Hippokratia
-
The performance of the public hospitals of the National Health System (NHS) of Greece, as reflected in their financial and operational results, is related to their strategic planning and the factors that influence the accomplishment of their objectives. ⋯ The NHS hospitals increased their efficiency from 2010 to 2020 but failed to maintain control over their expenditure. Through their clinical managers and other employees' representatives, chief executive officers and the Board of Directors need to improve planning formulation, staff involvement and utilization, financial performance, and outcomes as their primary commitment among health policy and management sectors in the Greek NHS. HIPPOKRATIA 2022, 26 (3):91-97.
-
In intensive care units (ICU), commonly identified nursing errors may have a negative impact on short- and long-term patient outcomes. Current data is scarce regarding nurses' burnout, insomnia, and anxiety impact on medication and several other types of nursing errors. This study aimed to record the commonness of various nursing errors, including checking patient data, medication preparation and administration, and infection control measures. It also aimed to investigate if "nurse-related" or "ICU-related" features may be associated with nursing error occurrence. ⋯ Medication errors are the commonest type of nursing error. Although several risk factors have been identified, no universal "nurse-related" or "ICU-related" factor can predict all types of errors. HIPPOKRATIA 2022, 26 (3):110-117.
-
Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and microwave ablation (MWA) are well-established treatments for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study assessed the efficacy and safety of RFA and MWA performed on NSCLC patients. ⋯ RFA and MWA have comparable efficacy and safety for patients in stage IA. MWA is an effective alternative treatment option for non-resectable IB or IIA stages NSCLC patients. HIPPOKRATIA 2022, 26 (3):105-109.
-
The economic crisis and the resulting austerity in Greece led to a drastic reduction in healthcare spending, which has been assumed to have impacted people's health. This paper discusses official standardized mortality rates in Greece between 2000 and 2015. ⋯ The mortality data from the first six years of the financial crisis in Greece and the decade that preceded do not support the assumption that budget cuts in health are related to the dramatic worsening of the overall health of the Greek people. Still, data suggest an increase in specific causes of death and the burden on a dysfunctional and unprepared health system that is working in an overstretched manner trying to meet needs. The dramatic acceleration of the aging of the population constitutes a specific challenge for the health system. HIPPOKRATIA 2022, 26 (3):98-104.