Objective To evaluate the threshold for platelet transfusion in children admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). This is a retrospective chart review study, conducted at our tertiary level PICU and is related to critically ill pediatric patients who required platelet transfusion. Methods We retrieved the target patient population data from our blood bank database. The patients were ...

Blood tests are a seemingly basic investigation, but are often a vital part of directing patient management. Despite the importance of this everyday process, we indentified the potential for improvement of the current phlebotomy service in our hospital, as both junior doctors and phlebotomists reported a lack of communication and standardised practice across the wards. Resulting delays in obtai...

In the United States, prostate cancer will affect 1 man in 6 during his lifetime. Since the mid-1980s, screening with the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test has more than doubled the risk of a prostate cancer diagnosis. A decrease in prostate cancer death rates has been observed since that time, but the relative contribution of PSA testing as opposed to other factors, such as improved t...

Background. Recent studies suggest that the daily intake of lemon (Citrus limon) has a good effect on health, but this has not been confirmed in humans. In our previous studies, it was observed that people who are conscious of their health performed more lemon intake and exercise. An analysis that took this into account was required. Methodology. For 101 middle-aged women in an island area in H...

The controversy really took off when the US Government refused the French scientists a patent for the blood test but awarded it to Gallo. The Pasteur Institute challenged the patent in court. The dispute ended in an out of court settlement with a decision to share the credit. Today it is generally agreed that Montagnier’s group was the first to identify HIV, although Gallo’s group insists it co...

Background Strict adherence to the established standards is expected in the communication of abnormal laboratory results between the laboratory and the ward. Upon receiving abnormal laboratory results, the laboratory personnel will phone and inform the ward about the results. The receiver will take the necessary actions and then transfer the abnormal results into the patient’s charts. In a thre...

OBJECTIVE To determine the consistency among the practice guidelines of the Dutch College of General Practitioners with respect to the use of blood tests. METHODS The authors evaluated 64 practice guidelines of the Dutch College of General Practitioners. For each guideline, they analyzed each sentence that contained a reference to a blood test to determine the clinical situation in which the ...

In Manaus, Amazonas State, Brazil, the degree of individual exposure to leishmaniasis is related to disorganized land occupation. In order to evaluate predisposing factors for an outbreak, confirm the parasitological diagnosis, treat patients, and assess etiological agents, reservoirs, and vectors, a 12-month study was conducted in Manaus in a community located along the BR-174 federal highway....

We are experiencing an unprecedented urbanization process that, alongside physical, social and economic developments, has been having a significant impact on a population's health. Due to the increase in pollution, violence and poverty, our modern cities no longer ensure a good quality of life so they become unhealthy environments. This study aims to assess the effect of social, environmental a...

rARLY diagnosis is, and has long been, a concern of the general practitioner, but Ehis main efforts have been directed to satisfying the wants of his patients at their request. Any screening for asymptomatic or early disease has been a by-product of routine clinical practice, during which the patient, having presented himself with his complaints, has had a routine history taken, a physical exam...