The Moroccan medical file between practice and politics: a cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: the medical file is a key element of quality reflecting good hospital management. Many steps have been taken through its history leading up to computerization. This Process allows the sharing of files with both the health staff and patients, while respecting the professional confidentiality between parties. However, in Morocco, as is the case in other countries that are unable to computerize all their hospitals, it is necessary to study first the medical file in paper before proceeding with its computerization. The purpose of our study is to describe the state of the hard copy medical record in our Host University and international hospital, Cheikh Zaid in Morocco. METHODS: that is a cross-sectional study that lasted for three months in Cheikh Zaid hospital. The collection of data from this institution was based on the evaluation of 100 medical records of inpatients, seeing as they respond to our study criteria and requirements better than outpatients. Said evaluation was inspired by a clinical audit grid recommended by the High Authority for Health (HAS). Extraction of the results is done using the SPSS 13.0, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft Visio software. In addition, we used the observation method to correct the errors found. RESULTS: the results showed that 75% of the files are in good condition and well organized. However, administrative documents were missing in 70% of the cases (national identity card, health insurance card and copy of the patient's consent form). Moreover, in 83% of cases, the identity of the person to be notified in case of complications and the consent form were missing. It is also the case for the discharge report. The latter is incomplete in 97% of the cases. Also, the file transfer data from one service to another were missing in 82% of the medical files. CONCLUSION: according to the results, improving the medical file is necessary both administratively and medically. Thus, all parties, including doctors and nurses must be aware of their tasks and roles in this process. Despite the advances in the computerization of the medical file in several hospitals in Morocco, the maintenance of the hard copy version remains unavoidable and still necessary, to protect the rights of both the patient and his medical staff.

Lipid storm within the lungs of severe COVID-19 patients: Extensive levels of cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase-derived inflammatory metabolites.

BACKGROUNDSevere Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the infectious agent responsible for Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). While SARS-CoV-2 infections are often benign, there are also severe COVID-19 cases, characterized by severe bilobar pneumonia that can decompensate to an acute respiratory distress syndrome, notably characterized by increased inflammation and a cytokine storm. While there is no cure against severe COVID-19 cases, some treatments significantly decrease the severity of the disease, notably aspirin and dexamethasone, which both directly or indirectly target the biosynthesis (and effects) of numerous bioactive lipids. OBJECTIVEOur working hypothesis was that severe COVID-19 cases necessitating mechanical ventilation were characterized by increased bioactive lipid levels modulating lung inflammation. We thus quantitated several lung bioactive lipids using liquid chromatography combined to tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTSWe performed an exhaustive assessment of the lipid content of bronchoalveolar lavages from 25 healthy controls and 33 COVID-19 patients necessitating mechanical ventilation. Severe COVID-19 patients were characterized by increased fatty acid levels as well as an accompanying inflammatory lipid storm. As such, most quantified bioactive lipids were heavily increased. There was a predominance of cyclooxygenase metabolites, notably TXB2 >> PGE2 [~] 12-HHTrE > PGD2. Leukotrienes were also increased, notably LTB4, 20-COOH-LTB4, LTE4, and eoxin E4. 15-lipoxygenase metabolites derived from linoleic, arachidonic, eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids were also increased. Finally, yet importantly, specialized pro-resolving mediators, notably lipoxin A4 and the D-series resolvins, were also found at important levels, underscoring that the lipid storm occurring in severe SARS-CoV-2 infections involves pro- and anti-inflammatory lipids. CONCLUSIONSOur data unmask the important lipid storm occurring in the lungs of patients afflicted with severe COVID-19. We discuss which clinically available drugs could be helpful at modulating the lipidome we observed in the hope of minimizing the deleterious effects of pro-inflammatory lipids and enhancing the effects of anti-inflammatory and/or pro-resolving lipids.

Cost of Treatment of Cerebral Aneurysm Embolization: Study of Associated Factors.

BACKGROUND: Surgical clipping or endovascular coiling are the main procedures used in the treatment of cerebral aneurysms, with a preference for endovascular coiling. In Morocco, the number of patients needing endovascular coiling is growing, but many of them do not have access to this technique. The aim of this study was to determine the main parameters associated with variations in the total cost of this procedure in order to establish the amount (lump sum) that may be reimbursed by health insurance funds. METHODS: One hundred and seventeen patients with 124 aneurysms were admitted for treatment of one or more intracranial aneurysms between January 2010 and December 2015. The overall cost of hospitalization was assessed by using the micro-costing technique. The calculation was based on the tariffs of medical procedures as defined by the Ministry of Health in Morocco. A regression analysis was used to define the correlation between the overall cost and the various parameters. RESULTS: Univariate linear regression showed that the total cost was influenced by overall duration of hospitalization, ICU duration of hospitalization and size of aneurysm. On the other hand, univariate linear regression showed that the total cost was not influenced by sex, localization of aneurysm, and size of the aneurysm's neck. However, multivariate linear regression showed that the total cost was influenced by one type of insurance health, overall duration of hospitalization, ICU duration of hospitalization, size of the aneurysm, and size of the aneurysm's neck. CONCLUSION: Setting a rate for reimbursement of patients who have had coiling treatment for a cerebral aneurysm should take into account the results of our study in order to limit the costs borne by patients. The parameters that influence the overall cost must be reimbursed in each case while the parameters that do not influence treatment costs could be included in a lump sum.