Displaying publications 21 - 40 of 88 in total

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  1. Pereira RT, Malone CM, Flaherty GT
    J Travel Med, 2018 06 01;25(1).
    PMID: 29924349 DOI: 10.1093/jtm/tay042
    Background: Medical tourism has witnessed significant growth in recent years. The emerging trend towards international travel for cosmetic surgical interventions has not previously been reviewed. The current review aims to critically address the scale and impact of cosmetic surgical tourism and to delineate the complication profile of this form of medical tourism.

    Methods: Articles published in the English language on the PubMed database that were relevant to surgical tourism and the complications of elective surgical procedures abroad were examined. Reference lists of articles identified were further scrutinized. The search terms used included combinations of 'surgery abroad', 'cosmetic surgery abroad', 'cosmetic surgery tourism', 'cosmetic surgery complications' and 'aesthetic tourism'.

    Results: This article critically reviews the epidemiology of cosmetic surgical tourism and its associated economic factors. Surgical complications of selected procedures, including perioperative complications, are described. The implications for travel medicine practice are considered and recommendations for further research are proposed.

    Conclusion: This narrative literature review focuses on the issues affecting travellers who obtain cosmetic surgical treatment overseas. There is a lack of focus in the travel medicine literature on the non-surgery-related morbidity of this special group of travellers. Original research exploring the motivation and pre-travel preparation, including the psychological counselling, of cosmetic surgical tourists is indicated.

    Matched MeSH terms: Patient Safety/statistics & numerical data*
  2. Aung AK, Tang MJ, Adler NR, de Menezes SL, Goh MSY, Tee HW, et al.
    J Clin Pharmacol, 2018 10;58(10):1332-1339.
    PMID: 29733431 DOI: 10.1002/jcph.1148
    We describe adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting characteristics and factors contributing to length of time to report by healthcare professionals. This is a retrospective study of voluntary reports to an Australian healthcare ADR Review Committee over a 2-year period (2015-2016). Descriptive and univariate models were used for outcomes, employing standardized ADR definitions. Hospital pharmacists reported 84.8% of the 555 ADRs: 70.3% were hospital onset reactions, and 71.7% were at least of moderate severity. Immunologically mediated reactions were most commonly reported (409, 73.7%). The median time to submit an ADR report was 3 (interquartile range 1-10) days. Longer median times to reporting were associated with multiple implicated agents and delayed hypersensitivity reactions, especially severe cutaneous adverse reactions. A total of 650 medications were implicated that involved multiple agents in 165/555 (29.7%) reports. Antimicrobials were the most commonly implicated agents. Immunologically mediated reactions were most commonly associated with antimicrobials and radiocontrast agents (P < .0001, odds ratio [OR] 3.6, 95%CI 2.4-5.5, and P = .04, OR 4.2, 95%CI 1.2-18.2, respectively). Opioids and psychoactive medications were more commonly implicated in nonimmunological reported ADRs (P = .0002, OR 3.9, 95%CI 1.9-7.9, and P < .0001, OR 11.4, 95%CI 4.6-27.8, respectively). Due to the predominant reporting of immunologically mediated reactions, a targeted education program is being planned to improve identification and accuracy of ADR reports, with the overall aim of improved management to ensure quality service provision and patient safety.
    Matched MeSH terms: Patient Safety*
  3. Wijaya MI, Mohamad AR, Hafizurrachman M
    Int J Health Care Qual Assur, 2020 Jan 15;ahead-of-print(ahead-of-print).
    PMID: 32012498 DOI: 10.1108/IJHCQA-04-2019-0080
    PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper is to assess the association between shift schedule realignment and patient safety culture.

    DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: Using difference in differences model, BIMC Hospitals and Siloam Hospital Bali were compared before and after shift schedule realignment to test the association between shift schedule realignment and patient safety culture.

    FINDINGS: Shift schedule realignment was associated with a significant improvement in staffing (coefficient 1.272; 95% CI 0.842 - 1.702; p<0.001), teamwork within units (coefficient 1.689; 95% CI 1.206 - 2.171; p<0.001), teamwork across units (coefficient 1.862; 95% CI 1.415 - 2.308; p<0.001), handoffs and transitions (coefficient 0.999; 95% CI 0.616 - 1.382; p<0.001), frequency of error reported (coefficient 1.037; 95% CI 0.581 - 1.493; p<0.001), feedback and communication about error (coefficient 1.412; 95% CI 0.982 - 1.841; p<0.001) and communication openness (coefficient 1.393; 95% CI 0.968 - 1.818; p<0.001).

    PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: With positive impact on patient safety culture, shift schedule realignment should be considered as quality improvement initiative. It stretches the compressed workload suffered by staff while maintaining 40 h per week in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

    ORIGINALITY/VALUE: Shift schedule realignment, designed to improve patient safety culture, has never been implemented in any Indonesian private hospital. Other hospital managers might also appreciate knowing about the shift schedule realignment to improve the patient safety culture.

    Matched MeSH terms: Patient Safety/standards*
  4. Salahuddin L, Ismail Z, Abd Ghani MK, Mohd Aboobaider B, Hasan Basari AS
    J Eval Clin Pract, 2020 Oct;26(5):1416-1424.
    PMID: 31863517 DOI: 10.1111/jep.13326
    OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to identify the factors influencing workarounds to the Hospital Information System (HIS) in Malaysian government hospitals.

    METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted among 31 medical doctors in three Malaysian government hospitals on the implementation of the Total Hospital Information System (THIS) between March and May 2015. A thematic qualitative analysis was performed on the resultant data to deduce the relevant themes.

    RESULTS: Five themes emerged as the factors influencing workarounds to the HIS: (a) typing skills, (b) system usability, (c) computer resources, (d) workload, and (e) time.

    CONCLUSIONS: This study provided the key factors as to why doctors were involved in workarounds during the implementation of the HIS. It is important to understand these factors in order to help mitigate work practices that can pose a threat to patient safety.

    Matched MeSH terms: Patient Safety
  5. Samsiah A, Othman N, Jamshed S, Hassali MA
    PLoS One, 2016;11(12):e0166114.
    PMID: 27906960 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0166114
    OBJECTIVE: To explore and understand participants' perceptions and attitudes towards the reporting of medication errors (MEs).

    METHODS: A qualitative study using in-depth interviews of 31 healthcare practitioners from nine publicly funded, primary care clinics in three states in peninsular Malaysia was conducted for this study. The participants included family medicine specialists, doctors, pharmacists, pharmacist assistants, nurses and assistant medical officers. The interviews were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. Analysis of the data was guided by the framework approach.

    RESULTS: Six themes and 28 codes were identified. Despite the availability of a reporting system, most of the participants agreed that MEs were underreported. The nature of the error plays an important role in determining the reporting. The reporting system, organisational factors, provider factors, reporter's burden and benefit of reporting also were identified.

    CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare practitioners in primary care clinics understood the importance of reporting MEs to improve patient safety. Their perceptions and attitudes towards reporting of MEs were influenced by many factors which affect the decision-making process of whether or not to report. Although the process is complex, it primarily is determined by the severity of the outcome of the errors. The participants voluntarily report the errors if they are familiar with the reporting system, what error to report, when to report and what form to use.
    Matched MeSH terms: Patient Safety
  6. Suryani L, Perdani AL, Dioso RI, Hoon LS
    Enferm Clin, 2020 06;30 Suppl 5:221-223.
    PMID: 32713575 DOI: 10.1016/j.enfcli.2019.11.059
    OBJECTIVE: This study aimed was to describe related factors of nurse practice in preventing fall risk in an inpatient ward at X General Local Hospital.

    METHOD: A descriptive, analytical quantitative with a cross-sectional approach was used in this study. The total of 95 nurses agreed to participate by using random sampling. Data collection using a structured questionnaire and observational form. The statistical model with a chi-square analysis was used in this study.

    RESULTS: The result showed a correlation between knowledge and nurse practice with OR 3.257 (1.375-7.715; p=0.012), attitude and nurse practice with OR 4.286 (1.775-10.345; p=0.002) training and nurse practicewith OR value 5.455 (2.233-13.322; p=0.000).

    CONCLUSIONS: Local authority in the hospital must apply patient safety standards to reduce injury rates, both nurses and patients. Nurses need to follow the current trend of nursing science focusing on patient safety.

    Matched MeSH terms: Patient Safety
  7. Sapkota B, Palaian S, Shrestha S, Ibrahim MIM
    Ther Innov Regul Sci, 2023 Jul;57(4):886-898.
    PMID: 37106236 DOI: 10.1007/s43441-023-00514-4
    Materiovigilance (Mv) has the same purpose and approach in ensuring patient safety as pharmacovigilance but deals with medical devices associated with adverse events (MDAEs) and their monitoring. Mv has been instrumental in recalling many defective or malfunctioning devices based on their safety data. All MDAEs, such as critical or non-critical, known, or unknown, those with inadequate or incomplete specifications, and frequent or rare events should be reported and evaluated. Mv helps to improve medical devices' design and efficiency profile and avoid device-related complications and associated failures. It alerts consumers and health professionals regarding counterfeit or substandard devices. Common events reported through Mv are device breakage and malfunction, entry- and exit-site infections, organ perforations or injuries, need for surgery and even death, and life cycle assessment of devices. Health authorities globally have developed reporting frameworks with timeframes for MDAEs, such as MedWatch in the USA, MedSafe in New Zealand, and others. Health professionals and consumers need to be made aware of the significance of Mv in ensuring the safe use of medical devices and getting familiar with the reporting procedures and action plans in case of a device-induced adverse event.
    Matched MeSH terms: Patient Safety
  8. Zairul-Nizam ZF, Ibrahim NA
    Med J Malaysia, 2022 Nov;77(6):750-754.
    PMID: 36448395
    Medicine and healthcare can rightly be considered as High Reliability Organization (HRO) when it strives to promote and maintain reproducible and safe outcomes for all patients. Situational awareness (SA) as a concept meant to augment patient safety has often been discussed in the literature, but our own local contribution to this important discussion is decidedly deficient. Being initially implemented in the aviation industry, this concept has been extended to be a crucial element in high-demand activities, including healthcare. As such, extensive exposure is given early on during the training of medical personnel in many countries. We believe that our own medical students and other healthcare candidates in training should be similarly exposed to this concept as it can have a tremendous impact on patient well-being and safety. This paper attempts to provide a short overview of the SA in healthcare and how we can similarly promote its inclusion in our training programmes.
    Matched MeSH terms: Patient Safety*
  9. Aniza Ismail, Saperi Sulung, Syed Mohamed AlJunid, Nor Hamdan Mohd Yahaya, Husyairi Harunarashid, Oteh Maskon, et al.
    Int J Public Health Res, 2012;2(2):153-160.
    MyJurnal
    Clinical pathways have been implemented in many healthcare systems with mix results in improving the quality of care and controlling the cost. CP is a methodology used for mutual decision making and organization of care for a well-defined group of patients within a well-defined period. In developing the CPs for a medical centre, several meetings had been carried out involving expert teams which consist of physicians, nurses, pharmacists and physiotherapists. The steps used to develop the pathway were divided into 5 phases. Phase 1: the introduction and team development, Phase II: determining the cases and information gathering, Phase III: establishing the draft of CP, Phase IV: is implementing and monitoring the effectiveness of CP while Phase V: evaluating, improving and redesigning of the CP. Four CPs had been developed: Total Knee Replacement (TKR), ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (AMI), Chronic Obstructive Airways Diseases (COAD) and elective Lower Segment Caesarean Section (LSCS). The implementation of these CPs had supported the evidence-based medicine, improved the multidisciplinary communication, teamwork and care planning. However, the rotation of posts had resulted in lack of document ownership, lack of direction and guidance from senior clinical staff, and problem of providing CPs prior to admission. The development and implementation of CPs in the medical centre improved the intra and inter departmental communication, improved patient outcomes, promote patient safety and increased patient satisfaction. However, accountability and understanding of the CPs must be given more attention.

    Study site: Pusat Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (PPUKM)
    Matched MeSH terms: Patient Safety
  10. Ahmed S, Abd Manaf NH, Islam R
    Int J Health Care Qual Assur, 2018 Oct 08;31(8):973-987.
    PMID: 30415620 DOI: 10.1108/IJHCQA-07-2017-0138
    PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) and workforce management on the quality performance of Malaysian hospitals. This paper also investigates the direct and indirect relationships between top management commitment and quality performance of the healthcare organisations in Malaysia.

    DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: This study applied stratified random sampling to collect data from 15 different hospitals in Peninsular Malaysia. The self-administered survey questionnaires were distributed among 673 hospital staff (i.e. doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and medical laboratory technologists) to obtain 335 useful responses with a 49.47 per cent valid response rate. The research data were analysed based on confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling by using AMOS version 23 software.

    FINDINGS: The research findings indicated that LSS and workforce management have a significant impact on quality performance of the Malaysian hospitals, whereas senior management commitment was found to have an insignificant relationship with quality performance. The research findings indicate that senior management commitment has no direct significant relationship with quality performance, but it has an indirect significant relationship with quality performance through the mediating effects of LSS and workforce management.

    RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS: This research focussed solely on healthcare organisations in Malaysia and thus the results might not be applicable for other countries as well as other service organisations.

    ORIGINALITY/VALUE: This research provides theoretical, methodological, and practical contributions for the LSS approach and the research findings are expected to provide guidelines to enhance the level of quality performance in healthcare organisations in Malaysia as well as other countries.

    Matched MeSH terms: Patient Safety
  11. Salahuddin L, Ismail Z
    Int J Med Inform, 2015 Nov;84(11):877-91.
    PMID: 26238706 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2015.07.004
    This paper provides a systematic review of safety use of health information technology (IT). The first objective is to identify the antecedents towards safety use of health IT by conducting systematic literature review (SLR). The second objective is to classify the identified antecedents based on the work system in Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety (SEIPS) model and an extension of DeLone and McLean (D&M) information system (IS) success model.
    Matched MeSH terms: Patient Safety
  12. Jarrar M, Minai MS, Al-Bsheish M, Meri A, Jaber M
    Int J Health Plann Manage, 2019 Jan;34(1):e387-e396.
    PMID: 30221794 DOI: 10.1002/hpm.2656
    BACKGROUND: There is no clear evidence that can guide decision makers regarding the appropriate shift length in the hospitals in Malaysia. Further, there is no study that explored the value of patient-centered care of nurses working longer shifts and its impact on the care outcomes.

    OBJECTIVE: The study aims to investigate the effect of the hospital nurse shift length and patient-centered care on the perceived quality and safety of nurses in the medical-surgical and multidisciplinary wards in Malaysia.

    METHODS: A cross-sectional survey has been conducted on 12 hospitals in Malaysia. Data have been collected via a questionnaire. A stratified sampling has been used. The Hayes macro regression analyses have been used to examine the mediating effects of patient-centered care between the effect of working long shifts on the perceived quality and patient safety.

    RESULTS: There is a significant mediation effect of patient-centered care between the effect of shift length on the perceived quality (F = 42.90, P ˂ 0.001) and patient safety (F = 25.12, P ˂ 0.001).

    CONCLUSION: Patient-centered care mitigates the effect of the shift length on the care outcomes. The study provides an input for the policymakers that patient-centered care and restructuring duty hours are important to provide high-quality patient care.

    Matched MeSH terms: Patient Safety*
  13. Alhammad A, Yusof MM, Jambari DI
    Expert Rev Med Devices, 2024 Mar;21(3):217-229.
    PMID: 38318674 DOI: 10.1080/17434440.2024.2315024
    INTRODUCTION: Medical device (MD)-integrated (I) electronic medical record (EMR) (MDI-EMR) poses cyber threats that undermine patient safety, and thus, they require effective control mechanisms. We reviewed the related literature, including existing EMR and MD risk assessment approaches, to identify MDI-EMR comprehensive evaluation dimensions and measures.

    AREAS COVERED: We searched multiple databases, including PubMed, Web of Knowledge, Scopus, ACM, Embase, IEEE and Ingenta. We explored various evaluation aspects of MD and EMR to gain a better understanding of their complex integration. We reviewed numerous risk management and assessment frameworks related to MD and EMR security aspects and mitigation controls and then identified their common evaluation aspects. Our review indicated that previous evaluation frameworks assessed MD and EMR independently. To address this gap, we proposed an evaluation framework based on the sociotechnical dimensions of health information systems and risk assessment approaches for MDs to evaluate MDI-EMR integratively.

    EXPERT OPINION: The emergence of MDI-EMR cyber threats requires appropriate evaluation tools to ensure the safe development and application of MDI-EMR. Consequently, our proposed framework will continue to evolve through subsequent validations and refinements. This process aims to establish its applicability in informing stakeholders of the safety level and assessing its effectiveness in mitigating risks for future improvements.

    Matched MeSH terms: Patient Safety*
  14. Alex Kim RJ, Chin ZH, Sharlyn P, Priscilla B, Josephine S
    Med J Malaysia, 2019 Oct;74(5):385-388.
    PMID: 31649213
    INTRODUCTION: Patient safety is defined as 'the prevention of harm caused by errors of commission and omission'. Patient safety culture is one of the important determining factor in safety and quality in healthcare. The purpose of this study is to assess the views and perceptions of health care professionals about patient safety culture in Sarawak General Hospital (SGH).

    METHODS: A cross-sectional study, using the 'Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HSOPSC)' questionnaire was carried out in 2018 in SGH. Random sampling was used to select a wide range of staff in SGH. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 500 hospital staff consisting of doctors, nurses, pharmacist and other clinical and non-clinical staff, conducted from March to April 2018. A total of 407 respondents successfully completed the questionnaire. Therefore, the final response rate for the survey was 81.4%. This study used SPSS 22.0 for Windows and Hospital Data Entry and Analysis Tool that works with Microsoft Excel developed by United States Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to perform statistical analysis on the survey data.

    RESULTS: Majority of the respondents graded the overall patient safety as acceptable (63.1%) while only 3.4% graded as excellent. The overall patient safety score was 50.1% and most of the scores related to dimensions were lower than the benchmark scores (64.8%). Generally, the mean positive response rate for all the dimensions were lower than composite data of AHRQ, except for "Organizational Learning - Continuous Improvement", which is also the highest positive response rate (80%), higher than AHRQ data (73%). The result showed that SGH has a good opportunity to improve over time as it gains experience and accumulates knowledge. On the other hand, the lowest percentage of positive responses was "Non-punitive response to error" (18%), meaning that most of the staff perceived that they will be punished for medical error.

    CONCLUSIONS: The level of patient safety culture in SGH is acceptable and most of the scores related to dimensions were lower than benchmark score. SGH as a learning organisation should also address the issues of staffing, improving handoff and transition and develop a non-punitive culture in response to error.

    Matched MeSH terms: Patient Safety
  15. Loh HH, Yee A, Loh HS, Sukor N, Kamaruddin NA
    Prim Care Diabetes, 2016 Jun;10(3):210-9.
    PMID: 26392074 DOI: 10.1016/j.pcd.2015.09.001
    AIM: To systematically review the literature to compare the use of DPP4 inhibitors vs sulphonylurea in type 2 diabetic Muslim patients who fast in Ramadan, with regards to its safety, tolerability, glycemic control, and body weight changes.

    METHODS: All English-language medical literature published from inception till October 2014 which met the inclusion criteria were reviewed and analyzed.

    RESULTS: A total of nine papers were included, reviewed and analyzed. The total sample size was 4276 patients. All studies used either of the two DPP4 inhibitors - Vildagliptin or Sitagliptin, vs sulphonylurea or meglitinides. Patients receiving DPP4 inhibitors were less likely to develop symptomatic hypoglycemia (risk ratio 0.46; 95% CI, 0.30-0.70), confirmed hypoglycemia (risk ratio 0.36; 95% CI, 0.21-0.64) and severe hypoglycemia (risk ratio 0.22; 95% CI, 0.10-0.53) compared with patients on sulphonylureas. There was no statistically significant difference in HbA1C changes comparing Vildagliptin and sulphonylurea.

    CONCLUSION: DPP4 inhibitor is a safer alternative to sulphonylurea in Muslim patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who fast during the month of Ramadan as it is associated with lower risk of symptomatic, confirmed and severe hypoglycemia, with efficacy comparable to sulphonylurea.

    Matched MeSH terms: Patient Safety
  16. Kapur A, Kapur V
    Malays J Med Sci, 2020 May;27(3):143-149.
    PMID: 32684815 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2020.27.3.15
    Technological advances in the field of surgery and medicine have increased the demand for minimally invasive surgery manifold. Robot assisted surgery is gaining popularity, overcoming the flaws of laparoscopic techniques; with improved surgical precision. The conservative nature of anaesthesia care has to face the challenges with respect to patient positioning, bulkiness of the operating system and being positioned far and away from the patient. Anaesthesiologist's commitment to be the 'best man' for the patient during the perioperative period mandates him to familiarise with these challenges of robot assisted surgical system and provide best possible anaesthetic care and ensure patient safety. In this article, a systematic review of the development of surgical robots and the consideration of unique anaesthetic concerns thereof have been undertaken as any new technology is known to be accompanied by its risks and technical perplexity.
    Matched MeSH terms: Patient Safety
  17. Haseeb A, Winit-Watjana W, Bakhsh AR, Elrggal ME, Hadi MA, Mously AA, et al.
    BMJ Open, 2016 06 16;6(6):e011401.
    PMID: 27311911 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2016-011401
    OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of a pharmacist-led educational intervention to reduce the use of high-risk abbreviations (HRAs) by healthcare professionals.

    DESIGN: Quasi-experimental study consisting of a single group before-and-after study design.

    SETTING: A public emergency hospital in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

    PARTICIPANTS: 660 (preintervention) and then 498 (postintervention) handwritten physician orders, medication administration records (MRAs) and pharmacy dispensing sheets of 482 and 388 patients, respectively, from emergency wards, inpatient settings and the pharmacy department were reviewed.

    INTERVENTION: The intervention consisted of a series of interactive lectures delivered by an experienced clinical pharmacist to all hospital staff members and dissemination of educational tools (flash cards, printed list of HRAs, awareness posters) designed in line with the recommendations of the Institute for Safe Medical Practices and the US Food and Drug Administration. The duration of intervention was from April to May 2011.

    MAIN OUTCOME: Reduction in the incidence of HRAs use from the preintervention to postintervention study period.

    FINDINGS: The five most common abbreviations recorded prior to the interventions were 'IJ for injection' (28.6%), 'SC for subcutaneous' (17.4%), drug name and dose running together (9.7%), 'OD for once daily' (5.8%) and 'D/C for discharge' (4.3%). The incidence of the use of HRAs was highest in discharge prescriptions and dispensing records (72.7%) followed by prescriptions from in-patient wards (47.3%). After the intervention, the overall incidence of HRA was significantly reduced by 52% (ie, 53.6% vs 25.5%; p=0.001). In addition, there was a statistically significant reduction in the incidence of HRAs across all three settings: the pharmacy department (72.7% vs 39.3%), inpatient settings (47.3% vs 23.3%) and emergency wards (40.9% vs 10.7%).

    CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacist-led educational interventions can significantly reduce the use of HRAs by healthcare providers. Future research should investigate the long-term effectiveness of such educational interventions through a randomised controlled trial.

    Matched MeSH terms: Patient Safety/standards
  18. Farah Syazana Ahmad Shahabuddin, Nur Hazirah Ahmat, Ahmed Ikhwan Mohamad, Lau, Kit Mun, Siti Aisyah Mohd Yusof, Teh, Pei Chiek, et al.
    MyJurnal
    Background: Misinterpretation of abbreviations by healthcare workers has been reported to compromise patient safety. Medical students are future doctors. We explored how early medical students acquired the practice of using abbreviations, and their ability to interpret commonly used abbreviations in medical practice.

    Method: Eighty junior and 74 senior medical students were surveyed using a self-administered questionnaire designed to capture demographic data; frequency and reasons for using abbreviations; from where abbreviations were learned; frequency of encountering abbreviations in medical practice; prevalence of mishaps due to misinterpretation; and the ability of students to correctly interpret commonly used abbreviations. Comparisons were made between senior and junior medical students.

    Results: Abbreviation use was highly prevalent among junior and senior medical students. They acquired the habit mainly from the clinical notes of doctors in the hospital. They used abbreviations mainly to save time, space and avoid writing in full sentences. The students experienced difficulties, frustrations and often resorted to guesswork when interpreting abbreviations; with junior students experiencing these more than senior students. The latter were better at interpreting standard and non-standard abbreviations. Nevertheless, the students felt the use of abbreviations was necessary and acceptable. Only a few students reported encountering mishaps in patient management as a result of misinterpretation of abbreviations.

    Conclusion: Medical students acquired the habit of using abbreviations early in their training. Senior students knew more and correctly interpreted more standard and non-standard abbreviations compared to junior students. Medical students should be taught to use standard abbreviations only.
    Matched MeSH terms: Patient Safety
  19. Hussein Z, Aziz NA, Dhanaraj E, Brahmachari B, Kothekar M
    Med J Malaysia, 2020 07;75(4):372-378.
    PMID: 32723997
    INTRODUCTION: Biosimilar insulins have the potential to increase access to treatment among patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), reduce treatment costs, and expand market competition. There are no published studies evaluating the performance of biosimilar insulins in routine clinical practice in Asia. This study assessed the safety and effectiveness of biphasic isophane insulin injection in Malaysian DM patients.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this open label, single-arm, observational, post marketing study, patients received biphasic isophane insulin injection as per the Prescribing Information; and were assessed for safety (adverse events including hypoglycaemia), effectiveness (glycosylated haemoglobin [HbA1c]; fasting blood sugar, [FBS]; and patient's condition by patient and physician) over a period of 24 weeks.

    RESULTS: Adult male and female diabetes patients (N=119; type 2 DM, n=117) with a mean (SD) diabetes duration of 13 years were included. No new safety signals have been identified. Significant reduction in HbA1c was observed at weeks 12 and 24 (mean [SD] - baseline: 9.6% [1.9]; Week 12: 9.0% [1.7] and at Week 24: 9.1% [1.7]; p < 0.001). There were 10 serious and 9 non-serious adverse events reported in the study. Expected mild events included hypoglycaemia and injection site pruritus. However, the majority of the adverse events were non-study drug related events. No deaths were reported during the study.

    DISCUSSION: Biphasic isophane insulin injection was well tolerated with no new safety concerns. It was found effective in post- marketing studies conducted in routine clinical settings when administered in DM patients in this study.

    Matched MeSH terms: Patient Safety*
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