Kerala Medical Journal

The Crucial Role of Post-COVID Clinics in Addressing Long-Term Health Impacts

Shajahan P Sulaiman — 2024-08-17

As the world continues to emerge from the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic, the focus is gradually shifting from immediate containment and treatment to addressing the lingering effects that the virus has left on millions of people. One critical aspect of this transition is the establishment of post-COVID clinics, which are essential for providing comprehensive care to those suffering from long-term symptoms, commonly referred to as “long COVID”.

Knowledge of Theory and Practice of Infection Control Among Nursing Staff Working in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Rachana S Menon — 2022-03-31

Background: Healthcare associated infections (HAIs) are one of the most common complications of health care management. Effective infection prevention and control in healthcare facilities depends on the proper implementation and practice of policies and procedures on infection control as well as awareness and compliance of healthcare workers regarding the same. There arises a need to ensure strict measures of infection control among nursing staff since they are front-line workers in the ongoing struggle against the COVID-19 pandemic. This study was conducted to assess the knowledge of theory and practice of infection control among the nursing staff working in the hospital outpatient departments, wards, operation theatres, and intensive care units of a tertiary care hospital.
Materials and Methods
Type of study: Cross-sectional study
Study participants: Nursing staff working in a tertiary care hospital
Duration of study: 2 months
Inclusion criteria: At least one year job experience and a bachelor degree
Exclusion criteria: Reluctance to participate
To conduct the survey, permission was obtained from the Ethical Committee of the Institute.
A questionnaire was distributed among the nursing staff working in the hospital outpatient departments, wards, operation theatres, and intensive care units.
The data was entered into an Excel sheet and the scores were tabulated in percentage.
Results: The results of the study show that the nurses in the present study have excellent knowledge regarding the theory of infection control. However, their overall knowledge of practice didn’t reach an excellent level. It was also seen that the knowledge of practice improved with experience. In regards to place of activity, the highest scores of knowledge of both theory and practice were seen in the operation theatres and intensive care units.
The study reported no relationship between knowledge of theory or practice of infection control and the age and educational qualification of the study participants.
Conclusion: The overall high knowledge levels may be attributed to the active working and monitoring of the Hospital Infection Control Committee. Factors like years of experience and place of activity had a positive correlation with higher scores while factors like age and educational qualification had no significant correlation with knowledge levels.

Antenatal Depression Among Pregnant Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Comparative Study in Tertiary Care Hospitals of Thiruvananthapuram District

Renjini Ramachandran — 2024-08-17

The study investigates the prevalence and risk factors of antenatal depression among pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in a tertiary care hospital in Thiruvananthapuram district. Using a cross-sectional study design, the research compared 250 GDM patients with 250 non-GDM pregnant women. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was used for assessment of depression. Results indicated a significantly higher prevalence of depression in GDM patients (36.2%) compared to non-GDM patients (15.2%). The study underscores the importance of regular screening and targeted interventions to manage antenatal depression in GDM patients.

Acute Levothyroxine Poisoning in a Hypothyroid Patient with Total Thyroidectomy: A Case Report

V Balachandran — 2022-06-30

Levothyroxine intoxication is a rare clinical entity which is usually asymptomatic. However, severe symptoms such as respiratory failure, malignant hyperthermia, seizures, arrhythmia, and coma have been reported. In this case report, a patient who ingested a high dose (10 mg) of levothyroxine for suicide and was admitted to the intensive care unit is presented. Despite ingestion of a high dose of levothyroxine, thyrotoxicosis symptoms resolved without any major treatment and the patient was discharged from the ward on the 7 th day

Calcaneal Osteomyelitis - A Rare Complication of Steroid Injection for Plantar Fascitis - A Case Report

V T Sudheera — 2022-06-30

Plantar fasciitis is commonly treated with corticosteroid injections to decrease pain and inflammation. Therapeutic benefits often vary in terms of efficacy and duration. Rupture of the plantar fascia has been reported as a possible complication following corticosteroid injection, but we present a rare complication of Osteomyelitis of calcaneum following corticosteroid injection. A 41-year-old female patient presented with complaints of back ache and difficulty in walking with no history of any previous trauma. Detailed history revealed that she had taken steroid injection for heel pain. Examination revealed bluish discoloration and swelling just below the medial malleolus and around the heel with local rise of temperature and severe restriction of range of movement of left ankle. MRI investigation revealed osteomyelitis of posterior third calcaneum with abscess inferior to calcaneum involving plantar muscles. Patient underwent surgical debridement for the same.
Steroid therapy is a valuable adjunct to other therapy measures, including plantar fascial stretching. However, one should be cognizant that overuse of steroid injection can lead to severe complications. Steroid injections should be performed with ultrasound monitoring to reduce complications.

Osseous Rhinosporidiosis Mimicking Osteosarcoma - A Master of Camouflage!

Kavitha Ravi — 2022-03-31

Rhinosporidiosis is a chronic granulomatous disease caused by Rhinosporidium seeberi. The usual site of affection is the nasopharyngeal mucosa followed by the eyes. Cutaneous and genital lesions are also commonly seen. However, osseous involvement is rare. We report a case of Rhinosporidiosis involving the metatarsal bone of the foot in a 50-year-old male who was HIV positive.

Osteoporosis & You Beyond your 60s AND 70s

Shah P Navas — 2022-03-31

Osteoporosis remains a silent disease until fractures occur, which can result in disability, a reduced quality of life, and higher mortality. Fortunately, effective treatments exist for diagnosis and prevention before fractures happen. Early diagnosis through risk assessment and BMD measurement is key to effective management. Primary healthcare providers and public health initiatives must prioritize the prevention, detection, and treatment of osteoporosis to alleviate the burden of this disease as the global population ages.