Contamination of paper points used by students during preclinical and clinical endodontic procedures / Contaminação de cones de papel utilizados por estudantes durante procedimentos endodônticos pré-clínicos e clínicos

Objective: To determine the presence of facultative anaerobic bacteria in the paper points used by students and to perform a pilot test to determine whether sterilization of these materials influences their absorption capacity. Material and Methods: This study consists of two phases. The first is a descriptive phase where a representative sample of paper points (n = 72) was collected from the students and information about the points was voluntarily contributed. The points were placed in saline solution after they were collected, and mechanically shaken for 60 s. Then, 300 IU of the solution was seeded on blood agar in duplicates and incubated for 5 days under anaerobic conditions. The second phase was experimental, during which five paper points of each of the existing sizes were sterilized (Numbers: 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 70, and 80), and their capacity to absorb water was compared with that of the control or non-sterilized points. Results: The study determined that 22% (n=16) of the points were primarily contaminated by gram-positive bacilli, followed by gram-positive cocci, among which Staphylococcus epidermidis was identified. The presence of contamination was not significantly associated with the conditions of the paper points (p > 0.05). Furthermore, no significant effect (p>0.05) on the absorption capacity of these materials was detected in the sterilization test. Conclusion: Contamination was observed in the paper points used by the students, confirming the importance of implementing sterilization protocols. The sterilization protocols implemented in this study did not affect the absorption capacity of the points. (AU)

Objetivo: Determinar a presença de bactérias anaeróbias facultativas nos cones de papel usados pelos alunos e realizar um teste piloto para determinar se a esterilização desses materiais influencia sua capacidade de absorção. Material e Métodos: Este estudo consiste em duas fases. A primeira é uma fase descritiva, em que uma amostra representativa de cones de papel (n = 72) foi coletada dos alunos e informações sobre os cones foram voluntariamente fornecidas. Os cones foram colocados em solução salina após serem coletados e agitados mecanicamente por 60 s. Em seguida, 300 µl da solução foram semeadas em ágar em duplicatas e incubadas por 5 dias em condições anaeróbicas. A segunda fase foi experimental, durante a qual cinco pontos de papel de cada um dos tamanhos existentes (Números: 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40,45, 50, 55, 60, 70 e 80) foram esterilizados e suas respectivas capacidades de absorção de água foram comparadas com a do controle ou dos cones de papel não esterilizados. Resultados: O estudo determinou que 22% (n = 16) dos pontos estavam primariamente contaminados por bacilos gram positivos, seguidos por cocos gram-positivos, dentre os quais o Staphylococcus epidermidis foi identificado. A presença de contaminação não foi significativamente associada às condições dos cones de papel (p> 0,05). Além disso, nenhum efeito significativo (p> 0,05) sobre a capacidade de absorção desses materiais foi detectado no teste de esterilização. Conclusão: A contaminação foi observada nos cones de papel utilizados pelos estudantes,confirmando a importância da implementação de protocolos de esterilização.Os protocolos de esterilização implementados neste estudo não afetaram a capacidade de absorção dos cones (AU)

Latin American Clinical Epidemiology Network Series - Paper 6: The influence of alcohol in traffic accidents and health care costs of it in Bogotá-Colombia.

OBJECTIVES: In Colombia, some studies have estimated medical costs associated to traffic accidents. It is required to assess results by city or region and determine the influence of variables such as alcohol consumption. The main objective of this study was to identify health care costs associated to traffic accidents in Bogota and determine whether alcohol consumption can increase them. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional costs study conducted in patients over 18 years treated in the emergency rooms of six different hospitals in Bogota, Colombia. RESULTS: The average total cost of medical care per patient was 628 USD, in Bogota-Colombia. The average cost per accident was estimated at 1,349 USD. On average, the total cost for health care for patients with positive blood alcohol level was 1.8 times higher than those who did not consume alcohol. The indirect costs were on average 115.3 USD per injured person. Numbers are expressed in 2011 U.S. dollars. CONCLUSION: Alcohol consumption increases the risk of traffic accidents and direct medical health costs.

Costos directos de atención médica de accidentes de tránsito en Bogotá D. C / Direct costs involved in providing medical attention associated with traffic accidents in Bogotá

Objetivo Determinar los costos de atención médica generados por la accidentalidad vial en Bogotá. Metodología Estudio observacional prospectivo con datos de pacientes mayores de edad atendidos en la central de urgencias de 6 instituciones hospitalarias. Resultados El promedio del costo totalde atención por paciente fue de $1'112.000 El costo promedio día de paciente hospitalizado fue de $1'200.000. Pacientes con atención ambulatoria tuvieron un costo promedio de $247.400. El costo promedio por accidente se calculó en $2'333.700. Los costos médicos por accidentes en el periodo de análisis en Bogotá fueron aproximadamente $2.301'028.200. Cifras en pesos de 2011. Conclusiones Los costos de la atención médica de los accidentes de tránsito constituyen una carga económica considerable.

Objective To determine the cost of medical attention associated with traffic accidents in Bogotá, Colombia. Methods Prospective observational study with data from adult patients attended to in the emergency centers of 6 hospitals. Results Average total cost per patient was $1'112.000 COP. Average daily cost of hospitalized patients was $1'200.000 COP. Average cost of ambulatory treated patients ascended to $247.400 COP. Cost per accident calculated was $2'333.700 COP. In the whole city during study period, total medical costs were around $2.301'028.200 COP. All data was expressed in 2011 Colombian pesos. Conclusion The medical cost of transit accidents is a significant economic burden.

[Direct costs involved in providing medical attention associated with traffic accidents in Bogotá]. / Costos directos de atención médica de accidentes de tránsito en Bogotá D.C.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the cost of medical attention associated with traffic accidents in Bogotá, Colombia. METHODS: Prospective observational study with data from adult patients attended to in the emergency centers of 6 hospitals. RESULTS: Average total cost per patient was $1'112.000 COP. Average daily cost of hospitalized patients was $1'200.000 COP. Average cost of ambulatory treated patients ascended to $247.400 COP. Cost per accident calculated was $2'333.700 COP. In the whole city during study period, total medical costs were around $2.301'028.200 COP. All data was expressed in 2011 Colombian pesos. CONCLUSION: The medical cost of transit accidents is a significant economic burden.