Search Results

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Article
    Citation - WoS: 1
    Retrospective Evaluation of Potential Rabies Exposure Cases Over Nine Years: Single-Center Experience
    (Bilimsel Tip Yayinevi, 2024) Demircan, Serife Altun; Kilic, Esra Kaya; Tulek, Necla; Kinikli, Sami; Bulut, Cemal
    Introduction: T & uuml;rkiye is the only European country where suspected rabies exposure from animal contact is a significant public health concern. In this study, we evaluate cases investigated in our vaccination center, where individuals with suspected rabies exposure have been seeking consultation for many years. The evaluation encompasses demographic characteristics, distribution by years and seasons, the type of animal involved in the contact, the prevalence of stray animals, and the rabies vaccination status of owned animals. Materials and Methods: The study involves cases reported to the Public Health Center from those who sought consultation at our center between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2019. Demographic characteristics, distribution by years and seasons, the type of animal involved in the contact, the prevalence of stray animals, and the rabies vaccination status of owned animals were retrospectively evaluated. Results: Over the nine years, there were a total of 39.731 cases, resulting in an average of 4414 cases per year. Of these cases, 61% were male, and 68.83% were between the ages of 15 and 64. The most cases occurred in summer and autumn. Of the suspected rabies contacts, 69% involved dogs, and 83.4% of these dogs were unowned. Forty-one point eight percent of the owned dogs were vaccinated. Eighty-nine point six percent of the cats were unowned, and the rate of vaccination among the owned cats was 28.2%. Over the years, there has been a decrease in the use of the 10 -day observation approach, while an increase in the administration of rabies vaccine and/or immunoglobulin has been observed. Conclusion: Seventy percent of all risky rabies contacts involve dogs, with a high rate of 84% of these dogs being unowned. To mitigate contact involving the risk of rabies, addressing the uncontrolled reproduction of stray animals, particularly dogs, and ensuring control and vaccination of the existing animal population appear to be primary measures. Improving the vaccination rate of owned animals, currently at only 30-40%, can prevent people from encountering risky rabies contacts, thereby potentially reducing the need for rabies prophylaxis significantly.
  • Article
    The Effect Of Constructivist Training On The Rate Of Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections in The Intensive Care Unit
    (Anestezi Dergisi, 2025) Yarimoglu, Saliha; Erdinç, Fatma Şebnem; Kaymak, Çetin; Tulek, Eren, N.; Basa̧r, Hulya; Tuncer-Ertem, Günay,; Kinikli, Sami; Tulek, Necla; Ertem, Gunay Tuncer
    Objective: Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CA-UTIs) are common healthcare-associated infections. Constructivist training is based on integrating new knowledge with previously learned knowledge. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of constructivist training on the rate of CA-UTIs in the Anesthesia and Reanimation Intensive Care Units (ARICU). Methods: This study was a retrospective-prospective intervention study. Over the period of one month, a total of 62 healthcare staff (seven doctors, 38 nurses, and 17 cleaning staff) working in ARICUs were organized into groups of 4-5 people and received forty-five minutes of constructivist training on preventing CA-UTI. Personnel from each of three ICUs participated in the same number of training sessions. Comparisons were made of the rates of CA-UTI and catheter use in the six-month periods before and after the training. A 4-item questionnaire was administered to the study participants six months after completion of the training. Results: The catheter-associated urinary tract infection rates before and after training were observed to be 8.3 and 8.7 per 1000 catheter days, respectively in ARICU-1, 7.0 and 8.1 per 1000 catheter days in ARICU-2, and 7.3 and 9.9 per 1000 catheter days in ARICU-3. No statistically significant difference was observed in the CA-UTI rate in each unit after constructivist training compared to the pre-training period. The intervention of constructivist training alone did not reduce the CA-UTI rates in the ICUs. According to the results of the survey conducted six months later, 92% of the nurses and 88% of the cleaning staff stated that constructivist training had positive effects. Conclusion: The intervention of constructivisit training alone did not reduce the rates of CA-UTIs in the ARICUs, but an increase was observed in the awareness of ICU nurses and cleaning staff. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.