SUBJECTIVE WORKLOAD MEASUREMENTS AMONG CRITICAL CARE NURSES IN A GREEK INTENSIVE CARE UNIT OF A SMALL URBAN HOSPITAL-PRELIMANARY RESULTS

Patient care in Intensive Care Units is characterized be high demanding tasks, which lead in daily high workload. In the present study, a questionnaire-based evaluation of ICU nurse’s workload was conducted at the adult general 7 - beds ICU of a small urban hospital. NASA Task Load Index (TLX) along with other two tools, used for the first time in healthcare environment: Instantaneous Self-Assessment (ISA) and Crew Status Survey (CSS) were used for that purpose. Information about every nurse’s professional background and basic demographics were also collected. Responses from 70% of total nurse staff were collected. Continue reading →

Category: 2021, 2021a, Clinical Studies
Keywords: Crew Status Survey (CSS), Instantaneous Self- Assessment (ISA), Intensive Care, NASA TLX index, workload
Authors (a/b order): Aslanidis Th., Kamparoudi Th., Masoura N., Moschona E., Nanopoulou P., Parisiadou P., Savoulidou S., Tetradi M., Thomaidou E., Tragiani E., Tsakiri A., Zarda J.

ACQUIRED HEMOPHAGOCYTIC LYMPHOHISTIOCYTOSIS IN A CRITICALLY ILL PATIENT WITH INVASIVE PULMONARY ASPERGILLOSIS AND TURICELLA OTITIDIS BACTERAEMIA: A CASE REPORT.

Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a life-threatening syndrome of excessive immune activation that mostly occurs as primary (hereditary) disease in children. Acquired HLH is associated with infections, cancer of rheumatological conditions. Both are rare in adults. Turicella otitidis is a bacterium, that is associated with ear infections and there is only one case report of bacteraemia. The present report describes a case of acquired HLH with invasive pulmonary Aspergillosis and Turicella otitidis bacteraemia in an adult patient; and also reviews the relative literature. In conclusion though rare, acquired HLH is a devastating condition that clinicians should have in mind when managing patients with multiple infection or underlying immunosuppression. Continue reading →

Category: 2021, 2021a, Case Reports
Keywords: bacteraemia, Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis, Turicella Otitidis
Authors (a/b order): Agaliadou-Dioritou U., Aslanidis Th., Flioni E. N., Karakosta P.

West Nile virus Encephalitis: Case report and review of the literature

West Nile virus is an RNA virus, member of the Japanese encephalitis serogroup of the genus Flavivirus, family Flaviviridae. First isolated in 1937, the virus has re-emerged after giving several outbreaks after the 1990 both in Europe and North America. Though severe neurological infection is only 1% of the total cases, mortality can reach 14% after CNS involvement. The present case report describes a case of WNV encephalitis with concomitant acute flaccid paralysis. Continue reading →

Category: 2020, 2020c, Case Reports
Keywords: Εγκεφαλίτιδα, Λοίμωξη ιού Δυτικού Νείλου
Authors (a/b order): Aslanidis Th., Papachristou D.

CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION IN PRONE POSITION IN CRITICALLY ILL PATIENTS WITH SARS-COV-2 INFECTION

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases. SARS-CoV-2 is a new virus that has not been previously identified in humans. Patients with SARS-CoV-2 commonly develop acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), myocardial injury, ventricular arrhythmias, and shock, all of which increase their risk of cardiac arrest. The main objective of this brief review is to raise the discussion on the possible indication of cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a patient with SARS-CoV-2 in prone position as a way to save time, since the entire process of decubitus change is complex and often slow, due to the number of devices used in these patients, such as catheters, infusion pumps and monitors. In addition to a price of high demand for stressed human resources. Continue reading →

Category: 2020, 2020b, Review Articles
Keywords: ARDS, Cardiac arrest, Critical Care, Pandemic, Prone Position, SARS-CoV-2
Authors (a/b order): Aslanidis Th., Bersot C.D.A, Pereira J.E.G.

PRE-HOSPITAL MEDICAL EMERGENCIES SERVICES ACTIVITY DURING COVID-19 LOCKDOWN IN AN URBAN SETTING, IN GREECE: FOCUSED CASES

COVID-19 pandemic has created an unprecedented citation for the healthcare system; such that its effects are now started to become obvious. The main aim of this report is to describe the time trends of utilization of prehospital emergency medical system in a region of northern Greece from first confirmed case of the COVID-19 in the country, at 26/02/2020, till the first order for loosing lockdown at 04/05/2020. Use of data retrospectively collected for PEMS usage, in the regional unit of Thessaloniki, Northern Greece 26/02/2020, till the first order for loosing lockdown at 04/05/2020. The area of interest represents a little more than 10% of the total population of Greece. Daily cases of selected categories (suicides, assaults, animal bites, cardiac arrests, and car accidents) were recorded. Comparison with the daily cases in the previous 2 years (2019,2018), for the same period was performed. Continue reading →

Category: 2020, 2020b, Observational Articles
Keywords: covid-19, emergency medicine, lockdown, prehospital emergency medical services
Authors (a/b order): Allios D., Apostolidis K., Aslanidis Th., Charitidou S., Iliadis K., Karabelidou Ch., Nikolaidou O., Syrmou E., Tsioupa A.

FRACTURE OF NASOGASTRIC TUBE: A CASE REPORT

Nasogastric tube is commonly used for administration of nutrition or medication in hospital wards and Intensive Care Units. However, its use is not without complications.In the present paper, a case report of nasogastric tube breakage is presented. Continue reading →

Category: 2020, 2020b, Case Reports
Keywords: fracture, nasogastric tube
Authors (a/b order): Aslanidis Th., Savoulidou S.

SEVERE SEPSIS AND STEVENS JOHNSON SYNDROME AFTER INTRAVESICAL BACILLUS CALMETTE-GUERIN (BCG) INSTILLATION. A CASE REPORT AND SHORT REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) therapy, recommended for superficial bladder tumors, triggers side effects in fewer than 5% of patients. Yet, when encountered, high level of suspition and early detection is essential for their succesfull management. In the present article, we present a case of severe sepsis and Steven Johnson syndrome in a male patient after intravesical BCG instillation. Intravesical instillation of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is frequently used as the treatment of choice for carcinoma in situ and non-invasive high-grade superficial tumor of the urinary bladder¹. BCG is a live attenuated strain of Mycobacterium bovis and is the most widely used intravesical agent². Adverse events occur in fewer than 5 % of cases, ranging from mild local symptoms to severe sepsis and death^1-3. In the present article, we report a case of successful management of septic shock with concomitant Steven Johnson syndrome after intravesical BCG instillation and perform a short review of the relevant literature. Continue reading →

Category: 2020, 2020a, Case Reports
Keywords: BCG therapy, bladder tumor, intravesical therapy, Sepsis
Authors (a/b order): Agaliadou-Dioritou U., Aslanidis Th., Karakosta P., Thoma G.

Disaster medicine research: Trends and Bibliometric Analysis

Major disasters have always occurred, but their increasing frequency over the last years has raised the importance of disaster medicine. Knowledge visualisation techniques, such as bibliometric maps, along with expert judgement, can help us identify the “blind spots” and eventually better prepare for such catastrophic events. Continue reading →

Category: 2019c, Editorial
Keywords: Bibliometric analysis, Disaster Medicine
Authors (a/b order): Aslanidis Th.

Metformin – associated lactic acidosis treated with Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy in a critically ill patient: Case report and review of the literature.

Though metformin is considered as first choice drug in type II diabetes, clinicians should be alert both for presence of potential contraindications to its use and to possible adverse reactions. Bad therapy compliance along and/or concomitant comorbidities may lead to serious toxicity. We hereby describe a case of extreme lactic acidosis- associated with metformin therapy- in an elder woman, managed with Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy in Intensive Care Unit environment. Short review of the literature about the place of renal replacement therapy in such cases is also discussed. Continue reading →

Category: 2019c, Case Reports
Keywords: Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy, Lactic acidosis, Metformin
Authors (a/b order): Agaliadou-Dioritou U., Aslanidis Th., Karakosta P., Voudouris A.

FATAL BACTEREMIA CAUSED BY PANTOEAAGGLOMERANS IN A CRITICALLY ILL PATIENT

We present a case report concerning fatal bacteremia caused by Pantoeaagglomerans in a critically ill patient.

Pantoea is a genus of Enterobacteriacae Gram-negative bacteria family that includes at least 20 species; mostly isolated in the ecological niches.

Continue reading →

Category: 2019, 2019b, Case Reports
Keywords: bacteremia, intensive care unit, pantoeaagglomerans
Authors (a/b order): Agaliadou-Dioritou U., Aslanidis Th., Karakosta P.