International Journal of Risk & Safety in Medicine - Volume 10, issue 3

Article Type: Other

DOI: 10.3233/JRS-1997-10301

Citation: International Journal of Risk and Safety in Medicine, vol. 10, no. 3, pp. 143-146, 1997

Authors: Persson, Linda | Westerhäll, Lotta

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The problem of litigation brought against physicians, pharmaceutical companies and pharmacies for alleged injury as a result of drug treatment is an increasing one throughout the world. The shortcomings of litigation as a means of solving conflicts and providing remedies are evident; it is slow, complex, extremely costly, and sometimes unfair. An alternative approach is offered by the various “pharmaceutical insurance” schemes which exists in the Nordic countries, that in Sweden having been operative for the longest period. This critical account of the Nordic systems of compensation may provide a starting point for developing non-litigious approaches to the problem of …drug-induced injury elsewhere. In particular, one may note the manner in which Product Liability Legislation according to the E.C. model and “pharmaceutical insurance” schemes according to the Nordic model can usefully complement one another. Show more

DOI: 10.3233/JRS-1997-10302

Citation: International Journal of Risk and Safety in Medicine, vol. 10, no. 3, pp. 147-185, 1997

Article Type: Other

DOI: 10.3233/JRS-1997-10303

Citation: International Journal of Risk and Safety in Medicine, vol. 10, no. 3, pp. 187-187, 1997

Authors: Zhou, Weijin | Steffensen, Flemming Hald | Sørensen, Henrik Toft | Nielsen, Gunnar Lauge | Olsen, Jørn

Article Type: Short Communication

DOI: 10.3233/JRS-1997-10304

Citation: International Journal of Risk and Safety in Medicine, vol. 10, no. 3, pp. 189-190, 1997

Authors: Lie, Rolv Terje | Irgens, Lorentz

Article Type: Short Communication

DOI: 10.3233/JRS-1997-10305

Citation: International Journal of Risk and Safety in Medicine, vol. 10, no. 3, pp. 191-191, 1997

Authors: Sørensen, Henrik Toft | de Jong-van den Berg, Lolkje

Article Type: Short Communication

DOI: 10.3233/JRS-1997-10306

Citation: International Journal of Risk and Safety in Medicine, vol. 10, no. 3, pp. 193-195, 1997

Authors: Olsen, Jørn | Sørensen, Henrik Toft

Article Type: Short Communication

DOI: 10.3233/JRS-1997-10307

Citation: International Journal of Risk and Safety in Medicine, vol. 10, no. 3, pp. 197-198, 1997

Authors: Mortensen, Erik Lykke

Article Type: Short Communication

DOI: 10.3233/JRS-1997-10308

Citation: International Journal of Risk and Safety in Medicine, vol. 10, no. 3, pp. 199-202, 1997

Authors: Nielsen, Gunnar Lauge | Sørensen, Henrik Toft | Zhou, Weijin | Steffensen, Flemming Hald | Olsen, Jørn

Article Type: Short Communication

Abstract: In this paper we describe the options of a pharmacoepidemiologic database comprising data on all reimbursed prescriptions taken up at pharmacies in the County of Northern Jutland since 1991 including precise identification of the individual person for whom the medicin was prescribed. The County comprises 487,000 inhabitants equal to approximately 10% of the total Danish population.

DOI: 10.3233/JRS-1997-10309

Citation: International Journal of Risk and Safety in Medicine, vol. 10, no. 3, pp. 203-205, 1997

Authors: Kimhi, Robert | Barak, Yoram | Achiron, Anat | Elizur, Avner

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Viral hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) have been reported to be prevalent among residents of custodial institutions and health-care workers. Among psychiatric inpatients sparse research was undertaken and results are controversial. We designed the present study to evaluate rates of HBV and HCV among psychiatric inpatients and to characterize the “typical” carriers. All newly admitted patients to the Y. Abarbanel Mental Health Center who were judged by the admitting psychiatrist to be at high-risk underwent laboratory tests for acute and chronic HBV and/or HCV. The period covered in the present study was from January 1993 to December 1995. Inclusion …in the high-risk group was based on one (or more) of the following: history of blood transfusion; I.V. drug abuse; homosexuality; promiscuous sexuality; prostitution; positive HIV test. Of 1327 newly admitted patients, 121 (9.1%) were clinically judged to be at risk. Of these 42 (34.7%) were positive for HBV (37/42) or HCV (5/42). The mean age among infected patients was 37.1+11.6 years; the majority were males (30/42) and the most frequent psychiatric illness was schizophrenia (24/42). In more than half (26/42) of the infected patients the clinical judgement of risk was promiscuous sexuality. Although as a group psychiatric patients newly admitted for treatment do not seem to constitute high risk for HBC and/or HCV carries, sexual promiscuosity should prompt psychiatrists to test for possible hepatitis infections in order to reduce risk to other inpatients and staff. Show more

Keywords: Hepatitis, psychiatry, schizophrenia

DOI: 10.3233/JRS-1997-10310

Citation: International Journal of Risk and Safety in Medicine, vol. 10, no. 3, pp. 207-210, 1997