Judicious utilization of healthcare resources: reducing unindicated pediatric anaerobic blood cultures in a pediatric hospital.

The decline in anaerobic infections in the past 15 years has resulted in healthcare professionals questioning the need for routine anaerobic blood cultures. In this study, we extracted baseline aerobic and anaerobic blood culture rates over the past 10 years (2001-2010) from our pediatric wards. A questionnaire survey of doctors was conducted to gather their views regarding anaerobic blood cultures. Interventions such as physician education were introduced over 6 months to reduce unindicated anaerobic blood cultures. Furthermore, the rates of blood cultures were tracked over time after intervention. Before intervention, 85% of doctors surveyed routinely ordered anaerobic blood cultures, 90% were unaware of any guidelines for anaerobic blood cultures, and 100% were unaware of the costs. The combination of physician education and restrictive interventions resulted in an 80% reduction in the number of anaerobic blood cultures performed and processed, which translated into savings of USD $2,883 per week, with projected savings of USD $145,560 annually.

Cerebral malaria in rural India.

OBJECTIVE: A cross-sectional hospital based study was carried out to investigate clinical features and outcome of cerebral malaria in a rural area. METHODS: All children fulfilling inclusion criteria, were enrolled and were entered on specially designed proforma. Their peripheral smear (PS) were studied based on which the diagnosis was classified as definite cerebral malaria (DCM) and probable cerebral malaria (PCM). RESULT: There were 2991 admissions in pediatric ward, of which 1394 (46.6%) were for fever. Of 781 (56.6%) cases with fever no cause was identified. Of the 56 cases positive for malarial parasite on PS 4.3% were Plasmodium vivax (PV) and 2.8% Plasmodium falciparum (PF). Fifteen patients fulfilled the criteria for study of which 7 were DCM and 8 belonged to PCM group. Twelve (80%) were in school-going age group and M : F ratio was 2 : 1. All patients presented with fever, and CNS involvement, 66.6% had convulsion, 7 developed coma, anaemia was seen in 60%, but only 20% required blood transfusion. Splenomegaly and hepatomegaly was seen in 53.3% and 47% cases respectively. Two patients died, one each in DCM and PCM. Cerebral malaria is a serious complication of severe falciparum malaria and is seen in approximately 32% of PF positive cases. CONCLUSION: PCM is an entity which should be kept in mind when treating fever without definite focus in rural areas, because timely and specific therapy is lifesaving.

High prevalence of hearing loss in Down syndrome at first year of life.

INTRODUCTION: Infants with Down syndrome (DS) are at higher risk of hearing loss (HL). Normal hearing at one year of age plays an important part in language development. An audit was conducted to determine the impact of the newborn hearing screening program on the incidence, type and timing of diagnosis of HL during first year of life. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Infants with DS were scheduled for Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (UNHS) within 4 weeks of life. If they passed, they had a high-risk screen at 3 to 6 months. They were referred to the otolaryngology department if they did not pass the UNHS or the high-risk screen. Information was obtained from the computerised data tracking system and case notes. Infants born from April 2002 to January 2005 and referred to the DS clinic of our hospital were analysed. RESULTS: Thirty-seven (82.2%) of 45 infants underwent UNHS, of which 12 (32.4%) infants did not pass. Of remaining 33 infants, 27 had high-risk screen done of which 14 (51.8%) did not pass. Twenty-eight infants were referred to the ear, nose, throat (ENT) clinic: 12 from UNHS, 14 from high-risk screens and 2 from the DS clinic. Eleven (39.2%) defaulted follow-up. Fourteen (82.3%) of 17 infants who attended the ENT Clinic had HL. Twelve (85.7%) were conductive, and 2 (14.2%) mixed. Nine (64.2%) had mild-moderate HL and 3 (21%) had severe HL. The mean age of diagnosis was 6.6 ± 3.3 months. All were treated medically, plus surgically if indicated. By 12 months of age, the hearing had normalised in 4 (28.6%) infants and remained the same in 3 (21.4%). Five (35.7%) defaulted follow-up. Thirty-five out of 45 (77.8%) underwent complete hearing screen in the first year of life (UNHS & High-risk screen). Six out of 45 (13.3%) had incomplete screening. Fourteen out of 41 (34.1%) had HL of varying degrees. Four out of 45 (8.8%) did not have any audiological assessment in first year of life. CONCLUSION: The incidence of HL in the first year of life was high (34.1%). Eighty-five percent were conductive with 64.2% in mild-moderate range. One third of infants hearing normalized after treatment, one third remained unaltered and one third of infants did not attend follow-up. An aggressive approach involving early screening after birth and continued surveillance and early referral to appropriate agencies are essential for establishing timely diagnosis and treatment. Measures to reduce the high default rate during long-term follow-up are needed. Parent education and integrated multidisciplinary follow-up clinic may be useful.

Perioperative anesthetic management of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy for noncardiac surgery: a case series.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with or without left ventricular outflow tract obstruction is characterized by asymmetric hypertrophy of the interventricular septum causing intermittent obstruction of the left ventricular outflow tract. Because Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the most common genetic cardiovascular disease, it may present to the anesthesiologist more often than anticipated, sometimes in undiagnosed form during routine preoperative visit. Surgery and anesthesia often complicate the perioperative outcome if adequate monitoring and proper care are not taken. Therefore, a complete understanding of the pathophysiology, hemodynamic changes and anesthetic implications is needed for successful perioperative outcome. We hereby describe the perioperative management of three patients with Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy for different surgical procedures.

Perioperative anesthetic management of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy for noncardiac surgery: A case series.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with or without left ventricular outflow tract obstruction is characterized by asymmetric hypertrophy of the interventricular septum causing intermittent obstruction of the left ventricular outflow tract. Because Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the most common genetic cardiovascular disease, it may present to the anesthesiologist more often than anticipated, sometimes in undiagnosed form during routine preoperative visit. Surgery and anesthesia often complicate the perioperative outcome if adequate monitoring and proper care are not taken. Therefore, a complete understanding of the pathophysiology, hemodynamic changes and anesthetic implications is needed for successful perioperative outcome. We hereby describe the perioperative management of three patients with Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy for different surgical procedures.

Cerebral malaria in rural India.

OBJECTIVE: A cross-sectional hospital based study was carried out to investigate clinical features and outcome of cerebral malaria in a rural area. METHODS: All children fulfilling inclusion criteria, were enrolled and were entered on specially designed proforma. Their peripheral smear (PS) were studied based on which the diagnosis was classified as definite cerebral malaria (DCM) and probable cerebral malaria (PCM). RESULT: There were 2991 admissions in pediatric ward, of which 1394 (46.6%) were for fever. Of 781 (56.6%) cases with fever no cause was identified. Of the 56 cases positive for malarial parasite on PS 4.3% were Plasmodium vivax (PV) and 2.8% Plasmodium falciparum (PF). Fifteen patients fulfilled the criteria for study of which 7 were DCM and 8 belonged to PCM group. Twelve (80%) were in school-going age group and M : F ratio was 2 : 1. All patients presented with fever, and CNS involvement, 66.6% had convulsion, 7 developed coma, anaemia was seen in 60%, but only 20% required blood transfusion. Splenomegaly and hepatomegaly was seen in 53.3% and 47% cases respectively.Two patients died, one each in DCM and PCM. Cerebral malaria is a serious complication of severe falciparum malaria and is seen in approximately 32% of PF positive cases. CONCLUSION: PCM is an entity which should be kept in mind when treating fever without definite focus in rural areas, because timely and specific therapy is lifesaving.