Measuring the impact of antimicrobial stewardship programs

Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs (ASPs) are being implemented worldwide to optimize antimicrobial therapy, and thereby improve patient safety and quality of care. Additionally, this should counteract resistance development. It is, however, vital that correct and timely diagnostics are performed in parallel, and that an institution runs a well-organized infection prevention program. Currently, there is no clear consensus on which interventions an ASP should comprise. Indeed this depends on the institution, the region, and the patient population that is served. Different interventions will lead to different effects. Therefore, adequate evaluations, both clinically and financially, are crucial. Here, we provide a general overview of, and perspective on different intervention strategies and methods to evaluate these ASP programs, covering before mentioned topics. This should lead to a more consistent approach in evaluating these programs, making it easier to compare different interventions and studies with each other and ultimately improve infection and patient management.     

The EAACI/GA²LEN/EDF/WAO guideline for the definition,classification, diagnosis and management of urticaria

This evidence‐ and consensus‐based guideline was developed following the methods recommended by Cochrane and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) working group. The conference was held on 1 December 2016. It is a joint initiative of the Dermatology Section of the European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (EAACI), the EU‐founded network of excellence, the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA²LEN), the European Dermatology Forum (EDF) and the World Allergy Organization (WAO) with the participation of 48 delegates of 42 national and international societies. This guideline was acknowledged and accepted by the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS). Urticaria is a frequent, mast cell‐driven disease, presenting with wheals, angioedema, or both. The lifetime prevalence for acute urticaria is approximately 20%. Chronic spontaneous urticaria and other chronic forms of urticaria are disabling, impair quality of life and affect performance at work and school. This guideline covers the definition and classification of urticaria, taking into account the recent progress in identifying its causes, eliciting factors and pathomechanisms. In addition, it outlines evidence‐based diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for the different subtypes of urticaria.     

医学实验室结果审核和解释系统的设计与实现

智能化是实验室信息系统发展的重要方向。开发医学实验室结果审核和解释系统，可提高实验室的工作效率和质量，并提供检验结果解释和咨询服务。该系统利用基于规则的专家系统实现对检验结果的审核及解释，通过差值校验、比值校验、界限校验、患者数据质控等专用算法来提高审核质量。系统设计了审核和解释的绝大部分规则的通用推理机，能同时进行多个患者结果的推理运算，可用于临床辅助医学决策。     

Book review

The late 1970s and 1980s saw the development of the ‘action-theory’ approach to modelling speech production processes. This offered an alternative to production models based on traditional translation theory, which, it was claimed, was better able to account for the results of current research in motor control and the physiology of movement. Despite the fact that action theory has significant implications for our understanding of speech production processes it has had only limited impact in clinical linguistics. In this paper we reconsider the action-theory approach in relation to developing models of normal speech motor control and pathological language. While most of our current models of speech production and our understanding of language breakdown are based on a traditional translation theory approach, we would hold that the action-theory alternative provides a useful framework within which to re-examine certain processes of normal linguistic behaviour and its pathological breakdown.     

Personality disorders at the interface of psychiatry and the law: legal use and clinical classification

Personality disorders have a complex relationship with the law that in many ways reflects their complexity within the clinical and research communities. This paper addresses expert testimony about personality disorders, outlines how personality disorders are assessed in forensic cases, and describes how personality disorders are viewed in different legal contexts. Reasons are identified why personality disorders are not generally accepted as significant mental illness within the legal system, including high incidence of personality dysfunction in criminal populations, frequent comorbidity of personality disorders making it difficult to determine direct causation, and difficulty determining where on a continuum personality traits should be defined as illness (or not). In summary, the legal system, to a significant degree, mirrors the clinical conception of personality disorders as not severe mental diseases or defects, not likely to change, and most often, under volitional control.     

预防接种知情告知专家共识(下)

《中华人民共和国疫苗管理法》和其他相关法律法规对受种者或其监护人的疫苗和预防接种工作知情提出了要求,对预防接种告知方式和内容作出了规定。本共识以该法和《预防接种工作规范》为基础,借鉴国内外经验,阐述了预防接种知情告知的发展和形式,制定了预防接种知情告知理论框架、标准流程和信息、非免疫规划疫苗知情告知原则以及各疫苗知情同意书格式,为疾病控制和预防保健人员在预防接种服务中参考。本部分共识包括流感病毒疫苗、肺炎球菌疫苗、含b型流感嗜血杆菌成分疫苗、肠道病毒71型灭活疫苗、轮状病毒疫苗、水痘减毒活疫苗、带状疱疹疫苗、人乳头瘤病毒疫苗、人用狂犬病疫苗、肾综合征出血热疫苗、钩端螺旋体疫苗、炭疽疫苗、戊型肝炎疫苗、霍乱疫苗、伤寒疫苗、森林脑炎疫苗预防接种知情告知内容。     

IV Consenso Brasileiro para pesquisa de autoanticorpos em células HEp-2

ObjectiveThe Fourth Brazilian Consensus for Autoantibodies Screening in HEp-2 Cells (ANA) was held in Vitória, Espírito Santo, and aimed to discuss strategies and recommen- dations about the technique, standardization, interpretation and quality control of the indirect immunofluorescence reaction on HEp-2 cells.MethodsTwenty three ANA experts from university centers and private laboratories in different areas from Brazil discussed and agreed upon recommendations for the fourth edition of the Brazilian Consensus for Autoantibodies Screening in HEp-2 Cells.Results and conclusionThe 4 th ANA Consensus included three novel patterns into the existing algorithm (cytoplasmic Rods and Rings, nuclear Quasi-homogeneous, and CENPF). Emphasis was given to the need of attention in describing the peculiar mixed pat- tern elicited by anti-DNA topoisomerase I (Scl-70) autoantibodies, comprising nuclear fine specked, nucleolar homogeneous pattern, NOR staining in metaphase plates, and cytoplasmic fine speckled patterns. The group also emphasized the need for continuous quality control in indirect immunofluorescence assays, the establishment of screening dilutions, as well as conjugate titration. An alert was made regarding the heterogeneity of commercial kits in defining patterns and the use of solid phase methodologies to deter- mine the presence of autoantibodies.