Tomoko Owan

Device to promote pelvic floor muscle training for stress incontinence

Aim:  Many patients with stress urinary incontinence do not have enough motivation to continue pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) by themselves. Therefore, a device was created to support PFMT, and its effect was examined.

Location of spina bifida occulta and ultrasonographic bladder abnormalities predict the outcome of treatment for primary nocturnal enuresis in children

Objective:  We examined whether the existence of spina bifida occulta or ultrasonographic bladder abnormalities was related to the outcome of treatment for primary nocturnal enuresis in children.

Role of neuraminidase inhibitor chemoprophylaxis in controlling nosocomial influenza: an observational study

Please cite this paper as: Higa et al. (2012) Role of neuraminidase inhibitor chemoprophylaxis in controlling nosocomial influenza: an observational study. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 6(4), 299–303.

Transabdominal vesical sonography of urethral syndrome and stress incontinence

Background: Transabdominal ultrasonography was used to study the bladder neck morphology in women with urethral syndrome or stress urinary incontinence, in order to determine the ultrasonographic findings of these conditions.

Ultrasonographic changes of the female bladder neck during development

Background: Our previous study showed that the anteroposterior vesical wall angle (APVA) at the bladder neck on transabdominal ultrasonography varied widely between women. The present study examines whether the APVA changes during development in girls with a normal bladder.

Prevention of a Nosocomial Infection Caused by Influenza Virus A Using Prophylactic Administration of Oseltamivir : An Observational Study with Review of the Literature

Influenza virus infection in hospitals is a very important clinical issue. The objective of this study was to describe the effect of oseltamivir in controlling a nosocomial influenza virus infection with an observational study and case report. Intervention was carried out in a ward of the University of the Ryukyus Hospital. Symptomatic staff members were sent home for one week, and the infected inpatients were isolated. In addition, in an episode of influenza infection among the staff members and inpatients, oseltamivir (75 mg once a day for 7 days) was administered to all staff members as well as inpatients who had had close contact with the influenza patients. In the hospital ward, eight staff members (nurses and doctors) and ten hospitalized patients were definitively diagnosed with influenza A viral infection based on results of a rapid diagnostic test. Although a relatively large number of the staff members and inpatients had an influenza virus infection, it was possible that the use of oseltamivir efficiently minimized a nosocomial outbreak. It was very difficult to diagnose influenza A virus infection based on clinical symptoms. It was possible to minimize and end the outbreak immediately by using oseltamivir prophylaxis. With a review of the literature, it is considered that prophylaxis with anti‐influenza drugs are highly recommended in hospital settings.

Promotion of Departmental Cooperative Activities Supporting the System of Legionella Infection Control in the Hospital

In our hospital, Legionella monitoring in the shower water of bathrooms is conducted every year. Legionella was detected in only one of the sink taps of the ˆfth ‰oor psychiatric ward bathroom in 2010, but Legionella was also detected in several showers and sink taps of the fourth ‰oor obstetrics and gynecology ward, Maternity and Perinatal Care Center, and NICU in 2011. Furthermore, L. pneumophila serogroup 1 was detected in several components of the water system equipment except for bathrooms. Hoses were exchanged and water drained to eradicate Legionella, and rechecking was negative in all locations except the sink of the interview room in the Maternity and Perinatal Care Center. According to interviews with nurses, water drainage was not fully performed. We considered the departmental cooperative activities supporting the system of Legionella infection control in the hospital, and the arrangement and use of water system equipment at this time. We thought that the risk of Legionella becomes high with low frequency in use of water system equipment, because the infection center was on the fourth ‰oor that is the bottom of the arrangement of water system equipment, and infection spread mostly from water system equipment with low frequency use in that location. The arrangement of a water supply system must be carefully examined, and the frequency of use of water system equipment monitored as part of measures against Legionella. For this reason, prompt cooperation between the infection control committee, responsible staŠ, and the equipment division, and information exchange are essential. We propose a guidance plan to ensure cooperation and exchange of information. Key wordsLegionella, infection control, supporting system structure