey.

INTRODUCTION: Despite several attempts to control COVID-19, there was a continuous rise in the number of cases, and this has left questions unanswered on the availability of health resources in Nepal. Here, we tried to assess the level of knowledge, practice and psychological symptoms among medical laboratory staff. METHODS: An online survey was conducted in February 2021. A total of 301 completely filled responses were used to assess knowledge, practice and psychological distress. R-language software was used for data analysis and p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Of the total 301 respondents, 180 (59.8%) were male and 121 (40.2%) were female. The average score of knowledge obtained in this study was 32.4 ± 5.7 on a 56-point scale. Knowledge level was significantly different among age-groups (p-value - 0.034). The average practice score obtained was 2.25 ± 0.91 on a 4-point scale. More than one psychological distress symptom was observed in nearly half (41.5%) of the participants. CONCLUSION: We conclude that medical laboratory staff in Nepal has satisfactory levels of knowledge and practice and, larger number of them has psychological distress. The study recommends further improvement in an effective information flow system, regular training, social security and psychological support.

An assessment of the mental health of front-line medical staff involved in the COVID-19 outbreak in Chongqing, China.

In response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in December 2019 in China, medical staff went to work across the country to combat widespread infection. When health workers are suddenly faced with such a serious event, it is important to assess their mental health in order to determine whether they can meet the challenge effectively. Herein, Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) was used to assess the psychological problems of 382 front-line medical staff in Chongqing. The average SCL-90 score was low, and no specific mental health problems were found. With the exception of the phobic-anxiety factor, the scores were close to normal values. A single-factor analysis of variance showed that the SCL-90 scores of male and older staff were higher than those of female and younger staff, implying that they were at greater psychological risk. We found that both gender and age have a significant impact on mental health, and our findings suggest that more attention should be given to the mental health of male and older front-line medical staff.

[Risk assessment for thyroid (131)I exposure among nuclear medical staff].

Objective: To explore the main risk factors and to assess the risk of thyroid (131)I exposure among nuclear medical workers. Methods: From March to October in 2019, cluster sampling was adopted to collect the number of (131)I automatic packer and patients treated for thyroid cancer, hyperthyroidism and liven cancer used (131)I, the practicing categories, job rotation and (131)I operation condition of nuclear medical staff were also investegated in the 21 nuclear medicine hospitals in Fujian Province that carried out (131)I nuclide diagnosis and treatment in 2018. (131)I aerosol and personnel thyroid (131)I were measured in 20 hospitals using (131)I for thyroid cancer or hyperthyroidism. The main risk factors leading to thyroid (131)I exposure of nuclear medical staff were found and aninternal exposure risk assessment model was established. Results: The detection rate of (131)I aerosol and personnel thyroid (131)I were 80.0% (16/20) and 25.5% (62/243) in 20 hospitals. The situation of packaging and administration about (131)I in the nearly 10 effective half-life, the concentration of (131)I aerosol in the nuclear medicine workplace, the number of patients treated with (131)I for thyroid cancer or hyperthyroidism were the main risk factors leading to thyroid (131)I internal exposure (OR=5.857, 6.808, 1.983, 1.150, P<0.05) . Conclusion: (131)I exposure is common among nuclear medical workers, attention should be paid to the protection of internal radiation, strengthen the control of main risk factors, so as to reduce the risk of internal radiation.

An investigation on the cognition of neonatal pain assessment and analgesia management among medical staff in the neonatal intensive care unit. / æ–°ç”Ÿå„¿é‡ç—‡ç›‘æŠ¤ç— æˆ¿åŒ»æŠ¤äººå‘˜å¯¹æ–°ç”Ÿå„¿ç–¼ç—›è¯„ä¼°å’Œé•‡ç—›ç®¡ç†çš„è®¤çŸ¥çŽ°çŠ¶è°ƒæŸ¥.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the current status of the cognition of neonatal pain assessment and analgesia management among medical staff in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). METHODS: A self-made scale was developed according to "Expert consensus on neonatal pain assessment and analgesia management (2020 edition)" and was used to distribute questionnaires to the medical staff in the NICU from the member units of Jiangsu Province Medical Quality Control Centre of Neonatal Department to evaluate their levels of understanding the basic knowledge, assessment, and management of neonatal pain. RESULTS: A total of 957 questionnaires (from 383 doctors and 574 nurses) were collected. Doctors and nurses had mean correct rates of 38% and 39% respectively in answering the questions on the basic knowledge of neonatal pain. They had median correct rates of 0% and 50% respectively in answering the questions on neonatal pain assessment, and mean correct rates of 73% and 68% respectively in answering on analgesia management. Compared with those who did not receive the training on neonatal pain, the medical staff who received such training had significantly higher correct rates in answering the questions on the basic knowledge of neonatal pain and neonatal pain assessment (P<0.05). The medical staff from tertiary hospitals had significantly higher correct rates in answering the questions on the basic knowledge of neonatal pain and neonatal pain assessment than those from secondary hospitals (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The medical staff in the NICU have insufficient cognition of neonatal pain, and thus it is necessary to carry out the special training on neonatal pain, focusing on the promotion and practical application of "Expert consensus on neonatal pain assessment and analgesia management (2020 edition)", in order to improve the level of neonatal pain assessment and analgesia management among medical staff in the NICU.

Longitudinal Association of Salaries for Medical Staff With Medical Service Utilization and Expenditure in China, 2007-2016.

Objectives: To test the hypothesis that higher salary levels of the medical staff are associated with lower medical service utilization and expenditure. Methods: Using longitudinal data from 31 Chinese provinces for the period 2007-2016, we constructed fixed effects models to analyze the association between the salary of medical staff and medical service utilization, medical expenditure, medication expenditure, and medication proportion. Results: A 10,000 CNY increase in medical staff's salaries was associated with a 0.89% decrease in the average number of annual inpatient admissions per person; 1.88 and 1.59% decreases in average expenditures per outpatient visit and inpatient admission, respectively; 3.05 and 2.66% decreases in drug expenditures per outpatient visit and inpatient admission, respectively; 0.58 percent point and 0.39 percent point decreases in the share of drug expenditure in outpatient and inpatient, respectively. When medical staff's salaries increased by 450,000 CNY, the turning point was reached when the maximum medical expenditure savings offset the medical staff salary increases, yielding a 634 billion CNY surplus from medical expenditure. Conclusions: Our results supported the hypothesis that higher salary levels of the medical staff are associated with lower medical service utilization and expenditure. Further studies are requested to test whether higher medical staff's salaries will attenuate over-treatment and that savings from reduced prescriptions and service charges will offset the increased salaries of medical staff.

Level of Knowledge of Medical Staff on the Basis of the Survey in Terms of Risk Management, Associated with Clostridioides difficile Infections.

Infections caused by the toxigenic strains of Clostridioides difficile in the hospital environment pose a serious public health problem. The progressive increase in hospital infections in Poland indicates that risk management is a tool that is not used in an effective way and significantly differs from the goals set by the Leading Authorities, the Ministry of Health and its subordinate units. Systematic education of medical personnel constitutes the basic element of rational risk management aimed at reducing the number of infections as it allows for the transfer of knowledge, development of appropriate organizational procedures, and improves internal communication. This paper presents the results of a survey conducted in hospital facilities throughout Poland. The study dealt with what medical personnel know about channels of transmission and prevention of Clostridioides difficile infections in the hospital setting, professional training and risk management in terms of reducing the number of infections. The survey reveals that Clostridioides difficile continues to be a serious problem in the inpatient care system. Procedures and management strategies implemented by hospitals in order to limit the spread of the pathogen are predominantly focused on short-term action, which does not lead to a real improvement in terms of hospitalized patients' safety. The infection risk management system was assessed at a fairly low level. The obtained research results confirmed the research hypotheses that had been formulated.

Monte Carlo study of patient and medical staff radiation exposures during interventional cardiology.

The aim of this study is to assess the radiation exposure of the patient and the medical staff during interventional cardiology procedures. Realistic exposure scenarios were developed using the adult reference anthropomorphic phantoms adopted by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP110Male and ICRP110Female), and the radiation transport code Geant4 (version 10.3). The calculated equivalent and effective doses were normalised by the simulated Kerma-Area Product (KAP), resulting in two conversion coefficients HT/KAP and E/KAP. To properly evaluate the risk of exposure, several dose-dependent parameters have been investigated, namely: radiological parameters (tube kilovoltage peak (kVp), type of projection, field size (FOV)), and operator positions. Four projections (AP,PA,LAO25° and RAO25°) were simulated for three X-ray energy spectra (80,100 and 120 kVp) with four different values of FOV (15×15 cm2,20×20 cm2,25×25 cm2 and 30×30 cm2). The results showed that the conversion coefficients values increase with increasing tube voltage as well as the FOV size. Recommended projection during the interventional cardiology procedures, whenever possible, should be the PA projection rather than AP projection. The most critical projection for the patient and the main operator is the RAO25° projection and the LAO25° projection respectively. The comparison of our results with the literature data showed good agreement allowing their use in the dosimetric characterization of interventional cardiology procedures.

Lockdown, Social Media exposure regarding COVID-19 and the relation with self-assessment depression and anxiety. Is the medical staff different?

INTRODUCTION: Locking the humanity in their homes, COVID-19 forced people to use the technology at hand to keep informed about the outbreak and to keep close to their loved ones. During this time, even if physical health is theoretically unaffected, keeping calm and sane can be challenging. The aim of this research was to evaluate whether exposure to COVID-19 information available in the digital space has a different impact on the mental condition of Romanian medical staff, compared with the general population, particularly searching for depression and anxiety symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An online survey was conducted from April 6 to 16, 2020 within the Romanian users of Social Media platforms. The questionnaire assessed depression with the WHO-Five Well-Being Index, anxiety with the Generalised Anxiety Disorder Scale and Social Media exposure by asking how often the respondents saw COVID-19 related information on the most popular Social Media channels in Romania. Information about: gender, age, educational level, occupation, area of living and risk category was also collected. The risk categories were defined as no risk, medium risk and medical staff. RESULTS: Almost 90% of the 402 participants received daily through at least one Social Media channel information related to the COVID-19 outbreak. Social Media Exposure significantly associated with the risk group only for Facebook and LinkedIn. However, exposure to information regarding COVID-19 was neither associated with anxiety nor depression. No significant association was identified neither between age class and self-assessed anxiety nor self-assessed depression. The self-assessment of depression was significantly more frequent as compared with the self-assessment of anxiety. CONCLUSION: The results of this research are opposite to most of the already published literature. Depression and anxiety could not be correlated with the context of lockdown and excessive COVID-19-related information.