Collegium antropologicum
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This retrospective study is based on the analysis of 542 snakebite envenomation cases in southern Croatia, which were treated in the University Hospital Split over the period of 21 years. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of venomous snakebite in southern Croatia, epidemiological and clinical features of snakebite and treatment in the region. The mean annual snakebite incidence in southern Croatia was 5.2 per 100,000 inhabitants. ⋯ Two victims died (0.4%). The antivenom produced by the Institute of Immunology in Zagreb was given to virtually all patients, and complications following its administration were rare. The antivenom was used more often than it was suggested by the symptoms present.
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Collegium antropologicum · Mar 2006
Burnout syndrome--assessment of a stressful job among intensive care staff.
The purpose of the study was to investigate the degree of burnout experienced by intensive care staff particularly, in Medical (MICU) and Surgical Intensive Care Units (SICU) General Hospital "Sveti Duh", Zagreb. A sample group of 41 emergency physicians and nurses from MICU and 30 from SICU was tested. The survey included demographic data and Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) scoring test identified by the three main components associated with burnout: emotional exhaustion (MBI-EE), depersonalization (MBI-DEP), and personal accomplishment (MBI-PA) were assessed using 22-item questionnaire. ⋯ Overall job burnout represented in a moderate degree. The presence of burnout is a serious phenomenon, because it can lead to psychosomatic complaints, work-associated withdrawal behaviour, and a lower quality of care at intensive care units. Early recognition of burnout phenomenon as a result of prolonged stress and frustration among intensive care staff, contributes to better professional behavior, organizational structure changes in the work environment and better health care quality for critically ill patients.
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Collegium antropologicum · Mar 2006
Maternal and fetal outcome in elective versus emergency caesarean section in a developing country.
As the other major European countries, Croatia has also seen a marked increase in the rate of caesarean sections. The aim of this study was to determine the most common reasons for caesarean section, to compare emergency and elective caesarean section in regard to intraoperative and postoperative complications in both mother and child, and to assess the decision-to-delivery interval (DDI) in our clinic in comparison to current recommendations. ⋯ Only 39.73% of the emergency caesarean sections were performed within the "golden standard" period of 30 minutes. Regarding the data from the literature our results are similar with the ones from developed countries and 30 minute current standard seem to be not achievable.
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Collegium antropologicum · Dec 2005
The correlation of changes of the optic nerve diameter in the acute retrobulbar neuritis with the brain changes in multiple sclerosis.
The aim of this paper is to compare diameter of healthy and affected optic nerve determined by ultrasound with brain lesions in acute retrobulbar neuritis in patients with multiple sclerosis. In this prospective study 20 patients with multiple sclerosis and acute retrobulbar neuritis were examined. Optic nerve diameter was measured by ultrasound. ⋯ Demyelinating brain changes examined by magnetic resonance revealed periventricular lesions, subcortical lesions and lesions in corpus callosum. There is statistically significant correlation between optic nerve diameter and number of brain lesions in multiple sclerosis, p < 0.05. Diameter of optic nerve in retrobulbar neuritis measured by ultrasound correlates with brain lesions detected by magnetic resonance in multiple sclerosis.
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Acute appendicitis is a common surgical condition that requires prompt diagnosis. Besides modern imaging techniques, scoring systems, based on clinical signs and symptoms and routine laboratory assessments, have been used as a diagnostic aid. However, differences in sensitivities and specificities were observed if the scores were applied to various populations and clinical settings. ⋯ Values of Ohmann score greater than 6 resulted in 0.9% rate of overlooked appendicitis. Besides obvious educational role, scores may help to determine the group of patients who require immediate appendectomy, therefore expediting treatment and avoid unnecessary observation or more lengthy diagnostic procedures that require highly educated and skilled senior staff: No single score may be used alone to dictate or decline surgery. Different cut-off points may also be considered for different subpopulations.