South African medical journal = Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Comparison of ultraviolet C light and isopropyl alcohol for the disinfection of cellular phones in a paediatric intensive care unit setting.
A considerable proportion of cellular phones (cell phones) used by healthcare workers (HCWs) have been shown to be contaminated with pathogenic micro-organisms, making these devices reservoirs to infect susceptible patients. Although many units have well-defined infection control protocols, methods for the decontamination of cell phones are scarce. ⋯ Although both 70% isopropyl alcohol and UVC light disinfection effectively reduced CFUs following decontamination, 70% isopropyl alcohol was determined to be much more effective.
-
Practice Guideline
The South African guidelines on enuresis: 2024 update.
Enuresis, also referred to as nocturnal enuresis, is characterised by discrete episodes of urinary incontinence during sleep in children aged ≥5 years in the absence of congenital or acquired neurological disorders. This guideline is an update of the 2017 version. ⋯ This is an updated guideline endorsed by relevant key opinion leaders in SA, with additional input from international experts in the field.
-
Observational Study
Analysis of emergency centre recidivism for interpersonal violence in a district-level hospital in Cape Town, South Africa.
Interpersonal violence is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in low- and upper-middle-income countries. It is postulated that a significant portion of these patients have repeated presentations to an already overburdened healthcare system. Data describing the burden of interpersonal violence recidivism are poor. ⋯ Recidivist presentations represent a significant proportion of interpersonally violently injured patients, and are likely to be under-documented. Recidivism poses a measurable burden, and further research is needed to facilitate the identification of at-risk individuals, and specific secondary prevention strategies should be developed to prevent or reduce escalating patterns of injury associated with interpersonal violence.
-
While a large number of cases in an HIV setting may be attributed to infections, there has also been a rise in HIV- associated malignancies such as Kaposi sarcoma and aggressive B-cell lymphoma. ⋯ Expedited histopathological assessment of bowel resection in HIV-infected patients could improve clinical outcomes with early treatment.
-
The COVID-19 pandemic, first reported in December 2019, affected every sector of every country worldwide. Health services were the first to experience the direct impact. Blood services were advised to decrease blood utilisation in anticipation of reduced blood collections. The South African National Blood Services (SANBS) saw a substantial decline in blood demand following the institution of strict national lockdown measures, but the impact of the epidemic and various mitigation strategies remained unknown. ⋯ There was a significant change in RBC utilisation during the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, much more pronounced in the public sector, which services 85% of the SA population. During the post-acute COVID-19 period, blood utilisation recovered, but at a much slower rate in the public sector. The COVID-19 pandemic accentuated the differences in blood utilisation patterns between the public and private healthcare sectors in SA, and each sector's resilience in adapting to the challenges of the epidemic.