Epidemic conjunctivitis can be associated with viral or bacterial pathogens, whereas epidemic keratoconjunctivitis is caused mainly by adenoviruses type 8,19 and 37. In Germany, the incidence of adenovirus conjunctivitis cases increased from 0.2 per 100 000 inhabitants (in 2001 and 2002) eventually to 0.5 in 2003 and 0.8 in 2004. The detection of adenovirus in conjunctival swabs is notifiable to the local health departments. Data about cases with positive conjunctival swabs are then transmitted to the Robert Koch-Institut. Quality control of data takes place and national surveillance data of confirmed cases with adenovirus conjunctivitis are published. From January to April 2004 the national surveillance system captured an outbreak with 1024 cases (131 laboratory confirmed). Analysis of the national surveillance data showed that in March 2004 the group primarily affected by epidemic keratoconjunctivitis was young men between 18 -29 years old followed by an increased number of notifications from women in the same age group. Meanwhile the German Armed Forces experienced an outbreak of conjunctivitis, almost exclusively without laboratory confirmation, affecting 6378 soldiers. Despite the small number of laboratory confirmed cases it became clear from the analysis of the national surveillance data that person-to-person transmission between young men and similar age groups of the population did occur. Whether the outbreak started within the garrisons of the German Armed Forces or whether it was triggered within these accommodations, there is clearly a need for the national and the military public health institutions to work together on guidelines to handle future challenges.
Since 1995, the German Federal Ministry for Health and Social Security funds National Reference Centres (NRC) for the laboratory surveillance of important pathogens and syndromes. Which pathogens or syndromes are selected to be covered by a NRC depends on their epidemiological relevance, the special diagnostic tools, problems with antimicrobial resistance and necessary infection control measures. Currently, there are 15 NRC, which are appointed for a period of 3 years (currently from January 2005 through December 2007). Towards the end of their appointment all NRC are evaluated by a group of specialists. The assessment of their achievements is guided by a catalogue of tasks for the NRC. In addition to the NRC, a total of 50 laboratories are appointed which provide specialist expertise for additional pathogens in order to have a broad range of pathogens for which specialist laboratories are available. Their predominant task is to give advice and support for special diagnostic problems. Both NRC and the specialist laboratories are important parts of the network for infectious disease epidemiology.
The organizational structure of the Medical School Hannover is described. Information flow connects the different clinical structures. Existing EDP-based systems, the functional characteristics of which are described, are able to determine part of this flow. Characteristic parameters are found from the measurements for single organizational units. These parameters allow first descriptions of the system. They also provide an entry point for a possible steering and tuning of the system. First results of such an intervention are discussed.
Material, einschließlich Medikamente, hat nach dem Personal wesentlichen Anteil an den Betriebskosten eines Krankenhauses mid veranlaßt deshalb zur Suche nach Einsparungsinöglichkeiten bei dieser Kostenart. Ausgehend von dieser Überlegung wurde an der Medizinischen Hochschule Hannover ein Rechner-gestütztes Abrechmuigs-, Informationsund Steuerungssystem implementiert. Besondere Berücksichtigung fanden in dem Konzept Verbindungen zum kameralen und — gegenwärtig besonders aktuell — kaufmännischen Rechnungswesen. Eine erhebliche Verbrauchsverringerung bei Arzneimitteln konnte erzielt und nachgewiesen werden. Aber auch bei den übrigen Materialarten ergaben sich Kostensenkungen infolge der verbesserten Information und der möglich gewordenen gezielten Managemententscheidung.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.