Adverse events due to unnecessary radiation exposure in medical imaging reported in Finland

IntroductionAdverse events in radiology are quite rare, but they do occur. Radiation safety regulations and the law obligate organizations to report certain adverse events, harm and near misses, especially events related to patients' health and safety. The aim of this study was to describe and analyse incidents related to radiation safety issues reported in Finland.MethodsThe data were collected from incident reports documented by radiology personnel concerning notifications of abnormal events in medical imaging made to the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority between 2010 and 2017. During these eight years, 312 reports were submitted. Only events reported from radiology departments were included; nuclear medicine, radiotherapy and animal radiology cases were excluded. The final number of reports was 293 (94%).ResultsThe majority of the 293 approved reports were related to computed tomography (CT, 68.3%) and to X-ray examinations (27.6%). Altogether 82.9% of those irradiated were adults, most of whom were exposed to unnecessary radiation through CT (86.5%), 5.5% were children, and 4.4% pregnant women. The most common effective dose of unnecessary radiation was 1 mSv or less (89.7% of all examinations). The highest effective doses were reported in CT (from under 1 mSv–20 mSv and above). The reasons for the adverse events were incorrect identification (32%), incorrect procedure, site or side (30%); and human errors or errors of knowledge (20%).ConclusionAdverse events occurred especially in CT examinations. It is important to collect and analyse incident data, assess the harmful events, learn from them and aim to reduce adverse events.Implications for practiceThis study emphasizes the need for radiological personnel to obtain evidence-based information on adverse events and focus on training to improve patient safety.     

Quality of life after single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A randomized,clinical trial

Background

Controversy continues as to whether single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy, with the somewhat larger incision at the umbilicus, may lead to a worse postoperative quality of life and more pain compared with the more classic 4-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The aim of this study was to compare single-incision and 4-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy from the perspective of quality of life.

The role of geriatric palliative care in hospitalized older adults

ABSTRACT

Take-Away Points:

1. Geriatric palliative care requires integrating the disciplines of hospital medicine and palliative care in pursuit of delivering comprehensive, whole-person care to aging patients with serious illnesses.

2. Older adults have unique palliative care needs compared to the general population, different prevalence and intensity of symptoms, more frequent neuropsychiatric challenges, increased social needs, distinct spiritual, religious, and cultural considerations, and complex medicolegal and ethical issues.

3. Hospital-based palliative care interdisciplinary teams can take many forms and provide high-quality, goal-concordant care to older adults and their families.     

“一带一路”倡议布局下培养高等中医药专业人才的对策

培养中医药创新人才是实现中医药传承和国际化的重要条件。但目前中医药专业人才短缺,尤其紧缺精通中医药翻译和国际贸易服务的人才。因此,在"一带一路"倡议指导下,高等中医药院校应积极合理地开设课程,选择教材,建立科学合理的教学模式,完善考试制度,从而更好地培养中医药人才。     

基于数据挖掘方法总结王树声教授治疗上尿路结石的用药经验

目的:运用中医传承辅助平台系统(V2.5)深入分析王树声教授治疗上尿路结石的用药经验，挖掘其核心经验 方组成和辨证用药规律。方法:收集王教授门诊治疗上尿路结石的治疗验方304 首，将方药信息录入系统，采用药物频次统计、 关联规则分析和熵聚类分析等方法分析处方用药规律。结果:304 首处方中涉及中药97 味，用药频次超过100 次的有14 味。所用药物药性多寒、温、平，药味多甘、苦，主归肝、肾、脾经；共得出25 组核心组合和9 首新处方。结论:王教授治疗 上尿路结石以益气固本、清热通淋为主，用药的关键在于“扶正固本”的把握和“祛邪通淋”的权衡，为临证用药和新方 开发提供参考。