Narrow band imaging (NBI) endoscopy is an optical image enhancing technology that allows a detailed inspection of vascular and mucosal patterns, providing the ability to predict histology during real-time endoscopy. By combining NBI with magnification endoscopy (NBI-ME), the accurate assessment of lesions in the gastrointestinal tract can be achieved, as well as the early detection of neoplasia by emphasizing neovascularization. Promising results of the method in the diagnosis of premalignant and malignant lesions of gastrointestinal tract have been reported in clinical studies. The usefulness of NBI-ME as an adjunct to endoscopic therapy in clinical practice, the potential to improve diagnostic accuracy, surveillance strategies and cost-saving strategies based on this method are summarized in this review. Various classification systems of mucosal and vascular patterns used to differentiate preneoplastic and neoplastic lesions have been reviewed. We concluded that the clinical applicability of NBI-ME has increased, but standardization of endoscopic criteria and classification systems, validation in randomized multicenter trials and training programs to improve the diagnostic performance are all needed before the widespread acceptance of the method in routine practice. However, published data regarding the usefulness of NBI endoscopy are relevant in order to recommend the method as a reliable tool in diagnostic and therapy, even for less experienced endoscopists.
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Errors are frequent in healthcare, but Emergency Departments are among the highest risk areas due to frequent changes in team composition, complexity and variety of cases, and difficulties encountered in managing multiple patients simultaneously. Crisis resource management (CRM) training has been associated with decreased error rates in the aviation industry as well as in certain areas of acute medical care, such as anesthesia and emergency medicine. In this study, we assessed whether a single day CRM training, combining didactic and simulation sessions, improves nontechnical skills (NTS) of interprofessional emergency medical teams. Seventy health professionals with different qualifications, working in an emergency department, were enrolled in the study. Twenty individual interprofessional teams were created. Each team was assessed before and after the training, through 2 in situ simulated exercises. The exercises were videotaped and were evaluated by 2 assessors who were blinded as to whether it was the initial or the final exercise. They used a new tool designed specifically for the assessment of emergency physicians’ NTS. The intervention consisted of one-day training, combining didactic and simulation sessions, followed by an instructor facilitated debriefing. All participants went through this training after the initial assessment exercises. A significant improvement (P < 0.05) was shown for all the NTS assessed, in all professional categories involved, regardless of the duration of prior work experience in the Emergency Department. This study shows that even a short intervention, such as a single day CRM training, can have a significant impact in improving NTS, and can potentially improve patient safety.
1 March 2015 in Journal of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases
Duodenal neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are rare tumors, consisting of five different types of tumors. In many cases, they may be asymptomatic, leading to delay in diagnosis. Clinical symptoms are related to local tumor growth and mucosal ulceration. We report a 38-year old man with duodenal gangliocytic paraganglioma causing overt upper gastrointestinal bleeding and anemia. We describe specific clinical and histopathological features of the tumor, and review the diagnostic and therapeutic strategy. Gangliocytic paragangliomas are regarded as benign tumors. However, the disease recurrence and the malignant potential of the tumor have also been reported.
1 October 2018 in Journal of Critical Care Medicine
Introduction : Errors are frequent in health care and Emergency Departments are one of the riskiest areas due to frequent changes of team composition, complexity and variety of the cases and difficulties encountered in managing multiple patients. As the majority of clinical errors are the results of human factors and not technical in nature or due to the lack of knowledge, a training focused on these factors appears to be necessary. Crisis resource management (CRM), a tool that was developed initially by the aviation industry and then adopted by different medical specialties as anesthesia and emergency medicine, has been associated with decreased error rates. The aim of the study : To assess whether a single day CRM training, combining didactic and simulation sessions, improves the clinical performance of an interprofessional emergency medical team. Material and Methods : Seventy health professionals with different qualifications, working in an emergency department, were enrolled in the study. Twenty individual interprofessional teams were created. Each team was assessed before and after the training, through two in situ simulated exercises. The exercises were videotaped and were evaluated by two assessors who were blinded as to whether it was the initial or the final exercise. Objective measurement of clinical team performance was performed using a checklist that was designed for each scenario and included essential assessment items for the diagnosis and treatment of a critical patient, with the focus on key actions and decisions. The intervention consisted of a one-day training, combining didactic and simulation sessions, followed by instructor facilitated debriefing. All participants went through this training after the initial assessment exercises. Results : An improvement was seen in most of the measured clinical parameters. Conclusion : Our study supports the use of combined CRM training for improving the clinical performance of an interprofessional emergency team. Empirically this may improve the patient outcome.
Background/Objectives: Over the past three decades, emergency medicine in Romania has evolved from a developing specialty into a cornerstone of the national healthcare system. As we reflect on these 30 years, it becomes evident that the lessons learned and the systems developed form a vital foundation for the future. This study aims to explore how the accumulated experience can guide us toward building a more resilient emergency medical system, one that prioritizes quality, ensures patient and provider safety, and embraces modern principles of healthcare management. The objectives of this study were to explore the long-term perspectives of physicians and nurses working in emergency departments (EDs), to determine the triggering factors that may lead to abandoning the specialty, and to identify of malpractice risks arising from doctor–patient interaction. Methods: This study employed an observational design and utilized an opinion questionnaire to assess the participants’ perspectives. Qualitative data were presented as frequencies and percentages. Quantitative data were expressed as means and standard deviations after verifying normal distribution with the Shapiro–Wilk test. Comparisons between groups for qualitative variables were conducted using the chi-square test. For comparisons of quantitative variables between two groups, Student’s t-test was employed following confirmation of homogeneity of variances with Levene’s test. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Out of 1228 estimated responders, 641 completed the questionnaire. A total of 577 of participants met the inclusion criteria: 256 (44.4%) nurses and 321 (55.6%) doctors, with an average age of the responders of 40.06 years. Nurses reported the highest level of managerial support (83.2%, p < 0.001). EPs had the highest rate of non-participation in working groups for procedures/protocols/guidelines (49.5%, p < 0.001). Intensive care unit medical doctors (ICU-MDs) and EPs were the main groups reporting a deficiency in employer-provided resources to manage conflict situations (63.7%, 61.7%; p <0.001). EPs (28%) reported practicing defensive medicine (inadequate educational support, the absence of clear protocols). Workplace burnout was reported by the ICU-MDs and EPs responders (96.3%; 93.4%; p < 0.001), and 26% of EPs expressed interest in professional reorientation. Conclusions: This study highlights four strategic directions for rebuilding a resilient healthcare system focused on improving quality of care and safety: development of procedures/protocols, managerial reorganization, restoration of healthcare professionals’ trust through new strategies, and academic development.