No abstract available.

No abstract available.

BACKGROUND: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most frequent nosocomial infections and are frequently associated with indwelling urinary catheters. It is known that adherence to standard infection control measures for urinary catheters can reduce UTIs in hospitals. This study was performed to evaluate the effect of education in reducing catheter-related UTIs (CR-UTIs) in intensive care units (ICUs) of a university hospital. METHODS: CR-UTIs were prospectively monitored for all patients with indwelling urinary catheters in ICUs from July 2006 through December 2007. Recommendations based on previously known guidelines for catheter insertion, catheter management, and specimen collection to prevent CR-UTIs were formulated and educated in March 2007. Knowledge and adherence level were evaluated before and after educating healthcare workers about the recommendations using questionnaire. Changes in knowledge and adherence level before and after education were compared by Chi-square test. Changes in the rate of CR-UTIs and urinary catheter utilization ratios were also analyzed by Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: After education, knowledge level of and adherence level to most of the recommendations were improved significantly. The rate of CR-UTIs significantly decreased by 48% from 7.43/1,000 catheter-days before intervention to 3.87/1,000 catheter-days after intervention (P=0.02). CONCLUSION: Surveillance for nosocomial infections and education for standard infection control measures are very important in preventing CR-UTIs in ICUs.
Catheters ; Cross Infection ; Delivery of Health Care ; Humans ; Infection Control ; Critical Care ; Intensive Care Units ; Prospective Studies ; Specimen Handling ; Urinary Catheterization ; Urinary Catheters ; Urinary Tract ; Urinary Tract Infections ; Surveys and Questionnaires

No abstract available.
Endometriosis* ; Exons* ; Female ; Humans ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome*

No abstract available.
Hemangioma, Cavernous*

No abstract available.
Bacillus anthracis* ; Bacillus* ; Classification*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and potential benefits of Hand-Assisted Laparoscopic Surgery (HALS) with the HandPort system. The surgeon inserts the nondominant hand into the abdomen while the pneumoperitoneum is maintained. The hand assists laparoscopic instruments and is helpful in complex laparoscopic surgery. This approach provides an excellent means to explore, to retract safely, and to apply immediate hemostasis when needed. METHODS: A prospective study was performed in patients who had undergone surgical intervention with the HandPort system at Ewha Womans University Mok-Dong Hospital. The surgeon was free to test the device in any situation where they expected a potential advantage over conventional laparoscopy. The surgeon inserted the nondominant hand into the abdomen while the pneumoperitoneum was generally maintained at 13 mmHg. RESULTS: Thirteen patients were entered in the study. Operations included radical gastrectomy in 8 cases, subtotal gastrectomy in 1 case, hemicolecotmy in 2, distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy in 1, nephrectomy with splenectomy in 1. The mean incision size for the HandPort device was 7.5 cm for the nondominant hand. None of the patients required conversion to open surgery as a result of an unmanageable air leak. There were no postoperative problems and no cases of mortality. CONCLUSION: HALS with the HandPort system is helpful in complex laparoscopic surgery and appeared to be useful in minimally invasive procedures considered too complex for,a laparoscopic approach.
Abdomen ; Conversion to Open Surgery ; Female ; Gastrectomy ; Hand ; Hand-Assisted Laparoscopy* ; Hemostasis ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Mortality ; Nephrectomy ; Pancreatectomy ; Pneumoperitoneum ; Prospective Studies ; Splenectomy

Biopsy ; Free Tissue Flaps ; Jaw ; Mandible ; Myxoma

Salmonellae have been recognized as uncommon etiological organisms causing osteomyelitis in patients with sickle cell anemia and other immunocompromised conditions. A 34-year old man who had no underlying illness except for congenital block vertebrae at T10-11 vertebrae was admitted to the hospital due to lower back pain and fever for a week. Vertebral osteomyelitis was diagnosed and surgical drainage was performed. Salmonella enterica serovar Othmarschen was isolated from the drained pus. Therapy with ciprofloxacin for 8 weeks was successful without relapse. We describe here a case of vertebral osteomyelitis which was caused by S. Othmarschen in an immunocompetent patient.
Anemia, Sickle Cell ; Ciprofloxacin ; Drainage ; Fever ; Humans ; Low Back Pain ; Osteomyelitis ; Recurrence ; Salmonella ; Salmonella enterica ; Spine ; Suppuration

Salmonellae have been recognized as uncommon etiological organisms causing osteomyelitis in patients with sickle cell anemia and other immunocompromised conditions. A 34-year old man who had no underlying illness except for congenital block vertebrae at T10-11 vertebrae was admitted to the hospital due to lower back pain and fever for a week. Vertebral osteomyelitis was diagnosed and surgical drainage was performed. Salmonella enterica serovar Othmarschen was isolated from the drained pus. Therapy with ciprofloxacin for 8 weeks was successful without relapse. We describe here a case of vertebral osteomyelitis which was caused by S. Othmarschen in an immunocompetent patient.
Anemia, Sickle Cell ; Ciprofloxacin ; Drainage ; Fever ; Humans ; Low Back Pain ; Osteomyelitis ; Recurrence ; Salmonella ; Salmonella enterica ; Spine ; Suppuration