A comparison of the efficacy of narrow band imaging and contact endoscopy in an early diagnosis of squamous malignancies of the upper aerodigestive tract.

Background: This study aims to compare the efficacy of narrow band imaging (NBI) endoscopy and contact endoscopy in early diagnosis of squamous malignancies of upper aerodigestive tract.

Methods: This study was of 18 months duration, sample size 50, and carried out at tertiary care hospital. The patients were subjected initially to NBI endoscopy followed by contact endoscopy.

Evaluation of swallowing in patients with T3/T4 oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Follow-up of patients treated for head and neck cancer is an important part of the overall treatment. Oral cancers are one of the leading causes of dysphagia. Swallowing dysfunction occurs owing to the disease itself, its predisposing factors, and the treatment.

Changes in salivary output after induction at high-altitude areas and its effects on dental caries among Indian Army troops.

Background: This study was aimed to evaluate the changes in salivary output and its effect on dental caries among Indian troops after 6 months of stay at high-altitude area (HAA).

Methods: All troops undergo mandatory dental checkup during acclimatization phase before deployment at HAA. Two thousand troops who fulfilled inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected, and consent for the study was obtained.

Comparison between Standing Broad Jump test and Wingate test for assessing lower limb anaerobic power in elite sportsmen.

Background: Lower limb explosive power is an important motor quality for sporting performance and indicates use of anaerobic energy systems like stored ATP and Creatine phosphate system. Weightlifting, Fencing and Wrestling use it for monitoring and identification of potential sportsmen. The Wingate test and Standing Broad Jump (SBJ) test are reliable and accurate tests for its assessment.

A qualitative study to develop an instrument for initial nurse assessment.

Complex health care needs focus on accountability and necessity of inclusion of nurses in documenting and monitoring clinical care plans have brought in the concept of initial nurse assessment and nursing process. However, no standardized form exists in the Armed Forces Medical Services to document initial nursing observations while a patient is being admitted in service hospitals. A focus group design was utilized to explore and conceptualize an initial nurse assessment form that may be utilized by service hospitals.

A study of assessment of patient safety climate in tertiary care hospitals.

Background: Medical errors are being detected with increasing frequency in healthcare environment, in many cases leading to patient harm. Measurement and improvement of patient safety climate has been identified as a strategic effort towards addressing this vital issue.

Method: Safety Attitude Questionnaire (SAQ), validated by previous research was administered to 300 respondents in three tertiary care hospitals of India, the respondents representing various categories of healthcare workers and variations in safety scale score was analyzed by various statistical tools.

Life cycle costing as a decision making tool for technology acquisition in radio-diagnosis.

Background: Life cycle costing analysis is an emerging conceptual tool to validate capital investment in healthcare.

Methods: A preliminary study was done to analyze the long-term cost impact of acquiring a new 3 T MRI system when compared to technological upgradation of the existing 1.5 T MRI system with a view to evolve a decision matrix for correct investment planning and technology management.

ABC-VED analysis of expendable medical stores at a tertiary care hospital.

Background: The modern system of medicine has evolved into a complex, sophisticated and expensive treatment modality in terms of cost of medicines and consumables. In any hospital, approximately 33% of total annual budget is spent on buying materials and supplies including medicines. ABC (Always, Better Control)-VED (Vital, Essential, Desirable) analysis of medical stores of a large teaching, tertiary care hospital of the Armed Forces was carried out to identify the categories of drugs needing focused managerial control.

Would a Massive Intra-abdominal Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor with Growth into the Inguinal Canal and Scrotum Preclude Surgical Option? A Case Report and Review of Literature.

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST) are rare spindle-cell sarcomas derived from Schwann cells or pluripotent cells of the neural crest accounting for less than 10 % of all soft tissue sarcomas. They arise from major or minor peripheral nerve fibers or their sheaths. The World Health Organization coined the term MPNST for tumors of neurogenic origin with similar biological behavior replacing all the previous heterogeneous and, often, confusing nomenclature including malignant schwannoma, malignant neurilemmoma, and neurofibrosarcoma.

PREVALENCE OF ANTIBODIES TO HEPATITIS C VIRUS IN HOSPITALIZED POPULATION SUBSETS.

Prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV antibody) was ascertained in different subsets of hospitalized patients. Anti-HCV antibody testing was done using a third generation test The anti-HCV positivity in the sera of 308 tuberculosis patients, who had been given streptomycin, was 12.3 per cent It was 7.