Every sudden death of a healthy infant must be thoroughly investigated

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), citing the critical need to identify infant deaths caused by child abuse or neglect, has urged a thorough investigation into every sudden unexpected death of a healthy infant. AAP, together with the National Association of Medical Examiners has outlined the steps of such investigation in a report “Identifying Child Abuse Fatalities During Infancy,” published online Aug. 26 in the journal Pediatrics.

The report says that investigators should remain sensitive, unbiased and nonjudgmental when they talk with parents, who will need additional support for grief and stress

A thorough assessment of the death should include:

• A careful history-taking by emergency responders and medical personnel that is reported to the medical examiner or coroner
• A prompt investigation with doll reenactment at the scene at which the infant was found lifeless or unresponsive
• Interviews with families and household members by police, death investigators, prosecutors and child protective services
• A complete autopsy within 24 hours of death.

(Source: American Academy of Pediatrics)

Healthcare News Monitor

Only 5-10% pharma firms have cybersecurity: Expert

The Times of India- Aditi Mallick

HYDERABAD: Only 5 to 10% of pharma companies in India have foolproof cybersecurity, said Sai Krishna, chairperson of Global Cyber Security Forum. The forum, in collaboration with Kenes Exhibitions, Israel, in support with Telangana government and Consulate General of Israel, is co-hosting a two-day Global Cyber Security conference in Hyderabad. Sai Krishna stated that cyber-attack can have a huge impact on pharma companies with zero or no cybersecurity, especially on small and medium-size units. “Keeping Hyderabad pharma hub in mind, we are also hosting an expert panel on data privacy and security to talk about Pharma 4.0, which is the way forward for over 600 plus pharma companies in Hyderabad. Currently, there is no policy to audit its cyber and data security system,” said Krishna.

Doctors at risk as most government hospitals in Hyderabad lack security

The News Indian Express

With the rising number of incidents of patient’s kin attacking and manhandling healthcare staff, doctors across government and private hospitals are pushing for better security measures and increased accountability. However, most government hospitals are understaffed when it comes to security guards and do not have the infrastructure to handle such situations. The lack of alarm systems and CCTV cameras leave doctors at the mercy of the patients. However, many senior doctors feel that such situations can be avoided if doctors have an enhanced sense of empathy for their patients, without treating medicine as a business. Dr Shravan Kumar of Gandhi Hospital told Express, “Increasing the number of security guards and measures will not solve the issue. Doctors, especially junior doctors, need to be more empathetic towards their patients.

Bhopal: Private hospitals not reporting cases

The Free Press Journal

Bhopal: Hundred and four dengue positive cases have been reported in the state capital so far. But it is not accurate figure as private hospitals are not reporting the cases to the health department despite established protocol. So picture on dengue is still not clear in state capital. Last year, it was 738 dengue cases. Malaria officer Dr Akhilesh Dubey said, “Barring few, none of the private hospitals report cases to health department as they will have to follow proper protocol. Government declares dengue patients only after Alisa test while private hospital declares it only on the basis of card-test and 50,000 blood platelets. Secondly, there are no medicines of dengue treatment as it is virus problem so paracetamol is prescribed for the relief of fever. But in private all kind of medicines in the names of increasing blood platelets and controlling dengue are prescribe.”