1.An immediately accessible database for information regarding ingestion timing and maximum dose setting: Development and applications to address inquiries to clarify doubts concerning prescription
Sayaka Arai ; Masato Okubo ; Ayako Ishijima ; Atsushi Hasegawa ; Hiromitsu Nakasa ; Hiroyoshi Nakamura ; Noritaka Ariyoshi ; Mitsukazu Kitada
Japanese Journal of Drug Informatics 2010;12(2):69-76
Objective: Optimizing the time of ingestion and avoiding overdose are important aspects of medication therapy. However, seeking explanations for selecting the time of ingestion and maximum dose for a certain drug is time consuming. The aim of this study is to develop a database (DB) that enables a rapid search of the basis for the time of ingestion and maximum dose setting.
Methods: The basis for the time of ingestion and maximum dose setting were surveyed for 38 and 184 drugs, respectively. Package inserts, interview forms, and other documents preserved in our department were surveyed, and this was followed by an inquiry of the staff of pharmaceutical companies. Standard responses to a prescription with incorrect timing or dosage were determined and included into a DB together with information whose quality was dissected. The efficiency of DB was evaluated: the time taken to obtain information and consistency of inquiries to clarify doubts concerning prescription with the use of DB and without the use DB were compared.
Results: The information of newer drugs, but not of the older drugs, were easily obtained without the need to inquire the staff of the pharmaceutical companies. Operation of the DB was convenient and was acceptable for most pharmacists working in our department. The DB markedly reduced the time taken to obtain information. Further, with the aid of DB, the consistency in the responses to inquiries to clarify doubts concerning a pharmacist’s recommendation was remarkably increased.
Conclusion: The DB developed in the present study may contribute to the improvement of not only the efficiency but also the quality of dispensation.
2.A Study of Health Problems and Different Types of Agricultural Production
Takeshi Sugaya ; Shigeki Hayashi ; Masato Hayashi ; Tomio Matsuoka ; Shunji Okubo ; Akira Kotanagi
Journal of the Japanese Association of Rural Medicine 1983;32(2):65-71
A study was made to elucidate growing health problems confronting women in rural communities today amidst drastic changes in agriculture.
From the standpoint of production structure, the area covered by our survey was divided into single-crop (paddy-rice), paddy-rice and fruits (apple), paddy-rice and water melon, and fishing village districts. In each of these districts, we conducted a survey by the use of a questionnaire and a health examination.
1, About 45 to 70 % of women engaged in farming complained that they could not take enough time to sleep. Especially in the paddy-rice and water melon producing district, the percentage was high.
2. Female farmers who complained of pains in the legs and the lower part of the back accounted for 40-60 % of the total. The rates were high in the rice producing district, and the paddy-rice and water melon producing district. This is probably due to the nature of farm work. However, the cause of the complaints was not always clear in the paddy-rice district.
3. Depending on the working postures (work on the stepladden in the orchard, work on hillsides, work in the supine position, etc.), the ailing region they complained about differed.
4. Those women who take care of supplementary work when machines are employed said that they feel they are subordinate to mechnization.
5. When pesticides are used, 10-20 % of the subjects showed toxic symptoms. In the paddy-rice and apple growing district, high ratios were recorded.
6. Of the total, 52.7 % were found negative in the mass health screening. The rate was the highest in the paddy-rice and water melon producing district.
7. The obesity rate rose in proportion to the rise in age.
8. The incidence of hypertension (WHO criteria) was the lowest in the fishing community, followed by the paddy-rice and apple district, and the rice producing district in that order.
9. As regards the hemoglobin level, those who showed less than 12.0 g/dl accounted for 11 to 32%. The level was lowest in the paddy-rice and apple producing district, followed by the paddy-rice district and the fishing village. There were few who need medical treatment immediately.
10. Abnormality of liver function was found among some 5 % of the examined. Serum cholesterol levels were lower in the paddy-rice district than in the other districts.
3.Primary health care in a rural district, Akita prefecture.
Takeshi SUGAYA ; Masato HAYAHI ; Shunji OKUBO ; Kimio SAITO ; Kenichi HOSOYA ; Tomio MATSUOKA ; Akira KOTANAGI ; Takashi SATO ; Kenkichi TAKISAWA ; Seiko ISHINARI
Journal of the Japanese Association of Rural Medicine 1987;36(2):79-84
Investigation was made into the health care conditions in a rural district in Akita Prefecture. Topographically, the district is divided into two parts-one characterized by mountain and the other by flat terrain.
1. In remote, depopulated villages, per capita cost of public health is on the increase.
2. The number of health personell, particularly public health nurses, is not enough to carry on various health programs.
3. With the prospect of greater numbers of the aged in society, there is an urgent need for increased medical services along with the consolidation of primary health care. In order to meet the need, it is necessary to establish a regional community health system comprised of a hospital as a nucleus and neighborhood medical instituions such as clinics and health centers.
4.Studies on Low Back Pain Caused by Agricultural Work in Flat Villages of South District in Akita Prefecture and by Work of Fisherman in a Fishing Village in Iwate Prefecture
Takeshi Sugaya ; Shigeki Hayashi ; Masato Hayashi ; Tomio Matsuoka ; Atsuro Yoshizumi ; Shinji Okubo ; Hiroshi Kitahara ; Kazuhiro Watanabe ; Yukio Ito ; Akira Kotanagi
Journal of the Japanese Association of Rural Medicine 1983;32(4):817-826
As regards to low back pain of agricultural worker, there are many problems still as to a syndrom of “Nofusho” in rural medicine, a disease in ocupational medicine and clinic of orthopedic.
Agricultural worker who complained of low back pain varies with their country and farm products, and it tend to increase with adding to their age. Further, the female rate of low back pain showed slightly high tendency than the made rate, 8.5-12.5 % of male, 6.5-13.4 % of female always complained of low back pain.
According to the findings of roentogenographic examination of back bone, the deformed vertebrae was found clearly, especially, low back pain caused by a trauma of soft tissue and iscogenic pain showed in farmers. Therefor, it is necessary to be improved working posture and condition.
In comparrison with non-farmer, it is located in order of truck drivers. bus drivers and repairmen.
5.Health problems of women in mixed-farm households.
Takeshi SUGAYA ; Masato HAYASHI ; Shunji OKUBO ; Kimio SAITO ; Tomio MATSUOKA ; Shunichi OKABE ; Kazuhiro WATABE ; Shiro SASAKI ; Akira KOTANAGI ; Takashi SATO ; Seiko ISHINARI
Journal of the Japanese Association of Rural Medicine 1985;34(2):129-133
Investigations were made into the actual working and living conditions of adults, both men and women, in the families engaged in mixed farming.
The working conditions were analyzed according to the types of crops farmers are growing. The work study was necessary to probe into the causes of farmers' health disturbances.
A questionnaire revealed that farmers are short of sleep during the busiest season. Especially housewives are forced to cut down on their sleeping hours.
It also found that some farmers spray pesticides in quantity and expose themselves to the potentially health injurious chemicals with alarming frequency.
There was evidence to show that some ailments, notably low back pain, had been reduced due to imporovements on farmwork and working environment.
Health checkups showed that the incidences of hypercholesterolemia and obesity remain high. There was imbalance between carolic intake and consumption.