The present study is concerned with the development and characterization of bioadhesive carageenan gel encapsulating Amphotericin B and Lactobacillus acidophillus, prepared by graft co-polymeriztion against Candidal vaginitis. Intravaginal gel systems based on bioadhesive polymer (carrageenan) were characterized with respect to swelling index, bioadhesive strength, percent encapsulation and in vitro drug release antimicrobial studies. A marked increase in swelling index of gel encapsulating Lactobacillus was found to be 1.9±0.35. The percent encapsulation of drug was found to be 98.63%±.0.2% and that of Lactobacillus was 91.81 ±0.01. The viability was observed for interval of 6 hrs on trypton soya agar and showed that viability was highly conserved till 4 hrs. The antimicrobial study of gels encapsulating Amphotericin B and Lactobacillus showed that carageenan gel can inhibit Candida albicans upto a maximum extent. Bioadhesivity study also conducted for gels that showed a bioadhesivity of 84.66% ±.0.5% with drug, 88.66% ±.02% with Lactobacillus. In-vitro drug release showed a sustained type release of drug from the polymer i.e. there was initial burst of Amphotericin B up to 5 hours, after which there was a sustained release upto 10 days. Thus it has been concluded from the present study that bioadhesive gels encapsulating Amphotericin B can act as promising drug carriers along with Lactobacillus against candidal vaginitis.
Background of the study NST is a simple, non invasive test performed in pregnancy over 28 weeks of gestation. Pregnant women are generally positioned in the supine position because this position allow easy administration of the test. But supine position cause aortacaval compression which decrease blood supply to the fetus hence shows non reactive results. Hence position is one of the main factor which should be considered during non stress test.
Methodology Aquasi experimental design was used. Total 60 antenatal women (30 experimental group I, 30 experimental group II) was selected by purposive sampling technique. Data collection method- Baseline maternal foetal bio-physiological parameters were assessed by performing NST for 10 minutes in baseline position(supine position) among experimental groups and then after a gap of 10 minutes semi-sitting and left lateral position was given to experimental group I and II respectively. Maternal and foetal bio-physiological parameters were assessed after 10 minutes of NST in both experimental groups I and II.
Results Result of the present study revealed that baseline (supine) when compared with Semi-sitting position had significant effect on maternal foetal bio-physiological parameters at (p<0.05) level of significance however when baseline (supine) compared with left lateral position had no significant effect on maternal bio- physiological parameters except on pulse rate at (p<0.05) level of significance whereas left lateral position had significant effect on foetal bio-physiological parameters except baseline heart rate and deceleration at (p<0.05) level of significance. When semi-sitting compared with left lateral had no significant effect on maternal foetal bio-physiological parameters at (p<0.05) level of significance.
Conclusion Baseline position(supine) when altered to semi-sitting or left lateral position influence the maternal foetal bio-physiological parameters. Semi-sitting when compared with left lateral had no significant effect on maternal and foetal bio- physiological parameters.
Biofilm refers to a group of microbes colonizing together and often adhered to a surface. The adherence is attributed to secretion of polymeric substances comprising of extracellular DNA, proteins, and polysaccharides thereby limiting the access and inhibitory activity of existing antimicrobial agents. Biofilm are a major cause of acute infections and pose immense clinical threat especially in conditions employing the use of invasive devices thus being a major source of mortality and morbidity. Hence there is a dire need to develop alternative treatment against biofilm-related infections. Advances in nanotechnology has opened new horizons. Nanoparticles derived from various metal present promising candidates to ameliorate biofilms owing to their antioxidant potential.
The ageing population, increasing pollution, and lethargic life style of human beings are some of the primary reasons for the growth of healthcare sector. Indian entrepreneurs have observed this growth opportunities and providing healthcare services in multiple ways. However, the literature emphasizes that without integrating information technology in existing healthcare facilities, quality service cannot be rendered to a large number of patients. With this backdrop, the present study is a novel endeavour to explore the role of information technology in Indian healthcare services. It aims to explain the relevance and dimensions of information technology in relation to healthcare services and examines the empirical relationship between identified dimensions and some demographical factors (age, educational qualification, income, and gender).The results of this study can be beneficial to healthcare professionals, service enablers, implementing agencies, and policy makers. Limitations, further research directions and conclusions have been discussed.
Focus on service-profit chain by organizations in the service sector has been found to be of crucial importance. Companies in varied sectors like banking, airlines, restaurants and healthcare have become industry leaders by focusing on aspects of service-profit chain. This paper presents an analysis of service-profit chain in the healthcare sector. Taking two examples of hospitals from India and one from abroad this paper brings out the importance of focusing on the service-profit chain in this sector. An analysis of the practices in these hospitals, with a major focus on Aravind Eye Hospital, will give a perspective of how these hospitals have focused on the service-profit chain and made them efficient and effective and have enhanced their customers’ satisfaction. Service-profit chain analysis can help healthcare organizations to be customer focused. It can motivate organizations to develop attractive value propositions for customers. It can also provide a warning to organizations that are neglecting the interests of employees. Overall, the service-profit chain provides a useful framework for healthcare organizations in developing their strategy as well as implementing day-to-day operations.
Purpose: The operation theatre is the major cost and revenue centre in a hospital. The operation theatre’s optimum utilization will not only increase the revenue for the hospital but will also have a significant positive impact on customer satisfaction, for both internal and external customers. The present study aims in improving the existing process in an operation theatre suite of a tertiary care private hospital in Siliguri (West Bengal), which suffers from a process related problem, delay in scheduling operations (Sigma level 2.17), as found out in the Pilot Study. The study is carried out to improve the sigma level. Aligning with it, the operation theatre utilization is calculated with the objective of its bench marking, as per industry standards.
Design/Methodology/Approach:Â The study is conducted within the framework of Defining, Measuring, Analysing, Improving, and Controlling (DMAIC) method of Six Sigma. To begin with, the Pilot Study is carried out to identify and define the problem. At the measuring and analysing stage, Pareto analysis technique is employed, aided by the Cause and Effect diagram. After the identification, causes are categorised as controllable and uncontrollable. This is followed by a brainstorming session, which is conducted in order to work out solutions relating to controllable causes. The Time Motion study data of 192 surgery cases is collected for the pre-implementation phase, while that of 236 surgery cases is collected for the post-implementation phase. An independent t test is carried out to find out the difference in the outcomes, both in the pre-implementation and the post-implementation phases, thereby reflecting the effectiveness of the solutions implemented.
Findings:Â The baseline sigma level of 2.17 is improved to reach the 3.0 sigma level, concerning delay of scheduled operations. This is achieved by reducing the time lag that is experienced when shifting the patient from the Ward to the Operation Theatre, as also that relating to the cleaning and setting up of the Operation Theatre, between two surgeries.
Practical implications:Â Reducing the set up and the cleaning time between two procedures helps in reducing the delay in scheduled operations, which can be achieved by the practice of shifting the patient one hour prior to the scheduled surgery. Similarly, when more surgeries need to be performed, their turnaround time can be reduced by deploying an adequate number of housekeeping staff. Thus, more number of surgeries can be done in a day and operation theatre utilization can be optimised.
Technological innovations in healthcare are bringing a huge change in care and delivery system. Technology has improved accessibility as well as affordability in healthcare. But, does this technology provide the humane emotions that improve the patient experience. This article examines the technology role and humane concerns in healthcare and concludes that technology along with humane touch would help the healthcare industry to provide quality of care, on time.
The aim of the study is to estimate the extent and determinants of healthcare expenditure of inpatients on childbirth in India. The study is based on sample of 14510 women who gave birth to a child (whether live or still-birth, vaginal or caesarean). To estimate the determinants two-part models has been utilised. The results indicate that women spent on average around INR 9103 per childbirth in hospitals. There are also wide variations in the spending pattern of women on childbirth. Household size, economic status, occupation, religion, and caste impact the expenditure on childbirth in hospitals. There are also wide variations in the spending of women belonging to different geo-graphical locations of India. Surgeries/caesarean or utilisation of facilities like special room and diagnostic tests etc. also significantly increase the expenditure. Women opting for public health facilities or having insurance spend less as compared to others. Government of India should increase investment in health to strengthen its current infrastructure. There is dire need to improve the quality of public health facilities, to reduce the regional imbalances in health facilities, to improve the coverage of health insurance in India for equitable and pro-people health facilities.
Several methods have been publicized to measure the fornix depth but the error in the measurement makes them inconvenient for the correct diagnosis of fornix depth in the eye. In view of the cruelty of disease the precise method is needed to correctly evaluate the fornix depth measurement. In this report, a novel approach is being addressed, to solve the depth measuring issue with the logical experimental design. The explanation with the proposed hypothesis is described here with the relevant scientific approach, the emphasis of certain advantages of the present invention over the conventional measurement approaches. In this case the diagnosis and the process of diagnosis should be accurate, but in the field of ophthalmology an accurate measurement of fornix depth without committing any error was a challenging task. So far in the development of the measurement of fornix depth is concern. Currently, we discussed a novel method for the measurements of fornix depth in ophthalmic eye, which will be beneficial to get the accurate value, however it was not possible in the previously reported methods. It will have many advantages over the existing methods.
The present paper ascertains the functional efficacy of ASHAs and suggests measures for the optimization of their functioning in Punjab. For carrying out the study, different phases included random selection of three districts followed by two health blocks from each district and three sub centres from each block and subsequently one village from each sub centre. List of eligible women who had delivered a baby during the last three months prior to the survey was prepared and at last stage, five women from each village were selected at random. The findings revealed that the norms, including the age limit, educational qualification, residence and marital status set for the selection of ASHAs revealed clear adherence of the NHM guidelines. However two-thirds of the ASHAs were covering a population of more than 1,000 persons. About 90 percent of the ASHAs couldn’t specify their job responsibilities promptly on the activities related to spreading health awareness among adolescents, promoting hygiene practices, generating awareness on preventive measures on RTI/STI, HIV/AIDS, tobacco and alcoholism. About 94 percent of ASHA workers had received drug kit. However there were delays in the replenishment of drugs. As per NHM guidelines, no drug kit has AYUSH medications in it. Inter-sectoral collaboration among the ASHAs, ANMs, PRI members and AWWs was more or less satisfactory even though ASHAs intervention in VHSNC meeting was not encouraging due to non-cooperation of other stakeholders. For strengthening of the ASHA programme, it is essential that the factors discouraging them are addressed properly.
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