Prevalence of biomicroscopic findings in the anterior segment and ocular adnexa among schoolchildren in Natal/Brazil

Objective: To determine the prevalence of ocular findings of the external structures and anterior segment of the eye, detected by biomicroscopic examination in schoolchildren in Natal (RN) - Brazil. Methods: After previous random selection, 1,024 pupils from elementary and secondary public and private schools in the city of Natal were evaluated from March to June 2001. All were submitted to preestablished standard research norms, consisting of identification, demographic information, ophthalmologic biomicroscopic examination, with slit lamp, performed by ophthalmologists from the “Onofre Lopes” University Hospital. Results: Alterations of the conjunctival and palpebral conditions were the most prevalent (10.4% and 6.2% respectively). Follicles (4.2%) and papillae (3.0%) were the frequent conjunctival lesions, while blepharitis (3.5%) and meibomitis (1.1%) were the most detected abnormalities in the eyelids. Upon examining the cornea, iris, lens and anterior vitreous, the most encountered findings were nubecula (0.5%), papillary membrane reliquiae (0.5%), posterior capsula opacity (0.8%) and hyaloid arteria reliquiae (2.0%). Conclusion: The most prevalent findings affecting the external structures of the eye such as eyelids and conjunctiva, consisted of blepharitis followed by follicular reaction of the conjunctiva. The most prevalent abnormalities in the cornea, iris, lens and anterior vitreous were nubecula, papillary membrane reliquiae, posterior capsular opacity and hyaloid arteria reliquiae, in that order

Surgical Site Infection in a University Hospital in Northeast Brazil

We examined prevention of surgical site infection (SSI) in a tertiary teaching hospital in northeast Brazil, from January 1994 to December 2003. The survey included 5,742 patients subjected to thoracic, urologic, vascular and general surgery. The criteria for diagnosing SSI were those of the Centers for Disease Control, USA, and the variables of the National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance risk index were used. Data analysis revealed that anesthetic risk scores, wound class and duration of surgery were significantly associated with SSI. A total of 296 SSIs were detected among the 5,742 patients (5.1%). The overall incidence of SSI was 8.8% in 1994; it decreased to 3.3% in 2003. In conclusion, the use of educational strategies, based on guidelines for SSI prevention reduced SSI incidence. Appropriate management of preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative incision care, and a surveillance system based on international criteria, were useful in reducing SSI rates in our hospital

Uma avaliação do serviço de atenção domiciliar/programa melhor em casa: o caso do hospital Monsenhor Walfredo Gurgel

This dissertation try to understand how management actions implemented by Monsenhor Walfredo Gurgel Hospital in the city of Natal promote effectively the benefits of Home Care Services / Programa Melhor em Casa . The research is exploratory and descriptive, qualitative approach. Data were collected through document analysis and the interviews with the managers of the Program in Health Department and Hospital beyond the questionnaires with the home care teams and technical management unit of Hospital Jobs. The information were treatment trough categories that analyzed to implemented actions and program objectives. The results show that: the practices carried out by the host teams produce the humanization of care by seeking to ensure access to health services and solving human form; networks of health care are not yet finalized hindering the referral of patients to other units, the networks allow support from other institutions to minimize the problems encountered, the management unit vacancies allows the reduction of costs, mainly by regulating beds and record of health initiatives in home care assists in the monitoring and evaluation process of the Services Home Care / Programa Melhor em Casa primarily the epidemiological profile and patients individual treatment plan. Concludes that most of the actions implemented by the Hospital contribute to the effectiveness of the goals of Programa Melhor em Casa