Saudi Med J
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To assess the mass casualty incident (MCI) preparedness of pre-hospital care providers in Saudi Arabia and to identify and highlight their strengths and weaknesses when responding to MCIs. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive quantitative analysis was conducted between January 2017 and 2018 and included all Saudi Red Crescent Authority (SRCA) general administration branches in 13 regions in Saudi Arabia. The modified version of the emergency medical specialists (EMS) incident response and readiness assessment (EIRRA) tool was used in this study. Results: The Makkah region has the largest number of ambulances and medics vehicles, followed by Riyadh. Makkah and Al Madinah Al Munawarah obtained a median score of 4 and showed substantial preparedness for MCIs. ⋯ In addition, a moderate positive correlation was observed between the overall median scores and the number of physicians (r=0.656 and p=0.015). Conclusion: The SRCA showed substantial preparedness in Makkah and Al Madinah Al Munawarah. The SRCA were highly prepared to face MCIs.
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Observational Study
Influenza vaccine coverage, awareness, and beliefs regarding seasonal influenza vaccination among people aged 65 years and older in Central Saudi Arabia.
To investigate the level of awareness, sources of knowledge, and beliefs about the influenza vaccine in people ≥65 years in central Saudi Arabia. ⋯ There is a need for further programs in order to increase the awareness level of influenza vaccination. Also, health workers need to make more effort to educate patients because they are the preferred source of information.
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To investigate the prevalence and associated risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE) in burn patients. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study eliciting the risk factors in burn patients who developed thromboembolism. The study took place at the Adult Burn Unit, King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Charts of all patients admitted to the burn unit from January 2010 to December 2016 were reviewed. ⋯ All patients who developed VTE received prophylactic anticoagulation. Age, gender, body mass index, and degree of burn were not risk factors for VTE. However, electric burns were found to be an independent significant risk factor for developing VTE using a multivariate logistic regression. Conclusion: Electric burns were found to be the only independent significant risk factor of developing VTE.
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To describe causes of blindness and visual impairment (VI) in children in Eastern province, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A record-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. Medical records of patients aged 2 to 16 years who were following up in the Pediatric Ophthalmology Clinics, Dhahran Eye Specialist Hospital, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia between September and December 2018 were reviewed. Causes of vision loss according to visual acuity (VA) with best correction were recorded. Blindness was defined as VA less than 20/400, VI as VA from 20/400 to 20/60, and visual loss as VA of ≤20/60. ⋯ Genetic or congenital causes are major factors causing blindness. Most causes are treatable and preventable, emphasizing on early detection and treatment of those causes.
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To determine the ideal number of sputum acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smears and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) required for discontinuing TB isolation among patients with suspected pulmonary TB. Methods: This was a single-center, record-based retrospective study of all admitted patients diagnosed with culture-proven pulmonary TB between 2010 and 2018. The study was conducted at Prince Sultan Military Medical City (PSMMC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, a large tertiary care center consisting of 1,200 beds. Data were obtained from our TB notification records. ⋯ Of 126 patients who were AFB smear positive, 98 (77.8%) were detected in the first specimen, 13 (10.3%) in the second specimen, and only 9 (7.1%) in the third specimen. Polymerase chain reaction for MTB was positive in 122 (96.8%) smear-positive patients. Four patients did not undergo a PCR test. Conclusion: A single Xpert MTB/resistance to rifampicin test detected all smear-positive patients, whereas the third smear did not significantly contribute to MTB isolation.