Prevention of postsplenectomy sepsis: how much do patients know?

The Hematology Journal : the Official Journal of the European Haematology Association
P K HegartyM P Brady

Abstract

Asplenia causes a deficiency in immunity with a long-term risk of fulminant infection, associated with significant mortality. Patient compliance requires an understanding of risks of infection and its prevention. The impact of patient education has been little studied. To ascertain the degree of knowledge held by patients who have undergone splenectomy, a comprehensive survey was designed. This also aimed to determine which group of health professionals was most successful in conveying information to patients. Patients who had undergone total splenectomy were interviewed by telephone, using a standardised list of questions to assess their understanding of the post-operation risks. Of 40 consecutive patients, 32.5% had a good knowledge of the risks of asplenia and their prevention, 52.5% had a fair knowledge and 15% a poor knowledge. Haematologists were most successful in initially conveying information to patients, and general practitioners also played a critical role in patient education. In this survey, it appears that surgeons were not effective at educating patients. Patient education postsplenectomy is poor. Measures to prevent infection in the asplenic patient are not being adequately implemented.

Citations

Feb 14, 2007·The Journal of Trauma·Stephanie Mallow CorbettJames C Hebert
Jan 11, 2007·Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health·Ian WoolleyLisa Gold
Jan 6, 2006·The Journal of Trauma·Michelle D TaylorLena M Napolitano
Feb 14, 2009·Pediatric Blood & Cancer·Rachael F GraceEllis J Neufeld
Oct 29, 2018·Critical Care : the Official Journal of the Critical Care Forum·Sarah EitzeUNKNOWN vaccination60+ study group
Oct 31, 2008·ANZ Journal of Surgery·Anna WilkesStephen Smith
Jul 19, 2018·Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics·Sarah LuuIan J Woolley
Feb 8, 2005·Irish Journal of Medical Science·B O'Connell
Apr 6, 2020·The American Journal of Emergency Medicine·Brit LongMichael Gottlieb
Jul 23, 2021·International Journal of Infectious Diseases : IJID : Official Publication of the International Society for Infectious Diseases·Oluchi MbamaluEsmita Charani

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.

Related Papers

The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal
Gordon E SchutzeSheldon L Kaplan
Kyobu geka. The Japanese journal of thoracic surgery
Kagami Miyaji
Nederlands tijdschrift voor tandheelkunde
A J J Lammers
© 2022 Meta ULC. All rights reserved