Economic evaluation of the prevention of falls resulting from missed care in polish hospitals.

Objectives: Falls are associated with increased morbidity, mortality, prolonged hospitalization and an increase in the cost of treatment in hospitals. They contribute to the deterioration of fitness and quality of life, especially among older patients, thus posing a serious social and economic problem. They increase the risk of premature death. Falls are adverse, costly, and potentially preventable. The aim of the study was to analyze the cost-effectiveness of avoiding one fall by nurse care provided by the nurses with higher education, from the perspective of the health service provider. Methods: The economic analysis included and compared only the cost of nurse intervention measured by the hours of care provided with higher education in non-surgical departments (40.5%) with higher time spend by nurses with higher education level an increase in the number of hours by 10% (50.5%) to avoid one fall. The time horizon for the study is 1 year (2021). Cost-effectiveness and Cost-benefit analysis were performed. All registered falls of all hospitalized patients were included in the study. Results: In the analyzed was based on the case control study where, 7,305 patients were hospitalized, which amounted to 41,762 patient care days. Care was provided by 100 nurses, including 40 nurses with bachelor's degrees and nurses with Master of Science in Nursing. Increasing the hours number of high-educated nurses care by 10% in non-surgical departments decreased the chance for falls by 9%; however, this dependence was statistically insignificant (OR = 1.09; 95% CI: 0.72-1.65; p = 0.65). After the intervention (a 10% increase in Bachelor's Degrees/Master of Science in Nursing hours), the number of additional Bachelor's Degrees/Master of Science hours was 6100.5, and the cost was USD 7630.4. The intervention eliminated four falls. The cost of preventing one fall is CER = USD 1697.1. Conclusion: The results of these studies broaden the understanding of the relationship among nursing education, falls, and the economic outcomes of hospital care. According to the authors, the proposed intervention has an economic justification.

The Polish adaptation of the Self-Compassion Scale Short Form. / Polska adaptacja skróconej wersji Skali wspólczucia wobec siebie.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to adapt the shortened version of the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS-SF) into Polish and to evaluate the psychometric properties and factor structure of this new measure. METHODS: The study included 596 adults (aged 18-50) from the general population (459 women). Of these 596, 47 individuals completed the SCS-SF one month later to assess its stability. The adaptation procedure followed the same procedure of the translation of the original version of the scale. Reliability was evaluated in terms of internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Validity was evaluated using correlations between SCS-SF scores and intensity of mindfulness (understood as a trait), life satisfaction, self-esteem, acceptance of experiences, and levels of anxiety and depression. Stability was assessed by intraclass correlation coefficients between two measurements. The factor structure was examined using confirmatory factor analysis. RESULTS: The results showed that the Polish version of the SCS-SF has good psychometric properties, and scores reflect a single factor - global self-compassion assessment. CONCLUSIONS: The SCS-SF measures a global level of self-compassion and should be useful particularly when respondents' time is limited. To obtain measures of sub-scales of self-compassion, we recommend using a full version of the SCS.

Psychiatrist's opinion as a premise for legal termination of pregnancy. / Orzeczenie lekarza psychiatry jako przeslanka legalnego przerwania ciazy.

The article presents the provisions currently in force in Polish legislation regarding legal termination of pregnancy. In particular, it refers to the premise of a psychiatrist's decision that the health of a pregnant woman is at risk. Under Polish law, termination of pregnancy is generally prohibited and penalized. However, there are two exceptions to this prohibition. Such a procedure is permitted if: the pregnancy poses a threat to the life or health of the pregnant woman, or if there is a reasonable suspicion that the pregnancy was the result of a prohibited act. The text presents an overview of the relevant regulations and tips on their interpretation and application in everyday medical practice. This issue is particularly important for psychiatrists consulting maternity wards. In addition, the most important mental disorders related to pregnancy and childbirth are described. The clinical features and prevalence of perinatal mood disorders and psychoses are presented. The issue of suicide among pregnant and postpartum patients was also discussed. A sample certificate template was proposed, and guidelines were discussed as to what information and conclusions should be included in the opinion of a psychiatrist.

The notion and practice of psychotherapy in Polish psychiatry of the interwar period. Part 1. / Pojecie i praktyka psychoterapii w polskiej psychiatrii dwudziestolecia miedzywojennego. Czesc 1.

The paper explores the development of psychotherapy in Polish psychiatry in the interwar period from the perspective of Kurt Danziger's historical psychology. Firstly, the organizational and social context of the development of Polish psychiatric care in the interwar period and its impact on the development of psychotherapy is outlined. Then, the most influential in Poland, European psychotherapeutic developments in the interwar period are reconstructed. Finally, the views of psychiatric personnel of three psychiatric facilities proposing psychotherapy as one of the main means of treatment of mentally ill patients are introduced: Dziekanka Psychiatric Hospital, the Jewish Hospital in Warsaw and Psychiatry and Neuropathology Clinic of the Jagiellonian University in Krakow. Psychiatric personnel from Dziekanka Psychiatric Hospital, directed by Aleksander Piotrowski, understood psychotherapy broadly, as the influence of the environment on the patient's psyche. Psychiatrists of the Jewish Hospital in Warsaw, Adam Wizel, Gustaw Bychowski, Wladyslaw Matecki, and Maurycy Bornsztajn developed psychoanalytically influenced psychotherapy of schizophrenia. Bychowski also advocated for the application of psychotherapy in such neglected groups of patients as children and the intellectually disabled. Jan Piltz and Eugeniusz Artwinski pursued psychotherapy in the treatment of war neuroses at the Psychiatry and Neuropathology Clinic of the Jagiellonian University.

POLISH PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION BOARD INFORMATION regarding Latuda and Rxulti reimbursement description of indications POLISH PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION BOARD INFORMATION regarding Brintellix reimbursement description of indications. / KOMUNIKATY ZARZADU POLSKIEGO TOWARZYSTWA PSYCHIATRYCZNEGO Stanowisko Polskiego Towarzystwa Psychiatrycznego w sprawie opisu wskazan do refundacji leków Latuda oraz Rxulti Stanowisko Polskiego Towarzystwa Psychiatrycznego w sprawie opisu wskazan do refundacji leku Brintellix.

no summary.

The notion and practice of psychotherapy in Polish psychiatry of the interwar period. Part 2. / Pojecie i praktyka psychoterapii w polskiej psychiatrii dwudziestolecia miedzywojennego. Czesc 2.

The paper further explores the development of psychotherapy in Polish psychiatry in the interwar period. Jaroszynski attempted to sketch out the idea of "emotional psychotherapy". Stryjenski organized a counseling clinic for the mentally ill, using psychotherapy as one of the means of treatment. Bilikiewicz developed oneiroanalysis - a psychotherapeutic method of dream analysis based on modifications of psychoanalysis. Gottliebowa advocated for the use of psychoanalytically influenced psychotherapy in the gynaecologist practice. Markuszewicz considered psychoanalysis the only psychotherapeutic modality aimed at unearthing the real causes of mental illnesses. Henryk Higier proposed to consider psychoanalysis practically as a method of psychotherapy and saw its heterogeneity as its advantage. Critical views on psychoanalysis as a psychotherapeutic method were delivered by Wirszubski and Mikulski. In general, psychotherapy in Polish psychiatry of the interwar period was highly influenced by psychoanalysis. Moreover, the understanding and practice of psychotherapy in public psychiatric facilities differed from that in private practice. In public psychiatric facilities, it was used mainly to deal with psychoses, so it urged clinicians to modify the classic psychoanalytic approach. In private practice, psychiatrists were dealing mainly with cases of neuroses and therefore could apply standard psychoanalytic procedures. Methods of suggestion, persuasion and hypnosis, characteristic of nineteenth-century psychotherapy, were still in use in Polish psychiatry of the interwar period. The main obstacles to the development of Polish psychotherapy in the interwar period were antisemitic attitudes contributing to hostility towards psychoanalysis, as well as the biological orientation of the majority of the Polish psychiatric society.

Delayed diagnosis, disease and secondary prevention, especially in young patients with colorectal cancer.

<b>Introduction:</b> Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide and the second cause of death. Its incidence rate decreased by about 3% per year between 2011 and 2015, and mortality by 35% between 1990 and 2007. This improvement is a result of cancer prevention and early detection strategies through screening. The decline in cancer rates may have been due to a growing awareness of colorectal cancer in the Polish population. There was a discernible improvement in the quality of surgical treatment with time.<b>Aim:</b> The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between colonoscopy and the incidence of CRC, the incidence and family history of cancer and other intestinal diseases, as well as between the stage and time from first symptoms to the start of treatment.<b>Materials and methods:</b> A retrospective analysis of the records of patients with CRC treated surgically between 1995 and 2005 at the Department of General, Oncological, and Gastroenterological Surgery in Krakow and a diagnostic survey method were used.<b>Results:</b> There was a statistically significant relationship between the performance of colonoscopy and the incidence of CRC (P<0.001). There was no correlation between CRC and the incidence of cancer and other bowel diseases in the family, or between the stage and the time from first symptoms to the start of treatment. The length of time was long, usually up to 6 months, 1-3 years, and in some cases longer than 6 years.<b>Discussion:</b> Unfortunately, the incidence of CRC in young people under 50 years (EOCRC) has increased. Screening is of proven importance in reducing the incidence and mortality of CRC and every effort should be made to carry out as many of these screenings as possible. The time between diagnosis and treatment should also be kept as short as possible. Recommendations for the timeframe from diagnosis to treatment of cancer exist in many countries. In Australia, guidelines for an optimal care pathway suggest a timeframe of up to 7-9 weeks, similar to the National Health Service UK guidelines in the UK. Timeliness of treatment is an important factor in cancer care, to assess the consequences of delays and disruptions in oncology care.<b>Conclusions:</b> The incidence of CRC was lowest among those who had prophylactic examinations - colonoscopies. Studies on secondary prevention have confirmed that there was poor diagnosis in this area, even though there were cases of CRC in the immediate family, so it is worth educating the public and encouraging them to have colonoscopies and take care of their health. The long time between the appearance of the first clinical symptoms and the start of treatment, which was presented in the study, is unfortunately associated with a worse prognosis, as any delay in starting treatment for oncology patients is unfavorable.<b>Significance of the research for the development of the field:</b> The role of secondary prevention in the prevention of CRC and the need to educate the public to catch the first worrying signs of cancer and to consult a doctor are emphasized.

Validity and reliability of the Polish version of the Pregnancy Mobility Index (PMI-PL).

Introduction: Mobility, defined as active, controlled, multi-joint flexibility used in movement, is limited in pregnant women due to problems with low back pain (LBP) and pelvic girdle pain (PGP). The Pregnancy Mobility Index (PMI) is a tool for assessing mobility in relation to LBP/PGP. The lack of a Polish version of the PMI test prompted a transcultural adaptation to the Polish conditions. The aim of the study was to evaluate the measurement properties of the Polish adaptation of the Pregnancy Mobility Index. Methods: The study involved 121 pregnant women aged 18-44. The translation process was in accordance with the transcultural adaptation design. Reliability was assessed by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Construct validity between the Polish version of the PMI (PMI-PL) and the Physical Activity Pregnancy Questionnaire (PPAQ-PL) was assessed by Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. Results: The transcultural adaptation of the PMI test into Polish was satisfactory, with high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.97-0.98, ICC = 0.989). Statistically significant inverse proportional correlations were found for total PA, total PA (light and above), light PA, moderate PA, and vigorous PA in the construct validity analysis between PMI-PL and PPAQ-PL. Discussion: The Polish version of the PMI is a reliable instrument. The introduction of a questionnaire with a classification system will make it easier for health professionals to monitor the health status of pregnant women and encourage them to engage in physical activity appropriate for their current level of mobility.

Polish language adaptation and validation of the Fonseca Anamnestic Index for individuals with temporomandibular disorders.

BACKGROUND: Given the notable prevalence of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in the Polish population, there is a clear need for the use of simple, reliable questionnaires as screening tools to facilitate the referral of patients to TMD specialists. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to translate and adapt the Fonseca Anamnestic Index (FAI) into Polish and assess its reliability and validity in identifying TMD symptoms. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The Polish adaptation of the FAI (FAI-PL) was developed in accordance with the international guidelines, including the translation and evaluation of the psychometric properties of the questionnaire. Every patient received a standardized assessment, which involved history taking and clinical examination, including the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) and the FAI questionnaire. The psychometric analyses included an evaluation of the questionnaire's reliability and validity, as well as an exploratory factor analysis (EFA). RESULTS: Of the 122 individuals enrolled in the study, 63.9% were female. The mean age of the participants was 28.1 years (standard deviation (SD): 6.3). According to the RDC/TMD standards, 40.9% of patients had no TMD, while the FAI assessment indicated that 27% of patients had no TMD. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the FAI-PL was 0.75. The exploratory factor analysis revealed 3 factors, accounting for 55.2% of the total variation. The diagnostic sensitivity of the FAI-PL was 98.6%, while the diagnostic specificity reached a level of 65.3%. CONCLUSIONS: The Polish version of the FAI is a reliable and valid tool for the screening of TMD symptoms in the Polish-speaking population.

Polish validation of the wisconsin stone quality of life questionnaire (POL-WISQoL).

PURPOSE: Urolithiasis significantly affects patient quality of life, yet the global standard of care predominantly focuses on achieving a stone free status, often ignoring patient reported outcomes. Currently, there are no specific measures available to assess the quality of life in the Polish population suffering from kidney stones. Therefore, this study aimed to develop and validate the Polish version of the Wisconsin Stone Quality of Life Questionnaire. METHODS: The translation of WISQOL was carried out in accordance with the best available guidelines. Patients treated for kidney stones at a tertiary centre were recruited and completed both POL-WISQOL and SF36 questionnaires. Comprehensive analyses were conducted to assess internal consistency, inter-item and inter-domain correlations, as well as convergent and construct validity. Additionally, test-retest reliability was evaluated to ensure the accuracy and stability of the findings. RESULTS: A total of 102 participants fully completed both questionnaires and were included in the analysis. The translated survey demonstrated excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's coefficient 0.967) and significant convergent validity (Spearman's correlation = 0.847, p < 0.001). Furthermore, an ANOVA with Tukey's post hoc analysis revealed a significant decline in WISQOL scores between symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals, thereby confirming tool's construct validity. CONCLUSION: POL-WISQoL turned out to be a valid disease specific health related quality of life measuring tool. Its widespread utilisation has the potential to shift the standard of care towards patient centered outcomes.

Urbanization, loneliness and mental health model - A cross-sectional network analysis with a representative sample.

With increasing urbanization, more people are exposed to mental health risk factors stemming from the urban social or physical environment. However, research on the relationship between urbanization and mental health is lacking. This cross-sectional study aimed to explore the relationships of the physical environment (spatial cohesion and urban environment) and social factors (neighborhood cohesion) with mental health (stress, anxiety and depression symptoms) and physical health and the mediating role of loneliness based on the proposed theoretical model. The study was conducted in Metropolis GZM (Silesia, Poland) in a representative sample of 3296 residents (48% women). The measurements used were the PSS-10, GAD-7, PHQ-9, R-UCLA3 and neighborhood cohesion scale. ANOVA results showed that city residents had better mental health indices than residents of villages and small towns. The network approach revealed that urbanization was one of the most influential nodes and played the role of a bridge between all other nodes. The model was confirmed and showed that the relationships between the physical environment and mental health were consecutively mediated by neighborhood cohesion and loneliness. Spatial cohesion related to factors of the physical environment and physical health, while physical health was directly connected to sociodemographic factors and weakly to stress. Anxiety was the strongest risk factor. Mental health can be improved by social and architectural factors, such as strengthening neighborhood cohesion and improving neglected buildings.

Loss to follow-up of patients after antiviral treatment as an additional barrier to HCV elimination.

BACKGROUND: Eliminating hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections is a goal set by the World Health Organization. This has become possible with the introduction of highly effective and safe direct-acting antivirals (DAA) but limitations remain due to undiagnosed HCV infections and loss of patients from the cascade of care at various stages, including those lost to follow-up (LTFU) before the assessment of the effectiveness of the therapy. The aim of our study was to determine the extent of this loss and to establish the characteristics of patients experiencing it. METHODS: Patients with chronic HCV infection from the Polish retrospective multicenter EpiTer-2 database who were treated with DAA therapies between 2015 and 2023 were included in the study. RESULTS: In the study population of 18,968 patients, 106 had died by the end of the 12-week post-treatment follow-up period, and 509 patients did not report for evaluation of therapy effectiveness while alive and were considered LTFU. Among patients with available assessment of sustained virological response (SVR), the effectiveness of therapy was 97.5%. A significantly higher percentage of men (p<0.0001) and a lower median age (p=0.0001) were documented in LTFU compared to the group with available SVR assessment. In LTFU patients, comorbidities such as alcohol (p<0.0001) and drug addiction (p=0.0005), depression (p=0.0449) or other mental disorders (p<0.0001), and co-infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (p<0.0001) were significantly more common as compared to those with SVR assessment. They were also significantly more often infected with genotype (GT) 3, less likely to be treatment-experienced and more likely to discontinue DAA therapy. CONCLUSIONS: In a real-world population of nearly 19,000 HCV-infected patients, we documented a 2.7% loss to follow-up rate. Independent predictors of this phenomenon were male gender, GT3 infection, HIV co-infection, alcohol addiction, mental illnesses, lack of prior antiviral treatment and discontinuation of DAA therapy.

Evaluation of gunshot injuries to long bones from pneumatic weapons using a human thigh model. Part I. Introduction and assumptions. Discussion of shot ballistics. Human thigh model. / Ocena uszkodzen postrzalowych kosci dlugich z broni pneumatycznej z wykorzystaniem modelu uda ludzkiego. Czesc I. Wstep i zalozenia. Omówienie balistyki srutów. Model uda ludzkiego.

Introduction: In accordance with the Polish law, pneumatic weapons are weapons that use compressed gas to set a bullet in motion and generate a discharge energy of more than 17J. In recent years, Poland has seen an increase in crimes committed with pneumatic weapons. The research aim of the present study was to measure the velocity of selected 5.5 mm and 6.35 mm caliber shot and to create a model of a human thigh using a pig femur. Material and methods: This study used Air Arms Hi-Power Xtra FAC cal. 5.5 mm and FX Bobcat Mk II cal. 6.35 mm carbines and Haendler& Natterman's Spitzkugel, Hollow Point and Baracuda cal. 5.5 mm and 6.35 mm lead shot and Excite Apollo cal. 5.5 mm and Black Max Lead-Free cal. 6.35 mm lead-free shot. The velocity of the shot at a distance of 10 m was measured and its kinetic energy was calculated; pig femurs were measured and CT imaging was performed. Results: The 5.5mm caliber shot reached velocities between 253 m/s and 278 m/s, obtaining energies between 27J and 44J. The 6.35 mm cal. shot reached velocities between 242 m/s and 254 m/s and energies between 52J and 59J. Pig femurs had an average weight of 410 g, a length of 239 mm, and a shaft diameter at mid-length of 30.6mm. The thickness of pig femur shaft walls was variable. A ballistic model of the human thigh was created using gelatin available in Poland. Conclusions: 1. The number of registered crimes with pneumatic weapons and the wide access to pneumatic devices with the possibility of design modifications justify the initiation of experimental studies on the assessment of gunshot injuries from pneumatic weapons. 2. The parameters of the shaft of a pig femur obtained from pigs weighing about 115 kg are similar to those of a human adult femur, which makes it possible to create a human thigh model. 3. Of the 5.5 mm cal. shot, the highest impact energies were generated by barracuda type shot, and of the 6.35 mm cal. shot, it was barracuda type and lead-free shot. 4. The thickness of the bony layer of the pig femur shaft is heterogeneous; the posterior wall of the shaft is the thickest, the lateral wall is the thinnest; however, it shows the greatest individual variability.

An investigative analysis - ChatGPT's capability to excel in the Polish speciality exam in pathology.

This study evaluates the effectiveness of the ChatGPT-3.5 language model in providing correct answers to pathomorphology questions as required by the State Speciality Examination (PES). Artificial intelligence (AI) in medicine is generating increasing interest, but its potential needs thorough evaluation. A set of 119 exam questions by type and subtype were used, which were posed to the ChatGPT-3.5 model. Performance was analysed with regard to the success rate in different question categories and subtypes. ChatGPT-3.5 achieved a performance of 45.38%, which is significantly below the minimum PES pass threshold. The results achieved varied by question type and subtype, with better results in questions requiring "comprehension and critical thinking" than "memory". The analysis shows that, although ChatGPT-3.5 can be a useful teaching tool, its performance in providing correct answers to pathomorphology questions is significantly lower than that of human respondents. This conclusion highlights the need to further improve the AI model, taking into account the specificities of the medical field. Artificial intelligence can be helpful, but it cannot fully replace the experience and knowledge of specialists.

Guidelines of the Polish Society of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology and Pediatric Section of Diabetes Poland on insulin therapy using hybrid closed-loop systems in children and adolescents with diabetes in Poland.

Currently, hybrid closed loop (HCL) systems represent the most advantageous therapeutic option for people with diabetes requiring intensive insulin therapy. They make it possible to achieve optimal metabolic control of the disease in any age group while improving the quality of life of children and adolescents with diabetes and their families. Therefore, we present recommendations for the use of HCL systems in children and adolescents focusing on systems currently available in Poland. These systems should be the first choice in terms of method of insulin therapy in the paediatric population. They can be implemented at any stage of diabetes management. These recommendations are based on scientific evidence and experts' experience. They include principles for the initiation, optimisation, and ongoing management of HCL therapy, as well as the required HCL-related education.

Hydrochemical gradients driving extremophile distribution in saline and brine groundwater of southern Poland.

Extreme environments, such as highly saline ecosystems, are characterised by a limited presence of microbial communities capable of tolerating and thriving under these conditions. To better understand the limits of life and its chemical and microbiological drivers, highly saline and brine groundwaters of Na-Cl and Na-Ca-Cl types with notably diverse SO4 contents were sampled in water intakes and springs from sedimentary aquifers located in the Outer Carpathians and the Carpathian Foredeep basin and its basement in Poland. Chemical and microbiological methods were used to identify the composition of groundwaters, determine microbial diversity, and indicate processes controlling their distribution using multivariate statistical analyses. DNA sequencing targeting V3-V4 and V4-V5 gene regions revealed a predominance of Proteobacteriota, Methanobacteria, Methanomicrobia, and Nanoarchaea in most of the water samples, irrespective of their geological context. Despite the sample-size constraint, redundancy analysis employing a compositional approach to hydrochemical predictors identified Cl/SO4 and Cl/HCO3 ratios, and specific electrical conductivity, as key gradients shaping microbial communities, depending on the analysed gene regions. Analysis of functional groups revealed that methanogenesis, sulphate oxidation and reduction, and the nitrogen cycle define and distinguish the halotolerant communities in the samples. These communities are characterised by an inverse relationship between methanogens and sulphur-cycling microorganisms.

How COVID-19 pandemic and Ukrainian crisis shaped mental health services for medical students in Poland?

The mental health of medical students is a crucial concern in contemporary medical education. This manuscript reports the availability and shape of psychological support for medical students in Poland in the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukrainian crisis. A survey comprising 10 questions was distributed to 22 medical schools in Poland, with a 59% response rate. The findings reveal that psychological support programs are predominantly managed by internal university units. Funding sources vary, with some universities utilizing internal budgets and others leveraging European funds or external projects. The support modalities are primarily hybrid, catering to student preferences. Limitations exist in the number of consultations, although some universities provide extended support based on student needs. Assistance is offered in multiple languages, with additional programs like stress-reduction workshops and mindfulness training being available in several universities. A notable increase in demand for psychological support post-COVID-19 was reported, with some universities establishing their programs during or after the pandemic. The commentary highlights the rising need for mental health services among medical students and underscores the importance of flexible, inclusive, and well-funded support. The effective functioning of these programs aligns with the broader objective of fostering a resilient and emotionally balanced healthcare workforce.

Implementation and development of hospital-based health technology assessment in Poland from the perspective of hospital representatives: qualitative research.

Introduction: The analysis of health technologies in Poland has so far mainly concerned drugs assessed by the Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Tariffication, which was established for this purpose. Due to the implementation of various forms of investment (hardware, diagnostic, and organizational) in hospitals, and the growing need to properly assess the costs of implemented solutions, Hospital-Based Health Technology Assessment (HB-HTA) began to develop. In order to implement HB-HTA in the Polish healthcare system, in 2019-2022 a project was carried out, the consortium members of which were: the National Health Fund (NHF), the National Institute of Cardiology in Warsaw (NIKARD), and Lazarski University (UL). Purpose of the study: Analyzing the possibilities of developing HB-HTA in Polish hospitals based on the experiences of the study participants. Presenting benefits and barriers for HB-HTA units implementation to Polish hospitals. Methods: Qualitative analysis of in-depth interviews with the representatives of hospitals that participated in the HB-HTA project using the Nvivo12 program. A specially prepared questionnaire with questions regarding the pre-project, design, and post-project phases was presented to respondents from five of the seven hospitals participating in the pilot phase of the project, during which HB-HTA reports were prepared for selected medical technologies. The remaining two facilities that were invited refused to participate in the study. The Ethics Committee of the Jagiellonian University Medical College gave consent to conduct the study. Results: Hospital representatives indicate that the HB-HTA methodology allows for the assessment of investments in facilities based on appropriate data. Thanks to the project, employees of hospital units gained new skills, such as becoming familiar with literature reviews in medical bibliographic databases. However, HB-HTA in Poland has not been fully implemented because facilities do not obtain adequate benefits from the implementation of HB-HTA at the organizational and financial level. According to the study participants, the methodology itself should be modified to take into account the needs of the facility. Conclusion: The hospitals participating in the HB-HTA project are developing the field of analyzing how innovative solutions are implemented in their facilities, but not to the extent that was intended in the project design.

Characteristic of new Phaffia rhodozyma yeast strains isolated from birch slime fluxes in Poland.

Three new strains of Phaffia rhodozyma yeast have recently been isolated in Poland. The aim of this study was to phenotypically characterize these strains and to compare them with the properties of the reference strain. The potential for carotenoid biosynthesis in these strains was also determined, depending on temperature, carbon, and nitrogen sources in the medium. Phaffia rhodozyma yeasts were also identified by MALDI-TOF MS. There were minor differences in cell morphology among the strains. All strains reproduced asexually by budding and formed spherical chlamydospores. No ability for sexual reproduction was observed. Physiological tests showed minor variations between the reference strain and the isolates, likely due to the geographical specificity of the habitat from which they were originally isolated. Analysis of protein spectra showed that the tested yeast isolates had seven common peaks of different intensities, with masses at 2200, 2369, 3213, 3628, 3776, 3921, and 4710 m/z. Moreover, additional strain-dependent spectra were found. The amount of synthesized carotenoids varied with the carbon and nitrogen sources used, as well as the temperature. The best producer of carotenoids was the P. rhodozyma CMIFS 102 isolate.