Public Health

Ministry of health is soon launching National Health Resource Repository through CBHI to create a comprehensive, robust registry with details on infrastructure, services, patient load, manpower and equipments of all over 25 lac public and private health care facilities.

So, called adrenal support supplements sold online as energy boosters may contain thyroid hormones and steroids that arent listed on the labels. These are advertised for enhancing metabolism, promoting energy, easing so-called adrenal fatigue, or providing adrenal support. Patients should be aware that any supplement sold as natural, organic, herbal, plant-based may not be safe (Dr. Halis Kaan Akturk of the Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes at the University of Colorado)

Minimally manipulated stem cells or more than minimally manipulated stem cells notified by the Union health ministry for treatment has been strongly objected by ICMR as it will open doors for indiscriminate use of unproven therapies and treatment using stem cells.

Tamil Nadu wing of IMA has opposed the state medical council on mandatory completion of credit hours in continuing medical education for re-registration of medical licences.

Vector born update

Mosquitos are capable of taking the most lives, killing more people in one day than sharks do in a century.

Mosquitos prefer hosts that are not anemic and have capillaries close to the surface.

Mosquitoes follow CO2 exhalations and sweats. Sweat has lactic acid in it, which is another attractant along with CO2.

Mosquitoes are attracted to people drinking beer is not true.

Fans effectively dissipate the odors the mosquitoes use to locate and home in on prey.

N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (DEET) remains the standard by which all other repellents are judged.

Oil of lemon-eucalyptus is also effective at repelling ticks.

Clothing articles employ a process of impregnating permethrin into fabric that will retain its repellent factor through 70 wash cycles and is effective at repelling all flying insects in addition to ticks and mites.

Legal

The apex consumer commission NCDRC slapped Rs 10-lakh fine on Jaipur Golden Hospital in Delhi and another Rs 5 lakh on two doctors for “unfair trade practice”. The complainant submitted that the hospital didn’t have a valid licence during the period when he underwent renal transplant.

Clinical

US FDA  has approved tolvaptan to slow decline in kidney function in adults at risk for rapidly progressing autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease

Common mistakes that may result in erroneously high BP measurement

1. Having a full bladder (+10-15 points)
2. Slouching, unsupported back or feet (+ 6-10 points)
3. Unsupported arm (+10 points)
4. Sitting with crossed legs (+ 2-8 points)
5. Wrapping the cuff over clothing (+ 5-50 points)
6. Using a too small cuff (+2-10 points)
7. Answering questions, talking on the phone (+10 points)

 Glucometers and subcutaneous glucose sensors are less accurate at altitude including air travel, but not to an extent that would preclude their clinical use. (Endocr Pract. 2018;24(2):205-219. )

 Ilan Matok, PhD, of the Institute for Drug Research in the School of Pharmacy, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel has reported that prolonged use of paracetamol during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk for autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

AMR

It’s the speed at which resistance to powerful antibiotics is able to spread from animals to humans. New research has shown how anti-microbial resistance to a key medicine likely spread from a pig farm in China, to affect human and animal species around the world, in the space of just a few years. (Voice of America)

Monitoring of P. aeruginosa, antimicrobial stewardship and infection control programs are one of the best and effective methods to prevent the development of resistance in P. aeruginosa. (The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, People’s Republic of China)

In US Gonorrhea is the second most common notifiable disease behind chlamydia. But unlike chlamydia, which is still reliably treated with antibiotics, gonorrhea has become increasingly drug resistant and nearly one in five patients in the U.S. may not receive the recommended front-line treatment.

CDC has revised its gonorrhea treatment guidelines twice in the last 6 years and now recommends a dual therapy of intramuscular ceftriaxone (250 mg) and oral azithromycin (1 g) for the best patient outcomes and to help prevent antimicrobial resistance.

Copper Coated Uniforms to Fight E. Coli Outbreaks in Hospitals: Did you know that some metals have excellent antibacterial and antimicrobial properties? Researchers at the University of Manchester, in collaboration with universities in China, have developed a material coated with copper nanoparticles via ‘polymer surface grafting’ to help prevent the spread of infection in hospitals.

Dr KK Aggarwal

Padma Shri Awardee

Vice President CMAAO

President HCFI