1.Specimen handling and tissue preaparation in pre-analytical phase of HER2 testing at tertiary referral hospitals of Metro Manila.
Imperial Marlowe S. ; Tanael Susano B. ; Avila Jose Ma C. ; Tiambeng Ma. Lourdes A.
Acta Medica Philippina 2015;49(2):48-53
INTRODUCTION: HER2 test result depends on a good quality histological section of the breast specimen. Laboratories that process specimens using sophisticated and molecular testing should receive suitable specimen for more accurate results and less waste of expensive resources.
METHODS: A questionnaire based on the ASCO-CAP Guidelines for HER2 testing was developed and administered to pathologists from the local laboratories of Metro Manila-Philippines tertiary referral hospitals. Questionnaire responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics.
RESULTS: Most laboratories did quality control/quality assessment monitoring for the pre-analytic, analytic,post-analytic and turn¬around time phases. Many transported their specimens from the operating room to the laboratory
CONCLUSION: Even in standardized procedures, small variations in sample processing for IHC and FISH can still occur. Inexperienced laboratories will have greater problems interpreting HER2 status results. Laboratories should look into their system in handling specimens for an accurate HER2 testing towards quality assurance.
Human ; Male ; Female ; Breast ; Surveys And Questionnaires ; Pathologists ; Laboratories ; Quality Control
2.Effect of kangaroo mother care plus touch therapy versus kangaroo mother care alone on the low-birth-weight infant’s growth and physiologic responses: Randomized controlled trial
Rocamia F. Rasalan-Fermin ; Lourdes Imperial ; Fay S. de Ocampo
Acta Medica Philippina 2021;55(9):908-915
Background:
Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) has facilitated infant growth and decreased morbidities and hospital stay. Adding touch therapy (TT) may potentiate the KMC benefits.
Objective:
To compare the effectiveness of KMC+TT versus KMC alone in improving anthropometric and physiologic parameters and decreasing morbidities and hospital stay in low birth weight (LBW) infants.
Methods:
Stable LBW infants (<2000 g) admitted in the KMC ward were randomized to either intervention (KMC+TT) or control (KMC only) group. The KMC+TT group underwent thrice daily touch therapy sessions until discharge.
Results:
A total of 50 infants were included in the study. Baseline characteristics between the two groups were comparable. There was a significant increase in weight gain (grams/kg/day) in the KMC+TT group compared to KMC only. Physiologic parameters like heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature were significantly better in the KMC+TT group. More infants in the KMC only group were transferred to NICU care, while more KMC+TT infants went home against advice. Hospital stay was similar between the two groups.
Conclusion
Touch therapy added to KMC is more effective than KMC alone in improving weight gain and physiologic parameters. It is associated with lower morbidities, although it did not affect the hospital stay.
Kangaroo-Mother Care Method
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Infant, Low Birth Weight
3.Neurologic outcome of Filipino children diagnosed with central nervous system infection
Aida M. Salonga ; Peter Francis Raguindin ; Mishelle H. Imperial ; Marilyn H. Ortiz ; Martha L. Bolañ ; os ; Maria Lourdes M. Trajano ; Madeleine Grace M. Sosa ; Bernadette Chua-Macrohon ; Jo Janette R. de la Calzada ; Maria Lourdes E. Amarillo
Neurology Asia 2019;24(3):235-242
Neurologic infections are related to chronic and life-long neurologic impairment. We aim
to describe the outcomes of Filipino children with neurologic infections upon, and within one year
from discharge. This data will be useful in developing programs for the prevention and improvement
of outcomes in children with neurologic infections. Methods: This is a multicenter, cross-sectional,
retrospective cohort study at six tertiary hospitals across the Philippines within four years (2007-2010).
A standardized report form was used to collect clinical profile and outcome using inpatient and
outpatient records. Neurologic outcome was classified and staged at 3-, 6-, 9- and 12-months postdischarge. Results: A total of 480 patients were included in the analysis (mean age 4.7 ± 5.3 y), most were bacterial in etiology (275 cases, or 57.3%). Severity of illness on admission (Stage 3, p <0.001) and etiologic agent (viral, p <0.001) were correlated with poor neurologic outcome on discharge. Of the 154 patients that had follow-up, 91 cases were observed to have neurologic deficits (severe, 50; moderate, 29; and mild 12). Twenty patients had improvement of neurologic impairment on subsequent follow-up. Motor deficits (64 cases), cognitive disorders (26 cases) and seizures (17 cases) are the most common neurologic sequela