A series of 31 consecutive parotidectomies was evaluated. FNAC could differentiate tumour from non tumour in 72.8% of cases. For actual histology, FNAC was correct in 66.6%. Frozen section was correct in differentiating between benign, malignant and inflammatory conditions in all cases. Eighty-eight percent of frozen section histology concurred with final histology. The immediate postoperative period had 13 cases of facial nerve dysfunction, but only 3 cases had residual weakness. The branch most commonly affected was the mandibular branch (92.3%). Two patients had Frey's syndrome and one had a traumatic neuroma. FNAC and CT scans improve preoperative planning, providing histological evidence and the extent of the lesion.
During a 6-month period from October 2000 to March 2001, we analysed the indications, methods, waiting period and complications following a tracheostomy at the General Intensive Care Unit (GIGU) of Hospital Kuala Lumpur. There were 49 tracheostomies performed during this period. Thirty of them were performed in the GICU using the percutaneous dilatational method while 19 were performed electively in the Operating Theatre (OT) by the ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeons. The main indications for a tracheostomy were prolonged mechanical ventilation and airway protection for patients with a poor Glasgow Coma Scale. The average waiting time for a tracheostomy after a decision was made to perform one was 1.34 +/- 0.72 days for a percutaneous tracheostomy and 3.72 +/- 2.52 days for a surgical tracheostomy. This difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). There was excessive bleeding in 3 patients in the percutaneous tracheostomy group and 1 patient in the surgical tracheostomy group. Percutaneous tracheostomy is now the main method of tracheostomy at the GICU in Hospital Kuala Lumpur. Haemorrhage is the most significant complication of this procedure. However the overall complication rate is comparable with that of a surgical tracheostomy.
A study was conducted at Greentown Health Clinic, Ipoh to assess and classify asthma by levels of control based on the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA). The secondary objective was to identify those patients whose control was suboptimal. A total of 102 patients were included in this study based on random sampling between 25th April 2008 and 6th June 2008. Standard Asthma Control Questionnaires were used to classify asthma and levels of control. Baseline Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) measurements and PEFR at audit visits were also recorded. All data were analysed using SPSS version 13. The study showed that only 39.2 % of the patients were classified as having controlled asthma, 34.3 % had asthma that was partly controlled and 26.5 % of the patients had uncontrolled asthma. Among those patients who had inadequate asthma control, more than half of them had nocturnal attacks and exacerbations. These findings demonstrate the need by the attending doctor to improve assessment of the patient’s control of asthma by actively questioning the patients and subsequently improving management to achieve optimal control of asthma.
Study site: Klinik Kesihatan Greentown, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
A thermoluminescent dosimetry (TLD) postal dose inter-comparison was carried out amongst radiotherapy centres in Malaysia. The aim of this TLD inter-comparison was to compare the uniformity involved in the measurement of absorbed dose among the participating centres. A set of 5 TLD chips placed within acrylic trays were mailed to all participating centres for irradiation to an absorbed dose to water of 2 Gy. Measurements were made for 6 MV and 60Co photon beams. Results show an agreement of +/- 5% for all but three radiotherapy centres. The ratios of the TLD readings to that of the reference centre are comparable with other national/regional dose inter-comparisons. The importance of a proper ongoing quality assurance program is essential in maintaining the consistency and uniformity of doses delivered.
Matched MeSH terms: Medical Audit/methods; Medical Audit/standards*
Transfusion is an irreversible event which carries potential benefits as well as risk to the recipient. The objective of this study was to analyse all reported transfusion reactions of the year 2008 in the Blood Bank Unit of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC). This is a retrospective study that was carried out by retrieving data from the laboratory information system. A total of 27842 transfusions were documented and the total reported transfusion reactions were 149. The incidence of transfusion reaction was 1 in 187 of all transfusions (0.54%); in which 69 (0.25%) were allergic in nature and 61 (0.22%) were febrile non-haemolytic transfusion reactions (FNHTR). Hypotensive reactions were identified in 6 (0.02%) patients. There were 9 (0.03%) cases reported with haemoglobinuria where no serological evidence of haemolytic transfusion reaction (HTR) was found. One HTR (0.003%) was identified and this was due to an error in patient identification in the ward. Other specified reactions like transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI), bacterial infections, Graft verses host disease (GVHD) were not reported. The highest frequency of the reactions occurred in the red cell transfusions which accounted for 111 cases. In conclusion, the incidences of transfusion reactions are low when compared to those reported by other centres.
Foreign bodies or objects in the ear are one of the most common problems encountered by otorhinolaryngologist (ORL) with attendant complications, removal of which requires expertise. Patients with this problem who sought treatment in the otorhinolaryngology clinic of Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM) were studied for duration of one year from January 2010 to December 2010. Specifically, the clinical presentation, type of foreign body and management outcome were analysed. 72 patients were reviewed - 44 (61.1%) males and 28 (38.9%) females. The age range was one year to 75 years with 59.8% being children below 10 years old. Ear pain (56.9%) was recorded as the most common and persistent symptom and insects (54%) were the commonest foreign body encountered. 95% (69) of the foreign bodies were removed under clinic setting with only three (4.2%) cases requiring general anaesthesia. Post-removal complications were noted in only one patient (1.4%). Repeated attempts by untrained personnel should be avoided and timely referral is vital to avoid undesirable complications.
Study site: torhinolaryngology clinic of Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM)
Pain management in Malaysian Emergency Departments has not been studied well. Convenience sampling was used to recruit 402 patients who presented with acute pain over a 2-week period. The 11-point Numerical Rating Scale was used to quantify pain. Pain relieving medications were prescribed to 178 patients (44.3%) in the Emergency Department. These patients had a median pain score of 7 on arrival. Nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs were the most commonly prescribed class of analgesic. Pain was found to be inadequately treated.
New conjugate vaccine for Streptococcus pneumoniae has been introduced in Malaysia recently. Information on infection due to S. pneumoniae in Malaysian children is scarce. We conducted a retrospective chart review of childhood invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) presented to a single centre in Malaysia.
Pregnancy-related deaths in four published perioperative mortality review reports were analysed. The aim is to look at the quality of surgical and anaesthetic services along with the perioperative care provided. The audit identified shortfalls in the logistic and support services and recommended remedial strategies. The review was conducted by a committee consisting of practising anaesthetists, surgeons and obstetricians who analysed the questionnaires collectively. A consensus was reached to categorise the death. There were 280 pregnancy-related deaths. Post-partum haemorrhage accounted for 31.8%, followed by hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (20.0% obstetric embolism (16.1%), sepsis (10.7%) and associated medical conditions (21.4%). In brief, there were comings in preoperative, intra-operative and post-operative care in some of the cases. Increased consultant input, clinical audit, improvements in monitoring and expansion of critical care facilities were the integral issues recommended.
Dengue is the most common and widespread arthropod borne arboviral infection in the world today. It is estimated that there are at least 100 million cases of dengue fever (DF) annually and 500,000 cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) which require hospitalization. In Malaysia, it has become a major public health problem. Malaysia recorded 19,544 dengue cases in 1997, the highest recorded since the disease was made notifiable in the country. Of 19,544 cases, 806 were DHF with 50 deaths. The objectives of this analysis were to describe the incidence of dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia for the years 1998-2003 and to explore the characteristics of dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia for years 1998-2003. A total of 4,716 dengue cases were notified involving 4,476 (94.9%) DF and 240 (5.1%) DHF cases, which increased though the years. The highest incidence was in January (701 or 14.9%), while the lowest was in May (188 or 4.0%). Forty percent of cases (n=1,890) were in the 15-29 year old group. The Majority were Malays (4,062 or 86.1%) and 2,602 or 55.2% were male. A total of 4,477 cases (95%) were local cases and 4,289 or 91% came from the urban area. For priority areas, 3,772 (80%) were from priority 1. More than half the cases had positive serology results. All symptoms occurred in more than 96% of cases and fever was the commonest (99.7%). The mean values for age, temperature, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) were 27.8 +/- 15.4 years, 37.9 +/- 0.90 degrees C, 115 +/- 15.2 mmHg and 73 +/- 11.1 mmHg, respectively. The mean value for the time interval between the onset of symptoms and diagnosis, onset of symptoms and notification and time of diagnosis to notification were 5.1 +/- 2.3, 5.9 +/- 2.5 and 0.8 +/- 1.1 days, respectively. There were associations between the types of dengue and classification, area and priority area. Among the symptoms, the association was only seen in joint pain. The mean significant differences between DF and DHF were found in age and systolic blood pressure. The incidence of dengue in Kota Bharu is comparable to that in Malaysia. The increase in the number of cases needs to be addressed promptly with effective surveillance, prevention and control programs.
The radiographs of 115 anterior shoulder dislocations (100 patients; 74 males, 26 female were reviewed to assess the radiographic views used in the management of this dislocation. Eighty-eight patients (88%) had only the anteroposterior (AP) view, 10 patients had 2 radiographic views taken and only 2 patients had three radiographic views. Hill-Sachs lesions were found in 18%, and glenoid rim fractures in 3% of the patients. A greater tuberosity fracture was found in 18% of the patients. Therefore, the current practice in the management of an acute anterior shoulder dislocation appears to be to perform a single view (AP) pre-reduction radiograph to confirm the diagnosis and a single view (AP) post reduction radiograph to confirm reduction after a close manipulative reduction has been performed. This practice is likely to result in an underestimate of associated Hill Sachs lesion and glenoid rim fractures, but not greater tuberosity fractures.
BACKGROUND: Turnaround time (TAT) is the benchmark to assess the performance of a laboratory, pathologists, and pathology services, but there are few articles on TAT of surgical pathology, particularly in relation to oral or head and neck specimens. This study investigates the TAT for oral histopathology reporting in an academic institution's training laboratory and offers recommendations to achieve better overall quality of diagnostic services.
METHODS: This study examined data obtained from biopsy request forms for specimens received from the Oro-Maxillofacial Surgery Department of Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Klang in the Oral Pathology Diagnostic Laboratory of the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya, over a period of 3 years between January 2012 and October 2014.
RESULTS: TAT for surgical and decalcified specimens were increased significantly compared to biopsies. Additional special handling did not influence TAT, but increased specimen volume resulted in greater TAT. Slide interpretation was the most time-consuming stage during histopathology reporting. Overall, mean TAT was acceptable for most specimens, but the TAT goals were less than satisfactory.
CONCLUSION: A TAT goal appropriate for this laboratory may hence be established based on this study. Collective efforts to improve the TAT for various specimens are essential for better laboratory performance in the future.
The objectives of this study were to evaluate the time delays between the onset of symptoms and admission to hospital and provision of thrombolytic therapy in patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction; and to examine the accuracy of the clinical diagnosis and the therapeutic decision on thrombolysis in these patients. An observational study of 96 patients with suspected myocardial infarction was undertaken over a period of 15 months in the Coronary Care Unit of Hospital Kuala Terengganu. Seventy per cent of the patients arrived in the hospital within 6 hours of the onset of symptoms. After arrival in the emergency room, it took a median time of 85 minutes before the administration of thrombolytic therapy. Of the 67 patients who were given thrombolysis, 46 were treated within 6 hours of the onset of symptoms. About a quarter of patients said that they had delayed seeking treatment at the hospital. Treatment delays occurring in the hospital were mainly due to admission procedures as well as late diagnosis. Eighty-one patients had confirmed myocardial infarction of whom 59 received thrombolytic therapy. Eight patients receiving thrombolytic therapy had no confirmation of myocardial infarctions. Improvements in diagnostic accuracy and reduction of delays in the provision of thrombolytic therapy could be achieved by better training of health care staff as well as by further streamlining of admission procedures.
An audit was done on 54 tuberculosis patients presenting to Penang Hospital who died during 1993. Active tuberculosis was the cause of death in 29 (53.7%) and 48.3% were aged under 50 years. Tuberculosis was a contributory cause of death in 8 patients and in 17 patients tuberculosis was irrelevant to the cause of death. The diagnosis of tuberculosis was made after death in 17 patients (31.5%). Late diagnosis was the most important factor resulting in death. Only 41.4% of the deaths from active tuberculosis were correctly certified in government hospitals. Medically inspected and certified deaths from tuberculosis is an unreliable indicator of tuberculosis mortality because of inaccuracies in death certification, tuberculosis deaths occurring outside hospital and tuberculosis patients undiagnosed until after death.
The clinical, haematological and biochemical profiles of all domestic and imported malaria cases admitted to the Hospital Kuala Lumpur were analysed. The most common malaria types were Plasmodium falciparum (39.5%) and Plasmodium vivax (42%). The most common patient type was men aged 29-40 years (reflecting the high mobility of this group, many of whom were illegal immigrants). Misdiagnosis on admission was frequently due to the variable clinical presentation of the disease and the difficulties of obtaining an accurate history. Associated haematological abnormalities were common. Chloroquine resistance was diagnosed in four P. falciparum patients and in one P. falciparum/vivax patient. Overall, imported malaria did not seem more severe than domestic. The three patients with cerebral malaria survived. One patient died of acute liver failure. The large influx of illegal immigrants to Malaysia has resulted in a surge in malaria infection; illegal immigrants remain a source of chloroquine resistance.
Audit has improved certain aspects of management of typhoid fever detected through Klinik Perubatan Masyarakat at Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia. We audited records of clinic patients who were blood culture positive for Salmonella typhi. For August to October 1992, we found 10 out of 31 cases (32%) were not admitted. Some of these were patients who defaulted, while some were managed as outpatients but not notified. We took action to educate the medical officers. For November 1992 - March 1993 we found 8 out of 24 cases (33%) were not admitted. Although the admission rate was no better, there was a non significant improvement in rate of notification by doctors. Defaulters were now the main problem, and so we took action to improve their follow-up, by using the clinic staff nurse. For April - August 1993, only 1 out of 16 cases (6%) was not admitted. This was a significant improvement (p=0.03)
Study site: Klinik Perubatan Masyarakat at Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia
Aim: To assess the importance of continuity of care among diabetic patients attending a primary care clinic and to correlate degree of continuity of care with diabetic control. Methods: A cross sectional survey was carried out among diabetic patients (n = 166) attending follow-up consultations in a family practice clinic of a teaching hospital. Face-to-face interviews were carried out on patients' perception of continuity of care and various aspects related to diabetes. Diabetic control was assessed by glycosylated hemoglobin. Retrospective chart audits of each patient over the previous 28 months were done to assess the degree of continuity of care, measured with the Usual Provider Continuity Index (UPCI). Results: The UPCI ranged from 0.18 to 1.00 with a mean value of 0.60. The average number of visits per patient over the 28-month period was 11.7 visits. The majority of patients saw five different doctors for all their visits. There were no statistically significant associations between the degree of provider continuity with diabetic control (r = 0.054) and diabetic self-care behavior (r = 0.065). The majority of patients (89%) felt that it was important to have a regular doctor. The main reason given was that a regular doctor would know the patient's problems. Conclusions: Continuity of care was highly valued by diabetic patients attending a hospital-based family practice clinic. Even though the degree of continuity was not associated with the degree of diabetic control, patients felt that it was important to have doctors who are aware of their problems.
INTRODUCTION: Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) is a common encounter in primary care and mostly viral in origin. Despite frequent reminders to primary care providers on judicious use of antibiotics for URTI, the practice is still rampant.
METHODS: As part of quality improvement initiative, an intervention was designed by distributing a profiling report on individual prescriber's performance in comparison to colleagues on usage of antibiotic for URTI. The data were generated from electronic health record in three public primary care clinics in Malaysia and emailing monthly throughout 2011 to all providers.
RESULTS: There were 22,328 consultations for URTI in 2010 and 22,756 in 2011 with the incidence rates of URTI among overall consultations of 15.7% and 15.9% respectively. 60 doctors and medical assistants had performed consultations during the 2 year period. Following the intervention in 2011, the prescription rate of antibiotic for URTI is significantly reduced from 33.5% in 2010 to 23.3 % in 2011. Before intervention, individual prescription rate varies from 9.7% to 88.9% and reduced to 4.3% to 50.5% after intervention.
CONCLUSION: Profiling report is a potential method of changing antibiotic prescribing habit among public primary care providers in Malaysia especially if the baseline adherence was poor and higher variation of prescribing rate.
KEYWORDS: antibiotic prescription; profiling; upper respiratory tract infection.
Study site: Klinik Kesihatan Kangar, Klinik Kesihatan Beseri, Klinik Kesihatan Simpang Empat, Perlis, Malaysia
Note: Data was extracted from TelePrimary Care (TPC) system.
RATIONALE, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of clinical audit on diabetes care provided to type 2 diabetic patients attending our hospital general medical clinics.
METHODS: Performances on diabetes-related process measures and intermediate outcome measures were evaluated through structured review of outpatient medical records. The results were fed back to the doctors and measures were implemented to improve care. The performance indicators were re-evaluated 2 years later to complete the audit cycle.
RESULTS: Annual testing rates improved for HbA1c (68.4% vs. 87.4%; P < 0.001) and lipid profile (91.8% vs. 97%; P = 0.027). Enquiry on smoking improved from 45.9% to 82.3% (P < 0.001), eye screening rates from 68.9% to 78.8% (P = 0.020) and foot examinations from 22.4% to 64.1% (P < 0.001). Prescription rates for insulin increased from 17.3% to 31.8% (P = 0.001) and statin from 83.2% to 94.4% (P < 0.001). The use of aspirin (80.6% vs. 83.8%; P =0.402) and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker (92.3% vs. 88.9%; P = 0.239) remained high in both cycles. More patients achieved targets for HbA1c < 7% (38% vs. 26%; P = 0.006), blood pressure < 130/80 mmHg (43% vs. 32%; P = 0.071) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol < 2.6 mmol/L (71% vs. 52%; P <0.001).
CONCLUSION: Clinical audit is a useful tool in improving diabetes care.
Study site: Outpatient clinic, Sarawak General Hospital, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
A quality assurance study was carried out prospectively in two phases at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. The objectives of the study were to determine the turn-around-time (TAT) of radiographs requested for infants undergoing intensive care treatment in the NICU and the effects of a standard operating procedure introduced based on initial findings of first phase of the study on subsequent TAT. The TAT was defined as the time taken for the radiograph to be ready for viewing after the attending doctor had requested for it to be done on an infant. During phase one of the study, none of the requested radiographs was ready to be viewed by the doctors within the standard TAT of 45 minutes. The problems identified were ward staffs delay in sending request forms to the radiology department, radiographers' delay in shooting and processing the films, and delay by NICU porter in collecting the processed films. Based on these findings, a standard operating procedure (SOP) was drawn up jointly by the staff of NICU and Department of Radiology. During phase two of the study conducted at one month after implementation of the SOP, there was a reduction of TAT by 50%. However, only 3 (4.3%) of the radiographs achieved the standard TAT. The main problems identified during phase two were delay in sending request forms and in collecting processed radiographs by the porter system. The dismal TAT of radiographs in NICU was related primarily to human behaviour. Besides continuous staff education, replacement of the porter system with electronic system may improve the TAT.
Keywords: Turn-around time, radiographs, neonatal intensive care unit, standard operating procedure, Kuala Lumpur