1.Outcomes of measures to prevent dose selection errors (2023-2024)
Nomin-Erdene Ts ; Tserennyam D ; Delgermaa Ts ; Orgilmaa Ts ; Mungunchimeg M ; Khulan M ; Khulan A ; Nina M ; Erdenetuya M
Mongolian Journal of Health Sciences 2025;87(3):154-160
Background:
A drug related problem is defined by the Pharmaceutical Care
Network Europe Association as an an event or circumstance involving drug
therapy that actually or potentially interferes with desired health outcomes.
One critical aspect of preventing such errors is proper dose adjustment, which
plays a vital role in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. For instance, adjusting
the dose of warfarin based on the patient’s INR level is essential. In
a 1995 study conducted in England, clinical pharmacists recommended target
doses of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors for patients with
chronic heart failure. As a result, patients experienced a significant reduction
in pulmonary and peripheral edema, along with improved exercise test outcomes.
At the Mongolian-Japanese Hospital of the Mongolian Medical University
of Science and Technology, it is important to analyze dosage-related
issues identified by clinical pharmacists and inform healthcare professionals
about common dosage selection errors and associated risks.
Aim:
We analyzed issues related to medication dosage.
Materials and Methods:
A retrospective study was conducted to examine
problem related to dosage detected through prescription monitoring at the
Mongolian Japanese Hospital of the Mongolian National University of Health
Sciences from 2023 to 2024.
Results:
Out of a total of 2340 drug-related problem identified across five
inpatient wards during this period, 581 (100%) were related to dosage. Clinical
pharmacists performed prescription review on approximately 67% of all
inpatients, which was consistent between years. However, medication-related
problems tended to decrease from 41.1% (n=1499) in 2023 to 22.3% (n=841)
in 2024 (p=0.05). The majority of dose-related problems, 75.6% (n=440), were
overdoses. Medication-related problems were most common in the surgical
department, with 59.5% (n=346) (p=0.001). The most frequent dosage-related
errors involved exceeding the daily dose of diclofenac, administering higher-
than-recommended doses of ceftriaxone, failing to adjust cefotaxime for
renal function, and using inappropriate doses of metronidazole in patients with
impaired liver function. The leading cause of these errors was failure to adhere
to guideline-recommended dosing, which accounted for 71.3% (n=415)
of cases (p=0.001). When dosage-related recommendations were provided to
physicians before of treatment, acceptance rates increased by 14% (p=0.001).
These interventions resulted in an estimated cost saving of 1.267.219₮ and a
reduction of 363 injections.
Conclusion
Therefore, clinical pharmacist-led prescription review can help
reduce the risk of dosage errors, lower associated healthcare costs, and alleviate
the burden on medical staff.
2.Assessment of anemia prevalence:clinical severity, and red blood cell morphological types among adults
Enkhmaa B ; Khulan P ; Oyunsuren E ; Odgerel Ts ; Batchimeg N ; Gantulga D ; Uranbaigali E
Diagnosis 2025;115(4):28-35
Introduction:
Anemia is still being a population’s challenging issue regardless of high development of countries around the world. According to a study regarding prevalence and etiology of anemia conducted in 187 countries around the world, the anemia rate is 23 176 per 100 000 population. In accordance with the “5th National Nutrition Survey” study conducted in our country in 2017, one of every five women (21.4%), aged 15-49 years, (16.2%) of reproductive age women and (3.0%) of men are anemic. The current study was conducted due to it is still essential to study and identify the etiology of anemia, determine its prevalence, plan appropriate intervention, and organize future preventive measures, depending on the socio economic conditions, location, diet, and customs of the Mongolians.
Aim:
To determine the prevalence, red blood cell morphology, and severity of anemia among adults. Method: The cross sectional study was conducted during between May 2022 and Sep 2023 and adults aged above 18 years were included. Moreover, we identified anemia cases based on the laboratory test results and determined the anemia severity grade. Statistical analysis was performed by using SPSS software.
Result:
Overall, (6.7%) of participants were anemic: (9.9%) of women and (2.8%) of men. The distribution by severity was: mild anemia (66.7%), moderate anemia (30%), and severe anemia (3.3%). Among women of reproductive age, prevalence was higher, whereas in men, anemia prevalence increased with age. Regionally, the Central region showed the highest prevalence, while other regions varied. Analysis of anemia by red blood cell morphology showed that normocytic anemia accounted for (51.6%), hypochromic anemia 66%, and mean hemoglobin concentration hypochromic (53.6%). Moderate and severe anemia was more common in women than men.
Conclusion
Anemia was detected in (6.7%) of the total study population, (9.9%) of females, and (2.8%) of males were anemic. Of those with anemia, (66.7%) had mild anemia, (30%) had moderate anemia, and (3.3%) had severe anemia. Moderate and severe anemia were more common in females than in males.
3.Analysis of the reliability and validity of the competency inventory registered nurses scale
ALIMA ; ; Khulan G ; Solongo D
Mongolian Journal of Health Sciences 2025;89(5):72-78
Background:
Ensuring the quality of healthcare services relies heavily on the professional competence of nurses. This
study aimed to assess the internal consistency and construct validity of a competency assessment questionnaire developed
for nurses working in tertiary-level hospitals in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
Aim:
The aim of this study is to determine the internal reliability and construct validity of the questionnaire used to assess
nurses’ competency
Materials and Methods:
A cross-sectional study design was conducted among 390 nurses employed at tertiary hospitals
in Ulaanbaatar. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. Internal reliability was evaluated using Cronbach’s alpha,
and construct validity was assessed through exploratory factor analysis (EFA).
Results:
The 55-item questionnaire demonstrated excellent internal reliability (Cronbach’s alpha=0.981). The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) measure was 0.972, and Bartlett’s test of sphericity was significant (p<0.001), indicating the
data were suitable for factor analysis
Conclusions
1. The internal consistency of the questionnaire showed a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.981, indicating excellent
reliability. In addition, the Cronbach’s alpha values for each of the seven subscales were all above 0.90, demonstrating
strong inter-item correlations and stability of the measurement indicators. The developed questionnaire is a highly
reliable and valid tool for assessing the competencies of nurses in Mongolia. Its strong psychometric properties
support its use in both research and professional development contexts.
2. Factor analysis was conducted using the Varimax rotation method to evaluate the construct validity of the
questionnaire. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) measure was 0.972, and Bartlett’s Test of Sphericity was significant
(p<0.001), indicating that the data were suitable for factor analysis. The analysis identified seven factors, each with
a loading above 0.60, confirming the high construct validity of the measurement tool.
4.Psychometric Properties of the Mongolian Version of the Competency Inventory for Registered Nurses
ALIMA ; ; Khulan G ; Solongo D
Mongolian Journal of Health Sciences 2025;90(6):78-83
Background:
The development and evaluation of nurse competency is an important research area that directly impacts
the improvement of nursing quality and the optimization of the healthcare systems.
Aim:
To determine the psychometric properties, specifically the reliability and content validity, of the Mongolian version
of the Competency Inventory for Registered Nurses.
Materials and Methods:
Research approval was obtained from the research ethics committee of the MNUMS (approval
no. 2024/3-06), and adhering to ethical principles. Copyright owners granted permission to the principal investigator (PI)
to use and translate the CIRN. Three bilingual experts were invited to be involved in the forward–backward translation
process into the Mongolian language. Instrument reliability was pilot-tested with 30 nurses, who had similar characteristics
with study sample. We collected data from 550 registered nurses, randomly selected and working in 11 reference-level
and national centers in the capital city of Ulaanbaatar, and five Regional Diagnostic and Treatment Centers (RDTCs) of
Mongolia.
Results:
The most of participants were female (96.9%); ages ranged from 20 to 63 ages with an average of 36.50. The
internal consistency reliability of the CIRN was very high and Cronbach’s alpha coefficients were 0.97 respectively. The
content validity indices (I-CVI≥0.78, S-CVI/Ave=0.98, S-CVI/UA=0.85) indicated satisfactory content validity. Factor
analysis with Varimax rotation showed factor loadings ranging from 0.380 to 0.780.
Conclusions
1. The Mongolian version of the Competency Inventory for Registered Nurses (CIRN) confirmed acceptable
internal reliability.
2. The Mongolian version of the Competency Inventory for Registered Nurses (CIRN) was confirmed
to be a valid instrument with appropriate content validity.
5.Some aspects of chronotype and sleep quality in shift nurses
Khulan D ; Basbish Ts ; Duuriimaa S
Mongolian Medical Sciences 2024;208(2):21-29
Introduction:
5-10% of shift workers experience severe shift insomnia and sleepiness. A nurse specialist stays by
the client's side 24 hours a day, assesses and monitors their physical condition, and provides nursing
care. In a comparative study on the work activity among shift nurses, night shift nurses were less
active (40%) and more fatigued (53.3%) than day shift nurses.
An aspects of chronotype and sleep quality in shift nurses does not established in Mongolia and the
data is very rare, and we aimed to conduct this study.
Goal:
To study shift schedule, sleep quality and individual chronotype of shift nurses.
Materials and Methods:
This study is a cross-sectional study. The survey was completed between July 1, 2023 and December
31, 2023, and included a total of 117 nurses who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria of the BZDGH,
SKDGH, and KUDGH research. In collecting research data, the questionnaires "Insomnia Severity
Index", which is a commonly used international standard questionnaire for assessing insomnia, The
Munich Chrono Type Questionnaire for assessing individual chronotype, and "Karolinska Sleepiness
Scale" were used.
The ethical approval:
The ethical approval for the study was obtained by a decision of the Ach Medical University-Ethical
Committee on Research on June 30, 2023 (2023/02/05).
Statistical analysis :
Results were calculated using SPSS - 21.0 v program by a descriptive statistic, and the Pearson
correlation analysis.
Results :
The average score of the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) was 12.60±6.38, which is the sub threshold
for clinical insomnia. But the average Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS) score for sleepiness is
4.41±2.50, or moderate alertness during the shift. Workday sleep-wake pattern and non-workday
sleep-wake pattern are correlated (r=0.44, p=0.001). Also, individual chronotype is correlated with
chronotype of non-working days (r=0.23, p=0.02).
Conclusions
Nurses' sleep quality levels were pre-clinical insomnia and moderate alertness during shifts for sleepiness.
Working and non-working day sleep-wake patterns are different, chronotype is medium early type. The
sleep-wake pattern of weekdays and the sleep-wake pattern of non-workdays are related to each other.
The chronotype of the individual is related to the chronotype of non-working days.
6.Emergency cesarean section risk factors of Robson 1, 2A, 3, 4A
Tegshbuyan B ; Uranchimeg R ; Khaliun U ; Lkhagvaochir E ; Undram B ; Tserendavaa D ; Khulan B ; Bodolmaa B ; Nandin-Erdene B ; Bat-Ireedui B ; Ganbold B
Mongolian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Pediatrics 2024;34(1):2467-2474
Emergency cesarean section risk factors of Robson 1, 2A, 3, 4A
Introduction: Cesarean section rates in Mongolia exceed WHO recommendations of 5–15%, reaching 27.6% nationally and 34.1% at the First Maternity Hospital between 2019–2023. C-sections, while life-saving, increase risks of hemorrhage, infection, uterine complications, and reduced maternal quality of life. This study aimed to analyze emergency C-sections by Robson classification and identify associated risk factors in groups 1, 2a, 3, and 4a.
Material and methods: A retrospective case-control study was conducted using 886 medical records (443 emergency C-sections and 443 vaginal deliveries) from 2021–2023. Data were analyzed with IBM SPSS 24.0, and binary logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).
Results: Robson 2a was the most frequent category (43.8%), followed by 4a (25.7%), 1 (20.1%), and 3 (10.4%). Significant risk factors for emergency C-section included maternal age (p<0.001), early cervical dilation (<5 cm) at labor diagnosis (OR 3.54), abnormal CTG, pre-eclampsia, PROM, amniotomy, infertility, and malposition. Multivariate analysis showed PROM (aOR 14.66), amniotomy (aOR 6.85), fetal weight ≥4000 g (aOR 4.07), and maternal age (aOR 1.48) as key predictors.
Conclusions: Emergency C-sections were most common in Robson group 2a. Major contributing factors included PROM, amniotomy, maternal age, macrosomia, and abnormal labor patterns. Targeted interventions to manage these risk factors could reduce unnecessary emergency C-sections.
7.Correlation between insomnia and job performance in shift nurses
Khulan D ; Basbish Ts ; Bulgantsetseg B
Mongolian Medical Sciences 2023;204(2):67-75
Sleep and wakefulness are physiological processes in our lives that are regulated by circadian
rhythms. The level of melatonin, the "sleep hormone", increases with the onset of darkness, and
its production slows down in the morning. Exposure to artificial light at night disrupts our circadian
rhythm and the processes it controls. Shift work is when an individual works from 9 am to 5 pm.
But the night shift refers to the time when a group of workers who work at night in factories and
enterprises work in the evening or at night, especially from 4 p.m. to 8 a.m. according to a regular
schedule. One in five people in industrialized countries work night shifts, and studies in America and
Europe show that between 15 and 30% of adult workers have some form of shift work. Between 10%
and 30% of shift workers meet the diagnosis of shift work disorder (SWD). 5-10% of shift workers experience severe shift insomnia and sleepiness. At least ¾ of shift workers suffer from insomnia.
Excessive sleepiness usually occurs during shifts (mainly at night) and is associated with impaired
cognitive ability due to the need for sleep and reduced alertness, and decreased alertness reduces
performance. Job performance is influenced by many workplace environmental factors, including
workload, coworker relationships, stress levels, and extended hours. A nurse specialist provides
nursing care by monitoring and evaluating 24 hours a day, and by working night shifts, the circadian
system of sleep is disturbed, causing sleep problems and insomnia. When examining how night shift
work affects nurses' ability to concentrate, the decline in concentration (33.3%) was twice as high as
that of day shift nurses (16.7%). found that shift nurses who worked the night shift had higher rates of insomnia and chronic fatigue compared to nurses who stopped working the night shift. Lack of sleep
manifests as a decline in cognitive functions such as attention, decision making, and reaction time.
These cognitive and functional declines can negatively affect quality of life and lead to impaired job
performance. An Australian study by Winwood et al found that fatigue associated with night shifts
increases the risk of human error and injury, and negatively affects the quality of patient care. Lack of sleep significantly affects nurses' alertness, concentration, and job performance. This review article
discusses the relation between shift work-related sleep and job performance based on international
research findings.
8.The effects of Particulate matter (PМ2.5) pollutants on cancer cells in in vitro model
Baljinnyam T ; Bilguun E ; Batchimeg B ; Zolzaya D ; Lkhaasuren N ; Oyungerel G ; Munkhtsetseg B ; Khaliun M ; Khulan U ; Batkhishig M ; Uranbileg U ; Sonomdagva Ch ; Bilegtsaikhan Ts ; Munkhbayar S ; Munkhtuvshin N ; Erkhembulgan P
Mongolian Medical Sciences 2021;197(3):17-25
Introduction:
Air pollution has become one of the major problems in socio-economic and health
issues in Mongolia. Among the various hazards of particulate matter (PM) pollutants, microorganisms
in PM2.5 and PM10 are thought to be responsible for various allergies and for the spread of respiratory
diseases. Recent studies have shown that PM2.5 particles can cause chronic heart failure, heart
arrhythmias, and strokes, as well as lung damage, cirrhosis, inflammation, cancer, cardiovascular
disease, and metabolic disorders. Furthermore, some studies have concluded that PM2.5 particles
in the environment are a risk factor for gastrointestinal, liver, colon, and lung cancer as well as it
affects the growth and metastasis of various cancer cells caused by other factors. In our country, the
health effects of air pollution and the relationship between the pathogenesis of cancer research are
scarce. Therefore, the study of the effects of PM2.5 particles on cancer cell proliferation, migration
(metastasis) can provide a significant role for cancer treatment, diagnosis, and prevention.
Purpose:
Determining the effects of PM2.5 particles on cancer cell proliferation, migration (metastasis)
in in-vitro
Material and Methods:
A human liver cancer cell line (HepG2), human gastric cancer cell line (AGS)
were obtained from the central scientific research laboratory in the Institute of medical sciences.
HepG2, AGS cells were seeded at a concentration of 1*105 cells/mL in a culture flask and cultured
in RPMI-1640 medium supplemented with 10% FBS, 1% antibiotic mix (penicillin, streptomycin) in a
humidified atmosphere of 5% CO2 at 37 °C. The cytotoxic effect of PM 2.5 in AGS, HepG2 cells were
evaluated by MTT, CCK8 assays. AGS, HepG2 cells were incubated in 96 well plates for 24h then
treated with different concentrations (0, 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 μg ) of Bayankhoshuu, Buhiin urguu,
and Zaisan samples for 24h, respectively.
Results:
Concentrations of 10, 25, and 50 μg/ml of samples collected from the Bukhiin urguu and
Zaisan in March increased HepG2 cell growth, while doses of 25, 50 μg/ml of samples collected from
Bayankhoshuu in March and December increased HepG2 cell growth. Therefore, concentrations of
25 and 50 μg/ml of samples collected from Bayankhoshuu in March increased AGS cell growth, while concentrations of 25, 100 and μg/ml of samples collected in December increased AGS cell growth.
However, no cytotoxic effect was observed in the sample collected from Zaisan in March, whereas
the PM2.5 sample enhanced AGS cell growth in dose dependent manner in December.(p <0.05)
Conclusion
High levels of heavy metals were detected in samples collected in December from
Bayankhoshuu, Bukhiin urguu and Zaisan of Ulaanbaatar. Concentration of 25 μg/ml of samples
collected from the Bukhiin urguu and Zaisan in March increased HepG2 cell growth. Concentrations
of 25 μg/ml of PM2.5 collected from three regions around Ulaanbaatar increased HepG2 and AGS
cell migration.
9.Use of beta 2 microglobulin as a kidney function marker
Narantuguldur D ; Khulan P ; Taikhar B ; Naranmandakh G ; Ariunbold J
Health Laboratory 2020;12(2):23-27
Purpose:
Kidney function assessment method is improving gradually. New biomarkers are studied and started using in clinical practice, such as beta 2 microglobulin. Beta 2 microglobulin is improving diagnostic and prognosis in CKD patients. We aimed to assess convenience usage of B2MG alone and B2MG based eGFR in Mongolian patients.
Materials and method:
We included 116 patients diagnosed with CKD and 55 donors whom with normal kidney function.
We collected participant's blood sample by venipuncture in plain vacutainer. Creatinine, urea, cystatin C, B2MG were tested by Roche Cobas C311 equipment in serum. eGFR was calculated by online calculation from NKF. B2MG based eGFR was calculated by eGFR=133*B2M-0.852
Result:
Assessment of kidney biomarkers and eGFR was significantly correlated in both groups. Measured serum creatinine was 3.37 mg/dl in CKD patients and 0.87 mg/dl in donors. Serum urea was 97.6 mg/dl, 31.1 mg/dl, cystatin C 3.05 mg/L, 1.49mg/L and beta 2 microglobulin 10.65 mg/L, 2.43 mg/L respectively. Estimated GFR was 21.5-28.4 ml/min/1.73m2 in CKD patients and 47.7-103.9 ml/min/1.73m2 in donors.
Assessing kidney function by biomarkers (r=0.720-0.918, p<0.05), and eGFR (r=0.495-0.996, p<0.05) were significantly correlated in both groups.
Conclusion
B2MG can be used in clinical practice in Mongolia. B2MG is optional with creatinine, urea, cystatin C for assessing and improving kidney function.
10.Involvement of Vitamin D in Immune system
Baljinnyam T ; Batchimeg B ; Zolzaya D ; Ganchimeg D ; Lkhaasuren N ; Oyungerel G ; Munkhtsetseg B ; Khaliun M ; Khulan U ; Bilguun E ; Batkhishig M ; Tulgaa L ; Bilegtsaikhan Ts ; Munkhbayar S ; Munkhtuvshin N ; Munkhbat B
Mongolian Medical Sciences 2020;192(2):51-59
Research of function of vitamin D on immune system has been studying since the study revealed
that vitamin D receptor is expressed on the surface of the immune cells. 1,2-dihydroxyvitamin
D3 [1,25(OH)2D], physiologically active form, can be generated through hydroxylation of
25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH)D], inactive form of vitamin D, in a liver, connecting with specific VDR
make biological action. Vitamin D make different biological actions depends on connecting with
different immunological cells. Some studies indicated that Vitamin D plays pivotal role in antibacterial
innate immune responses through regulating reaction of the main cells as macrophages and dendritic
cells. Moreover, calcitriol, the active form of vitamin D, is connected with VDRE, modulates the innate
immune response through directly inducing expression of catelicithin and β-defensin as antimicrobial
peptides, reducing secretion of IL-1b, IL-6, TNF-a, RANKL, COX-2 as proinflammatory cytokines and
increasing production of IL-10, an anti-inflammatory cytokine. Vitamin D plays in proliferation and
differentiation of T and B cells and regulates the activities of over 500 genes. Vitamin D differently
impacts on per se stages of T cells’ proliferation. Vitamin D indirectly mitigates the differentiation from
immature B cells to plasma B cells while it directly impacts on regulation of overloaded production of
antibodies in plasma B cells. In conclusion, vitamin D modulates the innate- and adaptive immune
response through regulation on activation of APCells, proliferation and differentiation of immune cells,
secretion of some antibacterial peptides.
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