Volume 4 Issue 2
Authors: Herrera Alvaro; Velásquez Hordep; Silva Ricardo
Abstract: Objective: Observe the response on the release of calcium into mouse keratinocyte HaCaT cells subjected to biofield therapy (BT) through a pranic healing technique. Design: This was a pilot experimental study. Settings/location: The study was conducted in a laboratory at Simon Bolivar University. Subjects: Mouse keratinocyte HaCaT cells. Interventions: The intervention consisted of a 15-minute biofield therapy using a pranic healing technique. Outcome measures: Cells were loaded with 5 μM calcium indicator Fura 2-AM to monitor changes in intracellular calcium concentration. Cell population was separated into two groups: a control group where cells received no stimulation and the other experimental group where pranic healing was applied. Results: The cells that were treated with pranic healing showed a significant increase in intracellular calcium concentration as compared with untreated cells. Such increase in calcium concentration is consistent with the depletion of intracellular stores. By the action of Thapsigargin (TG) peak, calcium release is equivalent to cells exposed to pranic healing in comparison to control cells. One possible explanation for this observed result is that store of intracellular calcium had been stimulated by pranic healing and hence the resulting drain is lower. These results allow us to infer that pranic healing has an action on intracellular calcium storage but does not allow us to clarify how calcium has been stimulated.
Keywords: Fura-2 AM; Mouse Keratinocyte HaCaT Cells; [Ca]i; Issuing Biofield Therapy (BT); Pranic Healing Technique; Information Theory; Biofield
Authors: Basema Saddik; Deana Ahmad AlMulhim
Abstract: Purpose: This study was conducted to identify the main factors that influence the average patient waiting time - from bed check-in to discharge as key performance indicator (KPI) of the emergency department at National Guard Health Affairs-Dammam Hospital. Methods: A cross-sectional study using a questionnaire that consisted of 29 items was developed to highlight the main factors that have an impact on patients’ waiting time in the emergency room. Using convenience sampling, all emergency room caregiver staff at Dammam NGHA hospital was targeted to participate in this study. Between February and March 2013, 110 participants completed the survey with a response rate of 87.3%. Results: The study revealed that patients’ mean waiting time in the emergency department was 123.82 minutes after bed check-in. The study findings show that factors including participant’s level of education, working schedule, years of experience as well as Health Information system accessibility had a statistically significant but weak relationship with the average waiting time after bed check-in (p <0.05) with the exception for work field which showed a medium positive relationship(r=0.302). The participants’ working schedule and Health Information system accessibility were the most significant variables that influenced the patients’ average waiting time after bed check-in in the emergency room. Conclusion: This study has identified five factors that may influence patient waiting time after bed check-in in the emergency room at NGHA Dammam Hospital: participant’s work field, level of education, working schedule, years of experience and Health Information system accessibility. Stakeholders need to take action to implement proper solutions which may lead to better delivery of patient care in the emergency room. Further studies should also target eliciting staff and patients’ opinions to ensure high quality of services in the emergency room.
Keywords: Health Organizations; Key Performance Indicator (KPI); Emergency Department; Staff Performance; Waiting Time in ER; Patient Care; Saudi Arabia