AIM:To determine average personal exposure to nitrous oxide for anaesthesiologists and nurses working in operating rooms (ORs) and intensive care units (ICU) in Clinical Hospital in Shtip, ENT University Clinic in Skopje and General Hospital in Kochani.METHODS:To determine TWA exposure nitrous oxide concentration was continuously measured over 8 hours shift within breathing zone of the subjects involved, using the handheld electrochemical instrument with data logging option. Results obtained were statistically processed.RESULTS:Highest TWA exposures (well above RELs) were found for nurses and anaesthesiologists in ORs in CH – Shtip, because of high workload in substandard conditions. TWA exposures in CH – Kochani were found to be significantly lower although in substandard conditions, mostly due to lower workload. TWA exposures found in ORs in ENT UC – Skopje is within RELs due to good work practices and proper ORs equipment.CONCLUSIONS:Study indicated significant exposure of personal working in substandard ORs in CH – Shtip. Applying proper work practices and maintain control equipment (general ventilation and scavenging systems) in operation, could provide for safe work environment.
Background: Sublingual morphine (Novamorf) have now proved to be safe and effective in control of severe chronic cancer pain. Methods: 40 patients with a variety of cancer types were taken in our study. In all of them, morphine was administered as sublingual tablets in doses from 20 miligrams to 120 milligrams daily (mean daily dose of Morphine was 83 miligrams) in the study period of four weeks. Pain scores (Visual Analogue Scale: VAS), degrees of satisfactory, safety and side effects (constipation, nausea) were assessed. Results: In all patients pain control (by VAS) and sleep quality was improved, none developed respiratory depression, high range of safety. Regarding the side effects, 7 patients reported constipation and 6 patients nausea. Two of them stopped the treatment because of strong nausea and switch to another way of administration of morphine. Conclusion: Flexibility, high pain relief, improving quality of life, minor side effects, safety and an easy way of administration offer advantages for oral morphine in treatment of chronic cancer pain.
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