An Environmental Scan of the National and Provincial Diagnostic Reference Levels in Canada for Common Adult Computed Tomography Scans

Several regulatory bodies have agreed that low-dose radiation used in medical imaging is a weak carcinogen that follows a linear, non-threshold model of cancer risk. While avoiding radiation is the best course of action to mitigate risk, computed tomography (CT) scans are often critical for diagnosis. In addition to the as low as reasonably achievable principle, a more concrete method of dose reduction for common CT imaging exams is the use of a diagnostic reference level (DRL). This paper examines Canada's national DRL values from the recent CT survey and compares it to published provincial DRLs as well as the DRLs in the United Kingdom and the United States of America for the 3 most common CT exams: head, chest, and abdomen/pelvis. Canada compares well on the international scale, but it should consider using more electronic dose monitoring solutions to create a culture of dose optimization.     

医疗侵权责任中的过失——论医师的注意义务

过失作为构成侵权行为的一个重要条件，在医疗侵权行为中主要表现为医师的过失，其本质是对“注意义务”的违反。因此正确认识医师的注意义务，对医疗侵权行为中的过失判断有着重要意义。     

Hospital visiting in obstetrics and gynecology: a tool for the advancement of training.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the improvement of obstetric and gynecologic training brought about by peer influence in Europe. METHODS: In 1996, the European Board and College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (EBCOG) initiated a visiting process by international and local peers to improve training and decrease differences in health care standards. RESULTS: A large number of visits of obstetrics and gynecology departments have been conducted across Europe at teaching hospitals by the Hospital Visiting Committee. Compliance with the structured approach of the visiting policy and problems met during these visits are reported. CONCLUSION: The program focuses on the continuous improvement of the competencies of all persons trained in the obstetrics and gynecology departments of teaching hospitals throughout Europe. It also increases the understanding of diversity in training methods and can gradually lead to the convergence of training and health care standards in Europe.     

A liquid-scintillation-based primary standardization of Pb

A new radioactivity solution standard of ²¹⁰Pb has been developed and will be disseminated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) as standard reference material (SRM) 4337. This new ²¹⁰Pb solution standard is contained in a 5 mL flame-sealed borosilicate glass ampoule, consists of (5.133±0.002) g of a nominal 1 mol L⁻¹ nitric acid solution, has a density of (1.028±0.002) g mL⁻¹ at 20 °C, has carrier ion concentrations of about 11 μg Pb²⁺ and 21 μg Bi³⁺ per gram of solution, and is certified to contain a massic activity (9.037±0.22) kBq g⁻¹ as of the reference time 1200 EST, 15 June 2006. All of the uncertainties cited above correspond to standard uncertainties multiplied by a coverage factor k=2. The standardization for the ²¹⁰Pb content of the solution was based on 4πβ liquid scintillation (LS) measurements using CIEMAT/NIST ³H-standard efficiency tracing (CNET). Confirmatory determinations were also performed by high-resolution HPGe γ-ray spectrometry, by 2π spectrometry with a Si surface barrier detector of separated ²¹⁰Po, and by 4πβ(LS)–γ(NaI) anticoincidence counting.     

现代医院手术室建设中的问题及动态研究

手术室是医学技术与工程技术结合的产物。随着医疗技术和新的手术工具的不断涌现,带动了手术量的迅猛上升。旧的手术室空间布局、实施标准、功能配置等方面已经无法满足新技术的应用要求,同时人们对手术环境和手术质量也提出了更高的标准。而今第四代手术室已开始步入我们的时代。洁净化、数字化和人性化则是其主要代表特征。本文分别从洁净手术室、数字化手术室和人性化手术室三个方面来探讨现代医院手术室建设中应注意的问题及动态研究。层流手术室已经是手术室建设不可逆转的发展趋势,除了按照《医院洁净手术部建筑技术规范》来建造外,其布局、人流、物流、质量监控等等都要进行合理的安排才能达到最优的手术环境。数字化手术室是将温度、湿度、压力、通风量、新风量等一切参数系统的由计算机来分配统筹,从而实现精确高效的手术管理。人性化手术室则是手术室建设的软件部分,是一种“以病人为中心”的服务理念,它打破了传统的生物医学模式,转变为生物—心理—社会模式,这是病人需求与市场竞争的必然选择。     

ESCMID generic competencies in antimicrobial prescribing and stewardship: towards a European consensus

Objective

To develop a consensus-based set of generic competencies in antimicrobial prescribing and stewardship for European prescribers through a structured consensus procedure.

Mapa de las políticas nutricionales escolares en España

ObjectiveTo systematically describe the school nutritional policies of the 17 autonomous communities of Spain.MethodThrough a search of bibliographic databases, web pages and other official information systems, 183 documents of interest were identified. Information was systematically collected with the SNIPE (school nutrition index of programme effectiveness) questionnaire, adapted to Spain, and validated by reference staff of the regional government's health and education ministries.ResultsThe main objective of the policies is to prevent obesity and improve the nutrition of schoolchildren. The 17 autonomous communities cover the school canteen service, 11 cafeteria and vending machines, and 9 the breakfast service. All communities use the Consensus Document on School Food as a reference for the content of the menu and the nutritional quality of the products offered at the school; however, only 4 of them have regulated these aspects. The evaluation of policy objectives ranges from 58.8% of the autonomous communities for food supply to 5.9% for rotation and menu quality.ConclusionAlthough all the autonomous communities have standards for the school menu, the standards for the rest of the food supply vary across them; also, evaluation of objectives is scarce and only 4 communities have approved mandatory regulations. Nutritional standards should be reviewed according to current scientific knowledge and enacted by law, in compliance with the current legislation (Act 17/2011).