Five-year results of no-fault compensation related to childbirth injuries in Taiwan

ObjectiveIncreasing obstetric medical litigations had great impacts in health care system resulted in lower recruitment of residents and higher medical cost of defensive medicine in Taiwan. In order to reduce medical litigation, the “Childbirth Accident Emergency Relief Act” was implemented in June 2016. This study presented five-year results of a novel childbirth accident compensation system.Materials and methodsThe purpose of the Relief Act was to establish a national relief system to ensure timely relief, reduce medical disputes, promote the partnership between patient and medical personnel. The compensations included maximal 2 million NTD for maternal death, maximal 0.3 million NTD for neonatal and fetal deaths, and 3, 2, and 1.5 million NTD for maternal or neonatal profound, severe, and moderate disabilities, respectively. Puerperal hysterectomy was included with maximal 0.8 million NTD compensation.ResultsSince June 30, 2016 to June 30, 2021, there were 1340 applications reviewed by Committee and 1258 were approved with total relief of 744.7 million NTD (26.6 million USD) with approve rate of 93.9%. It took an average of 109.8 days to start application from childbirth and 102.4 days to get compensation from application. 66.1% of accident victims agreed this system can restore doctor–patient relationship by immediate care and assistance from medical institutions.ConclusionThe Relief Act is the first government leading compensation system to establish a national relief system. It was enacted to reduce medical disputes, promote the partnership between patient and medical personnel, and enhance health and safety of women during childbirth. A no-fault compensation would be an efficient alternative disputes resolution to childbirth accidents.     

Modification of an extended total temporomandibular joint replacement (eTMJR) classification system

The aims of this paper were to validate a modification of an extended total temporomandibular joint replacement (eTMJR) classification system and develop a classification schematic for ease of reference. High-volume TMJ surgeons were asked to score 20 separate eTMJR devices using the updated classification system, and inter-rater variability was calculated. Using the modified classification system developed, a Conger’s kappa (κ) coefficient of 0.53 was returned, suggesting moderate to good levels of agreement. The final classification system was then developed in a series of standardised graphic illustrations as visual representations of the different subcategories of eTMJR devices.     

婚姻状态对原发性中枢神经系统淋巴瘤患者预后的影响：一项倾向性评分匹配研究

背景 原发性中枢神经系统淋巴瘤（PCNSL）的预后较差，明确其预后危险因素是改善其预后的关键。生物-心理-社会医学模式提示社会心理因素的重要性。婚姻是重要的社会心理因素之一，但婚姻状态对PNSCL患者预后的影响尚不明确。 目的 探究婚姻状态对PCNSL患者总生存（OS）和癌因生存（CSS）的影响。 方法 于2020年，提取2000—2016年美国"监测、流行病学和结果"数据库的3 993例PCNSL患者的病例资料，包括社会人口学资料（婚姻状态、确诊年龄、种族、性别和确诊年份）、临床病理资料（病理类型、肿瘤位置）、治疗资料（手术、放疗和化疗）及结局资料（生存信息和随访时间）。依据婚姻状态将患者分为已婚和非已婚两组，其中非已婚包括单身、离异和丧偶。采用倾向性评分匹配均衡基线资料，采用Kaplan-Meier分析（Log-rank检验）、Cox回归评估婚姻状态对患者OS和CSS的影响。 结果 倾向性评分匹配后，已婚组和非已婚组患者基线资料比较，差异均无统计学意义（P>0.05）。将患者按婚姻状态分为已婚和非已婚组：Log-rank检验结果显示，与已婚患者相比，非已婚患者的OS和CSS更差（P<0.05）；倾向性评分匹配后，校正确诊年龄、种族、性别、确诊年份、病理类型、肿瘤位置、手术、放疗和化疗因素后，多因素Cox回归分析结果显示，非已婚患者的OS风险是已婚患者的1.24倍〔95%CI（1.14，1.36），P<0.001〕，非已婚患者的CSS风险是已婚患者的1.22倍〔95%CI（1.11，1.33），P<0.001〕。将患者按婚姻状态分为已婚、单身、离异、丧偶组：Log-rank检验结果显示，与已婚患者相比，丧偶患者的OS和CSS预后更差（P<0.05）；校正确诊年龄、种族、性别、确诊年份、病理类型、肿瘤位置、手术、放疗和化疗因素后，多因素Cox回归结果显示，单身患者OS和CSS风险分别是已婚患者的1.14倍〔95%CI（1.03，1.27），P=0.013〕和1.15倍〔95%CI（1.03，1.29），P=0.012〕，离异患者OS和CSS风险分别是已婚患者的1.23倍〔95%CI（1.07，1.41），P=0.004〕和1.22倍〔95%CI（1.05，1.41），P=0.009〕，丧偶患者OS和CSS风险分别是已婚患者的1.37倍〔95%CI（1.21，1.54），P<0.001〕和1.28倍〔95%CI（1.12，1.46），P=0.013〕。 结论 婚姻状态影响PCNSL患者OS和CSS，与已婚相比，单身、离异和丧偶患者的预后更差，这提示在临床管理和决策中，除了传统的肿瘤生物学特征，还应关注婚姻状态对PCNSL患者预后的影响。     

我国三级医疗机构营养科专业人才队伍情况调查

目的调查分析我国三级医疗机构营养科专业人才队伍情况，提出针对性建议。方法从国家医疗质量管理与控制信息网选取1 283家三级医疗机构调研临床营养专业技术人员数据，应用频数、构成比等进行描述性统计分析。 结果三级医疗机构营养科专业技术人员数量不足且分布不均衡，高层次人才比例偏低。医床比1:556.91，技床比1:841.30，医技比1.51:1，护床比1:1 031.31，均未达到文件标准，营养科医师严重缺编。结论应加强营养科专业人员教育和高层次人才培养，建立规范化培养体系，明确营养科职称评定和岗位技能考核制度，不断扩增专业人才数量，提升临床营养诊疗能力。     

Design and validation of a virtual reality trainer for ultrasound-guided regional anaesthesia

Virtual reality is a form of high-fidelity simulation that may be used to enhance the quality of medical education. We created a bespoke virtual reality trainer software using high resolution motion capture and ultrasound imagery to teach cognitive-motor needling skills necessary for the performance of ultrasound-guided regional anaesthesia. The primary objective of this study was to determine the construct validity between novice and experienced regional anaesthetists. Secondary objectives were: to create learning curves for needling performance; compare the virtual environment immersion with other high-fidelity virtual reality software; and compare cognitive task loads imposed by the virtual trainer compared with real-life medical procedures. We recruited 21 novice and 15 experienced participants, each of whom performed 40 needling attempts on four different virtual nerve targets. Performance scores for each attempt were calculated based on measured metrics (needle angulation, withdrawals, time taken) and compared between the groups. The degree of virtual reality immersion was measured using the Presence Questionnaire, and cognitive burden was measured using the NASA-Task Load Index. Scores by experienced participants were significantly higher than novices (p = 0.002) and for each nerve target (84% vs. 77%, p = 0.002; 86% vs. 79%, p = 0.003; 87% vs. 81%, p = 0.002; 87% vs. 80%, p = 0.003). Log–log transformed learning curves demonstrated individual variability in performance over time. The virtual reality trainer was rated as being comparably immersive to other high-fidelity virtual reality software in the realism, possibility to act and quality of interface subscales (all p > 0.06) but not in the possibility to examine and self-performance subscales (all p < 0.009). The virtual reality trainer created workloads similar to those reported in real-life procedural medicine (p = 0.53). This study achieved initial validation of our new virtual reality trainer and allows progression to a planned definitive trial that will compare the effectiveness of virtual reality training on real-life regional anaesthesia performance.     

Temporal changes in extra-axial brain hematoma's signal intensity in magnetic resonance images of trauma patients: A preliminary,technical study

IntroductionDating the exact or estimated time of trauma is an important issue facing forensic medicine. Several clinical and radiological methods were used to achieve this purpose. In the recent study, we aimed to track the changes in the signal intensity of the extra-axial brain hematoma using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) conventional sequences as well as diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC).Materials and methodsConsidering inclusion and exclusion criteria, all patients with blunt head trauma were involved. After proper management., stabilization, and resuscitation, the participants were assessed using conventional sequences of MRI and DWI twenty-four hours, forty-eight hours, and three weeks after the injury. Temporal changes of signal intensity were compared by Wilcoxon ranged test.ResultsSixteen patients sustaining blunt head trauma were included in this study. The study showed that during the time, diffusion restriction could be seen in an extraaxial hematoma. At the first 24 hours, the signal of hematoma was void in 87.5% of DWI and 100% of ADC. On the second day, they were hypo-signal in 75% of DWI and 100% 0f ADCs, and after three weeks, 100% of cases were hyper-signal in DWI and hypo-signal ADCs.ConclusionThis preliminary study has shown that the DWI can be used to detect and track the extra-axial hematoma. The signal intensity was void during the first twentyfour hours, although it became hypo-signal after 48 hours. Of note, the diffusion restriction is noted after three weeks.     

Reporting radiographer academy training model; an evaluation of the impact for trainees and clinical service

IntroductionDemand on imaging services continues to increase on a background of complex issues and barriers to care. Collaborative cross organisational working through the development of imaging networks is recommended to address these issues including managing reporting workloads. Standardisation of reporting practices and collaborative cross region reporting radiographer training has been recommended to be supported by a regional reporting radiographer academy model to achieve these aims. This research explores the perceptions of trainees and their managers/mentor who undertook radiographer academy training model with a view to integrated imaging network formalisation in the region.MethodsAn online questionnaire was designed to capture qualitative and quantitative data with three phases; 1) trainees perception of the academy model, 2) trainees perception of the differences in training models and 3) the perceptions of the managers/mentors related to the academy model.ResultsThere were overwhelmingly positive opinions of the academy training model from both cohorts in this study, with the two main benefits emerging being the protected study time away from clinical departments and minimal disruption to clinical services due to reduced onus on the local mentors. Peer support was also highlighted as a positive aspect of the model which would facilitate future integrated imaging network working.ConclusionThe academy model has been well received by both cohorts in this study with positive outcomes highlighted and the model being seen as promoting and facilitating integrated imaging network working between departments. The small sample size of the study requires consideration when extrapolating the results to wider academy models, however some themes may be applicable.Implications for practiceInvestment in the reporting radiographer academy model is justified and provides a practical alternative to the traditional model.     

《针灸大成》关于气海穴临床应用的文献研究

目的:通过检索《针灸大成》中与气海穴治疗作用相关的文献条文,总结气海穴在治疗各系统疾病中运用频次较高的疾病及其配穴规律,为临床针灸对气海穴的使用提供理论支持。方法:以《中华医典》(第五版)中《针灸大成》作为文献检索来源,将气海穴及气海穴的别称“脖胦”“下肓”“丹田”“肓之原”“肓原”“下言”和“气泽”为检索词,用计算机检索工具及人工检索相结合的方法检索符合要求的文献条文,通过建立本研究的数据库,频次分析、条形统计图比较分析等方法,总结出气海穴在治疗各系统疾病中的运用频次及其配穴规律。结果:在《针灸大成》所涉及的条文中,气海穴尤善治疗内科疾病,在治疗内科疾病中排名前3位的是脾胃系病症、气血津液疾病、肾系病症和妇科疾病,气海穴配穴习惯为上下配穴法,同名经配穴法,以及前后配穴法,其中主要为前后配穴法和同名经配穴法。结论:气海穴《针灸大成》中单穴应用占比最高,而在气海穴众多配穴中,运用了本经配穴法、上下配穴法、前后配穴法,配穴归经主要来自任脉和足太阳膀胱经。同名经配穴法,同气相求,可增加疗效;与气海穴配伍较多的足太阳膀胱经以背腧穴为主,此为前后配穴法,亦称腹背阴阳配穴法,腹部为阴,腰背为阳,前后配穴法可起到“从阳引阴”亦可“从阴引阳”的作用,以达到调节阴阳,调和脏法,调畅经络的目的。