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Fulltext Occupational Safety and Health Management System (OSHMS) guideline compliance among medical laboratories in Klang Valley

Anuar, I., Zahedi, F., Kadir, A., Mokhtar, A.B.

Malaysian Journal of Community Health, 2008;14(1):39-44.
MyJurnal

Background: Nowadays, most medical laboratories in Malaysia practice occupational safety and health based on standard operating procedure and sometimes ad-hoc characteristic limited to only internal use. The level of compliance of the national occupational safety and health management system (OSHMS) guidelines among medical laboratories in Malaysia is still largely unexplored.
Methods: This study was carried out on 34 medical laboratories consisting of 17 public medical laboratories and 17 private medical laboratories in Klang Valley using self-administered questionnaire based on guideline of OSHMS6. This study covered 112 medical laboratories units including pathology chemistry (18), microbiology (20), virology (7), histopathology (16), cytopathology (17), hematology (19) and 15 multi discipline medical laboratories.
Results: This study showed the level of compliance to the national OSHMS guideline among medical laboratories who are MS ISO 15189:2004 accredited & have a higher scores (p
Fulltext Laboratory-acquired injuries in medical laboratory: a survey of three referral medical laboratories from year 2001 to 2005

Anuar, I., Zahedi, F., Kadir, A., Mokhtar, A.B.

Malaysian Journal of Community Health, 2008;14(1):32-38.
MyJurnal

Background: The occupationally acquired accident and injuries in Malaysian medical laboratories are still largely unexplored prior to this survey. Some of these questions are attempted in this survey and act as source of reference for the number and accident injuries in medical laboratories in the area of Klang Valley and also in Malaysia.
Methods : This survey was carried out based on recordable cases throughout the calendar year of 2001 to 2005 from 3 main medical laboratories of Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL), Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (HUKM) and Pusat Perubatan Universiti Malaya (PPUM).
Results : The average annual incident rate for this three medical laboratories is 2.05/100 full time equivalent (FTE) employees. The annual incident rate in individual medical laboratory is 2.04/100 FTE (HKL), 2.07/100 FTE (HUKM) and 2.04/100 FTE (PPUM) employees, respectively. The most common injury that is 25.3% of the total cases reported was due to cuts by sharp objects and the second most common injury was exposure to biohazard and chemical substances which constitutes 19.9% of the total cases. . Needle prick injury (16.8%), fire (8.4%), fall/slip (6.3%) and gases leak and locked in cold room were reported as one case each.
Conclusion : The average incident rate from this study is remarkably similar compared with the incident injury rate reported by BLS (2006) which is 2.1/100 FTE in the average size of medical laboratory and diagnostic. Besides this incident rate of injury and illness as a comparison, it also can be used as a benchmark to evaluate the safety performance among medical laboratories in Malaysia.
Fulltext Tahap pengetahuan keselamatan dan kesihatan pekerjaan di kalangan pekerja di makmal perubatan di Lembah Klang

Anuar, I., Zahedi, F., Kadir, A., Mokhtar, A.B.

Malaysian Journal of Community Health, 2009;15(2):35-42.
MyJurnal

Background : A safety culture practice through prevention needs skillful, knowledgeable and competencies workers. The effectiveness of occupational safety and health programme implementation needs the knowledge related to Occupational Safety and Health Acts, 1994 (OSHA 1994) and its regulations.
Objective : This study was to determine the level of knowledge and awareness towards Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) aspects among workers in medical laboratory.
Methodology : A cross-sectional study was carried out on 34 medical laboratories in which 17 were from private and another 17 laboratories were from public sectors. It consists of 112 medical laboratory disciplines. Data were obtained using self-administered questionnaire consisting of 33 questions related to Occupational Safety and Health (OSH). Each question was coded “know” and “do not know” and respondents were needed to state their understanding towards each OSH issue tendered.
Results : Respondent’s level of knowledge was analyzed according to socio-demography and socioeconomic factors. OSH level of knowledge among medical laboratory workers showed that there are significant differences (p0.05) in OSH knowledge according to between sex, marital status, income and services sectors among workers in medical laboratories. Only about 60.5% of respondents knew the existence of OSHA 1994, whereas those who knew about OSHA 1994 regulations were below than 50.0% from overall respondents.
Conclusion : Promotion and practices of dynamic safety culture through prevention needs high knowledge of OSH.
Fulltext Occupational safety and health risk perception among medical laboratory workers in Klang Valley

Anuar, I., Zahedi, F., Kadir, A., Mokhtar, A.B.

Malaysian Journal of Community Health, 2009;15(2):77-82.
MyJurnal

Background : Risk management strategy at the workplace needs two way interactions between employee and employer. Therefore, study on risk perception among workers based on scientific analysis is needed to gain knowledge and understanding on how workers perceived risk at the workplace in order to design risk management strategies more effectively.
Methodology : A cross sectional study was carried out among 628 respondents from 36 medical laboratories in the public and private sector in Klang Valley. Using a self administered questionnaire, respondents were required to perceive risk on 30 hazards which have been identified in the medical laboratory. Each hazard was encoded by using Likert scale 1= not risky, 2= risky but low, 3= moderate risk, 4= high risk and 5= very high risk.
Result : Overall, the study showed that working in the medical laboratory was perceived to of moderate risk. When comparing among ethic groups, the Malays had the highest perception of risk (3.07±0.88) as compared with Indians (3.03±0.88) and the Chinese (2.78±0.90). Employee with higher education and position level perceived low level of risk compared to those with lower education and position level. For those working in different types of laboratories, there are significant difference on risk perception, (p=0.001). Employees who work in government sector perceived higher (3.12±0.93) risk compared to workers in private sector (2.85±0.88). In terms of OSH based knowledge, those with higher level of education and position have a high score knowledge on OSH compared to those have lower education and position level.
Conclusion : This study showed that risk perception among workers in medical laboratory is influenced by socio-demography factor such race, education level, job position and the laboratory where the respondents are working.
Fulltext Perlaksanaan sistem pengurusan keselamatan dan kesihatan pekerjaan di makmal perubatan: faktor dorongan dan halangan utama

Anuar, I., Zahedi, F., Kadir, A., Mokhtar, A.B.

Malaysian Journal of Community Health, 2010;16(1):10-20.
MyJurnal

Background : The implementation of Occupational Safety and Health Management System (OSHMS) requires a level of measurement. The effectiveness of OSHMS implementation was influenced by inhibiting and supporting factors. The objective of this study was to determine the inhibiting and supporting factors towards the implementation of OSHMS in medical laboratories.
Methodology : The implementation of Occupational Safety and Health Management System (OSHMS) requires a level of measurement. The effectiveness of OSHMS implementation was influenced by inhibiting and supporting factors. The objective of this study was to determine the inhibiting and supporting factors towards the implementation of OSHMS in medical laboratories.
Result : This study showed the level of compliance to the OSHMS MS1722 guideline among medical laboratories who are MS ISO 15189 accredited & have a higher scores in overall measurement indicators OSHMS compared to those do not have SAMM accreditation. Private medical laboratories services have higher scores in overall measurement indicators OSHMS, compared to government medical laboratories. However, there was no significant difference (p>0.05) between medical laboratories which have ISO 9000 quality management system certification, compared to level of compliance to the OSHMS MS 1722 guideline among medical laboratories. There was also no significant difference (p>0.05) between the laboratories who had been operating for more than 10 years compared to those with less than 10 years, towards implementing the OSHMS. Results showed that majority of medical laboratories management perceived that difficulty and complexities of OSH legislation are the most important factor that prevent them from implementing OSHMS in their organization. The most important supporting factor, that medical laboratories management perceived as the most important to comply to the OSHMS were their moral responsibilities towards the community.
Conclusion : In conclusion, the study shows there were many inhibiting and supporting factors that contribute towards effective implementation of OSHMS elements in workplace.
Fulltext Varicella zoster causing preseptal cellulitis - uncommon but possible

Qualickuz Zanan NH, Zahedi FD, Husain S

Malays Fam Physician, 2017;12(3):37-39.
PMID: 29527280

Background: Varicella has been known to be a harmless childhood disease. However, it has been reported that severe complications have taken place following Varicella infection, in both immunocompetent, as well as immunocompromised, individuals. Cutaneous complications of Varicella may manifest as preseptal cellulitis, albeit rarely.

Report: We present a case of a 4-year-old boy who presented with symptoms and signs of preseptal cellulitis following Varicella infection. He was referred to the otorhinolaryngology team for a nasoendoscopy to rule out sinusitis, in view of the fear that a child presenting with a swollen red eye may be a case of true orbital cellulitis. He was treated successfully with intravenous antibiotics and surgical drainage of the preseptal collection.

Conclusion: It is imperative for clinicians to be aware that a simple Varicella infection may lead to cutaneous complications in the pediatric age group, especially in children who are 4 years and younger. They may develop preseptal cellulitis, whose presentation might mimic that of orbital cellulitis. Empirical treatment with antibiotics would be advantageous for the patient. A nasoendoscopic examination may also be warranted in these cases to rule out sinusitis as a cause of orbital cellulitis.
Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the sinonasal tract: outcome of endonasal endoscopic surgery at five-year follow up

Gendeh BS, Zahedi FD, Ahmad H, Kew TY

J Laryngol Otol, 2013 May;127(5):511-5.
PMID: 23570560 DOI: 10.1017/S0022215113000480

To study the outcome of endonasal endoscopic surgery for adenoid cystic carcinoma of the sinonasal tract over a five-year follow-up period.
Fulltext The effect of Ramadan fasting on fasting serum glucose in healthy adults

Larijani B, Zahedi F, Sanjari M, Amini MR, Jalili RB, Adibi H, et al.

Med J Malaysia, 2003 Dec;58(5):678-80.
PMID: 15190653

The effect of Ramadan fasting on fasting serum glucose (FPG) is still a matter of controversy. One hundred and fifteen healthy volunteers fasted for > or = 25 days during Ramadan. Blood samples were taken 1 week before Ramadan and on the 14th and 28th day of Ramadan. Serum glucose was determined by the glucose oxidase method. FPG decreased from 88.4 + 9.0 mg/dl to 62.9 +/- 7.7 mg/dl (p < 0.001). Men and women both experienced a significant drop in FPG. Calorie intake decreased in all groups (p < 0.001) and was positively correlated with decreasing FPG. FPG decreases with Ramadan fasting and has no serious adverse effect on fasting adults.
The association between the reflux symptoms index and nasal symptoms among patients with non-allergic rhinitis

Hamizan AW, Choo YY, Loh PV, Abd Talib NF, Mohd Ramli MF, Zahedi FD, et al.

J Laryngol Otol, 2021 Feb;135(2):142-146.
PMID: 33494850 DOI: 10.1017/S0022215120002492

BACKGROUND: Laryngopharyngeal reflux symptoms assessed with the reflux symptom index can overlap with non-allergic rhinitis symptoms. This study aims to explore the association between the reflux symptom index and nasal symptoms in non-allergic rhinitis patients.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on consecutive adults with non-allergic rhinitis. The reflux symptom index (score of more than 13 = laryngopharyngeal reflux) and nasal symptoms (categorised as mild (total score of 0-3), moderate (4-7) or severe (8-12)) were assessed.
RESULTS: The study included 227 participants (aged 58.64 ± 12.39 years, 59.5 per cent female). The reflux symptom index scores increased with total nasal symptom scores (mild vs moderate vs severe, 8.61 ± 6.27 vs 12.94 ± 7.4 vs 16.40 ± 8.10; p < 0.01). Logistic regression indicated that laryngopharyngeal reflux is more likely in patients with severe nose block (odds ratio 5.47 (95 per cent confidence interval = 2.16-13.87); p < 0.01).
CONCLUSION: Laryngopharyngeal reflux symptoms are associated with nasal symptom severity, and nasal symptoms should be primarily treated. Those with predominant nose block and laryngopharyngeal reflux symptoms are more likely to have laryngopharyngeal reflux.
Fulltext Management of rhinosinusitis in adults in primary care

Husain S, Amilia HH, Rosli MN, Zahedi FD, Sachlin IS, Development Group Clinical Practice Guidelines Management of Rhinosinusitis in Adolescents & Adults

Malays Fam Physician, 2018;13(1):28-33.
PMID: 29796207 MyJurnal

Rhinosinusitis is a common health problem encountered in primary care. It is due to mucosal inflammation of the nose and paranasal sinuses. Less than 2% of the cases are associated with bacterial infections. Diagnosis is based on clinical symptoms and supported by nasal endoscopy and imaging studies. Intranasal corticosteroids and normal saline irrigation are important treatments. Antibiotics are seldom indicated.
Fulltext Olfactory impairment in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 self-perceived as asymptomatic

Zahedi FD, Husain S, Wan Hamizan AK, Tuang GJ, Gendeh HS, Oui TJ, et al.

J Laryngol Otol, 2023 Feb;137(2):174-177.
PMID: 35469585 DOI: 10.1017/S0022215121004709

BACKGROUND: Olfactory impairment may be present among patients with coronavirus disease 2019 self-perceived as asymptomatic. This study aimed to assess olfactory function among these individuals.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study involving patients with coronavirus disease 2019 self-perceived as asymptomatic was conducted. Assessments included the subjective Malaysian Smell and Taste Questionnaire and the culturally adapted Malaysian version of the objective Sniffin' Sticks Identification smell test.
RESULTS: In 81 participants (mean age of 31.59 ± 12.04 years), with mean time from diagnosis to smell test of 7.47 ± 3.79 days, subjective assessment showed that 80.2 per cent were asymptomatic (questionnaire score of 6) and 19 per cent had mild symptoms (questionnaire score of 7 and 8). The mean objective smell test score was 10.89 ± 2.11. The prevalence of olfactory impairment was 76.6 per cent among patients with coronavirus disease 2019 self-perceived as asymptomatic. There was no association between the questionnaire and the smell test scores (p = 0.25). There was a correlation between the smell test score and the duration from diagnosis to smell test (p = 0.04).
CONCLUSION: The objective assessment demonstrated that coronavirus disease 2019 patients who perceived themselves as asymptomatic showed olfactory impairment.