Background The complications associated with errors in transfusion practice can be minimized by assessing transfusion practices. In Nepal, there is no standard protocol on blood transfusion. So, this study was conducted with an aim to assess the blood transfusion practice among healthcare personnel. Methods A descriptive observational study was conducted in two tertiary hospitals in Kathmandu, Nepal, over a period of 10 months. Bedside blood transfusion procedures were observed using structured checklist. Results Altogether, 86 observations were made. Time taken from dispatch from the blood bank to transfusion was >2 hours in 53.2% of cases. In majority of the cases, blood was kept in the ward in uncontrolled and unprotected manner by the patients' relatives. Only 8.2% of the patients and/or the relatives were informed about the reasons, associated probable risks (2.4%), and the benefits of transfusion (4.7%). Assessment of vital signs at 15 minutes of initiation of transfusion was done on about 2 to 4% of cases. Conclusion We found a suboptimal blood transfusion practice in Nepal, which could be attributable to substantial knowledge gap among healthcare personnel and the absence of quality culture, quality system, and quality management in the area of blood transfusion practices.

Background: Smoking accounts for 8.8% of annual deaths worldwide. It is practiced by about a third of world population

Background: Children are not just mini human creatures, they are different entities and have unique need for care, nourishment, play, interaction and harmonious environment. Both parents are equally responsible for providing such environment for optimum growth and development of children. Involvement of fathers in care not only promotes their physical development but also fosters social, cognitive, language and motor development. Objectives: To assess the awareness and involvement of fathers in care of their under five children. Methodology: A community based cross sectional study was conducted at Anandanagar tole Gokarneshwar Municipality-8 Jorpati among 128 fathers with children under five years of age. Information was collected through face to face interview using structured questionnaire consisting of statement regarding awareness and involvement in care of their under five years children. Data analysis was done by using statistical package for social science version 16. Results: Majority (60.1%) of the fathers had average level of awareness about child care. Regarding involvement, 44.5 % of the fathers had poor involvement followed by average involvement i.e. 41.4% in physical care. Around two third (68.9%) of the fathers showed average involvement in psychological and intellectual developmental activities of their children. Conclusion: This study shows that though most of the fathers had average awareness regarding childcare, their involvement in the same was less especially in physical care activities.

Introduction: Patient safety is a fundamental and critical dimension of quality health care. Globally it is becoming a major challenge in achieving universal health coverage. The challenge is even more serious in Low and Middle Income Countries like Nepal because safety related harm is more in these countries rather than in developed countries. This study aims to assess the patient safety culture among nurses.  Methods:  A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Kathmandu Medical College Public Limited to assess the Patient Safety Culture within the organization among nurses. The data was collected using Agency for Health Care Research and Quality (AHRQ) Hospital survey on patient safety culture questionnaire. Mean score was calculated in different dimensions and Mann-Whitney U test was used to assess the association between safety dimension and demographic variables.  Result:  Among 12 areas of patient safety, teamwork within units and organizational learning had the highest mean score whereas the lowest reported score was in staffing followed by supervisor’s expectation and action promoting patient safety. While rating the extent of patient safety, 84% of respondents reported it as average in the organization. Study showed significant association of management support, organizational learning and frequency of event reported with age of respondents and overall perception of patient safety and hands-off/transition with working area.  Conclusion: Since the patient safety culture is average within organization, attention needs to be paid to make it adequate in all areas of safety.