Randomized control trial of advanced cancer patients at a private hospital in Kenya and the impact of dignity therapy on quality of life.

BACKGROUND: Palliative care is a modality of treatment that addresses physical, psychological and spiritual symptoms. Dignity therapy, a form of psychotherapy, was developed by Professor Harvey Chochinov, MD in 2005.The aim of the study was to assess the effect of one session of dignity therapy on quality of life in advanced cancer patients. METHODS: This was a randomized control trial of 144 patients (72 in each arm) randomized into group 1 (intervention arm) and group 2 (control arm). Baseline ESAS scores were determined in both arms following which group 1 received Dignity therapy while Group 2 received usual care only. Data collected was presented as printed (Legacy) documents to group 1 participants. These documents were a summary of previous discussions held. Post intervention ESAS scores were obtained in both groups after 6 weeks. Analysis was based on the intention to treat principle and descriptive statistics computed. The main outcome was symptom distress scores on the ESAS (summated out of 100 and symptom specific scores out of 10). The student T-test was used to test for difference in ESAS scores at follow up and graphs were computed for common cancers and comorbidities. RESULTS: Of the 144 (72 patients in each arm) patients randomized, 70%were female while 30% were male with a mean age of 50 years. At 6 weeks, 11 patients were lost to follow up, seven died and 126 completed the study. The commonly encountered cancers were gastrointestinal cancers (43%, p = 0.29), breast cancer (27.27% p = 0.71) and gynaecologic cancers (23% p = 0.35). Majority of the patients i.e. 64.3% had no comorbidities. The primary analysis results showed higher scores for the DT group (change in mean = 1.57) compared to the UC group (change in mean = - 0.74) yielding a non-statistically significant difference in change scores of 1.44 (p = 0.670; 95% CI - 5.20 to 8.06). After adjusting for baseline scores, the mean (summated) symptom distress score was not significant (GLM p = 0.78). Dignity therapy group showed a trend towards statistical improvement in anxiety (p = 0.059). The largest effects seen were in improvement of appetite, lower anxiety and improved wellbeing (Cohen effect size 0.3, 0.5 and 0.31 respectively). CONCLUSION: Dignity therapy showed no statistical improvement in overall quality of life. Symptom improvement was seen in anxiety and this was a trend towards statistical significance (p = 0.059). TRIAL REGISTRATION: Trial registration number PACTR201604001447244 retrospectively registered with Pan African Clinical trials on 28th January 2016.

Care practices and neonatal survival in 52 neonatal intensive care units in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, India: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The Indian government supports both public- and private-sector provision of hospital care for neonates: neonatal intensive care is offered in public facilities alongside a rising number of private-for-profit providers. However, there are few published reports about mortality levels and care practices in these facilities. We aimed to assess care practices, causes of admission, and outcomes from neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in public secondary and private tertiary hospitals and both public and private medical colleges enrolled in a quality improvement collaborative in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh-2 Indian states with a respective population of 35 and 50 million. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We conducted a cross-sectional study between 30 May and 26 August 2016 as part of a baseline evaluation in 52 consenting hospitals (26 public secondary hospitals, 5 public medical colleges, 15 private tertiary hospitals, and 6 private medical colleges) offering neonatal intensive care. We assessed the availability of staff and services, adherence to evidence-based practices at admission, and case fatality after admission to the NICU using a range of tools, including facility assessment, observations of admission, and abstraction of registers and telephone interviews after discharge. Our analysis is adjusted for clustering and weighted for caseload at the hospital level and presents findings stratified by type and ownership of hospitals. In total, the NICUs included just over 3,000 admissions per month. Staffing and infrastructure provision were largely according to government guidelines, except that only a mean of 1 but not the recommended 4 paediatricians were working in public secondary NICUs per 10 beds. On admission, all neonates admitted to private hospitals had auscultation (100%, 19 of 19 observations) but only 42% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25%-62%, p-value for difference is 0.361) in public secondary hospitals. The most common single cause of admission was preterm birth (25%) followed by jaundice (23%). Case-fatality rates at age 28 days after admission to a NICU were 4% (95% CI 2%-8%), 15% (9%-24%), 4% (2%-8%) and 2% (1%-5%) (Chi-squared p = 0.001) in public secondary hospitals, public medical colleges, private tertiary hospitals, and private medical colleges, respectively, according to facility registers. Case fatality according to postdischarge telephone interviews found rates of 12% (95% CI 7%-18%) for public secondary hospitals. Roughly 6% of admitted neonates were referred to another facility. Outcome data were missing for 27% and 8% of admissions to private tertiary hospitals and private medical colleges. Our study faced the limitation of missing data due to incomplete documentation. Further generalizability was limited due to the small sample size among private facilities. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest differences in quality of neonatal intensive care and 28-day survival between the different types of hospitals, although comparison of outcomes is complicated by differences in the case mix and referral practices between hospitals. Uniform reporting of outcomes and risk factors across the private and public sectors is required to assess the benefits for the population of mixed-care provision.

Anesthesia for Cesarean Delivery: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Provincial, District, and Mission Hospitals in Zimbabwe.

BACKGROUND: Cesarean delivery is the most common surgical procedure in low- and middle-income countries, so provision of anesthesia services can be measured in relation to it. This study aimed to assess the type of anesthesia used for cesarean delivery, the level of training of anesthesia providers, and to document the availability of essential anesthetic drugs and equipment in provincial, district, and mission hospitals in Zimbabwe. METHODS: In this cross-sectional survey of 8 provincial, 21 district, and 13 mission hospitals, anesthetic providers were interviewed on site using a structured questionnaire adapted from standard instruments developed by the World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists and the World Health Organization. RESULTS: The anesthetic workforce for the hospitals in this survey constituted 22% who were medical officers and 77% nurse anesthetists (NAs); 55% of NAs were recognized independent anesthetic providers, while 26% were qualified as assistants to anesthetic providers and 19% had no formal training in anesthesia. The only specialist physician anesthetist was part time in a provincial hospital. Spinal anesthesia was the most commonly used method for cesarean delivery (81%) in the 3 months before interview, with 19% general anesthesia of which 4% was ketamine without airway intubation. The mean institutional cesarean delivery rate was 13.6% of live births, although 5 district hospitals were <5%. The estimated institutional maternal mortality ratio was 573 (provincial), 251 (district), and 211 (mission hospitals) per 100,000 live births. Basic monitoring equipment (oximeters, electrocardiograms, sphygmomanometers) was reported available in theatres. Several unsafe practices continue: general anesthesia without a secure airway, shortage of essential drugs for spinal anesthesia, inconsistent use of recovery area or use of table tilt or wedge, and insufficient blood supplies. Postoperative analgesia management was reported inadequate. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified areas where anesthetic provision and care could be improved. Provincial hospitals, where district/mission hospitals refer difficult cases, did not have the higher level anesthesia expertise required to manage these cases. More intensive mentorship and supervision from senior clinicians is essential to address the shortcomings identified in this survey, such as the implementation of evidence-based safe practices, supply chain failures, high maternal morbidity, and mortality. Training of medical officers and NAs should be strengthened in leadership, team work, and management of complications.

Does implementation of an enhanced recovery after surgery program for hip replacement improve quality of recovery in an Australian private hospital: a quality improvement study.

BACKGROUND: Enhanced recovery after surgery programs may improve recovery and reduce duration of hospital stay after joint replacement surgery. However, uptake is incomplete, and the relative importance of program components is unknown. This before-and-after quality improvement study was designed to determine whether adding 'non-surgical' components, to pre-existing 'surgical' components, in an Australian private healthcare setting, would improve patient recovery after total hip replacement. METHODS: We prospectively collected data regarding care processes and health outcomes of 115 consecutive patients undergoing hip replacement with a single surgeon in a private hospital in Melbourne, Australia. Based on this data, a multidisciplinary team (surgeon, anesthetists, nurse unit managers, physiotherapists, perioperative physician) chose and implemented 12 'non-surgical' program components. Identical data were collected from a further 115 consecutive patients. The primary outcome measure was Quality of Recovery-15 score at 6 weeks postoperatively; the linear regression model was adjusted for baseline group differences. RESULTS: The majority of health outcomes, including the primary outcome measure, were similar in pre- and post-implementation groups (quality of recovery score, pain rating and disability score, at time-points up to six weeks postoperatively). The proportion of patients with zero oral morphine equivalent consumption at six weeks increased from 57 to 80% (RR 1.34, 95% CI 1.13, 1.58). Mean (SD) length of hospital stay decreased from 5.94 (5.21) to 5.02 (2.46) days but was not statistically significant once adjusted for baseline group differences. Four of ten measurable program components were successfully implemented. Antiemetic prophylaxis increased by 53% (risk ratio [RR] 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.16, 2.02). Tranexamic acid use increased by 41% (RR 95% CI 1.18, 1.68). Postoperative physiotherapy treatment on the day of surgery increased by 87% (RR 95% CI 1.36, 2.59). Postoperative patient mobilisation ≥ three metres on the day of surgery increased by 151% (RR 95% CI 1.27, 4.97). CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of a full enhanced recovery after surgery program, and optimal choice of program components, remains a challenge. Improved implementation of non-surgical components of a program may further reduce duration of acute hospital stay, while maintaining quality of recovery. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ( ACTRN12615001170516 ), 2.11.2015 (retrospective).

The effectiveness of inpatient rehabilitation after uncomplicated total hip arthroplasty: a propensity score matched cohort.

BACKGROUND: Inpatient rehabilitation is an expensive option following total hip arthroplasty (THA). We aimed to determine if THA patients who receive inpatient rehabilitation report better hip and quality of life scores post-surgery compared to those discharged directly home. METHODS: Prospective, propensity score matched cohort involving 12 private hospitals across five Australian States. Patients undergoing THA secondary to osteoarthritis were included. Those receiving inpatient rehabilitation for reasons other than choice or who experienced significant health events within 90-days post-surgery were excluded. Comparisons were made between those who did and did not receive inpatient rehabilitation for patient-reported hip pain and function (Oxford Hip Score, OHS) and 'today' health rating (EuroQol 0-100 scale). Rehabilitation provider charges were also estimated and compared. RESULTS: Two hundred forty-six patients (123 pairs, mean age 67 (10) yr., 66% female) were matched on 19 covariates for their propensity to receive inpatient rehabilitation. No statistically nor clinically significant between-group differences were observed [OHS median difference (IQR): 0 (- 3, 3), P = 0.60; 0 (- 1 to 1), P = 0.91, at 90 and 365-days, respectively; EuroQol scale median difference 0 (- 10, 12), P = 0.24; 0 (- 10, 10), P = 0.49; 5 (- 10, 15), P = 0.09, at 35-, 90- and 365-days, respectively]. Median rehabilitation provider charges were 10-fold higher for those who received inpatient rehabilitation [median difference $7582 (5649, 10,249), P <  0.001]. Sensitivity analyses corroborated the results of the primary analyses. CONCLUSION: Utilization of inpatient rehabilitation pathways following THA appears to be low value healthcare. Sustainability of inpatient rehabilitation models may be enhanced if inpatient rehabilitation is reserved for those most impaired or who have limited social supports. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01899443 .

Elements of a successful hospital-based deceased donation programme in India: Zero to eighty-five in two years.

Background: Legislation has made organ donation after brain death (DBD) possible in India since 1994. However, no organs are donated in most parts of the country; the national organ donation rate is estimated at between 0.08 and 0.34 donors per million population-one of the lowest in the world. Methods: A 350-bedded private hospital in Kochi started its DBD programme in September 2013 with a structured approach based on counselling of family members of critically ill individuals. A counsellor trained to diagnose family dynamics, and recognize different stages of the grieving process, chose the right time, and the correct family member to whom the donation request could be made. Regular debriefing sessions of the core team consisting of a transplant surgeon, a transplant coordinator, an ICU counsellor and a unit administrator resulted in setting up systems that supported families of patients with catastrophic brain injury, and created an environment conducive to obtaining consent. Results: A total of 85 organ donations took place in the first 24 months (September 2013 to September 2015) of instituting the programme. Conclusion: It is possible with hospital-based teamwork and a structured approach to consistently elicit organ donation.

Concordance between modification of diet in renal disease, chronic kidney disease epidemiology collaboration and Cockcroft-Gault equations in patients with chronic kidney disease at St. Paul's hospital millennium medical college, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: The most commonly used glomerular filtration rate estimating equations for drug dosing are Cockcroft-Gault (CG), Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD), Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equations. However there is still a concern about whether to use MDRD and CKD-EPI interchangeably with CG for drug dosage adjustment. METHODS: The study was initiated to determine the concordance between MDRD, CKD-EPI and CG equations and associated factors in patients with chronic kidney disease at Saint Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College (SPHMMC). This was a cross sectional study which involved patient chart review and physicians self-administered questionnaire. Serum creatinine level ≥ 1.2 mg/dL was used as a cutoff point in pre-selection of patients. The correctness of the drug dose prescribed for the level of renal function were compared to the drug database (Lexi-Comp) available through Up-to-date version 21.2. RESULTS: Among the total of 422 patients, 249 (59%) were males. Mean age of patients was 46.09 years. The use of MDRD equation for drug dose adjustment by physicians working in the renal clinic of SPHMMC was six out of nine physicians. The Pearson correlation coefficient between the CG with MDRD and CKD-EPI equations was r = 0.94, P < 0.001 and r = 0.95, P < 0.001, respectively. The concordance between the CG with MDRD and CKD-EPI equations for FDA assigned kidney function categories was 73.7%, Kappa = 0.644 and 74.9%, Kappa = 0.659, respectively. Concordance between the CG with MDRD and CKD-EPI equations for the drug dosing recommendation was 89.6%, kappa = 0.782 and 92%, kappa = 0.834, respectively. Age > 70 years was associated with discordance between CG and MDRD equations for drug dosing recommendation whereas serum creatinine 1.2-3.5 mg/dL, weight < 61 Kg and age > 70 years were associated with discordance between the CG with MDRD and CKD-EPI equations for FDA assigned kidney function categories. However, none of the factors associated with discordance between CG and CKD-EPI for drug dosing. CONCLUSION: MDRD equation can be used interchangeably with CG equation for drug dosing recommended in all adult patients between the age of 18 and 70 years. CKD-EPI can be used interchangeably with CG in all adult Ethiopian patients with CKD.

Irrational antibiotic prescribing practice among children in critical care of tertiary hospitals.

This study assessed the prescribing pattern of irrational use of antibiotic among children under age of 12 years in public and private sector hospitals in Pakistan. The prospective clinical evaluation of drug utilization pattern of antimicrobials from Patient Bedside File (PBF) of in-patients and Culture Sensitivity Test (CST) reports were evaluated to determine the antibiotic resistance. Two indicators recorded to assess antibiotic prescribing were; dose of prescribed antibiotic (low-dose, rational and high -dose) and Indication (valid or invalid). Antibiotics resistance for 25 selected antibiotics was determined by culture sensitivity test. This study showed that in Private Sector Hospital 77.7% neonates, 13.3% infants and 9% children admitted in ICU were receiving antibiotics, among them only 57.3% neonates, 62% infants and 59.9% children were found valid that is prescribed antibiotics for right indication. 27% neonates, 19% infants and 22.1% children were prescribed under dose of antibiotics, which may lead to antimicrobial resistance and increased cost of hospital stay. Only 29.1% neonates, 30% infants and 36.8% children were receiving rational dosing. In Public Sector Hospital, 65.6% neonates, 19.4% infants and 15% children were receiving antibiotics. Among them valid indication was found in 35.3% neonates, 35.6% infants and 39.8% in children. 33.3% neonates, 26.6% infants and 28.2% children were receiving under dose that may lead to resistance not only among those who were prescribed under dose but also such bacteria become resistant and spread to other population to increase antimicrobial resistance. The irrational prescribing of antibiotics was found very high (above 50%) in Public sector hospital (Hospital-B) for every age group whereas in Private sector hospital (Hospital-A) this practice was found near to 50%. In this study the prescribing frequency of Amikacin, Cefixime, Cefotaxime, Meropenem, Amoxicillin, Vancomycin, Azithromycin, Levofloxacin and Clarithromycin was found above 80% in both hospitals (A and B). Among these, Amoxicillin, Penicillin, Erythromycin and Cephalexin showed higher resistance i.e. 49.2%.

Incidence of pulmonary embolism: a comparison of two Australian hospitals.

In this retrospective observational study, we noted that there were significantly more admissions at the public than the private hospital due to both a principal (1.87 vs 0.83 per 1000, P < 0.001) and secondary diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE) (3.10 vs 2.01 per 1000, P = 0.002), with no difference in mortality. There was a highly significant increase in secondary PE diagnoses at the private hospital (R(2) = 0.68, ß = 0.14, P = 0.003) over the study period. Despite disparate rates of PE between the two hospitals, there was no difference in mortality, suggesting there may be an element of overdiagnosis.

Incidence of and Risk Factors for Delirium After Cardiac Surgery at a Quaternary Care Center: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: Delirium after cardiac surgery is associated with persistent cognitive deficits and increased mortality. The authors' objective was to determine the incidence of and risk factors for delirium in a mixed cohort of patients undergoing on-pump and off-pump cardiac surgery and transcatheter aortic valve implantations (TAVI) in a Canadian quaternary care center. This study followed a pilot from the same center on patients treated in 2007. DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study. SETTING: A quaternary care center in Vancouver, B.C., Canada. PARTICIPANTS: Patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass grafts (CABG), conventional valve replacements, combined CABG-valve replacements, transfemoral TAVI, or transapical TAVI in 2008. INTERVENTIONS: Data from 679 charts on demographics, medical history, medications, laboratory results, surgical procedure, and anesthesia were abstracted and analyzed using univariate and multivariate analyses. Nurses screened for delirium using the Confusion Assessment Method, and the final diagnoses were made clinically by physicians. Risk factors were identified using logistic regression and bootstrapping. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Delirium occurred in 28% of patients. Delirium was most common in transapical TAVI (47%), and least common in transfemoral TAVI (17%). Delirious patients were older and had greater preoperative cardiac and neurologic burdens than nondelirious patients. Age≥64 years, history of delirium, history of stroke/transient ischemic attack, cognitive impairment, depression, and preoperative use of beta-blocker(s) were associated independently with delirium. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of delirium varied greatly with the type of procedure. The authors' logistic regression model showed that age and certain pre-existing neurologic conditions could predict delirium after cardiac surgery.

Trends in CT scan rates in children and pregnant women: teaching, private, public and nonprofit facilities.

BACKGROUND: Radiation exposure from medical sources now equals or exceeds that from natural background sources, largely attributable to a 20-fold increase in CT use since 1980. Increasing exposure to children and fetuses is of most concern due to their heightened susceptibility. More recently, CT use may be leveling or decreasing, but it is unclear whether this change is widespread or varies by type of institution. OBJECTIVE: We sought to characterize trends in CT utilization in California hospitals and emergency departments among children and pregnant women, looking at different types of facilities, such as teaching, private, public and nonprofit institutions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined frequency of CT examinations by year from 229 facilities reporting CT usage in routinely collected California statewide data for 2005-2012. We modeled trends overall and by facility type. RESULTS: CT scans for pediatric and pregnant patient visits in the emergency department increased initially, then started to decline after 2008. Among hospital admissions, rates declined or leveled after 2005. In the emergency department, CT rates varied between types of facilities, with teaching hospitals reducing use sooner and more sharply than other types of facilities. CONCLUSION: CT utilization in California among children and pregnant women has begun to level or decline. Still, population exposure remains at historically high levels, warranting consideration of potential public health implications. Further examination of reasons for trends among hospital types, particularly how teaching hospitals have reduced rates of CT utilization, may help identify strategies for CT reduction without compromising patient care.

Assessment of the health care waste generation rates and its management system in hospitals of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2011.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare waste management options are varying in Ethiopia. One of the first critical steps in the process of developing a reliable waste management plan requires a widespread understanding of the amount and the management system. This study aimed to assess the health care waste generation rate and its management system in some selected hospitals located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. METHODS: Six hospitals in Addis Ababa, (three private and three public), were selected using simple random sampling method for this work. Data was recorded by using an appropriately designed questionnaire, which was completed for the period of two months. The calculations were based on the weights of the health care wastes that were regularly generated in the selected hospitals over a one week period during the year 2011. Average generation indexes were determined in relation to certain important factors, like the type of hospitals (public vs private). RESULTS: The median waste generation rate was found to be varied from 0.361- 0.669 kg/patient/day, comprised of 58.69% non-hazardous and 41.31% hazardous wastes. The amount of waste generated was increased as the number of patients flow increased (rs=1). Public hospitals generated high proportion of total health care wastes (59.22%) in comparison with private hospitals (40.48%). The median waste generation rate was significantly vary between hospitals with Kruskal-Wallis test (X2=30.65, p=0.0001). The amount of waste was positively correlated with the number of patients (p < 0.05). The waste separation and treatment practices were very poor. Other alternatives for waste treatment rather than incineration such as a locally made autoclave should be evaluated and implemented. CONCLUSION: These findings revealed that the management of health care waste at hospitals in Addis Ababa city was poor.

Competition among Turkish hospitals and its effect on hospital efficiency and service quality.

The level of competition among hospitals in Turkey was analyzed for the years 1990 through 2006 using the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI). Multiple and simple regression analyses were run to observe the development of competition among hospitals over this period of time, to examine likely determinants of competition, and to calculate the effects of competition on efficiency and quality in individual hospitals. This study found that the level of competition among hospitals in Turkey has increased throughout the years. Also, competition has had a positive effect on the efficiency of hospitals; however, it did not have a significant positive effect on their quality. Moreover, there are important differences in the level of competition among hospitals that vary according to the geographical region, the type of ownership, and the type of hospital. This study is one of the first to evaluate the effects of health policies on competition as well as the effects of increasing competition on hospital quality and efficiency in Turkey.

Dialysis in public and private hospitals in Queensland.

BACKGROUND: Clinical outcomes for patients treated in public and private hospitals may be different. AIM: The aim of the study was to compare the characteristics and outcomes of patients receiving dialysis at public and private hospitals in Queensland. METHODS: Incident adult dialysis patients in Queensland registered with the Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry between 1999 and 2009 were classified by dialysis modality at either a public or private hospital. Outcomes were dialysis patient characteristics and survival. RESULTS: Three thousand, three hundred and ten patients commenced dialysis in public hospitals, 1939 haemodialysis (HD) and 1371 peritoneal dialysis (PD). Seven hundred and ninety-three patients commenced dialysis in private hospitals, 757 HD and 36 PD. Compared with public HD, private HD patients were older, had more coronary artery disease and less diabetes, and were more likely to live in an urban area. Public HD patients were more likely to be obese and referred late to a nephrologist. Nearly all indigenous patients were managed in public hospitals. Private patients were more likely to have an arteriovenous fistula or graft at first HD (P < 0.001) but not after excluding late referrals (P = 0.09). Public hospitals provided longer HD sessions and more HD hours per week for all age groups except 75+ years. Compared with public hospital HD, patient survival adjusted for multiple variables was comparable for private hospital HD (hazard ratio 1.20 (95% confidence interval 0.98-1.46, P = 0.07)) but worse for public PD (hazard ratio 1.14 (95% confidence interval 1.05-1.24, P = 0.002)). CONCLUSION: Private HD patients are older and less likely to be diabetic than public patients. Patient survival is worse for public PD than public HD.

The African Health Fund and Nairobi Women's Hospital--a successful model for improving access to capital for health businesses.

Nairobi Women's Hospital is a private for profit hospital that has been in operation since 2001. Its main target is reaching women and children with affordable high-quality services. Its initial growth plan was stranded by lack of capital. The Africa Health Fund managed by Aureos Capital took a stake in the hospital in December 2009 to provide the needed capital for expansion. The investment has seen the hospital expand rapidly from 57 beds to 226 beds in three campuses. The affiliated nursing school has also opened. Based on its recent successes, NWH is now currently looking at borrowing an additional US$10 million from IFC to expand in the East Africa region.

Stroke initial severity and outcome relative to insurance status in a universal health care system in Switzerland.

BACKGROUND: Socioeconomic status is thought to have a significant influence on stroke incidence, risk factors and outcome. Its influence on acute stroke severity, stroke mechanisms, and acute recanalisation treatment is less known. METHODS: Over a 4-year period, all ischaemic stroke patients admitted within 24h were entered prospectively in a stroke registry. Data included insurance status, demographics, risk factors, time to hospital arrival, initial stroke severity (NIHSS), etiology, use of acute treatments, short-term outcome (modified Rankin Scale, mRS). Private insured patients (PI) were compared with basic insured patients (BI). RESULTS: Of 1062 consecutive acute ischaemic stroke patients, 203 had PI and 859 had BI. They were 585 men and 477 women. Both populations were similar in age, cardiovascular risk factors and preventive medications. The onset to admission time, thrombolysis rate, and stroke etiology according to TOAST classification were not different between PI and BI. Mean NIHSS at admission was significantly higher for BI. Good outcome (mRS≤2) at 7days and 3months was more frequent in PI than in BI. CONCLUSION: We found better outcome and lesser stroke severity on admission in patients with higher socioeconomic status in an acute stroke population. The reason for milder strokes in patients with better socioeconomic status in a universal health care system needs to be explained.

Psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemic on chronic disease patients in Dessie town government and private hospitals, Northeast Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The novel corona virus disease which was first detected in China, December 2019 is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2. In Ethiopia, the number of infected peoples has been increased from day to day, despite government mitigation measures. But in our country the psychological impact of COVID-19 on patients with chronic diseases was unknown. Hence, this study was aimed to assess the psychological impact of COVID-19 and its associated factors among chronic disease patients. METHODS: A facility based cross-sectional study design was conducted among 413 chronic disease patients in Dessie town government and private hospitals from July 20 to August 5, 2020. Impact of event scale revised questionnaire was used for data collection. Both binary and multivariable logistic regression analyses were utilized to show the association between outcomes and independent variables. In multivariable analysis, significant association was declared at p-value of <0.05. RESULTS: Overall, COVID-19 had abnormal psychological impact on 22.8% (95% CI: 18.6-27.1) of chronic disease patients. Age, sex, duration of chronic disease, respiratory symptoms and having no social support were factors for abnormal psychological impact. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 had abnormal psychological impact on one-fourth of chronic disease patients. Therefore, the government, health professionals and researchers should contribute to prevent the psychological impact ofCOVID-19 on chronic disease patients.

Upper extremity emergencies during SARS-COV-2 pandemic: Turnout trends.

INTRODUCTION: During the SARS-COV-2 pandemic and consequent government measures to prevent the overwhelming of public hospitals, emergency department (ED) orthopaedic turnout was significantly altered. This study compared the turnout of patients with upper extremity (UE) and hand & wrist (H&W) emergencies during the SARS-COV-2 pandemic, with the same period of 2019, in the public and private sector. MATERIAL-METHODS: Data from a two-month period [March 23, 2020 (application of severe restrictions of civilian circulation) to May 18, 2020 (two weeks after lockdown cessation)] were collected from a public-university hospital and a private hospital and were compared with data from the same "normal" period in 2019. RESULTS: During the pandemic, the number of patients with orthopaedic, UE, and H&W problems was significantly reduced by 57.09%, 49.77%, 49.92% respectively (p<0.001) compared to 2019. However, the ratios of UE/total orthopaedic emergencies and of H&W/total orthopaedic emergencies increased significantly during the pandemic from 37.17% to 43.32% and from 25.07% to 29.15% (p=0.006 and p<0.001) respectively, compared to 2019. In the private sector, the turnout  was increased for patients with UE problems (8.82%, p=0.67) and H&W problems (24.39%, p=0.3), while in the public sector the turnout was significantly decreased for UE (49.77%, p<0.001) and H&W problems (49.92%, p<0.001) in 2020 compared to 2019. DISCUSSION: The extent of lockdown was unprecedented in recent years. The reduction of orthopaedic, UE and H&W emergencies during lockdown can be attributed to the fear of contracting the virus in the hospitals and even more in hospitals serving as COVID-19 reference centers. Despite the decrease -in absolute numbers- of patients, the increased percentages of UE to total orthopaedic and of H&W to total orthopaedic emergencies in 2020 in both hospitals, reflect the new hobbies' uptake and the increase of domestic accidents during the lockdown, despite overall activity decrease, and underline the necessity of presence of hand surgeons in the EDs. This is one of the very few population-based studies worldwide to show trends in incidence of different injuries of the UE at a regional level during the pandemic, and its results could affect future health care policies.

Linking Human Resources Management Practices with Commitment to Service Quality and the Interacting Role of Service Climate in the Private Hospitals: A Study in India.

This paper examines the role of service climate (SC) in the link connecting human resource management practices (HRMP) to commitment to service quality (CSQ). Data were collected from 1236 hospital staff working in different private hospitals in India. The model linking HRMP to CSQ with the moderation of SC was tested using Hayes PROCESS. Results revealed that human resource management practices found to be influencing CSQ and with the interaction of SC the effect is further augmented. The interacting role service climate has been found to be significant at mean and high levels.

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for major depression: A naturalistic observational study in an Australian private hospital.

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is an effective and evidence-based treatment for major depression, which is now as a mainstream treatment in clinical practice. However, there is limited data concerning its use in Australian private psychiatric hospital settings. This retrospective study examined routinely collected data of 153 inpatients, who received 20 rTMS treatments over four weeks. Primary outcomes measures were the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17) and the 21-item Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). At post-treatment, response and remission rates were 54% and 28%, respectively, for the HAMD-17; and 53% response and 16% remission rates, for the DASS-21 Depression subscale, respectively. Although no gender differences were observed, younger patients demonstrated more improvements during acute rTMS but the effect was not significant after accounting for pre-treatment symptom severity. The findings of this naturalistic study suggest that an acute course of rTMS provided in private clinical settings resulted in similar response and remission rates to longer rTMS courses. Shorter rTMS courses appear to have satisfactory efficacy in treating major depression, in clinically diverse and real-world practice.