Case-mix adjustment approach to benchmarking prevalence rates of nosocomial infection in hospitals in Cyprus and Greece.

Objective: To examine the effect of heterogeneous case mix for a benchmarking analysis and interhospital comparison of the prevalence rates of nosocomial infection.

Design: Cross-sectional survey.

Setting: Eleven hospitals located in Cyprus and in the region of Crete in Greece.

Fatal and non-fatal outcome by accidental intoxication with paint thinner.

Although poisonings (fatal and non-fatal) due to intentional or accidental acute exposure to toluene or toluene mixture fumes have been previously reported in the literature, several issues concerning lethal doses or lasting post-exposure neuropathological impairments still remain unclear. Two male painters (18 and 30 years old) were accidentally exposed to toxic concentrations of paint diluent fumes containing toluene (TL), acetone (ACT) and methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) (60:15:15 w/w/w respectively) during their work in an underground reservoir. Both workers were found unresponsive by colleagues and were immediately transferred to the regional hospital.

Repeated multi-centre prevalence surveys of hospital-acquired infection in Greek hospitals. CICNet. Cretan Infection Control Network.

Three prevalence studies for the estimation of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) were carried out in eight Greek hospitals on an annual basis during the years 1994-1996. The overall prevalence of HAI was 6.8, 5.

Acute intoxication and recovery following massive turpentine ingestion: clinical and toxicological data.

Reports of acute turpentine intoxication, particularly containing toxicological data, are poorly verified in the literature. This report regards the intentional massive ingestion of turpentine solution in an elderly woman who developed mainly central nervous system manifestations, then had an impressive and quick total recovery although the initial prognosis was very bad. Blood and urine levels of turpentine were monitored using gas chromatography and at the early toxicogenic stage were 28 micrograms/mL and 15 micrograms/mL respectively.

Experiences with acute organophosphate poisonings in Crete.

Nine human acute poisonings due to intentional ingestion of organophosphorous pesticides are presented. Six of the victims died. Six patients were treated in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) from 34 h to 45 d, while 3 were found dead by relatives.