Journal of Emergency Medicine, Trauma and Acute Care - 1 - Qatar Health 2022 Conference abstracts, January 2022

Background: One of the most prevalent viruses among dialysis patients is Hepatitis C as it affects 8.4% of the dialysis patients in Qatar1. It causes serious complications including end-stage liver disease. There is no available vaccine to protect against the transmission of the Hepatitis C virus (HCV). However, antiviral drugs lead to precious benefits including reducing the risk of morbidity/mortality, increasing life expectancy, and eventuall Read More

Background: Hamad General Hospital (HGH) Nephrology Department is the main provider for dialysis services in Qatar, serving almost 900 patients. The introduction of the COVID-19 vaccination is a crucial step in protecting End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients who are vulnerable and prone to infections due to their immunocompromised status.1 They are at high risk because they are unable to practice adequate safe physical distan Read More

Background: Patient-centered care is a concept focussing on meeting the specific health needs of patients as expressed by them. Patients Reported Experience Measures (PREM) is another concept associated with patient-centered care. PREM surveys capture information about the healthcare experience as perceived by patients.1 Its importance lies in the incorporation of patient feedback into the clinical decisions and service evolut Read More

Background: The D-dimer test has a diagnostic role in pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). In a low-risk patient with negative D-dimer, PE or DVT can safely be ruled out. This work aims at investigating whether the D-dimer has a similar role in cerebral vein thrombosis (CVT) diagnosis. Methods: A literature review was performed in PubMed, Google scholar, and BestBETs electronic resources to identify studies publi Read More

Background: Clinical Pharmacists (CPs) have a vital role in the patient transition of care (TOC), including medication reconciliation and counseling upon admission, transfer, and discharge.1 The Clinical Pharmacy Department at Al Wakra Hospital, Qatar, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), established a collaborative practice agreement with the Internal Medicine Department.2 The post-discharge phone follow-up (PDPF) telehealth service aim Read More

Background: For some time, paramedics and nurses of the National Ambulance Service in Qatar provided outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) to patients with the support of Family Physicians. Like in many other countries of the Middle East, there is a high prevalence of antimicrobial resistance which makes treating infectious conditions challenging. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of patients referred to the A Read More

Background: Labour analgesia blocks the aggravated sympathetic overactivity due to labor pains in preeclampsia.1 Performing regional anesthesia in obese parturients with severe scoliosis poses challenges due to technical difficulties and alterations in epidural space.2Case presentation: A 24-year-old primigravida (40 weeks, weight 111kg, Body Mass Index 41) presented to our emergency department with mild contractions and hypertensio Read More

Introduction: Nearly 98% of women in developed nations benefit from antenatal services.1,2 In Qatar, all pregnant women are provided with antenatal care services at primary and secondary care facilities. If indicated, they are referred or transferred to tertiary care hospitals.3 However, it was noted that a significant number of women opted not to avail of these services. This study is conducted to assess the prevalence of women with no/p Read More

Background: Poor knowledge and attitude of postpartum complication (KAPC) among women delays their management and increases Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR).1 MMR in Lebanon increased from 24 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2005 to 29 in 2017.2 This study aims to assess the perceived KAPC of Lebanese women and how it differs according to their level of education and age groups, in different regions in Lebanon. Methods: This com Read More

Background: Early ambulation is considered as one of the post-operative interventions in Enhanced Recovery After Surgery protocol and women could be ambulated anytime from 6-8 hours post-surgery.1 Early ambulation benefits patients by reducing the risk of deep vein thrombosis, improving breastfeeding rate, promoting better diet and nutrition, and improving their satisfaction.2 A retrospective baseline data collection from Dece Read More

Background: The majority of patients living in a Long-Term Care Unit (LTCU) have limited mobility.1 Prolonged immobilization results in functional decline and increases the risk of other complications.2 It was observed that there is a lack of a structured, evidence-based mobility program using mobility protocols and guidelines. As per a 6-weeks baseline data collection, out of the 36 patients in Rumailah Hospital's LTCU-2, 40% were bedbound Read More

Background: Early assisted patient discharge has been implemented in Qatar since 2014 through the introduction of a Mobile Healthcare Service (MHS) with family physicians, nurses, and paramedics doing home visits1. Studies have explored the effect of Ramadan on Muslims, but findings have been variable2,3. This research aims to study and quantify any effects of the Holy month of Ramadan, and other important Muslim Religious event Read More

Background: A significant number of offshore operations are carried out by Qatargas (QG) employees and contractors in multiple offshore locations, hence, people acutely ill require costly and risky Medical Evacuation (Medevac) undertaken by helicopter or boat.1 This study aims to evaluate the impact of offshore fitness to work on reducing the number of preventable medevacs in QG compared to other oil and gas offshore organizati Read More

Background: Quality improvement has been well documented in various industries to improve safety and processes.1 However, limited research has taken place within the pre-hospital sector in this regard. Various factors can be attributed to the delivery of effective services. Studies often investigate customer/patient perception and often sideline the importance of employee perception.2 This study evaluates Qatar's Hamad Medical Corpor Read More

Background: The lack of healthcare quality management poses significant legal and financial implications1,2. A proactive approach to systems improvement seems warranted and reasonable. It is not clear if current quality control measures are perceived by patients. The study aims to understand if any correlation exists in this respect in the context of patients using the Hamad Medical Corporation Ambulance Service in Qata Read More

Background: Across the world, the COVID-19 pandemic is causing unprecedented human and economic losses. The availability of safe and effective vaccines against the virus is instrumental in saving lives. Supply chain readiness is key to efficiently deliver vaccines to the target populations.1 To control temperature excursions and equipment breakdowns with an upgraded cold chain system with the latest technology suitable in a hot country Read More

Background: Paramedics need a range of medications that are stored in bags for easy transportation to the patient's side and are exposed to temperature variations, especially in a hot country like Qatar1. The thermal stability of some medications was examined in previous studies2,3. Methods: A safe and practical solution had to be found and should be approved by the Production committee to investigate the thermal stability of a ra Read More

Background: 0.9% sodium chloride (NaCl) fluid bags are commonly stored in ambulances. Despite that the ambulances normally use air-conditioning during operational shifts, NaCl bags are exposed to deviations from the controlled environmental conditions that could affect their integrity1,2, as all ambulances are not constantly in use. Although stress tests performed in a laboratory Binder Convection Oven3 showed that NaCl maintaine Read More

Background: In the pre-hospital context, paramedics carry medications in multi-compartment medication bags. However, these medications are occasionally subjected to temperature and humidity variations as they are being carried around by paramedics during their operational duties.1,2 To develop a protocol to investigate medications’ stability inside these bags, a pilot study was needed to build a basic understanding of the temp Read More

Background: Normal saline 0.9 % (NS) is the most widespread crystalloid used as a life-saving intravenous (IV) fluid.1 NS contains sodium and chloride in equal concentrations and is subject to thermal stress conditions while stored and transported by clinicians in the pre-hospital environment.2 This study aimed to investigate the effect of high-temperature exposure on NS bags used by the Hamad Medical Corporation Ambulance Service in Qat Read More