Implementing a collaborative sepsis protocol on the time to antibiotics in an emergency department of a saudi hospital: quasi randomized study.

Background. The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of an ED sepsis protocol on the time to antibiotics for emergency department (ED) patients with severe sepsis. Methods.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: hospital and intensive care unit outcomes in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Background: There is little data surrounding the survival of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who are admitted to the critical care unit with exacerbation of symptoms. We conducted a study to measure the in-hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) outcomes of patients admitted with COPD exacerbation, and identified the related prognostic factors.

Method: We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients who were admitted to the adult ICU between January 2006 and July 2011 for COPD exacerbation in King Abdulaziz National Guard Hospital, Al-Hasa, Saudi Arabia.

Impact of 6-hour sepsis resuscitation bundle compliance on hospital mortality in a saudi hospital.

Purpose. To assess the effect of improved compliance with 6-hour sepsis resuscitation bundle on mortality in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock. Materials and Methods.

Venous thromboembolism risk and prophylaxis in a Saudi hospital.

Objective: To evaluate the risk factors and physician's compliance to American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) guidelines recommendations for venous thromboembolism (VTE) prevention at our hospital.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at King Abdulaziz Hospital, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia from November 2009 to December 2009. We used the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) 2008 guidelines and Caprini's scores to assess VTE risk and to determine whether patients had received recommended prophylaxis.

Pain management of children and adolescents with sickle cell disease presenting to the emergency department.

Objective: To show and characterize our practice in the initial management of children and adolescents with sickle cell disease (SCD) presenting in acute painful crises, and to identify if there is a delay in patients getting the initial analgesics compared with standard guidelines.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at the Emergency Department (ED) of King Abdulaziz Hospital, Al-Ahsa, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The study participants were patients who visited the ED with acute painful crises related to SCD between July 2006 and July 2007.

Central venous catheter practice in an adult intensive care setting in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia.

Objective: To study the standard central venous catheter (CVC) practice in an adult intensive care unit (ICU) for potential improvement.

Methods: This is a prospective descriptive study conducted in an adult ICU of the 300-bedded King Abdul- Aziz Hospital, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. All consecutive patients admitted over 18 months (April 2007 to September 2008) were included.

Pain practices in a Saudi emergency department.

Objective: To describe analgesic practices among adults presenting to the emergency department (ED), and to determine factors affecting the timeliness and adequacy of analgesia.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study with descriptive and comparable data analysis was conducted on 2,199 patient visits. This included a structured medical records review for all adult patients (over 14 years old) from August 1, 2006 to October 31, 2006 that presented to the Emergency Department (ED) of King Abdul-Aziz Hospital, Al-Ahsa, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Testing psychiatric stigma in a general hospital in Saudi Arabia.

Objective: To measure the stigma of psychiatric illness in a general hospital setting, and to test the connection between common ideas people have of patients with psychiatric illness (personal responsibility, and dangerousness), and the generation of discriminatory behavior.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey through internal mail was carried out in all the hospital staff of King Abdulaziz Hospital in Al-Ahsa, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire was distributed on the 1st of February, and the study was finished on the 12th of March 2008.

Extended spectrum beta-lactamase producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteremia. Risk factors and outcome in the eastern region of Saudi Arabia.

Objective: To study the risk factors for bacteremia caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli) or Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) producing extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) and their outcome.